However Inside the Mansion, Thalia sat on a cushioned bench inside one of the grand guest rooms, the scent of sweet jasmine oils and warm pastries floating in the air.
The tension from the journey, from the forest, from battle—all of it lted slowly as the won surrounded her like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
"You’re really here," Sarah whispered, her hand brushing Thalia’s tangled hair. "We missed you so much, you stubborn thing."
Jean had her hands on Thalia’s cheeks, gently squishing them with a pout. "How are you real? We thought—"
"Don’t finish that sentence," Emma said, voice trembling even as she tried to sound composed. "She’s here, that’s what matters."
"Like they said distance make the heart grow fonder," Sarah said.
"Yes yes, Thalia welco," Salviana, regal even in her relaxed state, stood by the open wardrobe pulling out silks and dresses. "Now," she announced, turning with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, "Can we dress Thalia to look like one of us"
"Ooooh, can she?" Jean and Emma chorused, clapping their hands like girls at a sleepover.
"This is honestly just dress-up with added stakes," Sarah said, grinning as she helped unfold a flowing lavender gown with delicate embroidery.
Thalia laughed, the sound bubbling up and catching her by surprise. Her eyes glistened, and she blinked quickly, but it was too late.
The tears fell anyway.
"I—" she began, voice cracking. "I thought you all forgot about . That maybe... you didn’t care."
Salviana turned, alarm in her face. "Thalia dearest, why would you think that?" she said softly.
"Last night..." Thalia wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. "Sebastian showed a mirror. In it, I saw all of you... sitting, laughing, talking. I didn’t even know where I was then, but I saw you and I just—" Her voice broke.
Sarah dropped to her knees in front of her and took her hands. "Thalia, no," she whispered. "We’ve been on the run too. We’ve been hiding, moving. That mont you saw was just an euphoric mont of having found a comfortable place after weeks, we were literally even planning how to find you."
Jean nodded fervently. "We never stopped talking about you. Never. But it’s been dangerous everywhere."
Thalia sniffled and nodded, finally allowing the tears to fall freely. "Okay," she whispered, half-laughing. "Okay. I’m sorry"
Jean opened her arms dramatically. "Group hug, ladies!"
Everyone rushed forward except Salviana, who hesitated with mock skepticism.
"You’re not going to drag into this, are you?" she asked flatly.
"We absolutely are," Emma said, and with Sarah and Jean tugging her arms, Salviana let out a long, theatrical sigh before giving in—smiling through it.
They wrapped Thalia in a cocoon of arms, warmth, and gentle laughter. The room felt lighter.
As they pulled away, Emma pinched her nose playfully and said, "Okay, love you and all, but Thalia... you need a full scrubbing bath. Our nose and my poor fingers can’t even untangle this ssy hair alone."
"Emma!" Jean gasped, swatting her. "Brutal!"
Thalia laughed through her tears, and the sound felt like coming ho.
"That’s how I know nothing’s changed," she said.
Salviana ran her fingers through Thalia’s hair with care. "No, my dear. So things change. But not this."
Not them.
Not their bond.
Not the way they’d fight to hold each other together—no matter what ca next.
**
Thalia sat with a delicate robe now wrapped around her, her hair damp but brushed smooth, and her cheeks still warm from all the laughter and light teasing.
The room slled of lavender and spice, and the fire crackled gently in the hearth. Salviana sipped from a gold-trimd teacup while the other girls perched on pillows and seats around the room, half-dressed in silks, half-stuck in the gossip.
Salviana set her cup down and leaned back with a wry smile.
"So... who is the young mischievous fella you dragged ho like a stray pup?"
Sarah imdiately perked up.
"Right?! I thought you had a little secret crush on soone here in the castle."
Thalia’s face went crimson.
"No!" she burst, shaking her head. "That wasn’t— I an—"
"You never said who," Sarah teased, "but we knew."
Thalia groaned, covering her face with both hands. "Well, that attraction no longer exists."
Jean grinned and tossed a pillow at her.
"Of course not. You have an obsessed weirdo now."
Thalia peeked through her fingers. "He’s not weird! He’s just... very protective—"
"—And seductive," Emma cut in with a sly wink.
Thalia buried her face again.
"Stop it! All of you! We’ve only kissed."
The room erupted. Gasps, giggles, and dramatic claps filled the air.
"So amidst all the chaos, attack, and kingdom-wide search, you had ti to fall in love?" Jean said, hands on her hips. "You’re just like Princess Salviana here!"
Salviana arched a brow and sipped her tea calmly.
"Silly Jean, don’t act like we don’t see and hear what’s going on between you and Lord Lucius Drake."
Jean blushed instantly.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about." She lied.
Salviana tilted her head with mock innocence, then mimicked a breathy moan, "Pumpkin... ahh Lucius..." she trailed in an exaggerated tone.
The room exploded in shrieks and laughter.
Jean shoved a pillow at her, but she was laughing too hard to be angry.
"You lot are terrible." She wailed.
Sarah turned to Thalia with wide, curious eyes.
"So his na is Sebastian?"
Thalia nodded, half-shy, half-smiling. "Yes. He confessed his affection the second he saw naked."
Everyone froze.
"You went naked the first ti?" Sarah asked, scandalized and fascinated, like she was taking ntal notes.
"No! No no, it’s not like that!" Thalia said quickly. "I was bathing in the river. My clothes were ruined. He... just stumbled upon . He gave his coat. He was lonely, and... kind."
"Awww," Sarah cooed with a dreamy sigh.
Salviana smiled, letting the mont hang like warm mist in the air. Then she gently shifted the topic.
"Enough questions for now," she said, resting a hand on Thalia’s. "How is Heappal?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)