The next morning, Duna and Alden meet in the gardens as planned. The sun is shining brightly, and the flowers are in full bloom. They sit down on a stone bench, away from the main paths, and for a while, neither of them says anything. Duna is content just to be near him, to feel the warmth of his presence. Eventually, Alden breaks the silence. "I wanted to thank you again, Duna. For everything you've done, for being my friend." His voice is gruff, but sincere. "It means more to me than you'll ever know."

Duna blushes at his words. "Oh, Alden, it's nothing. I've enjoyed getting to know you too. You're a good man, and I'm honored to be your friend." She pauses, searching for the right words to say. "I've never had a friend before. Alden looks surprised. "You've never had a friend before?" He asks, genuinely shocked. "Not even back home? "Duna shakes her head. "No, my father didn't believe in friends for his daughters. We were supposed to marry well and serve our husbands. That was enough." She looks down at her hands, still unable to meet his eyes. "I'm sorry if that sounds bitter." Alden reaches out and takes her hand in his. His touch is gentle and reassuring. "It's alright, Duna. You don't have to apologize for how your father raised you. I'm just glad that we've found each other now. Maybe we can help each other make up for lost time." He smiles at her, and she feels a warmth spread through her chest." Lady Thorn motions for them to join her in her study, a cozy room filled with books and scrolls. She has been observing them from a distance, her heart filled with hope. She has seen the bond that has grown between them, and it warms her heart. As they enter her study, she gestures for them to sit down on a plush cushion near her favorite reading chair." I've been watching the two of you," she begins, her voice soft and kind. "And I must say, I am quite pleased with what I see. Alden, you have always been a man of honor and duty, but it is clear that Duna has brought out a side of you that I haven't seen before. A side that is more open, more vulnerable." She pauses, looking at each of them in turn. "And Duna, you have shown such courage and resilience in the face of adversity. It is truly inspiring. "Alden looks down at his hands, unsure how to respond. Duna, on the other hand, feels a blush creeping up her neck. "Thank you, Lady Thorn," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "Your words mean so much to me." "I have some news" Lady thorn says breaking the brief silence between them.

A group of bandits have been going around sacking and looting small villages, and kidnapping who survives to be sold as slaves.

"That's hardly news" Alden says Calmly "They've been going around doing things like that for a while now, Duna was from one of the villages to the south of here." Lady Thorn nods, her expression solemn. "I'm aware of the situation." "What I have to say may come as a surprise, you see recently, they've gotten bolder and attacked one of the nearby castles. ""I see" Alden says, his brow furrowing. "And the lord of the castle, what is his name?" Lord Farrow, I believe. Anyway, that brings us up to speed with the current situation. The noble family living there doesn't feel safe, and rightfully so. They have requested to stay here, for time being. "And what are your plans for them, Lady Thorn?" Alden asks. "Shall we help them rebuild their castle, or should we send out patrols to scout the area for the bandits?" Lady Thorn's eyes sparkle with determination. "I have a different plan in mind. I believe we should help them rebuild their castle, but we should also use this as an opportunity to track down and put an end to these bandits once and for all." For now, I want you two welcome our new guest, Alden you're father will be leaving with some of our soldiers to reinforce they're numbers. In the mean time some of the nobles will be staying here with us for a bit. Duna looks at Alden, her eyes wide with surprise and excitement. "You're father is going with the soldiers?" "Yes, it's his duty to protect our kingdom." Alden replies proudly. Duna nods, unable to hide her own pride in him. "I know you'll make him proud, Alden." She squeezes his hand, feeling more connected to him than ever before. Lady Thorns clears her throat, our head guard Jim will also be leaving as well. Alden, I need you to welcome our new guests." How many will there be?" Alden asks," Only three, Two adults and one child, in fact." Lady thorn pauses for a moment "I do believe she's only a few years older than you two." Alden glances at Duna, who looks intrigued. The prospect of having another young person around, someone close to their age, is exciting.
As they leave Lady Thorns room, Alden and Duna head to the library to spend some time together. The room is filled with thousands of books, each one a testament to the knowledge and wisdom that has been accumulated over centuries. The scent of old paper and leather fills the air, making it feel like they've been transported back in time. They settle down at a small table in the corner, lost in their own thoughts as they gaze at the towering bookshelves." So, what do you want to do first?" Alden asks, breaking the silence. Duna glances up from the book she's been examining. "Well, I've always wanted to learn about astronomy. Do you know where we could find a book on that?" Alden smiles, already feeling more at ease with her in this familiar setting. "There's a whole section dedicated to astronomy over there," he says, pointing to a nearby shelf. "Lady Thorn has quite the extensive collection on the subject." They spend the next few hours lost in their studies, occasionally sharing discoveries and asking each other questions about what they've read. The library's peaceful atmosphere provides the perfect backdrop for their conversation, and Alden finds himself growing more and more fond of Duna with each passing moment. As they continue to delve deeper into their shared interests, they fail to notice the passage of time. Only when Lady Thorn's voice echoes through the library does Alden realize that they've been at it for several hours. He looks up, a sheepish grin on his face. "I'm sorry, we must have lost track of time." Duna blushes, quickly gathering her things. "No, it's fine. I had a wonderful time learning about astronomy with you." She stands up and brushes off her robes, her movements graceful and elegant. Suddenly, a servant opens the door to the library, giving Duna a frown before saying "Young Master, Lunch is ready, Mistress Thorn has requested you attend." Alden stands up, feeling a mixture of relief and disappointment at the interruption. "Thank you, I'll be there in a moment." Duna nods and takes one last look around the library before following the servant out of the room. Alden watches her leave, feeling a pang of sadness that their time together is over. He quickly follows, trying to shake off the strange feeling that has come over him. As they enter the grand dining hall, Alden takes in the sight of Lady Thorn sitting at the head of the table, her silver hair shining in the light. The servants place bowls of steaming soup in front of them, along with fresh bread and cheese. Alden looks over at Duna, who is already digging in with gusto. He smiles to himself, thinking how much she seems to enjoy eating." So, Alden," Lady Thorn says between bites, "how was your time in the library?" Her eyes gleam with curiosity and pride. Alden glances at Duna, who seems to be enjoying her lunch. "It was wonderful, thank you. Duna and I studied astronomy together. She's very knowledgeable." He takes a sip of his soup, savoring the flavor. Lady Thorn smiles warmly. "That's wonderful to hear. I'm glad you two got along so well. And Duna, I hope you found everything you were looking for." She pauses, glancing at the girl with a fond expression. I move my eyes down, "I did Mistress, thank you" As they continue to eat, Alden can't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over him. It's not often that he gets to spend time with someone his own age, someone who shares his interests and passions. He finds himself growing more and more fond of Duna, her intelligence and grace drawing him in. The servants clear away their plates and cook brings out a tray of fresh fruits and pastries, smiling down at them both before returning to the kitchen. Alden takes a slice of apple, admiring the deep red color before taking a bite. It's sweet and juicy, flavorful and crisp. As he chews, he can't help but feel grateful for this brief respite from the pressures of court life. Duna seems to be feeling the same way, as she devours a piece of pastry with relish. "This is so good," she says between bites. "I never knew fruit could taste so delicious." Alden laughs. "You get used to it after a while, but it's still wonderful, isn't it?" He looks around the dining hall, admiring the intricate tapestries on the walls and the gleaming chandelier hanging overhead. Once they've finished their dessert, Lady Thorn excuses herself, saying she has some business to attend to. As she leaves, Alden feels a pang of disappointment that their time together is over, but he's grateful for the time they've spent together. Duna, on the other hand, seems to be itching for some activity. "Do you mind if we play a game or something?" she asks, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement. Alden agrees, leading her back to his room. The moment they enter, the memories of their time together in the library come flooding back. He feels a mix of nostalgia and anticipation for whatever they might get up to now. In the corner of the room, there's a beautifully carved wooden chest. Alden opens it, revealing a collection of games and puzzles. He selects a set of intricately crafted checkers pieces, made from polished stone and ivory, and sets them up on the large, ornate gameboard that rests on a small table. The pieces feel substantial in his hands, each one a work of art in its own right .Duna watches him with interest, her expression a mix of curiosity and eagerness. Alden feels a rush of excitement as he explains the rules of the game to her, enjoying the way her eyes light up when she understands. She listens intently, absorbing everything he says, and soon they're both deep in concentration, planning their moves.

