Chapter 40.2

Both Dubheasa and Fiachra insisted on escorting Eirwen to the Iceheart capital at least. Dubheasa left most of her people behind in Doirinne territory, but her personal guard came with her.

Their group was a shocking sight to many. Once they recognised Red, riding by Eirwen's side, his heart marked by her coat of arms, they knew that the Flameheart line was indeed gone for good. There was little doubt in Eirwen's mind that this story would spread like a wildfire. Good. That saved her the hassle.

At Leathad Den Ghrian, they made their way to the Iceheart estate. There, they found Lady Róisín awaiting them. When the majordoma laid eyes upon Red, even with Eirwen's senses, it was impossible to see anything but a small fluctuation in Róisín's emotional state. The rest of the staff and guards were more open, big smiles on their faces as they realised their old master was finally free from the spectre on his back.

Eirwen nodded at them. "Greetings, everyone. We'll dine simple today, but tomorrow I would like to have a celebratory feast prepared." They all nodded, avoiding asking what the feast was meant to celebrate. As long as nobody asked, they could all pretend it was just to celebrate Eirwen's return. As for staying an extra day, honestly, a part of Eirwen wanted to stay here forever. But she knew that eventually, she had to face her people. One day of rest, that was all she was willing to grant her people. No more, or her own heart would falter.

Instinctively, her feet brought her to the room that had once been Red's office. She leaned against the desk, observing the painting, while her pulse and her beloved flanked her. "It's still a gorgeous painting. I can't believe you used it to torment yourself for all those years." Her eyes moved towards the nameplate. "We should have that replaced. Rewrite history. And while we're at it, do you think that painter could be recruited to make a painting of the three of us?"

Aoife blushed, still not used to being treated so fairly. While Eirwen knew that her love for Aoife might never reach the intensity of what she felt for Red, she still loved her immensely. So she had sworn to herself to always treat both properly. She refused to let one of the two feel inferior.

"I imagine that is an option. I'll make the required inquiries. Though it wouldn't be as spontaneous as this one, but I have some ideas. I'll see if I can surprise you both." He added a wink to that. Ah, she almost hated him for plotting, but at least he was doing so openly.

A knock on the door announced Lady Róisín. "Enter." In came the majordoma, her emotional state fully locked behind her mask once more. Eirwen shook her head. "Please let yourself feel freely. You have done so much for us, you deserve to celebrate with us."

"Perhaps later. For now, I simply am here to tell you dinner will be served in two hours. A bath is being drawn right now, but I was hoping you could spare your betrothed to give us a hand in about six moments, your Grace. The amount of people means we need more heat than we can easily provide."

Eirwen nodded and Róisín turned to the door, then back to Eirwen. "I miss the young master dearly, your Grace. But I am proud of the man who has taken his place. I wish you all great joy." Before Eirwen could think of a response, the majordoma already had left the room.

"Wow." Aoife had her mouth open from shock. "That is the most emotions I have ever seen her show. Have either of you ever seen more?"

Eirwen shook her head, but Red nodded. "Twice. Once when she handled the demise of my family, and then the day I took my father's head. I suspect she only did so because she knew I needed it." His family. All of them. Because his father had never been family to him. Even now, a few words still carried a heavy message, even if he didn't try to conceal it any more.

After some idle chatting, Red left them a few moments later. Eirwen smiled knowingly at Aoife. "She set that up for us, you know. Using excessive amounts of flame mana will leave him wanting. We're going to enjoy tonight." She enjoyed the blush that shot up her beloved's cheeks. "Let's make sure not to drink too much. I'm sure people will understand when we retire soon after dinner."

Dinner went as Eirwen expected, the old and new council members mostly discussing affairs before asking for details about the mountains. Eirwen made use of memory crystals to easily illustrate their stories. Ailbe laughed at the sight of the death of the ruler of giants. "Another ruler decapitated with your bare hands. Just the other hand this time. Yet another fool that after all that time died so easily."

The night went as Eirwen had predicted and she was glad she had declared a rest day, because they needed it. This time, the evening was a feast over in the town hall, celebrating inside with the Reeve and other local leaders, while outside the people drank and ate in droves. Eirwen's senses let her overhear plenty a story about their mountain campaign, already dramatised and praising both her and Red. Good. The way their names were used together was sure to eventually reach the ears of the Crown.

