The Duke made his way to Rotterdam, on personal invite of the local lord and admiral of the dutch fleet in the area, both apart of the continued campaign to drive support and that and the Duke now having a sea border in Italy was interested in expanding into naval improvements

  He arrived on the early evening as he was greeted by the castle lord but the moment quickly was disturbed as yelling rang out

  As the Duke and Admiral Herman looked over the castle walls down to the harbor fire already spreading through the town below a Habsburg convoy had gotten into the channel and were now blockading the port

  As cannon fire pummeled the walls the Duke went down to the harbor as he ran through the streets a flurry of soldiers and civilians scrambling about trying to stop the fires, Lord Herman stayed in the castle above to try and reorganize

  The Duke reached the port a scene of ships placed upon the dark sky only the light the fires in the harbor

  The Duke looked as the men scramble about as he approached “Whos on charge here” he asked a man running past who pointed to a rather colorfully dressed man yelling on a boat

  The Duke ran over however the man and the ship he was on suddenly exploded as a cannon shot hit the gunpowder storage throwing the Duke into the sea

  The Duke sank held down by his breast plate but after a moment he stopped trying to swim up

  Immortality was a tiring thing, and well perhaps, perhaps finally he was to be given peace, a rest he had long craved

  As he shut his eyes the dark surrounding him

  But soon something came from that darkness

  A single image, a single person

  Teresa standing there hands clasped in front of her simply smiling

  Simply smiling

  The Duke eyes shot open as he took his sword cutting the straps holding the breast plate on as it popped off he began swimming back up

  Even as the salt stung his eyes and his lungs begged for air he pumped his arms

  He was not sure why but, he felt deep on his gut, their would be no greater tragedy than to die before seeing her again

  As he gasped surfacing surrounded by ships and smoke around him he panted treading

  He would be picked up by a small boat as this long night would only just began

  Teresa sat in her room mulling over the request of the local nobility, and news from the rest of the country

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  In truth since the other day she hadn't been able to focus

  Besides the news she had received of a Habsburg raid on Rotterdam which on itself brought up many concerns

  She also found herself worried for the Duke, she knew he had been heading to Rotterdam and even if she wasn't terrible sure why she was worried for him

  Philip entered seeing his sister staring blankly at the papers before her as he cleared his throat

  Teresa shook her head turning “ Aah Philip, sorry I didn't hear you come in” she said

  “ Are you alright sister you look trouble?” He asked

  Teresa sighed waving her hand “ aah just the usual mess of this estate and war nothing of concern Philip”

  Philip however knew his sister well enough to know something else was bothering her “True true, though I imagine you are worried for your friend from Mosion” he said

  Teresa looked at him face turning a hint red

  Truthfully she had talked about him much these last three days unintentionally

  “ N..no I'm sure the Duke is fine, he's done this than anyone around so, I'm not concerned “Teresa said

  Philip opened his mouth to retort before being interrupted

  A servant entered bowing” Sir, Madame um their is a man at the door asking of he may come in, hes quite a mess”

  “ At this hour, did he say who he was?” Teresa asked

  “ Uh he said to say he was from Mosion and you'd understand?” The maid said

  Teresa eyes widen as she stood up walking quickly out the room and down stairs Philip following in tow

  As she opened the door the Duke stood there rain pouring down behind him

  His coat soaked as the rest of his outfit was heavily stained with blood, mud, and salt

  His hair disheveled coming down onto his face, tired eyes as he looked at Teresa however he smiled

  “ I promised I'd come didn't I” he smiled

  He had come straight from Rotterdam two days prior after the battle, straight to her

  Teresa looked at him with concern but chuckled at his statement “ that you did, now come inside before you catch a cold, can't have the Duke of mosion struck down by the sniffles”

  He entered his steps slopping with water

  Philip looked at him admittedly trying to rectify the image his sister had made and the man who stood before him

  “ Aah my lord this is my brother Philip, hes staying with his wife at the moment “ Teresa introduced

  “hmm a pleasure “ the Duke said extending his hand to shake Philip

  After wards as they walked deeper” I apologize for my state, I would use the excuse I didn't have time but I did, I just suppose wanted to make sure I saw you “ he said as they sat down in the lounge

  “ Oh it's quite alright my lord, I know you had to deal with that mess in Rotterdam…. Though I must ask of you excuse my bluntness if this has changed your mind on your stance on helping us “ she said as she was still a loyal daughter of the Netherlands above all

  “ Well, I think my choice was made for me, when we sunk that Habsburg convoy “ he chuckled

  Teresa smiled gently as she reached the over her hand warm over his cold one

  “ Well I suppose that attack least did something good “ she said

  “ I am glad you came out alright my lord, I must admit I perhaps had some foolish worry for your safety, that or the fact it would definitely hurt your image lieing to the duchess of Dort tsk tsk “ she said making a joke at the end

  He chuckled” oh worry not my lady it will take more than a few boats to make me break a promise” he said

  His eyes drifted to her hand resting on top of his, he felt a small warmth on his chest and his mouth dry a little

  He cleared his throat trying to refocus “ You do have quite the lovely home, though I must apologize for my appearance, heh heh and for scaring your brother off” he joked since Phillip had given a weak excuse to leave them

  Teresa laughed “ oh, I simply think you caught him off guard, I suppose in my description of you I made you least appear civil” she teased

  Her gaze soften a bit “ I am glad you are safe my lord, I, …. I'm glad you were able to make it to me” she said

  He smiled softly” I promise didn't I?”

  They stared at each other for a long moment

  After a moment she withdrew her hand patting down her dress “ well em.i i am sure you are exhausted sir you are free to stay as long as you must, I think I'm I'm going to retire” she said standing

  The Duke cough “ y.. yes I I thank you my lady”

  As Teresa gave a slight bow as a maid began walking the Duke to his room he looked back at her he didn't say anything but he smiled

  Not a simple smile but the kind that sent a shiver down Teresa spine not in fear but, but something much warmer