After Henwell animatedly recites a few passages, lissa finally can't take the mushy words anymore. She waves her hands, "Stop, stop! Even if those letters were given to , I wouldn't want to read them!"
In reality, Count Marcus hasn't withheld Henwell's letters. It's not that Marcus is okay with Henwell courting his daughter; it's more about Henwell's audacity. Initially, Count Marcus did indeed intercept Henwell's letters to lissa, intending to keep this wild lad away from his daughter.
But when Henwell didn't receive any replies, he boldly rode alone to Mist Fortress to find lissa. This infuriated Count Marcus, who arranged for Henwell to be driven away. However, Henwell found various ways to secretly et lissa. And lissa? She clearly has feelings for Henwell, even sneaking out to spend a day with him around Eastern Mist City.
Seeing that he couldn't keep them apart, Count Marcus eventually stopped intercepting Henwell's letters, to prevent Henwell from staying here and don't leave. Over the years, Henwell has been sending two or three letters each month, even while on diplomatic missions to the Kingdom of Billie. Moreover, every six months, he finds so excuse to visit Mist Fortress and see lissa.
Thus, their relationship has been steadily growing stronger. Arius has also promised to seek the Duke's help in proposing to Count Marcus on Henwell's behalf after his own marriage.
This ti, due to Henwell's diplomatic mission, the two haven't seen each other for quite a while.
lissa looks up at the now six-foot-three Henwell. "You've grown taller again!"
Henwell strikes a pose. "I reckon I'll keep growing! I'm only twenty, and soone said I could shoot up again at twenty-three!"
Henwell then begins to share amusing stories from his ti in the Kingdom of Billie. The two young people chat for three hours, lost in each other's company.
Eventually, Mildred approaches, casting a sidelong glance at Henwell before softly saying to lissa, "Miss, the Count has asked you to return and rest."
Reluctantly, lissa gets up to bid Henwell farewell. Henwell waves her off with a smile, "Go get so rest! I'm leaving tomorrow. When I co back, I'll bring you so delicious treats!"
As lissa gazes at the smiling Henwell, she suddenly turns and rushes to his side, looking up at the tall young man. "You've always been fighting, always striving. This ti is no different. You must co back safely!"
Henwell is taken aback for a mont, then smiles reassuringly. "Don't worry! I made it through the Path of Honor, didn't I? I'll co back safe this ti too!"
lissa grips his arm tightly. "It's different! This ti, it's your own Path of Honor. You have to co back alive! You're always one step ahead of everyone else. This ti, be even faster. I'll be waiting for you at ho, waiting for you to co back safe."
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Feeling her hand squeeze his arm, Henwell stiffens slightly, then replies, "I will."
With that, Henwell takes a couple of steps away, then turns back to lissa. Leaning down to her ear, he whispers, "I will co back to marry you! Wait for ."
Watching Henwell's retreating figure, lissa's eyes are filled with worry, and she softly murmurs, "Henwell..."
At that mont, Mildred cos to lissa's side. "Miss, what did he say to you?"
lissa suddenly breaks into a smile. "He said he will definitely co back."
Mildred quips, "Of course! With all his tricks, he'll surely find all sorts of reasons to co see you again!"
……
That night, Henwell goes to bed early, but no one knows he spends the entire night with his eyes open, lost in thought.
The next day, Henwell leaves Mist Fortress, heading towards the Kingdom of Billie.
Around noon, Knight Gunter reports to Count Marcus.
"He’s gone! It seems Miss lissa said sothing to him."
Count Marcus looks at Knight Gunter. "That depends on what you told Miss lissa."
"I simply ntioned that Henwell is facing a dangerous situation, with a significant risk of dying in the Kingdom of Billie."
"That's enough! Did the lad show any unusual behavior?"
Knight Gunter shakes his head. "No! He didn't rush off last night, and when he left today, he seed quite relaxed."
"But!"
Knight Gunter pauses. "Once he left the city, he pushed his horse to its limits, galloping towards the Kingdom of Billie."
Count Marcus chuckles lightly. "Heh... what a promising young man! Understanding the gravity of the situation, but remaining calm in the face of danger. Instead of retreating to Peace Haven, he continues towards Billie. Not abandoning Arius shows both wisdom and courage!"
Knight Gunter sighs, "Ah~! He should have found an excuse, like being injured or sick."
Count Marcus shakes his head. "That's not possible! It's his destiny. As long as he desires Peace Haven, he must go! Peace Haven, after all his efforts, is practically his already, his foundation. He can't back down; he must face danger head-on and can't let any information leak."
Knight Gunter expresses concern, "Count, if that's the case, it’s hard for him to return alive."
"That's why I don't want lissa entangled with him. If he truly returns alive, then I'll give him a chance!"
As Count Marcus and Knight Gunter converse, Henwell is racing down the road, pushing his horse to its limits. Despite the cool early spring breeze, he's drenched in sweat—not from tiredness, but from fear.
After a night of contemplation, Henwell has a rough idea of the impending events. Just as Count Marcus pointed out, Henwell knows the odds of returning alive are slim. Yet, he must journey to Billie; retreating is not an option.
If he backs down, he might save his life, but everything he has fought for over the years would vanish. His army, his enterprises, his title, his territory—all would be lost. Henwell would revert to being the penniless youth he was years ago, adrift in this world, accept the fate assigned to oneself by others.
Henwell's decision to return to Billie is partly because he has learned of the situation early enough to have so room for maneuver. Additionally, he has laid significant groundwork in the Kingdom of Billie, with resources and allies he can leverage.
Though reaching into the fire is perilous, the potential rewards are substantial. In the worst-case scenario, he could fight his way out alone and regroup to start anew.
Henwell possesses a few advantages unbeknownst to others.
First, his personal strength has reached the level of a Grand Knight, providing a solid foundation for survival.
Second, he has positioned nurous people within the Kingdom of Billie, granting him a degree of strategic flexibility.
Third, his collaboration with Princess Catherine offers him a strategic edge.
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