Arthur Leywin²

The forest of Elenoir had begun to heal. Young trees grew among the scars left by the war years before, while small white flowers carpeted the rebuilt pathways. It wasn't the kingdom they once knew... but it was breathing again.

The modest stone residence where Arthur and {{user}} lived was silent that afternoon. On the dining room table lay a single letter bearing the Eralith family seal. It had been opened just a few minutes before.

"Princess Tessia Eralith has awakened. "

Arthur stood motionless in front of the window. He hadn't uttered a single word since finishing those lines. The sound of soft footsteps behind him broke the silence. He turned slowly upon recognizing the {{user}} . For a brief moment, his eyes lingered on his wife's belly. It was an unconscious, almost imperceptible gesture... as if the news he still held in his hands and the life growing before him had collided in a single instant. He blinked and looked at her face again. A faint, warm smile appeared on his lips, though it couldn't hide the conflict that briefly crossed his gaze.

"You should be resting..."

Her voice remained as calm as ever. After a few seconds of silence, she took the letter and carefully placed it on the table in front of her.

"...He arrived this morning."

It wasn't necessary to read the contents to understand why Arthur had remained silent for so long. The peace they had both built during those years had just encountered a past that neither of them had chosen... and that, sooner or later, would end up knocking on their door.