"Valamar!" Vald said as he shook his sleeping brother "Valamar, wake up!"

Valamar slowly opened his eyes as he felt his brother shaking him. Valamar was surprised that his eyes felt very heavy. He could feel that his eyes were wet as well.

"Vald..." Valamar said as he slowly began to sit up from his bed "I just had a..."

"Dream?" Vald finished Valamar's sentence

"A nightmare more like it... How did you know?"

"For starters, I heard you scream her name again. It's been almost a year. You were fine throughout these last few months in the campaign. Why would you dream about her again?"

"I don't know... Maybe it was our chat about wives yesterday. You bastard."

"You started it."

"Now I miss her more than ever. Curse the disease that took my Alea!"

"Valamar, I don't need you in this sorry state. Get a hold of yourself, brother. Today is the day we return to Rumasil and the last thing I want to hear is you sobbing all the way. Now go clean up and get ready."

Vald then left the Duke's chambers and left Valamar to get ready. Valamar sat still for a moment. He had just dreamt of Alea, his fiancé who had died a year earlier because of disease. He remembered that ever since he was four years old, he always wanted to impress her.

Alea was the daughter of Crown Imperial Prince Manuel Memnos of the Aurosian Empire - Valamar's uncle - and older sister of Vald's wife, Angelina. Valamar's father sought to maintain the dynastic bond between Auros and Rumasil by arranging a dynastic marriage between Valamar, heir of the Rumasilian throne, and Alea, eldest and most beautiful Princess of the Aurosian Empire as was the tradition between Rumasil and Auros. When Alea died, Valamar fell into deep mourning for half a year. Because King Valasaire knew his son would not marry another and he also knew he had to fulfill his promise to his sworn brother, and so he arranged for Vald to marry Princess Angelina.

After his time of depression, the Lasarian rebellion had begun and Valamar was sent by his father to quell the rebellion in Tanolor (Aerthil). Now, Valamar and Vald had successfully quelled the rebellion with minimal losses and had secured the loyalty of the people.

As Valamar finished equipping his armor in the armory, he exited the city castle with smiles and giggles coming from the young servant girls in the castle. He then mounted his horse and quickly met up with Vald who was already riding outside of the city gates with most of the soldiers they came with.

"I thought you were going to wait for me, Vald." Valamar said as he rode his horse close to Vald

"We were waiting for you, brother." Vald answered with a slight smile on his face "Didn't you notice we were marching slower?"

"I could've sworn you were actually going faster... Anyways, we are heading to the harbor, right?"

"Indeed. It would only take us a few weeks to return to Rumasil."

"Thank God. I'd rather be stuck on a boat for a few weeks than marching tirelessly for months on land. And on foreign land to boot!"

"We should be grateful the Florentinians allowed us military access through their territory to help crush this rebellion."

"I would be more grateful if they were to offer us military support."

"We shouldn't push our luck, abang (Older Brother). Alright, let's go."

***

The skies on the horizon were bright and beautiful over Rumasil. The huge five thousand year-old city stood with grandeur over the weary soldiers outside. Valamar and Vald had a relieved expression on their faces as they reached their home. They were tired of spending weeks at sea and another week marching from the port to the city of Hutasere and finally arriving at Rumasil.

Valamar looked proudly at Rumasil, one of the largest cities in all of Terra as well as one of the oldest ones continuously inhabited. The white granite walls of Rumasil were large, about a hundred feet tall, towering over all armies who have dared besiege the grand city.

The main gates of the city were made of powerful gold plated steel with carvings of how the gate was made adorning it. On top of the gates was a large round dome-like golden roof which also adorned many other buildings in the city. The walls themselves were carved with many depictions of battles and the ascension of kings to the throne. On top of the gates' roof was a golden statue of a tiger looking fiercely outside of the city, designed to strike fear into any army who dared besiege the city.

As the gates opened, Valamar and his army went through the large dome-like room as tall as the walls which had another pair of gates at the other end which were just as large. The ceiling was painted with the symbol of the winged tower, the emblem of Rumasil.

As the gate guards inside the room opened the large gates, Valamar and Vald were greeted by loud cheers from inside the great city. The large main streets of Rumasil were filled with people cheering. Women and children danced on the streets as the people in the houses next to the streets were cheering and waving flags on their balconies as well as throwing flower petals at the streets.

