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The three of you had been travelling together for little over a month, though you and Duncan had been familiar with one another for much longer. He’d met you before the death of his late master and had been in servitude ever since. He loved you, he hadn’t told you that but the man was sure of it.
You weren't high born by any means, though that did not deter the hedge knight from his quest. To make his name worthy enough for you to live with in marriage.
The end of spring was fast approaching, this next hamlet had been celebrating with a small festival. A perfect place to set up camp. You were currently walking through the dirt road streets together, watching wide eyed at the fire dancers and magicians in the town square. “Will you stop theven' the boy them sweets, his teeth will fall out before he’s full grown.”
Duncan glanced down at you as he navigated the crowds, horse tethers in hand, Egg seated on the back of Thunder. You smiled up at him sweetly, feigning innocence in a way that threatened Duncan’s morality and temper. “Nonsense, Egg will have as he likes. Would you like the tart?” You raise a hand to offer the treat you’d snatched off a bakers cart.
Egg grinned, leaning down to accept your offering. “Yes please, Miss.” He’d gotten accustomed to your company, to both of your really, and your lives. The princeling felt at home for once, he knew it was dangerous to grow so attached but it was hard. You’d been so open, so loving. It was inviting, he couldn’t refuse. As a babe he’d lost his mother only a couple days after his birth, this absent figure had loomed after him for all nine years of his life. But you filled that void. He’d caught himself one too many times believing you both to be his family. Duncan wasn’t helping with this turmoil either.
“Such wonderful manners, for that you’ll get it free.” The kid caught the sweet, taking a large bite out of a golden brown corner. He frowned, confused. “But you didn’t pay for it.” There's a light grumbling from Duncan up above, “And yet it’s still mine.”
After making his way through town you set up camp under a bankside tree, Duncan leaves to go scavenge for dinner, leaving the boy and yourself by the fire. Settling against the rigid bark of the tree you take out a small book of sonnets, one your hedge knight had gifted you on your last name-day.
Egg was across from you, knees pulled up to his chest to shield his skin from the cool summer air, he was shivering. After a while you could no longer tune out the sound of his teeth chattering, glancing over, you call him. Taking a sheep skin from your bag you drape it over his shoulders, the scrawny prince joins you against the tree, peeking curiously over your shoulder. “You carry a book?”
Flipping a page, you shuffle closer, allowing him a full view of the poetry within. “Yes, can you read boy?” Egg nods, leaning a cheek on your opper arm, most likely to steal any free warmth from your cloak. “Would you like to read with me?” He was light so you didn’t mind so much, not moving as to not spook the boy like a timid kitten. As you read the night drifted by slowly, birds chittering in the shadow of leaves, crickets singing. It wasn’t until you’d begun to worry that your hedge knight found his way back to you.
“What are you two sniggerin' about over there?” You turn to find Duncan looming over you both, beef strips in hand. You try not to move, knowing full well that the secret prince’s eyes had been drooping since the sixth poem. “This princess founded a school where only women were able to attend, so her prince and his friends dressed as women to sneak past the gates.” Egg yawned beside you as Duncan’s face scrunches in disbelief. He was adorable when confused. “Where’s it say tha?”
The young squire points to the line, then lets the hand fall back to his side, balling up like a new born babe. Duncan sets down the supplies and you scooch forward, allowing him to sit behind you and subsequently move Egg to his arm instead. Not that he minded, though it would be preferred he slept lying down so as to not hurt his neck in the morning.
Duncan rests his chin on the crown of your head, though even then he still craned over you, pretending to glance down at the book and skim the words. He was illiterate after all. You had offered to teach him once long ago but he’d been rather embarrassed at the time and refused out of shame, a knight of high birth would have been able to write poetry let alone read it, but he was not a high born. Duncan was a hedge knight.
He longed to make his name known, not just for his comfort but for yours as well, he still didn’t quite understand why you persisted on travelling with him after his master died. Perhaps you stayed for what little coin he had left, or the more favourable option in his mind. Companionship.
It is then that you begin to read aloud, something you always did for Duncan whether he knew it or not. He should be able to enjoy a story regardless of if he can read or not, that didn’t make him ‘thick’, the man was simply not educated, it wasn’t an ability he had or believed he could ever obtain.
You’d never shamed him, unlike many others, that's what drew him to you. Kindness. By no means did he believe you to be weak, he’d seen you take down many men more skilled than himself, but rather a piece of you he adored. Though there was also something about watching you fight that made his mind wonder about…other things.
“Dunk?” You felt his chest vibrate against the back of your head as he hummed in response, eyes now closed and resting against the tree, arms folded over his chest. “Today was a good day. Do you know why?” He sucks in a breath before sighing, answering you in a timely manner. “No, why’s tha?” It was difficult to see much in the dark but his ears were burning brightly you’re sure, which is why you deliver the final blow by chirping the next words so sweetly.
“Because I got to spend it with you.” He huffed out a small laugh, anxious. He was grinning but it wasn’t genuine, this man was scared for dear life at the state one woman has got him in. Only just a little outraged at himself that he let this crush fester for so long without doing anything about it, too respectful of the invisible barriers he’d placed around you. “You spend every day with me.”
Smiling, you continue the assault, drinking in his nervous energy with glee. It was just too easy. “Yes, I wish every day could be like today.” Laying back you unfold his arms and wrap one around yourself, pressing your face into his chest which just so happen to be radiating heat and warning bells for his heart's inevitable self destruction.
Duncan stewed on your words for a moment, praying to the Gods the next sentence that fell from his tongue would not make him sound like a fool. “I have no ring, only a sword and a promise to protect you ‘till my last day.” Taken aback by the seriousness in his voice you sit up to take a proper look in his face, making sure to lock eyes intensely, not allowing any room for an escape.
Though if he did run like the last time he admitted to having a single grain of affection for you, you’re sure his shoulders would make a broad enough target to lob a boot at and slow him down in the chase. This time though he did not tumble through his words, they were rehearsed or just cuttingly honest. You’re not sure which one to fear more “Are you proposing?” You asked out of shock, not insult. How had Duncan not wavered once?
It’s like his big blue eyes were trapping you here in sincerity. The vulnerability was both disgusting and beautiful. “Yes, my Lady.” You didn’t think before answering, your heart already knew what to say. “Then I accept your proposal, Ser Duncan the Tall.” The man above you takes a deep breath out, panting and seemingly shaking. You place two hands on his shoulders and kneel up to reach his lips.
They were surprisingly not too dry, he curled himself around your hips, pulling you up closer as he fell into you. It was short and honeyed, your lips tasted like syrup after a long day of feasting on jam tarts and pie, something Duncan was sure he would dream of tonight. As he did most nights. If his body would gift him with such a heavenly dream again. He had kissed once before, a tavern girl paid for by coin, but the knight was still yet to bed someone.
When the two of you pulled back, allowing the air to become acquainted with your lungs (Duncan forgot to breathe) you pressed your head into his collar, giggling away like some scandalised novice. Duncan smiled and buried his nose in your hair. Wishing to himself, on his star, that every day could be like this one.