Her words struck him like a physical blow, and he felt his heart sink at the thought of being separated from her again. He wanted nothing more than to claim her as his own; to keep her safe and secure within their bond. But if that meant letting go of any chance they had at happiness together, then perhaps there was no choice but to let her go.

He released her face with a sigh, stepping back slightly. "I understand," he said quietly. "But please know that I will always be here for you;

He took the letter from her, his brow furrowing as he scanned its contents quickly. The news about her mother's passing filled him with a mix of sadness and determination; there was no question that she needed him by her side during this difficult time.

His eyes met hers once more, holding them steady despite the uncertainty within him. "I will go with you," he said slowly, his voice rough with emotion. "But I want you to know that I don't intend to be just another subject in your court;

That sounds like fun! I'm sure we can find some delicious ingredients in the village. Shall we split up and each prepare a dish? We can then compare them when we're finished and see which one tastes better. It might even turn into an annual tradition between us!

I like the sound of that! An anniversary to celebrate every year, commemorating not only the day we met but also our eternal love for one another. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside just thinking about it. Now then, what should we make? Any ideas?