As Valamar and Vald marched through the streets, taking flowers given by the people, they heard them singing,

"Torop dope nasiat i, di hasampuran rea! I pe hamu pardosa i, sai olo ma porsea!" ( Come all ye weary souls to Him, a splendid feast awaits ye. Come all ye sinners all to Him, believe in Him and his mercy! )

“Ai Debata, manjou hamu tu hasonangan situtu. Hamu, hamu, dijou Debatamu!” ( The Lord your God, He calls to thee, to everlasting glory. Oh you, yes you, are called by God so heed Him )

Valamar felt a sense of ease as he rode through the streets of his beloved home city. He rode happily with his brother until they finally reached another city wall inside, though this one was smaller in size, but was more beautiful as it was surrounded by a moat with clear water and the walls itself were adorned by statues. The golden gates were opened from the inside by some soldiers. Valamar turned around to face his large army. With a loud voice he said,

"You have served well, Halak Almar! Sons of Rumasil! Now you have earned your reward! Rest! Return to your wives and children! Go! And make sure that each and every one of you be ready, for if you are to be called to arms again, I expect you all to fight with the fire and will you showed in our mighty victory over the rebels!"

As Valamar finished speaking, the men marched away with discipline with only Valamar and Vald's bodyguard unit left. They then followed Valamar and Vald inside the inner walls.

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Inside the inner walls was a beautiful Palace. It was very large and elegant. In front of the Palace was a large serene garden with a beautiful marble fountain in the middle of it. Valamar then gave his and Vald's bodyguard unit permission to return to the palace guard barracks. He and Vald then leaped off their horses and allowed some servants to take the steeds to the stables to be groomed and fed.

"God, have I missed this place." Valamar said as he entered the palace along with Vald

"I just want to see my wife right now." Vald said as he walked beside Valamar

The entrance hall of the palace was splendid as the walls were adorned by paintings of the former Kings of Rumasil. The ceiling was adorned by marvelous chandeliers designed to light the room. At the end of the hall was an entrance to a large room with high ceilings and doors that would lead to other places in the palace. The large room also had a large staircase leading to a massive door at the upper end of it.

When they entered the large room, they could hear footsteps running towards them. Vald saw that a young girl wearing a regal dress with long auburn hair, fair skin, and innocent round eyes as well as quite a buxom but still fairly slim figure was running towards him.

As the girl reached a distance close enough to Vald, she leapt and embraced him with visible tears coming out of her eyes.

"Vald! I missed you so much! You've been gone for so long!" the girl started as she hugged him tightly

"I've missed you too, my love. Has it been that long?" Vald said as he returned the girl's affection by hugging her and kissing her forehead

"Five months have passed since the last time I held you close like this, Vald. Five months!"

"I know, Angelina. I've missed you too. So much. Sleeping felt very lonely without you by my side. I couldn't imagine how my mother felt when my father had to leave to lead a campaign in Tanodao. He left for three years."

"I would die if you left me for three years, Vald."

"I know you would. Anyways, how is our little Valea?"

"Oh! You'll see!"

"Ahem..." Valamar coughed trying to break the attention that was centered on Vald and Angelina "Does our father, the great and noble King of the Almarian Kingdom of Rumasil, Valasaire XIX, know his sons have returned?"

"Why wouldn't I know when my two sons have returned from a long and grueling campaign?" a man said as he suddenly came out of the main doors to the throne room.

This man looked very similar to Valamar albeit looking a bit older. He also had a very laid back look on his face as well as a handsome one although he had shorter hair than Valamar and his voice was heavier yet still had a soft and kind tone to it. He wore regal clothes with a red and yellow cape.

"I almost forgot you know everything that goes on in this kingdom. Hello to you too, father." Valamar said to the man

Valamar's father, King Valasaire, was the thirty six year-old Ruler of the Kingdom of Rumasil. He inherited the throne when his father, King Valasar V, died thanks to a wound he got from a great battle against the Provarians thirteen years ago. Since then, Valasaire had grown a strong hatred towards the Provarian Kingdom.

"When have you gotten so cynical?" Valasaire asked with a smile and raised eyebrow

"Forgive me, father." Valamar said as he walked up the stairs to hug his father "Lack of sleep and sudden regret has really gotten to me."

Vald then walked up to Valasaire along with his wife and gave him a hug as well.

"Look at you two." Valasaire said while he gazed at his two sons proudly "The future of the Valamen and of Rumasil. I'm so proud of you two. Congratulations on serving your country in crushing the rebellion. Although, I feel this rebellion was my fault to begin with. If only..."

