with a face like this

[Filter: Private]

Malery's first birthday party, and it just happens to be her mother's. Come to think of it, their birthdays are so close, haha. They're almost exactly a month apart. Maybe she should have come out a little earlier.

Well, preparations are going nicely and almost everything is prepared... I hope the noise doesn't frighten the baby...

[Filter: Private]

She's... she's beautiful.

[Filter: Public]

Well... umm...

Lady Eve had her baby. It's a beautiful, healthy little baby girl. She's especially got a healthy set of lungs.

[Filter: Private]

We'll have an official heir to Rayla any day now... though Eve doesn't look any happier about the situation. They say it's when you hold the baby in your hands... and I know that Eve will see the baby differently...

I'm really not any good with babies... though, I think the castle may become a lot more lively. I'm sure everything will be fine.

My paperwork actually shrank a bit since Sametar troops left... and it looks like Lord Kilvas is getting ready to leave for Kaitos as well.

So while it'll be a bit more empty, it'll become warmer.

Well, I don't think I've gotten any exercise in a while... maybe I'll go out and train for a bit.

[Filter: Keller]

Hey, are you busy?

I need a break.

[Filter: Private, in Korin]

A month after I send those two.

Forced to sign the peace treaty... and still...

A month.

Is that really it, though?

They just leave? Did it suddenly dawn on him that there's no way they'll ever win or are they trying to play some sort of game with me? They've long since run out of supplies and Korin's weather isn't the most hospitable to feed an army, yet still so reluctant to leave. I can see why he would be, but he needs to straighten out his priorities. It was good that he resigned, as much as I'm sure it hurt his pride. If he had gone against the treaty and attacked, it would be another war that I'd rather not have to start. This time involving too many different houses. I'd rather not be forced to show any weaknesses on our part when Rayla's already being defied by the majority of Korin.

Starting a war while trying to prevent many others... well.

I'd be surprised if someone else wasn't already in his chair. Though his actions are surely questionable... I'll just have to send out my eyes and tighten the security at the borders until I know for a fact.

[Filter: Sir Zacharias and Lord Eric, in Trade]

I'm sure you've heard from word of mouth by now, but Sametar has finally started their retreat.

Though, as much as I'm sure your troops want to return to their homes, I'm afraid they'll have to wait a bit longer, until I know that it's safe for you to do so.

Lord Eric, if you will be so kind as to relay this message to your father.

[Filter: Keller]

Hey.. so I was thinking..!

[Filter: Private]

Just pack on the workload..

Keep it coming!

You know... I wish it would slow down every once in a while.. I haven't even be able to see Keller's face in.. forever! But he's just too much of a butt to come by and visit me.. it's as if he completely forgot about the talk we had about being a better "boyfriend."

I don't even know anymore.. I have an endless pile of paperwork to file and all I can do is write in my journal about how horrible my stupid boyfriend is.. how old am I?

I still need to figure out what to do about Sametar. He lost his only heir and yet, instead of going home to his wife, he has nothing better to do with his time but to waste mine, and even after this ridiculous ceasefire (if it can even be called that), he refuses to take his army and leave..

I should just make him sign the peace treaty..

.. maybe I should.

[Filter: Eve]

Can I ask you a favor? If you aren't too busy..?

[Filter: Private]

.. it really has been a while since I've written in here. So much has happened since.. well. Keller's still acting weird around everyone else when we're both together, though I can't understand why he would do that.

Sametar is just about out of supplies. It's all a matter of politics now. Do we send the Lord back with the little troops he has remaining or do we make his Lady a widow? How likely is he to keep his words if we spare his life? Will they swear themselves to Rayla or will we just be giving him time to strengthen his numbers until he strikes again? The villagers all seem to be getting used to this ridiculous battle, if it can even be called that. What a worthless march, bringing his troops to just camp out in front of Rayla. Does he not know who he's dealing with? Why bring a battle to us if you aren't going to do anything? Is he planning something? He's been here for months without a single sign of threat. I need to go out there and speak to him myself. We'll discuss the matter and we'll surely come to some sort of arrangement.

This has gone on long enough. I have other matters to attend to without his house making camp outside of our walls. The villagers all have their complaints, messengers are constantly flying in, and this war is only getting more and more pointless as all the Houses just sit on their thrones and glare at each other. My paperwork only piles up and I have no time for myself anymore.

