Author Notes: Well I'm back y'all! Excuse me if there are any gaps, I'm rereading while writing and some things may be missed. Missed all of you and thank you for reading my version of this story :) Have fun!

Returning Home

"Well, I can say that you are improving, young Esther," Rowen said with a small smile watching his student grow and improve. Over the last six months she grew into a fine attendant for King Gaius. Gaius was gone often, but she was able to keep order in his stead even if the people didn't fully accept her. They came to deal with her because Gaius did as such. Not a fair deal per say, but Rowen thought it was better than nothing. It reminded Auj Oule of when their king had other female companions in the Chimeriad. However, she still wasn't of them.

"Good, it's about time," Esther said as she breathed heavy, sweat dripping from her body. Training was never easy, but the regimen was particularly troublesome with Rowen. His logic was to make it so even Gaius would have a hard time defeating her. That, of course, remained to be seen since Gaius was on another of his escapades under cover. When he did that, she became rather agitated. Paperwork fell behind and she couldn't rightfully sign them. Anger and annoyance helped her training during these episodes.

"He should be back this evening, if my calculations are correct," Rowen said looking up towards the ceiling. The dark crimson drapes often caught his eye in this room. The blood shed to get this far in their quest for peace had become faded, but these colors reminded him of darker days. Perfect reminder to train the young lady of what the world could be. Her resolve was admired, even envied. To be young, he often told himself as he saw the King and Esther growing closer in their professional lives. Their personal lives remained separate. Despite Gaius saving her life all those months ago, Rowen knew that he would require someone stronger to be in his life without worrying let alone feeling anything else.

Looking at Esther now, her curves slimmed slightly and her muscles were sculpted and toned. She was still quite short of course, hair blonde and radiant, her blue eyes sparkled all the same as she arrived. However, there was a strong nature to her even more so now than then. If the incident from the cavern was repeated, Rowen would be fearing for the men's lives instead of her own. This made him satisfied, but she seemed to push further than even he had hoped. While she couldn't summon artes, she could hold her own in combat but that was still a disadvantage in Rieze Maxia.

"Rowen, he will show when he wishes. My only problem is that paperwork piles up and there's not crap I can do about it," she said aggrivated as she pulled back her training pole to her side walking past him to go outside. "He's becoming more annoying and less like a King these days. Even if it is to find out what's going on in the world... it's foolish."

She didn't leave much room for debate as she went outside and the door swung shut behind her. Head down, she could feel the temperature difference as goosebumps formed along her exposed arms and lower legs. Adopting more traditional fighting clothes, she could see the advantage of them. Pants that reached the knee, simple slip on shoes, and sleeveless shirts were becoming more normal even in the cold climate. She could move faster and deadlier, but she wouldn't be wearing this on a diplomatic trip to other places such as Fenmont.

Sighing, she could feel someone behind her. Turning on instinct, she pointed her pole nearly hitting her tall follower. "What do you want?" It wasn't until she looked further up that she saw the brooding man had come home. His black hair and magenta eyes made her happy, even if he had just been the topic of her annoyance.

"Well, not to be attacked for one. Some would call that enough for a death penalty," he said as he almost smiled at her. Rowen had reported that things were going well. He forgot how well until now. She was strong, her spirit was before and now her physical nature matched her rather feisty attitude. Even time he came home he was reminded that she was probably the smartest event to happen to him.

"You should give some notice then," she said lowering the pole as she smiled widely. "Welcome home, King Gaius. How did Erston do?" She knew better than to ask what he had been up to, but he could usually give a hint or two. He was a fool, but he was a strong fool. Even if he were to be in trouble, it wouldn't take long for him to get out of it. Part of his charm was his strength and pride.

"It was fine," he said closing his eyes for a moment trying to remember she was smarter than he sometimes gave her credit for. One wrong phrase and she would know everything without even telling him. He trusted her, but the less she knew, the less she could be blamed for if things went wrong. "What did I miss?"

"Quite a bit. The paperwork is enough to make you wish Erston had more to do I'm sure," she said as she turned and continued walking towards the palace. A sly smile graced her face as Esther felt the pep go back into her step. Practically feeling Gaius's head shake slowly behind her, she felt satisfied knowing that it would inconvenience him for a small while. After all, he had been gone long enough. She realized why he didn't take her with, but some days she wished he would.

Their banter made Rowen have hope for a future. If this King and a young woman could see eye to eye then there was hope for the rest of the world. He followed quietly until he reached Gaius's side. "You were gone for some time," he said as his fingers stroked his small beard. "Training was going well, but I believe the young miss was upset with you."

"You don't say..." Gaius may be oblivious to some emotions, but Esther wore her heart on her sleeve in cases like this. It helped getting to know her, but it also made him realize how his actions could look.

