Chapter 45 — Before the War
The decision came that afternoon.
The Royal Council had finally made its choice.
The Benold Kingdom would go to war against Valeria.
The news spread through the palace within minutes.
Soldiers were being prepared.
Weapons were being checked.
Messengers were sent to the borders.
And Nathan knew exactly what he had to do.
Before leaving for the front, there was one person he needed to see.
Mia.
---
That evening, a convoy arrived quietly at the Wilson family villa.
Mia was sitting in her bedroom when she heard a familiar voice outside.
Her heart immediately began racing.
She opened the door.
Nathan stood there.
For a moment, she simply stared at him.
"You came."
"I promised I would."
Mia rushed into his arms.
Nathan held her tightly.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
Mia already knew why he was there.
"The war is starting," she whispered.
Nathan nodded.
"In two days."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"So you're leaving."
"Yes."
Mia buried her face against his chest.
"I don't want you to go."
"I know."
"I don't want to spend another day without you."
Nathan gently stroked her hair.
"I'll miss you every second I'm away."
Mia pulled back and looked at him.
"Then don't go."
Nathan's expression softened.
"If I could stay, I would."
She knew he was right.
The kingdom needed him.
But knowing that didn't make saying goodbye any easier.
That night, they stayed together in Mia's room, holding each other and talking quietly about everything they had been through.
Their childhood.
Their marriage.
The first time they realized their feelings had changed.
The first kiss they shared intentionally.
The moment they finally admitted they loved each other.
Mia smiled through her tears.
"Do you remember when I said I could never marry you?"
Nathan laughed softly.
"You were very convincing."
"And now look at us."
"Married."
"And in love."
Nathan kissed her forehead.
"Very much in love."
They spent the night close together, finding comfort in each other's arms as they prepared themselves emotionally for the separation ahead.
Morning eventually came.
Neither of them had slept much.
Mia remained wrapped in Nathan's arms, unwilling to move.
"I hate mornings now."
Nathan smiled.
"Why?"
"Because this one means you're leaving."
He kissed her gently.
"I'll come back."
"You better."
"I will try with everything I have."
Mia looked directly into his eyes.
"No."
Nathan raised an eyebrow.
"You don't get to say you'll try."
She held his face between her hands.
"You have to come back."
Nathan became quiet.
"I'll do everything I can."
"I'll be waiting."
"I know."
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you more."
Mia shook her head.
"Impossible."
Nathan smiled.
"Then we'll call it even."
A vehicle was waiting outside.
Nathan knew he couldn't delay any longer.
He stood and took Mia's hand.
She followed him downstairs.
At the entrance, she stopped.
Her fingers tightened around his.
"Nathan…"
"I know."
She hugged him tightly.
"I don't want to let go."
He wrapped his arms around her.
"You don't have to yet."
They stayed that way for several moments.
Finally, Nathan kissed her forehead.
"I love you, Mia."
"I love you too."
He slowly pulled away.
Mia's hand remained in his until the very last second.
Then she reluctantly released him.
Nathan walked toward the waiting vehicle.
Before getting inside, he turned around.
Mia was still standing at the entrance, tears running down her cheeks.
He smiled at her.
She smiled back through her tears.
Then he got into the vehicle.
Mia watched as it disappeared down the road.
She stood there long after he was gone.
Two days remained.
Two days before Benold and Valeria would meet on the battlefield.
And Mia could only pray that when those two days were over…
Nathan would still be coming home to her.