The servants and guards of Castle Ildemar rushed around on their errands, the sunny morning and blooming spring reflected in their springing step and joyful chatter. A few of the laundry maids were hanging fresh sheets to dry while humming a love song, their eyes darting from time to time to the squires and knights sprawled panting and laughing on the ground after the end of their sword practice. The good weather had driven even some of Stone-face William’s scribes out of their dusty rooms and into the shade of the trees surrounding the open gallery that ran around the whole inner courtyard.

It was unclear who first saw the approaching couple, but the whisper spread like a rustling breeze, rose to a gale of confused murmur, and then crescendoed into a hurricane of jubilant shouts and stomping feet. Everyone present in the courtyard rushed towards the gallery, where the Duke of Norden carefully supported his Duchess on their stroll.

Next to the robust, dark figure of their Lord, the Lady was like a delicate blossom blooming on a winter branch. The mauve and silver ribbons in her braid harmonized with the simple lilac dress she was wearing, creating an air of pure nobility despite the lack of any further embellishments. The only jewel she had on was a simple bronze brooch encrusted with a piece of polished argali horn in the shape of a swallow that hung on her chest.

On that spring morning, unknown to Lorelei, she had stolen the hearts of men and women alike. And above all, the heart of the one standing closest to her.

Swarmed from all sides, Noah wrapped his arm around Lorelei’s waist, prepared to put his body between her and the crowd the moment their well-wishing but intrusive retainers came too close. However, either deterred by his mere presence and threatening stare or their sense of propriety, the servants halted a pace away from the couple with a look of reverence and admiration on their faces. Shoving and whispering amongst themselves, a middle-aged woman was pushed forward. She shyly stepped closer, clutching a bundle of blue, star-shaped flowers with long, white stamens to her chest.

“Greetings to Their Highnesses!” The woman curtsied and all other servants followed suit and greeted them. “Uhm… We… Uhm, we were all so worried… We all prayed for the Lady’s speedy recovery every day… Praise the Gods, our prayers have finally been heard! The Lady’s awakening… We congratulate the Lord on the happy occasion. We, uhm, couldn’t prepare a proper gift, but… We hope that Your Highnesses will accept these as a symbol of our well-wishes…”

With shaking hands, she reached out and gave Noah the bundle.

“Thank you, Madam Lisel.” Noah took the flowers and smiled at the woman’s utter surprise at the fact that he remembered her name. “Your well-wishes are appreciated.”

“Thank you, Madam.” Lorelei’s slender fingers plucked a flower from the bundle. With a graceful move, she put it in her hair and her smile melted all surrounding hearts. “An earnest gift is worth more than any jewel. Thank you all for your prayers. May they return to you a hundredfold.”

A dissonant chorus of felicitations followed her words, the eyes of everyone present sparkling with contentment and pride. After another round of bows, the crowd slowly dispersed, leaving the Lords of Norden alone at last.

“Are you alright?” whispered Noah and worriedly studied Lorelei’s face. “ You look pale. Do you need to sit down?”

“I’m fine,” she sighed and her smile faded a bit. “It was just… a bit overwhelming. All those people… They all seemed… genuinely happy and worried about my health. It’s a first for me. Do you get used to it with time?”

“Can’t tell you. People are seldomly happy enough to see me to give me flowers,” replied Noah nonchalantly. He gave her the flower bundle, his free hand brushing against the blue petals in her hair, and was immediately rewarded by Lorelei’s flaming face. “Norden’s national flower sure suits you, Duchess.”

“Is… that so?” Lorelei made a desperate attempt to sound calm. “I’ve never seen this flower before. What’s its name?”

“The locals call it mòrenglaz. The name comes from-”

“The word for star ‘moren’,” Lorelei suddenly interrupted. “And I believe ‘glaz’ has the meaning of… eyes?”

“Exactly.” Noah’s brows arched and he looked at her bemused. “You are learning Binshi-ka?”

“Rish and Milly have been teaching me a few words.” The red spots on Lorelei's cheeks deepened. “I hope you won’t forbid it.”

“Why would I?” Her question dampened his smile a bit. “I was just surprised since it is a rather complex language.”