"However, I do believe having you back puts her at an ease. After all, it is her job to make sure you keep up on yours. I would hate to see her job suffer, but the situation requires us to be discreet. I sense something stirring, and I would hate to have her caught up in anything unnecessary. However, she could be of use in Elympios. Knowing the people and culture more than we do isn't a bad thing."

"I have considered," Gaius answered simply as they approached the palace. "I have been meaning to take a trip to Duval soon. Perhaps she could be of a help then. But I suppose I should help with paperwork. I hear it is gruesome."

"Particularly so. Seems they want to keep you busy." Rowen said with a shrug. Usually his gut instincts were right, and this was a complex matter.

"So it would seem. Good thing we can manage some trouble from time to time. But for now, it's good to be home." As he went his separate way from Rowen, he proceeded to the study. When he entered, the paperwork was stacked everywhere on the desk and floor surrounding. It was neat and orderly, Esther had simply run out of room. And there she stood, hand on her hip and the large desk chair. Maybe he spoke too soon on the 'good to be home'.

XXXXXXXXX

"Something tells me we missed a natural dinner hour," Esther said as she looked outside and it was dark. It didn't take long here, but her stomach was groaning in protest. The piles had thinned but so had her energy. Gaius may be a man of eternal discipline, but a lady needed to eat. As they had sorted through priority papers, it went into secondary and here they were. Looking over to Gaius, the perfect timing of a stomach growling that wasn't her own rang through the room. Smirking as she giggled, the look of surprise overtook Gaius. "A hungry King is no good."

A slight shade of red touched his cheeks as he stood up and sighed. Usually a small amount of food was fine, but he had pushed himself lately. It took no time for them to sync up their professional routine, it was almost like breathing and yet she seemed more assertive than usual. The shy woman he knew before was no more. Perhaps she finally trusted him enough, and that made him feel better about where things were going for his country. If his own attendant couldn't trust him, what right did he have to rule and reach diplomatic solutions.

"We should eat," he said as he walked with her following him with a small grin. In the kitchen was a small note 'Please help yourself to the refreshments. Sandwiches since it is too late for a full meal. Eat well tomorrow for the sake of this old man. Signed Rowen'. "The old man hasn't lost his touch."

"Of course not, he is quite sharp," Esther said as she reached for the food. Helping herself to a half a sandwich and fruit, she ate in silence with the King. It was so strange having an informal moment, but it was refreshing too. Being mad at him for so long and suddenly her soul was at ease, it was a strange concept.

Eating in silence, Gaius felt a sense of normalcy. Her presence was welcomed as well as her personality. She made a moment feel less strenuous and yet kept him on his toes. The woman was trouble, but a kind he was willing to work with. Finishing their meals quietly, they wished each other a good evening.

A simple nod and that was all. Esther walked to her room completely exhausted. As if her energy left with Gaius and his quarters. Blushing at the thought, she knew she needed to bathe first since she didn't have the chance after training. The sweat had now dried but the feeling and slight smell hadn't gone away. Finding her night clothing, she took to the hot springs on the palace grounds. Much easier than the public ones much further away.

Stripping down, she sunk into the bath alone with no one else awake at this hour. Gaius would be in his quarters and Rowen would have bathed long ago. The heat was exquisite. Her hair up in a bun, she would wash it after but for now she let her worries and problems fade away. Feelings were always a problem to be sorted through, and now that Gaius was back there was a new set to go through. He was beyond handsome, especially in his Erston attire. The suit was her choosing for good reason. The last six months of him being gone more and more was hard on her professionally but also personally. It was none of her business what he did in his personal time, but she also wanted to know. It was conflicting, but it wasn't like she had competition in the female department. Many women seemed to be envious of her... and yet she felt farther from him than they were.

Sighing, she looked at her fingers that had wrinkled. Stepping out to wash her hair, she did so staring into the distance. Rinsing seemed to take an eternity. But as she stepped towards the stand her towel was on, the door swung open. Resisting the urge to scream considering no one was around supposedly, she covered her lower region and as much as she could of her breasts. In front of her was none other than a very nude Gaius.

It was difficult not to look. His body was perfect in every way and he was too shocked to cover as fast as Esther did apparently. Face of pure shock as he closed the door in silence. First day back and he had done something like this. Her mind raced with why he would enter now of all times, but then again, he hadn't been home long enough to know her habits again... and she certainly must have forgot his. Taking her towel, she dried and proceeded to dress in a long sleeve top and long pants. Her face was bright red as she stepped outside. Gaius had dressed his lower body with the towel as he bowed his body in half.

"It's quite alright, Gaius. You haven't been home much so... I forgot to mention if I'm doing things like... this," she said not quite knowing what to say. She just didn't want to hear much and go to bed if she would be able to.

"I apologize for my lack of awareness. I hope you'll not think less of me," he said in all seriousness as he straightened with his face also a bright red.

How could she with a look like that... This man was so strange.

"Well this is eventful," Rowen said with a sly look as he sipped his cup of tea coming from around the corner. "Wonderful evening everyone?"