The Union 130 Going Home

"Gold and White? I'm not an expert but isn't that too bright?" Timothy asked

"I know, I know" said Lucia "But it's a powerful symbol. Gold is the color of Vanadis while it's white for Castonia. With the Union of our two Kingdoms, I think symbolism is a good trade for style"

"Makes sense. But is that alright with you? It's your special day- our special day. I thought you would want the decorations to be more stylish"

"I do. But let us not forget that we are still at war with Calgari, Tulosa and possibly Hadea, Inkit, Canton and Wismar. We cannot afford to waste even a small opportunity to bring our people closer together."

Timothy hooked his arm around her waist. He pulled her closer and Lucia was now leaning her head against his neck.

"Alright gold and white it is. We only have a few months to prepare for another series of wars anyway so just like what you said, we can't waste opportunities. Good thing the snow season will give us a short respite. But after the last snow melts into puddle" Timothy shook his head in weariness "I don't know. We are going to get busy again"

"We will always be busy" She said. Her voice calmed Timothy's worried heart. "We chose this path. Our neighbors will do everything to prevent our union. Until our last days, we will always encounter problems"

"Not if we elope" Timothy jested with a grin.

Lucia gave a surprised laugh "How kingly of you! Imagine the King of Castonia and the Queen of Vanadis, eloping to a distant land, leaving the two kingdoms at the mercy of our neighbors"

Lucia was still laughing when Timothy felt that someone was watching them from behind. He immediately knew who it was.

"Lucia don't freak out. I think he is behind us" He whispered and Lucia's laugh was stopped.

"Talk" Timothy said in a monotonous tone "Stop watching us like a creep from behind"

Footsteps brushed against the grass. The Spectator revealed himself and went to their front. His cane was truly smooth and his clothes were still weird.

Timothy felt Lucia flinch. He couldn't blame her though. Seeing the Spectator for the first time was truly a terrifying experience.

"I apologize. That is not my intention. I just don't want to disturb the two of you" The Spectator turned to Lucia. He took off his hat and made a bow. "Queen Lucia. You may have heard of me. Nice meeting you"

"Nice meeting you too" Lucia said. She looked at Timothy, sighed and shook her head nervously.

Timothy calmed her with a kiss to her forehead. He then turned to the Spectator and asked the question he had always wanted to ask since General Rickard's actions just this morning.

"About General Rickard…" Timothy started.

"I was part of it. He was planning on making a last stand and I tried to change his mind. But it seems I failed and the two of you were put in danger. For that I apologize" The Spectator cut him off with a direct answer.

"What did you do to him?" Lucia asked with slight tremors in her voice

"I… gave him a gift- an expensive gift I shouldn't have wasted on him."

"Like what you did to us? That dream-like meeting?" asked Timothy. He didn't bother to wait for an answer and asked another question "Who did you, erm… connect him with?"

The Spectator took a deep breath and said with reluctance, "His family. Wife and Children"

Timothy's blood froze. It was such a shock to him. He looked at Lucia and she was also the same.

Both of them had heard of what happened to General Rickard from Henry. It was a tragic story. Timothy felt pity for General Rickard as he listened to Henry back then.

But General Rickard's wife and children have died a long time ago. If the Spectator had such power- bridging the dead to the living- then the power he possess was insurmountable. Timothy felt shivers.

The Spectator seemed to notice both their shocked reactions. He cleared his throat and snapped them out of their shock. "We cannot bring the dead back to life if that's what the two of you are thinking about. We cannot bring back their consciousness. No. I don't think even a God can do that. The people General Rickard saw were just fragments of the consciousness of his wife and children. But fragments are enough to reveal the feelings of a person"

"Is that so" Timothy uttered, his forehead started to sweat. "But it's still a great power."

"Which comes at a great price. I don't think we can replicate such a thing for a while. Like what I said, I wasted an expensive gift"

There was annoyance in the Spectator's voice. Timothy understands though. If making General Rickard see his family for a short while was indeed of great expense to the Spectator, then it was such a waste. General Rickard didn't change in the end. A shame, Timothy lamented.

"So, why are you here?" Timothy asked and put the matter with General Rickard aside.

The Spectator smiled. "To say goodbye"

"Goodbye?" It was Lucia who asked "I thought you support us"

The Spectator turned to the north and looked at the sky. His black coat was swaying in the cold wind.

"The others have recalled me. I may not be able to be of service for a while. Well you won't need me anyway. The snow season brings a short peace"

"Will you come back? Even though you say that what you gave to General Rickard was a waste, it helped us. It led to their surrender and saved many lives" Timothy voiced

"I… don't know. Perhaps. Nothing is for certain Your Majesty"

Timothy nodded. He rose and offered the Spectator his hand "Then let me thank you for everything. We still don't understand much but you have helped us"

The Spectator shook his hand. Lucia also rose and also offered her hand "Any last advice for us?"

The Spectator shook her hand. "Peace Your Majesty. The two of you must strive for peace. There is always something more dangerous on the horizon. Petty wars between Kingdoms are nothing compared to the real threat. So the two of you should forge peace. The world is bigger than just Castonia and Vanadis" he paused and turned his eyes towards Timothy "And also… try to remember"

"Remember what?" Timothy asked

The Spectator again smiled. He shook his head "Nothing. Never mind my blabbers. I'm sure the two of you will be fine"

**********

The next morning thousands of people were lined in a formation that stretched for several leagues. More than half of them were prisoners, in chains and heavily guarded. They were about to start their journey.

Timothy was on his horse at the front of the marching formation. As he turned his look towards his side, he saw a certain woman who had captivated his heart. She had been his partner for the past months. The bond they shared will soon be proven by their union.

Lucia smiled towards him. With her lips forming into a perfect smile, he couldn't help but feel enchanted.

"What is it?" She asked

"Nothing"

"Staring at me like that and saying that's it's nothing doesn't really match"

"Would I get away with it if I just say that you look beautiful?"

"Beautiful?" Lucia gave a playful grin. She showed him the armor underneath her coat "A lady wearing armor is beautiful? I thought dresses and gowns are your type King Timothy?"

Timothy shrugged "For me you are beautiful. Always"

"Oh..always is it?" She maintained her grin but Timothy saw that she was flushed

"Always" Timothy confirmed.

"Your talent in making a lady's heart flutter is uncanny" Lucia said as she shook her head. She looked at Timothy "Fine. So, shall we go?"

"Yes" Timothy said with a nod.

After the snow season, they both have to face many more problems. Knightsend was still under the control of a few hundred of General Rickard's supporters. Greenwater still needed repair. And Ivan… reports say that Ivan fled Nirvana.

Nevertheless, like what the Spectator said, the snow season brings peace. It will be the perfect time to unite the two Kingdoms through marriage.

Castonia's flag was flying in the wind beside that of Vanadis. The Lion and the Pelican, the warrior and the merchant. As Timothy looked at the two flags not far from them, he felt glee. It had been a complicated journey, he thought. Many times both of them almost lost their lives. And although he and Lucia have prevailed so far, there will surely be problems ahead. But if he's with her, then facing those problems doesn't seem too bad.

Chapter end