sorry!"

Sasha shook her head softly, and jumped off from the Polar Bear sofa. Despite the cold on the ground, she walked barefoot toward the French windows and pushed them opened. A soul-stirring scenery of the rain came into view.

Oscar hugged his sister from behind, "You’ve grown taller again!"

Sasha turned around to face her brother, "And your hugs are getting stronger!"

Oscar smiled at his sister, but almost immediately he put on a serious face again, "Sasha, in all seriousness though, you have two choices now. Either you go home to our parents, or you could stay in Swan Hill Castle, and wait for my return."

"You swore in front of the boundary monument that you would never leave me.."

"Sasha, please!" Oscar turned his head away in anguish. If he had the choice, he would never leave his sister, and all the people who loved and cared for him. However, things needed to progress, to change.

"Listen to my suggestion Sasha, listen to me." Oscar intentionally avoided Young Lady’s eyes that were filled with tears. "You know, honestly I would prefer if you return home, Dulin is not suitable for you. In Narcissus County, you could.."

"No!" Abruptly, Sasha raised her head and stared into her brother’s eyes. "If there is nothing I could change about the situation, I will choose to stay and wait for your return in Swan Hill Castle.." By this time Young Lady was crying so much she could hardly speak. She knew his oath was only a white lie to comfort her. He was a son of Andrew House, after all, and he was destined to the battlefield like the rest of the knights of their family. On the other hand, the lives of ladies of Andrew House were filled with endless waiting. That was the inevitable fate of Andrew House.

All he could do now was to hug his sister tightly in his arms. He could feel her palpitating with fear, her body warmth, and her steaming hot tears.

After a long moment, Young lady poked her head out from Oscar’s embrace, "I almost forgot, I’ve received a letter from Alanis. Although it was addressed to me, she wanted me to pass over some message."

"What was it?"

"She apologised for the argument previously and asked for your forgiveness, also she mentioned about her being occupied with a grand-scale charity event and regrets that she couldn’t see you off."

"Don’t care about her, let her have her own fun!"

Tears gave way to smiles, and Sasha playfully hit on her brother’s shoulder, "This is what Alanis dislikes the most about you, don’t forget she’s your fiancée."

"So are you!" Oscar said while kissing Sasha gently on her lips. As expected, this was the best way to stop her from speaking.

"Come over here to the sofa, my darling!" Oscar dragged his sister to the "Polar Bear".

Sasha had no idea what he was going to do, but she listened and sat down obediently anyway.

Oscar knelt down to one knee, and removed the huge precious ring from his finger. With much surprise, Sasha covered her mouth with both hands in all excitement.

"Lady Sasha E Nedgabel Andrew, are you interested in being my fiancée?"

Sasha wanted to nod, but at the same time she also wanted to shake her head. In the end, tears washed her beautiful sweet face.

Oscar held his sister’s hand and examined her delicate fingers. Before this, he had the ring recast for himself, but it was now too large for his sister’s slender fingers. Anyhow, this was her worry now.

"My darling! Do you know? When I was much younger, about the time my mother was gravely ill, she called me to her sick bed and presented me with this ring. I remember she told me to only gift this to my beloved in the future. God! How on earth would I know what my beloved meant at that time? Later, I tried giving this ring to Annie, because she treated me the best, but she wouldn’t take it. I can’t remember exactly how it happened, but somehow the ring vanished into thin air, and I completely forgot about this. Only until later that I knew the ring was confiscated by Alfa III that old man. Anyway, he returned it to me. And now, I’m presenting it to you, my beloved!"

Oscar straightened Sasha’s thumb, and slipped that ring around it. As expected, the gold ring reached the base of her thumb in one swift move.

Sasha’s gaze did not leave the shiny ring for even a split second. That’s right! That was her wedding band!

Oscar suddenly pinched at his sister’s nose. "I have to warn you, Alanis knows the story behind the ring, and it’s probably for the better if she doesn’t see this on you, if not I’m sure she would die of jealousy."

Sasha covered her treasure with another hand. "Never! I’m going to recast the ring, and if possible I would have it fixed on my finger for ever so that it would never come off. Alanis can die of jealousy all she wants! Do you know how envious I was when you proposed to her? Now it’s finally her turn!" Sasha carefully extended her fingers and examined her sapphire ring with much admiration.

Oscar laughed while simultaneously shaking his head. His sister was a woman too, naturally she would have the attributes all women possessed.

"Tell me Sasha, how can you be so adorable? I’m always so fascinated by you."

Sasha was immensely happy in her heart but she pretended to give him an annoyed stare. In the end, she relented and kissed Oscar fully on his lips as she was extremely delighted by his flattery!

"Take good care of yourself!" Oscar got back to his feet and rubbed at his slightly numb knee.

"Are you leaving now?" Sasha sprung from the sofa. She was so engrossed with happiness she almost forgotten today was the day for her brother’s departure. "You.. promise me! Don’t let me wait forever like the rest of the women in our house."

Oscar rolled his eyes, "My dear Sasha, I’m not going to pick troubles with the Persians, and it’s not as if there was any other war happening currently in the empire."

