Two weeks later, the entire army of the Oreoned Duchy and the forces of Allea had finally gathered. The following day, the army would begin marching south, and Neonidas would, at least for a time, be far from home. Of course, while the army advanced southward, Neonidas would have to head to the capital.
During this period, Neonidas had no close interaction with Cassandra. Unlike Yuanna, Cassandra was much more calculating and far less emotional. Controlling women like her was difficult. Even though Cassandra had once hugged Neonidas and cried audibly, that did not mean she was an emotional woman.
That night, Cassandra's defenses had collapsed, overwhelmed by the guilt of betraying Neonidas and, at the same time, by the fact that he had forgiven her despite everything. Her emotional outburst of crying was because of this.
