At Campter Manor's training grounds, a young man stopped practicing his sword and stepped down from the Training Stage. The woman seated in the pavilion watched him approach, set down her book, rose to her feet, and went to meet him.
The young man looked at his wife with a hint of helplessness, spreading his arms and letting her have her way.
Lolisa smiled gently. She first cast a spell to remove the sweat and dust from him, then took an outer robe from a maid and helped him into it. Her movements were soft and practiced, as though she had done this countless times.
After fastening his belt, she stepped back a few paces and looked at the husband she had dressed herself, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.
The young man came before Lolisa, reached out to pat her head, and asked with a smile, "All done?"
"All done."
Feeling her husband's touch, Lolisa's face blossomed with a happy smile. She then threw herself into his chest, inhaled his scent, and wore a contented expression.
Thud, thud.
Hurried footsteps approached. Lolisa reluctantly released her husband and smoothed the wrinkles in her clothes.
"My lord, the guards report that Lord Velin has arrived," said a Low-Gold Knight, bowing respectfully from ten meters away.
"Please ask our guest to wait a moment. I'll be there shortly."
"Yes, my lord."
After the Mid-Gold Knight withdrew, the young man gently extended a finger and affectionately scratched the bridge of his wife's nose. Smiling, he said, "Go take out the Lorriya Tea I've been saving and brew a pot. Then prepare two crates of Cold Wind Fruit."
"Leave it to me." Lolisa pushed him lightly and said, "Go on. We were the ones who invited Lord Velin here. Keeping him waiting too long would