Return and Reunion

Amid the clinking of porcelain cups and the scent of pastries, everyone continued to enjoy the afternoon in one another’s company.

Calixtus leaned back and folded his arms. “So to say, that showed us that you’re more capable than you allowed us to believe. If I could do something like that, I would.”

Aya turned an incredulous stare on him. "Don’t say that. It’s still bad, which is why I feel bad. It doesn’t become right just because you happened to have a good reason for doing it.”

Aya let out a loud huff, emphasizing her point. Meanwhile, the princes exchanged conflicted glances, almost as if dissenting. They appeared to have their own opinions on the matter. Calixtus pondered on her words, then gave a thoughtful smile.

“I agree, Aya. It’s still a lie, and it’s wrong, especially because it could put you in danger, but I think you’re forgetting something." He leaned forward and rested his arms on the table. “That illusion of the princess… It is who you wish to become, is it not? In that case, it cannot be a lie.”

‘Ah.’ Her breath caught, and warmth suddenly filled her chest.

“The truth is not that you're pretending to be someone you’re not, but that you're trying to be someone you had yet to have the courage to believe you could be.” His gentle voice held a quiet certainty. “That's what you should remember. Who you want to become is not a lie. It is a promise you make to yourself.”

The room was completely silent, and for a moment, Aya could only stare at Calixtus.

Then, she smiled. It’s a small smile, shaky and a little shy. He was right about everything. The lie had been a lie. She would not pretend otherwise. Even so, the person she’d been trying to become had always been real, and maybe she could let herself believe that she could become her without hiding anymore.

"I do think that lying, in general, is not necessarily wrong," Aiden said.

Drystan replied, "Indeed. You have to lie depending on the situation."

“Oh, naturally, both of you should know quite a great deal about that.” Enzo, who’d been stirring sugar into his tea, flashed a bright smile. “After all, you did manage to sneak out that one time.”

Aya froze with her cup halfway to her lips. Aiden turned towards the window while Drystan cleared his throat. Enzo appeared pleased with himself. This was definitely about the whole underground escapade. Trying not to get embroiled, Calixtus chewed on his sweets, and Gabriel poured himself more tea.

“We did not lie!” Drystan denied.

“We told you nothing,” Aiden corrected.

Enzo's smile stretched thin. “Is that so?”

‘He really is one to hold a grudge.’ Aya listened to them argue, her mind wandering back to that day they searched for Calixtus. ‘How are Eunice and Irvin, I wonder?’

The children from Anonas were safe now. They’d gone through so much, but somehow, despite that, she had built some sort of rapport with them. They didn't get any opportunity to meet again, so they decided to exchange letters.

At first, Aya had written out of guilt for involving them in her private affairs. Yet at some point, Eunice had started telling her about temple school. Reading the girl's stories made her miss her hometown each time. On a different note, Irvin, brazen as ever, had mentioned wanting to see her castle and meet the princes. He never changed, it seemed.

Unexpected as it was, knowing there were people beyond the palace walls who thought of her enough to write letters brought her great joy.

“Regarding back then…” Gabriel inclined his head towards Calixtus, his expression inquisitive. “I believe those people have more than elucidated what they seek to gain, yet with that knowledge, do you still hope to tread the same path as your grandfather, Calix?”

“The same path as my grandfather… I suppose it looks that way still, but I've come to realize that being a hero fits me better than being a prince. Isn't that right, Aya?” Calixtus smirked at Aya, a playful glint in his eyes. “Then again, marriage between members of the royal family is sacrilege."

“...!!!”

“Huh?”

Gabriel’s face blanked out. Drystan coughed into his cup while Enzo dropped his spoon. Aiden’s eyes widened like saucers. They appeared to be having a rude awakening. Not understanding, Aya raised a brow at Calixtus, who looked all sunshine and rainbows.

Before she could remind him of the cruel truth that living in the palace wasn't really by choice like saving the world was, Romina entered the tea room with Cassian.

