Sylvia Talgan’s POV.

  “Sir, I understand your frustrations. But these are simply the rules, the same ones you agreed upon, written up and confirmed by Headmaster Bowen himself,” Director Elise said with a strained smile.

  “I’ve read these rules. The ones regarding student fights and this situation are blurry and vague, leaving things flexible for whatever arises. There was only one aggressor; my daughter defended herself. I’m aware that you are seeking the maximum punishment for both of them to set an example to the others,” Kaladin said in a low voice.

  “The three-day suspension for your daughter—”

  “Is the limit you can give to her considering the circumstances. One would be plenty, yet you seek the maximum, including your move to put this down as a ‘fight’ which it was not,” Kaladin interrupted.

  Director Elise sat back in a chair, her long fingers clasped as she said, “Sir Shadowheart, please understand this is a critical juncture that happened far too soon. This ecosystem is already one of a kind, a fragile existence. If I were to bend the rules, lower my head, and accept the lesser of punishments, what then? I would open the doors for those in high positions to lord over this system in the future, allowing far greater injustices. This is strictly against Headmaster Bowen’s wishes and the goals of this place.”

  At least she is speaking sensibly. Bowen picked someone with a strong spine. But it’s a shame she doesn’t seem to understand Kaladin’s point.

  Kaladin shook his head in disappointment. “You are misunderstanding me. My issue is not only with your interpretation of these rules but the rules themselves. All accounts point to this Calum causing the problems over multiple days, constantly harassing my daughter despite telling him no. Yet no teacher stepped in. Regardless of their age, at what point does one need to learn their lesson? Especially when this boy was the one who got physical first. Mila protected herself from unwanted advances. Are you certain this is the precedent you want to set for the future, Director? That someone should allow their harasser to go so far and simply accept it?” Kaladin asked coldly.

  Director Elise paled slightly. “This…this is a very uncharitable narrative of these events that you are twisting in your favor, Sir. You are equating the experiences of children with those of adults. And I assure you, Calum is receiving a far greater punishment, the maximum he can without expulsion. And while I’ll admit our staff did fail to take note of it, these have been small, isolated events among a small group. Our staff can’t be responsible for every single dispute,” she argued.

  “My interpretation aside, you haven’t answered my question. In this matter, will this be your policy moving forward? Should students allow their aggressors to resort to physical means when their emotions are running hot after being denied what they wish for? And the defenders punished alongside their attacker?” Kaladina asked calmly.

  Surely she sees the issue with this. This isn’t Kaladin being domineering, but pointing out a fatal flaw in the rules while trying to give as much face as possible.

  He hasn’t even said anything about changing the rules or forcing her to retract her punishment.

  Director Elise looked nervous as her eyes floated to me. I could see the silent plea in her gaze. But she wouldn’t find support with me. I doubted I’d be handling the situation better than him.

  Seeing that I wasn’t in agreement, Director Elise sighed softly. “I understand. As we said at the parent gathering, this is a time of growth. And with growth comes pain. It may be in our best interest to evaluate the rules and consider some changes for matters such as these. But that would be for the future. I can’t go soft on these matters…even considering your positions, Sir and Madam,” she said.

  Kaladin smiled as he stood up and dusted his robe off. “Good, then we are in agreement. Change is required, but doesn’t have to be retroactive in this case. A little bit of unease should serve as a deterrent to others for the time being. We’ll accept Mila’s punishment as long as when the new rules are implemented, the events today will accurately reflect that on her record,” he said while extending a hand.

  Director Elise nodded and stood to shake his hand, then mine. “That is more than fair, Sir, Madam. I appreciate both of your understandings,” she said with a smile.

  All in all, it ended well. Things could have gone far worse. Depending on how the school was run, if that Calum boy had a noble background, he could have easily twisted the sceinaro. After all, many would agree that a child having their nose crushed over a verbal disagreement was many steps too far. Especially if that child was a noble and the other was not.

