Cynthia could be considered a blessed land, renowned for its natural defenses. To the west, the Wymar Forest stretched from the southern suburbs, forming a natural barrier of dense woodland. Further west stood the Kulen Mountain, another obstacle that eliminated any possibility of invasion from the Western Sea. The Doby Stream flowed before the city, while the eastern front was Godma's essential path for northern conquest. The Godma army would soon reach the city gates, and Queen Claire Grace, later known as "The Heart of Cynthia," vowed to defend Cynthia to her death.

She stood at the highest point of the tower, surveying her kingdom. The sunlight was harsh enough that she had to raise her hand to shield her eyes from the morning rays. The emerald ring gleamed brilliantly even in the shadow. May it shine as brightly as our daughter, she thought. It was a gift from the king before his departure for war, placed upon her finger before their daughter's green eyes.

The masses of people, like ants swarming below... As she watched the farmers flooding into the city from the outskirts, a twinge of pain struck her heart. What difference is there between us and them? Salt, we all must die eventually, mustn't we?

She turned her gaze back to the scorching sun, relishing the sting that filtered through her fingers.

"Where is the Queen?" Lons Lord casually asked a guard.

The guard pointed to the stairs behind him, "She's been at the tower since dawn, noble knight."

"The Parting Tower? What is she doing up there?" Lons Lord moved to climb the stairs, but the guard blocked his path. "What are you doing!?"

"My apologies, Sir Knight. The Queen requested not to be disturbed," the guard showed no intention of letting him pass.

Just as Lons Lord was about to force his way through, a melodious voice descended from the stairway: "It's alright, let him up."

The queen's handmaiden appeared on the stairs as the words faded. The guard immediately withdrew his spear at the command. Lons Lord barely glanced at the handmaiden as he ascended the stairs.

"Please follow me, my lord." The handmaiden lifted her skirts, curtsied with a slight bend of her knees, then turned to lead Lons Lord.

"The Queen... how long has she been up there?" Lons Lord asked while running his hand along the stone wall as he walked.

"Since early morning, my lord. Around sunrise... Please be careful here," she turned sideways, "this step is damaged, you'll need to take two steps to cross it."

The knight easily strode across. There were some bloodstains... Had someone fallen here? He dismissed the thought. "Thank you." The handmaiden responded with a smile.

Then both fell silent.

Lons Lord followed the handmaiden up the winding stairs for what seemed like ages before reaching the top of the tower. This tower, situated within the Cynthian palace, was the tallest structure in the entire kingdom. At its peak hung a golden bell that would toll whenever the king departed on a journey.

They climbed the final few steps. "The Queen is just ahead," the handmaiden indicated with her eyes, then prepared to leave.

"Thank you for your help... uh... I believe your name is Miss Brehne? I remember seeing you at the Queen's banquet."

The handmaiden giggled, then replied: "My name is Brannis, my lord. I did see you at the banquet as well." She curtsied again, "I'm most grateful that you remembered me, thank you." She flashed an innocent smile, and before the knight could react, she quickly pattered down the stairs.

"Good morning, Lons."

Lons Lord was brought back to reality by the Queen's greeting. "Good morning, my gracious Queen." He stepped forward, intending to kiss the Queen's hand as court etiquette demanded, but the Queen made no move to extend her hand.

"It's a fine day," the Queen spoke, almost to herself.

Lons Lord, at a loss for words, merely mimicked her action, foolishly staring up at the sun.

"You know the name of this tower, don't you?" the Queen asked.

"I do, my Queen."

"But do you know its origin?"

"Forgive my ignorance, Claire... no, Your Majesty."

The Queen drew a deep breath and closed her eyes. "You see, Cynthia has known peace for nearly 500 years. We owe this era of tranquility to Dorvillier's victory against Brigar at the Battle of Kulen Mountains. And speaking of that war, we must mention the Cynthian king of that time, Levi Cynthia."

Lons Lord listened intently, offering no comment.

"It was around 47 years before the Grand Era, I believe. Brigar, one of the Northern Kingdoms, launched an attack on Dorvillier, and the situation grew dire. Dorvillier bordered the Kulen Mountains, with Cynthia's borders just to the south. King Levi was determined to aid Dorvillier in repelling the enemy, though not for the reason I just mentioned. Levi and Dorvillier's King Wallis were brothers. When the Kingdom of Cynthia split in two in 67 BGE, the elder brother inherited Cynthia, while the younger became King of Dorvillier. All the ministers urged Levi not to leap into this fire pit, but he would hear none of it, not even Queen Aurora. 'Please don't go, the battlefield of Dorvillier is too dangerous! I beg you!' she had pleaded."

