POV Aiden I walked through the lit-up streets of the capital, Ciri by my side, but my eyes kept getting pulled toward the fireworks.
Way better than back in my world after all, even these fireworks were made of magic.
A huge firework suddenly shot high into the sky, shifting into the shape of a lion that could actually move through the air and pretend to roar, before fading out.
Even having seen it a few times already, it was still incredible every time.
I felt Ciri’s hand squeeze mine, practically vibrating with excitement, and she said: “Did you see that one?
That’s supposed to be Grandma!
I mean, they do call her the Lioness of Cintra!” I laughed a little.
“Of course I know that, Ciri.
You think all those times I got tortu…” I coughed lightly, “I mean, educated by Mousesack, were for nothing?” She burst out laughing and pulled me toward the music and the traveling performers.
The street was already lit up with little fireflies and hanging torches, and stalls stretched out as far as the eye could see but what stood out most was the crowd itself.
There were people of every kind, all mixed together: humans, dwarves, and even among the performers, elves.
It was incredible.
Ciri dragged me toward a meat stall and called out to the vendor: “Ma’am, two skewers, please!” The woman laughed and handed us the skewers, still steaming hot.
I paid with the purse the queen had given me before we left I still remember that whole scene: I wanted to refuse and pay with my own wages, but when she gave me that teasing smirk and said something about how I dared refuse a gift from Her Majesty, and that she’d just have to ask Mousesack to keep “educating” me further… Let’s just say I ended up accepting.
Ciri ate beside me as we walked through the streets.
Even though the area was secured, she still had to keep her hood up, unlike me.
I kept Mousesack’s sword strapped to my waist regardless, just in case.
Once she’d finished her skewer, Ciri handed me her stick I’d just finished mine and wiped her mouth with her sleeve, which made me sigh, amused: she genuinely had zero table manners, even with napkins literally right there.
But I guess that’s part of her charm.
Ciri suddenly pointed: “Look, Aiden!
A crossbow shooting contest!” I smiled and looked over: an elf was aiming his crossbow at a man strapped to a spinning wheel, several targets fixed around it.
He started firing at each one, the last target sitting right below the man’s crotch the whole crowd held its breath.
I’ll admit, moments like that always cracked me up: it’s meant to thrill the kids, but everyone knows the shooter always hits the mark.
Sure enough, the elf fired and landed it perfectly, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
Even Ciri clapped her hands wildly and said: “Aidy!
Could you do that too?!” I shook my head, amused.
“Unfortunately, I haven’t been trained with a crossbow yet, Ciri.
Maybe someday.” She pouted.
“Once you learn, we should tie my governess to the wheel and you can practice on her at least then she’d finally quit with her lessons!” I laughed, nearly tearing up.
“Ciri, let’s not plan a murder.
Besides, if Her Majesty finds out about your plan, I promise you’ll get banned from sword training.” She froze and muttered something under her breath.
I shook my head, amused, and spotted a bit further off a kids’ water fight the younger ones perched on the shoulders of older brothers or parents, trying to knock each other into the water.
I asked Ciri: “Want to try?” Her eyes lit up instantly and she dragged me toward the pool.
I had to take off my pants, shoes, and shirt to keep them from getting soaked and honestly, I have to admit, I was in pretty good shape: the commander’s daily training and healthier meals had finally paid off.
I stepped into the water and let Ciri climb onto my shoulders, teasing her as I did: “You’re heavy, Ciri.” She smacked the top of my head, feigning offense: “That’s no way to talk to a lady!” I laughed.
“Aren’t you the one who keeps saying you don’t want to be a lady?
Suddenly it works in your favor?” She pouted: “Shut up!
It’s starting!” Let’s just say the match was pretty one-sided: most of the adults carrying kids struggled to keep up after all, it was mostly meant as a kids’ game.
And Ciri… Ciri had absolutely zero mercy the moment she spotted an opponent.
She used every trick in the book sweeping the other kid’s support leg out with her foot to throw them off balance, then shoving hard to send them straight into the water.
I’d completely forgotten how little tact she had.
After hours of wandering and having fun, we made it to the main square, where music was already playing and plenty of people were dancing.
Without hesitation, Ciri pulled me into a group dance; I laughed lightly and let myself get carried along by the rhythm beside her.
Strangely enough, several women came up to ask me to dance, much to Ciri’s annoyance she’d pout every single time I came back from one of those dances, to the great amusement of the men standing around.
While we sat drinking fruit juice to catch our breath, Ciri said, frustrated: “You just keep drawing attention…” I smiled, amused.
“Ciri, don’t forget I’m a knight well, a knight-in-training and I’m obligated to accept when ladies ask.” She poked my chest, pouting.
“Even if that’s true, you’re my apprentice, not theirs.” I laughed warmly.
“Fine, princess.
I’m your knight.” To me, it was just a harmless little joke, and I kept watching everyone dance, amused it had been a long time since I’d had this much fun.
— POV Ciri Sometimes I think I must be dreaming… Ever since that night we were locked up together, I’ve always had this feeling that Aidy and I were meant to stay together especially after that evening in the fields, when he comforted me.
