Summer Jams 4: Buchenburg - Part II

If it weren’t for the fact that she was in a fantasy world, she would’ve believed that the former Marquis and his wife had pulled ideas from pre-existing romance stories where there were ‘cute meets’.  At first, Tori didn’t think that being left alone to hang out with Piers was so bad.

In fact, after spending months traveling with a large group of friends, constantly scurrying around and herding everyone, it was a nice change to a quieter, slow-paced atmosphere.  It was just that the attempts to create these romantic interludes for her and Piers were getting too obvious and somewhat frustrating.

Horseback riding with Piers.  Relaxing.

Dinner for two at the oldest restaurant in Hellenstradt.  Kind of interesting, but it would’ve been nice for her friends to come with them.

Being followed by an entire retinue of staff to set up a picnic and play music at sunset.  Slightly too awkward.

But creating elaborate plans to have her run into Piers like they were awkward aristocratic teenagers in a period drama?

The first time wasn’t so bad nor too obvious.  The former Marquis had brought up books on crystals they had that were first edition and rare in the castle’s library.  Normally, he would send someone to fetch them for her or take her directly to the books himself, like a personable host.

Instead, he had walked Tori right to the entrance of the library and then excused himself for a coincidental ‘meeting with a viscount’.  Tori naively entered the library only to find Piers standing over a massive table with a look of concentration as the morning golden hour light washed over his figure.

Surely, it was by chance that he just happened to be illuminated like one would see a Roman god in a Renaissance painting.  Tori had greeted him, then climbed up the stairs to the second floor to find the books on crystals.  She ended up reading in the upper loft until lunch.

Piers continued doing work he brought with him on the ground floor of the library.  She wasn’t sure if he knew his grandparents’ plan.  Since he didn’t come up to follow her, she decided that even if he did, he read that she wanted to do so he left her alone.

The next day, Piers’ grandmother brought her into the garden for a walk.  She told Tori was getting a bit tired, but before Tori could offer to escort her back, the old woman told her to continue enjoying the garden and then fled with her maids.  The only reason Tori had come to the garden was to accompany the old lady.

Why was she suddenly abandoned?

Before she could make sense of it, a gust of wind had blown her hat off and Piers, in a slightly ruffled unbuttoned shirt and windswept hair,  just happenedto be there to pick it up, give it to her, and then escort her the rest of the way.

“I was just here to walk with your grandmother,” she had told him.  “If she’s not here, then I’m going back to the library.”

The most blatant of all in an effort for her to fall for their grandson, Tori was sent out as soon as she entered the dining hall.  She should’ve known there was an ulterior motive when Piers’ grandmother asked her to summon her grandson to breakfast as ‘you know how he is when he’s focused; he just won’t listen to anyone else’.

Tori didn’t think anything of it.  After all, the former Marquis and his wife wouldn't do anything to harm her.  She had turned around and headed to the courtyard, where Piers was practicing with a sword, shirtless and glistening with a light layer of sweat in the morning sun.

Joke’s on them.  I already spent some time admiring him from my bedroom window before I came downstairs for breakfast.

She had been unmoved by the honey trap and shouted from underneath a portico.  “Piers!  Breakfast!  Hurry up!”

She had even left before he could reach her and noticed the disappointed faces on his grandparents when she returned to the dining hall alone.  Tori had to stop herself from laughing.  Seeing their grandson half naked didn’t have an effect.  Why would it when she’d already seen the entire package?

Granted, it had been hazy at the geyser pool when she did, so details were fuzzy, but she had and nothing stunned her now.

But that didn’t mean she didn’t get annoyed.

Tori shifted a wine glass, swirled the golden contents, and then took a sip before glaring out at the starboard bow of the river boat.

“Do you want a different wine?” Piers asked from across the white, linen covered table.

“No, this is fine.  The white wine in the region is quite good,” she replied.  Behind her, the same musicians who followed them on their picnic were playing a gentle tune suitable for a nighttime river cruise.

On either side of the river were glowing river walks and illuminated buildings, ranging from the most prominent Buchenburg castle at the top of the mountain and down to the various buildings and public plazas.  The views were beautiful and the evening had cooled down the hot summer heat.

On the deck of a private river vessel owned by the von Schwerts, she sat at a table across from Piers for dinner.

Tori took another sip of her wine.  “I just thought that we’d be on the same boat,” she said bitterly.

Piers took a sip of his own drink, a local beer.  “I also thought we would be on the same boat.”

Not only with each other, but with their friends.

Both their eyes swept towards the starboard, to another river boat moving just ahead of theirs.  The boat was the same with lights strung across the deck, a table where dinner was served, and musicians.

Except that all their friends were on that ship, and Tori and Piers could hear their yelling and laughter over the sound of the boisterous music that was far more upbeat than theirs.

