"So. You are the ones who discovered the treachery in our midst," the Montrose king mused.
He looked down at us, his brown hair threaded through with silver and his eyes locked on Legacy far more than me. I didn't mind being ignored.
Legacy nodded and tilted her head toward me. "And Collie, Your Highness. We worked together to try to end the war."
With so many of the high-ranking military officials turning on one another in the hopes of saving their own skins, the war had reached a standstill. Not because of a full ceasefire, although thankfully that had been signed just last week, but because there was no one to give orders to soldiers and Battle Mages in the field.
Even better, Legacy and I had been officially pardoned of all of our "crimes" by both of our kingdoms. Ehuna had nominated us both for medals of valor. Things were finally beginning to calm down, and I couldn't be happier to finally not have to look over our shoulders or worry about nearly being killed at every opportunity.
"We all owe the two of you a debt of gratitude,” the Montrose king said. “If there is something we can offer you, some boon or gift that is within our power, you need only to say the word."
The Montrose king glanced over at my queen, and she lowered her head in a slow nod of acknowledgement.
Tension rode the air, no doubt because none of the royalty knew how to listen to the other kingdom. There had been war for so long, I supposed we were just lucky that they weren't trying to stab one another instead of speaking. Tension was to be expected.
I glanced at Legacy, and she grinned back.
"Freedom," I said quietly, and the Montrose king’s brows rose. "Now that the war is over, we don't want to fight anymore. We just want to be left to our own devices. Left to live our lives in peace."
The royals gave slow nods.
"I believe we can do better than that,” my queen said. “You will both be made nobility, with lands and holdings of your own. You can live out the rest of your days in comfort."
Legacy cleared her throat, her cheeks pink, and I glanced at her from the corner of my eye.
"As for our lands and holdings, might I request that they are…close together?” I asked. “So that we might see more of one another."
A moment of silence, and then ringing laughter filled the room. Not sarcastic or judgemental, but real, genuine laughter.
I flushed and offered Legacy a smile. She grinned back, her hand brushing mine, our fingers curling together as the royals spoke quietly to one another.
"That can be arranged,” the Montrose queen said with a nod. “For now…you are free to go. We will arrange your reward. Until then, you are most welcome here in the castle."
We both bowed low, and began backing out of the room before any of those with a crown changed their minds.
Except something out of the corner of my eye stopped me. Something familiar but fleeting. A smile, I realized, on the face of a lady sitting next to the Caputo queen.
Her long, raven-black hair cascaded down her back in gentle waves, framing a heart-shaped face with high cheekbones and dark eyes that sparkled like obsidian. She wore a gown of shimmering sapphire silk that hugged her slender form, its bodice adorned with delicate silver embroidery. A single strand of pearls graced her neck, and a circlet of shimmering diamonds rested upon her brow.
Was that… Was thatVarna?
I couldn’t believe it. Varna…a princess? But she’d been in countless dungeons with me.
She winked, and I bit back a smile.
My mind still reeling, we made it outside.
Legacy placed her hands on my face, pulling me close for a kiss, which snapped me back to reality instantly. I grinned against her lips, holding her tightly.
I hadn't done any of this for a reward, and yet, I'd gotten everything I could dream of and more. We would never have to worry about having enough to eat or a place to stay. With our lands, we could help others as well.
But most importantly, we had each other. I wasn't sure what that meant yet, but we had the rest of our lives to figure it out.
I couldn't wait.
Chapter
Thirty-Five
