The throne room still simmered with unease. Emperor Ivan sat poised on his throne, fingers lightly tapping the armrest, his sharp eyes flicking between the young soldier from the North kneeling before him and the Maiden Knight standing silently between them. Courtiers and advisors shifted uncomfortably, whispering among themselves as they watched the scene unfold.
Finally, Ivan spoke, his voice cutting through the murmurs.
"What of the young Duke? And why send a mere soldier to speak on his behalf?.. Seeking aid in his absence. This is not only disrespectful—it is intolerable."
The soldier bowed lower, swallowing quickly before answering.
"Your Majesty… the Duke has personally ventured beyond the Wall, into the far north. He is accompanied only by his most trusted men…"
He paused, the weight of the words pressing down on the room.
"The letter was rushed… but the Duke implores Your Majesty's benevolence. He asks that you, and—the Maiden Knight herself, come to the aid of the North."
Ivan leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand, elbow on the throne's armrest. His brows furrowed, a shadow crossing his face. Around him, the court stirred. Courtiers whispered fears and suspicions, and one advisor spoke cautiously.
"Your Majesty… if this is true, it may be a trap—set by the same Northerners who attacked the Wall years ago."
Another old voice chimed in.
"This man only have arrived today. The journey will take days to get here from the north. How can we be certain the Wall is safe? Is the Duke even alive at this point? "
A ripple of worry spread through the hall. Ivan's eyes darkened. Another war—just when the Maiden Knight had returned after so long. Sending her into battle now… it was unthinkable.
His thoughts drifted briefly to his father, his features tightening with silent fury.
Father… I will not be like you.
He recalled the bloodshed of his father, the years he had spent giving Catalina orders upon orders of battles, now regaining freedom that he himself gave. Ensuring she would never again be chained to war. He would not undo that now—not lightly, not without thought.
Standing, his presence commanding immediate silence, Ivan's gaze swept across the hall.
"Enough," he said firmly. "The court will hear no more idle fears. Rise your head young soldier."
The young man straightened immediately. Ivan's eyes, hard and resolute, turned toward him.
"As the Emperor I shall aid the Duke—but I will not send the Maiden Knight. Instead, I will send my best men to the North. If this threat is truly as grave as you claim, I will personally send my Hand to lead this expedition to the far north."
He paused, letting his words settle over the chamber, his voice growing colder, heavier with authority.
"No missteps. No failures. Know this: the North will stand, and its defense shall be my responsibility."
A hush fell over the throne room. Even the courtiers closest to the Emperor dared not breathe. The weight of his decision pressed like winter's frost. Beyond the mountains, in lands untouched by southern light, something had begun to stir yet again. And Ivan Avorton de Albanus had just committed himself—and his realm—to meet it.
As the tension of the palace lingered, as the moment came to pass days later to such event. to a quieter, more peaceful place — the wide, sunlit library of the Sunspear Estate.
"My lady?… My lady!"
Catalina Duavan startled slightly at the voice, blinking in surprise. "Huh?"
It was Lady Heather calling out to her, noticing that her lady seemed lost in thought, almost daydreaming.
"Are you all right, my lady? You seem to be spacing out more often… I think this is the fifth time today. Is something occupying your mind, perhaps?" Heather asked, genuine concern threading her words.
Catalina let out a soft chuckle, hoping to ease her tutor's worry.
"I suppose I have a lot to think about, Lady Heather," she said quietly, a trace of unease in her tone. "I seem to drift off when many things weigh on me."
Heather studied her lady carefully, trying to read her expression.
Is it noble matters troubling her? Or are our lessons too difficult? Wait… would it be right to ask that? she wondered.
But one thing was clear — something was bothering her enough that she couldn't focus fully on her studies.
As her tutor — and especially being handsomely paid for it, — I can't let my student remain troubled, Erika thought to herself.
Catalina noticed Heather closing her book. The young tutor clasped her hands together and smiled warmly, a gentle encouragement in her eyes.
"My lady," she said heartily, "you can tell me anything that's bothering you. I can't have my dear student be troubled, can I?"
The words softened Catalina's face. A small giggle escaped her lips as she felt the warmth in Heather's concern. The dynamic — teacher and student, so earnest and caring — brought a moment of lightness to her otherwise heavy thoughts. After all, she had personally hired the well known lady in high society lady Heather.
A little openness won't hurt, Catalina thought to herself, letting herself relax slightly and consider sharing the weight of her mind.
