A pang of sadness with words dying in my mouth. Loch could be like a pet run by my mother, but he was the only father I really knew. Dropping my gaze, I took a deep breath trying to contain the tears. Bruce got up from the chair and came towards me with just two steps. He crouched on the side of my chair and took my hands.
- Listen, I don't usually do that, but I'm sorry! Really! Really! - he said emphasizing every pause. - I misjudged her at first, because I didn't like her cheeky way very much. Your noble and dedicated attitudes made me change my mind.
- Are you saying you like my cheeky way now? - I asked by arcing my eyebrow.
- Not exactly, but I confess that sometimes I think about how much fun the situation is and I end up not caring. - he smiled.
- Fun? I'm sorry, Your Grace, but there was nothing fun about that kiss. - I fired standing so abruptly, I ended up knocking Bruce to the ground. - I'm sorry, but for a lord, you're terrible with words, especially when you try to apologize.
Bruce grunted when I walked past him tapping his feet. I stopped pissed off when I heard him laughing. I turned angry and put my hands on my waist.
- May I ask what you're laughing at? - I asked in anger. - By any chance, besides being a talker, am I also a court jester?
Bruce stood up still laughing and began to take the dust off the ground that stuck to his clothes.
- It's not that! - he said. - Have you ever noticed that all our civilised conversations always end up in an argument for no reason at all?
I stared at his funny expression and softened his face. Bruce was right about that observation. We always ended up arguing for some silly reason. Soon my smile became a fun laugh like his. We both laughed for a few seconds, until Bruce approached me.
- Listen, I'm sorry I'm an idiot and I can't apologize! - he sighed. - When you stopped me from killing Morvan, I realized how wrong I was to judge his impulsive manner when, in fact, I act in the same way. If it wasn't for you, I would have satisfied the mass and my ego with that action.
- Even more so, your ego being a huge bottomless pit. - I debated, but then I smiled. - I'm sorry if I speak my mind. It was the only way I could get my mother to focus on me and leave Aideen alone.
Bruce sighed and stared at me for a few seconds.
- Look, I know how sad your story is, and I don't think you want to remember that now.
- Not at all!
- Oh, great! Why don't you join us and help us organize the party? I believe Abby would like some help in the kitchen.
Smile at him shaking your head.
- Confess that you liked my food.
- Well! For a naughty maiden, until she doesn't cook so badly.
I laughed and impulsively kissed him on the cheek.
- Thank you! That's all I wanted to hear.
Bruce raised his eyebrows and shook his head. I turned around and then I headed for the kitchen. As I was about to open the door, Bruce called me in.
- Annabel?
- Oh, yeah?
- I'm sorry about that night I kissed you and all those horrible things I said. - he paused with a serious look. - I was cruel and insensitive.
I took a deep breath on my shoulders.
- It's okay! It's okay! I think I deserved your anger. You shouldn't have put valerian in your food without your consent. I could have really poisoned him if he had any allergies to the plant.
Bruce kept his gaze so tightly on mine that he almost hypnotized me.
- You don't understand! - he said in a dark voice. - I said I'm sorry for everything I said about bad, but not for kissing her.
I stood there staring at the empty place he had left when he left the room. I couldn't believe Bruce's words and I didn't know what to think. Suddenly a feeling of euphoria overcame me. Not wanting to think about it, I decided to go into the kitchen and get busy.
Chapter 10
Bruce
Sitting on one of the benches on the balcony of the inn, I observed the joy of the people during a dance around the campfire. Some danced at the door of the tavern, enjoying the music that came from outside and mixed with that from inside. Everything had been set up outdoors in the middle of the village and right in front of the inn. There was a group that played the typical Scottish songs in a lively way. I took the mug to my mouth to sip a sip of the beer I'd won from the tavern owner. He had known my father when I was very young and said that he recognized me as soon as I stepped into the village. He said he was surprised by my arrival and tried to soften the comments of some people who did not trust the Black Knight. The eyes of some inhabitants were still hostile, suspicious or full of fear. I had already gotten used to those looks, since I had created that fierce and ruthless character for the battlefields, but I never thought that he would have a reputation among the villagers and that she would be so bad. Being the warrior I was, I didn't care about those details. So far!
