The gates of Calder loomed ahead, tall and imposing, their edges gilded with the emblem of the stronghold's power; four interlocking crests, each representing one of the major families. As the most powerful of the four major families, the Morn Crest in particular stood bold and proud.
Andres Morn rode at the front, the cold wind pulling at his cloak, but his expression didn't waver. It had been a year and a half since the ambush, long enough for his name to fade into memory, long enough for the conspirators to root themselves and take his place. But not long enough for him to forget.
Aurelia rode beside him, silent, calm, eyes scanning everything. She wore a thick cloak to hide her weakness, but the fire in her gaze never dimmed. She hadn't come as a guest or a shadow, she came as his partner.
The journey through the stronghold was suffocating, every corner, every corridor of the Morn estate echoed with old memories and sharpened whispers. Servants froze. Guards fumbled their greetings.
The Morn estate was not waiting with open arms. Whispers followed them like ghosts. They were all stunned to see Andres alive. They had all thought him dead. They had all moved on.
The rot had spread deep. His enemies were not hiding. They had rooted themselves in power and stood tall, laughing behind closed doors. Many of his former allies had bent their knees to the new order, some for benefits, some because they had lost hope for his return.
"He's supposed to be dead," one whispered.
"Whose body was brought back then?" another murmured.
But Andres said nothing. He simply dismounted, walked into the great hall as if he had never left, and demanded an audience with the elders.
---
The first few days were quiet, still.
Formalities, meetings, hollow welcomes.
A few dared to question his identity, only to be silenced by the cold steel in his voice.
The days that followed were swift and brutal.
Andres did not smile, did not flinch. He stood before the elders of the Morn family - men who had once praised him, then turned a blind eye when he was left for dead, and laid out names. Evidence, crimes. Each sealed document was prepared by Aurelia, who had quietly followed trails, picked apart financial records, intercepted communications, and found out just who had sold him for a seat at the table.
She handed him each page and he went after them. No one had expected him to move so quickly or to return with a wife whose mind was as sharp as a blade.
One by one, the traitors were exposed. Some fled, some begged, some were executed without a word.
Andres didn't waver, Aurelia quietly helped him take his revenge and reclaim his place.
Those who had remained loyal gathered once more,still willing to follow him. They kneeled and pledged their loyalty again.
The former family head, an aging figurehead who had allowed the corruption to spread under the guise of balance, was quietly unseated.
And Andres took his place as head of the Morn family.
---
The wedding was small. Aurelia had no friends and no family and Andres was the same, besides they didn't need an audience.
Aurelia wore a simple white gown, her hair was pulled back, a few strands loose around her face. Her smile was faint, but warm.
"I promise," Andres said, his voice barely above a whisper as he tied the red ribbon around her wrist, "I'll take care of everything. You don't have to fight anymore. Just… stay with me."
She looked at him, eyes glimmering with love and happiness.
"I will."
And so, Aurelia became the Madam of the Morn family.
---
Their days were peaceful.
Andres ruled decisively, with Aurelia beside him in every meeting. She offered insight, even though she stayed quiet when others were around. To the rest of Calder, she was just the beautiful wife of the new Morn family head. Only a few truly understood that without her, Andres would still be nothing more than a ghost on the edge of Calder's history.
He didn't let her lift heavy things. He didn't let her train. He insisted she rest, sleep longer, take walks in the garden.
"You've done enough," he told her every time she tried to offer more. "Just stay with me. That's all I want."
And Aurelia smiled, because she believed him. He was her strength. She was his anchor. His eyes were soft, his hands warm, his kisses honest.
After everything, she believed this was her happy ending. Their marriage was strong. Their home was calm. Their future was steady. And it would continue this way…
Or so Aurelia thought.