Six months have already passed since then

The seasons had turned in the Eurasania Empire. Spring had given way to a warm, golden summer, and now the first hints of autumn painted the leaves.

Inside the royal castle, a young maid was rushing through the hallways with her skirts hiked up slightly so she could move faster.

She had run all the way from the outer gates, moving through servants and minor officials who stared after her in confusion.

She finally reached the main wing of the castle and stopped in front of a wooden door.

Without knocking, she burst inside.

Amelia Bleaufort was sitting at a small desk near the window with a warm smile on her lips as she read the latest letter she had received.

Hearing the door open, she looked up "What happened?"

The maid caught her breath, clutching the doorframe for support as she spoke "Y-Young Lady... Sir Kael is back-"

"WHAT?"

Amelia shot up from her chair so quickly that it nearly toppled over.

Without another word, she gathered the hem of her dress and rushed out of the room as she ran toward the guest quarters.

The maid stood there for a second, still panting, then hurried after her.

"Princess! Wait-"

Two years and six months had passed since she had last seen him.

She had read every single one of his letters multiple times.

They were simple with the places they had been, the dungeons and towers they had cleared, and the strange creatures they had faced.

She rounded the final corner, nearly colliding with a startled maid carrying a tray of fresh flowers.

Amelia kept running until she reached the grand double doors of the guest quarters.

Without hesitation, she pushed the doors open and stepped inside.

Brandon was standing near the center of the room and turned toward the sound of the doors opening. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

A fond smile touched his lips "Amelia."

She stood frozen for a second, and her eyes widened with a mixture of joy and disbelief.

Then she took a step forward, then another, until she was standing right in front of him.

"You’re back,"

Brandon nodded as his smile softened a bit "Yeah..."

Amelia’s gaze flickered over his face and saw the difference in his hair style.

"I read all your letters. Every single one. I kept them. I... I was worried. The reports from the western regions sounded terrible. They said the rifts were worse than anything before."

Brandon gave a faint nod "It was bad. But we handled it. Rheanne was incredible, as always."

Amelia’s eyes softened "And you? Are you alright?"

"I’m fine."

At that moment, the connecting door to the adjoining room opened, and Rheanne stepped inside.

She gave Amelia a small nod "Princess Amelia. It’s good to see you again."

Amelia quickly bowed her head in deep respect "Goddess Rheanne... welcome back."

Rheanne’s gaze shifted to Brandon for a brief moment before returning to Amelia.

"Thank you."

Amelia hesitated, then looked back at Brandon with a small, hopeful smile.

"Will you... stay longer this time? Even just a few days?"

Brandon met her eyes and gave a small nod "I think we can stay for a little while."

Amelia’s face brightened visibly "I’ll make sure everything is prepared for you."

She bowed once more to Rheanne, then turned and hurried out of the room.

Once the door closed behind her, Rheanne let out a soft breath.

"Seems like she has grown fond of you," she said quietly, walking over to stand beside him.

With a soft sigh, he hummed under his breath "Yeah, seems like it."

---

Brandon stretched his arms above his head as he walked through the hallways ’Living in a castle like this sure is luxury...’

"S-Sir Kael..."

A soft, hesitant voice called out from behind him.

Brandon stopped and turned his head.

A young maid stood a few steps away with her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

She had warm brown hair tied back in a neat bun and matching brown eyes.

She was wearing the standard castle maid uniform with a simple dark dress and a white apron and looked to be in her early twenties.

Bowing her head deeply, she uttered "Thank you for writing the letters for Lady Amelia..."

The maid lifted her head just enough to look at him, "I grew up in this castle and have been with Lady Amelia since she was little."

"I have never seen her getting excited so much before... but whenever she talks about you or reads your letters... she gets very excited. And as her personal maid, it makes me very happy."

Brandon blinked in surprise, but then showed a faint smile "Thank you for telling me. I’m glad my letters made Amelia happy. She deserves moments of joy."

She clutched the front of her apron nervously, "Forgive me if I am overstepping..."

She took a shaky breath before speaking "I-I don’t know what your feelings are towards Lady Amelia, but I just want to say that the Emperor is trying to find a groom for Lady Amelia."

Hm? Upon hearing this, Brandon frowned slightly.

He had suspected as much because royal families in this era arranged marriages for political alliances, power, and security.

Amelia was the only heir of such a huge empire, after all, and her groom has to be powerful just like her.

He gave the maid a small smile, trying to ease her obvious anxiety "I see..."

The maid’s gaze quivered "She’s always been so kind and strong, even when the court pressures her. But lately... she smiles more when your letters arrive. She reads them over and over."

"Sometimes she even talks about the places you describe."

She hesitated, then added in a near-whisper, "I just... I don’t want her to be forced into a marriage with someone cold or cruel. The Emperor is looking at powerful noble houses for alliances. But if there was someone who truly cared about her..."

The maid trailed off, realizing she had said too much.

She bowed her head again, "Forgive me. I shouldn’t have spoken so freely. Please... pretend I said nothing."

Brandon understood what she was trying to say and replied softly "I understand why you’re worried. Amelia is a good person. She deserves someone who sees her for who she is, not just as a tool for political gain."

"But my path... it’s complicated. I can’t promise anything beyond friendship and respect."

The maid lifted her head slightly and smiled "Even that... is more than most men in the court would offer her. Thank you, Sir Kael."

She bowed one last time and hurried away down the corridor.

Brandon stood alone for a moment, staring after her.

He closed his eyes for a moment ’Her getting married? What is this feeling... it sucks.’

The thought of her getting married to someone else left a bitter taste in his mouth.

It seems like he has also grown fond of her over these past two years.