'Oh, what a touching reunion.'

Colorful banners ran from one post to another. There's music and magic; there were entertainment booths for both children and children at hearts. Small shops and peddlers coming from afar also popped up overnight in the town square of Midolde, Aclador's capital.

It's been a few days since Amelia left her duchy, and it's finally the sword and shield of the empire's special day.

As the carriage eased its way through the cobbled street leading to the palace, Amelia waved at the curious young ones who came to see who arrived. Aclador has always been famous for celebrating in complete extravagance because the duke love get-togethers. Looking around, Amelia thought she has to step up in celebrations too; her people must also want a grand one once in a while.

Osmea also has festivities and things to be celebrated about—for one, there was a celebration just right before Amelia attended the Gathering as the ruler of her duchy—but it has always been… simple and always involved bonfires. Not many peddlers came, and only a handful of tourists. And, also, since the fire incident that happened years ago, the duchess closed its palace for any celebrations. Even Amelia doesn't celebrate her birthday anymore—it's a day of mourning for her and the others.

"It's nice to be back here," Amelia whispered to herself after closing her curtain. As they had their lunch at some famous tavern back at Bruiles, the others thought they'd be pressed with time. But seeing as they made it just so they'd be able to rest before the celebration, both ladies-in-waiting were relieved.

"Constance is not here, so we'd probably take longer to prepare the duchess than usual," Laila aired out her concern to Arabella who was sitting beside Amelia.

"I'm not particularly good at these kinds of things too. I don't think I would be much of help." Christa seconded, a little embarrassed.

"Don't worry. Let's not fret yet. The celebration doesn't start until after sundown anyway; We'll have plenty of time to prepare." Amelia smiled at the notion made by Christa who was able to join them. She was glad that Marchioness Berdwell allowed her daughter to receive her invitation; she should remember to thank her once they're back in Osmea.

Vance and the others arrived late in the afternoon on her third day at Dirmond. They brought three carriages with them, all with House Florence's crest. The people saw it and were out in the streets, curious. Dirmond's a small town, and most of the time, they're probably not aware of the people's identities that paid the prince a visit. And Ayland decided to prepare another small feast in his mansion for the new arrivals. He was so excited about having so many people over that he went a little overboard with the preparations.

The duchess worried that Christa might feel out of place with strangers and an unfamiliar environment, but she was doing a lot better than she thought. She talked to one person then another, not even missing the servants and attendants; Christa looked completely like someone investigating something. It was like her to be so.

"Ah, duchess," Laila took Amelia's attention away from the busy town, "Has Duke Clement reached out to you? You know, maybe ask to escort you this evening?"

"Duke Clement escorting the duchess?" Instead of Amelia, it was Christa who questioned back. "I don't think it's wise for the two of them to be seen together until the rumors about their engagement die down."

Trying not to mind them, Arabella threw a warning glare at young Laila, who covered her gaping mouth, equally surprised and sorry towards the duchess. Since the engagement's being kept secret, the others who knew the truth would always say that it was nothing but a rumor. Even when Vance was asked during a short council meeting before Amelia left, he paid no attention to it and said it might be a way for Thuenia to gain attention.

"Uh…" Amelia's eyes shook a little, "Brother Ayland will escort me, and there's also the Mulford brothers who will probably be all over me—" Amelia stopped when she noted Christa's brow arched, "I mean, you know, I partly grew up with them, and they used to dote on me when I was younger as they didn't have a sister. So, they're extra… uh, protective and… a little clingy." Her hands made large gestures all over and let out an awkward giggle at the end.

"A little birdie told me that our lovely Christa has a small crush on Piers Mulford," upon hearing Piers' name, the lady across Amelia immediately reddened and shrunk on her seat as the lady assassin made teasing noises to change the subject.

For a second, the duchess felt relieved that the topic about Alexander was averted successfully.

"I-I am not. He only accompanied me because Mother left to talk to others, and I didn't saw anyone I knew. It was my first time coming with my mother to a meeting, and only old people were there. He was just… being a proper gentleman by accompanying me."

Amelia wanted to say that though Piers looked charming and friendly, he tends to be a complete snob most of the time; he also liked to discreetly look down on people—but he's got a good heart. He's not someone who'd initiate some needless conversation unless it interested him, and even if he did, he's typically easy to bore, so he wouldn't be able to accompany someone for a long time. But Christa doesn't have to know that. If Piers was interested enough in her, he'd soon be making his move.

**********

Finally, about half an hour later, they were able to enter the palace grounds. Since many visitors from other duchies and kingdoms arrived, there was a slight hold-up at the main street as everyone, and everything's being checked by the duchies' first-division knights.

When it was their turn, Vance and Ancel, riding on the first carriage, came out. And as soon as the knights saw them, they quickly stood in attention and paid respect which the two gentlemen reciprocated. Amelia saw that Vance talked to the knight who came up to him with a list in his hands, and the other talked to Ancel.

The other knight her assassin talked to nod his head and followed Ancel's hand as he gestured at the duchess' carriage, the carriage where their belongings and luggage were, and the one behind it with House Robina's crest was Ayland and Gregory's. After that, with a nod from both the advisor and Ancel, the other knight quickly inspected their carriages. But there was one who came up to the duchess' carriage, and noting who it was, a smile instantly appeared on her face.

"Sammuel!" poking her head through her carriage's window, Amelia hooted with a slightly higher pitch than usual; all heads around them turned to see what it was about.

"Greetings, Duchess Florence," the knight bowed with his fist on his chest.

