Celeste didn’t want to answer her son but knew this was the perfect time to make a proposition to him. “It was quite nice being with someone who didn’t see me as a helpless sick woman. She was wonderful company.”

“I am glad you had a nice time but don’t get used to it mother.”

“Well, I want to get used to it,” said Celeste. “I would like Lady Levi to be my caretaker.”

“Absolutely not!” Casitas shouted. “It was hard enough leaving you alone with her for the evening, but you expect me to be okay with her being around you every day!?”

“As you can see, I am perfectly fine. She didn’t hurt me and I believe she never will. Besides, I don’t want a chambermaid to take care of me. They only talk about washing clothing and snow. It's so boring. Lady Levi treats me like a lady. Also it will give me proper company and something for her to do.”

Casitas wasn’t budging about the decision so she knew he had to manipulate her son into agreeing. “You know, I could get close to her too. Maybe find out more about the Baellon. You don’t know much about her right? I can. I got to talk to her quite a lot and know a few things about her kingdom.”

“Like what?”

“I would be happy to tell you when she is my official caretaker. You don’t trust me to take care of myself, so I want to pick my own,” said Celeste.

Casitas still wasn’t budging. “I don’t trust her. Plus mother, you are too kind and she could take advantage of you.”

“Advantage of me how? I don’t know enough about my own home because you barely let me leave this room. Also, you won’t tell me about our military or anything. What information can she get from me?” Celeste asked.

She did provide a good point. Sadly Casitas exhaled.

“We will talk about this again after Galen and his team departs tomorrow,” said Casitas.

Celeste nodded in agreement and her son left. Once he left, Celeste couldn’t help but to feel unknown joy about feeling well all on her own.

Meanwhile, Levi changed out of her clothes and put on her nightgown once again. She gazed at her dress and thought about the kindness Celeste, Galen, Avan and Conall had given her. Deep down, she felt as though she didn’t deserve it. She gazed down at her hand noticing the ring once again. Thinking about how Casitas got it just to make sure she didn’t die, even if it is for strategic purposes it was still an act of kindness in Levi's eyes.

She sat down on her bed and tightly wrapped her blanket around herself. It was hard to control her breathing. Her mind was full of dark memories of her mother and comparing her to Celeste warmness. Wishing she had a family she was close to and wishing her father was still with her.

At the crack of dawn, many knights wore their armor and stood outside the kingdom's walls. They were gathered together and saying their final words to their families. Many tears from spouses and children saying goodbye to those close to them. Still, the knights remained calm and gave them comforting words to reassure them. In the crowd, Galen lifted his son in his arms as they held each other tightly. Avan lightly patted his son's head, but it only made him hold his father tighter.

“Conall, you have to let go,” said Avan.

“Just a few more minutes,” Conall pouted as his face remained buried in his fathers armor.

“Sure, a few more minutes,” Galen smiled. The two husbands looked at one another. It was a simple mission but the two hated it that they would not be together in these times.

“I wish I was going with you,” said Avan.

Galen looked into his husband's eyes and felt heartbreak as well. “Me too.”

That moment, the crowd grew silent and everyone turned to one direction. In the midst of the crowd, coming towards them was Lord Casitas and his mother Lady Celeste. Avans eyes widened and Galen's jaw nearly dropped. They squeezed through the crowd to approach the two.

“Mother?” said Avan. “Are you feeling alright? Should you be here?”

“Like I would miss seeing my son-in-law departing,” Celeste teased. Avan noticed that his mother looks more youthful and her skin looked brighter; wondering why her health looked like it completely disappeared. Conall heard the voice and popped his head up from his fathers chest. He turned around and saw Celeste.

“Nana!” he cheered. Galen let down his son. The moment his feet touched the ground, he rushed to Celeste where she crouched down to give him such a loving embrace.

“How is my grandson?” she smiled. Amazingly, Celeste easily picked up Conall in her arms. That only grew Avans suspicions even more. She and Casitas approached Galen and Avan.

“And how is my brave knight?” Celeste smiled.

Galen bowed to her. “I am fine; but I am more surprised to see you out of your room Celeste.”

“Me too,” said Avan.

“We can talk about that later,” said Casitas. “Galen, round up the knights. All of you should leave before the afternoon storm comes.”

“Understood,” said Galen. He looked over and saw his son in Celeste's arms. “Conall, I need you to look after the family for me. We all know you are the strongest one here.”

“I promise papa,” Conall smiled. Seeing his son's innocent face, only made it harder for Galen to hold in his emotions. Still, he tried to keep a straight face. Avan escorted Galen to the otherside of the gate.

“You remember the route there right? And I instructed the healers going with you what medicines to take just in case of what you will encounter on the mountain. Also, you should stop travel an hour after the storm ends because-”

“Avan,” said Galen as he held his husband's arms. “I’ve done this every year and I always come back.”

“Sometimes, not all of you do,” Avan mumbled. “Three of you died from the wildlife on the mountain last year. Then one died the year before and that rockside…”

“Thanks for being optimistic,” Galen frowned.

