Reina returned to the Aurelius estate instead of making her way to Ryujin, she sent Nox ahead to inform others of her return.

It had been a while—too long—since she had last seen her father and brother, and a quiet longing pulled her homeward first. She wanted this moment. Before the world demanded her again.

After a long, cleansing bath that washed away the dust of travel and the remnants of Yggdrasil’s deep-rooted mana, Reina dressed in fresh clothing—simple yet dignified. She tied her white hair loosely, letting it fall like moonlight down her back, and stepped out of her room.

The hallways felt different.

More footsteps. More hushed discussions. The faint clinking of armor.

Prince Trials, she thought.

Of course the estate would be busier than usual.

As she descended the staircase, several servants caught sight of her. Their eyes widened—surprise, relief, a hint of joy. Reina lifted a finger to her lips, a small secretive smile forming.

"Not a word," she murmured.

They nodded quickly, lowering their heads, though she could practically feel their excitement radiating.

Reina continued toward the dining hall, her footsteps soft yet certain. The scent of warm food drifted faintly in the air. The familiar structure of the corridors, the polished stone and carved wooden beams—home always had a distinct presence. She hadn’t realized how much she missed it until now.

The two guards stationed before the dining hall straightened the moment they recognized her. Their stern expressions cracked into faint smiles.

Reina returned one gently. "Are my father and brother inside?"

"Yes, my Lady," one replied, already sounding pleased just to say it.

"Open the doors, then," she said, her tone calm but containing the soft brightness of anticipation.

The guards exchanged a glance—equal parts stunned and delighted—before pushing open the grand doors.

Reina stepped through as light spilled into the hall, the scent of wood and warmth embracing her.

The heads inside turned at once and two pairs of eyes widened in shock and delight.

"Reina?!" Duke Aurelius gasped before he got to his feet.

However, Reina was even more stunned as she saw the third person in the dining hall, she was dressed in a soft pink dress with her lavender hair braided back. Her pearly eyes were fixed on Reina just as Reina’s were on her.

"Celestia?" Her lips moved without letting the voice step out and she quickly schooled her expression of surprise.

Duke Aurelius walked over and embraced Reina tightly and she hugged him back with a chuckle.

"You missed me that much?" She asked playfully.

"What father wouldn’t miss his daughter?" He asked and then pulled back holding her at an arm’s length as his voice dropped to a whisper.

"Besides, where were you for the last two days? I’ve been asking Kai and your aides but they only told me you were off for work."

Just then Rune walked up beside his father and Reina smiled at him as he also hugged her.

"Where were you?" He asked and then pulled back looking at her carefully holding her hands.

"I’ll explain later in library, but first, why don’t you introduce me to our guest?" She asked making the two gentlemen clear their throats before they turned facing Celestia who was standing awkwardly near her chair.

Rune’s cheeks had turned slightly pink, as he looked at his father both seeming to wonder who would do the introduction. Reina knew Celestia but they weren’t officially introduced and this was Celestia’s first time meeting Reina.

Watching as both her father and brother fumbled she stepped ahead herself and smiled at Celestia.

"Welcome, I’m Reina Aurelius, daughter of Duke Aurelius." Reina dipped into a perfect curtsy that made Celestia stare at her stunned for a moment before she blinked.

"Ah, yes, I-" she also dipped into a graceful curtsy.

"I’m Celestia, daughter of Duchess Konstantinos of Denril kingdom." She introduced herself.

Reina feigned surprise and then looked at her father and brother.

"And here I was wondering why my brother was blushing so much, it’s because of my sister-in-law." Reina chuckled making even Celestia’s cheeks go red.

"Re-Reina!" Rune hissed as he stepped beside her.

"Well, I wouldn’t blame you brother, she is really beautiful." Reina said.

Duke Aurelius cleared his throat making the three look at him.

"Now that even Reina is here, shall we all have breakfast?" He suggested.

"Sure," Rune said and then walked over to Aurora before gently pulling her chair back.

Reina cocked a brow but didn’t say anything as she exchanged a glance with her father, the two suppressed their smiles watching the two lovers.

Celestia sat down and Rune looked at Reina who simply smiled waving her hand, "Go sit."

The butler Tobias pulled the chair back for Reina and she sat down, she could feel Celestia’s eyes on her as she sat in front of her. Celestia had taken a seat next to Rune on Duke Aurelius right while Reina took the direct left seat to Duke Aurelius.

The maids started serving the breakfast and Reina sat still observing as Celestia seemed a little awkward.

First of all, it seemed like she had come to Sestia on her own and next, Reina wasn’t informed of this. So, she had come recently and her father and brother also had no prior notice of her arrival. Reina wondered why the sudden visit.

