The Captain, Mrs. Ashowan, Lord Fuks, and mage Lee all sat in silence in Fin’s cottage for a long time. Annika was frowning deeply, her eyes lost in thought, while Kate wept silent tears.

“I don’t understand why his majesty is sending Mr. Ashowan when it is clear he is integral to the Troivackia Chief of Military’s plan,” Lord Fuks spoke out suddenly.

“He does not seem as assured as the rest of us that Finlay will perish while on the ship. Helmer also said he only wanted Fin for a little while… this could indicate a time frame of when he expects the rest of the Troivackian military to appear,” the Captain explained slowly.

“It could also be useful if Mr. Ashowan is able to learn anything while on the boat… I’ll say this for that witch, he has the strangest luck in getting out of trouble,” Mage Lee added on while shooting Annika a reassuring stare.

“I’m sure his majesty will try to take every precaution to ensure he is returned alive… Though… does anyone else get the feeling that the King knows something we don’t?” Captain Antonio pondered aloud.

Every eye raised to the military man, and a stunned silence settled over the room.

“From the beginning, he offered Finlay and I the opportunity to board the Troivackian ship. While I’m at a disadvantage, there was the chance I’d still learn something, but… when they dragged my brother’s family into it…” Annika trailed off. No one present knew her work as the King’s spy, and so treated her with the utmost sympathy for the misfortune befalling her family.

“How has this war not already… grown more hostile? Thousands of Troivackians were found illegally living in the Kingdom,” Kate’s voice rasped, making Antonio reach under the table and hold her hand.

“We are only reporting the unit of men under Lord Piereva’s orders. Therefore the King can opt to punish him, or move up his original plans and begin the physical act of war- something we don't believe he is ready to do. Which is beneficial as we are still waiting on Zinfera's aid," Lord Fuks began in an oddly composed manner while addressing his present company.

"We know that some of the Troivackian units will fail to contact their superiors, and the King will grow suspicious, but… if he doesn’t know exactly how many men he has still, that is to our advantage. Instead we lay the blame on Lord Piereva for now, and give us all a bit more time to prepare,” the Earl concluded.

“I suppose there is nothing we can do but put our trust in his majesty, and Mr. Ashowan…” Mage Lee acquiesced grimly.

“We will wait to see what comes of the meeting,” Lord Fuks agreed. "I am of the mind there is a reason we do not know of that His Majesty is somewhat more willing to send off our dear cook. Though we do need a better idea of where and when the attacks are coming, and this could be a wonderful opportunity... if only we had a way to guarantee Fin's return by that time..."

The group then fell once again into quiet as they all speculated how much their lives were going to change over the coming days…

*

Fin sat across from his father whose pleased expression was barely concealed as he sat with his arms folded, with Mr. Howard on his right, and the King seated at the head of the table.

“Mr. Helmer, Mr. Ashowan will be with you on your ship for no more than a week. During that time, I expect a prompt release of Lady Jenoure’s brother and his family. Our Royal Cook will be treated amicably, and it is expected that he will return intact and alive. Do I make myself clear?” Norman’s steely gaze bore into the fire witch, but the man didn’t notice as he continued gazing at his son whose deadened stare bore no emotion.

“Yes, yes, really this will just put the King of Troivackia in fine spirits that will encourage him to find Charles Piereva and his family. You see, I have been so… distracted from my work since learning that my son was alive and well, that his highness will be glad to know I can return my attention to my duties.”

“Your ship is not to leave Daxarian waters, and Mr. Ashowan will be permitted to send a letter every day to confirm he is alive and well.”

“Goodness your majesty, you must think my son to be in grave danger in my care.”

Norman didn’t respond, only waited for the fire witch to sign the contracts Mr. Howard laid before him.

“Now, despite the council not being present, I would like to know how this change of events affects your punishment towards Earl Piereva.”

Aidan gave the slightest of shrugs before giving a very chilling answer, “We can kill him, I’ll have it done within the hour.”

“You have no remorse for the loss of one of Troivackia’s courtiers?” the King asked curiously.

“I think our next great concern should be the safety of Charles Piereva. Don’t you? Now, I must return to my ship to send word to his majesty about these changes. Finlay, I will see you the day after tomorrow. That should be enough time for you to find replacements for your position in the kitchens.”