"Your greeting is well received, Sir Sammuel Clayton," Amelia's companions were relieved to see that the duchess had a more dignified response than she had earlier, calling out to him so abruptly. But it didn't take a minute before Amelia broke into a burst of contained laughter.

"I see our little bud is finally blooming. It's good to see you back at Aclador, little bud."

"It's nice to see you too, Sammuel. I hope I can train with you and destroy your little knights while I'm here."

"Ah," Sammuel let out a short hearty laugh, "I don't think they'd easily lose to you now. I heard you've been training less these past few months. Busy with your being a duchess and all?"

"Oh, but we won't know unless they're on the ground," Amelia answered back, and the knight commander let out another laugh, and the two talked until the inspection was over.

"I'll see you soon, then, little bud." Sammuel tapped the side of the carriage, and Amelia smiled back, saying that she'd find him if he doesn't.

As the carriage started moving again, Amelia shared that Sammuel was the knight commander of Aclador knight's first division. He's one of the commanders who quickly gave Amelia permission to train with the other knights and some available troops. The knight also calls her 'little bud' and had been one of the few that she lost in horse riding and physical combat. He's well versed with the bow too and taught Amelia a thing or two.

Sammuel left for an expedition through the northern mountains, so he wasn't there when the duchess left Aclador. And since it's been years since she visited, her heart felt heavy with excitement.

Their carriage was led to the main entrance of the duke's palace, rather than the adjoining wing where the other guests, who came from far and wide, embarked and given rooms to stay at.

A line of servants was already waiting for them, and the moment their carriages stopped, they loaded off the luggage and carefully brought them inside.

Not long after, the door opened, and Ancel reached out his hand to assist the ladies. First was Laila, followed by Christa, then by Arabella, and lastly Amelia.

"It's been a while," Amelia whispered as she looked around the expansive courtyard where she used to have her attendants chase her around because she sneaked out to head to the training grounds again instead of preparing for her studies.

"Getting emotional, aren't we?" the duchess immediately turned her attention towards the familiar voice that spoke behind her. When she saw who it was, she beamed and ran to hug him.

"Brother Elias!"

"Oh, what a touching reunion." Another familiar voice arose from behind the prince.

"What a touching reunion." Amelia's face brightened even more as soon as she saw who was waiting for her with open arms.

"Piers! Osmund!" the duchess didn't hesitate to embrace them as well, and they gathered around her to form a wall, patting the duchess' hair, teasing her, and saying how the three of them would love to escort her later in the evening. Even the duke's youngest, Osmund, kept on tugging her arm, and he wasn't the clingy type.

"Oh, but she already gave me permission to escort her days ago," Ayland teased as he approached them. "You have to get in line," he added with his hands on his hips.

The brothers tried to rough up the prince as they laughed at his remarks. Amelia thought that she's probably never laughed so much in months.

Elias was six years older than Amelia and was already joining border patrols when she arrived in Aclador. He's always been strict with her, especially with her studies and swordsmanship. Piers, on the other hand, had always been the troublemaker. He's around the duchess' age, so he was especially comfortable in teasing her. Whenever Amelia got in trouble, Piers was always to blame and never denied any of it.

Unlike the troublesome Piers and strict Elias, Osmund was keener on studying, though he also excelled at using the sword. He loved the company of Ayland, who's interested in the same things and has been pestering the duke to allow him to travel with the prince but was rejected. To make up for it, Lady Margareth, their mother, often invited the youngest prince over.

"You've traveled far and must be exhausted. We've had the rooms prepared for all of you. We also assigned attendants who are probably waiting for everybody by now. As for your knights, ours will lead them to their quarters."

"Thank you," Amelia smiled and hugged the brothers one more time before she and her ladies-in-waiting entered, followed by Vance and Ancel, then Prince Ayland and Gregory.

**********

The room intended for the duchess and her ladies-in-waiting was called the Pearl Chamber, the same room that she stayed in when she was younger.

"Nothing changed at all," she said as she ran her fingers on the bed and the drawers. Even the tea table by the window overlooking the courtyard was where she remembered it. The vases were also filled with fragrant hybrid roses that bloom in autumn—white outlined with a tinge of pink. It looked so delicate, and Amelia loved every part of it.

She smiled. It really has been years then, she thought.

"Duchess, the bath's been filled. You can go anytime if you want. We need to prepare you early, too, since it's just us." Laila informed her from the adjoining room. Christa entered then with a massive box in her hand, then two smaller boxes on top of it, followed by Arabella, who carried smaller ones. But it didn't stop there. Laila and Christa took turns going back and forth from the adjoining room, carrying box after box in assorted sizes.

Since she left before her dress was finished, Amelia wondered what it looked like. The smaller ones were probably pieces of jewelry and hair ornaments. Laila must've thought that bringing a variety of them would be better than just a few.

"I'm sorry that you have to do this too, Christa." Amelia turned to Marchioness Berdwell's daughter, opening the jewelry boxes behind her as she sat by her dresser.

"This is nothing, your grace. I am honored that you thought of inviting me to come with you." Christa sweetly smiled, which made the duchess smile too. Then, she returned her gaze to the mirror and later to the courtyard.

There was still a long line of carriages coming in, but none seem to belong to the one she was hoping to see.

As willful as he was, would he even show up?

The duchess let out a sigh. She brushed her hair one more time and wrapped it in a bun before turning to have a quick bath.

Upon seeing her, the attendants hurriedly came towards her to assist, but Laila and Arabella quickly intervened.

"I won't be needing assistance. Thank you," Amelia said with a curt smile that left the attendants looking at each other.