The game progresses quickly, with both of them displaying an unexpected aptitude for strategy. Alden finds himself growing more and more impressed with Duna's abilities, her mind as sharp as any courtier's. They play several games back to back, each one more intense than the last. As they become more focused on the game, they seem to forget about the rest of the world around them.The sun begins to set outside the window, casting a warm, golden light across the room. Alden glances at the grandfather clock in the corner, noticing with a start that it's already past dinner time. He'd completely lost track of time while engrossed in the game. Duna seems equally surprised, her focus snapping back to reality as she realizes how late it is.Suddenly, Alden's door creeks open revealing the same servant who was the library, She frowns at them both. "Young Master, Mistress Thorn has requested you attend dinner."Duna looks mortified, realizing how much time they've spent playing checkers. "I-I'm so sorry, Alden," she stammers, her cheeks flushing. "I didn't realize..."Alden puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's quite all right, Duna. I've enjoyed our time together just as much as you have. And I must say, you've made a most formidable opponent." He looks over at the servant, who nods understandingly before leading them both back downstairs.The dining hall is bustling with activity, as servants scurry about, setting the table and arranging the food. Lady Thorn is already seated at the head of the table, looking regal in her elegant evening gown. She smiles warmly at Alden and Duna as they take their seats. "I trust you two have been enjoying yourselves?"

Duna nods, still looking a bit flustered. "Yes, Lady Thorn. Alden and I have been playing checkers in his room." Alden chuckles, adding, "And she's been giving me quite a challenge." Lady Thorn laughs good-naturedly. The conversation at dinner ranges from lighthearted small talk about the weather and the latest court gossip to more serious discussions about politics and current events. Alden finds himself engaging in deep, thought-provoking discussions with both Lady Thorn and Duna. Their shared passion for learning and thirst for knowledge creates a unique bond between them, one that feels more genuine and real than anything he's experienced with other nobles. As the meal winds down, Lady Thorn excuses herself to retire to her chambers, leaving Alden and Duna alone at the table. "So," Alden begins, "I heard that you've been studying magic, Duna. That must be fascinating." Duna's face lights up at the mention of her studies. "Yes, it is. I've been learning spells to improve my focus and concentration, as well as some defensive charms just in case I ever encounter any trouble." Alden listens intently, genuinely interested in her progress. "And what about you, Alden?" she asks, a playful glint in her eye. "What have you been up to besides impressing everyone with your checkers skills?" He laughs, feeling a blush creep up his cheeks. "Well, I've been spending a lot of time in the library, researching history and politics. I find it all so fascinating." They fall into easy conversation, their mutual interests bridging the gap between them, making them feel more like equals than they ever could as mere servant and master. As the night wears on, They both retire to their room Duna climbs in her bed, the heavy curtains shutting out the moonlight, casting the room into a cozy darkness. She yawns, rubbing her eyes, and reaches for the blanket, pulling it up to her chin.  She closes her eyes, drifting off to sleep.