Innutukian horsemen had resisted Kate and her comrades advancing to the stables, but they ultimately prevailed and retrieved their horses. Kate also snatched up her bow and a quiver of arrows, but she left much behind, including her carriage and the supply wagons. Instead, Manfred and Andre had crammed as much foodstuffs as they could in the saddlebags and draped saddles over the draft horses designated for pulling the carriage. Kate and the Monteraynian veteran opted to ride on horseback rather than have the burden of the wheeled box of wood slowing them down.

With the extra mobilization, the quartet had galloped off the Innutukian palace grounds, and a stressful three days of travel followed. Bands of the bearded warriors had tailed them, often startling the Monteraynians with a volley of arrows the moment they stopped for a break. Nightfall hardly brought any more rest than the day with the pursuers so close behind.

But by the fourth morning, the tension tapered off, and the Innutukians eventually gave up on their pursuit. The travelers' heightened nerves persisted, but with little justification. Passing over the border into Aroria eased their minds greatly.

In the early evening fifteen days after they'd galloped off from the Innutukian palace, Princess Kate's much diminished entourage trotted through the outer gates of the Monteraynian royal castle. Eager servants seemingly materialized out of thin air to tend to their needs. One man assisted Kate in dismounting, and then some of his fellows took it upon themselves to bear the spare weapons while others led the horses back to the stables.

Only a pair of servants accompanied Princess Kate and her party in their tired trudge to a side entrance to the castle, the one she'd always taken whenever she would be in a bad mood and wanted as few eyes on her downturned face as possible. Besides, a shorter route to the throne room lay beyond the less-used doors on this side of the structure.

Kate glanced up from the ground to eye Andre beside her. He met her with tired eyes and managed a grim smile. "At long last, you are home, your highness." he remarked pleasantly.

"And I am glad to be here." she replied, "But you still have three days to get back to the academy."

He shrugged. "Then again, the academy is hardly my home. Though I cannot be present there as often as I used to, my father's manor is still the place I would consider home, and that is only a few minutes' ride from here."

"Ah, I had not considered that. Is that where you intend to lodge tonight?"

"Likely so. Seeing my father's kind face would be quite a pleasant change of pace from the trial we just survived."

Kate grinned. "I could say the exact same thing about my own father."

Andre nodded. "With my father being the chief advisor to yours, I wouldn't be surprised if we are bound to see them both at once in a few minutes' time."

"Likely so." Kate took in a breath and glanced behind herself to view Manfred. He acknowledged her attention with a nod. "Where do you plan to settle in for the night?"

"Probably some inn around here, I guess." Manfred replied with a shrug.

"I think I can arrange something for you inside the castle. You deserve it after your grueling service." Kate remarked with a wink.

"Well, thanks. I appreciate that."

Kate's smile widened. "Of course!" Then she glanced at the Monteraynian veteran beside Manfred, and she nodded at him. "The same goes for you as well."

"To be fair, I only helped you break out after being freed myself, your highness, but—"

"You still contributed, and for that, I am grateful."

The man shrugged. "An honor to be of service."

With that, Princess Kate and her party fell silent. They progressed through the torch-lit passageways of the castle before finally approaching the handsome wooden double doors to King Maxwell Alder's throne room. One of the servants accompanying the group stepped forward to grasp the knocker, but Kate shook her head at him and simply swung the doors open herself.

"My father will be too excited to see me to care for formalities." she whispered to the man before stepping over the threshold.

Kate glanced about the circular chamber that was her father's throne room. She traversed the violet carpet leading to the golden seat symbolizing his power. Kate closed her eyes and breathed in deeply of the familiar incense he customarily burned, a hearty cinnamon scent with hints of citrus. When she opened them again, she glanced over the colorful tapestries lining the walls. Her gaze swiftly descended from one on the back wall to her father on his throne.

King Maxwell hadn't noticed her entry, as he was currently engrossed in a discussion with two men standing on either side of his throne. On his right stood his chief advisor, Sir Juan Feliz. And on his left, Sir Alden Holt leaned on a hefty staff. Kate narrowed her eyes upon sighting the latter. But her attention readily shifted back over to her father, and she hurried her footsteps toward him.

The king glanced up and spotted Kate when she'd come within a few feet of his ceremonial chair. While Andre, Manfred, the rescued veteran, and the two servants lowered themselves to their knees around her, Kate remained standing. Her father had never been keen on his own flesh and blood being forced to humble themselves before him, at least not in that way.

