Matthias

Three years. Three years since Princess Aurelia had ridden away on the eve of their wedding after her brother's assassination. Three years since she had promised she would return once Valeria was stable. I never blamed her. Her kingdom needed her more than I did. The servants thought I had forgotten my wife. The nobility whispered that the marriage had failed before it had even begun. They urged me to annul the contract and find another duchess. I refused every time. A promise was a promise. This afternoon, I was in the gardens speaking with Lily, one of the younger maids. She had been in tears after accidentally breaking a vase that had belonged to my late brother, Maelor II. "It can be repaired," I told her, handing back the cracked porcelain. "My brother valued kindness more than possessions. He would not have wanted you punished over an accident." Relief washed across her face as she bowed repeatedly in thanks. Then... The entire garden fell silent. The maid's eyes widened as she looked past me. I turned.