The cook didn’t respond in any way to indicate he had heard or agreed with his father’s farewell, and he continued to stay catatnoic until the door latched behind the fire witch. There was a moment of silence between the monarch and his loyal subject that carried a weight so heavy and meaningful, that it was hard to describe.

“Well, Mr. Ashowan… would you like to… bathe before your wedding?” Norman’s voice was quiet, but kind.

At long last, Fin dropped his chin to his chest, then raised it again with a sad smile on his face.

“What, you don’t think every noblewoman wants a sweaty groom who smells like pig fat?”

The King chuckled. “Tonight, Mr. Ashowan, you will bathe while being served by my personal stewards who will keep the marriage a secret, and you will spend the night in Lady Jenoure’s old chamber together.”

“With all due respect your highness…” Fin began slowly, a funny blush beginning to spread across his face. “Could I perhaps have a chamber that is not between yours and the Princess’ nursery?”

Norman couldn’t stop his laughter then, while the redhead grinned with burning cheeks.

“Fair enough… I imagine if Eric catches wind he might take it upon himself to visit…”

“Oh Gods,” Fin covered his face while Norman proceeded to laugh even harder.

After a few minutes the two men eventually settled down to an amicable quiet.

“Lady Jenoure is going to be furious with you,” the King advised a little more somberly.

“I know… After hearing all of the precautions, it seems a bit more likely that I will come out of there alive, but Your Highness… are you still not going to tell me what your ‘backup’ plan is?”

“Sorry Fin, only the Queen and I know, but rest assured I’d never have taken this gamble with you if I wasn’t confident I’d have great odds in getting you back. Just keep your ears out for where they intend to attack first. Austice is a military city and we have the high ground so it isn’t a wise decision. Xava makes the most sense, but even they aren’t easy to access given their relatively small harbor.”

The redhead nodded in agreement, then with a sigh, stood and bowed to his King.

“If your majesty could tell me where I might find that washtub… I will first go inform my aides of the change of plans, and send word to Viscountess Jenoure’s estate to have them prepare a few items.”

“Of course… I will inform my stewards to prepare you a bath in one of the east wing chambers. Unless of course you’d like Ruby to assist you?”

Fin’s immediate wince and rejuvenating of color in his face set the King off laughing yet again, the former darkness of the day gradually beginning to shift back towards the light… if only for a brief interlude of time.

*

Annika strolled out of Fin’s cottage wearing a cloak, and being blocked from view by the three men surrounding her. Kate Ashowan stayed behind, her tears had finally subsided, but remained completely quiet and still as words of comfort seemed to fall on deaf ears.

By the time the Viscountess had returned to the castle, the men strategically peeled off of her one by one as they moved in the most natural way possible, while she also removed her cloak.

She had just arrived in the courtyard while on her way towards the staircase in order to further argue the King’s decision, when she discovered Clara standing under an archway on the opposite end directing a maid from her own estate and… Hannah? Fin’s aide?

“Ah, Lady Jenoure. You are to stay the night at the castle under her majesty the Queen’s orders. If you could please go to your old chamber, there is a bath drawn and waiting for you. Your brother was executed not even an hour ago, and she would like you to be nearby.”

Annika hid the frown she almost made immediately, and forced her calm composure yet again.

Her brother's passing meant surprisingly little to her, but... something was strange...

Following her maid up the stairs to her old chamber, hundreds of questions and worries burned through the Lady’s mind. When she eventually made it to her former room and opened the door, she saw that the window had been covered so tightly that the evening sun had been completely blocked out, and a golden fire was the only source of light. Then, her eyes fell upon Ainsley, wearing a loose fitting pale green dress, sitting on the bed wearing a broad smile. A most inviting bath sat waiting in front of the hearth, and all at once, her previous volume of questions and concerns doubled.

“What in the world-”

“I have got to give it to your cook, he seems quite determined to marry you.” Ainsley nodded to Clara who had just closed the door behind herself.

Annika’s stomach dropped. “What? Your highness you can’t honestly expect me to-”

“Viscountess, everything will be alright,” the Queen began soothingly. “I promise it will all turn out. Now, is it truly impossible to enjoy your second wedding at all? I know it may not have been how you envisioned it… I’m sure you planned something massive and elegant-”

“Gods, not at all. I just wanted it small and private,” Annika blurted out before realizing that Ainsley was smiling a little too smugly.

