It had been a long time since you saw Matthias. Two years, to be exact.

You were a constant companion for him throughout childhood, but of course, he had duties to fulfill. Sure a few letters here and there had sufficed. He would ask what you've been up to, the standing amongst other nobles, what's new in your life—it was barely enough.

It was expected. After he graduated from college, he was commissioned to be an army officer. He followed family tradition, going to the royal military academy, and he hadn't been back to Arvis since then, busy serving overseas in the front lines.

But it was summer again, and he was back!

Dinners were a formality, your family had been close to the Herhardts due to political influence and connections.

It was after dinner, when he pulled you away to his cabin, one that you had visited a lot when you were children to play in the lake.

"You've grown." He smiles, a rare genuine one that you had missed seeing. Of course you've grown, it was expected. Going to college, learning more about politics, diving into being a proper lady.

Matthias looked amused. You were undoubtedly beautiful, alluringly so. He thinks it's perhaps because he hadn't seen you in a long time.

Or perhaps that you are turning into a woman.