Max sat in Griffa’s study in the Valley house. He sat behind the large desk with his head propped up by his elbows. He was reading Malin journal waiting for Issa to come back from her walk with Nora. Malin’s journal was a collection of writings from her daily life 300 years ago. Max wasn’t sure why he found it so fascinating, but he couldn’t stop reading. In today’s entry, Malin talked about her brother’s wedding in the Valley.

Von is getting married today. I am not allowed to go. Mother says as the future leader of the Ring, I must stay behind so her and father can attend. She says that way if something happens to her, the leadership of the Ring will go on. I don’t know what could happen in the Valley. If it is as safe and predictable as Abscon, nothing shall happen.

I have sent a note of congratulations to my brother and a note of welcome to his bride. I am very happy he has found love. Her name is Lucia. Von says she is very beautiful. Mother says the newly wedded coupled will visit Abscon a few months after their wedding. I do hope she is right. I want to meet my new sister. Von is to take her name as she is an only child. She is from an old magical family. Not one as old as the mine, but they have a very nice house in the Valley.

I am quite happy with my own darling Jacob. I think he is quite looking forward to us having the manor to ourselves for a few days. I can say that I am as well. I wish we could travel, but maybe one day when the kingdom is safer. Maybe when time has passed. I shouldn’t complain. Abscon is lovely. The manor has everything one could want. I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like had the kingdom not fallen. What would it have been like to live in Aurumist?

Max was interrupted from his reading by the opening of the study door. Issa walked in and smiled. She sat down in front of the desk in one of the chairs. Max sat up and closed his book.

“How was your walk?” asked Max.

“Very nice. It seems Nora has an admirer,” replied Issa happily.

“An admirer? Who?”

“Cillian Walsh. He saw us walking and joined us. He was very sweet. I can tell he is interested in Nora.”

“And how did Nora react?” asked Max.

“She was polite. I saw her blushed a few times. I think she might like him.”

Max wondered if that were true. Nora had been married to Danin for many years. She had married him young. He knew they were very much in love, but Danin was no longer here. Should Nora mourn him forever? Shouldn’t she have a chance of happiness if she wanted it?

“You don’t mind, do you, Max?”

“No, of course not. Why would I? If Nora falls in love with Cillian and he is worthy of her, why shouldn’t that be a good thing?”

“It would be an excellent thing. It’s still early though. It’s only been a few days. We will see how the next four months goes. If anything, I think it will be a fun distraction for Nora. She has been through a lot, and she must feel lonely at times,” said Issa.

Max nodded.

“What were you reading?” asked Issa leaning forward and looking at Max’s book.

“That journal we found in Griffa’s study in Abscon. It’s interesting.”

“What did you read today?”

“I read about Malin’s brother’s wedding and I think I discovered something very interesting. Do you remember that portrait we saw at Talon’s house?”

“Yes, of the handsome couple, correct?”

“That’s the one. I think it might have been this Malin’s brother and his wife. Malin says her brother Von lived with a family if the Valley. He married a girl named Lucia. Wasn’t Von and Lucia the name of the couple in that portrait?”

“I don’t remember. You were always better at remembering names than me. Remember how you had to help me with kingdom history in lessons?”

“Well, I think it is Malin’s brother in that painting. Why was he sent to live in the Valley? I am sure Malin was a Keene. Wouldn’t Von be one as well? He married and took his bride’s name. Doesn’t that seem odd?”

“Maybe he really loved her, and her father wanted it that way. I think Griffa’s father wanted her to keep her name. I don’t know how that will work with Ansel, though,” said Issa thoughtfully.

Max looked at Issa. “Do you think Ansel and Griffa will get married one day?”

Issa looked thoughtful for a moment. “I imagine they will. You see them together. Can you ever imagine them apart or with other people?”

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“I guess not. I just never really thought about it. I guess that means Griffa will live in Aurumist one day,” said Max.

“Which is well and good for us. I’m sure you will appoint her to your Ring. Then no matter what she will be in Aurumist. It will be good to have her close.”

Max hadn’t really given much thought to the future beyond winning the war and being with Issa. He would have to appoint a Ring one day. He would have to learn how to run a kingdom. It all seemed so far away, but every day it came closer and closer. Everyone was working and sacrificing to put him on the throne. He wasn’t sure how he felt about it. He wished he was more sure of his title.

“Are you ok, Max?” asked Issa with concern.

“Yes, I am well. It’s just overwhelming at times, to think of the future.”

Issa smiled. “You will have lots of help. I’ll be there with you the whole time if you want me.”

“I will. You should never doubt that” said Max.

“Now, back to your journal. You are saying that one of Griffa’s distant relatives has a connection to Talon’s family. That is interesting. The next time we go visit Talon we should look at the portrait and ask him about it. Griffa would probably like to know.”

“She would. Now what do you want to do until dinner?” asked Max.