To celebrate Ewan’s successful return from his unofficial first training exercise in the border region, they planned to take a dinner cruise on the river below the castle, which split Hellendstradt into its east and west banks.  Tori had asked for Ewan’s favorite foods to be prepared and planned to test some new games she’d been working on with Henrik and Albert.

Everyone was excited that afternoon when they left the castle.  Tori thought they were all going on the same boat, but Piers was held back by his grandfather and uncle to discuss some news regarding the Duraga Federation and the border.  The Duraga Federation did not use crystals to the extent they and other countries did, but they did use light crystals and comcry extensively.

They wanted to know if there was any way to track the movements of the Duraga armies through their crystal use, so Tori was asked to join.   This was an in-depth conversation about lights, being underground, and how she’d tracked Gideon in the past with crystals, and Tori lost track of time.

It wasn’t until Piers finally cut the conversation short and pointed out that they were going to miss their boat that it ended.  By the time Tori and Piers reached the dock, it was dark and the boat they should’ve gotten on with the others was already going upriver because they could not stay in their spot as another boat was coming.

She and Piers then had to go to a different dock to get on a different boat to catch up and at that point, the servants on board set up the dining table and encouraged them to eat because the meal had been prepared.

It was at that point that Tori realized it had been an elaborate plan.

“I am sorry.”  Piers spoke up, his head lowered and his lips in a small frown.

Tori took a deep breath.  “This isn’t your fault.”

"It is.  You were on your way with the others, but Grandfather pointed out that you were a crystal master and could have useful insight, so I called you to the meeting room.”  Piers frowned.  “I did not think they were planning to isolate us again.”

Tori let out another heavy sigh and put her wine glass on the table.  She was annoyed, but she couldn’t hate the seemingly desperate older couple for putting all their effort and strategy on their grandson’s relationship.  They loved Piers.

Perhaps a little too much.

“Do you want to tell them that we have discussed a partnership?” Tori asked.

Piers narrowed his eyes.  “Our private discussions are not the business of others.  This does not concern them.”

“They appear to be quite concerned with you.”

“I am not my uncle.  I will not repeat his mistakes,” Piers replied in a firm voice.

Tori sighed.  “To be fair to the Marquis General, it was the Duchess who ultimately rejected him and he respected her decision.  It wasn’t a mistake.  No one knew what awaited her.  And your uncle seems happy now.”

“Uncle always appears happy.”

“Genuinely happy?”

Piers went quiet.  He took another drink of his beer.  He put down the empty stein and stared at it for a moment.  He pushed his chair back and stood up.  “Bring me the captain!”

Tori raised a brow, but remained seated, waiting to see what he was going to do next.  After a few moments, the boat’s captain rushed out and bowed.

“You summoned me, Your Imperial Highness?”

“Bring us beside the first ship and prepare to board.”

The corner of Tori’s lips curled up as she watched the captain jerk his head back. “Pardon, Your-”

“Bring us beside the first ship,” Pier said, pointing to the boat where their friends were.  “And prepare the ramp to allow us to board it.”   His eyes narrowed.  “I will not repeat myself.”

The captain stuttered and bowed his head.  “Yes, Your Imperial Highness!”  He turned around and began shouting orders.

Tori looked up at Piers.  He was always so quiet and focused when he was doing work, and he hated public speaking, but when he had to give orders, he did so with the expected authority and elegance of a future monarch.

She should complement him.

“You’re getting used to your authority,” she said, finishing the last of her wine.  Piers nodded, but kept his eyes on the boat ahead of them.  The ship was speeding up as the distance was closing.  Tori put her wine glass down on the table and stood up to stand beside him.  “You need to act upon it sooner in such instances.”

“I will not delay you next time.”

“Good.”

Their boat easily caught up with the other and Axton rushed to the side.  “It’s about time you two caught up!”

“Are we racing?” Ewan asked beside his master, looking far too excited.

Tori’s eye twitched.  “We’re not racing, we’re boarding your ship!”

Axton looked at Ewan and Ewan looked at Axton.  The master and pupil exchanged knowing smiles.

Axton snapped his head back towards the other ship.  “Only if you can catch up!”  He whirled around and yelled across the deck.  “Captain!  We’re racing!  Increase speed!”

“Yes, my lord!”

“What?”  Tori nearly shrieked.  The sails on the other ship were adjusted and a bell was rung.  The other ship began to move further away.  “Axton!”

She heard his laughter fading into the darkness and she grit her teeth as the distance between them opened.

“Try and catch us, Tori!”  She heard Ilyana shout from the bow with a slurred voice.

Tori’s jaw dropped.  “Are you drunk!?”  Instead of an answer, she heard more laughter.  She grit her teeth.  “I told them not to get drunk while on the water, it’s dangerous!”

Piers stood beside her, looking at the other ship unimpressed.  “Should we sink it?”

“What?  No!  We’re not sinking the other ship.”

“It will slow them down.”

