"Once more, you've proven nothing to be impossible," Lewyn said proudly. "You've liberated Thracia."
Seliph sighed, feeling overcome by a wave of both emotional and physical fatigue. "Yes, but as you've been so keen to point out up til now, there's more to go."
"Aye," Lewyn said with a nod. "We'll liberate Miletos, and we can use it as a springboard into Grannvale proper."
The prince could think of no words to reply with, and so he simply heaved another sigh.
"Seliph," Lewyn said calmly, "you've been doing great. I'm sure your father would be proud of you."
"Right," he barely managed.
The bard flashed a reassuring smile, and then bowed before taking his leave.
Seliph once again wandered to the edge of camp, where he could bask in the starlight. He found a broad tree to sit against and took a load off his feet.
It had been maybe twenty minutes—the prince had begun dozing off and lost track of time—when he was woken by a familiar voice.
"Lord Seliph?"
The junior lord blinked groggily and glanced up to see Julia standing above him.
"Julia, is that you?" Seliph asked, yawning.
Her lips quirked into a warm smile, and Seliph felt the night's cool vanish.
"Mind if I join you, milord?" she asked with a pretty curtsy.
"Yeah, go ahead," Seliph said with a nod.
The priestess sat herself daintily against the tree, shoulder to shoulder with Seliph. The young lord smiled briefly, before looking up at the stars.
"Julia," he began, measuring his words, "are you doing alright?"
"Yes, of course," she replied. "Yes, I'm doing fine."
Seliph glanced over to his companion, seeing the starlight glint off her violet eyes. "Good."
Julia turned, meeting his gaze. "And you, milord?" Although her face was soft, Seliph could hear the resolve in her voice.
The young lord felt the corners of his mouth quirk into a smile. Glancing back up at the sky, he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding in. "Well," he said, "I'm doing much better now."
His companion tittered softly. "Stop teasing me, Seliph."
Seliph shook his head. "But I'm not."
Silence gripped the two as they continued basking in the perfect starlight.
Finally, Seliph turned to his companion. He gently took her hand in his, twining their fingers together. Without saying a word, he gave her his warmest, most reassuring smile.
Julia smiled back, blushing. "Seliph," she said, squeezing his hand. She scooted closer to him and placed his hand on her lap. "I'm sorry, Lord Seliph," she said quietly.
"Hmm? What for?"
The priestess shook her head. "The burden of this war. Everyone's hopes and expectations ride on your shoulders. It's more than anyone should have to carry," she explained. "Least of all you."
Seliph took a deep breath and began feeling his eyes sting with grief. After some moments, he managed to reply. "I couldn't have done any of it without you, Julia."
She squeezed his hand once more. Turning to her, Seliph saw his companion's cheeks flushed as she glanced demurely at the ground. "I... I like you too, Seliph," she said quietly.
The young lord sighed wistfully, then looked back to the starlit sky. "Julia, whatever happens after this is all done, come with me." He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "Chalphy, Belhalla, Grannvale—whatever—I can do anything as long as you're with me."
"What do you mean...?"
Seliph turned to his companion, and their gazes met. "Julia, will you marry me? Will you be my queen someday?"
She tittered quietly, beaming at him. "Lord Seliph," she began, "you've already made me so happy." She paused, and Seliph found himself basking in the radiance of her smile. "Of course... As long as I'm able, I'll make you happy, too. I'm yours as long as you'll have me."
"Forever, then?" Seliph teased, fondly squeezing her hand.
"Forever," she agreed with a bright smile.
Seliph wrapped his arms around her petite frame and embraced her in a sweet kiss. As he quit her lips, the young lord ran his fingers through his lover's soft hair. "Julia... I think I love you."
The young priestess laughed, tightening her grasp around him and leaning against his broad chest. "And I you, milord," she whispered.