It had been three months since Elena arrived in Melrose.

  Three months in which the entire duchy shifted from chaos to order, as if the pieces had simply been waiting for someone who knew where to pce them.The roads were now passable.The vilges had active trade again.The troops —few and scattered— were now training regurly.And the nobles, even the most skeptical ones, fell silent when faced with the numbers and results.

  But despite the remarkable progress, Elena knew it wasn’t enough.

  A duchy cannot survive alone.It needed connections.It needed alliances.

  The Meeting with PayneThe light marble hall where the meeting was held smelled of soft incense and freshly treated leather. Payne, leader of the Congregation of Sacred Swords, wasn’t one to waste time.

  But this time, he took it.

  —Reports speak highly of you, Princess Elena —he said after the formal greetings—. Very highly, actually. Your reforms have transformed Melrose more in three months than other territories in three years.

  —It’s not just my doing —Elena replied with a diplomatic smile—. I had access to resources, and the people here are more than willing to work... once they know where to go.

  Payne nodded, thoughtful.

  —Even so, I’m surprised. And gd... for Aria.

  Elena gnced at him.—Gd for her?

  —Yes. She’s strong, perhaps stronger than most of us. But she wasn’t born to rule. Not in the way a duchy requires. She has no patience for diplomacy, nor economic vision. She only has will... and the edge of her illusions.

  —I know.

  —That’s why I thank you —Payne said seriously, meeting her eyes—. You’re not just saving Melrose. You’re saving one of our own. One who would never ask for help... but needed it all the same.

  Elena didn’t respond immediately.She simply nodded.And that was enough.

  The next day, Payne sent three captains from his guild as temporary advisors to help form a new order of knights in Melrose.Elena hadn’t expected it so soon.But she already had a pce for them.

  The Forgotten Letter and SallyWith swords in pce, it was time to turn to quills... or rather, adventurers.

  The next meeting took pce in a renovated tavern in central Melrose. It was in perfect condition, with solid tables and good food, but no decorations or color.

  Sally arrived with a smile and a folder brimming with documents.

  —So... is it true this is the only territory without an adventurers’ guild?

  —Huh? —Aria said, not looking up from her tea—. What do you mean, no guild?

  Sally tilted her head, amused.—I sent you a letter a month ago. Though maybe I should’ve sent it as an urgent quest, with a reward included.

  Aria stared at her silently... then pointed at a pile of unopened letters in the corner of the table.

  —Gods —Elena murmured, pinching the bridge of her nose—. It’s real...

  —Don’t worry, I’m used to it. Payne’s like that sometimes too.

  —No —Elena said—. This is worse.

  Sally burst out ughing and spread a map over the table.

  —Anyway, I’m officially here to request the establishment of an adventurers’ guild in Melrose. The territory is safe, trade is flowing, and the roads are connected. It’s the perfect time.

  —Why now? —Aria asked, interested for the first time.

  —Because many adventurers are already coming on their own —Elena expined—. Melrose’s reputation has improved. What used to be a wless wastend is now a haven and an opportunity.

  —Besides, they love that Aria lives here —Sally added, picking a grape from a tray—. You know, the mystique of the Ashen Rose.

  Aria sighed.—That’s popur too?

  —Everything becomes popur if people see you as a living legend —Sally said.

  —I’m normal.

  —Sure you are —Sally and Elena said in unison.

  Brief EpilogueAfter the meeting ended, Sally and Elena walked outside together. Aria had stayed behind, finally going through the letters Elena had forcefully pced in front of her.

  —You know? I like you —Sally said, watching the sunset—. You have that mix of politics and humanity that makes people listen without feeling they’re being ordered around.

  —And you know how to turn danger into a game.

  —Thanks! But really... if you ever want to join my guild, just say the word. We’d welcome you with open arms.

  —Thank you —Elena replied softly—. But for now... my pce is here.

  The Ashen Rose.The rebuilt town.And the woman who had once saved her... and whom she now wanted to protect.

  And as the stones began to fall into pce, Elena understood that true order... was also an echo of the heart.