Chapter 6: Pack Distrust

The next morning arrived beneath another quiet snowfall.

When I drew back the curtains, Frostmane lay wrapped in white once more. The rooftops, the watchtowers, even the pine trees beyond the manor walls had softened beneath fresh snow. Only the smoke rising from the chimneys reminded me that the fortress was already awake.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Your Grace?"

Agnes entered carrying a neatly folded cloak. "His Grace requests your attendance at today's council."

I blinked. "The council?"

“Yes,” Agnes replied.

She spoke as though announcing the day's weather, but the words settled heavily in my chest. This couldn't be a social invitation.

Before I could ask another question, Nella hurried inside with a breakfast tray.

"The council?" she repeated, stopping so abruptly that the cups rattled. "I've never seen a duchess attend before."

"Because there hasn't been one," Agnes replied.

Nella looked at me with unmistakable concern. "Does that mean?" she asked.

"I'll probably embarrass myself?" I offered.

Her eyes widened. "No."

After a thoughtful pause, she added, "Maybe only a little."

I laughed before I could stop myself. "I appreciate your honesty."

"I panicked," Nella admitted. "Sometimes I answer before I think."

"So do most people," I said.

Agnes cleared her throat. "If everyone has finished predicting disasters, breakfast is waiting."

The corners of Nella's ears turned pink as she followed Agnes from the room. For the first time that morning, the knot in my stomach loosened just enough for me to breathe.

The dining room was warm despite the winter outside. A fire crackled quietly in the hearth, and sunlight reflected off the snow beyond the tall windows.

Evren was already seated, with several reports resting beside his plate. One had been opened halfway across the table, his attention fixed on it instead of the meal before him. I took my seat.

"Should I prepare a speech?"

He finished reading the page before answering.

"No."

I waited until he added, "You should prepare for questions.They'll want to know how you think."

That sounded considerably less comforting.

"Is this an introduction?"

His gaze finally lifted.

"It's an evaluation."

Agnes quietly poured tea while silence settled between us. I reached for a slice of warm bread more out of habit than appetite.

Only then did I notice Evren hadn't touched his breakfast. His tea had already begun to cool.

"Does your food usually get cold?" I asked.

"Frequently."

"You should eat while it's warm."

"I'll eat when I'm finished."

I glanced at the stack of reports.

"Will that be before lunch?"

After a brief pause, he said, "I hope so."

It wasn't a joke, and for some reason, that made it harder to smile.

When he finally folded the report closed, he stood. "We should go."

The council hall occupied one of the oldest sections of Frostmane Manor. Stone pillars lined the corridor leading toward its great oak doors, each carved with wolves standing shoulder to shoulder beneath the moon.

Agnes walked beside me. "The council consists of Frostmane's senior commanders, advisors, and elders."

"I imagine they're eager to meet me."

She considered that before replying, "They're eager to evaluate you."

There it was again.

Evaluation.

After a few more steps, Agnes spoke more quietly. "Some of them opposed your marriage."

"Only some?"

She glanced at me before answering, "The others simply stayed silent."

I breathed out a small laugh.

"I suppose that isn't much better."

"No."

It wasn't.

Several people had already gathered outside the council chamber. The moment Evren approached, conversations paused.

"Your Grace."

"Commander."

"My Lord."

Greetings followed him naturally as he acknowledged each person with a nod, but no one addressed me.

One commander stepped between Agnes and me without noticing either of us. Agnes calmly moved aside to make room.

An elderly woman looked in my direction before continuing her conversation.

Elder Rowan arrived moments later. He greeted Evren first. Only after their brief exchange did his gaze settle on me. It was neither warm nor hostile, only cautious.

"Does this happen often?" I asked quietly.

Evren answered without looking away from the doors. "Every meeting."

"What does?"

"They ignore people they haven't accepted. Attention is earned here."

His voice carried neither apology nor criticism, only certainty.

The great doors opened, and we entered together.

The council chamber was built for decisions rather than ceremony.