“Maybe you could read to me?” asked Issa. “We could sit by the fire. Griffa and Ansel are out meeting with the council. Nora said she would make dinner. We could sit all alone for a while.”

“Sounds good. Let’s see what book we can find,” said Max. As he pushed back, he hit a small portrait on the shelf behind him. It fell to the floor face down.

“Max, you dropped something. You better pick it up,” said Issa.

Max turned around and picked it up. It was a small portrait. “I think it’s Griffa’ s mother,” said Max looking at the picture.

“Let me see,” said Issa reaching out for the portrait. She looked it over. “It seems like it’s not damaged. She was a beautiful woman. Griffa has her eyes.”

“She does,” said Max. He took the portrait back from Issa and looked on the back. “Lynette Hyde. That must have been Griffa’s mother’s name.”

“Probably so, said Issa. Griffa doesn’t really talk about her. She died when Griffa was still a baby.”

Max put the picture back where it went. For some reason, the name Hyde sounded familiar, but he couldn’t think why. He supposed it must have heard back in Clarton. “What would you like me to read?” asked Max.

After dinner, they all sat around the parlor enjoying each other’s company. Griffa caught them up on news from the council. They seemed overall pleased with Max and his progress. They looked forward to getting to know him even better.

“You might have to have dinner at every house in the Valley before this over,” said Griffa. “You’ll at least have to go to every council members house. Though I’d avoid Devland if you can. He is being very difficult.”

“How so?” asked Max.

“He is pushing me to have us show him how we move magical objects. I suppose we should just do it to shut him up, but part of me really wants to be stubborn about this. He should take my word for it,” said Griffa exasperatedly.

“So, you will leave in three more days, Griffa?” asked Issa.

“Yes. I have another council meeting in two days here. Then I have to get back to Abscon to meet with the Ring before our visitors from the Lowlands come.”

Max heard Ansel make a small noise.

“How are you feeling, Ansel?” asked Max with concern.

“I’ve been feeling well. No more issues,” said Ansel.

“Good,” said Max. “I hope whatever it was, it has gone away.”

“I am more prepared now if it does happen again. I want to thank you, Max for all of your work to try to help me. I haven’t been very good to you lately. I appreciate you still caring.”

“You weren’t so bad. Well, actually you were, but I forgive you. I’m sure I’ve annoyed you plenty of times. Besides, you were a little right about one thing. I do need to start seriously thinking of the future. I need to think about what it means to really be the King of Regventus,” said Max.

“You’ll get there,” said Griffa encouragingly. “You won’t be all alone. All of us will help you. You will have advisors and a Ring you pick. When we win the throne, you won’t be expected to manage everything yourself.”

“I know, but I will be the king and I should start thinking about what that will look like.”

“When I go back to Abscon, I can look for some books on the old kings and queens of the line of Adalwen. I’ll bring them back when I return. They can help you, but remember we don’t have to do it just like the past. We can look at new ways to make Regventus even better,” said Griffa.

“At least I know the first person I will include on my Ring,” said Max smiling at Griffa.

“I’ll be happy to serve the kingdom and you Max,” said Griffa returning Max’s smile. “Now, let’s talk about something less serious. Talon has invited us to dinner tomorrow night. It’s not some formal gathering either. It will be just us, Talon, and Cillian Walsh. Perhaps we can even play a game after supper.”

Ansel groaned.

Griffa laughed. “Sorry, Ansel, but you knew I was like this before you chose to love me.”

“I know, but that doesn’t mean I can’t complain about it.”

Everyone laughed. Max looked at Griffa and Ansel smiling at each other. Issa was right, he couldn’t see them with anyone else. Maybe one day they would all be happy like this in Aurumist. Issa would be Max’s queen. Ansel and Griffa would live at the palace as well. Nora might not be there if this thing with Cillian became something, but she would be happy here in the Valley. She could come visit Max often.

Max thought all of this was worth fighting for. He decided right there to commit himself even harder to his training. He would learn more about what it meant to serve the kingdom. He would think hard about what the kingdom of Regventus should look like. Most of all, he knew he would not do it alone. He would have the support of his friends.

Later that evening everyone had gone to bed except Max and Issa. Max sat on the end of the sofa with Issa curled up at his side.

“You seem very content tonight,” said Issa sleepily.

“I am. I’m starting to think we might just win the kingdom after all. I think the future could be wonderful.”

“I think so too, Max. I know I said a while ago that I was worried about our differences, but I think that might be to our advantage. The kingdom is made up of magical and non-magical people, why should those in the palace be any different. We might age differently, but if you will not mind, neither shall I. I will be happy with whatever time we have together.”

Max pulled Issa close and kissed her cheek. “I’m glad you feel that way because I will have no one but you. The more we are together, the more certain I am. It doesn’t matter what happens. No matter if I am king or I work at a stable, you will be by my side.”

“I certainly will be, even if you do end up working in a stable,” said Issa with a yawn. “But I’d really rather you be a king.”