Lons Lord began to recall this long-forgotten piece of history.

"But Levi went anyway. He led 5,000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry toward the Kulen Mountains one March morning. That morning, the Queen didn't attend the departure ceremony, which caused quite a stir in court at the time. When the King was preparing to leave, someone spotted her at the top of this tower."

"She personally rang the golden bell atop the tower, its clear toll instantly enveloping Cynthia. All that's remembered is the King on horseback, turning his head; and she was weeping. She quickly wiped away her tears, not wanting the King to notice, and Levi left her with his final glance and smile before leading his soldiers to battle."

"There were no 'Messengers' then, and the court hadn't yet adopted the practice of employing mages. Those damned ravens and carrier pigeons were either shot down and roasted on spits or lost their way in the forests, so Aurora knew nothing of the battlefield conditions or the King's fate. She could only climb this tower every early morning, gazing into the distance, hoping for the King's triumphant return. Only at bedtime would she leave this very spot where I now stand. She allowed no one but her personal handmaiden to follow her up here, and being rather clumsy, she often fell on the stairs. Sometimes when people saw her covered in bruises, they thought the King had abused her. But then they remembered the King was away at war, so their fertile imaginations drew another conclusion: she was being abused by a lover."

"She never paid attention to these rumors and whispers; her heart held only the wish for her husband's safe return. Three months later, on a morning in June, a scout finally brought news from the battlefield: the war was over, Wallis had successfully defended his kingdom, and Brigar had retreated. Upon hearing this news, the Queen immediately shed tears of joy. But seeing the scout had more to say, she wiped her tears and asked, 'What of the King? When will the King return?'"

"The scout felt immense sorrow but finally decided to tell the truth: 'He's on his way, Your Majesty.' 'Wonderful!' Aurora clapped her hands, ordering her handmaiden to prepare a feast to welcome Levi's return."

"The scout looked up at Aurora with tears in his eyes, 'Your Majesty! I regret to inform you that the King fell in battle fifteen days ago! His body... is being transported back to the kingdom. Please accept my condolences!' As soon as he finished speaking, he collapsed. He had been riding for over ten days, his body long past its limits. The Queen collapsed with him."

"She didn't know how long she was unconscious, but when she awoke, the King's body was approaching the border. She ran to the tower like a madwoman to await her husband's return. Aurora watched as the King's body grew from a tiny black dot, gradually becoming larger until they entered the main city, only then did she ring the bell. The heavy tolling instantly shrouded Cynthia. She ordered the returning soldiers to bring the King's body directly below the tower so she could see him one last time. Then she dismissed her handmaiden."

"Only when the handmaiden's footsteps faded did she lean down to gaze upon her beloved. The soldiers stepped back from the King's body, forming a circle, and began to mourn. Then, they looked up at the Queen."

"But she was no longer there. When they came to their senses, they discovered Aurora had already joined the King at his side. They were finally together forever. The soldiers were first struck with horror, but soon sobs began to emerge from the crowd. They believed they had failed in their duty to protect the King, and so one knight was the first to draw his sword and slit his own throat. The others, upon witnessing this, did not hesitate - they all drew their weapons and took their own lives on the spot."

"That's Cynthia, that's the pride and glory of the Cynthian people," the Queen spoke with emotion. "That's why this tower is called the Parting Tower. They left behind a seven-year-old son, who later became 'The Kind King' Chester Cynthia. Upon his ascension to the throne, he ordered all seven main gates and thirty-two minor gates of Cynthia's capital sealed, except for the southern gate. 'May no enemy ever threaten from behind, may no corpses enter through the north gate, may war never again visit our peaceful nation.' Those were his words at merely fifteen years of age. Since then, the capital has had but one gate," she pointed forward, "and it is this small gate that has brought us peace and happiness."

"But now our peace faces a challenge," Lons Lord finally spoke, stepping beside the Queen. "Have faith, the King will return..." He turned to look at her and noticed tears in the corners of her eyes. "Sanolint will surely return safely."

Tears began rolling down the Queen's pale cheeks. "It should have been me... I should have been the one to suffer!" Her crying intensified, tears flowing uncontrollably.

Lons Lord was shocked, for this was the first time he had seen her cry since she married into royalty. He thought to embrace her but reconsidered.

So he stayed with her, letting her cry. He stayed with her through her silence. He stayed with her as she sang.

He stayed with her until sunset.