The carriage wound its way up the serpentine roads that carved through the Eldoria’s highlands. Kurt pressed his face against the glass with his jaw practically on the floor.

"I didn’t realize we were so high up," Kurt murmured, peeking his head out the window. "You can even see the harbor from here."

"Yep," Sadie chirped, leaning back with her hands behind her head. "Nice to be away from the noise and the smells of the city, isn’t it? Up here, the only thing you have to worry about is the wind and the occasional high-society gossip. Though," she glanced at him with a wink, "I think you just gave them enough fuel for the next decade. Maybe more."

They reached the summit, where a pair of massive wrought-iron gates stood as sentinels. Two guards in polished silver plate straightened as the red carriage approached. Recognizing the crest, they heaved the gates open, offering a crisp salute and broad smiles. "Welcome, Master Rossana!" they called out in unison as the carriage rolled through.

"Haha. Thanks."

The path inside was a dream made of smooth stone and emerald hedges. The path was filled with blooming roses in every shade of crimson and white. Reaching the front, the carriage glided around a massive marble fountain before coming to a soft halt in front of the mansion’s oak doors.

Isabel hopped down from the driver’s seat and opened the door for Kurt with a shy bow. As Kurt stepped out, he froze. The entire staff was there. Dozens of maids and servants stood in two perfect lines, their uniforms crisp and their expressions expectant.

The oak doors creaked open, and two servants flicked their wrists, rolling a plush red carpet down the stone steps. It unrolled all the way and stopped exactly at Kurt’s shoes. Yuna, Sadie, and Isabel scurried to join the ranks of the other maids.

Then, she appeared.

Diana stepped out from the shadows of the entrance.

She had changed into a deep crimson gown of flowing silk. Her platinum hair was pinned back with a scarlet brooch, and her eyes were soft, filled with happiness. She walked down the carpet toward him, moving gracefully.

She stopped right in front of him and took both of his hands in hers, the warmth of her touch seeping into his skin.

"What’s mine is yours, Rosie," she said in a low, loving melody. "Welcome home."

POP! POP! POP!

On cue, the staff exploded. Confetti cannons popped, raining red and silver paper over the couple. The air was filled with clapping and a thunderous shout of: "WELCOME HOME, MASTER ROSSANA!"

Kurt felt his face heating up. "Master? Ha, it’s gonna take a while to get used to that."

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" Sadie’s voice rose above the crowd, her hands cupped around her mouth as she jumped up and down.

"Well? What do you say?" Kurt looked at Diana.

Diana’s composure cracked as a shy pink hue crept into her cheeks. "R-Rosie... such an occasion... It’s not even our wedding day yet, and... All these people are watching."

"Think of it as early practice," he whispered. He reached out, his fingers gently lifting her chin.

The courtyard went silent. Every servant and maid held their breath. Diana looked around for an escape route, but finding none, she looked back up at Kurt. Her gaze went glassy and soft.

She leaned into him... and kissed.

"""YEEAAH!!"""

"Hahaha! Look at the lovebirds! So cute~!"

When they connected, the staff let out a roar of approval. Sadie cheered so loud she nearly fell over; Isabel watched through the gaps in her fingers, whispering about how scandalous it was; and Yuna clicked her tongue and turned her head, though the twitch at the corner of her lips betrayed a rare, genuine smile.

Diana immediately hid her burning face in Kurt’s chest, refusing to look at anyone.

However, the moment of romantic bliss was punctured by the sharp, authoritative voice of Wendy, the Head Maid.

"Ok everyone! That is quite enough loitering," Wendy clapped her hands and walked up to the couple. She offered Kurt a formal, deep bow. "I’d like to officially welcome you to your new home, Master Rossana."

"Thank you, Wendy."

She turned around to the trio of maids. "Sadie, Isabel, Yuna. Take the Master’s belongings to the master room."

"Oh, I can grab those," Kurt said. "No need to trouble them."

Wendy shook her head with a firm but polite smile. "Master Rossana, you, along with Ms. Valentine, are the masters of this mansion. You do not need to worry about ’small things’ like luggage. That is why we are here. To serve is our honor."

"I see. In that case, I’ll leave it to you three." Kurt looked at the three maids.

"Good." Wendy approved. "Now please, follow me for a tour." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Kurt tried to step forward, but Diana was still glued to his chest, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

"Diana? We’re going inside."

