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D

emetrius asked, “You can’t stay for the wedding?”

Hara shook her head. Helena was holding onto Demetrius’ hand and Hara didn’t doubt for a moment that the match was a good one. Even if their meeting had been filled with apathy and violence.

Hara had spoken to Helena on the ship and asked whether she really had true feelings for Demetrius, especially since she had ignored him the first time, she had met him. Helena had explained that Lysander was jealous and so she didn’t look at any man, especially a man she found attractive.

Hara could understand the danger there had been with her, living with Lysander as she had. Hara just hoped they were up to the challenge of turning the Duchy around.

The two chests of gold were at Hara’s feet and she motioned to them, “I’m only here to make sure these get to you. You’ll need everything you can get to fix that place. You will need to lean on each other.”

Helena said, “Thank you. I know it will be a long time before the people there will trust me but this will help.”

Demetrius flushed. “Yes, thank you for this. I’ve had training but this will be the first time I’ve had to deal with my own people and my own accounts.”

Hara looked at his glowing face. “You are looking forward to the challenge, aren’t you?”

Demetrius grinned. “Yeah. I’ve realised that the only reason I agreed to marry Hermia was that she is an heiress and as a third son, that meant more to me than anything. Now this prize is even better.”

He turned his look on Helena and Hara snorted with laughter as she realised, he meant Helena. It was clear that Helena was also aware that he meant her as she returned the smile he gave her.

Hara said, “Well, I’ll leave you two lovebirds. We are heading out straight away.”