“We are not!  That’s not even your ship!  It belongs to your grandparents!”

“They will forgive me and I will compensate them.”

Tori shut her eyes and took a deep breath.  “Never mind.  If they’re drunk, let’s just go back to the castle before one of them falls off the boat and drowns.”

Piers hesitated.  “You are certain?”

She shot him a glare.  “Piers.”  He took a deep breath and lifted his arm.  He made a little hand signal and a light flare flashed.  Tori squinted at the other ship.  “Is that going to tell them to go back to the dock?”

“Yes...it will slow them down.”

“Good-”

“Then we will win.”

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

She’d seen her friends drunk a few times already, or at the very least, a bit tipsy.  Tori made sure each was taken to their rooms and that some medicine for any headaches or dry mouth was prepared for them come morning.  She hoped they remembered what they did that night so she could lecture them about boat safety when they were sober.

Within moments of the light flare being flashed, her and Piers’ boat had caught up and Tori ordered them to go back to shore.  There were numerous grumbles of protest and Ewan had asked if they could at least race back to the dock.  If she could’ve smacked Ewan’s bald, drunken head she would’ve.

At the very least, she and Piers won the race back to the dock.

By the time they circled back and the boats were secured on the dock where they had departed from, it was clear that Ewan, Ilyana, Sonia, and Henrik were drunk.  Henrik had fallen asleep.  Constantine had much more restraint, but too much alcohol made him drowsy and he slept from the moment he sat down in the carriage.

Axton and JP were a bit tipsy, and Tori was pretty sure Albert was pretending to be a stumbling, drowsy drunk to avoid answering Piers' questions about his post-graduation plans.

The night was getting late, but Tori was still awake.  Alexander was seated by the open window and Tori pursed her lips.

“Do you want to go for a walk?”

“Nyaow!”

“Okay.  Lead the way.”  Her cat spent most of the time in the castle.  If he wasn’t sleeping near where she was, he disappeared.  She was informed that he’d gone to watch the baby and even followed Gigi around on her walks with the Lieutenant General, the nanny, or the former Marquis and Marchioness.   Tori narrowed her eyes as they exited her room and walked down the hall.  “Did you gain weight?”

Her cat’s upturned tail flattened.  His ears went back and he looked back at her with bristled fur.  “Nyaow!”  His tail twitched violently.

“I’m not saying it looks bad.  You are very cute when you’re fluffy.”  Alexander’s tail rose back up.  “But you can’t eat too much.  It’s bad for your health.”

“Nyaow....”

“Who has been feeding you?”  Alexander didn’t answer and seemed to walk faster.  Tori frowned.  “Alexander.”

He began to run.  Tori rolled her eyes and ran after her cat.  He turned the corner and she followed him.  She nearly skidded to a stop as she saw the entrance to a spiral staircase.  She hated spiral staircases, but they were so prevalent in every castle she’d been to.

Part of her wondered if Alexander, who’d she complained to about spiral cases often, ran up one on purpose.  She tugged up her skirt and entered the stairwell, going up the wedged steps.  One hand kept the hem of her skirt from being stepped on and the other braced herself against a wall to keep her balance.

After so many years of such staircases, she still felt unsteady.

A wooden door was opened a crack and Tori saw the tip of Alexander’s fluffy gray tail slipping outside.  She frowned and marched up the remaining stairs, throwing the door open.

“Alexander Hamilton de Guevera!”  The wooden door thudded against the stone threshold as it swung.

“Tori.  Good evening.”

Tori felt her face heat up.  She didn’t think anyone was up there that late and would see her being dramatic with her cat.  Alexander rubbed himself against a woman’s legs and then sat down, looking up at the woman with big eyes, as if begging for treats.

The woman reached into her pocket and took out a small pouch.  She picked out a small strip of some dried fish and held it above Alexander’s head.  He sat up and curled his front legs in front of him to be able to reach it and eat his treats.

Tori ran a hand down her face.  She knew the woman liked cats, but she didn’t think she’d carry around dried fish strips for Alexander.  Since it was her, Tori would let it pass.  They were leaving soon, anyway, and Alexander would return to his usual diet.

“Lieutenant General, my apologies.  I didn’t know you were here.”  Tori gave the older woman a bow of her head and prepared to slip away, but the Lieutenant stopped her.

“Tori, if you are going to allow us to call you by your name, then you should call us by ours,” the blonde said with a gentle smile as she straightened up from where she was leaning across the parapet.  She lowered her hand and scratched Alexander’s chin after he finished his treat.

“Yes, Lady Elsa then.”  It sounded strange, as every fiber of Lady Elsa’s being screamed ‘knight’.  Even now, when she wore a dress, she stood with her knees bent and hips aligned, as if she could draw a sword at any moment.

Lady Elsa gave her a small nod of approval and then tilted her head towards the view.  “Come join me.”

“Is that all right?”

