It’s been a few nights since the liberation of Ravenna and the end of the Kingdom of Samnia... And the breakfasts following that historic event have been remarkably awkward. Lucretia has insisted on keeping me close for as long as she can during this little bit of time that the army will still be in Ravenna. Pasche has insisted on keeping me close too, despite the fact she’s supposed to be recovering from her hand wound. Lazierte has insisted on keeping her distance from me, seemingly unable to look me in the eye ever since I talked her down from murdering a child... And Xena has insisted on kissing me openly and wantonly whenever our paths cross, much to Pasche and Lucretia's confusion and dismay.

And my delight, naturally, but it’s hard to properly express that in the presence of two disappointed women.

Still, we all assemble for breakfast, as is normal... And everyone seems on edge about everyone else's presence. Theophania has focused her entire attention on writing up a suitably epic retelling of the liberation, even bringing her quill and ink to the breakfast table and only shooting me the occasional longing, guilty glance. Lazierte hides behind her, and her eyes are mostly focused on glaring at Lucretia. Lucretia and Pasche take opposing sides of me and look ready to competitively style my hair as Pasche and Celeste once did. And Xena is sitting next to Katarina, who remains gloomy about the lack of furniture designed to withstand her power. Maybe if I ever stop being a general I'll take up carpentry and make something that can withstand her strength... Or possibly stoneworking, wood might not be strong enough a material.

"Mail's here!"

A cheery-looking messenger mercifully interrupts our awkward breakfast, and starts handing out letters. One for Xena, four for Katarina, none for Lazierte or Lucretia, one for Pasche, one for Theophania... And two for me. Which is odd, my parents usually only sent me letters on my birthday. I open the first of them, and find Celeste's name lovingly written upon it... It smells nice...

"Dearest Serena.

I hope you are well! We have been receiving reports of your adventures as written by a 'Melissa Mentir', which seems remarkably odd for a farm girl to be writing them for you, doubly so for their quality and attention to detail! Even so we have read every one of them with fondness for you, and have ensured they are passed onto relevant newspapers and published. You're becoming quite the celebrity back home in Alesia, almost as much as your brother! Auguste has sung your praises at his speeches quite often, and it appears to be an applause line, so you needn't worry about your standing among the people if you were to return home.

We miss you terribly. Our dinner table is simply too quiet without your presence, it feels too empty. We hope that The Kingdom of Samnia collapses soon, and that this entire stupid war can end so you might return to visit us. As lovely as the dispatches are, we want to hear your stories from your own lips. I simply hope they have been less life-threatening than your adventures in Alesia had been!

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Take care, Serena. You always have a home with us.

Love, Celeste and Auguste."

Those sweet, sweet people... I wonder if they’d like the beaches of Kerska, perhaps they can visit one day. It might be awkward to introduce them to my parents but... Something about the idea of taking them to visit my home appeals to me. Feeling truly at home, in every sense of the word... I fold up the letter and put it in my jacket pocket, I wish to keep it close to me, just as I wish to keep them close to me.

Pasche is similarly quite affected by her letter, but it has provoked more of a confused emotion. She certainly has no desire to hold onto it after reading it, simply letting it fall to the table after.

"Pasche... Is everything okay?" I reach out and touch her shoulder, looking over her with concern.

"Ah! ... Yeah, I... I think so." Pasche turns to look at me with a nervous smile. "... My dad finally got sacrificed. And survived. He's wondering when I'll slip free of the army, marry Marie, and take up a position in the Cimmerian Nobility… And now I'm wondering when I'll slip free from the army and-"

I pout and flick her on the forehead, not wanting Pasche to even consider leaving. "Don't wonder that. I won't let you."

Pasche smiles, and gently lays a hand on my lap, giving it a pat. "Hehe, of course! I'm your knight, after all."

"Exactly!" I put my hand upon hers, gently stroking it.

There’s a bizarre groaning sound at the end of the table, one that sounds bored in a violent way... Seems Katarina has read her letters fairly quickly, and is unimpressed by their contents. I look at Xena, hoping she might translate, but she’s still reading hers, bearing a frown... It seems no one here got especially good news except me. I open my other letter, hoping it won’t be nearly as disappointing as everyone else's.

... It’s sealed with a lion. A royal seal? I open the letter, and find it too has a familiar scent, a... Sinful scent. Already my heart is pounding in my ears, and I, like an idiot, choose to read the scrawled and scratchy words.

"My dearest, my darling, my Serena.

I am sorry I pushed you away. I should not have pushed you away. I wanted to save you from me, wanted to spare you from me, but I have figured it out now. I know what we must do. I know how we can be together, and we shall make it happen. Forgive me. Return to me. I shall deliver you the entire world, every single thing in it. Including me. All of me. Forever.

I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.

Eternally yours, as you are eternally mine.

Katje."

...