Steve Stevenson urged his weary horse up the winding road that led to the towering gates of Ralston Castle. Dust clung to his clothes and boots after days of hard riding from the village of Ama, yet he paid little attention to his exhaustion. The matter that had brought him here weighed too heavily on his mind.
The guards at the gate stiffened the moment they recognized him.
"Steve Stevenson," one of them muttered.
Another guard stepped forward, resting a hand on the hilt of his sword.
"You've got some nerve coming back here."
Steve climbed down from his horse, keeping his hands where they could be seen.
"I haven't come to cause trouble," he said calmly. "I only wish to speak with Lady Zilayefa. It'll only take a few moments."
The captain of the guards shook his head.
"You know His Grace's orders."
Steve lowered his eyes briefly. He remembered that day all too well. The last time he had come to Ralston, Duke Larry had been home. The Duke had seen the affection between him and Zilayefa and, without hesitation, ordered him to leave the estate and never return. Steve had obeyed, not because he feared the Duke, but because he respected Zilayefa enough not to bring trouble upon her.
"I know the Duke's orders," Steve replied. "But His Grace is away at war, and what brings me here cannot wait."
"What business do you have with Lady Zilayefa?" the captain demanded.
Steve drew a slow breath.
"It concerns her late father's land in Ama. Someone has taken possession of it. The old house has been torn down, and a new building is already rising in its place. The villagers believe Lady Zilayefa approved it because she now serves at Ralston. I didn't believe the rumors. I came to hear the truth from her own lips."
The guards exchanged uncertain glances, but the captain remained unmoved.
"Whether your story is true or not changes nothing. The Duke's command still stands. You are not permitted to enter Ralston Castle."
Steve nodded sadly.
"I expected as much. Then at least tell Lady Zilayefa that Steve Stevenson came from Ama seeking her."
One of the younger guards hesitated before slipping inside the castle to deliver the message.
Outside the gates, Steve waited patiently beside his tired horse, hoping that after all these months, fate would grant him even a moment to see the woman he had never truly stopped loving.
Zilayefa descended the castle steps with purpose, a small leather satchel hanging from her shoulder. One of the estate stewards had informed her that a dispute had broken out between two farming families in the Ralston community, and she intended to settle the matter herself before it grew worse.
Fire padded faithfully at her side, his sharp amber eyes scanning every corner of the courtyard. Servants and guards alike stepped aside as the great wolf passed, none daring to cross his path.
As Zilayefa approached the outer gate, voices drifted through the heavy wooden doors.
She paused.
One of the voices sounded strangely familiar.
The gates opened just enough for her to step through, and the moment her eyes fell upon the lone traveler waiting beside an exhausted horse, she froze.
"Steve?"
Steve Stevenson turned at the sound of her voice. The worry that had clouded his face gave way to a relieved smile.
"Zila."
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. It had been many months since they had last seen each other, and the memories of their childhood in Ama came rushing back.
Fire stood between them, watching silently. His ears twitched, but he sensed no danger from Steve.
"What are you doing here?" Zilayefa asked, walking closer. "You rode all the way from Ama?"
Steve nodded.
"I had to."
She frowned. "Is something wrong? Is your father well?"
"He is well. The village is peaceful... but I cannot say the same for your father's land."
Her smile disappeared instantly.
"My father's land?"
Steve glanced toward the guards before lowering his voice.
"Someone has taken it."
Zilayefa stared at him, unable to believe what she had heard.
"What do you mean?"
"They've cleared the farmland. The little house your father built with his own hands is gone."
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Gone?"
Steve nodded solemnly.
"They pulled it down. When I passed by a few days ago, men were already laying the foundation for a much larger building."
Zilayefa felt the ground beneath her feet shift.
"No... that's impossible."
"I thought so too," Steve replied gently. "When I asked around, the villagers said you must have ordered it yourself. They said you now live in Ralston Castle and perhaps decided to sell the land or build a better home."
She shook her head vigorously.
"I never gave anyone permission. I haven't even been back to Ama since I came here."
"I knew it."
Steve's voice carried quiet certainty.
"I told them you would never erase the only home your father left you without telling anyone. That's why I came. I wanted to hear the truth from you before believing the rumors."
Zilayefa lowered her eyes, struggling to hold back the emotions rising inside her. Though the house had been poor and weathered, it was filled with memories—of her late father tending his small farm, of evenings spent sharing simple meals, and of dreams that had carried her beyond the village.
It was all she had left of him.
"Do you know who is behind it?" she asked softly.
Steve shook his head.
"No one seems willing to answer that question. The workers claim they were hired by a wealthy man, but none of them would give a name."
Fire let out a low growl, sensing the distress in Zilayefa's heart.
She rested a trembling hand on his thick fur before looking back at Steve.
"Thank you for coming all this way. If you hadn't told me, I might never have known."
Steve gave a faint smile.
"You would have done the same for me."
The captain of the guards stepped forward, clearing his throat.
"My lady, you should be on your way."
Zilayefa nodded absentmindedly, though her thoughts were no longer on the dispute she had intended to settle in Ralston. They were fixed on Ama... on her father's land... and on the unanswered question that refused to leave her mind.
Who had dared to claim what was never theirs?