🎀 Wisteria 🎀

Many could be blamed for what happened in Sselae – Baron Rogdan Kraffmeyer, at whose invitation he and Cleon ended up in the "Golden Griffin"; other members of this organization, who, through carelessness, attracted the unwanted attention of the government of Airisufir; and even the Countess of the Purple Lake herself, for the disproportionate punishment for their transgressions and the subsequent expedition to the southwest. One could curse the damned non-humans and their swamps, which are unsuitable for human habitation, but even in the midst of his overwhelming weakness, Yuisis Lunawhite realized that blaming others and even the harsh realities of the world for his misfortunes was the fate of a worthless, good-for-nothing person. He decided to join the "Golden Griffin" himself, and to refuse to command their detachment in Sselae – also by his own decision; perhaps, if he had shown a little more selfishness and unscrupulousness, however far from his nature it might have been, everything would have ended differently. Even if it hadn't been a happy ending, at least he wouldn't have this gaping hole in his heart now, and he wouldn't be left wondering what to live for. He perfectly understood that his current life situation was far more favorable than that of a million other people in Vistaria, who were suffering from war and other colossal misfortunes of this chaotic era, but the illness of the soul could not be explained, and, as they say, you can't command the heart. After returning from Sselae, Yuisis rarely interacted with other members of the organization and rarely left his room. Tormented by suicidal thoughts, he repeatedly wondered how their fate with Cleona would have changed if he had accepted his father's offer and not left Serberia. Their happy days together were not a mistake, and the engagement rings, received from Julius shortly before his disappearance, were a clear reminder of that joyful time, but was his love for adventure and freedom worth such an ending? During these days, Yuisis began to remember his father often – their relationship had not been the best, precisely because of their different views on the duty predetermined by birth and life in general, but the young prince had never felt any coldness or indifference from the king towards him, and he himself respected him – he always seemed to him like an impregnable mountain, proudly towering above everyone else, but not devoid of mercy towards his subjects and love for his loved ones. On a cool November day, Yuisis received a letter from Serberia, from which he learned that Heinrich der Grosse had passed away, and due to rumors that he had been poisoned, Serberia was divided into several factions, and a bloody struggle for the throne began between Heinrich's children. Yuisis Lunawhite could only laugh hysterically at such a turn of events.
…
He was about to pull the trigger and see if he could really embrace the all-loving Arteria, when he was distracted by a knock on the door of his room. Why should this matter to him now? Nevertheless, he asked the hotel employee standing behind the door what he needed.
— You have a guest, sir.
A guest? Who could it be? Someone from the "Griffin"?
— Tell them I'm busy and don't want to see anyone... for the time being.
— I'm afraid that's not entirely within my power, sir. The thing is...
— Your Highness! — The knock on the door lost the softness characteristic of the hotel employee, and now someone else was banging on it with all their might. — Prince Albert!
— Sophia? — Yuisis immediately recognized this voice. — It can't be... What are you doing here?
— First, please open the door!
— Y-yes... Of course.
After a brief greeting, a short conversation, and a quick inspection of the room where one of Heinrich der Grosse's sons was, it didn't take Sophia von Mainz long to assess the prince's emotional state and understand his intentions. As it turned out, Sophia set out in search of Yuisis almost immediately after receiving news of what had happened to the King of Serberia, and, by a lucky coincidence, found him before it was too late. They discussed the current situation in their homeland and talked about Yuisis's "adventures" abroad, until finally Sophia got to the point.
— Your Highness... No, Your Majesty... Serberia needs its king...
— I renounced my claims to the throne when I renounced my family name and left home in search of my own calling beyond its borders. Besides, I have neither the experience nor even the motivation to take the place left by my father. Serberia needs a competent ruler, not an adventurer who has turned his back on his duty.
— Those who seek power for the sake of status, wealth, and influence never truly deserve it, and I, as a patriot of our homeland, cannot reconcile myself to the thought that a potential murderer of the commander-in-chief may not only go unpunished but also take the place of the head of our state.
This thought caused Yuisis's heart to ache.
— I… — Yuisis forced himself to swallow his pride in order to continue his thought. — How can I get involved in all this when I don't even have the strength to live another day?

In response to the prince's doubts, Sophia von Mainz knelt on one knee, placed her right hand to her heart, and lowered her gaze to the floor.
— From the day His Majesty Heinrich der Grosse announced our engagement... No, even before that – from the moment my eyes beheld your noble appearance, your joy and happiness were the only reason for my existence, but never before have I been sure how I can be useful to you, my source of light and hope, for whom I thank Arteria every day... — Sophia raised her head, and Yuisis saw a look full of warmth. — My life and fate have long been connected with yours... My beloved prince, from now on, I swear to you with all my heart and for all eternity: my sword, my body, and my soul belong to you. — Having finished her brief oath, a barely perceptible note of sadness was heard in Sophia's voice. — If you intend to return to the embrace of Arteria, I will follow you without hesitation, but if... If you find the strength to restore Serberia to its former glory, then I and my soldiers will do everything possible to bring your ideals to life.