The war was over, but they had yet to even begin to repair the damages.
Augustria was just barely still standing, the first things Aless saw upon their arrival were the villages, ravaged and ransacked and some even burned to the ground. Bloodstains and tattered rags littered the streets from where battles had been fought and lost. He couldn't tell if anyone still remained or if they'd all fled when the Empire invaded.
"It'll take us forever to fix all of this," he sighed, dismounting his horse and helping Lynn off as well. "I knew things were going downhill after Shagall killed my father, but I never imagined it'd be this bad."
Lynn laced her fingers through his and gave him her most encouraging smile.
"Don't look so down, Aless. I know it looks bad now, but once we start rebuilding Augustria will be back on its feet in no time," she said. "Everything will be fine!"
Just looking into those determined eyes made him fall in love with her all over again.
"It will as long as I have you," he said, and kissed her.