“Hellenstradt’s nightscape is worth inviting a guest to see.”

The corner of Tori’s lips curled up and she released the door handle.  She walked towards the wall and peered over the edge.  She let out a low, relaxed breath as her eyes swept over the darkness patched with streetlights and the illuminated windows of homes.

The high street was prominent, standing out like a vein cutting through the town and then fanning out into smaller streets into the adjacent villages.  A dark strip cut through the area, identifying the river.  The bridges that crossed it were dotted with lights.

For Tori, who grew up around urban areas and admired some of the most famous nightscapes from the top of skyrises, Hellenstradt was modest in comparison, but still rewarding to look at.

“Every march seat I’ve been to has a commanding view.  I know it’s for defense purposes; so that they can see far into the distance, but it’s none-the-less an excellent place to admire the surrounding lands.”  Alexander jumped onto the thick wall to admire the view with them.

Lady Elsa chuckled before her low, smooth voice replied.  “When you are always facing the threat of death on the battlefield, moments of peace that a view gives you are priceless,” she said.  She looked towards the south.  “I was born there, just on the other side of the river.  The von Roths have been loyal knights to the von Schwerts for over a thousand years.”  She reached over and pet Alexander’s soft gray fur.

Tori smiled.  “That’s impressive.”

Lady Elsa smiled back, appearing relaxed.  “Compared to several thousand years of Soleil rule, it is a drop in the bucket.  Still, I knew nothing else but being a knight since I was a child.  All my siblings are knights.  My parents were both knights.  Three of my four grandparents were knights.”

“For all of them to become knights, you must have both talent and luck, as well as ability and fortitude.”

“That is true,” Lady Elsa said, looking back at the nightscape.  “I always knew I was going to be a knight.  That was my purpose in life.”  She took a deep breath.  “I never thought I’d become a mother.”

Tori’s eyes flickered towards her.  “I was told the Marquis General approached you for marriage.”

Lady Elsa nodded.  “I was surprised, though I’ve long known he needed an heir. Oliver and I have worked and fought side-by-side since I was assigned into his personal battalion, so we are very familiar with each other.  I knew he didn’t have interest in other women aside from the late Duchess Alvere, so I - and many others - didn’t think we’d have a chance.”

Tori’s brows shot up.  “Have a chance?”  Did that mean what she thought it meant?  Lady Elsa grinned and looked over at her.

“You have seen him.  A handsome man of power, charming, loyal to his family, his country, and his people.  How many could resist him?  He puts people at ease.  When I was at my lowest point, he was there to reassure and support me.”  Lady Elsa let out a heavy sigh and looked back out.  “I have the utmost respect for him and trust him with my life.  He has the same for me as his right hand on the battlefront.  That is enough.”

“What about now?” Tori couldn’t help but ask.

“Now more so.  He trusted me enough to carry his child, the future heir of a march.  Even if he doesn't love me romantically, I do not doubt that he loves me.  He is not the type of man to become involved with someone he does not love and trust in the least,” Lady Elsa answered with a firmness in her voice.  She turned towards Tori.  “Is it not the same for you and the Crown Prince?”

Tori let out a small huff.  She looked out towards the view and gave a little shrug.  “There are times when I am concerned that the love I have for him is not enough.  That he would want something other than what I can give him, and that because of that, I would hurt him.”  She took a deep breath.  “I don’t want to hurt Piers.”

“He loves you very much.  Anyone can see that,” Lady Elsa replied.  “And this isn’t me being asked to tell you this by my in-laws.  This is something very observable.  He is happy as long as you are with him.”  She paused and crinkled her eyes.  “Are you happy when he is with you?”

“Sometimes annoyed, sometimes frustrated, but I am happy,” Tori answered with a slight smirk.  She leaned over the edge and rested her arm against the stone as her mind flashed with all the time she’d spent with Piers in the last few days.  “Very happy...and...at peace.”

“That is it.  That feeling of peace is difficult to find with another person.  Romantic love can only carry a relationship so far.   At least, that is what I believe,” Lady Elsa said.  “Once Oliver and I separate, we will still be friends and comrade-in-arms.  I will still have a chance to be with him, even if we are not married.”

“May I ask something intrusive?  You don’t have to answer.   It may be offensive to ask, so I’m not sure if I can.”

“I welcome it.”

Tori took a deep breath and measured her words.  “Do you believe that he will one day love you like he loved the Duchess?”

A bittersweet smile appeared on Lady Elsa’s thin, pink lips.  “He will never love me like the Duchess, and I do not expect him to because I am not the Duchess.  I am Elsa Astrid von Roth, Lieutenant General of the von Schwert knights of the Amber Fortress.  Until I die in battle or retire in old age, that is who I will be.”

Tori nodded.  “Then, when do you and the Marquis General plan to separate?”