“Does his mother know?” The dread in the Lady’s voice was blatantly apparent.

Clara couldn’t resist letting out a small snort that had the Queen raising a skeptical eyebrow.

“I believe Captain Antonio will be telling her in another hour after you two have bathed… I understand she must be quite distraught.”

“This news won’t help that,” Annika bemoaned, dropping her forehead to her hand.

Ainsley chuckled then and stood, crossing over to her friend and placing her hands on the Lady’s shoulders, she tried again to placate her worries. “Very rarely in life do things happen the way we imagined them. Are you having second thoughts on marrying him?”

“She better not,” Clara muttered under her breath as she appeared to drizzle one of Annika’s favorite oils into the bath.

The Viscsountess shot her maid a withering stare, but fortunately the Queen was focused too intently on her friend’s reply to think anything of it.

“I want to marry him, but… not like this. I don’t want to marry him because he might die if we wait.” Annika sighed. “I know timing wise this is most likely better in the long run-”

“Why would you say that?” Ainsley raised a quizzical eyebrow.

Clara straightened a little too abruptly behind Annika, and she immediately wished she could shove the maid right into the tub.

“The war,” the Lady lied easily, when suddenly a scent caught her nose that had her turning swiftly towards her annoyingly bold servant.

“Clara, did you happen to get your hands on what I-”

The maid reached into a basket she had set down by the tub, and produced the heavenly peach Annika had been craving with every ounce of her being.

Grabbing the fruit and biting into it without thinking about present company, she sighed.

‘Gods this is even better than moonshine,’ The Viscountess continued to eat the fruit down to its pit as she slowly moved back over to the bed with Ainsley who was advising the women to lay out the dress.

“I take it you haven’t eaten today yet?” Ainsley asked laughingly as Clara wordlessly handed her mistress another peach that she tore into desperately.

“... No, I have not. Wait, what dress am I wearing? Is the one I have on not good enough for a small ceremony?”

“Your betrothed had a specific dress he requested you wear… apparently this made an impression on him at some point.” Ainsley moved over to the small trunk that had been brought to the room, and lifted out a light teal silk gown…

It had been the dress Annika had worn on Beltane, when she and Fin went on the walk through the rose maze. Immediately she smiled, and started tearing up at the memory of when her relationship with the redheaded cook had first really begun to change.

Fortunately, the room was darkened save for the lit fireplace, and Clara hastily moved in front of Annika, blocking the unseemly sight of her mistress becoming... emotional from the Queen. She covered for this quick move by beginning to untie the Viscountess' front laces.

“Get it together, my Lady,” Clara muttered through clenched teeth before turning back to the Queen. “We will bathe her now, your highness.”

“Very well. Annika, I will return to lead you to the ceremony, let me know if you need anything else.”

Once the door was shut, Annika let out a long breath and wiped an errant tear aside while the maid Hannah, turned around with her hands on her hips.

“Right, I’ve never helped with this sort of thing, but I’ve scrubbed potatoes until they’ve glowed. So shall we give it a try?” The petite blonde gestured to the tub in a brisk manner, stunning both Annika and Clara for a moment.

“It’s alright, Hannah… er… I honestly do most of the washing myself. Combing out my hair can be quite arduous though so perhaps maybe just tend to that today.”

The blonde nodded in understanding. “Sounds good. Aside from my own hair, I’ve only really brushed boys' hair. I have a younger brother you see… well I suppose I have brushed a horse’s mane at one point...”

Clara, to her benefit, wasn’t showing any signs of needing to laugh, but Annika wasn’t sure how long the woman could last at that rate. For some reason the normally icy maid had grown to be quite the chuckle bucket in recent days...

With a small smile to Hannah, Annika stood and began stripping off the layers of her dress. While she stepped into the tub, Clara and Hannah turned their backs to allow her to get situated in private. Once eased into the water, the Viscountess felt the warmth soothe some of the stress and aches from her body.

Her mind started filling with hazy contentment over the simple fact that she was about to marry a man she loved, surrounded by people who genuinely cared for them.

Perhaps it wasn’t how she’d wanted it to happen… and she still needed a solution surrounding Fin’s father and keeping him safe, but…Perhaps just for that night… for their wedding… she could just let herself be happy.