  Thankfully, the safeguards Bowen had put in place did wonders. The situation was handled amicably. But if Mila were the one injured..

  Well, things wouldn’t have gone so well.

  “Who was it?! Who dared to hit my son!”

  Before we could even turn around, we heard shouting from the hall with a pleading voice trying to calm it. The door was thrown open with a man in a sharp suit, his face red with anger. His furious eyes looked right to left as his eyes widened in shock. His angry expression dissolved as beads of sweat rolled down his face.

  “Ah…Sir Shadowheart…Lady Sylvia,” he muttered weakly.

  Kaladin extended a hand and said, “You must be Calum’s father. Nice to make your acquaintance.”

  The man made an adult swallow as he straightened his back. With a strained smile, he bowed to me and shook his hand.

  “Same to you, good sir. I’m Lucas. I only wish it were under better circumstances. Perhaps in the future you could pay a visit to my humble merchant company, haha,” he said nervously.

  Kaladin smiled as he said, “Of course. I’m always looking for local merchants. I’ll have to do just that.”

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  The man chuckled awkwardly as he asked, “About today…it’s merely a misunderstanding, yes? There are no hard feelings, mmm? We as adults can’t have bad blood over the squabbles of children. Yes, yes, I can not be so petty as to have such feelings.”

  “Naturally, Sir,” Kaladin agreed.

  Lucas seemed to let the tension go from his very soul as he let out a laugh in relief. “Wonderful, I’ll make sure Calum is well educated after this. I’ve spoiled him far too much. Then I won’t bother Sir and Lady any further,” he said.

  I gave him a nod as Kaladin, and we left the two to their own. “You enjoyed that a little more,” I whispered.

  Kaladin smirked at that but didn’t say anything. We went to pick up Mila in one of the other rooms, and she rushed over and jumped into Kaladin’s arms.

  “Daddy, I’m sorry…” she muttered.

  Kaladin hugged her tightly. “And what do you have to be sorry for, mm? You did what you were supposed to. If someone grabs you again, you can do the same thing. Just make sure if it’s an adult you run after,” he said softly.

  I felt my heart flutter as I watched them. Then Mila instantly went and hugged me as well. I embraced her tightly as I told her, “You did well, sweety. We’re proud of you.”

  —

  Kaladin Shadowheart’s POV.

  “I appreciate the guide, Captain Fairchild,” I said.

  The man turned his head slightly as he grinned. “Anything to get these old bones moving again,” he chuckled.

  “Say, Captain, you wouldn’t happen to have experience training troops, would you?” I asked as we walked down the palace's lush hallways.

  The old captain raised an eyebrow, but still answered, “I do. I can’t exactly say I’m a veteran in such matters, but I have trained my fair share of recruits over the years. Why? Are you training up an army or something?”

  “Something along those lines,” I said.

  Captain Fairchild's eyes widened as his gait slowed. I chuckled and said, “What? Is it so surprising that a knight of a princess wants to create his own order?”

  He blinked a few times but shrugged. “For most? No. But for you…I can’t help but be surprised. I have a feeling this will be a monumental occasion. I imagine you are looking for help in the initial training process?” he chuckled.

  “That’s correct. If I could get the help of someone of your caliber, it would be of immense benefit,” I said honestly.

  Captain Fairchild let out a deep hum as he stroked his chin. “I don’t see why I can’t. I’ll make the request. But I am just one man. I have a few old wolves I keep in touch with these days. If you toss out a few gold coins, I’m sure I can get them to come bite. They live for that type of action,” he said.

  “If they are under your recommendation, I’d be a fool to turn them away. I’ll look forward to it then,” I said.

  Captain Fairchild chuckled again as he nodded to the guards outside the door, opening it for me. “I believe you still have some negotiations to handle before that, right?” he asked.

  “Wise indeed. Although I must say I’m confident I’ll get it approved,” I said with a grin.