"Hush!" Sasha suddenly shouted, "I have incredibly strong instinct. It’s definitely not all peace and quiet in the north, I’ve heard so much about Deiss. You.. make sure you.."

"I swear!" Oscar grabbed his sister’s hands, "I swear by blood to you in the name of God of Light, that I will returned to your side as scheduled, and then.."

Suddenly he found his lips covered by Sasha’s!

When their lips reluctantly parted, Sasha turned her back toward him.

Oscar planted a gentle kiss on the top of his sister’s head and tried his best to remember her scent. Slowly and unwillingly, he turned to open the door.

No one was in the hall. Everyone was waiting for him at the bottom of the staircase.

Oscar descended the stairs, and he hugged and blessed everyone as he bid his goodbyes, "Vick, Ricky, my Dulin home is now under your care!""Godot, send my blessing to the bride, I hope she likes the little villa I prepared for the wedding.""Aeolia, you have to take care too, don’t work late until midnight each day.""And Fenrar, stop crying, will you? It’s not like I’m not coming back?""Lady Keegan, may I kiss you, you have been an excellent helper to me!""Ferry, you big man! Let go of me! Are you trying to strangle me to death? Look after Young Lady when I’m not around. Don’t look at me like this! I mean that you must scare off all the flies that dare to harass her, especially when she is out."

"Alright! That’s about it! It’s estimated that my schedule would take about a year’s time. It’s not too long at all! Cheer up, I’m not dead yet, am I?"

Annie’s hand flew to young Oscar’s mouth. It has been a while since she last did this.

"You silly boy! Take back your words, and ask God of Light for forgiveness!"

"O..kay..o..kay!" Oscar immediately asked to be forgiven, "God of Light, forgive my rashness, if you can pretend that I’ve not say anything offensive, thank you!"

Annie murmured silently under her breath. She couldn’t understand the young man, why would he say something not auspicious like this on the day of departure!

"Hurry on! Your knights have been waiting long for you under the eaves." Annie said as she dragged Oscar to the corridor.

"I beg you all" Oscar turned to look at the crowd, "Enter the house! All of you! Occupy yourself with something else, I don’t need all of you to send me off."

The crowd slowly dispersed after they presented their utmost sincere blessing to Oscar.

"Much better! It’s just the two of us now!" Oscar blew light air into Annie’s air.

The Lady Countess shied away, her face red with embarrassment. Slowly, she removed his rain cape off the rain rack.

"There’s no need for that, I’m going into the carriage immediately anyway." He shook his head, but his gaze suddenly sparkled. "Annie, if I may ask, have you considered what I suggested to you earlier?

Annie was stunned for moment, but she nodded earnestly, "I did consider it, but I.."

He pressed his fingers on Annie’s lips gently, "Stop overthinking, and patiently wait for my return. I can’t leave your side, just like how you can’t leave my side, and you know that is the truth. You’re my only concern, you know that? Even Sasha, she’s tough and knows how to protect herself. Only you, my dear Annie! I’m worry only for you! You’re the one who accompanied me throughout the first half of my life, not anyone else!"

By this time, Annie was already crying her heart out. Oscar sighed softly, he wasn’t intending to make the lady weep.

"Annie, you’ve never left my side, and I’m slow to realise this fact only know, you’ve never left my side no matter what! Oh God! From the moment of my birth until now! Therefore, I’m extremely worried about you. I’m leaving for an expedition soon, and what should happen to my dear Annie?"

Annie wiped her messy face hastily. She decided this was not the moment for her to be emotional, she should let the young man to leave with ease.

"I promise to take care of myself, and also Sasha, and also.."

Oscar kissed the woman who has always been like a mother figure to him. It wasn’t until this moment that he finally confirmed his own feelings for Annie. Although he rushed for the Young Lady as soon as he arrived home, it was Annie that he could never let go.

"Don’t forget what you promised," Oscar lovingly wiped the tears off Annie’s face and caressed the faint crow’s feet at the corner of her eyes.

"No, I swear to never forget!"

"So.. I’m really leaving now!"

Annie nodded again, and placed the rain cape into Oscar’s hand.

He kissed the beautiful lady once more, and without turning back, he walked into the rain.

"Goodbye, my young man!" Annie stood by the side of the door, and waved at the receding silhouette.

Oscar ascended into the extravagant carriage, inside were his old friends. Poison Doctor Percy, the prince’s personal doctor, also the physician-in-charge for Red Tiger Division. Paladin Sarlat, the former palace guard of the Titan Empire who used a rapier like a mythical hero. Snowstorm, the King of Assassins, the prince’s top personal guard who never leaves his side like his waist belt.

The carriage eventually started to move. Oscar opened the carriage window to enjoy the raining scenery. From afar, Oscar saw the open French window, and noticed Sasha was still leaning against the window, her long dress fluttering as the cold wind blew. Young Lady stretched her fingers and waved her hands slowly. She hoped her brother could see that the wedding band was already placed in the right place.

The carriage steadily drifted away, and finally disappeared in sight.