𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄. chapter seventy-five; A Guard's Duty " We cannot expect them to stay the same forever. "
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THE FOLLOWING MORNING was full of paperwork. It was sobering for Elspeth, to write letters and inform families of their deceased, to offer her condolences though she had never met the people she was writing to. Then to follow up the act of sending these off with searching through replacements for the guards.
It made her sick, but she had to do it. Because Elspeth believed it was her duty. Not only because she was Lady Langlois, but because she was the one who had been there. Not Demetre. She had been head of house. She had been in charge the night they were killed. So it was her duty to notify their families and find replacements.
"Peter seems promising," Elspeth said, perking up as she read the paper, "Young, athletic; his father recently became ill, so he searches for a job to provide for his mother and younger siblings."
"How young?" Demetre questioned, peering up from his own paper, "I'll not choose anyone under twenty."
"He's twenty and one," Elspeth informed, "Why wouldn't you hire someone younger?"
"Because these men are to risk their lives," Demetre said, leaning back in his armchair, "I'll not ask a child to do that."
Elspeth pursed her lips, nodding understandingly as she sorted Peter's paper to the side.
"He should be the last one, then," She informed, clearing her throat, "I'll draft up--"
"I will draft up letters to them," Demetre said, standing, "You will take a break from all of this."
"Demetre. . ."
"Between planning for the Estate, the attack last night, and this, I can see it weighing on you," He said gently, rounding the desk and pressing a kiss to her forehead, "Go. Take a walk with Hugo and Alex. See Mary. Or Kenna. Or Louis; spend time with your friends, Petal. You need it."
"Do you not?"
"I will rest when I am dead," Demetre said, with a hint of humor in his voice, "Truly, you've helped with the heaviest parts. This is easy. Which is why I want you to use it as a break from everything."
Elspeth sighed, knowing there was no use in arguing. Not when she wanted to see Mary, anyway.
"Alright," She said gently, "I'll see Mary. . . I may leave Alex and Hugo here. . . I do not know that she'll be relaxed with. . . unfamiliar men nearby."
"Of course," Demetre said without hesitation, "We have other eyes in the castle, and I have no doubt Hugo and Alex would be appreciative of the morning off. Go, I'll come find you later today."
Elspeth kissed him in passing, before departing from the study and straight out to find Mary Stuart.
Which proved to be a bit of a struggle; she wasn't at any of her usual spaces, but when Elspeth heard a servant whispering about the queen moving chambers, Elspeth's feet picked up.
