During the ceremony, Helios glimpsed his wife among the attendees. Despite having managed Orway during his long absence, she played no prominent role in the event, sitting quietly in a lower seat.
Later, in a modest chamber for the governor, Helios finally met his wife face to face.
"Thank you for making the journey," she said, bowing deeply.
"There’s no need for thanks. The governor simply returned to his domain," he replied.
"Forgive me for my impertinence."
Her overly formal demeanor frustrated Helios. After a few stilted exchanges, an uncomfortable silence fell. Unable to express what he had intended, Helios muttered an observation instead.
"Your hands..."
"What about them?"
"Why are you wearing those gloves?"
She glanced at her elegant white gloves, adorned with embroidery and lace. Without raising her eyes, she stretched her hands in front of him.
"They’re not the hands of a proper lady. I hide them out of shame."
"Let me see."
"Please forgive me."
"Show me."
Reluctantly, she removed the gloves, revealing rough hands marred with calluses and fingertips stained blue-black.
"This happened from experimenting with dyes every day," she explained. "I wanted the perfect shade of blue for you."
"For me?"
"For your banner. A flag that always accompanies you on the battlefield should be vibrant and enduring, no matter how much sun or rain it endures."
For the first time, she looked directly at Helios, her eyes unwavering, and smiled.
“The world-renowned dyeing techniques of Orway are a closely guarded secret. Among them, your ‘Hawk’s Blue’ is a special color whose formula is known only to me. It is a hue reserved exclusively for your banners and your belongings.”
Helios, rendered speechless, watched as she spoke with the serene air of an oracle imparting divine wisdom.
“Remember this. Someday, you will embark on another long campaign. In the northernmost seas, when the tides shift at dawn and you hear bells tolling through the morning mist, that will signal the arrival of allied ships. Look for the banner in ‘blue.’ It will be your fleet.”
“What are you saying...?”
“You may dismiss it as nonsense and forget it. But if you could, please keep it in a corner of your mind and tell no one. This is not something I can put into writing.”
She gazed at him, her dark eyes filled with quiet sorrow.
“On your northern campaign, you will reach a legendary island and become its true king. But before that, you will suffer a deep betrayal. Be wary of those closest to you. Those who admire you too deeply may turn against you when you stray from the ideal they hold in their hearts.”
She lowered her eyes, and Helios finally remembered to breathe.
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