“A thousand pardons, but that’s none of your concern,” she said. “His Highness and I have matters to discuss that were overlooked during the last meeting between the high kingdom and the duchy.”

“Likely story,” the younger guard smirked. “It’s all right, Your Ladyship. War time gets the best of all of us.”

Her face started taking in the color of a wild red turnip. She knew exactly what he was implying. It was no secret among the army and lords what the terms for the merging of the duchy entailed. This foolish guard was surely assuming she couldn’t hold off until the wedding and subsequent coronation. But before she could open her mouth or even raise her hand against him, the older guard had already jabbed the man’s side with the blunt end of his spear.

“Shut your mouth, you idiot! Have some respect for the Duke’s daughter! She might even be your queen someday—!“ He turned to the young squirrel and bowed deeply. “S-Sorry, Your Ladyship. Mortimer doesn’t care much for his life, apparently.”

“Let her in!” The aggressive cry from within the tent caused both men to jump a foot above their post.

“Y-yes, Your Highness!” The two quickly parted the entrance of the tent, allowing the flustered Lady to walk in. She did not make it far inside before she bumped right against the King’s chest. The towering royal hedgehog, known under the moniker of Shadow, had approached all of a sudden to peer his head out of the aperture and give the young guard a menacing glare. Although dressed down for the night, his simple clothes did not take away from his intimidating presence. Before he could fully step outside, Sandy pulled him back in. The last thing the lady squirrel needed was a confrontation loud enough to get her people’s attention.

“Second post, both of you!” He barked and Sandy listened as the guards’ footsteps quickly faded into the distance.

“Shh! The general will have my tail if he knows I snuck out,” she whispered harshly as she fastened the tent’s entrance shut.

“I’ll have his head if you wish,” Shadow growled, his eyes fixated on the spot where the young guard would’ve been standing at the other side of the cloth. For a moment, she wasn’t sure if he was speaking of the mouthy guard or the general, but neither implication boded well. Sandy turned and placed a hand on his chest, causing him to surprisingly pacify.

“No need to be so extreme! This union is one of peace. We are turning over a new leaf, Your Highness.”

“Hrmm. So be it.” He sighed. His brow creased as he scanned her dark attire that left nearly everything to the imagination. “You look...”

“Yes?” She beamed. Is His Stoicness rearing for a sarcastic joke or comment? This would be rich.

“Eh,” Shadow waved dismissively before turning towards the sitting area and muttering quietly to himself, “It won’t matter in a few minutes, anyway.”

“Beg pardon?” What was the last comment...?

“Please sit, My Lady.”

The small lady accepted his request, sitting at one end of his palatial fainting couch, a surprisingly lofty addition to the tent during a time of war. Shadow sat at the opposite end of the couch, his informal pose trying to hide the obvious stress his body radiated. Sandy frowned, worried about the king’s state of mind.

If ruling over the currently panicked High Kingdom of Kismet wasn’t enough, the recent fall of his Field Marshall in battle had Shadow taking charge of the entire army; an army that was set to spread itself thin after the kingdom and allied dukedom would unite. The Imperial Nation of Mota was advancing towards the Duchy of Yond and in a state of panic, the Duke was willing to give up his land, his family’s title and daughter’s hand in marriage to the king in exchange for His Highness’ protection. Sandy had no idea what her father could have gotten himself into to make him so afraid to face the Imperial army, but it was surely bigger than she could imagine.

At the very least, she was thankful to be well acquainted with the king rather than being married off to a complete stranger. He was a man of few words and even less humor, but he had a heart for his people, even if his strict enforcement often ended with someone’s head on a guillotine. She was looking forward to the opportunity to reduce such drastic measures of punishment, although she could somedays be a little hot-headed herself.

“So... you called,” she said, shifting in anticipation. Being able to work together with the king to make a difference in the land was an exciting thought. She was thrilled to be in his presence. Anything to keep her thoughts away from this bloody war.

“Yes,” he shifted closer, trying to keep his casual tone. “First of all, My Lady—“

“So formal, Shadow!” She grinned over her own teasing. “C’mon, it’s me! We’ve known each other since we were adolescent!” She cheerfully scooted a bit closer, his quickening breath going completely unnoticed by her. “I know we’re here to talk post-coronation matters, but...” she laid her hand on his knee with a reassuring smile. “It’s just you and me here. Please breathe a little. Take the weight off your shoulders for just a few moments before we begin.”

Shadow’s ever-stoic eyes locked sights with her cheerful ones and he reached to lightly touch her face. “Actually, M— Sandy...” he rested his other hand on top of hers. “We’ve already begun.”

Sandy’s brow creased in confusion. “Huh?”

“Post-coronation matters... include our own private matters.”

“What are you say—?”

She couldn’t even finish the thought before their extreme proximity rendered her speechless. An embrace was imminent and she wasn’t sure if it was just the stress manifesting within him. Before their lips connected, she pressed her hands against his chest.

“W-wait, wait! Do you really want to do this?!” She wasn’t sure if she was directing this question to him or herself.

His dashing, rarely witnessed smile made her quake. “That stupid guard was a disrespectful lout, but he wasn’t wrong. War does take the best from us. Sometimes we need to remember and... experience what’s in store after it’s over.” He played with the hem of her collar before starting to pull. “Allow me to share what’s in store for us just a bit earlier than planned... my future queen.”