Theodor Lennox appeared under the shimmering afternoon light, tall and calm. His chestnut wavy hair lightly fell over his forehead, and his deep brown eyes gleamed with a calm intelligence. His smile was not dazzling, but it held a warmth that put those facing him at ease.
Rosalind paused when she saw him. For a moment, she seemed to glimpse the sky of Lumisera behind him — the place where her family and friends were
"Your Grace, it's a pleasure to see you again."
Glancing past Rosalind, he caught Elise's familiar smile — the same quiet warmth that never changed.
"And you too, Elise."
"It's a pleasure to see you again… my lord." Elise reply with bright smile.
After a brief pause, a gentle smile curved on her lips. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around the friend she hadn't seen in so long.
"Hello, my friend… it's truly a joy to welcome you here, Theodor."
"Likewise, Your Grace."
For a moment, Theodor's embrace tightened slightly but loosened quickly as Rosalind stepped out of his arms.
"But what brings you here, and what's with all these supplies?"
She shifted her gaze to the carriages.
"Don't tell me… you're here to steal royal provisions to sell?"
"If so… would you help me buy them?" Theodor replied with a playful tone. "I'd even give you a discount. How does that sound?"
They both laughed, just like old times… close friends after many years.
After the laughter faded, Theodor became more serious.
"Actually, I come on Her Majesty's orders. The duke has sent a letter to Her Majesty, reporting the worsening situation with the Redmark Tribes, so she sent me here to meet him and better assess the situation."
Rosalind nodded gently, her eyes gradually deepening as she absorbed the gravity of the news.
After a brief pause, Theodor's gaze shifted toward the supply wagons, their royal insignia catching the light.
"And these," he continued, "are gifts from Her Majesty to the northern people, a gesture to help them endure the harsh winter."
The castle servants exchanged looks, quietly commenting.
This was food personally gifted by the Queen to the northern people — truly an honor and happiness.
Even Maera — ever the composed steward with years of service behind her — allowed a rare flicker of surprise to cross her features. Her brows lifted slightly, and she glanced at Rosalind with something close to quiet admiration.
"Indeed," she murmured, her voice low, "like a warm spring breeze for the north…"
Rosalind caught that look and smiled softly. Maera rarely spoke in sentiment, which made her words all the more precious.
Theodor then pulled a letter sealed with the royal insignia from his coat pocket.
"And here… this is a letter from Her Majesty to you."
Rosalind's eyes lowered slightly, her hands clasped in front of her stomach tightening subtly, but a smile appeared on her lips.
"What to do… I already prepared a letter to plead to Her Majesty … I guess I'll have to write another one."
He smiled gently. 'I'd be glad to deliver it to Her Majesty myself.'"
"Then I'll trouble you again, Lord Theodor." Rosalind nodded in thanks.
Suddenly remembering something, she continued to ask.
"How long will you stay here… Duke Dorian will return in a few days, right?" Perhaps Theodor was most eager to meet Dorian rather than her.
"Maybe four to fire days, depending on the duke. But I hope my time here can be of some help."
"Don't worry, you have already brought what we need most right now."
Rosalind nodded and called Maera over.
"This is Maera Vexley, the steward of Everfrost Castle. She will help you arrange whatever you need during your stay."
Maera stepped forward with quiet grace, her bearing firm yet respectful — the kind that came from decades of service and the trust of every generation of the Valemonts.
"Honored to meet Lord Lennox," she said, bowing politely.
"Nice to meet you, madame. I suppose I'll be troubling you a lot in this time," Theodor responded, matching her tone with equal formality.
"That's my responsibility, please don't worry."
Maera glanced quickly at Rosalind, then smiled gently, ordering the servants to prepare the guest room and excusing herself to arrange the dinner for the visitor from the capital.
Sunlight filtered through the high windows as they stepped into the white-stone sitting room, warm and quiet. Rosalind gestured toward the seats, her voice calm but welcoming.
Just as they sat down, Elise appeared with a tea tray.
"The aroma is delightful…" he smiled, standing to shake her hand. "I guess you've become the best tea maker in the north now, huh?"
"Oh… not really… there's still so much I can learn here, my lord."
She laughed proudly as if just awarded a title. Rosalind sat, her eyes tenderly watching her friend, then slowly asked:
"How is the capital? How is Amara… ah no, Her Majesty these days? And Adrian? Everyone must be well, right?"
