The journey back from the battle was cold and wet, but enjoyable in an odd sense. The men chanted occasionally as they rode, a bonding sort of ritual. Dark and ominous clouds floated above them, but the rain and snow had stopped. The group traveled for a whole day before they stopped to sleep.

George and most soldiers or knights knew never to sleep on a battlefield. It was a precaution. War could lead men to do unethical things and they knew the enemy could easily retreat and then return at night to kill the sleeping soldiers. It was better to get out, so the enemy would be able to figure out where they were.

George sat next to Henry, This was fun, wasn't it?

Henry nodded.

Do you think we will get to do this again? Henry questioned

George shrugged, I hope so but honestly I'm not in a huge rush.

Henry nodded, it was a lot more brutal than I thought it would be.

The cold air whistled through the sparse trees that dotted the plain.

George lied back against a rock. I'm so sore, he said.

Henry looked at him, I am so glad you said that. I am in pain.

They laughed.

After eating the next morning, they left. At the halfway point between the Kingdom of Asiroth and the Kingdom of Edegear, George and Henry separated the armies They put out their arms and grasped each other.

See you soon, George said.

Henry smiled back.

George led the army of Asiroth home. They entered through the city via the main street and they were greeted by citizens in the streets cheering George's victorious return. He was absolutely touched by the investment in his family and he got off his horse and shook the hands of many men and women. This made them appreciate him even more. It was easy to tell how exhausted he was and he still made time to talk to a decent amount of people.

Your majesty, we need to go, his aid said.

He nodded and leaped back onto his horse and continued to wave until they reached the gates that led to the castle grounds.

Dismissed! George yelled.

The men went off in the directions they desired. George rode to the stable and left his horse so he could get inside as fast as possible. Unfortunately, once he got inside, he was immediately approached by his father's aid.

Your parents would like to see you now. He said.

George was still covered in blood and dirt. Can I at least change or rest first?

No, he made it clear he wanted to see you directly.

George nodded reluctantly, where are they?

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Throne room, he said.

George walked to the throne room doors, he tried to wipe the grime from his face but it didn’t work. He took a deep breath and entered. The image they saw, of George returning from battle with mud-covered gear and blood across his hands and chest, made him look extremely powerful and authoritative.

The room before him was long and about half the length wide. The floor was covered in a runner carpet that was red, green, and brown. The most notable bit of the carpet were the edges, they were decorated with dozens of gold tassels.

There were several guards in armor standing along the walls. One for each pillar, like their own watchdogs that stood at attention.

He walked to the throne where his father sat. Did you want to see me?

King William smiled. You look exhausted, he said chuckling. How did you like it?

It was tougher than I thought it would be but I had a great time, he said. I’m very cold and wet... and tired.

King William nodded. We have all been there.

I wanted to summon you while the battle was still fresh in your mind. Are you injured at all?

George shook his head, I am fine, just sore.

Good, good, his father said. Ok, you’re free to go, rest as you need to and be ready for a new task four days from now.

George hobbled to his room and was barely able to get his clothes off and eat before he laid back and fell asleep.

The next day approached and he awoke and ate. He thought about what he wanted to do then a great idea popped into his head. He decided to go to the steam baths. He threw on a smock, loose silk pants, and sandals and walked down to the sub-basement. The prince walked through the second-floor hallway and slowly descended the marble staircase. The staircase ended at a door that was made of light wood and had metal bars. He pulled out a key and opened it. and quickly descended the crumbling stone steps into the depths of the ground. A handful of torches lined the walls every couple of feet yet, somehow, the darkness seemed to be swallowing the light.

The stairs led to a stone corridor that opened into an enormous bathhouse. They had several outdoor bathhouses, but the one he stood before was private for royal soldiers and family members.

He took his clothes off and placed them on a marble bench near the edge of the pool. The water sloshed as he sat down on the stairs in the water, allowing it to come up to his chest.

The water was hot, it was a soothing coating of medicine for his muscles. He leaned back and inhaled the steam.

George was coaxed into slumber for a bit before he was jolted awake by the sound of the metal door closing.

It was a woman he had never seen before.

Oh, I’m sorry she said I didn’t think anyone was here.

No, it’s alright, come on in. I’m just curious, how did you know about this place?

The queen told me to come down here, I’m the daughter of her friend Geneva.

Oh yes, of course, Cassandra, right?

She nodded.

When she approached him she bowed. He nodded and gestured for her to join. Her robe was quickly dropped to the floor, and George was immediately privy to her whole naked body. Unfortunately, the prince was not the master of subtlety. He was immediately attracted to her, he acknowledged to himself that she had the perfect body, large thighs, a significant waist and dark brown hair that cascaded down her back.

She slipped into the water a few feet from him.

Based on her body, he could tell she was wealthy, he had never met a small woman that was wealthy. He wondered if she would be an acceptable partner... She was the daughter of a family friend... He shook the thought out of his head.

I have quite a while before I have to worry about marriage. He said in his head.

Silence haunted Cassandra, she was shy and had no way of knowing what Geroge would be interested in talking about. Every so often she tried to coyly glance at him, but every time she did he was already looking at her and she broke the eye contact.

Where do you live? He asked

In Redponn, she said.

Oh lovely, he said, I should’ve known, Redponn is known for its natural beauty, and you are no exception.

She blushed. You are sweet.

George wasn’t trying to flatter her in any way, he thought his comment was a simple fact.

Cassandra began to warm up to him, and they spent time talking. When they grew tired of the heat they jumped into the cold water and talked even more.

Geroge found himself thinking about Cassandra long after they parted ways in the steam room that afternoon.

The next night she was at the dinner table with the whole family.

She sat next to him and while the king queen and older members sat near the front of the table she and George sat near the end and talked. The queen gently poked her friend in a gesture to show her that George and Cassandra were talking.

They seem interested in eachother, she said quietly.

The king leaned over to his wife, setting him up now is pointless, he has to leave for his Yearly soon.

It can’t hurt to know who his options are for when he returns.

That night when everyone had cleared out of the dining hall the king and queen met with George in the throne room.

I think it’s time we mention your next task, his mother said.

George raised his eyebrows, what is it? He asked hoping it would be war-related.

The Yearly. His father said.

The Yearly was a rite of passage that most heirs to the throne went on before they were allowed to be crowned. Asiroth and Edegear both partook in the tradition, among others.

The point of the Yearly was for the future king to learn what life was like outside the kingdom. They had to leave the castle and kingdom for a year. They weren't allowed to return before that, tell anyone who they were, or use their privilege to their advantage.George closed his eyes trying to reject their words for a second.

He opened his eyes. The Yearly? He asked, he hoped they weren’t serious. I just started leading the army.

King William nodded, that’s why we are dispatching you now because when you get back we are sending you to the academy early.

Excitement washed over his face, I get to go to the academy next year?!

The queen nodded. You did a great job leading the army we think you are ready to top off your skills I think it will be the final step for you to take before you’re ready for the throne.

He smiled

Even though he didn’t want to go on the Yearly, he did want to go to the academy, so he was willing to go along with their plan.