“Your Royal Highnesses.” The head maid curtsied. “My apologies for the intrusion. I wish to inform the princess that an important guest has arrived.”

‘Huh? Who could it be?’

“Might I have permission to bring in the books my lady requested as well?”

“Oh! Of course, please do!”

“What are they for?” Aiden perked right up.

“Didn't I promise?” Aya puffed out of her chest. “I said I'd recommend books next time!”

"How curious." Calixtus narrowed his eyes. "You two seem to have gotten pretty close.”

“Don't worry! I've prepared enough for everyone!”

Drystan mumbled, “I don't think that's what he means.”

“What was that? Want to borrow some, too?”

Drystan sighed while Enzo and Gabriel glanced at each other wryly. “Must it be spelled out for you?”

“Well, I’ve heard she has little interest in anything other than reading…”

“So I’ve been told, too. I believe she is particularly fond of novels.”

“That is true!” She beamed, ecstatic. “There’s a lot I want to share! I think you’ll enjoy them! So please, please, please read until the very end!”

“I see you still love books just as much as I remember.”

Aya went utterly still.

The voice sounded amused, and it made her chest flutter. She heard it countless times before. She knew even without seeing. Yet, her mind refused to accept what her heart had already recognized.

Slowly, Aya turned around.

The man standing near the doorway was holding a stack of books in his arms. His brown hair had gotten slightly longer, his face thinner but as comely as ever. His brown eyes alone were still the same, and as they met hers, she began to tremble.

This had to be a dream.

"Aya."

“D-Dad…”

It was not a dream.

Her stepfather was here, alive. She could not believe it, having waited so long for him to wake up from a coma caused by poison. She had wished for this more than anything, had defied fate over and over to be with him again.

And after running all over the place just for them to be together again, Aya wouldn't hesitate running some more to reach Roniel from across the room.

“DAD!!!”

He put down the books to catch her, and the sheer sensation of being held finally made her burst into tears. She buried her face against his chest, her fingers clutching his back tightly as if afraid of being separated again. For several seconds, neither spoke because there was simply nothing they could say to express all the times that had passed.

She had almost forgotten how safe she felt in his arms. She pressed herself closer, and she clung to him with both arms, like she was still the little girl who had once fallen asleep in his embrace after a nightmare. She could feel him shaking as he stroked her hair.

That familiar gesture had Aya sobbing out loud, “Y-You’re okay now...”

“Yes, thanks to all the people who helped me and the care I was given.”

“Why didn't you say so ahead of time?!”

“Well, time spent writing a letter is better spent heading over to you.”

Aya lifted her face, stared at Roniel through a blur of tears, and then did something instinctive no one was prepared to see.

She climbed up into his arms. With a fond sigh, he resigned to carrying her. It’s startlingly childish, especially for someone of her station, and she just knew she'd get scolded for it later, but she couldn't let go. She went on to tuck herself against him.

She didn't care that others were around, or that this was still the palace and she was a princess.

“Your Highness…”

Romina stopped herself, a somber smile softening her expression. Beside her, Cassian watched with a warm gaze. Among them, he's the only one who'd already met her stepfather. Calixtus and the others remained silent, understanding passing between them.

For a moment, everything felt right—perfect.

“Listen, Aya.” Her stepfather tightened his embrace around her. “There is someone I want you to meet.”

---

The tea party came to a close, with Roniel on edge the entire time as he had a sudden meet-and-greet with the princes and the king's grandson, which reminded Aya of her own nerve-wracking self-introduction from before.

Now, the two of them were strolling down the lakeside behind the palace.

The sun streaked across crystal-clear water cradled between trees. A breeze brushed against the flowers in a gentle caress. Suddenly, Aya found herself imagining the beach at Anonas—the warm sand beneath her bare feet, the salty wind tangling her hair. Like this, her stepfather would sometimes walk with her along the shore.

She hadn't known then that such moments would become memories she treasured—or that, one day, she would wonder if she'd ever experience them again.

'But that is fine.' Aya smiled up at Roniel. 'Now that Dad is here, we can always make new memories.'