I… I’m sure he still thinks of me as just a kid, but I’m way more mature than that, or at least I think so.
Grandma’s been teaching me politics during my lessons too nobody knows that except Mousesack.
Ever since Aidy arrived, Grandma’s seemed rushed, almost scared of something.
She wants to teach me how to survive, how to tell truth from lies, how to lead and how to fight not to become strong, but to survive.
All this training has cost me a lot of my innocence.
I’ve known that since that night in the warehouse.
I saw Grandma crying in front of Mom’s portrait, apologizing it broke my heart, and we just stayed there, holding each other while she cried.
Alone with Aidy, I can be completely open, share my dreams.
I don’t want to be a princess.
I don’t want to rule, or any of that.
I just want to stay with the people I love and… I want to stay with h…
I shook my head and smiled at Aiden, keeping my thoughts to myself, and said cheerfully: “Aidy, it’s a promise: there’s no way you’re leaving without me.” If he knew what I was really thinking, he’d probably assume it was just some childhood crush that would fade with time.
But no.
So I’ll wait.
— POV Aiden Ciri had fallen asleep on my back while I carried her.
It was late, and as we walked back toward the castle, I gazed up at the beautiful moon.
Sometimes I think about my parents, my loved ones I hope they’ve been able to grieve.
I’ll never forget them, truly never.
I’ll always love them, somewhere in my heart that real friendship with Leo, that little crush on Emma, that family love I once knew.
I’ll never forget you, and to prove it: I’ll live this new life fully, because deep down I know that’s exactly what you’d want.
After all, what’s the real difference between staying stuck in grief and just letting yourself die?
None both keep you from moving forward.
Arriving at the castle gate, I smiled slightly: the queen was waiting, arms crossed, while Mousesack, leaning against a tree, waved at me with a smile.
Standing before the queen, she asked: “Did she have fun?” I nodded, smiling.
“Let’s just say Ciri showed the whole town that she’s a real Lioness of Cintra too.” She nodded, smiled softly, and took Ciri from my arms, brushing a few strands of hair from her face.
Then she looked me straight in the eye, suddenly serious: “Aiden.
Make me a promise.” Caught off guard by her tone, I glanced instinctively at Mousesack, who nodded just as gravely.
I turned my attention back to the queen and said, seriously: “What would you like me to promise, Your Majesty?” She held my gaze in silence for a long moment, then said: “Promise me you’ll obey one single order, without ever questioning it: if I ever command you to leave Cintra without looking back, taking Ciri with you, you will carry it out without asking a single question.
That is the only thing I ask of you as your queen, and as her grandmother.” — POV Calanthe I carried Ciri to her room and laid her gently on the bed, stroking her hair with tenderness.
Then I heard Mousesack’s voice behind me: “Your Majesty, did you really have to do this?
Your death isn’t inevitable you could still rally the northern kingdoms, you carry immense prestige.” I didn’t answer right away.
Not long ago, I still believed everything would be fine, that reinforcements would come.
But Mousesack had rushed in, his face grim, to tell me that the Skellige ships sent as reinforcements had been struck by a storm that appeared out of nowhere.
Worst of all, the druids said the storm bore the mark of a sorcerer.
So that bastard already knew I’d ask Skellige for help, and he trapped me between him and these power-hungry northern kings.
All that’s left now is myself, and Cintra.
I gently stroked my granddaughter’s face as I sat on the edge of the bed and said calmly: “You know I can’t do that.
I’ve lived here, ruled here, found all my happiness here.
As for begging those kings?
I’d rather die with a blade in my hand.” Mousesack tried to push back: “But leaving Aiden and Ciri alone?
That’s not a sound decision.” I shook my head.
“I know that.
That’s why you’ll stay with them, and…” I sighed.
“I’ve sent a dove to Kaer Morhen.” Mousesack froze.
“You called on him?” I nodded, gazing at my sleeping granddaughter’s face.
“Yes.
Geralt of Rivia even though I hate that man for this damned destiny tying him to her is right about one thing: he’s one of the few people capable of protecting Ciri and Aiden.” I looked out the window and said calmly: “Cintra will burn, that much is certain.
But at least…” I smiled slightly, turning toward Mousesack, “if Cintra must burn along with her last queen, then let her burn as a symbol of courage.
And we’ll take a good chunk of that bastard’s army down with us, so he never forgets that a cornered lioness is still extremely dangerous.” — POV Kaer Morhen Vesemir was finishing up chopping wood when he saw a bird land nearby, carrying a message.
He unrolled it, quickly understood what it meant, and turned to Eskel, who was mid-training: “Eskel, go warn Geralt it’s urgent!” — POV ???
I watched my battalions fall into position as the witch I’d hired approached and said calmly: “Your Majesty, the Skellige reinforcements will never arrive.” I nodded and turned to my general: “Sound the horns.
We march on Cintra.” My dear daughter, I’m coming to claim you.
My heir, I thought, watching the sun glint off the black banners flying above my battalions.