Angelo woke before sunrise.
Years of military service had trained his body to wake before his mind was ready.
For several seconds, he stared at the unfamiliar ceiling.
Then he remembered where he was.
Valoria Palace.
He sat up slowly.
The room was still dark, except for the faint light coming through the curtains.
On the table beside his bed was a tray of coffee and breakfast.
Angelo stared at it.
He hadn't heard anyone enter.
That alone made him uncomfortable.
He had spent too many years in the military to sleep completely unaware of his surroundings.
He dressed quickly and left the room.
The palace was quiet at that hour.
Angelo preferred it that way.
He followed a corridor toward the gardens and eventually stepped outside.
The morning air was cool.
For the first time since arriving in Valoria, he felt as though he could breathe.
He walked along a stone path overlooking the gardens.
He had barely reached the lake when he heard footsteps behind him.
"You're awake early."
Angelo turned.
Elena stood several metres away.
She was dressed simply, without the formal clothing he had seen the previous evening.
Angelo smiled.
"Military habit."
"Do you always wake up this early?"
"Usually."
"Even when you're on leave?"
Angelo considered the question.
"I don't think I've ever had leave like this."
Elena smiled.
"I suppose staying in a palace doesn't qualify as a normal holiday."
"I'm beginning to think nothing about this is normal."
She walked toward the bench overlooking the lake.
"May I?"
Angelo nodded.
"Of course."
She sat.
For several moments, neither spoke.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It was strangely peaceful.
Elena looked across the water.
"My father likes this place."
"I can understand why."
"He comes here when he wants to think."
"About what?"
"Everything."
Angelo smiled.
"That sounds exhausting."
"It probably is."
She looked at him.
"You really don't behave like the soldiers I've met before."
Angelo raised an eyebrow.
"How many soldiers have you met?"
"Quite a few."
"Then perhaps you've met the wrong ones."
She laughed.
Angelo smiled.
He was beginning to enjoy making her laugh.
That realization came and went so quickly that he didn't examine it.
Elena studied him.
"Can I ask you something?"
"You already did."
She smiled.
"Do you always answer questions like that?"
"When I can."
"Why did you become a soldier?"
Angelo looked toward the lake.
"Because I wanted to serve."
"That's it?"
"That's enough."
She seemed surprised.
"You never wanted anything else?"
"Of course I did."
"Like what?"
Angelo thought about it.
"A quiet life eventually."
Elena smiled.
"That doesn't sound very ambitious."
"It sounds peaceful."
She looked at him for a moment.
"I think I'd like a quiet life too."
Angelo turned toward her.
"Would you?"
She smiled.
"Sometimes."
Before he could ask what she meant, a voice came from behind them.
"There you are."
They turned.
King Adrian was approaching with a walking stick.
Angelo immediately stood.
"Your Majesty."
The King waved him down.
"At ease, Lieutenant."
Angelo sat again.
Elena looked at her father.
"You shouldn't be walking around so early."
"I've survived eighty years without taking orders from you."
"That doesn't mean you should start now."
The King laughed.
Angelo watched them.
There was something comforting about the exchange.
It reminded him that beneath all the titles and ceremonies, this was simply a father and daughter.
The King looked at Angelo.
"Walk with me."
Angelo stood.
"Of course."
They began moving slowly along the path.
Elena remained on the bench.
For several minutes, the two men walked without speaking.
Then the King stopped.
"I wanted to speak with you privately."
Angelo became attentive.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The King looked toward the gardens.
"You remember the promise you gave me."
Angelo nodded.
"Yes."
"You