"I know, but I’m too embarrassed to move," she muffled against him. "I can’t believe I did that in front of everyone. I’ll never be able to show my face to them again."

Seeing no other way, Kurt let out a huff of laughter. He slid his arms under her knees and back, hoisting her up into a princess carry.

"R-Rosie!"

"Carry on, Wendy," Kurt said, stepping onto the red carpet.

"The legendary princess carry!"

Sadie’s cheering started up again, prompting a sharp scold from Wendy. "Sadie! Help the others clear that confetti before it stains the stone!"

"Booo! I’m telling bossman on you, Wendy."

"I swear that girl..." Wendy sighed.

She then proceeded to lead the way through a labyrinth of opulence. They passed through a dining hall with a chandelier that looked like a frozen explosion of diamonds, a library three stories tall, and a gallery filled with the history of the Valentine lineage.

They tour around the entire mansion before coming to a stop at the master bedroom.

"The master bedroom as I’m sure you’ve come to know," Wendy announced.

She looked at Kurt, still carrying Diana, and offered a small, knowing nod. "I must say, Master Rossana, your stamina is impressive. Carrying her throughout the entire tour... you truly are a man of strength."

"Well, she’s a bit of a lightweight," he teased. "But I think I’ll keep her."

Diana giggled, finally peeking out from her hiding spot. Wendy bowed one last time. "That’s all from me for now. I shall leave you both to settle in."

"Thanks again, Wendy."

Diana reached down, opened the door and pushed it with her foot. Kurt carried her into the room and set her down on the silk covers, but as he moved to stand, she caught his hand.

Diana rolled onto her side, looking up at him with half-lidded eyes. She slowly reached for the collar of her gown, loosening the silk slightly so it dipped across her chest.

"The house is quiet, the staff is downstairs, and I have you all to myself," she whispered, her voice husky. "What do you want to do now, Rosie~?"

Kurt felt his heart skip a beat. He climbed onto the bed, crawling toward her until he was inches from her face. He reached out, hovering his hand over the silk that barely held her back. He leaned in, brushing his lips against her ear.

"I have to leave for the docks now," he whispered.

He reached down, pulled her clothing back up to cover her chest, and hopped off the bed with a triumphant laugh.

"ROSIE!" Diana shrieked, jumping up. "You... you tease! You absolute monster!"

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry!" Kurt laughed, backing toward the door as she started pelting him with pillows. "But I’m really worried about the kids. I told Hope I’d be back, and if I stay here with you, I know for a fact I’m not making it out of this room for the next twelve hours. At least."

Diana stopped mid-throw, dropping her shoulders. She looked at him, turning her expression into a cute, exaggerated pout. She walked over and wrapped her arms around his neck, looking up at him with puppy-dog eyes.

"Please~? Just an hour~?"

"Oh my Lord... You’re really laying the temptation on thick."

"Is it working~?"

"Ana... No!" Kurt shook his head. "I can’t, BUT! I promise you... I am yours for the entire night. No interruptions. And I’ll be there when you wake up in the morning. And many mornings after that, ok?"

"You promise?" she asked, her voice small.

"I promise."

"Okay," she sighed, letting go. "Go on then. But I’m going to spend the next few hours thinking of ways to make you regret leaving." She gave him a playful, predatory wink. "And save your stamina. You’ll need it."

"Uhm, can you teleport me?" Kurt asked hopefully.

"Nope!" she chirped, flopping back onto the bed. "I’m saving my stamina for later tonight~"

"Alright, alright." he laughed and ducked out of the room. He then made his way back to the courtyard, where he found Sadie sitting on the edge of the fountain, swinging her legs.

"Hey, bossman! Done already?" she teased. "That was quick. Should I be worried for bosslady?"

"Ha. Ha. I’m heading back to the docks for some quick business. What are you doing out here?"

"Skipping wo– AHEM! I’m on my break," Sadie said, hopping down. "But I’m bored. Mind if I tag along? I heard what happened at the docks. I can help with the kids. I’m great with rugrats."

"Sure. I’d appreciate the company."

Sadie signaled a stablehand. "Hey! Hitch the carriage back up! The bossman has business at the pier!"

"Yes, Master Rossana!"

Together, they climbed into the carriage. As they rolled back out through the iron gates, Kurt looked out the window. He was a master of a mansion, a hero of the city(?), and the lover of a legend. But as he looked at the city and beyond, he felt as if the real work was only just beginning.