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They made their way inside the castle, and Astrid picked up Bannock in her arms again, since her cat had been waiting for her at the entrance, unsure about going inside alone. She walked beside Flynn as they entered, and she noticed how the interior of the castle was just as immaculate as the exterior. She could not understand what it was about the place, but it almost felt warm.
She did not for one second feel as if she had entered a strange castle, and even more so the castle that belonged to her clan’s worst enemy. Despite that, she knew she needed to keep her guard up. She was in a place she wasn’t meant to be, and there were ample people around who might hate her. If Astrid had learnt anything, it was practicing safety at all costs and never letting your guard down, and she would do just that.
Her eyes immediately roamed over the servants that were lined up around the castle. The men and women both were dressed in simple leines, while the women wore kirtles underneath the plain brown fabric. The men wore checkered kilts in the MacKie clan’s official colors. Astrid could not ignore the expressions of utter dislike on their faces, but she knew it was something to be expected. These people had been taught to hate her.
Flynn guided her inside a hall, where she was surprised to see two women waiting for her. As she entered, they stood up with huge smiles on their faces.
“Astrid,” Flynn introduced the older woman just as they stood before her, “this is my grandmother.”
Astrid turned to look at the old woman, who was also dressed rather simply in a kilt made from dyed fabric that peaked a little from underneath her leine. Her choice of varying degrees of black in her attire was enough to indicate that she was a widow and was one of those women who were forever mourning their husbands. Despite her solemn appearance, her expression was one of extreme openness, and her smile seemed kind.
“Nice to meet ye, me dear. We are happy to welcome ye in our home.” Lady MacKie smiled at her widely.
“Oh, how good to meet ye.” Astrid smiled back, surprised at the warmth the older woman was showing her. Lady MacKie softly patted Bannock, who did not shy away from her touch, and Astrid was surprised to see that. Her cat was extremely selective about the people she allowed to touch her. “I think she likes ye.”
“I hope ye will too,” the older woman said, and Astrid smiled at her quick-wittedness. It was evident that this was a family of sharp people, even if the family only included Flynn and his grandmother.
“What should I call ye?” Astrid asked.
“I am named Laila. Ye can call me that,” the older woman offered, and Astrid smiled at the simplicity of it. She was glad Flynn’s grandmother did not expect to be addressed with any terms of endearment or affection, since they hardly knew each other.
“I will do that,” Astrid replied and looked at Flynn to make the second introduction.
“And, of course,” he added, turning to the other woman. Astrid noticed she was much younger and was most probably just a few years older than her and was extremely beautiful. The woman too was dressed in the colors of the clan, and just like Flynn’s grandmother, she seemed to be truly warm towards Astrid. “This is Billy’s wife, Daphne. Billy is me man at arms. Ye must have seen him with me.”
“I did,” Astrid confirmed before turning to Daphne once again. “I am so pleased to meet ye. Do ye live in the castle too?”
“Both Billy and I and our children live here,” Daphne replied with a smile on her face.
“Children?” Astrid exclaimed joyfully. She had always quite enjoyed the company of children and was ecstatic over the prospect of having some in the castle. “How many do ye have, and how old?”
“I have three. Sam is my oldest, he is six, followed by Tiara, who is four, and Crane, who is three. Ye will see them playing around the castle more often than not,” Daphne replied.
“I would love to meet them sometime,” Astrid said truthfully.
She realized how forward she had been acting in just their first meeting and suddenly felt the need to distance herself. She knew she needed to keep her guard up and try not to mesh too well with the family. She needed to keep reminding herself that this was temporary and that she would return back home soon enough. This would all be over in just a matter of a few weeks.
“If ye all will excuse me, I should like to rest for a little while.” She looked at them all, and both Daphne and Laila nodded.
“I will show ye to yer chambers,” Flynn offered, and Astrid nodded gratefully. She couldn’t wait to be by herself for a little while.
* * *
“Flynn? Are ye even listening to me?” Lady MacKie asked, sounding angrier with every passing minute.
Flynn had heard her just fine the first time but simply had no desire to act on what she was asking him to do, or more appropriately suggesting he do, in the guise of an order.
“I am sure she is fine, Grandmother. Do we really need to interfere in her life?” Flynn asked, trying his best to make sure his grandmother left him alone on the subject.
“Aye, we do. She is yer betrothed, even if it isnae a real betrothal. Moreover, she is our guest and has been locked up in her room for the past three days now. This is completely wrong,” his grandmother insisted yet again, truly sounding upset about the situation.
“She isnae locked up, Grandmother. She can come out whenever she wishes, and if she disnae wish to come out at all, who are we to force her to?” he observed, still sticking to his point.
“We willnae be forcing her but simply asking her. She has been locked in there since she arrived with her cat and her books. The maids have been taking her food, and I dinnae blame her. It was yer job to make her feel welcome in yer castle, and ye have clearly failed to do so. If ye were doing yer job right, we would have seen her out and about. Even Daphne is worried for her wellbeing.”
Flynn knew his grandmother was right to some extent, but he could not believe she would label this as his fault.
“It most certainly isnae me fault, Grandmother. I never made her feel unwelcome in any way at all. She kens she is not a prisoner here, and it is completely her choice if she wished to meet us or nae.”