After silencing Alden with a wave of his hand, King Maxwell rose to his feet and let a wide grin spread across his whole face. He approached Kate and picked her up into his arms with a hearty embrace and a laugh of joy. Kate felt her spine pop from the pressing of his arms, and a tension relieved itself. She kissed her father's cheek.

When Maxwell finally put Kate down, he still retained a grip on her shoulders. "It brings such joy to my heart to see you again, my daughter! Four weeks without you has been a burden and a source of constant worry."

Kate beamed up at him. "I have missed you too, father. Many moments in my absence, I craved nothing more than one of your embraces, but reality insisted otherwise."

"Well, I thank the Lord that he has brought you home safely. Even though the duration of your journey was to be expected, I still found myself worrying over your welfare often. But please, tell me how the negotiations went."

Kate let out an exaggerated sigh to set the tone before speaking. "The outcome disappointed me greatly, father."

Maxwell's features softened. "It grieves me to hear that, my darling. But I must know, how exactly did events unfold?"

"I presented my case before the emperor's face, but he would have none of it. He will only ratify a peace treaty if one of the conditions is that possession of Aroria be given into Innutuk's hands."

"Have they not conquered enough lands already?"

"I would have thought they had." Kate remarked, "But as he explained to me, Innutuk is in a time of famine. Aroria is just the acquisition they need right now."

"Surely he does not think that he must own the land to buy its produce!" Maxwell exclaimed.

"Well, he is not under that impression, father, but he also informed me that Innutuk's economy fares not so well. After having accomplished little in the recent trade war with Alconte, the Empire's coffers are less well-endowed, rendering the purchase of foreign crops a further drain on their sagging economy."

"The mere fact that their land has fallen behind this year does not obligate us to give up our rightful land." Maxwell stated resolutely, "Every nation has bad years and poor harvests, but that is only a challenge the land and its people must face together."

"I wholeheartedly agree. But nonetheless, the Innutukian Emperor insisted that he would not ratify any peace treaty that did not ensure our giving up of Aroria."

"So you simply walked away and returned home?"

Kate grinned wryly. "Not exactly."

"Such an answer concerns me, especially coming from your lips."

"As it should. I won't mince words, father. Once he saw he wasn't going to get his way, the Innutukian Emperor had me detained."

Maxwell's eyes hardened. "He did what?"

"He had me detained...in his dungeon. But that's where I must give acknowledgement and gratitude to the men behind me." Kate turned to face Manfred, Andre, and the Monteraynian veteran, who all still crouched on one of their knees each. "Men, please rise, for your esteem in my eyes has done so already."

After each man had given the princess his own brand of pleasant acknowledgement and she had swept a gracious smile over them in return, she turned back to her father. "Once the statement left the emperor's mouth, declaring his intentions to imprison me, these men, Andre Feliz and Manfred Rickland, were swift to come to my defense. They performed admirably, surviving even that which regrettably killed all four of my bodyguards, and though the Innutukians outnumbered us at last and put us in the dungeon, these two still refused to be defeated, sparing nothing to ensure our escape. In the process, they freed this man, a prisoner of war of our own flesh and blood, and he assisted in the latter part of our flight. I am only standing before you now, father, by virtue of these men and their courageous efforts."

King Maxwell's brow wrinkled in visible astonishment. "You are worthy men, and deserving of my deepest gratitude for protecting my daughter. As a relieved father and a pleased king do I give my heartiest thanks."

Andre gave the king a charming grin and bowed the upper half of his body. "I require no thanks, your majesty, save for seeing Monterayne's princess still alive and well."

"It's...yeah, it's nothing." Manfred stuttered, "Only my duty. But I'm glad it pleases you so."

The Monteraynian veteran cleared his throat. "I'm only thankful I was given a chance to serve my country again, and being home at last is reward and thanks enough."

After giving a thoughtful nod to each of their answers, Maxwell hardened his countenance, jaw clenched and eyes furious. "This act of Emperor Hakentaknid's, however...it irks me. Rather, it infuriates me. The fact that the wretch had the audacity to not only refuse to show a princess the respect and honor due her, but descended to barbaric measures...it shows utter contempt of our nation, and I will not have it!" He dropped back into his throne with a thud and glanced at Juan Feliz. "I have no choice in this matter, do I?"

Juan's lips tightened grimly. "I'm afraid you do not, your majesty. To show peace to an emperor who regards us with such scorn would only be seen as terrible weakness on our part."

