After rejecting Liobald, Hattie and Monte returned home.

A surprise awaited them in the form of Dawson, who stood in the school’s entryway.

“Miss Hattie,” Dawson said.

“Hello,” Hattie said, a confusion in her voice, “What are you still doing at school?”

“That’s,” Dawson cleared his throat. “May we talk inside?”

“Of course,” Hattie followed Dawson, Monte padding by her side.

Dawson walked them to the school’s dining hall, where the lights were still on. Hattie and Dawson sat across from each other.

“Miss Hattie,” Dawson said, “Over these past few months, I’ve come to appreciate you, and the many fine qualities you have. As you know, I’m in a peculiar position because of the familiar bond I share with Shia, and so I’m quite a bit older than I look.”

Hattie nodded.

“This has often given me a fish out of water feeling,” Dawson placed his hands on the table, “when socializing beyond business. And, I’ve come to realize that with you, I feel quite comfortable. And since...Mr. Liobald took an interest in you, it forced me to reevaluate myself, and my feelings. Miss Hattie.”

Dawson cleared his throat, “Would you allow me to formally court you, if you are available?”

Hattie’s brain functions froze.

[What?] Monte let out a tiny growl, [I didn’t think he’d have the guts to move so fast.]

[What?] Hattie asked, Monte’s question having knocked her out of her stupor.

[Hattie, Dawon’s waiting for your answer.]

Hattie looked at Dawson. For goodness’s sake, he had a full head of red locks! Even if on the inside he was as old as her, this was such a strange proposition. She forced herself to take a deep breath. So, physically, a match between them seemed bizarre. But what of the man himself? He’d given her fair treatment, and the ability to attend the school. He made sure students without much wealth could attend as well.

When she’d gotten into trouble, he’d helped her. They both shared the magic of a familiar’s bond, and it had ostracized Dawson while it gave Hattie a chance to be more than an old maid.

So far, Dawson had proved himself to be an upstanding, helpful, capable man. Courting wasn’t the commitment of marriage, and if the relationship proved them incompatible, Hattie could just walk away.

[Monte? What do you think?]

[I like Dawson. He’s only been good to us. But it’s up to you, Hattie, if you want something more here.]

Hattie met Dawson’s eyes, the brown color almost black.

“You may,” Hattie stood up, “Dawson, I’m going to head to my room, as it’s been quite a long evening. Let’s talk more tomorrow.”

Dawson stood up, and Hattie turned away with Monte, down the hall.

Once Hattie left the room, Dawson’s face turned almost as red as his hair.

The two talked the next day, and set up to go on an outing the next week. Hattie arranged with Vivianne to go on a shopping trip, since she would need something to wear that wasn’t her purple dress.

The relationship progressed slowly, and sweetly.

Dawson asked Hattie to marry him a few months later. When Clementine found out, (she and her father had stopped keeping an eye on Hattie, but they had just gotten Clementine’s siblings to take over, so she said she was blame free) she insisted Hattie hold the wedding at Derington Holding, and she managed to wrangle her mother’s permission to do so.

The day of the ceremony was the first time Hattie had returned to her long time home. Things had come full circle.

On Dawson’s side, the wedding was attended by most of the school’s students, many alumni, and several of Dawson’s old army buddies.

Hattie had her whole slew of new and old friends come. Of course, the Duke and his family, and all the staff of Derongton Holding were there. The entire Smith family traveled from Redshire, and Ally, Alex, Trina, and Balkin made it too. Hattie invited Emily, the clerk from the Adventurer’s guild, and Eudora, Bluebell Inn’s proprietress. Her cousin Monte, who was a decade younger than her, managed to make it. Monte, the wolf, was a bit disappointed in his namesake. Monte, the human, was an obnoxious chatterbox, to the exasperation of everyone around him.

Hattie and Monte moved into Dawson’s house, but Hattie didn’t become a simple housewife. She and Monte began going on missions for the Adventurer Guild again, but without a team. With Hattie’s feral abilities and Monte’s skills, they were enough to take down several monster threats.

Most rewarding to Hattie, though, was that she started working at the Mage Academy as a counselor for the students who were a little lost, who wanted a bit of guidance.

That was the legacy Hattie left behind, when she died about ten years later. A woman who had ventured out into the unknown, and taught the students that they could too.

As for everyone else?

Monte stayed with Dawson and Shia until his own passing a few months after Hattie. He hadn't lived out his natural lifespan by far, but the heartbreak of losing Hattie did him in.

Dawson ran the school succesfully for another century, Shia, as always, invisible by his side. Vivianne became a successful alchemist. Freddy never ended up becoming a platinum ranked adventurer, but he managed gold. Taiki's skill in carpentry made him a much sought after trademan, and he prospered. Min ended up marrying rather young, since he had to take responsibilty for a baby girl, whom he named Hattie Grace, after his beloved grandmother and adopted grandma. Clementine did marry, but she was in her thirties by the time she found the right one for her, and she kept in touch with Dawson. Han's stall became an even bigger success after the introduction of his mother's delicious tea to the menu. Ally and her team perished during a mission that went wrong. Not everyone has a happy ending, after all, as is the way of things. Liobald passed his business onto one of his nieces, before retiring to a small town with a new name. The pustule faced boy followed Hattie's advice and his skin cleared up. Underneath all the pimples was a shockingly handsome face. He was so pleased the remedy worked, he sold his cart and horse, patented Hattie's home remedy, and grew qutie rich.

But if you ever remember Hattie and her adventures, out of all things, remember this:

No matter who you are, how old you are, where you are, or when you are.

You can venture beyond the comfort of the familiar, and find friends in the strangest places, love behind unexpected corners, and meaning in the mundane.