Their way to the Imperial City was slow and unhurried. Simply sitting together, sharing the road, felt unexpectedly precious.
Zora was the first to break the silence. "Where did you go by the way? After separating from us? Did you go to Heaven's Gate?" Then, after a pause, she added, "No, I don't think so. Or else, you would have returned much later."
Prince Kael paused slightly, then replied with a trace of amusement, "Does my lady think I like to stay at Heaven's Gate, away from her, for a long time? Does she not like having me by her side?"
"No way..." She hurriedly shook her head, but then, when she realized that she spoke too fast, she blushed a bit and cleared her throat, saying, "No, I was just worried you've been away from Heaven's Gate for years. Just months would change a lot. Away for three years, it could affect things on your end."