"Well, you see… I have a lover," Catalina said shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh?" Erika replied, surprised.
I didn't know she's engaged to someone… she's never worn a ring, nor any symbol that marks her being engaged. Well, then again, I don't know much about her at all… not even her full name, she thought to herself, eyes widening slightly at the revelation.
"I see… does my lady have a troublesome man by her side, keeping you awake at night, perhaps?" Erika asked, teasing gently.
Catalina flinched, a look of shock crossing her face.
"Ehh?.. How do you know?.. Was it that obvious?" she murmured, nervously pressing her hands to her cheeks.
Wait… what? I was just guessing… Did I really get it right? Erika thought, a mixture of surprise and amusement bubbling inside her.
Still, she couldn't help but be intrigued. Here was her lady — usually poised, mature, and warm — suddenly nervous and flustered, acting like any other young woman in love.
Erika found it… cute.
Catalina tilted her head, voice soft. "Well… considering you are such a popular woman in social circles, Lady Heather, I'm sure you've familiarized yourself with many people… enough to even read their minds."
Erika froze for a moment, taken aback. "My lady…! You think far too highly of me! Sometimes, people are just easy to read when their expressions give them away."
Catalina paused, then asked quietly, almost as if defeated.
"Am I… easy to read?"
Erika quickly shook her head, laughing nervously.
"Of course not, my lady! Don't think that way. It's just… men… they're very predictable, that's all! So, I assume… you're having some trouble with yours?"
"Yes, I do." Catalina continued softly, "he is… to be honest, Lady Heather. He's always absent when I was still living at his estate—always late coming back from his duties. I honestly had nothing to do except my usual morning routines."
Erika raised an eyebrow, tilting her head thoughtfully. "So… he leaves you all alone, and you just… endure it?"
Catalina shrugged, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Endure? Perhaps. But it's not just that. Sometimes, I feel like he forgets I even exist. I spend entire mornings drawing or reading, and still, the day feels too long."
"That does sound… frustrating," Erika said, leaning closer with genuine curiosity. "Does he not care about how you feel?"
Catalina's lips twitched as she let out a small laugh. "He cares, in his own way, I suppose. But caring doesn't stop him from being… infuriating."
"Infuriating?" Erika echoed, amusement lacing her tone. "I take it this is a recurring problem?"
Catalina nodded. "Very recurring. I've counted the hours he spends away, and I've lost track of how many times I've been left waiting—bored, annoyed, or plotting his demise. So I left his estate and returned to my own."
Erika blinked in surprise. "Plotting his demise?" she repeated, chuckling nervously, unsure if her lady was joking or not.
Catalina smirked faintly. "Perhaps… though some days, I think it might be simpler to just—" She stopped herself, sighing softly as her eyes drifted away.
"…You see, Lady Heather, I've never really had anyone to talk about these things. I'm glad you're here to listen to my little problems."
"Oh, don't be, my lady," Erika said kindly.
"Even the smallest things can still matter deeply to someone."
Catalina smiled warmly at her words. "You know… I've never joined the social circles of other ladies. So I wasn't sure how to start a conversation about my troubles among my peers."
Erika blinked, genuinely surprised. How could her lady have never joined? With her looks, she would have lit up every gathering.
"It's perfectly fine to talk about your problems, my lady," Erika said gently. "If you don't mind me listening, of course."
"It's good to share your thoughts with the right person."
Catalina tilted her head slightly, a playful smile forming.
"Then… are you the right person for me, Lady Heather?"
Erika froze, caught off guard. Her ears burned softly as she tried to brush it off. "A-ah—well, I wouldn't presume to—" She coughed lightly, forcing herself back on track.
"Ahem… It's also quite surprising, my lady, that you never went to any gatherings with other nobles. I'm sure you would've been far more popular than me. But… why didn't you? if you don't mind me asking?"
Catalina paused, her gaze distant as she thought back. She remembered her few attempts years ago—awkward, disastrous conversations with noble ladies who grew nervous at her talk of war and battle. She had worn her armor to every party out of shyness, unaware that it only made her more intimidating.
Finally, she smiled faintly and said, "Let's just say… I'm very shy." Oblivious to the fact that her so called shyness had frightened half the nobility.
Painting warm light on their faces. For a moment, Catalina forgot the silence of the estate, the emptiness of her long mornings.
Lady Heather's warm words lingered in her thoughts—gentle, bright, and unfamiliar.
Perhaps, she thought, loneliness could be eased not by noise… but by the right company.