An oval table occupied the center of the room, surrounded by heavy wooden chairs polished from decades of use. Maps covered one wall, marked with colored pins, trade routes, and border lines. Shelves held rolled parchments tied with ribbons of different colors.

Everything in the room served a purpose. Evren took his seat at the head of the table, and I sat to his right.

Once everyone had settled, Rowan folded his hands.

"Our first matter concerns the eastern border."

The meeting began with reports. Snow had delayed supply wagons, a mountain pass had partially collapsed, and several villages would require additional grain before the next shipment arrived. The discussion moved efficiently from one issue to another.

Only after the final report did Rowan turn toward me.

"There remains one final matter."

The room grew still.

"House Verenne has shown little interest in Frostmane over the years."

I met his gaze. "Neither had I."

A few people exchanged brief glances before another elder spoke.

"Have you ever visited the North before your marriage?"

"No."

"Then everything here is unfamiliar to you."

"Yes."

The admission seemed to surprise him as another commander leaned forward.

"Can you name the villages beyond these walls?"

"I can't."

Silence lingered. "But I intend to learn them."

He studied me for a moment before leaning back.

Another voice joined the discussion. "How do we know your loyalty belongs here rather than House Verenne?"

I let the question settle before answering. "You don't."

The room fell quiet.

"And you shouldn't. Trust isn't inherited." I looked around the table. "It's earned."

No one interrupted. The fire crackled softly behind us.

Finally, Evren placed one hand on the table. "My decision stands."

His calm voice carried easily through the chamber.

"If anyone wishes to question it, they may do so through me."

No one argued. Rowan regarded me thoughtfully. "You're confident."

"No." A small smile escaped before I could hide it.

"I'm trying very hard not to embarrass myself."

A few restrained smiles appeared around the table. Not many, but enough.

The meeting concluded shortly afterward. As people began leaving, one broad-shouldered commander slowed beside me.

"You answered better than I expected."

"I hope that's a compliment."

"I'm still deciding."

Then he walked away, and I watched him disappear into the corridor before Agnes joined me.

"You handled yourself well."

"I was certain they could hear my heartbeat."

"I don't think they could."

She paused. "They were listening to your answers."

Somehow, that felt like progress.

By evening, I found myself standing outside Evren's study. The door stood partly open. He was marking something on a large map spread across his desk. Several reports waited beside his elbow.

"You wished to speak?" he asked without looking up.

"I have questions."

He set down the pencil. "Come in."

I stepped inside, closing the door behind me.

"Why did you bring me to the council?"

"They'll have to accept you eventually."

"You sound very confident."

"No. Just realistic."

"So today was a test."

"Yes."

"You could have warned me."

"I did."

"When?"

"This morning."

I folded my arms. "I suppose that counts."

"It does."

He returned to the map, moving one small marker farther north.

"What exactly do you expect from me?"

He considered the question while scanning another report, then answered in the same even voice.

"Do your duty."

"My duty?"

"Represent Frostmane. Learn its people. Earn their trust."

"And?"

He signed the bottom of a document before setting it aside.

"Don't become another problem I have to solve."

The words stung. Before I could answer, my eyes drifted across the room.

Pinned maps. Letters requesting aid. Lists of wounded soldiers. Supply shortages. Border patrol schedules. Every surface held another responsibility.

"You really don't know how to speak to people," I said.

He looked at me without offense. "No, I don't."

I couldn't help smiling. "That explains a few things."

"It does."

A comfortable silence settled between us as he reached for another report, and I walked toward the door.

"Do you ever stop working?"

"When Frostmane does."

"That isn't an answer."

"It's the only one I have."

There was no pride in his voice, only quiet certainty.

I left him to his work. Agnes caught up with me before I reached my chambers.

"Your Grace."

I glanced back toward the closed study door. "Does he always keep that many reports?"

She answered without thinking.

"Those were only today's."

I looked once more at the study door. Those had only been today's reports. Somehow, that single thought stayed with me longer than anything he had said.