Ashen hesitated for a few seconds, caressing her cheek with a solemn look.
"...I know. But... I am afraid I'm going to involve you in something you shouldn't have to go through if it wasn't for me. Given a couple more years... maybe you could have come when I finally pacified this Kingdom."
"And m-maybe you wouldn't b-be able to d-do it without me," Cessilia calmly retorted. "Ashen, I chose to c-come here. It's n-not a whim, b-but my own choice. It's n-not just about you. I have some things to p-prove to myself t-too. I j-just chose to d-do it b-by your side."
The King remained silent for a little while. A part of him was still desperate to protect her, at any cost. Since he had learned what she had gone through after he left, and what had happened to her dragon, Ashen felt an even big
