He just nodded. Then talk turned to the estate, and how they were dealing with the staff. Dresden piped up and said that he and the maid were a thing. He said it more bluntly than that, but let''s not go there.
Rutus seemed reluctant to say anything, so Endermon asked if she wanted some assistance. Rutus nodded and Endermon said that Rutus and the servant had gotten closer in both the master and apprentice sense, but also in the personal sense.
When Dresden tried to comment, it earned him a look from all the females. He took the hint and didn''t say anything. Endermon''s mother looked impressed. She said that based on what they knew Dresden was very outspoken. Dresden took that as a compliment and had a self-satisfied grin on his face.
Everyone except Endermon''s father and Dresden knew outspoken was a polite way of saying he was loud and obnoxious. Her mother gracefully changed the topic and they talked about a lot of different topics and generally had a good time.
But soon enough the king and queen had to resume their duties and Rutus and Dresden had to go back home. As soon as they were alone, Shiloh and Endermon started wandering through the palace with no discernable destination.
They ended up in a rarely used watchtower, leftover from darker times. Now it was a place servants go to escape chores for a little bit. It was no secret, but it was an unwritten rule that only one could be there at a time. If the door was closed, you''d have to wait.
There was also a sundial in the window and if a certain amount of time passed, and the person was still inside, an alarm would ring. It used to signify the best shift had started, but now it just meant the next person could be in there.
Endermon was expecting it to be occupied, but the door was open. So they went in and closed the door. Feeling certain things, they made use of the time in the room. When the alarm rang they came out of the room giggling.
Then they made their way back down to more public spaces. Feeling they should start heading back to the estate, Endetmon took Shiloh to her father''s study. He barely looked up as they entered.
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
He said her mother would be there shortly. She had to deal with something from another kingdom. Endermon had a feeling that it was about her and Shiloh and how they could not in good conscience try to get her to meet with suitors when she was obviously happy with Shiloh. He did look up and say the forests and mountains were more peaceful as of late.
Endermon took that to mean that Rutus and Dresden were responsible for that peace. He said that all she accomplished made him proud. Endermon dabbed her eyes and went around his desk to give him a hug.
He then looked sternly at Shiloh and said he didn''t care what she was, if he found out she hurt his daughter, she would havecto answer to him directly. Shiloh didn''t flinch. She stared right back and calmly said first of all Endermon didn''t need protecting.
And secondly, Shiloh saidxshe had a feeling if she ever hurt Endermon that Endermon would be the one to dole out the punishment. Endermon''s father couldn''t help it, he laughed and said that that was probably true.
At that moment Endermon''s mother came in and asked if he was threatening Shiloh. He quickly said no. She rolled her eyes and said of course he wasnt. They went back and forth like that for a few minutes until Endermon''s mother sighed and said they didn''t come in to the study to chat. It was not a question.
Endermon looked at the floor. Shiloh asked how she knew that they had other business to attend to and her mother said that a mother most always knows. She also said that Endermon wasn''t the only one with extraordinary abilities, and left it at that.
That reminded Endermon of the strange red powder they found in the desert. She wished she had remembered to bring it so someone could study it and hopefully find a use for it. Barely had the thought crossed her mind, when she felt something in her pocket.