The royal scribe sat at his desk, his golden quill moving swiftly across the fabric. His task was simple but vital: to write the kingdom's official notice of peace. After two long years of war, the time had finally come to announce the end of the fighting.
He looked at the message, now complete. The smoothness of the royal blue fabric made the golden words even more striking. Rolling the scroll with care, he handed the wrapped notice to his assistant, who then took the message and ran swiftly through the royal halls, passing by servants and workers until he reached the courtyard, where the tall and broad delivery man was waiting, ready to deliver the royal proclamation to the bell tower in the heart of the town.
Handing him the scroll with a swift nod, the assistant watched as the delivery man set off on his journey toward the town's bell tower.
The tower stood tall enough to be spotted easily amidst the market, yet short enough to allow messages to be delivered and heard by the people in the market.
Unrolling the blue scroll, the man in the tower carefully scanned the message. His eyes traced the golden inked words, and a quiet smile tugged at his lips. He stood up, lifting the heavy rope and pulling it down with a force that made the massive bell ring out across the land. The sound, deep and resonant, echoed through the market below, causing every stall and shop to pause. The chatter of the marketplace came to a halt as the people looked up, instinctively turning their gaze toward the tower.
The bell rang once, twice, and then, with a deep breath, the town crier raised a large voice magnifier to his lips, his gaze sweeping across the market. The crowd fell silent, anticipating his words.
"People of Carinae!" he proclaimed, his voice booming through the amplifying tool, echoing across rooftops and spilling into every corner of the town. "Hear ye, hear ye! After two long years of bloodshed and sacrifice, the war has finally come to an end! Our brave soldiers return, victorious and unbowed! The men, the fathers, the sons who have fought with honor and valor, shall soon be home, to the warm embrace of their loved ones. The time has come, my dear women of Carinae, to prepare your hearts and arms for the ones you have longed for."
The crowd, mostly filled with women, erupted in cheers, excitement filling the air. People hugged one another, their faces beaming with joy, filling hearts with thankfulness.
Among them stood Ava, wearing a simple dark violet gown. The bold color of her dress didn't do anything to blend her innocence. It was her specialty—no matter how bold her attire, innocence never left her eyes.
"Did you just hear that, Madam?" Her maid, Dorothy, chimed with happiness. "The war is finally over."
"Thank God! I hope everyone will return safe and sound," Ava replied, her dark eyes lighting up with a mix of emotion—relief, joy, and a slight flutter in her heart. "And so does he," she added in a whisper, thinking of her husband.
For two years, she had waited for this moment—the return of her husband, General Felix Hellstern. Even though they hadn't had much interaction with each other, as it had been a flash marriage where she was a substitute bride, there was something between them that connected them beyond marital bonds. Something unspoken, yet deep, lingering beneath the surface, waiting to be recognized when they were finally reunited.
Dorothy nudged her gently with a grin. "Looks like you'll finally see your husband, Madam," Dorothy teased, her voice light. "Finally, after waiting for two long years, you're going to have your first night ritual."
"Shut up," Ava's cheeks flushed crimson, and she just couldn't refrain from smiling at the idea of their first night.
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Three Days Later...
All the women were gathered at the border of the capital, eagerly awaiting the return of the warriors. It was a Canopian tradition that the warriors were to be welcomed with the warm embrace of their family. The first right went to the wife, followed by the mother, and then the sister or lover.
Among the crowd of women, mostly wives, Ava stood waiting as well, her heart pounding with a slight nervousness as this would be her first hug to any man and her husband. She stood a little apart, trying to keep her composure, though her thoughts were consumed by the image of Felix. The long months of separation had only deepened the yearning in her chest. She could almost feel the heat of his embrace, though they had never shared much more than the briefest of moments of eye contacts since their hasty marriage.
The sound of approaching footsteps of horses, carriages, and men echoed in the distance. Ava's heart skipped a beat, her gaze scanning the sea of soldiers returning home. Since Felix was the general, she didn't need to work hard to spot him. He was right there, at the front, riding the horse like a majestic and unrivaled leader, his posture commanding and dignified, as if the very air around him recognized his strength and authority.
As Felix's horse came to a halt at the border, the world seemed to hold its breath for a moment. He dismounted gracefully, his strong frame towering over the crowd as he stood there, his amber eyes locking with Ava's. Gone was the majestic, unrivaled leader with his commanding posture. There he was, standing as if the women in front of him held the power to break him into a thousand pieces, melt him, and then mold him together with herself.
They didn't even need words to communicate; their gaze spoke volumes. Time seemed to slow as they stood there, lost in each other's eyes. Every heartbeat echoed between them, as if their souls were reconnecting after an eternity apart. The crowd around them watched in silence, almost reverently, waiting for the moment to unfold.
Despite the deep connection between them, neither of them moved, as if unsure how to bridge the gap. Ava's heart raced, the moment so much more intense than she had ever imagined. The crowd, sensing the tension, began to grow impatient and playful.
"Hug! Hug! Hug! Hug! Hug!" they chanted, their voices rising in unison.
Felix blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected cheer, his cheeks flushing slightly. He was the ace of soldiers, the one who had never failed in battle, but now, standing before his wife, his emotions felt like an unfamiliar battlefield. His hands twitched at his sides, unsure whether to reach for her, to pull her close.
"Amm... um... may I?" Felix stammered, his voice quiet but earnest.
"What 'may I?'" an old woman standing beside Ava said with a teasing grin. "She is your wife! Don't waste time with formalities, just crash into each other's arms as if no one is watching!"
The crowd erupted in supportive laughter, their cheerful voices echoing through the air as they playfully encouraged the couple. Ava's cheeks flushed crimson, a shy smile tugging at her lips. It wasn't that they didn't want to embrace; it was just that neither of them knew how to take that first step.
Ava, feeling the weight of the moment, thought to step forward, but each time she even tried to move an inch closer, her heart raced faster, making her fluster even more.
The crowd, however, wasn't as hesitant. They weren't shy like the couple, but bold and perceptive. Some women behind Ava exchanged knowing glances, nodding to each other before giving her a playful nudge that sent her stumbling into Felix's chest.
The unexpected closeness sent a wave of warmth through her, and her breath caught in her throat. "Sorry," Ava whispered, her voice small as she tried to pull back, but her hand trembled slightly as it rested on his chest.
Felix looked down at her, his gaze softening, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks. For a moment, the strong, battle-hardened general melted down, feeling like a stranger in his own skin. His heart raced wildly, completely at odds with the unwavering control he had always maintained.
However, despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him, Felix managed to gather the courage to speak. "Don't be," he whispered, his voice steady yet tender. Then, without another word, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer, enveloping her in a warm, secure embrace.
Mingling her warm cheeks with his racing heartbeat, Ava rested her head against his chest. The feeling of his arms around her, so strong yet tender, made everything feel right, like a missing puzzle piece finally falling into place.
The crowd cheered, their laughter and support filling the air around them, but in that moment, noise of the crowd, the distant clatter of horses, and the hum of the world all seemed to blur and fade into the background, leaving only the quiet, ethereal closeness between them—an unspoken bond that transcended everything else.