I Will Be the Greatest Knight

"Feeding Iro well?" Gunnar was the first to ask as he stood up from the table he sat at next to Arthur. "That apprentice eats more than some of the others who are quite a bit larger. That much was certain after they hunted a juvenile boar last night." 

Irene was mortified at this, realizing the initial response was very much learned. Women weren't supposed to eat large amounts but the work she was doing made her so hungry.

Despite her embarrassment, she managed to speak up for herself. 

"I'm hungry all the time, father," she explained. 

"You've been working hard then," Arthur realized. "That must mean you are learning well." 

Irene nodded. 

"We've just returned from another township!" she exclaimed. 

"You didn't tell us this child is an archer," Gunnar said to the apprentice's father. The old knight walked forward and elbowed Arthur. "Quite a useful skill to let go under the radar in such a way," Gunnar persisted.

Irene and her father shared a look and he knew that his daughter was worried. Sünsto women knew how to use bows. However, he wasn't sure who was knowledgeable about this particular fact. 

Arthur turned easily to the other knight and a smirk spread across his lips.

"He hasn't taken it seriously before," Arthur defended himself. "It was more of a skill to play tricks on his brother than anything else. If you deem it useful enough then do something about it, Gunnar." 

He subtly told the other man that he was in charge of apprentices so it was his job to figure it out. 

"We will find time to practice with it," Gunnar admitted. "Hunts will be a good start for the time being even though this group is no longer in outdoor duties until next week." 

"Yes, sir," Irene responded dutifully. "I will do what I can to further hone my skills. I look forward to more hunts in the future." 

Irene bowed her head but she was unable to hold still because she truly was so hungry. 

After the knights dismissed the apprentices, the girl followed Leif to their usual place after thanking the maids for cooking them lunch. She didn't want to be glued to her father considering being around him made her fall into old habits of acting like his daughter. She was almost surprised he didn't call her 'sweet girl' in front of everyone which would make things extremely difficult for her. 

However, there was something else she noticed as Leif fell into the background when her father was around.

Between bites, she lifted her head and eyed the older boy.

"Are you scared of my father?" she asked. "Whenever he's around you stop speaking even more than usual." 

Considering the very man she was talking about was two tables over with the other knights, Leif looked at the other apprentice urgently and widened his eyes. 

"He is not someone you can simply address and talk freely in front of," he spoke quickly and under his breath, hoping that Felix wouldn't show up to pester him. "If you weren't his child, you would realize that. His legendary career as a knight is something to be respected. I'm unworthy until I can prove myself enough to be a knight, though I doubt I'll ever be able to be one of his caliber." 

Leif didn't rant much and the most she had heard him talk at one time was when he was explaining something to her or showing her where things were in the Duke's Tower. The second time was at that moment while he ranted about her father.

Her eyebrows rose. She knew that her father was certainly someone respected but to worship the ground he walked on was something she was unable to comprehend. He was a jokester in her eyes who didn't take anything much too seriously—to her mother's chagrin. 

"I suppose you're right," she admitted. "I am simply used to him." 

The girl finished her bowl of food before using a small loaf of bread to clean up the rest of the soup. She thoughtfully ate and realized, yet again, that Leif had mostly stopped talking. 

"Do you want to be his apprentice?" she asked casually.

Leif began coughing dramatically and a maid rushed out of the kitchen with a small wooden cup of water to give to the boy so he could wash down the food that seemed to cruelly lodge itself in his throat. 

Irene could only look on in alarm with wide eyes and she glanced over at the table of knights who were also looking in their direction. 

By the time Leif was done with his choking fit, his face was red and he looked miserable. It really was the perfect time for Felix not to be there. He would have certainly had his fun with what had just transpired. 

The girl was speechless. When he finally met her eyes, all she could utter was a quiet 'why?' in response to his coughing fit. 

"Most of us would assume that you'll be his apprentice one day," Leif admitted. "Why would he choose someone else other than his own child?" 

Irene had never thought of that before. She thought perhaps it might be unacceptable. The favoritism someone may show to their own child was enough for her to think that. 

It also didn't help that the two of them together would likely blow her cover. 

"I think I'm a bit too early on in my journey to become someone's apprentice," she admitted. "I'm still learning the ropes, while you aren't." 

Leif only shook his head a few times, still mortified that he was allowed to be so caught off guard. 

After their meal, they gave their plates to the maids and walked towards the door. 

Before she could escape with Leif, she heard her father's deep voice and it caused Leif to come to a complete halt. 

"Iro."

This new realization about how he admired her father was going to be an amusing bargaining chip, she had a feeling. 

"Yes, father?" she asked. 

"Would that be alright if I talk to my child for a few moments before he returns to his duties, Leif?" Arthur responded with a faint smirk on his face. 

"Please, go ahead, Sir Arthur," Leif responded. "I will be in the library in the meantime." 

While never really improper, his extremely proper facade made a laugh threaten to escape but she managed to keep herself together. 

"What is it, dad?" she asked with more familiarity than she had shown him all day.