“Likely when Gigi starts to walk and talk.  I will still see Gigi often, though I’ll be working at the Amber Fortress.  It isn’t safe there, so Gigi will stay here with her grandparents, where she’ll be properly protected and receive a suitable education,” Lady Elsa said.

Tori nodded once more.  Lady Elsa’s words made the most sense and were practical.  Bringing a baby into a border region that was often fraught with conflict wasn’t the best idea.  “This was the plan you and the Marquis General made?”

The other woman was quiet for a moment. “It was.”

“Was?”

“Oliver asked if it was necessary that we separate.  He says he will respect my decision, but for him, he doesn’t see a reason to separate.  No matter what, I will be in his life, he told me.”  Elsa chewed on her lower lip for a moment  “And then he said, that is where he wants me.  In his life.”

Goddamn, Marquis General. Slick.  Tori’s head bobbed up and down.  “Have you considered staying?”

“More often than not.  It started when I first became pregnant and was experiencing nausea.  He not only brought me whatever food I could swallow, but wiped my mouth after I vomited.  I thought ‘this is nice, I hope it continues’, though I didn’t believe it would be considering our agreement.  I told myself he was being attentive for the sake of the baby.  But now, Gigi sleeps in the adjacent room and I still share Oliver’s bed.”

This is getting good.  “Go on....”  Tori inched closer.

Lady Elsa laughed.  “This isn’t a complaint.  I’m quite happy to be with Oliver.”

“Well, no one is more relieved to hear that than me.”  A voice said behind them and the two women turned around.  The Marquis General opened the door the rest of the way and raised a brow.  “I didn’t hear much, I swear.  Only that I am loved and someone wants to stay with me.”

Lady Elsa’s face flushed.  “Oliver, what are you doing here?”

“The mother of my child has not come back and though it is summer, the wind up here can make it much colder.”  He stepped away from the door and unraveled what looked like a light cloak.  “If you’re going to come up here to ponder your life choices, you are free to do so, but don’t catch a chill.”

He lifted the cloak and swept it over Lady Elsa’s broad shoulders.  Though she was tall, she was shorter than the Marquis General by just a bit.  Somehow, his gesture to put her cloak on and tie a little bow around her neck made Lady Elsa look smaller.  He had a gentle smile on his face as he adjusted the fabric and placed his hands on her arms.

“I’ve been in worse weather.  A slight summer breeze isn’t going to harm me.”

“I’d rather not take the chance if it can be helped.”  He leaned forward and kissed the top of Lady Elsa’s head.  From her soft smile, it wasn’t the first time he’d done so.  “I know you want to stay and chat with Tori, but do come back soon.”

“I will.”

The Marquis General rubbed her arms and then turned to Tori.  “If Elsa agrees, then we won’t separate.  The next time you meet, you may have to call her Marchioness.”

Since it had been the couple's plan to separate in the beginning, Lady Elsa was never formally given the title, thus she was addressed by either her military or maiden social rank.

Lady Elsa let out an exasperated sigh.  She looked at Tori and gave her a gentle smile.  “I should return.  I want to check on Gigi before I retire.”

“Of course, my lady.”

Lady Elsa scratched Alexander’s chin once more.  Alexander lifted his chin and purred.  Lady Elsa let out a content sigh.  “Such a beautiful cat.”

“I will get you one,” the Marquis General said.  Tori tilted her head to the side.  For a moment, he sounded like Piers.

“I doubt they will be as smart as Alexander.  He is a Declyan Temple Cat.  They are extremely rare.”

Alexander’s fluffy tail swung from side to side, as if pleased to hear this.  The Marquis General furrowed his brows.  “What are the chances of Alexander having kittens?”

“Considering he is a male cat, Uncle, it is unlikely that he will bear kittens.”  Tori turned towards the door and saw Piers leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed.

“I see you came chasing after someone, as well,” the Marquis General smirked.  “And your grandfather was worried.”

Piers narrowed his eyes.  “I’ve said it before: there is no need to worry.”  His uncle let out a small hum in response.

He looked back at Lady Elsa, still held in his arms, and smiled.  “Shall we go?”

Lady Elsa nodded and he took her arm.  They gave Tori a slight nod before walking towards the door.  Piers stepped to the side to give them plenty of room to pass.  When they left, the door closed behind them and Piers approached Tori.  He stopped beside her.

“They have a good relationship.  I do not believe they will separate,” he said as he stroked Alexander’s head.

“I don’t think so either, but there are those who, if in that situation, would.  Some people can’t live without romantic love with their spouse,” Tori replied.  In her original world, she’d been dumped because of it, and knew people whose long-term relationships ended because they fell out of love.

She was the weird one, apparently.

“Uncle would not have asked the Lieutenant General to marry him and bear his heir if he did not consider the possibility of never separating,” Piers told her.  “He is very happy with his decision.”

“He looks like it.”

“I am also happy with my decision.”

Tori smirked.  She inched closer to him and tilted her head, resting it against his upper arm.  “I know.”