“That’s what makes it so fascinating!” Lorelei’s eyes sparkled. “It’s like solving a puzzle and on the other side lies a whole new world. It is fascinating to compare Binshi-ka to Limerian and Shareeban. I never knew there could be so many words for snow and ice!”

“I’ve never seen a noble lady get so excited over tedious language studies.” He chuckled and winked at her. “Since studying makes you so happy… Whatever you want to learn, just tell me and I’ll find you the best teachers.”

“Thank you, my lord!” Lorelei tried to hide her beaming face in the bouquet, breathing in its fresh fragrance.

Noah was drunk on the light that her whole being exuded at the moment. For a second, he thought that, should she wish for it, he would give her the whole world. A light pull at his arm made him realize that Lorelei had resumed their stroll and he hurried to match her step. Not long after, her bright voice filled his world again.

“So, mòrenglaz is the national flower of Norden? It sure looks the part.”

“It does. Moreover, its meaning is also fitting.”

“I’m sorry…” Her head sank. “I’m not very proficient in flower symbolism. I have been more concentrated on their medicinal properties…”

“No need to be ashamed. Even more so since our little blue friend here is quite the obscure weed.” On this sunny morning, walking hand in hand with Lorelei, Noah felt chattier than usual. “Since it blooms in the inhospitable north, the mòrenglaz carries the meaning of confidence and strength. Although, you won’t be seeing this written down in the official flower-guides of the Imperial Nobility. They prefer to use white lilac as a symbol of confidence rather than a little weed from Norden.”

“You are interested in flower-language?” Now it was Lorelei’s turn to sound surprised.

“I wouldn’t say interested. But an imperial prince, even a bastard one, needs to know how to carry himself in the noble circles. And those high-strung lordlings have nothing better to do than to insult each other by exchanging bouquets. Honestly, it’s so silly how earnestly they take their botanicals that it makes up for a good fun to tease them when I visit the Limris.”

“And what flowers do you usually exchange?” Lorelei threw him a side glance, her expression saying that she found it hard to imagine the Beast of Norden participating in such activities.

“I usually receive orange lilies or monkshood. The former means ‘I wish you misfortune’, while the latter is more in line with ‘You should go and die a painful death’.” Seeing his wife’s face pale, Noah hurriedly continued. “Don’t worry, the ones sending threats via flowers are at most pesky, childish flies, that’s why they usually receive in return a nice little bundle of buttercups tied with a white satin ribbon.”

From the corner of his eyes, he could see Lorelei biting on her lips, trying to suppress a giggle, the message of his bouquets not escaping her. Strolling leisurely through the courtyard, the two were engulfed in conversation. Noah found Lorelei’s enthusiasm to learn new things captivating and proceeded to share with her his knowledge of flower symbolism - a subject he once shunned with unwavering conviction now became a more than an enjoyable pastime. During his narration, he continuously stole glances at Lorelei, savoring her every expression - curiosity, confusion, delight, ardor when sharing with him medical tidbits about the plants he was mentioning.

Oblivious to their surroundings, the two left the inner courtyard and continued down the path toward the stables and dog pens. Their conversation also shifted from plants to animals. Noah told her about some of his hunting adventures and she shared the funny story about an unfortunate poacher who had rushed to seek Master Levi’s medical assistance with an arrow sticking from his behind.

As they approached the stables, a slight irregularity caught Noah’s attention. Amongst the bustle and clamor of stablehands and horses, there was someone who shouldn’t have been there. Stopping mid-sentence, he blinked several times, eyeing the tiny, wobbling figure that was slowly but doggedly closing in on the stables’ doors.

“Is…” Noah squinted. “Isn’t that… Soraishu?”

Prompted by his words, Lorelei followed his glance.

“It is.” She looked around and frowned slightly. “I don’t see his nanny or Baroness De Vindur.”

While she was saying that, the boy reached the large stable gates and, like a little silver stoat, slipped in through the crack between the wings.

“This is dangerous!” Noah abruptly released his hold on Lorelei and was about to rush after the child when the shriek of frightened horses and loud shouts erupted from the depths of the stables.

Without thinking further, Noah darted off.