"Don't be upset," Arne requested, to Irene's disbelief.
"I won't be," she assured him.
"I need to leave this place before I take the reins," he admitted. "Just for a short time. I would like to see what it's like to be a knight for a while and climb ranks on my own accord, not because of what father's laid out for me."
Irene had an urge to lecture him, but she resisted. She had been on so many adventures she had lost count, while Arne stayed in north central Chemois and simply learned the ropes of the lands. She and her father could be considered good knights, but that was because they had so much experience under their belts.
She would be selfish to be upset that her brother needed it as much before he truly took over as the lord of this region for good. Their mother was still technically the lady. Irene would have to look at more knights being placed in this area while Arne was away—wherever he would go.
