<><><> Year 1313 <><><>
The people freed from slavery were welcomed into the new housing built on the outskirts of the cities, where they began to work the land for themselves.
My mother continued restoring portraits of the noble families who lived in the castle, and Nayah began teaching the nobles' children there, which brought her closer to me.
For a moment, I thought about giving up on my dreams of leaving the castle. Perhaps so much comfort had reached me.
— The queen will wear green today — I told Dana as she braided my hair in a style very similar to a nest, which reminded me about the silver crown, so I decided to write him a letter that day.
"Dear Daís. I would like to know what has been of your journey since the sun set on the day you promised to return for me. Will this letter arrive at your commander's hands because you've died or you have simply forgotten how to write perhaps?
I'll ask my mother to prepare a ritual in the Mashal, for our ancestors to receive your soul.
In case you have not died, you'll come back to meet a Lady that serves Her Majesty the queen herself.
I've stopped weeping. Please, do not keep that memory of me since I know how much your heart simmers in anguish when I suffer.
Con Kerene Dotea Arteneses.
Quin Shivet Daís Mereng"
That morning, the queen and I decided to continue our morning reading in the lily garden, which she had arranged to her liking. We often discussed the books and even spent time imagining how to recreate certain positions mentioned in them to get an idea of the different ways a child could be conceived.
— What a beautiful adornment — the queen said upon seeing the crown on my head.
— It was a gift; I hope you don't mind — I said.
— Your face suits royalty — she said, and we continued reading.
A couple of weeks later, we were on an afternoon walk when she asked, — Have you spoken to that boy you like?
— No, he joined the royal guard. He left three months ago on a campaign.
— If you want to get married someday, I'll give you my permission — she said with a smile. That morning, her hair was braided with flowers similar to those on her dress. Her gaze was becoming more and more beautiful, like a warm caress to the inside of my chest.
— No, I don't want to get married — I said — I'll join the royal guard when they no longer need me, and I'll go far away from here to find my place in the world.
— I'll always need you — she said. Her face seemed confused by my words.
— I had planned to leave the day you arrived at the castle. The king was very generous in granting us lodging, but I never intended to stay forever.
— You've always wanted to leave, so why did you agree to be my lady-in-waiting?
— I didn't know I could refuse.
— You are free to leave if you wish. It was never my intention for you to feel obligated to stay by my side — she said, turning her face away from me, but I took her arm for her to give me her gaze.
— But first we must perform the ceremony so that I can…
— Let's do it tonight — she said, her eyes shining as she looked at me. I didn't understand why she seemed that hurt and I tried to say something to sweep away that look on her face. She turned her back and walked toward the carriage.
— I didn't mean to say I wanted to leave right now. I don't intend to leave you at this moment — I said, taking her hands. That night, I accompanied her to her chambers to ease the tension that had lingered throughout the day.
In the middle of the night, she caressed my abdomen and whispered in my ear — You're the only friend I've ever had, Dotea. Please don't go.
— I love you too — I said. I turned over in the sheets to face her and kissed her. She nodded, and we kissed again when suddenly, the sound of the bells on the wall startled us.
We were still getting dressed when there was a knock at the door. — The king requests the queen's presence on the eastern side of the wall — Valency's voice announced. I hurried to the door to speak with her — That was seven chimes. What does that mean?
— You must prepare the queen to receive the soldiers returning from the campaign — Valency said, and I couldn't help but smile.
From the horizon, troops of cavalry soldiers could be seen approaching, each commander raising the banner of the king's house. When they were a kilometer away, the king and queen rose from their seats to approach the edge of the wall in order to greet them. I had to remain in my position, so I didn't get a closer look at the soldiers' faces as they crossed the city gate.
I turned my gaze toward the plaza where I saw Dais taking off his helmet. I ran down to relieve my urge to embrace him — Mes tevo shivet, esh tone terne - My dear soldier has arrived — I said through tears and kissed his cheeks while he kissed mine — Esh seri den, nan beres? - are you good, are you hurt?
— Ei sara den mij-kire majesh - I'm good now that I see you — Dais said and looked up — ts esh deirie ei qin tas kavas con mera - And you receive me with our promise.
— I missed you so much, Daís. Why didn't you answer my letters? — I said — I even thought you had died.
— The commander died before I could answer any of them. The enemy was killing the ravens to prevent us from receiving any more messages from the crown. Very few messages were getting through — he said. I nodded and wiped the tears from his cheeks.
Their majesties descended, but Manady seemed quite flustered by the celebration. King Fortis excused her and allowed her to retire to her chambers.
— I must go to the queen — I said.
— Wait — he said, taking hold of my waist.
— I'm her lady-in-waiting; I must be with her — I said. The queen was crouching on the balcony, weeping. I knelt down and embraced her.
— I'm fine — she said with her gaze fixed on the ground. I tilted my head to meet her eyes, but she simply looked away.
— My queen — I said, trying to get her attention, to which she responded with a kiss that took my breath away for several seconds. I held her naked body next to mine before helping her dress for the celebratory meal.
Daís received official recognition as commander under the queen's sword, and the festivities continued until nightfall when dinner was served. King Fortis announced that he was granting Commander Mereng permission to marry and proposed a toast to wish us prosperity.
We both stood and bowed to the king in gratitude before drinking our glasses — I will ask the king to send me to Iesten Castle. My wife can accompany me and retain her title of lady — Daís said as we ate.
— I must return to the forest. I wish to visit the temple of the Earth Goddess.
— It is very dangerous to leave the castle walls, Dotea. You know very well that it is forbidden.
— Not if it is the queen's order — I said softly — If you don't accompany me, I will find someone else to do it, or I will go alone — I announced. Daís sighed and shook her head — I don't trust anyone else to protect me as you would.
— Fine — he conceded — I will accompany you, Dotea, but we must leave at dawn and return before they extinguish the fire on the walls, or we will be left outside.
— In five nights — I said. At that moment, she took my hand and led me to her chambers to give me one of her old suits of armor.
— We are the same height, but your body is thinner. You must wear plenty of clothing underneath so that walking is not uncomfortable — he said. I nodded and received the armor.