A Walk (Ch.21)

Amir laughed quietly, he moved his shoulders in a casual shrug and Chantria swore that singular action and that melodious sound was the cutest thing she had ever witnessed.

Chantria shook off her thoughts that centered around the cute existence that was Amir Naeem with his gleaming silver eyes that glowed with his amusement and a bright smile on his lips.

However Amir's next words gave Chantria pause.

"Aren't we all already Your Grace's men? I don't believe Irvine would mind being kept by you." Amir replied with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

 Chantria stared at Amir as though he had grown another head. She had heard his words, but she was not certain she had heard them correctly.

'What did he mean by they were all hers?' Chantria wondered suspiciously as her brain provided the most reasonable explanation for Amir's words but Chantria firmly refused to accept it.

The three men noticed the change in Chantria's countenance and Amir's expression immediately turned grim.

"I beg Your Grace's forgiveness if I have spoken out of turn..." Amir murmured as he lowered his gaze in dismay, his actions pulling Chantria out of her reverie.

"You have not offended me...yet I am not certain I understand what you have just said." Chantria admitted uncertainly.

Chantria could see the three men were completely baffled by her words, especially Amir whose eyes were wide and confused and Chantria guessed she must have sounded completely stupid.

Chantria cleared her throat audibly before rephrasing her words.

"So... what I mean is, in light of the fact that I kind of have no memories of any of you, I would like to be cleared on one little detail..." Chantria began awkwardly, before she swallowed down her hesitation and forced the question out.

"What are you all to me? I mean I know Amir and I are...well, you know... but the rest of you..." Chantria asked.

The three men exchanged a look and then Irvine chuckled in amusement.

"I do not see how this is funny." Chantria murmured to herself, waiting for the episode of amusement to pass so she could get the answer she sought.

"Is that what Your Grace is so nervous about?" The muscular one spoke first, his tone deeply amused yet somewhat teasing.

"I...well... just tell me..." Chantria muttered.

"We are to you what Amir is to you... Your Grace." Irvine explained.

"You're kidding?" Chantria began to chuckle but the smile was wiped off her face when she saw just how serious the three men around her were.

Wasn't Amir her husband? Or rather, Saint Chantria's husband? Even if they had some other title for it, Chantria did not see what else a bonded lover could mean if not a husband.

But there were three of them here, and two more who were absent. How could they be what Amir was to her? What did that even mean?

"In simple terms...we...Kahlel and Jai who are absent included. We all are Your Grace's bonded lovers, your men, your husbands... whatever Your Grace would like to call it." The muscular man deadpanned.

'Lovers...all five of them... what was this? What sort of novel was this?' Chantria jaws went open and then back closed as she simply could not come up with the right words to say.

What exactly could one even say to this?

Chantria could handle a lot of things, but when it came to romance, she had barely been able to handle a single lover all her life...it was thus a daunting realization that she now occupied the body of a woman with five lovers.

"Uhmm... could there be some sort of misunderstanding?" Chantria asked hopefully, her heart dropping as all three men shook their heads.

Chantria's mouth once again opened to speak but she let it go back shut, settling for an awkward chuckle as that was the best reaction she could muster at the moment.

"I see... that is... unexpected." Chantria murmured, clearing her throat slightly.

"Your Grace's memories will slowly return in time. The physician has assured us of this, Your Grace will naturally remember us slowly...till then, we are here to provide Your Grace with anything you may need." Irvine assured.

He must have misunderstood Chantria's sudden quiet to be owed to her concern for her lost memories and ignorance of things she should have known.

Well, it was far from it.

"Right...thank you. That is very much appreciated." Chantria murmured as she forced a smile to her lips, getting up to her feet.

"Your Grace is leaving already?" Amir asked as Chantria stood up.

Chantria passed a glance around the table, all three gazes reflected some level of disappointment and Chantria was not certain exactly what kind of relationship they had shared with Saint Chantria at all to be so insecure and shaken by her every little action.

"I will just take a walk, for a minute or two. Perhaps I ate a little too much, I feel a little bloated." Chantria explained.

"Shall I send for the physician?" Irvine asked in concern.

"No, a walk should suffice. Thank you for the meal, Irvine." Chantria declined politely.

"It is my pleasure. Shall we expect Your Grace for dinner?" Irvine asked.

"Sure, I'll be here." Chantria agreed, 

With that said, she took her leave, letting her feet guide her through the castle while she was lost in thought.