"The castle is secured." Seth saluted the twins.
Everywhere they looked, there was decay and death. It would be a long time before the castle truly felt like home again.
"And.." Seth hesitated. He didn't know if he should really let the twins see the monstrosity he had found.
Ephriam placed a hand on his shoulder. The prince had grown so much, in so many ways since he had left home. "What is it, Seth?"
Seth gestured down the hallway. "This way, this is the room Orson was holed up in." His voice was quiet, not wanting a crowd to see the shame of one of his former knights.
The three of them approached the room. Seth held the handle of the room. "I must warn you, it is not a pleasant sight."
The twins gripped their weapons as he opened the door. What waited on the other side, they could never have been prepared for.
"Darling?" The thing said.
The twins gasped. Eirika dropped her sword and her hands went to her mouth open in horror. Ephriam turned white. "You're Orson's…..
"Darling, darling darling." The thing continued.
"This is horrible." Ephriam said in a strained voice.
"Who, who could…" Eirika said in a choked whisper.
Ephriam grabbed his sister and pushed her out of the room. "You don't need to look any longer Eirika. Wait outside." This was clearly upsetting for her.
Seth and Ephriam turned to face what was left of Orson's wife.
Seth drew his sword. "You cannot say that thing is truly alive. I will….."
Ephraim put a hand on his arm. "No. I will." He nodded to Seth and Seth left the room as Ephriam approached it with his spear.
Eirika was gone and Seth waited outside. There was a thump and Ephriam came through the door, face pale and drawn. "It's done."
Seth stared ahead at the wall. "He was well known for his love for his wife among the knights. But to turn her into that….That cannot be love."
Ephriam leaned against the wall next to him. "I cannot say for sure. But I think his love, when she died, turned to regret."
They stood together in silence for a while, each lost in his own thoughts.
The prince turned to face Seth, looking him in the eyes. "I would hate for my love for anyone to be full of such regret to be turned into such a thing."
Seth wrinkled his eyebrows. "What…" Then it dawned on him. "What did Eirika tell…."
Ephriam waved away the unfinished statement. "She didn't have to tell me anything. I've been around the two of you long enough to know what's going on." He smiled tiredly and leaned on his spear. "Go on." he nodded his head towards the throne room. "She's probably in there. I'll make sure you are not disurbed."
Seth opened and closed his mouth. "Ephriam, I..."
Ephriam shook his head firmly. "Go on, Seth. There's been enough sadness and loss in our lives to last us till we die. I want my sister to be happy." He put a hand on the side of Seth's neck and gripped him firmly, bringing Seth close. "I want you to be happy, General Seth." Ephriam smiled.
Seth straightened, his heart and head light for the first time in weeks. "Yes, your majesty." He forced himself not to run towards the throne room, where he closed the door quietly behind him.
Eirika was standing alone, looking at the desolate throne. She turned and raised her sword as she heard the door shut. "Oh, General Seth." She sheathed her sword as he walked towards her. "Sorry, I'm a bit on edge."
"It's understandable." he stood next to her and they both silently looked at the throne. Seth thought back to the last time he was here, dragging Eirika away as she screamed for her father. Seth's hand tightened into a fist.
"He would have been proud of you." Eirika said suddenly. Evidently she was also thinking about her father. "You have served us well."
"He would have been proud of you as well. You have borne this trying time more than anyone could have asked of you." He glanced at her. "Myself included."
Eirika took a deep breath and managed a small smile. "Thank you." After a moment she looked back the way they had come. "Did you take care of…."
"Ephriam did."
She shook her head sadly. "I just don't know what could make a person do that."
"Regret." Seth followed her gaze. "His love for her was strong, but his regret of losing her was stronger." He took a shaky breath and turned his body to face her. "Eirika."
Eirika's head snapped up. He hadn't used any title, he never did that. Seth held her eyes, still unsure of himself. "I….I don't want what I feel for you to become regret that follows me my whole life." His confession was soft, not even echoing in the empty room.
Eirika's eyes widened.
"I know what I said before….I know I was harsh...I'm sorry….I…." Seth felt unbalanced, for the first time in his life he couldn't find the right words. He finally stopped and took a calming breath. He reached over and grasped one of her warm hands in his. He could remember back before this had all happened, her hands had been soft; now they were hardened with the calluses of war. She had grown; grown from a princess who had never seen the world, to a queen who had seen it all, from a young girl who looked up to him, to a woman whom he admired. "I love you, Eirika." Seth finally said.
Eirika gasped slightly, her eyes filling with tears yet again. Why was it she was always crying around him?
"I know I can't…." Seth started, but Eirika reached up with her free hand and placed it on his cheek, stroking his face gently with her thumb. She half laughed half sobbed. "I love you too, Seth."
Seth gave a shaky laugh. "I was hoping so." He brushed her long hair behind her ear, letting his thumb trail on her face. "May I…. may I kiss you?"
She smiled and nodded silently.
Seth placed one hand on her chin and wrapped the other around her waist bringing her close as he lowered his head and kissed his queen.
Both of Eirika's hands wrapped around his neck pulling him closer, deepening the embrace.
They finally broke apart after a moment. Seth knew his face must match the color of his hair, but he had never felt so full and light in all of his life. He rested his forehead against hers as they breathed together.
"I….I'm not sure where to go from here." He confessed. His hands comfortably entangled in hers.
"Wherever it is, Seth." Eirika smiled. "It will be together."
Upon their return to Renais, Eirika and Seth were wed, with the blessings of Ephraim and all of the Knights of Renais. The tale of the love that grew between a princess and her loyal knight became a beloved romance in Renais.