"So that's how it is..." Esteban said after getting the whole picture of the events surrounding his cousin from her capture to her meeting with Lord Bernardo and finally to the circumstances that brought them here "I see. So I truly have many things to thank you for, Lord Bernardo..."

"It's not really a problem, your majesty." Bernardo said in humility with slight fear in his heart for his life as he was a Gissario "I merely ask that you look kindly upon my acts and spare my life and allow me to continue my work as Lady Leonia's knight..."

"If you put it like that you make me sound like some sort of bloodthirsty tyrant, senor." Esteban said with an uneasy expression

"Executing half the nobles of Provaria didn't really help your image." Valasaire chimed in with a slight chuckle

"Anyways, your loyalty and bravery should be rewarded with more than just what you're suggesting, senor." Esteban continued as he began to explain "I'll tell you now that I intend to move the capital and the seat of power of Provaria from Valencei to the great city of Siesia. The Valamen support is already entrenched there and its location makes it a far more effective trade hub than this city... and the fact that it isn't half destroyed also helps..."

"As is your right as king, your majesty." Bernardo answered

"Now, leaving this place like that may sound easy on paper but the power vacuum it'll leave behind and the busy relocation of the many government offices as well as business would be a very large project and I need someone to look after this city and oversee it in the long run. Most of my supporters frankly are Valamen and are much more interested in investing their time into the new capital and I dare not trust the former nobles with governing the city. I must first apologize to you as instead of a reward, it's more akin to loading off a burden upon your shoulders but I must request your help in governing this city. Your status as the last Gissario allowed to walk openly and freely should help ease over the transition. Will you accept me granting you the former titles of my grandfather as well as the mayoral palace of Valencei along with that?"

Bernardo's eyes widened as he heard the offer from the king. He'd consider himself lucky to even be spared and allowed to live out the rest of his days by being a knight but to be offered such a position was beyond his wildest imagination. Although it could be seen as a burdensome punishment, the amount of prestige that comes with it could not be ignored as well. Even though the seat of power would be moved, the city of Valencei itself after some years of development and rebuilding could prosper once more. As his head was being filled with ideas he couldn't help but return to reality when he saw Leonia's smile as he was reminded of his oath to be her knight. He lightly shook his head as he faced King Esteban.

"It is a most humbling and honorable proposal, your majesty, and I would be honored as well to accept it but I must decline with my utmost respect."

"And why is that? You don't seem to be a person without ambition." Esteban replied with a raised eyebrow

"That may be true and I may be quite enticed, but I am a man of my word and I stand by it so when I said I would serve milady and ensure her protection, I'll stand by it. It wouldn't be possible to serve her with a title higher than hers as inheriting the titles of Senor Armando would make me a duke and from my understanding her titles after inheritance would be only that of a countess. So I must decline, your majesty. A simple official pardon, a place to stay near milady, and a salary enough to not starve for both me and milady would suffice."

Leonia had a confused expression on her as she heard what Bernardo had said. Though she had grown to trust him more, she still wasn't expecting him to go through with all he said. But she would be lying if she said she wasn't honestly flattered with slight blushing apparent on her face. However, she knew that this opportunity was a once in a lifetime and so moved next to Bernardo with a smile.

"Bernardo, your fealty to me though short, I believe is fulfilled." She said "You promised to take me to my cousin and ensure my safety and clearly you've done it and accomplished your quest..."

"I'm afraid that's not the case, senorita. When I said I'd ensure your safety, I meant it indefinitely." Bernardo easily shot back

Esteban merely laughed after seeing the two go about their relationship with each other and then clasped his hands loudly. "Alright, this seems to be a non-issue then. If it's only a matter of safety then this shouldn't be a problem. As the king whom you've also sworn fealty to, you are obligated to do it when I order you to accept the titles and responsibilities I confer upon you. Is that a problem?"

"But what about-..."

"I wasn't finished, senor." Esteban cut Bernardo's interruption while raising his hand to stop him "It will be arranged for you two to be wedded then."

"Que?!!" The two said in surprise as their jaws dropped

"Why act so surprised? You can continue your obligation to protect her indefinitely as a husband whilst I secure your loyalty by having you marry my cousin. About your status as a bastard... I understand from my cousin's retelling of your stories that your mother was a Sihoras, yes? Then might I ask dispensation from the Rumasilian King to acknowledge him as such?"

"That prerogative is entirely on the hands of the head of the Sihoras main family." Valasaire answered "But it could be arranged with a few well explained letters so it shouldn't be a problem."

"Then that's settled." Esteban said to the two who were still in a stupor over what had just transpired. Seeing the two not complaining and merely nodding after a while of the news sinking in, Esteban dismissed them while saying the plans for the wedding will be talked about at a later date and that they were now officially engaged.

After that, Esteban and the rest stayed in the throne room to discuss some further issues.

"Then that's settled." Esteban said to the two who were still in a stupor over what had just transpired. Seeing the two not complaining and merely nodding after a while of the news sinking in, Esteban dismissed them while saying the plans for the wedding will be talked about at a later date and that they were now officially engaged.

After that, Esteban and the rest stayed in the throne room to discuss some further issues of governance and plans of rebuilding along with the finalization of the transfer of the Provarian colonies in Destairos to Rumasil and Aerland well as the redrawing of several ducal titles in the Provarian Isles. Esteban seeked to centralize the power within his kingdom in Siesia and begin to slowly erode the defunct feudal system that Provaria and several other states still cling to. The talks went on for a few hours until night along with the drafting and signing of the new treaties.

***

Leonia and Bernardo were walking awkwardly together after they left the king's throne room. They still couldn't quite wrap their heads around what the king had just ordered in that they were to be wed. Bernardo sought to take a walk back to the harbors to get his horse back from his friend whilst trying to get his mind clear of any odd thoughts. He had tried to excuse himself from Leonia, saying that he was going out for a bit on a little errand but to his surprise she asked to come along with him and he lacking any good excuses could do nothing but agree.

Leonia soon came to regret her decision of walking with her knight as the entire hour-long walk until this moment had been in complete and awkward silence where the two would occasionally steal glances at each other and start to blush when their eyes met. Leonia especially found it hard to start up a conversation with her now fiancee.

Finally unable to bear the awkwardness in the air, Bernardo stopped in his tracks and turned around to face Leonia. They were in the market part of the city where there were many inns and taverns abound. The chaos of the king's sieging and retaking of Valencei as well as the blockade had took its toll on the businesses in the city, but now that the situation has started to calm down with the patrolling of Rumasilian and Aerlish soldiers to take care of the public unrest and quell any riots, life was slowly starting to return to normal within Valencei.

"Is there something wrong? Why're you stopping?" Leonia asked while slightly averting her eyes from Bernardo's gaze

"I'm feeling quite famished right now, senorita. Haven't really eaten anything since this morning." Bernard said as he pointed to food stall in front of an inn with chairs and tables for them to eat "What do you think? It might be different from the great feasts of the nobility but compared to the food in the colonies, it shouldn't be too bad."

Leonia finally felt the tension slowly begin to relax around them as she rolled her eyes, "Oh please, I'm not that spoiled," Leonia said as she slightly punched Bernardo's chest "Lead the way."

The two found themselves a seat and to their surprise there were quite a few Rumasilian soldiers going in and outside the inn with some even eating out at the front. Near their table, an old-looking dog was sleeping away not the slightest bothered by the commotion.

"Have you eaten here before?" Leonia asked in confusion "This place is... unique."

"This place is special. I'm shocked you don't know about it..." a voice from inside said "I'm surprised to see you here, Gissario."