Chapter 307: Chapter 62: Legend! Legend! (10)

Murphy nodded. He had never doubted her abilities.

The two of them dismounted before a slope, handing their horses to the soldiers who came to meet them, and proceeded on foot.

After passing through the final archway, they returned to the familiar courtyard.

The fountain murmured and the flowers and trees flourished. Compared to the scars of the battlefield outside, it was like another world.

However, the tranquility was broken by an unexpected figure in the courtyard.

Elizabeth Stuart Purple Eagle, a princess of the Vilt Kingdom, was standing by the fountain. She was bent slightly forward, seemingly looking at her own wavering reflection in the water, or perhaps simply lost in thought.

She was dressed today in a light, lavender court dress. Her long hair was still exquisitely styled, and her profile looked slender and graceful in the sunlight.

Hearing footsteps, Elizabeth immediately turned her head.

Upon seeing Murphy, a look of joy and a hint of relief naturally appeared on her face. "Lord Governor of Melfield, you’ve returned..."

Her words faltered slightly when she saw Aurora at Murphy’s side.

Aurora’s gaze rested on Elizabeth for a moment.

Her eyes were as calm and still as a deep autumn lake, but a closer look would have revealed that her azure pupils had contracted imperceptibly before returning to normal.

She didn’t look away immediately. Instead, with a gaze that befitted her station, she quickly and naturally looked Elizabeth over from head to toe.

From the exquisite bun and the young, beautiful face, to the well-fitting dress, and finally to the eyes that had lit up upon seeing Murphy but were now quickly adjusted to polite reserve.

The entire process took but a breath or two, elegant and beyond reproach.

Then, Aurora tilted her head slightly toward Murphy, a gentle and appropriate smile on her face, as if she were merely confirming the newcomer’s identity.

Of course, she recognized Her Highness the Princess.

After all, Her Highness the Princess had visited Monte Territory before.

And Elizabeth, during her visit to Monte Territory, had also met its lady, who was renowned for her youth, beauty, and talent.

Murphy’s expression was calm. He first turned to his wife at his side. "Aurora, this is Elizabeth Stuart Purple Eagle, Her Highness the Princess of the Vilt Kingdom. Her Highness has come to Blackstone Fortress under the orders of His Majesty William IV."

He paused briefly, then turned his gaze to Elizabeth and continued, "Her Highness Elizabeth, this is Aurora Duval Monte, my wife and the lady of Monte Territory."

As soon as Murphy finished speaking, Aurora had already taken half a step forward. She gently raised her right hand and briefly held it over her heart on her left breast. Her posture was respectful but not servile. Her azure eyes lowered slightly, then rose again to meet Elizabeth’s gaze calmly.

"It is an honor to see you again, Your Highness Elizabeth." Aurora’s voice was gentle. "For Your Highness to come to the front lines personally is truly courageous."

As Aurora performed her greeting, Elizabeth almost instinctively straightened her already ramrod-straight back, tucking her chin slightly, displaying the proper bearing of a Royal Princess.

She accepted Aurora’s courtesy and responded with a formal curtsy.

"Madam Monte," Elizabeth’s voice was clear, but a careful listener could detect a subtle tension, "you flatter me. It is merely my duty; I dare not call it courage. As for you, madam, to have personally led reinforcements to the fortress despite the hardships is far more admirable."

"Supporting the front lines is the duty of Monte Territory as a vassal of the Kingdom." Aurora smiled faintly, her tone modest. "Besides, my husband is here. I have only done what is expected of me."

Following Aurora’s words, Elizabeth’s gaze fell upon the distance of less than half a step between her and Murphy, then quickly darted away to the dancing water droplets in the fountain.

A brief silence spread through the courtyard.

Murphy broke the silence. His gaze first fell on Aurora. "You must be tired from your journey. Go back to our room and rest for a while. We can talk in detail later."

Then, he turned to Elizabeth and nodded. "Your Highness Elizabeth, my wife and I will take our leave."

Aurora had no objection to Murphy’s arrangement. She said to Elizabeth, "Your Highness, please excuse us."

Elizabeth’s fingertips curled slightly, but her face quickly bloomed into an impeccable, faint smile. "Of course. Madam Monte has had a long journey and should rest well. I won’t keep you."

Her gaze lingered on Murphy’s calm face for a moment before moving away, returning to the fountain as if the play of light and shadow in the water was particularly captivating.

Murphy said no more. He gave Elizabeth a slight nod, then reached out to gently take Aurora’s elbow, turning and leading her toward their stone house.

Aurora followed obediently, her steps light, her golden braids swaying gently behind her shoulders.

Elizabeth stood where she was, watching the two figures—one in dark blue, the other in light purple—depart side by side.

She watched Murphy push open the heavy oak door, step aside to let Aurora enter first, and then follow her inside.

The door closed softly before her, cutting off any possible sounds from within.

Once again, she was left alone in the courtyard with the sound of the tireless fountain.

She stood quietly for a while, the sunlight stretching her lavender silhouette across the damp flagstones.

After a long time, she finally turned slowly and walked toward her own quiet stone house, the hem of her dress sweeping silently across the ground.

...

Aurora was leaning back against the newly closed door, not yet fully adjusted to the dim light inside, when she felt a hand slide around her waist.

She was pulled gently forward and fell involuntarily into a firm, familiar embrace.

Murphy’s other hand was already on the nape of her neck. His fingers slipped through the ribbon at the end of her braid and pulled slightly, forcing her to tilt her face up.

Aurora let out a low "mmph," slightly surprised at first, but her body had already reacted before her mind could catch up.

She raised her arms to wrap around his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and unconsciously tangled her fingers in the black hair at the back of his head, tightening her grip slightly.

After an unknown amount of time, Murphy finally pulled back slightly. He rested his forehead against hers, his breathing heavier than usual.

Aurora’s breathing was just as unsteady. She looked at Murphy, who was inches away. "Murphy... Her Highness Princess Elizabeth, she’s only twelve, isn’t she?"

Murphy’s body stiffened imperceptibly. "Yes."

Aurora’s gaze locked onto his eyes, and her voice grew even softer. "Do you like her?"

Murphy’s brows furrowed instantly. The hand on her waist tightened as he said, his tone decisive, "Nonsense. She’s just a child."

Aurora shot him a light glare, as if to say, ’What are you so worked up about?’

That one look made Murphy lower his head again...

The firewood in the hearth CRACKLED, filling the room with warmth.

Aurora was lying on her side on a low couch covered with a thick velvet blanket. Murphy’s dark blue outer robe was draped over her. Her golden hair was spread like a cloud across the pillow, a few strands damp with a light sweat, clinging to her smooth forehead.

She quietly watched Murphy, who was a few steps away with his back to her, bent over to add wood to the fireplace.

The air was filled with the scent of burning pinewood.

After a long while, Aurora spoke softly, "Murphy..."

Murphy’s movement of adding wood paused slightly. Without turning back, he simply grunted, "Mm," to show he was listening.

"I will grow old." Her voice was very light, like a feather landing on water. "Let her stay with you."

SNAP!