A warm hand tentatively moved over hers and she didn’t reject it.  The rough fingers closed around her hand and gave it a little squeeze.  “Did you speak to Professor Callen about the program abroad?”

Tori nodded.  “I will begin the first semester at Université as a regular student, and after the winter break, I will go to Nazaria.”

Piers glanced down at her.  “Nazaria?  I thought you would’ve gone to Tona, Varsha, or Hong first.”

“Nazaria is closer and I wanted to get my bearings for the program first.  Grammy is also in Nazaria and her research team collaborates with the school where I’ll be doing my crystal research,” Tori replied.  Since she woke up in Soleil, she hadn’t spent much time with her paternal grandmother and she really admired her.  The old woman was so passionate about her interests that she lived apart from her doting husband now that her children were adults.  Even then, the relationship between Gramps and Grammy was solid.  Tori thought it was very cute.  “I’ve received other offers from other sister schools, but those were the four I selected as I am well-acquainted with their ambassadors, and as such, will have pre-established contacts while abroad.”

“You will be gone for four months at a time...perhaps five counting the time it takes to travel.  Even with For Whom the Sun Rises, the other three countries will take some time to travel to and from,” Piers said as he stroked her hand with his thumb.

Tori nodded.  “My parents are sending two female knights to assist and protect me.”

Piers frowned.  “That is too few. I will also assign you a dozen knights.”

She sighed.  “I thought you’d say that.  So did my parents.  That’s why they only allotted two female knights.”  She took a deep breath.  “Are there enough imperial knights to assign to me?”

“Yes.  If Sir Atienza were not injured, he would lead the unit assigned to you.  I am considering Sir Wagner now.”

“Are they all right with living abroad for months at a time?” Tori asked with a slight frown.  “A few of them have partners and I know a few more are looking.”

“They understood what awaited them when they became first-tier imperial knights,” Piers reminded her.  “I have already discussed with my knights and first asked for volunteers.  If they have a preference, it would be better to assign them as such.”

Tori knit her brows together.  “Were there any?”

She watched his face as his lips tightened and his eyes narrowed a bit as the corner twitched.  “If I allowed all those who volunteered to guard you, I would be left with Sir Dobchek and Sir Lloyd.”

Tori pursed her lips.  “It looks like they’re interested in traveling abroad.”

“I will send senior knights to escort you.  They will know best how to manage foreign situations.  We have no shortage of senior knights that can be assigned to me if needed.”

“All right.  I agree with that.  How is Sir Atienza, by the way?”

“He will be released from the medic center soon.  Mr. Sima has come numerous times to assist with his move to Viclya as well as deliver prepared information on the area.  His things have already been moved from the imperial knights quarters to Viclya.”

“Wonderful.  And the other two knights?”

“Sir Mallory is recovering much better after your proposal to let him work in the safety department of the delta.  Sir Foster is also very thankful for the proposal, but has decided to return home for the time being once he is discharged.”

Tori nodded.  She didn’t expect that every former knight would want to work in the delta.  The transition from something as intense and challenging as a first-tier imperial knight to sitting at a desk most of the time wasn’t appealing to most.  It wasn’t appealing to Albert, which was for certain.

“Will Sir Atienza be in Viclya when we arrive?”

“He should be,” Piers replied.  “Are you going directly to Viclya?”

“No, we’ll stop in Horizon for a bit.  Ilyana and I want to look over the house and make sure all the things we’ve ordered have arrived.  Constantine also has to prepare his flat.”

“Aren’t Henrik and Albert also staying there for Université?”

“Yes, but they ordered all the new furniture and arranged their things before we left.  That reminds me, we’ll need to go back to Horizon before the end of the summer.  I want to get Aiden and Ezvan situated before they start at Lycée.”  Tori ran a hand through her hair.  “I also need to contact Duchess Fekete about this to confirm that she knows Ezvan will be with Aiden before school starts.”

“I am certain if she knows that her son is in your hands, she will not be worried.”

“Ezvan’s been to Horizon more than Aiden, so he is much more familiar.  I think it’s good that they are already friends, so as not to arrive at Lycée alone,” Tori said.  “It can be hard making friends in a new environment.”

“You did not seem to have much trouble.”

Tori cracked a smile, remembering young Ilyana determined to come with her.  “Ilyana is very stubborn.”  And Tori was glad she was.

“Axton and I also befriended you.”

Tori let out a small scoff and smirked.  “Kasey made you and Axton befriend me, remember?”

Piers was looking down at the top of the parapet and frowned.  “I registered your comcry,” he said in a quiet voice.

She chuckled and rubbed his arm.  That was true.  Kasen had made them come to meet her and introduce her, but Piers was unprompted when he stepped forward to register their comcry.

“Kasey didn’t make you.  Why did you?” She looked up at his face.  Piers kept his eyes lowered.

