Calm and happiness invaded the hearts of the Valirente family, who had left the capital with many of their concerns resolved, leaving only the intrigue of the presence of the new King, who due to lack of relationship, had little to get involved with them.

And so, with this unconcern on them, they had a pleasant trip accompanied by no setback except for one, which occurred on the second day of travel and had to do with Lier.

This young Captain and former thief, although he knew that his mistress would fulfill her promise to visit the capital again, could not help but think of that young and cheerful lady he met in the mansion and who caught his attention.

She was not the first that interested him, nor was she the most beautiful, and neither had he spent much time with her, it only coincided that it was within his range of taste, and only with this was the task of conquering her, with good results.

This could end up as several of his light relationships or adventures if it weren't that he was no longer the carefree old thief that he used to be, but a captain, whose loyalty and responsibility has been embedded in him almost forcibly in his morale, to through all the positive experience gained in his time serving this little family.

And it is these same values, who now firmly tied this slight infatuation, to make it something serious, so much so that since they left, you could see the symptoms of infatuation, showing themselves in their unusual absent-mindedness, something of which, all who could notice well, he might notice it, including his lords, Yulio and Crystal Valirente, the latter being the one who faced him at break time, saying.

"Hey thief of hearts, come over here."

"Yes, Ma'am, what do you want?" Lier replied, after arriving before her, after listening to her.

"How serious are you with Miss April?" Said Katiuscria.

"Ma'am?."

"Don't play stupid and answer."

"I ..., I don't know ..., I'm sorry, being honest, it's the first time I've tried to think about making a serious relationship," he said honestly, knowing that any excuse was worse than the truth before his mistress."

"Yeah, I get it, so you're a coward."

“Coward?” Lier said, offended.

"Yes, you are a coward, you're not determined enough to throw her out or stick with her, and not even to play with her and then go off like a bastard, that makes you a coward."

"I ... I'm sorry."

"I haven't finished yet, since I'll tell you that for this reason, you are expelled from my forces."

"Ma'am but"

"But nothing, this army may have been built on thieves and corrupt, but not cowards, that's why you're leaving."

"Ma'am mercy, I swear on my life that I will change."

"Will you change? Do you swear on your life? I see that by the way you are a thief and a coward, you are a charlatan."

"I..."

"Shut up, cowards don't have this right, they just run away, but I believe in second chances."

"Ma'am?"

"I will give you a mission, I want you to return to the capital and watch over the king's actions, and it is better for you that when you return or if we come to the capital, you are no longer a coward, you understand."

"I ... yes, my lady, thank you for your kindness."

"I don't want to hear bullshit, I want results, so get out of here."

"Yes, Ma'am," Lier said before turning and leaving for the capital, taking with him only what he had with him.

Once he was far away, the young Yulio who was enjoying all this act could not help but comment on his wife.

"You're very kind."

"No, I am, it's just that insecure people make me angry."

"Like me," Yulio said, a little offended.

"No, you're just shy, not a coward hiding in excuses."

"I'm glad you think so highly of me."

"Of course not, I only expose facts," Crystal said a little embarrassed.

"It still makes me happy."

"You're impossible."

"What can I tell you."

Yulio finished saying in front of his tender and conflictive wife, and then change the subject and talk about other things.

And many other things had spoken for the rest of the return trip, which in a general sense continued without problems until arriving at its now home, the territory of Desparamo before starting the first snowfalls which brought with them a world painted white.

Everything was white or gray in which case, as was the sky above them.

White was the mountains, which camouflaged the gray sky.

White was the plains as if a delicate tablecloth covered a flat table.

White was the river, whose poor life was hidden under ice and snow.

And White were the roofs of the town's houses, acting as a protective shield.

Everything was white this year, just like the previous ones.

Difficult years, years of cold, hunger, and death.

But not this year.

Since this year, there were resources to live, and more than this, there was enough to laugh, cry, and enjoy the lazy life in the snow.

And among the people, who enjoyed this life, a small family could be seen from time to time, throwing snowballs, behind a large mansion.

But nothing can be eternal and the calm and laziness of the cold winter were replaced by the animosity and diligence that the new year and the coming of spring brought.

A year full of dreams and hopes for a town that had found a ladder at the bottom of a well, the same hope that the young couple shared in their enthusiasm to improve their environment and life.

And one of these hopes was to end all the drama in which his life is wrapped, and luckily for them, an opportunity for this was presented as in the form of an invitation to the capital.

[

From: Leryn the King of Reigaria

To: the Marquis Valirente

How are you, I hope you are well.

It seems that our problems are about to end, we have discovered Querin's hideout, so I invite you in a hurry to go to the capital, to discuss the details.

]