In the war, Sol's father, Sebastian, had received very deep injuries and had been between life and death.
His soldiers had managed to get him to a hospital in time where he was treated. Fortunately, he possessed healing magic, which helped him to survive until he reached the hospital. Days later, he was taken to a temporary place to finish his recovery before returning to the battlefield. It was there he met Maricela, a widowed woman who devoted herself to assisting the injured. Or at least, that was what she told him.
He did not fall in love with her, but he was certainly grateful. He knew she had a daughter, possibly the same age as his own, and it reminded him of how challenging understanding his daughter had been in many respects. He was aware that he had not been a good father and that perhaps a maternal figure was missing. Therefore, he decided to propose marriage to this woman who appeared to be kind and principled.
The duke returned to the battle and a couple of months later, it was all finally over, with a resounding victory for the empire.
The emperor of that kingdom had not sent reinforcements. That region was not very prosperous so it was insignificant to one empire, but to the other, it was a good opportunity to expand with new farms or to search for lands rich in gold or precious stones. The emperor had previously sent a secret expedition and knew about the land's potential. All that was needed was someone with a different vision to make it thrive.
When the camp was lifted, the duke went for his now wife and daughter and took them to the empire, because before going to his own kingdom and duchy, he had to bring the good news. The duke was at the head of that invasion, so he could not leave without first giving an account.
He spent a couple of days in the empire reporting the casualties from each duchy or kingdom of the empire, a taxing task that he had to do. Fortunately, his people always helped him; they were quite organized and he had divided them into sections, each covering a part and passing the information to the duke, a more practical and faster way to do such a large job. The emperor was astounded by the duke's intelligence and before he left, gave him a handsome reward. Finally, he set off for his duchy, a journey which would take five days; there was no time to lose.
During the journey, the new duchess and her daughter traveled in the carriage while Sebastian rode his horse as did his other knights. Something inside him bothered him but he did not know what it was. All he could say was that this was all very confusing for him. He did not remember certain things, like... how he had so quickly ended up married and now here he was traveling with a new family when he still did not really know his own daughter.
Days passed and at last, they arrived at his kingdom where he introduced Maricela as his wife and Sandra as his new daughter.
The king welcomed the duke and his family and threw a grand feast in honor of the war heroes, for thanks to them, the empire would send a generous reward to the kingdom.
At that place, Sandra and the crown prince also met, where Sandra was immediately smitten with him, harbouring the ambition to become his betrothed and future queen. However, the prince had hardly noticed Sandra; he hadn't paid her the slightest attention.
How was that possible when she was such a beautiful girl? No one had ever made her feel so ignored but she would not let it stay that way; she would make sure to win his love, of that she had no doubt.
The celebration ended and with it, the departure to the duchy. The king had offered them to stay, which thrilled the duchess and her daughter, but the duke declined. He had his daughter at home and wanted to see her.
Sebastian: Thank you, my king, but I have a little one waiting for me at home.
King: You're right, Duke, travel safely.
The king responded, a glint passing through his eyes, seemingly struck by an idea. If he remembered correctly, that little one would be turning 16 in a few weeks, and that presented a favorable opportunity for him.
Thus, the duke continued his journey, finally arriving at the D'Angelo duchy, where a little girl was waiting for him.
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