A few days after the Winter Festival, the time has come for Duke Stoneborne to leave the Northern Country. He was supposed to leave the day after the festival, but the kids were having so much fun playing together that he couldn't bear to let them part too soon.
"It has been a great honor to have met you, Your Majesty," Duke Stoneborne says after we make it to the front garden. "I enjoyed myself in the short time that I was here. Your kingdom, though small, is filled with immense beauty and warmth. I can't wait to see it grow into something that fits its queen's rule."
"It was a pleasure to have you here, Your Grace. I'm glad that you had an enjoyable time. The next time you come, I will show you around my hometown. It's a city called Eshea just south of here. You might actually ride past it on your way home."
The duke bows to me and holds out his hand. "Just knowing that I am welcomed back to your kingdom anytime is enough for me, Your Majesty."
