Page 89 of The Piper's Pursuit

Steffan could help with that. He was a soldier by training as well as experience. Father had once told him, when he was frustrated with him for some disobedient act,You could be a leader. You have it in you.

Would Father think of him now? Would he suggest they appoint Steffan as the captain of the guard of Hamlin? Or did he still plan to make Steffan the mayor?

Steffan opened his mouth again, ready to say that he would be pleased to help build up the guard. But again, something stopped him.

“Steffan and I will be traveling back to Hagenheim.”

So Father did not intend to make him the mayor after all.

“But I believe you are capable and fully able to get things back in order here. Hans and Katerina have helped us discover who among the guard were loyal to Hennek, and they have been dismissed. I will leave many of my men here until you can train more guards. We shall depart today.”

Steffan’s stomach sank into his toes. He blew out a pent-up breath.

“Therefore, I wish to appoint a new Bürgermeister whom I believe will serve quite well and will continue to serve for years to come. And I wish to make the announcement in one hour, in the town square.”

Father looked up at Hans, who was standing guard at the back of the room. “Have the guards spread the news through town that there will be an announcement in the square.”

Hans nodded and strode from the room.

Father looked Steffan in the eye. “You will be ready to leave this afternoon?”

He hesitated, but then said, “Yes, Father.”

He turned around to go talk to Katerina—and came face-to-face with her.

“I hope you and your father have a good trip back to Hagenheim. I know your mother and the rest of your family will be very glad to see you after so long an absence.”

“Thank you. I... I would like to come back to Hamlin, after I visit my mother. Perhaps I could help the new mayor with the guard. I’ve had a lot of training.”

“Oh yes. I think—”

“We should make our way to the town square,” Father said loudly for the whole room to hear. “I want all of you there.”

They all started moving toward the door. Steffan was careful to stay near Katerina. She was dressed more femininely today than usual. Her hair was flowing down her back with a few tiny braids plaited with purple ribbons. Her dress was a pale lavender, of the kind of fine fabric that a Bürgermeister’s daughter might wear.

No wonder she’d never dressed as a wealthy young maiden. Not only did she despise the source of the wealth—her stepfather, Hennek—but after all Hennek and his men had done to make her afraid of being harassed and attacked, she probably wore old, rough, patched clothing to make herself less appealing. And the fact that she so often carried a crossbow and arrows probably attracted less attention when wearing the clothing of a peasant.

She was walking slightly in front of him. Thinking of leaving her made his heart clench in his chest. He wanted to take her on picnics, to hold her hand and kiss her and touch her soft cheek. He wanted... to marry her.

Did she even want him to come back?

They reached the town square. Father was waiting for the rest of the townspeople to arrive. This could be his last chance. He touched Katerina’s arm and she turned to look at him. At least she didn’t flinch anymore when he touched her.

He bent his head toward a small tree growing in front of the Rathous on the otherwise bare cobblestone town square. She followed him until they were on the other side of the tree, away from his father and the men of the town council. She drew close and even leaned in, as if eager to hear what he had to say.

“You look beautiful today.”

“Thank you.” She squinted slightly and crossed her arms over her chest.

Had he said the wrong thing?

“You always look beautiful.”

She unfolded her arms and gave him an amused half smile. “Always?”

“Yes. To me you do.”

“I think you’re somewhat well-looking too.”