Epilogue

Cain stood in the doorway to Ambrose's room, smiling softly as he watched DG, Raw, and Azkadellia pull Ambrose's adventure on the Resistance Trail out of him yet again. Ambrose was lying on a couch in his sitting room, refusing to admit he needed to lie in bed but not strong enough to sit up. The blow to his head was severe enough to give him the occasional dizzy spell, but the medicos had assured everyone that they would fade in time.

The soft rustle of a gown beside him informed Cain that he was no longer alone.

"You have my eternal gratitude for bringing him home safely," Olivia said quietly.

"Ambrose is my friend," Cain replied. "I could do no less."

They fell into a comfortable silence, watching their friends interact with the princesses.

"I am told Lord Aviano has been apprehended," Olivia commented.

Cain nodded, having heard the report from Kerrin. The disgraced noble had been caught trying to flee the city in a stolen car. Fortunately, the blockades had been able to stop him at the gates. Aviano was currently under heavy guard in the dungeons.

Olivia's next words surprised Cain. "If I had known that a comment to my husband would result in this, I would have kept it to myself."

Cain recalled the look Olivia had given Ahamo after Ambrose's first kidnap attempt. He turned to Olivia. "You started the rumor, your majesty?"

Olivia gestured for Cain to join her in the hall. "Mr. Cain, when you hear the word 'treasure', what comes to mind?"

"I suppose gold, maybe precious jewels," Cain replied.

Olivia nodded. "Most do," she agreed. "Tell me, Mr. Cain: if I were to lose all of the treasure in our vault, would that cause me to lose my title?"

"No, I suppose not," Cain answered, wondering where Olivia was going with the conversation.

"Being a leader, no matter the title, means being responsible for the well-being of your people," Olivia said. "The people trust me, and my family, to lead them because they know that every decision I make is the best decision for their safety and future."

"I see," Cain said, not entirely certain he did.

Olivia smiled. "As a queen, my greatest treasure is the love and fealty of my people. Without them, I could no longer be queen."

Cain nodded, unsure what all of this had to do with Ambrose.

Olivia read the unasked question in his eyes. "I am aware, Mr. Cain, that my Ambrose likes to go into the city to help some of those same people. Before the witch, he would do a variety of odd jobs and work. Now, I imagine he's stretching himself thin to help them rebuild."

"Yes, ma'am," Cain said, still confused.

"From what Ambrose tells me, once he escaped from Aviano, he ran into one of those people and asked for help," Olivia continued. "Your own account states that the first people you asked volunteered to help. Did any of them ask for repayment?"

Cain shook his head.

"Even knowing it was in our power to give them whatever they wanted?" Olivia pressed.

"Even then," Cain agreed.

"Do you see, Mr. Cain?" Olivia asked. "They didn't hesitate to help Ambrose. Ambrose, through his selfless work and kindness to strangers, has managed to earn their love and friendship. Their loyalty. And Ambrose, dear man that he is, would never think to abuse that friendship for any reason, which only strengthens their bonds."

It made sense, but Cain was still confused about one thing. "Your majesty, forgive me, but where does the key come in? If the people are the treasure, how can there be a key?"

Olivia's smile was fond. "My comment to my husband may have been a bit careless, but I never said Ambrose held the key to the greatest treasure in the O.Z." She patted Cain's arm, seeing a dawning realization on his face. "I said that Ambrose is the key to the greatest treasure in the O.Z. A queen, or a king, could learn a thing or two about being a leader from my Ambrose, don't you think?"

With a gentle squeeze to Cain's arm, she released him and turned, heading back into Ambrose's room.

END


A/N: Finally done! Thanks for sticking it out! Also cross-posted to AO3.