When the next morning they left, Dubheasa and Fiachra went their own ways, both inviting Eirwen to come by next spring for an actual tour of the territories. Aoife's siblings and most of her troops split off at the crossroads where months ago, Ailbe had been the first to pledge his loyalty to Eirwen. They ventured home, where they would rule in Aoife's stead. Eventually, Eirwen would need to make one of them officially take Aoife's place, but there was no rush for now.

As they came closer to their destination, Eirwen caught herself growing more tense. The others noticed too, Red reaching out mentally and helping Aoife join in, so they could support her without words. Their presence in her mind helped suppress the painful memories she was dreading.

As they entered the city, guards stood at the ready, saluting her presence. On her way to the central square, she already could sense how large the crowd was. The last time this big a crowd had awaited her here, was when she had become Duchess and immediately had declared war.

At the square, all Verglas nobles, council and lower, stood there ready for her. She had to admire how quickly Seren had managed to pull everyone together for one last show of force. And she could tell from the look in their eyes that while they were surprised to see Red proudly by her side, they harboured no ill will. Even those he had humiliated in combat.

Her escort halted, including Red and Aoife, letting her ride one more step forward before stopping her horse. She took a deep breath and wove mana together, amplifying her voice and spreading it far and wide, so the entire town could hear, even those awaiting her arrival at the estate.

"My people. I am glad to see you again. To know that you are well. It was a struggle to come here, one that came at a significant cost. But we have prevailed. The mad Duke aimed to leave a legacy of conquest. To ensure that when a hundred years from now, people speak of him, they would call him the man that unified our dukedoms. His folly has cost the entire West. The price was paid in blood for years at end. But at last, we are free of his tyranny. We are free of his damnèd bloody hands. When they speak of him, they will not praise him, but curse his madness. That is the legacy he has left behind."

She gestured and a few knights brought forward the skull of the ruler of giants, showcasing its massive size, about two-thirds of Eirwen's full height. "But even his death wasn't the end. Plots still turned against us. Assassins tried and failed to harm me. And in the mountains, a ruler of beasts and monsters thought us weak. Thought he only had a flame to fear. That with the fire extinguished, he could strike and do as he saw fit. He too paid the price for his arrogance. By my command, he found his end through a Verglassed blade."

Technically a hand, but no need to add that detail. "All those that dared to go against us, thought peace had made us weak. That our blades had rusted. They paid for that mistake. And we will never tolerate those that try to harm us. We will enjoy the peace we fought for, but we will be ready to oppose any that dare come for us once more. Not just Verglas, but the entire West."

She turned her horse and cast her eyes at Aoife. "I return to you with a shield and sword at hand. For years, the Bulwark of the West stood between us and the mad Duke. Now, it stands by my side, to shield us from our enemies. This is Comtesse Aoife Carraig, who has come here to help protect us all. For months already, she has shared her knowledge and expertise, preparing our knights to stand not against each other, but side by side."

She turned her horse towards Red. "And from the snow I bring with me a mountain blaze. By my command, he has cut down my enemies. Now he stands by my side as my sword and betrothed. He is Margrave Flannán Caisteal, and by my will he shall cut down all that aim to harm you. He will not follow his father's rotten legacy, but will help me leave behind my own. A legacy where our people get to stand tall, where our friends and allies stand by our side, and we with them."

She turned fully back towards her people, looking straight at Seren. "We have all bled for this peace. We have all lost people we care about. Tonight, we will mourn those that cannot stand with us any more. And tomorrow, we celebrate the proper end of this forsaken war."

"All hail the Duchess!"

"""HAIL!!!"""

This time, no build-up was needed, no setting things up for a demonstration. Her people all stood by her. They applauded and saluted her as she moved forwards towards her family estate. She knew she still had painful memories awaiting her, but she would manage. A few months ago, she had sneaked out early, leaving for Flameheart to ensure the war was over. Now, she knew it truly was. There would be another still, of that she was sure. But the next time, the entire West would face it together.

There was a certain irony there. The sixth Duke of Flameheart had tried to unify two dukedoms under his rule. Now, four of them would stand by Eirwen instead. And she hadn't just regained the heart he had tried to crush, but found yet another beloved to stand by her side. With Red and Aoife with her, she could take on the world without regrets.