“It is important to have your contact.”

“I could’ve called Axton and you two are always together.”

Piers shook his head.  “What if he is not with me?  There are times when he is away, training.”

Tori knit her brows together and lowered her eyes.  That was also true.  Axton had training about twice a year where he’d be gone for weeks at a time.

“I appreciate your foresight.”

He nodded once and squeezed her hand.  “It is important to stay in contact.”  She felt him tense against her.  “If there is an emergency...you could get hurt....”

She raised a brow.  “Is this about getting kidnapped?  We got caught in an enemy trap that none of us expected.  None of us had time to contact you.  The sleeping agent was too concentrated and affected us too quickly.”

Piers frowned.  “But there could be other emergencies.”

Tori tilted her head.  “Are you worried about something?”  He didn’t answer.  He only kept his eyes down.  “Piers?”

“I worry that something will happen to you.”

She blinked and gave him a weak smile.  “Well...same.  I also worry that something will happen to you.”  She felt his hand tighten against hers.  She looked down.  His hand was shaking and she frowned.  “Piers.”

“I dream, sometimes...that you will get hurt because of me.  It feels real.”

Tori’s slight smile faded.  She tilted her head to the side as her eyes narrowed.  “Are you having nightmares?”

He’d seen her in crystal shock twice.  She couldn’t blame him for being upset.  She watched him swallow hard.

“In Horizon, I worry.  So, I send imperial knights.”

“Yes, I know.”

“If you have them, they can save you if I can’t.”

Her chest tightened.  Why did he specifically mention Horizon?  Her stomach twisted.

“Piers, what did you dream?” He seemed to refuse to look at her eyes.  He turned his head away and kept his lips tight.  Tori pushed down the discomfort tightening in her chest.  She lowered her eyes and moved closer, silently debating if she should ask again.  She drew her lips inward and bit them.

No.

She wouldn’t push him.  Tori leaned against him and wrapped her arm around his body.  She pressed her head against his chest to try to give him as much physical reassurance as she could.  She was quiet for a moment, unsure what to say to try to comfort him.

“Tori...whatever you want to do, I will support you,” he said.  She’d heard him say that so many times.

“I know.  And I’m very happy to have your support.”  She tilted her head up and saw him nod once.  He swallowed hard once more.

“But if I beg you....” His voice was hoarse and she could see his eyes growing red.  “Please...don’t go.”

He told me not to go...It was too dangerous.  She recalled that sentence and the regret laced in a tight voice.  If only she had listened.

Tori wanted to ask Piers if he had ever dreamt of an alternate life where things did not play out as they did in this one.  If not an alternate life, then perhaps a past one.

However, when she looked up at his pale face and pained eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to ask for more information.  She pulled her other hand from his and wrapped it around him so she could clasp her hands at his back.

She looked up and tried to meet his eyes.  “Piers,” she said in a soft voice.  “Victoria de Guevera is safe.”

He shook as he took a sharp breath.  He opened his mouth, but no words came out.  He only stood there, looking out at the town below as he choked back a silent cry.  He shut his eyes and lowered his head, hunching forward to bury his face against her shoulder as he pulled her close.

She rubbed his back, pressing her head against his as she rocked him gently.  His uneven breathing began to slow.  She heard his strained voice against her.

“Did I fix it?”

She bit her lips and lowered her eyes.  “Yes, Piers.  You fixed it.”

“She is safe?”

“She is safe.”

Piers let out a low breath and seemed to go limp in her arms.  “Tori,” he whispered in a breathless voice.  His arms tightened around her.  “Do not leave me, too.”

She took a deep breath and didn’t realize that she was shaking as well.  She stroked his back in slow, rhythmic motions.  “I can’t promise that.”  His grip tightened and he pressed his head against her neck, unwilling to accept her answer.  She rested her head against his.  “But there is a saying...it takes a hundred rebirths for two people to share the same boat, a thousand to share the same pillow.”

The sentence seemed to refocus Piers’ thoughts and she felt his trembling slow to a stop.  After a few moments, he pulled his head back and tried to meet her eyes.  “I never heard that.”

“I read it in an obscure book.”  Tori gave him a gentle smile and cupped his face.  “I don’t know what number life this is, but the chances are pretty good that no matter what happens, we’ll be on the same boat again.  And again.  For as many rebirths as it takes, so don’t worry.”

His cold face warmed against her palm.  He lowered his eyes and seemed to let her words sink in.  Just as she was about to release his hand, he spoke up with sincere curiosity in his voice.

“What if we share the same pillow now?”

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

“Your grandmother told your mother that you are finally returning.  Since you’ve had your fun, return to the palace immediately.”  His father’s stern voice came from the comcry, but Piers didn’t show a hint of panic on his face.

He shifted through a ledger that he held above his head.  “We are returning to Horizon and will arrive there in two or so weeks’ time.”