  “That I’m certain of,” he said. “Princess Arene, Princess Laurena. Sir Shadowheart is here.”

  “Yes, yes, bring him in,” Lauren shouted.

  “Then I’ll see you another time, Captain,” I said.

  “Indeed, Sir,” he responded with a nod.

  As I walked into the large office, the warm sunlight beamed in from the stained glass windows with the Gryphon symbol of Luminar. Shelves lined the walls, stacked with endless ledgers. Deep red carpet spread over the floor as the black marble columns held up the arched ceiling.

  Lauren and Ren were both at their desks, each made of fine, handcrafted wood. Both were enjoying a similar sight to me as of late. The endless mountain that was paperwork.

  Lauren gave me a weak smile as she motioned for me to take one of the very few seats that wasn’t stacked with things to do. “I’d offer you some tea or snacks, but…I haven’t exactly had the time to leave,” she said with a sigh.

  “It’s quite all right. I can do without,” I said with a chuckle.

  “Do you find this scene amusing or something?” Lauren complained with a sly grin.

  “Only as much as I can relate. At least my to-do piles aren’t as overbearing as you two. I’m afraid one day I may reach your lofty status,” I said.

  Lauren giggled before setting down the paper and folding her hands. “Kaladin, it’s good to see you,” she said softly.

  “Same. I hope you’ve been well. Same with you, Ren. We’ll have to have a spar soon,” I said.

  Ren let out a long sigh as she rubbed her eyes. “I missed you too. Sister, any chance I can have that spar right now?” she half pleaded, half begged.

  “Only if you work for two days straight after,” she chided.

  Ren let out a groan as she sank into her chair in defeat. Lauren smiled but raised an eyebrow at me as she warned, “I already received your letter for additional land and approved it. But you know, one of these days, Kaladin, I’m going to have to tell you no.”

  I just chuckled and shrugged. “I’ll cross that bridge when I get there,” I said.

  It was true that I was immensely benefiting from nepotism from those two. The crown had gobbled up a lot of recently “vacant” land after the attacks, purchasing it themselves only to turn around and flip it for greater gains.

  With Lauren and Ren, I was given premium land in the city at far below market price. And although it wasn’t my intention, why must I limit myself? I believed that I earned some favors after everything I’ve done.

  What was one or two plots of land for a dead dragon and god?

  Lauren still eyed me suspiciously. “But I can’t imagine you needed an expedited answer on this. Which means you are either here to bask in our beauty or you want something else,” she said.

  “Definitely the second one,” Ren chided in.

  Lauren rolled her eyes at her sister as I answered, “That’s right. I have another matter I need your approval for.” I motioned to stacks of paperwork and smiled. “Since you are so busy, I’ll cut to the chase. I want to start a knight order.”

  Ren nearly tipped her chair back when she shot up and looked at me with wide eyes. Lauren was slack-jawed for a moment before clearing her throat and narrowing her eyes at me.

  “Who are you and what have you done with Kaladin?” she hissed.

  I waved her away and said, “I’m very serious. I want to form a knight order, albeit a special one. I’m sure it will be of the likes you’ve never seen before.”

  Lauren looked at me in disbelief. “I believe this flies in the face of your previous desires by a landslide,” she muttered.

  “It does. But times change. And I need to adapt so I don't get swept away. Just as Captain Fairchild said, I’m just one man. I can’t be in every place at once,” I said with a shrug.

  Lauren let her chin rest atop her clasped hands. “Sadly, neither of us can authorise this. You’ll have to speak to my mother about it,” she explained.

  “That’s fine. I planned on asking her for a favor anyway,” I said.

  Lauren shook her head as she reached into a drawer and slid a scroll across to me. “Well, it appears she also has something to ask of you, as she was going to request to see you in person. It was so important that she couldn’t even tell me what it was about,” Lauren said.

  “Oh?”