October 30, 175 imperial year, seven years exactly after the death of the great mages. That day also marked the day the world was going to change.

In the living room of the Carsono Manor, I was sitting in the midnight blue armchair near the large glass window on the second floor. The window was looking over the massive golden front gate that was the only entrance onto the property. I don’t remember what I expected to see outside, but I always sit there with a Cabernet Sauvignon in one hand and my head resting on the other. I was thinking about everything that has happened so far until I felt someone's hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see Ace smiling at me. His long black hair was wet as he just took a shower, but to be honest, no matter what I can never take my gaze off his beautiful emerald-green eyes that contain specks of gold. Everything about him felt too perfect to be real.

“Anything special is going to happen today?”

“Well Ace, today we wish farewell to King Micheal.”

“King Micheal is that bastard’s son. Because he couldn’t inherit his own kingdom's throne, he was married to the only daughter of the neighboring King.”

Looking at Allicin who always enters the room already knowing the topic of discussion. I have to admit it always seems to amaze me.

“Should I tell Aidan to get the carriage ready?”

“Oh course Allicin, but don’t get started on other things.”

She left with a smile that told me right away that she had other plans. But as I was thinking if I should do anything about it as I place my glass gently on the table in front of me and proceed to stand.

“It’s hard to remember that my baby brother is all grown up and has a girlfriend. It almost seems like he has forgotten about me.”

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Grinning at Ace’s comment he followed with a small laugh, I pondered about one thing. Will I lose any of them in the process of achieving this goal?

“Are you... Are you sure you want to do this Ace? What if something happens? I would…”

His smile dropped as his gaze rose up, though his head remained face down. His expression changed. A fire lit in his heart causing a fierce look in his eyes. His hands began to change into a fist squeezing tighter. At that moment I was afraid he was going to hurt himself, dig too deep and bleed. But it was too late.

“Ace, your hand…”

“Then what about you? Do you expect us to stay here and let you die?”

“I am saying I am scared. I can’t…I can’t lose more than I already did.”

He released his fist and turned around walking towards me. His hand moves up and wraps around my upper back. He pulls me closer towards him, patting me on the back of my head.

I was shocked at that moment, this anger he was showing, he was never like this before. Not when we were children, training, with others, or alone.

“Iis, I am sorry and I thank you for thinking about us, but this is our fight too. They were our family too, mine and Aidan’s father. Allison's mother and uncle, your father and aunt. This involves all of us. And I promise you we will all get through it alive. Okay, so please don’t play the game on your own. If not with Allicin and Aidan, at least let me join. I love you and won't leave you. I promise.”

He has said things like this to me before, though this one hit differently. With my head rested on his chest I wrapped my arms around him and just let all my emotions through. It helps to cry once in a while. It really does.

“I am sorry and thank you. I love you so much.”

I pushed back a bit and looked up at him, sparked a small flame in my hand and held it close to his hair attempting to dry it. He raised his free hand and wrapped it around my wrist. His hands moved down to my fingers as he kissed the back of my hand.

“They are waiting and should probably go. My liege.”

And so we left the room and went outside. Allicin was in the carriage waiting, her copper shimmer hair was tied back in a braid. While Aidan, who looks just like Ace except he has golden eyes that matched well with Allicin's hair, waited beside her. As we both got on, I looked back at the manor and smiled watching it fade away one brick at a time. When this is all over, we will return and live a fulfilled life. We live together in a happily ever after.