“Two or so weeks!?  It only takes a week, a week and a half at most, to ride down from Buchenburg in the summer!”  The Emperor protested at once.

“Carriages take longer than travel on horseback.  They are slower and we are sightseeing,” Piers replied, unbothered.

“Why are you sightseeing....”  The Emperor’s irritated voice lowered.  “Are you traveling down with the Countess and her party?”

“Yes.”

“Piers, you have work to do that cannot wait.”

“Urgent work was brought with me on my trip.  I have prioritized all my remaining work and will get to them with plenty of time remaining,” Piers replied.  “Father should concentrate on his own responsibilities.”

“Piers Emil-”

“Let me talk to him.”  A woman’s exasperated voice cut off the Emperor.

“He’s rebelling, Monica!  Your son is rebelling!”

“Calm down, Darling.  You’re stressed.  Eat the biscuits prepared and take a break. You’ve been in your office all morning,” the Empress told her husband in a placating voice.  “Piers, are you certain you can’t arrive sooner?  Your father has his hands full and could use your assistance.”

“Mother, I spent the better part of this summer carrying the weight of Father’s responsibilities while he was in Viclya with you.  Much of his minor, daily work has been completed by me.  All that remains should be long term projects and complex Chamber proposals he was working on prior and require the Emperor’s final review.”

“Piers Emil, are you implying that I, your father, am lazy?”

Piers looked up from his ledger, met a pair of blue eyes above him, and then looked back at the paper.  “I am not the one who implied it.”

“Piers Emil-”

“Darling, eat your biscuits.  Piers, we will give you two weeks.  That should be plenty of time for a carriage to reach Horizon from Buchenburg without a rush.”

Piers looked back at the blue eyes.  Tori seemed to think it over, and then nodded.  “Two weeks, Mother.”

“Thank you, Piers.”  There was a pause.  “And how did it go with Tori?  Your grandmother and grandfather put in a lot of effort-”

“I’m fine, Your Majesty.  How are you?” Tori quickly cut her off and the Empress’ audible gasp was heard.

“Tori!  You’re there, too!  Hello....”  There was a nervous laugh.  Tori gave the comcry on Piers’ chest a dull look.

“Mother, I will leave Father to you.  If he has difficulties doing his job-”

“I do not!”

“He may call to discuss with me later tonight.  Tell him to take care that he doesn’t eat too much sugar.  He is old and it is bad for his health. Good-bye.”  He slid his finger across the comcry and closed it before the Emperor could retort.  He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, placing the ledge on top of his face.  “Let us say we had carriage problems and delay our arrival.”

“No, Piers.”

He frowned.  “Then we should go to Viclya first.”

“Piers.”

He let out a low breath.  The carriage they were on swayed as they left the borders of Hellenstradt.  The road they were on was the main road that would through the Fekete Duchy and into Horizon.  It was wide and well kept, and there were plenty of other travelers on the road with them.

However, in the carriage, it was just him, Tori, and Alexander.

And Albert.

The young man looked out the window with some desperation and then back at the couple across from him.  “Um...Your Imperial Highness, I am sure there is still plenty of room in the other carriage.”

“It is too cramped for all of you.  It is better to spread out,” Piers told him.  He pretended not to see Albert’s pained expression.  He’d finally managed to corner his future aide.  He wouldn’t let him out until he agreed.

“Then why don’t I switch with Duke Axton-”

“You will eventually switch with Axton, Albert.  Do not concern yourself.”  He heard Albert whimper.

“Piers, I know you want Albert to be your personal aide, but if he’s unwilling....”  Tori gave him a disapproving frown.

“Albert, all I ask is that you take the position for a year after you graduate to see if it is a fitting position for you,” Piers told him.

Albert fidgeted in the seat bench across from him.  “Can we discuss this when you’re not laying on Tori’s lap?”

“Only if you agree to the terms.”

Albert threw Tori a look crying for help.  Tori shrugged.  “He said he has a headache and only by laying down does it feel comfortable.”

“If not for a year after you graduate, then part time over the summers between your first and fourth year at Université,” Piers said.  “If you still find the position too difficult, then I will find someone else.”

Albert’s head snapped up as his eyes filled with hope.  “Really?”

“I only ask that you give the position a chance.  You will be paid and have full benefits.”

“Just three summers?”

“Yes.”

“And I get weekends off?”

“Yes.”

Albert’s shoulders relaxed and he gave them a relieved smile.  “All right.  I can do that.”

The corners of Piers’ lips curled up.   He sat up and reached into the bag on the floor and took out a folio.  “These are the documents to secure the position.  You may read over the documents carefully.”  He handed the folio to Albert.  “A pen is ready when you want to sign.”

Albert stared at the folio with a defeated expression.  “You’re...very prepared.”  He accepted the folio, opened it, and began to go over the documents.

Piers looked at Tori as Alexander jumped onto his lap.  “I told you I would win.”