One thing at a time, Ree.. maybe Keller will help me with some of this..

[Filter: Keller]

Hey..

[Filter: Private]

Ohh...!

There are so many dishes to make for tomorrow.. I don't even know which dessert I want to use for sure yet.

Maybe I'll just make both or something.. hmm!

I hope he'll be better about it this time..

I wonder what Eve is going to do..

[Filter: Eve]

Do you want to cook together tomorrow?

[Filter: Private]

That was surprisingly sweet of him.. haha..

.. it's cute, in a strange sort of way.

[Filter: Those in Rayla]

Thank you all for the dinner. It was really nice.

I haven't really been able to write since then.. but umm.. yes, well, I don't know who slipped that wine into my cup but it made me miss out on some work.

Needless to say, I had a bit to catch up on the next day.

[Filter: Keller]

So umm.. well.. I haven't been able to try my present yet.

I'm glad that everyone is all right..

.. thank dragons we made it back safely.

I can take everything off your hands now, Dame Harriet. Thank you for your hard work while I've been gone.

[Filter: Eve]

Didn't even feel like I was gone, right?

.. happy birthday.

Self defense... There wouldn't have been any other reason to do such a thing.

As if we didn't have enough on our hands.

I don't think they have any allied houses willing to go to war with us, Kaitos, and Sametar... I need to gather the troops and go through some last minute preparations before..

There's so much to do...

[Filter: Eve]

I know you've got a lot on your mind right now..

Lara and Keller haven't written in a while...

.. I hope everything is going according to plan.



Eve's been quieter too.. it seems like she's trying to convince herself that it isn't true..

.. I...

She'll be fine.

[Filter: Eve]

Do you want to have some tea?

I need to talk to you about some things..

Eve might be pregnant.

The troops are in danger.

Everyone is in danger.

The state Rayla is in hasn't changed.

There's always something..

Oh Korin..

[pause]

.. Keller.. he just doesn't seem to understand..

.. it doesn't take much.

He's the one that liked me.. so why is it that it seems the role has changed..?

.. I should probably..

[Filter: Keller]

Do you

Has anything...

Hi.

.. what is there to say?

Do I write down everything I've been doing up until now?

I mean.. I have a separate book for my work. Why do I always feel the need to write in here?

Why hasn't he wrote to me since he left..?

Lara's written to us..

.. I mis-- don't miss him.. he...

.. jerk

I wasn't supposed to like you so much...

[Filter: Ke--

Maybe later...

Hehe..

Happy Birthday Lara!

It was probably a little weird being out on your birthday.. but Keller gave you all our gifts, right???

The time had to come eventually...

.. right?

[Filter: Rayla and Sir Zacharias]

Have a safe journey.. please be careful.

.. and frequent reports.. Okay?

[Filter: Keller]

.. umm.

It didn't feel right.. it doesn't feel right.. to enjoy ourselves during the Festival while he's still stuck in Sametar..

But..

I don't know..

..all of the preparations have been made. He'll be fine..

[pause]

[Filter: Rayla and Sir Zacharias]

The troops will be leaving in three days. That gives everyone plenty of time to visit their families and spend some time with them before they march.

Kasrae should have gotten the letter by now and they should be off to meet with our soldiers mid-way. Hopefully, everything will go as planned.

[Filter: Dame Harriet]

I'm sorry we couldn't celebrate your birthday on the actual date... I hope you're still having fun..? Even though it's a couple of days late.. I promise there's a lot of stuff you like!

I'm glad Eve's agreed to it..

I know that it'll be hard for her.. but Lara wants to help, and without her.. this whole plan would be difficult to complete..

.. I'm worried about her too.. but it'll be okay.. ..she'll be okay.

I guess it's time to talk to Keller now..

I'll miss hi--

[pause]

[Filter: Keller]

So.. umm..

I need to talk to you.. about something..

... was that really-- I know it was him.. he's really kind of hard to miss..

But I really didn't think that he'd actually show up at the doorsteps..

.. It's just..

[pause]

I don't have the time for that right now..

I'll worry about it later.

[Filter: Eve]

You know.. talking usually works better when you listen to the entire plan..?