Henrietta’s POV

I had spent the rest of my time in Thistlecrick with the knowledge that everyone thought I was going to marry Keith.

Marik had only instigated his challenge because he was a personal student to Derilla Vane, the General of the North, and he wanted to prove the rumors one way or another.

I knew that I’d have to talk to Keith about it when I got back… but I didn't have the courage to bring it up. It was embarrassing!

And then the man just had to stand outside my door for half an hour. Probably because I’d missed lunch and was worried about me.

I never expected that I'd be awkwardly sitting here after a heartfelt confession being asked what I wanted, again. Nobody ever cared about what I wanted.

"Maybe…" I blushed. "We could hold hands?"

That sounded like a good next step.

"Do you want to hold hands now? While walking around the gardens?"

Did I want to hold hands with a ruffled Dark Magician King and go for a walk in his man-eating flower garden? Of course I did!

"Yes, but what’re we going to do about the rumours that we’re getting married?" I jumped up. "Also I need to change into real shoes."

Keith bit his lip. "I could order a stop to the rumours on pain of Rufus, or put out a detailed event of what happened."

"Would that even help?" I chuckled. "I'm living in the Queen’s Rooms, filing kingdom paperwork, having private dinners with the king and that king has in fact expressed interest in me."

Keith walked me to the door and I slipped on the boots I'd left haphazardly by the entry alcove the previous night.

"You're right." He pushed up his glasses. "It probably wouldn't."

I hesitantly took his offered hand and we headed to the garden. His hand was warm, and had rough calluses over his palm and fingers from years of building magical constructs. He also had a slightly chopped off pinky.

I was glad to have this chance to visit the garden today; the last of the corpse roses were wilting, and I was sad to see it go.

“There’s one more thing I’m worried about.” I broached. "What will people say when my father goes through with his threats to invade the Dark Enchanted Forest? He's raising an army as we speak."

"Ah, you heard about that did you?" Keith sighed. “I was trying to figure out a way to tell you.”

"Panlith was reviewing army rations when I swung by after I got back." It was pretty obvious when I spent five seconds glancing over his shoulder. Logistics were my specialty.

Keith shook his head. “As I said before, he’s been talking about this for years; it’s why I have spies in Drendil. They sent word yesterday that King Simon is preparing an army.”

“What are we doing about it?”

Keith shrugged, "I'm making attack-based automatons, and sending out missives to the Generals of each region to forward soldiers to the southern border. We can't guarantee they'll take the Great Road… though only an idiot would march through the wilds of the Dark Enchanted Forest."

“So no guarantee at all.”

Keith nodded, "but I'm going to assume he'll take the Great Road, so I’ll send our forces there. We have a few elven scouts skilled enough to survive along the border; they'll let us know if your father changes his mind."

"Hmm, let me think." My training had covered the tactical assault of an enemy, so I knew the general battle strategies commonly preferred by Drendil’s forces.

After some time walking around the garden in silence I said, “Alright. Here's what we can expect to happen and how to plan accordingly:

"The Servalt Kingdom to the East recently had a rise in crime and struggles with illicit trade because they are boxed in by North Sumbria and Nilheim. While the royal family won't condone my father's war, there may be some sympathizers who could be convinced to join the battle. It is, however, very unlikely. Stationing a scout party with personal Cast Crystals from the treasury should give us advance warning if they try to flank us.

"While those griffins are attacking the dwarven Kingdom of Baldorin, I know for a fact that there are a few shady merchants that could use the opportunity to slip contraband through the Dark Enchanted Forest while we’re distracted.

"Peldeep is our most successful trading partner. The nation as a whole is also pretty ambivalent to foreign affairs. Their Royal Highness might be an opportunist, but I think it's safe to say there will be no action from the west. They might even aid us.

"As such, if we move most of the Western army to the Southern border and most of the Eastern army to the Great Road between here and Drendil, then we will have two waves of defense. And, if need be, we can send the Eastern army back to cover Servalt on short notice.”

Keith stared at me. I was impressed that he listened silently through my plans all the way until we arrived at our usual sitting spot. I realized, sadly, that I needed to release his hand to take my seat and I unconsciously squeezed before letting go.

"That is very well thought out." Keith finally spoke, and I pretended not to see him wipe his hand while I also rubbed my sweaty palms on my thigh. We could be awkward together at least.

We settled in and I continued, "Thank you. I figured the naga clans are close to the dwarven border and could be on the lookout for any movement there."

"We’ll station them northeast outside Frolin, the trading post at the dwarven border." Keith pushed up his glasses, "Actually, I was originally thinking of leaving Derilla Vane, the Northern General at his post… but you’re correct, if all we need to worry about is a wayward band of smugglers then a General is probably overkill."

"Why don't we split the naga forces and leave most of them between here and Frolin?" My new battle-happy friends would cry when they heard that, so I added, “I know that leaving one half between their crossroad on the western road and this castle means they're better positioned… but I think we should move the others in between Gerda's Bridge and the second line. Having dissatisfied and hot-headed troops in reserve won't do anyone any good.”

"That won't work because the lizardkin are in charge of battalion defense and they’ve decided to build traps, barricades and spike walls." Keith explained. "But we can send the naga as guards to assist the lizardkin defense line. Giving them some action but mitigating our losses."

I nodded, that made sense. Strategic geographic troop placement was only viable if you knew the full picture. Gods, I loved logistics almost as much as baking pie. But not as much as making scones for Keith.

"Are we evacuating Kith Bog?"

“No.” Keith shook his head. “The village might not have a general, but it is quite a ways east of the Great Road. While it's technically 'between' here and Drendil, it has no strategic importance. It’s worthless swamp land to anyone but the lizardkin.”

“Am I missing anything else?”

“Yes.” Keith smiled a very big, vicious smile. He stood up and bowed eloquently, offering me his hand again. “Let me show you why they call me the Dark Overlord.”