Aselia and Yurian safely landed in the nearest city to the town of Lahoire. Yurian had brought along his car, they loaded all of their luggage in the trunk and back seat of the car along with Rony and off they went to their new destination.

Tremais shared borders with Druhias and had a similar climate. Winters were cold with few areas experiencing snow storms and blizzards while other areas had cool winters with occasional rain.

The winter was at its peak in this area, it had snowed a few days ago and the roadsides still had traces of it. Yurian turned on the heater in the car, although both of them were clad in jackets, it was still cold.

"It’s certainly cold here," Aselia chuckled while rubbing her hands together.

"Yes, it’s much colder than Tetrois and the landscape of Lahoire is breathtaking. You will love it there," Yurian informed her as he swiftly drove on the paved road.

The road had pine trees lining both sides. The air was laden with their sweet balsamic scent. The fluffy clouds hung low in the sky, shrouding the sun behind them and adorning the sky in a mystical grey hue.

Aselia observed everything with wide eyes, she had never been to this part of Tremais and it indeed held a magical glistening beauty to it. The Elven girl decided to paint a winter landscape as soon as she would get settled in.

She wanted to ask Yurian about his parents but he had always been very sensitive about this topic so she decided to just see it for herself. The fact that he had decided to bring her here told her how serious the situation was.

"Yuri, you said some cities were attacked by that vampire who took Marhia from us. Which cities has he attacked?" Aselia’s question threw Yurian off. He didn’t want to talk about anything related to Xiran and his city but she would find out eventually about the attack whenever she will check the news.

So he reluctantly said: "Fritez City in Druhias and some other towns alongside it."

"Ohh! Isn’t that a very popular tourist destination? Don’t think we have ever visited it though. They don’t allow hunters in their territory," Aselia remembered hearing the name of the city.

"Now they do. We allied with them and an office has been set up. Hunters have already been dispatched there," Yurian tried to keep this information as brief as possible.

"I have heard the sea that touches it has the greenest water. I want to see it someday," there was longing in Aselia’s voice and Yurian couldn’t help but feel sad at her words.

"One day you will," with these words, he took a left turn and pointed in the distance where a town lay at the edge of a river, snow-kissed mountains towered behind it. "That’s Lahoire, we are almost there."

"Wow!!! Yuri, you never told me your hometown is so breathtakingly beautiful," Aselia’s eyes twinkled and the artist in her couldn’t help but appreciate the landscape that lay ahead.

"I wanted to show you, instead of telling," he answered with a small smile.

Soon they arrived outside Yurian’s house and Aselia watched it with her mouth wide open. Its mint green exterior paint, two rocking chairs on the terrace outside the house and potted plants that lay all over gave it a very homely feel.

Yurian stopped the car in the driveway and stared at his home for a while. His emotions were going haywire and he was clutching the steering wheel too tightly. His sharp jawline had become even more prominent.

Aselia was noticing this with deeply concerned eyes so she touched his arm and asked: "You alright? Take a deep breath."

He did as she said and let out a frustrated sigh.

"I can still hear her scream," Yurian closed his eyes with these words and Aselia rubbed his arm.

Meanwhile, the front door to his house opened and a man who seemed like an older version of Yurian stepped outside. He appeared to be in his late forties, with the same jawline, warm light brown eyes and hair as his son’s.

He climbed down the fleet of four stairs and approached their car with a warm smile playing on his face. Yurian opened his eyes and seeing him approach finally unlocked the door and stepped outside the car, Aselia did the same.

"My son," he opened his arms and tightly hugged Yurian, deeply rooted emotions and satisfaction to finally see his son were evident on his face and tears of joy began to flow from his eyes.

"Dad, sorry it took me so long," he was apologetic and his voice was breaking as he embraced his father who patted his son on the back and cried.

"It’s alright, we understand but we missed you," both of them finally separated and Yurian pointed towards Aselia and introduced her:

"Dad please meet my partner, Leia," Aselia moved ahead with an awkward smile on her face and shook hands with Yurian’s father.

"Hello! It’s good to make your acquaintance Miss Leia," he offered her a warm smile.

"Hello! And likewise, Mr..." she turned to Yurian for assistance on how to address his father.

"Razian," he offered.

"Mr Razian, it’s good to meet you," she mumbled and he smiled.

"Let’s go inside, your mother is waiting. She is in the kitchen, cooking all your favourite dishes," Mr Razian led them inside and Aselia grabbed Rony’s dog carrier before proceeding, she didn’t want to leave him in the car without her.

"Esma, look who is here," he called out once they entered the cosy living room and a petit woman with yellowish blonde hair and eyes as green as freshly cut grass stepped outside the kitchen. She was still wearing mittens, for she had been baking and the house was filled with the aroma of freshly baked cookies.

Her eyes grew wide in shock, seeing her son standing there, she rushed to him and he wrapped her in his arms. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"My boy is finally home," she whimpered as tears fell from her beautiful eyes.