Reina smiled and then looked at her father, "I was planning on surprising you and brother by arriving straight here but I was surprised myself."

Arthur Aurelius glanced once at Celestia whose spoon had paused and she looked at both of them.

"Miss Konstantinos arrived last night and it was quite a pleasant surprise for us as well." Arthur said.

Rune looked at Reina and sighed explaining, "Miss Celestia had been planning on surprising us, that’s why she came to Sestia but because of some issues during her travel she arrived a little later."

Reina tilted her head, "What kind of issues?"

Reina stirred her soup while Duke Aurelius spoke, "Some bandits tried to attack her carriage, but she was saved by some unknown black masked people."

Reina sighed in relief for her guard team that was always stationed around the cities and towns of the people who were affiliated with her but the talk about bandits was unsettling.

"Are you all right, Miss Celestia? Did you get hurt or anything?" Reina quickly asked.

Celestia smiled, "No, I am all right, I was just really shocked when the attack happened... Most of my knights were injured but... Those black masked men just arrived in a flash and took out the attackers so quickly that..."

Reina nodded and then asked, "Where did this attack happen?"

"Near Shadowcliff." Rune said and Reina almost cocked a brow.

"Shadowcliff?"

Rune nodded and Reina focused back on her soup. She would need to have a chat with Lord Oberon regarding this bandit issue.

Reina could feel Celestia’s eyes on her and when she lifted her eyes to meet her Celestia’s cheeks flushed pink and she looked down.

"How is Duchess Konstantinos your mother, Miss?" Reina asked.

Celestia looked up barely maintaining the eye contact, "She is fine, My Lady."

Reina blinked surprised at her addressing Reina so formally.

Reina chuckled, "You need not be so formal, Miss. We are going to be family soon so, I would like for us to grow closer."

Celestia stared at her for a moment and then nodded.

"Yes, I think so too!" She said and Reina’s smile deepened.

After breakfast, Reina walked towards the library with Arthur in tow, Rune said he was going to escort Celestia back to her room before he met with them.

Reina walked over to the table which had the game of chess splayed on it and three chairs set around it. Arthur took his seat along with Reina who looked at the game and started placing the pieces according to her.

"I wonder if everything is fine in Denril." Reina muttered.

"Everything is fine there, I think she missed your brother that’s why she came."

"In order to reach all the way here, she must have left a couple of days after you all left." Reina surmised.

"Don’t read too much into it," Arthur said placing his hand on Reina’s briefly.

"Apart from that, I’m a little concerned about this bandit problem. In all these years, there haven’t been a single complaint about bandits since I and my guards flushed them all out but suddenly there are bandits attacking a noble woman from another kingdom?" Reina spoke and Arthur sighed.

"They weren’t bandits," he said and Reina hummed.

"Celestia Konstantinos entering Sestia must have reached their ears and they must have dispatched some low level assassins to get rid of her to create friction with Denril. How childish and boring!" Reina scoffed.

"She was quite terrified when she came last night, Reina." Arthur spoke with the hint of concern in his voice.

"And now that the Prince Trials are beginning, things will be even more chaotic." Reina added.

Just then the doors opened and Rune walked in. He made his way to his sister and father and took his seat on the empty chair.

"How is she?" Arthur asked.

"She’s fine, not scared anymore." He answered before glancing at Reina.

"It was a good thing that your guard teams were around and they saved her in time. A lot of Konstantinos family knights are being treated here right now." He added.

Reina nodded without moving her eyes from the chess game.

"Why did she come here all of a sudden?" Reina asked.

Rune looked a little awkward and licked his lips before saying.

"It seems like she had an argument with her mother and she ran away." Rune answered.

Both Reina and Arthur were taken aback by it, Reina burst out laughing while Arthur stared in disbelief.

"Impressive," Reina laughed, "so, my dear sister-in-law runs away from the house whenever she is angry. Keep a note of that brother."

Rune massaged his temples and Arthur sighdd shaking his head.

"Well, she can stay here for as long as she could but we will need to look after her safety first." Arthur pointed out.

Reina hummed still keeping her eyes on the game.

"That’s fine, brother will stay by her side all the time." Reina said making him look at her.

"What? But, I have to be by Eric’s side during the Prince Trials."

"That would have been the prerequisite if your fiance wouldn’t be here. Now that she is, your first priority should be her. I have plenty of people who could stand beside Eric but Celestia won’t feel secure with anyone else but you by her side. Do you understand, brother?"

Reina glanced at her brother who sighed and nodded.

"I understand."

Reina smiled and then looked at the chess game which had one white King in the middle with several white pieces around it and against them were some black pieces.

"Now, about where I went." She started.