Theodor nodded, his eyes shining with affection. "Both are well. Adrian runs around like the wind, and Her Majesty… is busy as always. But she tries to balance everything."
A moment of silence passed, and Rosalind's gaze drifted to the window as thoughts stirred quietly within her.
"And you? Now Lord Lennox, member of the council, and the right hand of Her Majesty, the pressure must be much greater, right?"
He shrugged, lips curling into a half-joking smile. "Honestly, sometimes I just want to run off to the mountains like you. But if I compare my initial difficulties settling in with the pressure Her Majesty bears… it's nothing."
A brief silence wrapped the large sitting room, the only sound was the wind stirring the heavy curtains.
Rosalind gazed at the tea cup where the rising steam swirled…
"She will get through it… because she is the strongest person I've ever known."
The weight behind Rosalind's words was clear, as her thoughts drifted to the past.
Their mother, Queen Beatrix, had passed away just months after Rosalind's birth — a sudden and cruel loss to the seasonal flu.
Though their father loved them dearly, the king was often away, burdened by the demands of ruling the realm.
It was in those lonely moments that Amara stepped in — not only as a sister, but as a mother figure, a guardian who shielded Rosalind from the harshness of the world.
Theodor quietly observed Rosalind's expression, then gently asked.
"So, and you… how is life here?"
"Not bad," she replied, eyes looking out the window, the corner of her mouth hinting a smile.
"Here, I not only learn many things… but also receive care from many people."
He chuckled but didn't take his eyes off her. "Seems you're very happy."
Rosalind paused for a moment. The image of Dorian flashed through her mind — the way his eyes softened when he looked at her, the quiet care in the simple act of adjusting her cloak. Her fingers tightened slightly around the teacup, uncertain of the feeling stirring in her chest. Was it happiness? Or just the fragile hope that things could truly change this time?
Then she smiled, faint but real.
"Maybe so."
They — old friends reunited after a long time — sat chatting endlessly until the sun had fully set behind the tall walls.
At that moment, Maera entered, bowing lightly: "My lady, dinner is ready."
Rosalind stood up. "Thank you, Maera. Let's go; perhaps you need something to eat after a long day."
"Of course, talking with my lady made me forget… how hungry I am." Theodor smiled.
They left the sitting room and walked into the great hall where the dining table was set. Warm amber candles reflected soft light on the white porcelain and crystal glasses. Rosalind sat at the host's seat, smiling as Theodor pulled out her chair and sat opposite her.
The meal began in a relaxed atmosphere. Theodor told some humorous stories about the council members, while Rosalind shared visits to nearby towns. They seemed to return to old times when everything was simpler and lighter.
The sudden noise outside caught everyone's attention. From the large glass windows of the dining room, they could see flickering lights gradually approaching.
Rosalind glanced at Maera, and she immediately understood. She was about to excuse herself when the doors of the dining room burst open and a servant rushed in.
"I-It's… the Duke… the Duke has returned," the servant stammered, out of breath.
But the message had already reached Rosalind.
It was Dorian. Her Dorian had returned.
Without hesitation, she stood up abruptly and left the dining room, leaving Maera — and especially Theodor — sitting in stunned silence.
Having known Rosalind for many years, this was perhaps the first time Theodor had ever seen her so flustered… and it was because of a man.
Rosalind, moving with surprising speed, reached the grand hall. Dorian had just entered, removing his dark cloak still covered in dust and handing it to a waiting servant.
But he quickly sensed someone watching him. Turning around, his eyes immediately locked with a pair of familiar violet ones.
And just like that, his gaze softened. His lips curved into a smile, unable to help himself. She must have run here — her hair was slightly tousled, and her breathing still uneven.
A thought flashed through Dorian's mind.
She had hurried here for him.
And that feeling… wasn't so bad at all.
He began walking toward her, and before long, his tall figure filled Rosalind's entire field of vision.
They stood silently, simply gazing at each other, and Rosalind felt as though she were sinking into the depths of those deep blue eyes.
"Good evening, Rosi. I'm home."
As if by habit, he took her hand and pressed a kiss upon it.
She could feel how cold his lips and hand were — he must have ridden hard all day just to make it back in time.
She looked at him, a quiet ache rising in her chest.
A heavy silence filled the air, with only the sound of her racing heartbeat.
Then she whispered softly, her voice trembling.
"Welcome home, Dorian."