After having a good rest in the tavern for two days you two set off towards the west of Toussaint. On the way, Morvran had bought a horse for you, so it was easier to travel. His idea had worked out for a while, until your livelihood had awoken and you had constantly tried to challenge him to a race.

He enjoyed that side of yours, it made him feel alive and see the value of the little things.

You had noticed that Morvran was a lot happier, now that he knew that Nilfgaard couldn't reach him no more. He laughed a lot and told stories about the mansion he wanted the two of you to live in. Whenever he told stories about his childhood and the days at the mansion, his eyes began to sparkle. He seemed to be thrilled to return to the house of his childhood.

As you listened, you couldn't help but dream about the life you would have. A house of your own with a man as great as Morvran. Without thinking, your hand reached to the ring, that was sitting on your finger, and twisted it. He had called it a promise ring but to you it felt more like an engagement ring. The thought of marrying him had crossed your mind more than once in the past drew months.

Morvran was a man that would have thrown himself in the fire for you. To be fair, you would have done the same for him. Maybe it could work out the way it was. Maybe you did have a chance of having a good marriage.

"Look!", Morvran's excited voice tore you out of your thoughts.

"Huh?", a little confused, you blinked.

Looking up to the place where he was pointing, you squeezed your eyes and tried to see what he was so excited about.

At the top of a small hill, hidden between pink blooming trees and colourful flowers lay a village. The little houses made from white stone, looked old. The paint was pealing off the walls and the roofs had holes. But all in all it looked like a decent little village. Voices filled the air, mixed with the sound of singing birds.

"What is that?", you asked, letting your horse run next to his.

"The nameless village. The mansion has huge gardens and fields that must be tended to. The former owner had build this village to offer his servants a decent place to live. It was a win for both parts. The commoners had nice houses, nit far from work and the noble didn't had to pay them too much since he offered them free housing. He was said to be a person that valued privacy.", Morvran looked at you.

His hair was finally back to the length he had as you've met the first time. He was freshly shaved and was wearing some decent clothes. You too had new clothes, a clean white cotton shirt and some pants. Only the boots were the same. You couldn't separate from them.

"Will they know who you are?", you asked, a little concerned.

He shook his head, making his auburn hair dance.

"I don't think so. The last time I was here I was a child. About four winters old maybe.", he grinned. "And remember, we are not who we were anymore."

With a slim smile, you nodded.

Toulessi. That was the name that Morvran had chosen for the both of you. It was safer to leave the old names behind and pick new ones. Only the faces were the same. But that wasn't too big of a problem. Nobody that knew both of your faces would travel this far into the duchy. To your surprise, he had even taken the time to make up an entirely new backstory. He had even been creative enough to sprinkle some truth into the lies and made it appear like a real life story.

"Come. Let's see if we can find someone. I'm starving.", Morvran grinned broadly, playfully hitting your shoulder. "Last person arriving will pay for the meal!"

Ordering his horse to run, he rushed away while his laughter filled the air.

Struck by surprise it took you a second to realise that he was trying to race with you.

"Oh you cheater!", you yelled and ordered your horse to run.

Still laughing, he looked over his shoulder back to you and waved.

"You're so slow!", he yelled.

Wind was dancing over your face, causing a cold sensation to kiss your skin. Strands of your (H/C) hair flew around your head as the horse below you picked up a pace that would have been worthy to be called godspeed. Cheering in ecstasy, you reached Morvran, almost being able to grab him by the collar.

Impressed, he looked over to you.

"Why is your horse so fast?", he asked, yelling against the wind.

You grinned broadly, passing him.

"It's not faster than yours, I'm just a better rider!", you laughed and rushed forward.

As if you had no weight, the horse carried you up the hill. At the gates of the village, you let it halt, cheering as Morvran caught up on you.

Playing salty, he twisted his lips.

"Unfair play.", he mumbled, not being able to hide the smile on his face.

You grinned.

"You are the cheater. I had a disadvantage and still won. Maybe you're not that good of a rider as you think."

"What an insult! I thought you loved me, how can you say this?"

His acting was bad but it made the both of you laugh anyways. Gently, you placed a kiss on his lips before getting off the horse.

"So, this is the village.", you mumbled while looking around.

"It is. But... I remember it a little more... lively."

"Maybe they are out working."

"Hm. Probably. We should go look for the eldest of the village. He should be able to tell us what's going on. And we need to know if the mansion is still available."

A sigh escaped you.

"So off we go, hunting for the paperwork."