"We all make mistakes, father." Valamar said "There's no need to ponder on them. What's in the past, shall remain in the past. You taught us that, father."

"Then I have taught you two well." Valasaire said with a smile "Anyways, I have a surprise for you, Valamar."

"Surprise?"

"Olo. Come now, boys. Your mother and younger sister are waiting for you two."

Valasaire quickly led Valamar and Vald inside the throne room. The room was large. Its floor was made of white marble, with banners decorating the walls. At the end of the room was a large ornate throne with a golden sculpture of a tiger on top of it, with two other thrones by its sides. The ornate throne was meant for the king. The throne on the right was meant for the queen, while the throne on the left was meant for the Crown Prince.

However, Valamar saw a girl sitting on the throne of the Crown Prince. She had light brown hair that was to the length of her back, round eyes, and a fair complexion on her skin. She was wearing regal clothing, which was worn by almost every other person in the throne room.

"How does my throne feel, Valerie?" Valamar said to the girl "Feels comfortable to the ass, doesn't it?"

"Do you always have to be so rude, abang?" The girl said with an annoyed tone

"Is that really the way to speak to your older brother? I just came back from a war. I deserve at least a little respect, don't I?"

"Now, now, Valamar. Stop pestering your sister." A woman said

The woman had long wavy auburn hair, light skin, and had a caring look on her face as she saw Valamar and Vald walking in the throne room. She walked towards Valamar and hugged him tightly.

"I've missed you so much. You too, Vald. I'm so proud of my sons. A day hasn't gone by that I haven't worried for your safety." She said

"We've missed you too, mother." Vald said to the woman, Queen Alessa.

"Come here my little boy!" she said as she hugged Vald

"Da-da! Da-da!" a little toddler said as she suddenly came running in the room. Running as fast as her little legs that weren't yet used to running could take her. She ran straight to Vald with a joyful smile on her little round and cute face.

"Valea!" Vald shouted with joyful glee in return and quickly swept the little girl off her feet and hugged her tightly "Dada missed you so much, little tigress! I hope you were good to your mother when I was gone."

The little Valea only nodded her head with a smile.

"That's my daughter!" Vald added as he patted Valea's head with a smile "I hope you still remember your uncle, Valea."

"Of course she does." Valamar said as he walked closer to his brother and niece "Because, I am the best uncle in the world."

Valea laughed and smiled as she gave Valamar a hug as well, leaping off her father's arm.

"You know, Valamar..." Angelina started as she took Valea back from Valamar's hold "Claiming to be the best uncle in the world would surely be an affront to the Crown Imperial Prince of Auros, my older brother."

"Matthaeos?" Valamar said with an eyebrow raised "Yeah, I'm leagues ahead of him when it comes to being an uncle, isn't that right little one? (Valamar snuggles on Valea to which she laughs gleefully). And a bit over-protective if I do say so myself."

"Well you're right about the last part. I still remember him chasing you when you tried to steal a kiss from Alea... oh dear... Fo-forgive me, Valamar! Forget I said anything!"

"Don't worry, Angie, I know you meant nothing by it. Besides, little Valea here was named after her beautiful aunt, right? You definitely will grow to be a very beautiful girl!"

Valamar then handed the girl back to her father.

“Where’s Kak (Older sister) Vera?” Vald asked “I would expect her to be here with you guys…”

“You know your sister is busy with her training in the Boruniruma. Her promotion to captain will keep her at her post for at least a few more days.” Valasaire answered

“Alright so why is this little bugger not training as well, eh??” Valamar said as he grabbed Valerie and started nugging her head “Skimping out on practice as always, eh??”

“Arggh!! Abang stop it!!” Valerie struggled a bit but giggled anyways “Kak Vera gave me a week of leave as a bonus for her promotion! I’ll be back in a few days, can’t you just let me enjoy my break?”

“Alright baby sis, if you say so, hehehe…” Valamar laughed as he let his sister go "Also, I haven't seen ompung ( grandparent ) around. Is she alright?"

"Your grandmother is fine, Valamar." Alessa answered "You should go visit her after this. She is probably still in the gardens with your older sister, reading."

"Of course I'll say hello to her. Why exactly can I not do that now?"

"Oh you have to be here for the guests!"

"Guests?" Valamar asked, confused. "What guests?"

"Special guests for you, my boy!" Valasaire answered cheekily, "Consider it my gift to you for your success!"