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The war was over and the Divine Dragon was lost forever.
The world had quickly plunged into chaos: plants were dying, food and water was slowly becoming scarce, people starving to death. Elyos was becoming a barren a wasteland without the Divine Dragon Alear's blessing. Brodia was secretly sending its soldier out the country for reasons unknown to Amber. He hated that the four nations were now at each other's throats just to survive. Amber hated seeing his King depressed. King Diamant had turned to alcohol to numb his grief. Amber did not want to add to it. Some of the army were lost during the war, and Amber did not plan to die while his king's mind was slipping. His Queen Consort, Jade, was keeping happy enough as well as him, but Amber knew it wasn't enough. But as long as he and Jade were still alive, King Diamant was happy, and that's all that mattered to Amber.
Amber was lying in bed, staring out his window at the stars. T'was a quiet night. A quiet, stormy night, as usual. Amber disliked being wet. A nobleman like him should never be soaked. But he had to fight for Brodia, nonetheless. He felt his eyelids get heavy as he yawned at the sound of Brodia's rain hitting his roof. As he began to close his eyes, Amber heard a knock on his door. He yawned and sat up, rubbing his eyes as he slowly walked toward the door and opened it. It was Merrin, soaking wet from the rain. She shook whole body as Amber covered himself. Now his robe was partially soaked. "Yes, Lady Merrin?" he sighed.
Merrin showed Amber a golden medallion. "I'm officially a knight of Solm now. Isn't that cool?" She came in as Amber studied it. The medal was made of gold alright. It was very shiny, too. He looked at Merrin with a tired smile. "Congratulations, Lady Merrin. I'm sure you'll make a dashing knight for your Queendom and Village." Merrin's expression changed to a half smile. "That's...what I came to talk about..." She sat next to Amber on the bed he offered her a lukewarm black tea and a blanket before tending to his fireplace. Merrin took a sip and set her cup down. "Are you nervous?" asked Amber. Merrin nodded. "Yes... My ceremony is tomorrow. I would like for you to be there, if you can," she said, placing her hand on his thigh. Amber tensed up a little at the sudden gesture but quickly smiled and place his hand on her shoulder.
Suddenly, Merrin sighed and frowned. Amber raised an eyebrow. He studied her figure. Her ribs were starting to protrude, as was his. Food was slowly running low since the death of the Divine Dragon Monarch Alear. Amber had to learn how to hunt from Merrin ever since. They were still teased about being a couple since their reconnaissance mission in Givre Port. Etie had taught him how to shoot with a bow before the day of the final battle, when she died. Now he was almost a complete natural at hunting.
He placed a hand back on her shoulder. "Merrin, do you remember our mission in Elusia?" Merrin smiled and nodded as she sipped more of her tea. "Why, of course. We defeated many corrupted soldiers that day." She suddenly smirked. Amber knew what was coming next. "And then, after our mission, we stopped at a local bar, got drunk, and woke up naked in our tent. You were so shocked, I had to slap you just to stop you from screaming." Amber blushed and looked away. Then he smiled. "And that's when everyone teased us about being a couple. Even our lords. ...In retrospect, I guess you could say we were afterward, what with our affections to each other." Merrin smirked, raising an eyebrow. "And staring at my 'assets'," she added, pointing to her chest. They both chuckled.
"Why don't we marry each other already?" Merrin asked. Amber blinked. "That would be nice. After all, we have become smitten with each other since our mission. However, you are to be the next village matriarch, while I'm the son of a Brodian Count. My family...are particular about who we marry in our family..." Both frowned as the two slipped into bed together, drinking more tea. Merrin placed a hand on his chest as she sighed. "Yeah, I know, Sir Amber. It's just... I love you... I've been in love with you since our mission. That passionate night together--even if we were drunk--was the best. I've wanted so badly to tell you, I just didn't know how..." Amber felt his eyes water at those words. "In truth, Lady Merrin... I've been in love with you too. You're always so fierce on the battlefield, slaying your enemies with ease, and hunting wild animals in your spare time. I've been jealous of that. My family would be disgusted to know I hunt for food now..."
Merrin chuckled in her throat as she brushed her hair behind her ear. "Our families aren't here... We can get married any time, Sir Amber." She kissed him on the lips and crawled back, giving him a seductive look. "We have tonight to ourselves." Amber smiled as he took off his robe. "That we do, milady," he said, placing a kiss on her hand as the two embraced each other, kissing and making love and sipping tea afterward, sleeping happily together.
The next day, Amber and Merrin decided to marry on her ceremony, and the two died on the same day, two weeks later, defending their lords. Although their lives were lost, the two were at peace and enjoyed each other's company in the hereafter...