But after a decade, she looked even more beautiful. With her worn-out clothes and tired look, she stood prettier than all the noble ladies in his ballroom. Carrying dishes, she moved more gracefully than the dancers in his feasts. Scolding the two boys, she sounded more eloquent than his advisers, who measured their every word.

Every moment outside of that window hurt like a strike with a whip, but it was her husband kissing her forehead that cemented Roman’s worst fears. She was happier now than she’s ever been with him. He was the czar who defeated the imperials, yet she had no need of him.

He looked through the window like a hungry child staring at the baker’s goods he would never get to taste. That cold, muddy yard and the rotten house inside it held something more precious to Roman than anything else kept in the keep’s vault.

He had half a mind to knock on the door, but what would he say? It’s been ten years, and I’ve dreamt of you every other night. I missed you like a tree that’s never seen spring. I still love you, but I loved my dreams more. Only the last one sounded truthful.

“Roman…” - a gentle whisper interrupted his thoughts.

He turned around, startled, and saw a beautiful dark-haired woman not an arm’s length behind him in the yard. A long white dress fell down her body and covered the dirt around them. Her skin was almost as pale as her garments but her hair was black as night.

“Who are you?!” - he hissed, and looked inside again, afraid that someone had heard her - “How’d you know who I am?”

He stepped back in the mud and reached to the blade on his hip. If that woman had any intention to hurt him, she could’ve done it without alerting him, but holding a sword hilt gave him at least a little confidence.

“Don’t worry, they can’t hear you.” - the woman continued with her gentle voice, a faint smile curved her lips.

“Who are you?” - he whispered, his knuckled turning white around the hilt.

“Your people call me Morana.”

“Morana… Have I… Have I died?”

“You have. Earlier this night, in your chambers. Your heart was hurting, czar.”

“So this is not real?” - Roman asked with a trembling voice and bulging eyes.

“It’s very real. I wanted you to see it before we go.” - Morana answered.