Chapter Text
The hall was big, with a white marble floor and high glass ceiling, Leta clung on to Gaunt’s arm.
“Right..we showed, can we go now?”
“Sadly not..”
She hated these events, she hated how people saw her tattoos and shaved head and instantly started to look as if they had smelt pig shit.
But most importantly, she hated the tight laced gown and high heels she had to wear.
She scanned the room, mostly out of habit than anything else, Gaunt was right, security was tight, in each corner stood a man in heavy armor, with their weapons ready, but ready in the same way a statue stood, loose grip but ready to tighten at a seconds notice, she felt the laspistol on her thigh, a sudden heavy weight.
Security had caught it on their way in, the alarm beeped, and all she had to do was flash the dataslate that she always had in her coat pocket, showing that she was allowed to carry weapons at all times.
The scan hadn’t picked up the fold away knife that disguises itself as a bracelet however, and that made her nervous, if that snuck in unnoticed then anyone here could have a secret weapon, a carefully hidden way to slip a blade between Gaunt’s ribs.
A man approached, he wore a uniform, his badges showed he was of some rank, Leta didn’t pay much attention.
“Bram!” The man extended a hand, with a hearty grin “Its good to see you.”
“Archibald..Good to see you as well…” Gaunt shook the man’s hand, smiling back “Leta, this is Archibald Hela, General of the 75th Tanaries..”
He took his extended hand and gestured to Leta
“Archibald, My wife, Leta.”
Leta awkwardly saluted, Archibald looked surprised, he clearly expected a curtsey.
“Ah yes..I had heard you had married a soldier..” He looked her over “And she is..still under your command?”
“My personal body guard.”
Leta smiled at how proud Gaunt seemed of her, even if Archibald looked as if he had just been told a joke, an unfunny one at that.
“How…unique.”
Leta repressed an eye roll, and wondered if the man would drop dead if she informed him she was also a former penal legionnaire.
“She is, yes.”
He placed his hand on hers, folded in the nook of his arm.
The men spoke, in calm tones about battles that Leta herself had fought in alongside Gaunt, but she knew Archibald had never led a charge in his life, he had that softness that comes from too much brandy and watching the battle from afar.
“I’ll go find us some wine..” Leta released Gaunt’s arm “Red or white?”
“Surprise me.”
“And you, General?”
“Oh nothing for me thank you.”
She would need something stronger than wine in truth, but she needed a clear head, whiskey had a tendency to make her stupid, she'd say something to the wrong person, step on someone's toes.
A porcelain servator was serving drinks, holding out two trays of glasses, Servator’s still gave Leta the creeps, something about the eyes.
She took two glasses of red wine and quickly walked away.
When she returned to Gaunt and Archibald, a woman had joined them, women always seemed to gravitate towards Gaunt, like moths to a flame.
“I say Ibram..you should take a nice desk job, you are far too much of an asset to risk losing on the battlefield.”
Leta gritted her teeth at how the woman said his name, far too familiar for her taste.
“Madam, Life behind a desk would bore me to tears.” Gaunt flashed her a smile, The woman smiled back, and Leta decided now she would step in.
“I got you red, that alright?” She handed out the glass to Gaunt
“It’ll do, thank you, love.”
The woman’s nostrils flared in surprise and she not so subtly eyed Leta over.
“Madam Antoinette Loincourt, My wife, Leta Gaunt.”
“Wife?” The woman smiled, she wore the white face makeup of the high class, a powdery mask that made her as unsettling as the servators. “I was unaware that you were married, Lord-Executioner.”
“Come now Antoinette, sound less disappointed.” Archibald joked “Besides, You do so love your gossip, how did you miss that Gaunt had married a common trooper?”
Leta’s mouth twitched.
“No offense, M’lady.”
“None taken, General.”
“You must feel quite out of place, Madam Gaunt.”
Leta resisted the urge to throw her glass of wine in the woman’s face.
“I must admit I am, yes..” She raised her glass to her lips “I am used to my foes trying to shoot me, rather than bore me with idle chit-chat.”
She saw Gaunt smile
“Excuse her..” He sipped his own wine
Antionette smiled, but it didn’t match her eyes.
“Oh the wit of a trooper..” She paused “Apologies for boring you, Madam, perhaps there is a muddy puddle somewhere you wish to play in? Make you feel more at home.”
“And perhaps I can find you a elderly lord for you to charm, As you are quite clearly in the market for a husband of higher rank.” Leta lowered her glass “Judging by the state of your clothes, or did the fashion change back to that of the last decade while I was away at the front?”
The glare she got was like a bullet.
“Ibram..Archibald..” She bowed her head to the men “I will leave you.”
Once she was gone, Gaunt laughed, Archibald joined in.
“Throne Leta..” Gaunt grinned at her “You didn’t have to scare her away.”
“Neither did I have to listen to her shamelessly flirt.”
“My lady if you are as deadly a shot as you are with your insults, You can win this whole damn crusade single handedly.” Archibald laughed, perhaps he wasn’t as bad as she thought.
“Now, I have taken up enough of your time, I shall leave you before you decide to shred my self esteem also.”
“General..” Leta saulted.
Once he too was gone, she turned her full attention back to Gaunt.
“Question..”
She thread her arm through his again
“You always introduce me as your wife…then your bodyguard..”
They started walking across the room.
“Why?”
“You’re both?” he chuckled “Why wouldn’t I introduce you as such?”
“Because you always get the same reaction.”
“Would you prefer I didn’t?”
“No..No..” She sipped her wine “I like that you take pride in my titles..”
“And I wish to show you off.”
He met her gaze for a second, and for that second, everyone else in the room faded away.
“My beautiful wife..who is also one of the most capable soldiers I’ve had the honor of meeting, let alone command.”
“And my handsome husband, who is far too charming and is making me suspect he is up to something.”
“Nonsense..” he laughed “I would just prefer it if you didn’t start a fist fight with the next woman who comes near me.”
“I make no promises.”