As Henry's work in Ismal had began to finish up, a carriage bearing the royal banner arrived at the fortress. A royal messenger was sent by the King Mark to deliver an order to Henry. Henry received the scroll sealed in royal wax. He cracked the seal and opened the parchment. The Letter had words of this, "Return to capital" and nothing more.
"Well that was a nice way of asking a man to come back".
"What was he thinking".
Max who was beside him laughed,
"I never new my brother could write such a small letter".
Soon Henry finished his remaining work and handed over the project to the lead architect and went on his way back to the Capital.
The journey back from the border fortress was far quieter than Henry had expected. The roads that once carried frightened refugees and wounded soldiers were now filled with merchants, travelers, and caravans moving freely beneath the banner of the Kingdom of Dan. The stone guards that Henry had helped implement along the border had already begun to reduce the pressure from the demonic beasts, and the people spoke of Tecka as though it were a miracle land blessed by the heavens.
As Henry's carriage approached the capital, the guards standing atop the gates immediately recognized the royal crest attached to his escort.
"The Baron of Tecka has arrived!"
The announcement echoed through the streets.
People slowly gathered around the road. Some bowed respectfully while others whispered excitedly among themselves.
"That's him…"
"The one who restored Verna…"
"They say he purified land corrupted by demonic miasma…"
"And those moving stone soldiers were made by him…"
Henry awkwardly looked away from the attention. Even now, he still had not fully gotten used to people speaking of him like some legendary figure.
The royal palace soon came into view. The towering white walls reflected the evening sunlight while rows of royal guards stood motionless like statues. Henry stepped down from the carriage and was quickly escorted toward the audience hall.
The atmosphere inside the court felt strangely unusual.
The ministers whispered among themselves. Several nobles stared toward Henry with curious expressions while others smiled knowingly. It felt less like a political gathering and more like everyone was waiting for something.
At the center of the hall sat King Mark.
Henry frowned slightly.
Why did this feel so strange?
"Henry," Mark suddenly called out with a smile, "come forward."
Henry obeyed and approached the throne.
Mark held out a neatly folded envelope sealed with royal wax.
"This is for you."
Henry blinked in confusion.
"For me?"
"From Irene," replied Mark.
The moment those words were spoken, the expressions of several nobles became even stranger. Some tried to suppress their smiles while others pretended not to look interested.
Henry slowly opened the letter.
As he read, his face gradually turned red.
The letter contained countless small things Irene had noticed about him.
How he became flustered whenever she stood too close.
How he treated servants and commoners without arrogance.
How he would overwork himself for others while ignoring his own health.
How he always tried to hide his embarrassment.
How he looked more reliable than most nobles despite acting awkward half the time.
Then came the final lines.
"I once thought you were merely an interesting person.
But somewhere along the way, you became someone I wished to stay beside forever.
So Henry…
would you remain with me for the rest of your life?"
Henry's breathing stopped for a moment.
The entire hall had gone silent.
Mark watched him with amusement.
"Well?" he asked.
"I… this…" Henry stuttered helplessly.
Before he could finish—
Click.
The sound of heels echoed through the hall.
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
The large doors slowly opened.
Irene stepped inside wearing a beautiful white royal dress decorated with silver embroidery. Unlike her usual teasing smile, her expression now held nervousness hidden beneath forced confidence.
She walked directly toward Henry while the entire court watched in stunned silence.
"If the letter was too difficult…" she said softly, "then I'll ask directly."
She stopped right in front of him.
Then, looking straight into his eyes, she spoke clearly.
"Henry Tecka."
"I love you."
"Marry me."
The court exploded into noise.
Some ministers nearly dropped their documents while several nobles openly gasped. Even Max covered his face while laughing helplessly.
Henry himself looked completely frozen.
His heart pounded loudly.
For a moment, all the wars, struggles, and hardships he had experienced flashed through his mind.
The lonely journey.
The battles.
The losses.
The people he met.
And somehow, Irene had always appeared beside him during the most important moments.
Henry slowly looked up at her.
"I…" he began quietly.
Then he smiled faintly.
"I don't know what the future holds."
"But if you'll have me…"
"This life is yours."
Silence filled the hall once more.
Then Irene suddenly hugged him tightly.
The ministers erupted into cheers.
Mark burst into laughter.
Even the usually expressionless Mike smiled faintly.
And somewhere high above the palace, hidden within the shadows of the royal walls, Juliene silently watched the scene unfold.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"You finally found your happiness," she whispered softly.