As selfish as it was, he did want to see her face the first time she saw the royal city. He wanted to be there when she was commissioned as a seamstress and witness her joy. He wanted an eternity of memories with her, the good and the bad, because what did it matter if they parted again years from now so long as he got to be a part of her happier memories, and he was sure he could stand to face the statue now so long as she was with him and the future of them together was so promising. He—