"Above even that in my mind is the dishonor done to my daughter." Maxwell said from between gritted teeth, "She should have been lavished with gifts, treated to a sumptuous meal, perhaps, or some such treatment worthy of her station. But quite the opposite was the reality. Innutuk has acted shamefully, and therefore, I withdraw any peaceful sentiment toward them."

Kate's eyes widened. "You aren't saying you intend to declare war on Innutuk, are you?"

"I have no intention of initiating, but I shall be ready to retaliate if any action be taken against us, and that with no lack of vigor." Maxwell gave Kate a grim smile. "I have much to discuss with my advisors, but you should rest yourself from your journey, my darling. Your return has still relieved me greatly, even despite the news accompanying it."

Kate nodded. "I am glad to be home. Good evening, father."

After Maxwell wished his daughter a good night's sleep, she turned to exit the throne room. But then a thought struck her, so she spun around again.

Kate focused her gaze on Sir Alden Holt. "All the difficulty these two swordsmen underwent in Innutuk surely would suffice as a trial, correct?"

The old man slowly bobbed his head up and down. "Indeed, it would suffice. Very few knights undergo trials even nearly as strenuous to obtain their station."

"I see. Well then, I should like you to arrange initiation ceremonies as soon as possible. And please, be more punctual in this matter than you were last time I called on you."

Alden let out a low groan. "I shall strive to do better, your highness. It will be done."

"I sure hope that's true."

With that, Kate spun on her heel again and made her way out of the chamber. Manfred, Andre, and the veteran trailed behind her through the wide double doors.

The four walked a few paces down a hallway in silence before the Monteraynian veteran informed Kate that he had a brother who lived only an hours' ride south. She swiftly fetched a servant and ordered her to guide the man to the stable and pick out a horse for him to ride. Both Kate and the former prisoner of war exchanged several grateful words before parting.

With that settled, Kate continued on with Manfred and Andre until they reached a hallway lined with sleeping quarters for guests. Yet another servant unlocked a vacant room at Kate's command, and Manfred took an unsure step toward the threshold.

Kate moved into his path with a mischievous grin. "You have not allowed me to give you my final thanks yet, Sir Rickland."

His eyebrows slowly elevated. "That title's...not mine. Not yet."

"It may as well be, after what you've done." Kate stood on her tip-toes and pecked Manfred's rough cheek. "Thank you for your service."

Manfred's face reddened, and an awkward smile leapt to his lips. "Not a big...no problem. It's an honor."

With that, he retreated behind the door and slowly shut it, leaving Kate alone with Andre. She smirked at him, and with a chuckle, he bent over slightly so she could kiss his cheek too.

"If you wouldn't mind, I can walk you to your quarters." Andre suggested as he rose back to his full height.

"I would love that."

The pair backtracked through some of the passageways they'd already went through, but Kate turned at a different corner at one of the intersections and ascended some stairs. Andre didn't speak for a long while, but even his silent presence beside her stirred up giddy feelings inside Kate and made her inexplicably happy.

But he finally did break the silence when they reached the top of the flight of stairs. "I know tonight, you're undoubtably exhausted and wish for nothing more than to collapse into your bed," Andre began, "but I believe after that whole ordeal, you deserve to have some fun."

Kate giggled and glanced up at Andre. "I'm never one to deny such an opportunity, but I must ask, what're you talking about?"

Andre smirked. "I would like to treat you to dinner, if you would allow it."

"Well...sure! When, and where?"

"Tomorrow night, at the Feliz manor?"

Kate nodded vigorously as she slowed to a stop in front of her door. "I shall look forward to it!"

Andre gave her a charming smile. "As shall I. Have a restful night, your highness."

Princess Kate wished the same on Andre before watching him walk away. Only after the last bit of his manly figure disappeared from view did she turn back to her door and enter her room, which had been deprived of her presence for these 30 days. She observed with pleasure that a servant had lit the candle ahead of her, spreading both light and a fragrant aroma of apple throughout the room.

Kate sat down on her bed and kicked her shoes off before allowing herself to fall onto her back. She spread her arms and sunk into the mattress with a sigh of relief. Even the plushest bedroll couldn't compare with the unadulterated comfort of her bed. With closed eyes, she thanked God for bringing her home safely.

Her thoughts slowly departed from the pleasure of her senses and drifted to excitement over her upcoming dinner with Andre. Kate's heart palpitated as she imagined what it would be like to eat a romantic meal across a small table from the one and only Andre Feliz. She imagined his charming baritone voice speaking soothing words to her as she enjoyed some hearty dish, feasting her eyes on his dashing face and toned body all the while.

Kate could hardly wait.