#145. Homecoming (2)
With Sasha gathered tightly in his arms, Pavel buried his face in the curve of her neck.
He let out a deep sigh, each warm breath landing softly against Sasha’s delicate skin.
“That tickles, Pavel.”
Pavel lifted his head at her words.
His black helmet still hid most of his cold, striking features, but his eyes—burning red and full of heat—were completely visible.
He gazed at Sasha intensely, almost as if he was trying to memorize her face forever, then finally spoke.
“I missed you.”
Sasha’s lips curled into a bright smile, soaking in his sincerity.
“Me too.”
She raised her hand to touch his face, then hesitated—the cold, hard helmet blocked her way.
Pavel noticed her pause and immediately tossed aside his helmet, reaching out to gently take Sasha’s frozen hand and press it to his bare face.
He winced at the touch.
“Your hands are freezing.”
“I just came in from outside.”
“You shouldn’t be out in the cold. What if you got sick?”
“But I wasn’t cold. See? I’m wearing what you gave me—so I was perfectly warm.”
Sasha stepped back a little, showing off the fur coat she wore.
“It looks good on you. But don’t just wear that—make sure you layer up too.”
With understated care, Pavel fastened her coat a bit tighter, then pulled her into another firm embrace.
I should get her a pair of gloves next time, he thought quietly.
Sasha, in turn, lifted her head and studied Pavel’s face, just as he had done with her.
This was the same Pavel she remembered, and yet… something about him was unfamiliar.
Is it really possible to change so much in just a few months? she wondered.
Sasha carefully picked out all the ways Pavel’s appearance had shifted from her memory.
And every thought she had—Pavel could sense it.
[His hair’s gotten so long.]
[He looks thinner.]
[Maybe it’s just been so long since we’ve been this close… it feels strange.]
Pavel relished the feeling of Sasha’s hand on his cheek, savoring every stray thought.
But the one that moved him most was:
[He’s really become an adult now… and a man.]
Watching Sasha’s dreamy gaze, Pavel couldn’t help but smile, hugging her even tighter and breathing in her scent. The excitement that had filled him ever since he saw her again only grew stronger.
“Pavel.”
Sasha had so many things she wanted to say, but the question weighing most on her heart came out first.
“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”
“No.”
“Then that’s all I need to hear. I’m just glad you made it home.”
She clung to him, feeling the steady pulse of life in his strong body.
Thump, thump, thump.
The sound of his heartbeat echoed in Sasha’s ears—louder than thunder.
He’s finally back. He really survived and came back to me.
Pavel, too, was overcome with emotion as the reality of his return finally sank in.
But between the two of them, tightly pressed together, something hard and awkward got in the way.
“Oh!”
Sasha finally remembered the box she was holding and quickly pulled it from between them.
Thanks to the spirit’s protection, nothing inside had melted or been crushed.
When Sasha heard news of Pavel’s return, she’d hurried up the mountain to gather the legendary flower, just as northern tradition dictated—presenting a bouquet to welcome home family from afar.
Her efforts hadn’t been wasted.
“Pavel, here. This is for you.”
She pulled the mythical Barudum flower from the box and whispered softly.
“Welcome home.”
Pavel carefully took the flower from Sasha, holding it up to the light.
As the Barudum flower swayed in the wind, looking almost alive, a strange feeling stirred in Pavel’s heart.
He remembered giving this same flower to his father and former Grand Duke, Dmitri, years ago. So much had changed since then.
Now, I’m the one being welcomed home with flowers.
With a new sense of clarity, Pavel turned to look at Sasha—the gentle smile she wore, the way she gazed at him with such love.
His beloved wife. The only family he had left.
“I’m home.”
He couldn’t resist pulling Sasha into his arms again.
Her scent, warm and familiar, filled his lungs and eased every lingering ache.
From the day he’d left for war to the moment he finally came home, Pavel had held himself together—tense, unyielding.
Now, at last, that tension melted away.
He realized that the place he truly wanted to return to was not a specific castle or city. It was here, in Sasha’s arms.
And in that moment, the vague, aching loneliness that had haunted his sleepless nights finally faded.
After sharing this quiet reunion, Sasha greeted the others as well.
“Lord Medvedev.”
“Your Grace.”
Igor bowed deeply.
When Sasha gave him permission to stand, he rose promptly.
Igor’s show of deep respect would serve as an example for the rest of the knights, ensuring none would dare disrespect Sasha, no matter how hardened by war they’d become.
Sasha smiled warmly, appreciating Igor’s intention.
“Now that you’re safely back, the duchess must be relieved.”
“Ah, my wife’s heart is far too tender. She’ll fret for weeks, certain I’m hiding wounds or suffering from some secret malady.”
“I see! I’m sure you’d like to go home and reassure her, but I’m sorry you can’t just yet.”
“Oh, no, not at all. No one enjoys a welcome feast more than I do!”
It was an old northern tradition: after the war, the knights would stay at the castle for a few days to celebrate, receive their rewards, and truly mark the end of the campaign before returning to their own homes.
“That’s good to hear. Everyone in the castle worked hard to prepare for you all—so tonight, please relax and enjoy yourselves.”
“Yes, we will.”
Even after finishing her conversation with Igor, Sasha remained at the entrance to personally greet every knight as they entered.
Whether she knew them well or had only exchanged a few words before, Sasha greeted every single knight by name.
Some of them stared in disbelief.
“Madam, how do you know my name?”
“Of course I do. Everyone in the Black Wolf Knights is family. And more importantly, you’re heroes—you protected me, and everyone in the Empire.”
“Madam… I never expected you to think of us like that…”
“I’m always grateful to you all. Please, enjoy the feast tonight—it was prepared just for you.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The knights, touched by Sasha’s words, entered the castle brimming with pride.
There were many to greet, and it was exhausting—her throat ached, her legs grew tired—but Sasha refused to stop until the last knight was inside. She wanted everyone to know just how much their sacrifices were valued.
Eventually, she saw the end of the procession.
“Sir Andrei. Sir Nikolai.”
The new recruits, naturally at the end of the line, looked especially happy to hear Sasha’s voice. But they quickly masked their delight—everyone knew they were close to Sasha, but they didn’t want to seem like they were being treated any differently.
“You’ve worked so hard.”
“It was nothing. It was simply our duty, but to be welcomed like this… I’m at a loss for words.”
Andrei responded stiffly, doing his utmost to show proper respect.
Nikolai, on the other hand, grinned and gave a little bow.
“Madam, did you get the letter I sent?”
“Yes. You made sure it got to me, didn’t you?”
“Heh… Actually, after sending it, my lord found out and—”
Nikolai shook his head, remembering.
“Honestly, after all that, I thought I’d survive the war only to be killed by my own commander!”
Sasha smiled awkwardly, unsure how to reply to such a dark joke, but Nikolai changed the subject with a laugh.
“Anyway, I plan to wash away all my sorrow tonight with the drinks you’ve prepared.”
“I hope you enjoy it. We put a lot of effort into the food and drinks—I hope it’s to your taste.”
“I’ll eat anything, but knowing you prepared it, I can’t wait.”
After sending Nikolai off, Sasha thought the greetings were over.
But then—
“Hello, madam.”
A woman appeared at the end of the line, looking completely out of place among the knights.
Sasha blinked in surprise, but the moment she saw the woman’s face up close, she didn’t need anyone to introduce her.
A face so similar to her own that they could be mistaken for long-lost twins.
It’s you.
