The three remained at the Eastern Training Grounds for another hour.
Rather than standing apart as observers, Atheline and Simion gradually found themselves walking from one section of the grounds to another, watching each unit train in turn.
Every commander they passed offered a respectful greeting, though none recognized Lilith or Atheline, which was expected. To the soldiers, they were merely companions of a noble official making one of his regular inspections.
It was exactly what the royal couple had hoped for. Without ceremony, they could see the army as it truly was.
One arena was dedicated to archers.
Rows of soldiers stood with disciplined posture as arrows flew toward distant targets in perfect rhythm. Instructors walked behind them correcting their stances, occasionally stopping to adjust a shoulder or the angle of an elbow.
Atheline watched with interest.
"They’re emphasizing consistency instead of speed."
Simion nodded.
"The commander changed the training several months ago. Apparently, soldiers panic less if their first shot lands."
"He’s right. A fast miss accomplishes nothing."
Lilith quietly listened beside them. She had noticed something over the past few months. Whenever her husband spoke about combat, he never focused solely on winning but always considered survival first.
It wasn’t the mindset of someone seeking glory but someone who had nearly died more than once.
Further inside the grounds, another group trained with elemental magic. Fire users practiced maintaining stable flames. Earth users reinforced defensive walls. Wind users concentrated on controlling direction instead of raw strength.
Atheline stopped before one particular group.
A young wind manipulator repeatedly lost control of his spell, causing the current to scatter before reaching its target.
The instructor corrected him three times, but the result barely improved. Without thinking, he spoke.
"You’re forcing the Aether."
Both the instructor and the young soldier looked toward him. The soldier scratched the back of his head.
"...Am I?"
"You are."
Atheline walked closer.
"When you try to command wind, don’t imagine pushing it."
The young soldier frowned.
"Then what should I imagine?"
"Guiding it."
He picked up a small fallen leaf from the ground before placing it on his palm. A gentle breeze appeared. The leaf floated effortlessly into the air before circling lazily around them.
"The wind already wants to move; you simply decide where."
The young soldier stared in fascination.
"I’ve... never thought about it that way."
The instructor smiled appreciatively.
"Thank you."
Atheline simply nodded before stepping back.
"I only offered a suggestion."
The young soldier bowed deeply.
"I’ll remember it."
As they continued walking, Simion glanced sideways.
"You can’t help yourself."
"What do you mean?"
"You see someone struggling, and you immediately start teaching."
Atheline laughed.
"I suppose I do, I always find magic to be fascinating."
The afternoon slowly drifted toward evening. Training across the grounds gradually came to an end. Soldiers cleaned their equipment before returning it to the armoury.
Others gathered around water barrels, laughing as they discussed the day’s exercises. The atmosphere relaxed considerably now that formal drills had concluded.
Simion looked toward the western sky.
"I should return, my father will wonder where I disappeared to."
Atheline smiled.
"Blame us."
"I don’t think he’d believe that."
"He probably would."
Lilith nodded slightly.
"He knows we enjoy disappearing from the palace."
The three laughed quietly.
As they reached the entrance to the training grounds, Simion stopped.
"Your Majesties"
He hesitated briefly, almost bowing instinctively.
"Thank you."
Atheline tilted his head.
"For what?"
"For treating me..." He searched for the right words. "...as myself but not as the Noble elder’s son."
Atheline smiled warmly.
"I’ve never spoken to you because of your father. I spoke to you because I thought you were worth speaking to."
For a moment, the noble simply stood there, then he smiled.
"I’ll remember that."
He bowed, not out of obligation, but out of sincere respect.
"I’ll see you both tomorrow."
"We’ll be in council."
"I expected as much."
With that, he turned and made his way back toward the administration building, leaving the royal couple alone once more.
Lilith watched him disappear into the distance.
"He’s changed."
"He has, he was always so uptight and a complete noble."
"So have you."
Atheline looked at her.
"Should I take that as a compliment?"
"Do you want me to show you with flowers before you accept it?"
He laughed softly.
"Roses would be appreciated; they represent love."
She allowed herself the faintest smile.
"You are something else."
They continued their walk through the Court as the golden light of evening settled across the city. The markets had begun closing for the day.
The smell of evening meals drifted from open windows as families gathered around dinner tables. The court was slowly exchanging activity for peace.
Atheline looked around contentedly.
"I like this time of day. The Court feels..." He searched for the right word. "...complete in a way."
Lilith understood. The frantic pace had ended, and people returned to those they cared about. It reminded her that the kingdom was far more than laws, taxes, and military reports. It was also made of countless ordinary evenings like this one.
By the time they reached one of the smaller palace gates, twilight had painted the sky in shades of orange and violet. The guards immediately recognized them despite their disguises.
This time they saluted.
"Welcome back, Your Majesties."
She nodded.
"Anything unusual?"
"No, Your Majesty. The palace has remained peaceful."
"Good."
The gates opened quietly. As they entered the palace grounds, the fox suddenly leapt from Athrline’s shoulder and sprinted toward a familiar servant carrying a basket covered with cloth.
The servant froze.
"...Oh no."
Atheline sighed.
"She remembers."
Lilith raised an eyebrow.
"Remembers what?"
The servant lowered his head sheepishly.
"...I may have given it roasted rabbit yesterday."
The fox sat directly in front of him. Her tail swept excitedly across the floor. The servant looked helplessly toward Lilith
"I only had a small piece left..."
She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I believe the palace staff has collectively decided to ignore my instructions."
Atheline failed to suppress a laugh.
"I think you’ve lost this battle."
"I noticed."
After a long pause, she sighed.
"One piece, no more."
The servant beamed.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The fox happily accepted its reward before trotting away as though it had achieved another great victory.
Night had fully settled over the palace by the time the evening meal ended. Unlike official banquets, dinner was simple. They had fresh bread, roasted vegetables, fish from the eastern coast, and warm soup prepared by the palace chefs.
Afterward, they stepped onto the balcony outside their chambers. A gentle spring breeze carried distant laughter from the city below.
The fox had already curled herself into a fluffy white ball on one of the chairs, fast asleep after exhausting herself during the day’s adventures.
Atheline rested his forearms on the balcony railing.
"It was a good day."
"It was."
For several moments, they simply admired the view, then Lilith spoke quietly.
"When I first became Queen... I believed ruling meant carrying every burden alone."
He turned toward her. She continued looking over the city.
"I thought relying on someone else would make me weak."
Her voice remained calm.
"But..." A small smile appeared. "...I was wrong."
She finally looked at him.
"I’ve realized something over these past months."
"What is it?"
She stepped closer until they stood shoulder to shoulder.
"I no longer think about ruling as something I have to endure."
Her golden eyes reflected the countless lights below.
"I look forward to our mornings, our council meetings, our inspections, and even listening to you argue over road construction and mining reports."
He laughed.
"I didn’t know those were particularly exciting."
"They aren’t." She smiled. "But sharing them with you is."
He remained silent because he understood how much those words meant coming from her. She had spent years believing she had to face everything alone. Now, she no longer did.
He gently took her hand.
"Then let’s keep doing it."
She intertwined her fingers with his.
"For a long time."
They stood together beneath the quiet night sky, watching over the kingdom they had sworn to protect.