The journey into Merovia carried with it a different kind of air from the moment the ship drew closer to the shores.

The wind itself seemed lighter, warmer and almost alive. Rosalind found herself standing at the edge of the vessel, watching the distant outline of the kingdom slowly sharpen into view with colours that seemed to spill into the horizon, vibrant rooftops, tall banners fluttering against the breeze and voices already faintly rising even from afar, as though the city never truly slept.

"It’s even more beautiful," she whispered.

Beside her, the Queen stood composed yet visibly softened in a way she rarely allowed herself to show. "It is," she answered gently, and then turned her gaze to Rosalind as the ship finally aligned with the dock.

"Everything will become even more beautiful with its princess returning home"

Marek, standing a little behind them, gave a quiet hum of agreement. "Indeed, welcome home, Princess," he said, while Hannah leaned slightly over the rail with an expression that mixed curiosity and relief, as if she was witnessing something she had only ever heard stories about.

When the ship finally settled against the dock, the world seemed to shift into motion all at once.

The sound of bells and ceremonial horns rose into the air, followed by the sight of carriages already waiting in orderly rows with attendants standing ready in their polished uniforms.

The bridge was lowered and the welcome became immediate. Citizens gathered behind barriers waving, calling out blessings and names that Rosalind was still unfamiliar with, yet she could feel the warmth in their voices.

"Oh, this place can even be livelier than anything," Rosalind said.

As they moved onto the dock, "Try not to look too overwhelmed, they’ll think you’re fragile," Marek said.

Hannah shot him a pointed look. "She just came back to her country, let her breathe."

Soon they were escorted toward the awaiting carriages as the crowd’s excitement followed them like a living wave.

The ride through Merovia began shortly after, and Rosalind found herself seated near the window as the carriage moved forward through streets that were brighter, louder and more open than anything she had ever known.

The buildings did not feel suffocating but instead seemed to breathe with colour, painted walls catching sunlight, flower baskets hanging from balconies and vendors calling out freely without fear, while children ran alongside the carriages laughing as if the arrival of royalty was not something to fear but something to celebrate.

The Queen occasionally pointed out small places. "Do you remember these roads? You used to walk through them all the time, and they lead back to the castle"

" Then over there is the market you always wanted to visit," she said happily.

Rosalind looked at those places she was pointing with a smile.

She could only grasp fragments of those memories like broken reflections she was still learning how to piece together.

As they moved deeper into the city, the palace finally came into view, rising gracefully above the rest of Merovia with a brightness that made it feel less like a fortress and more like a living home.

Its walls were white and gold beneath the sun, with gardens stretching outward in maintained beauty, and when they arrived at the gates the moment felt ceremonial again as guards bowed deeply while the carriage doors opened.

They were welcomed inside without delay. "Your Majesty... Your Highness..."

Their voices filled the air as they bowed, and Rosalind was still trying to get used to this.

She had seen people bow to her before, but it felt entirely different now in a way she couldn’t quite explain.

The palace itself was filled with elegance rather than tension.

Long halls were lined with soft drapery, polished floors reflected candlelight even in daylight and open courtyards held fountains that flowed steadily, as though time itself had slowed down within those walls.

Rosalind glanced around with awe in her eyes. She hadn’t had the chance to admire any of it the last time because of the circumstances under which she had been brought here, but now she could openly take everything in.

Queen Catarina noticed and spoke softly. "Not much has changed."

Marek replied lightly, "Except the silence when she wasn’t here,"

Rama was then brought forward. "Be careful with her," Rosalind barely had time to say before the large beast was released into the courtyard.

Some of the attendants quickly moved aside, but the moment Lory appeared, everything changed.

The Queen’s pet approached without hesitation, and instead of aggression there was recognition. Rama stilled at once, the tension in her body easing as though something long lost had finally been found, while Lory circled her once before pressing its head gently against hers.

Rosalind blinked in surprise. "They know each other?"

"Of course they do," the Queen answered with a smile. "Lory is her mother."

"What?" Hannah exclaimed.

Marek chuckled softly. "You didn’t know?"

"No one told me," Hannah replied immediately.

Rosalind watched the two beasts quietly as Rama let out a low rumble and rubbed against Lory again, "It looks like she’s happy," Rosalind noted to herself.

****

Rosalind did not stay long after that moment in the courtyard.

She was gently led onward as there was someone else she had to see, and she was guided through the quieter corridors of the palace, until finally she was brought into a softly lit chamber where her father lay resting.

For a brief moment she hesitated at the doorway. The sight of him was both unfamiliar and strangely comforting at the same time.

Yet the Queen’s gentle hand on her shoulder urged her forward and so she stepped inside.

Rosalind took in a deep breath as she walked into the room, her gaze falling on an elderly man resting there with his hands folded over his chest.

He seemed to be sleeping and Rosalind, who was unsure how to go about this, simply stood by the bedside with her fingers tightening. She pressed her lips together, knowing she could not remain there forever.

"Father?" she called, and even the name sounded strange on her lips.

Calder was the one she had always known by that title, but he was no longer part of her life and although he had left a lasting impact on her, sadly it had not been a good one.

"It’s me, Sophia," she said gently.

His eyes slowly fluttered open and Rosalind swallowed as she watched his gaze shift towards her.

He was older than the memories she carried, yet his eyes still held something familiar, and when he saw her his expression softened in a way that immediately broke whatever hesitation she had been holding onto.

There was no uncertainty in him at all, only recognition and relief.

Although the illness had weakened him over the years, his spirit remained unchanged. "Sophia?" he asked.

She nodded with a small smile.

"Thank goodness..." he breathed, reaching out a hand and Rosalind moved closer until she could take it, feeling its warmth against her own fingers as though she was touching something she had been missing her entire life.

"You’ve grown so much now, I can hardly recognize my own daughter," he said with a faint sigh... "I kept hoping that one day, one day we would find you again and now I can finally rest easy. I want you to know that we never abandoned you, not even for a moment. We searched everywhere for years, your mother spent countless sleepless nights, your brother never stopped looking and everyone tried their best, yet fate is the only thing that decides these matters. And now I hear that you’re the one who found your way back to us..." He coughed slightly before shaking his head. "How ironic that is."

Rosalind listened quietly as he continued.

"But all of that is in the past and now that you’re back home, do not feel like a stranger in your own house. You’ve always belonged here no matter what happened. You’re finally where you’re meant to be," he said as he squeezed her hand gently, as though trying to reassure her.

"Thank you, Father," Rosalind said softly.

She felt something tighten in her chest at his words and although her voice came out quiet, she still managed to tell him, "You also need to recover quickly because now that I’ve found you, I do not intend to lose you."

That simple statement seemed to ease him further and a soft laugh escaped his lips.

"I will be fine, child," he said.

The Queen, who stood nearby, quietly watched them both with an expression that carried years of waiting finally easing into relief.

Marek and Hannah lingered at the doorway, observing the moment without interrupting because they understood that some reunions were not meant to be rushed.

And right then and there, Rosalind felt like she was finally home.

Where she belonged.