“Sorry,”

Galen lifted up Avans chin and barely gave him a chance to speak before lightly placing a small affectionate kiss on his lips. That was enough for Avan to start blushing and smile in embarrassment.

“Just enjoy having the bed to yourself while I am gone,” Galen said.

“I am so used to your snoring, I don’t think I can sleep without it,” Avan pouted. The two softly laughed with one another.

Casitas looked at his brother and everyone else was saying goodbye to their families. Still, he made sure not to feel anything at this moment. The knights gathered by the kingdoms outside the gate. In the distance, there was nothing but a blackened sky with fast snow falling from all directions. The wind was hitting their faces and the knights put on their helmets and the villagers put on their winter hoods.

Slowly, the knights marched forward into the storm. The crowd wept loudly and shouted their goodbyes once again, but it was hard to hear over the whistling of the wind. The knights did not look back. Conall remained in his grandmother's arms as he waved goodbye to his father. Most of the crowd stayed at the gates until the knights were just a faint blur. Casitas stayed by his family but grew impatient with staring into nothingness.

“C’mon, we should go back to the castle,” said Casitas. Everyone felt such sadness looming over their hearts. As the last of the crowd entered the kingdom, the guard closed the gates. While walking through the village, everyone they saw was struggling to keep a happy face. Most of which remained silent or either stayed locked in their homes.

“Mother,” said Avan. “Since you are feeling alright, how about we take a walk around the village as a family.”

“That sounds lovely Avan, but I would like to return home,” said Celeste. “Besides, I think Conall is starting to feel sick. He’s been breathing very softly for the past couple of minutes.”

Avan picked up Conall from his mothers arms. His eyes were closed as though he was asleep. He placed his hand on his forehead and noticed he didn’t feel that different. “Maybe he is just tired. I should get him to bed.”

Celeste noticed how much Casitas was staring at her, it was unsettling.

“Casitas, if you are wondering about my health, I am perfectly fine,” said Celeste.

“Yeah, that is why I am concerned. You look too well. Avan, did you give her some new medicine I don’t know about? Because if you did, it appears to be working extremely well,” praised Casitas.

“Oh? I guess what happened to me was a good thing, right?” nudged Celeste. Avans eyes darted back and forth to Celeste and Casitas, completely confused on what they were speaking about. “Would my sons like to join their mother for afternoon tea? Its been a while since I had time with the two of you.”

“Sure mother,” said Avan.

“I cannot. I have to go to my study,” said Casitas. They reached the inner wall and the guards opened the gates for them.

When reaching the front castle gates, Casitas looked up and saw Levi. She was actually sitting on the floor wearing her nightgown yet again. She sat down with her knees up to support a book she was reading. Her eyes were glued to the book as she looked as though she was studying. Avan and Celeste noticed Casitas pausing to look at her.

“Hey Levi!” shouted Avan. Immediately snapping Casitas and Levi out of it. She was actually able to hear him so high up and even through glass. The wind as though it carried his voice. She darted her eyes away from the book and looked down and saw both Celeste and Avan waving at her, but Casitas gave her the same untrusting icy glare he always did. She weakly waved at the two then returned to reading her book.

Casitas ignored her and started going up the stairs.

“Avan, I had such a lovely dinner with lady Levi just yesterday,” said Celeste as they followed Casitas inside.

“Really?” said Avan. “We had dinner with her when she arrived. I think Conall has a little crush on her.”

“I can see why, she is absolutely gorgeous!” Celeste admired. They were still within earshot of Casitas. Him hearing this was making his skin crawl. The guards opened the front doors for the family. Once inside, any workers bowed politely to them.

“Avan, how do you feel about lady Levi being my caretaker?” asked Celeste.

Casitas stopped and slowly turned to his brother. His presence was so dark and haunting, hinting to Avan to take his side. He noticed his brother's dark scowling face and tightened fists.

“Mother,” said Avan. “I think you are mature enough to decide that on your own and without Cas’ help.”

“Thanks Avan,” Casitas groaned.

“You two discuss this yourself. I have to get Conall to bed,” said Avan. He left the two of them as he walked to Conalls bedroom on the upper floor. As Casitas walked away, he knew his mother was right behind him.

“Have you reconsidered having Levi as my caretaker?” asked Celeste. Casitas remained cold as he walked to his study. Instead, Celeste kept rambling on trying to convince Casitas to change his mind. When reaching his study, Casitas aggressively grabbed his mothers hand and dragged her into the room. The door slammed tightly behind him.

“Let me go Casitas!” she ordered.

“What did she do to you?” Casitas questioned. He pulled up his mothers wrist close to his face and his eyes started to change once again. Turning the white into his eyes into an unforgiving bloody red. “When we were in the greenhouse, you were coughing up blood and struggling to stand up. Then after one evening with that Baellon, you look like you’ve aged ten years younger!? You haven’t coughed and your pulse feels normal in my hands. What did she do to you?”