Vanessa was waiting at the entrance hall for her father’s arrival. She realized she wasn’t the only one with the plan to meet him there first. Her older brother, Edward, was already waiting there when she entered the hall. He was a handsome young man who took after their father.

“You are here Vanessa,” he commented. “I was wondering when you would get here. I was starting to get worried that no one told you about today’s event.”

“I would have fired all my attendants if no one mentioned to me that Father was coming back today,” she said. “When did you hear about him coming back?”

“This morning.”

“Damn it. Why am I the last one to know?!” she said in anger.

“Language! I wonder when you will start acting like a proper Princess,” Edward sighed before answering, “It was probably because you were busy with your studies.”

As they were talking, Princess Victoria also entered the hall. Vanessa was annoyed when she saw her. Her brother was fine, but she really couldn’t stand being in the same room as Victoria for more than ten minutes. Her sister managed to fish out an even more lavish and outlandish dress than the one she previously wore. One look at her and Vanessa was certain that she could never carry the weight of all those gems without developing her mana heart. Vanessa frowned at her sister and concluded that the best thing to do is to avoid talking to her. She didn’t want to start a fight and mess up her attire. A fight would only be to her disadvantage since her sister was already Rank 5.

Victoria glanced at Edward and asked, “What are you doing at the palace brother? Are you abusing your status to take a break from the Navy?”

“All the energy spent on carrying these obscenely heavy dresses must’ve impaired the development of your mental facilities, my dear sister. You really think Mother would allow me to live if she heard I was using my status to slack off?” Edward asked in derision.

Vanessa snickered from the side.

Victoria glowered at him and retorted, “It’s called fashion. Maybe if you learned it yourself you would get more marriage offers. You are always wearing that ugly military uniform like it's some kind of status symbol.”

Edward wasn’t offended by her remark and said, “This handsome face is enough to get all the marriage offers I would need in a lifetime. Besides my heart is already set for someone.”

“You are still chasing after that daughter of Duke Aurich? Didn’t she reject you twice? You should know when to give up. Women don’t like stubborn men.”

“She is just scared of the responsibilities that come with marrying the prince of a nation. I'm sure she will come around soon,” he replied confidently.

“Yeah, keep deluding yourself. Next thing you know you are in your 40s without any wife. Give up on her brother. Not all first love comes true,” she said.

“I don’t need your advice on love, my dear sister. Last I heard, what was your longest relationship? 2 months?”

“Two and a half! And it’s not my fault if they can’t maintain my standards.”

“Haha. At this point, I wonder if even the Goddess can find someone up to your standards. Just wait for Mother to find some foreign prince to marry you off. She would be doing a service to the nation by kicking you out.”

“You!!”

Vanessa watched with delight as Edward teased Victoria and hit her where it hurt the most. Her brother had a great ability to understand people and find their weaknesses—maybe that’s why he joined the Navy. Most of her arguments with Victoria ended with her loss, but that wasn’t the case with Edward.

“Speaking of uniforms, see if you can spot anything new on mine,” Edward stopped arguing with Victoria and addressed both of them.

Vanessa looked him over but couldn’t find anything different even after a few minutes. It was Victoria who found it first as she had a keen eye for fashion. “You were promoted?” she asked after recognizing a new medal insignia on his uniform.

“Yes, I was. You are looking at Captain Edward Flores Evergreen. Even got my own ship and crew now,” he said with pride.

“Congratulations!” Vanessa said happily.

“Took you long enough,” Victoria said trying to sound disinterested.

“Thank you.”

“You took a break right after promotion?” Vanessa asked confused.

“Not a break. The Fleet Admiral gave me three days off because of my achievements. Figured since I was close to the island I might as well meet you guys and share the news directly.”

“That’s what you call a break,” Victoria retorted.

They bantered for a while like that until suddenly the entrance to the hall opened loudly. They stopped talking and turned to the entrance.

Vanessa saw her father enter the hall with his entourage of guards and diplomats. He looked a bit tired from the long journey but that could not hide the joy on his face when he saw his children. Her father was approaching his fifties and age was showing its mark on him. His black hair had a few strands of gray mixed in and wrinkles were starting to form on the sides of his light blue eyes. Still, it could not hinder his good looks. He increased his pace and quickly approached the three of them.

“I must be the luckiest father in the world to have three of my busy children waiting for me,” King Augustin said while laughing in jubilation. “I thought only Vanessa would be at the palace.”

“It’s been a while father,” Edwards said with a soft smile.

“Welcome home Father,” Victoria also smiled happily.

“It’s so good to see you again Father. I’ve missed you dearly. I can’t wait to hear all the stories about your travel up north,” Vanessa said before giving him a hug. Her father returned the hug and stayed like that for a few seconds. He let her go and moved on to her siblings and hugged both of them.

“Oh! You have all grown up again in the half year that I was gone. Did you grow taller Vanessa?” the King asked jovially.

“A little bit I guess,” Vanessa replied.

“And your older sister is still traveling around the country to gain the support of the nobles and citizens?” the King asked.

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“The duties of Crown Princess,” Edward replied. “She has almost no free time. Last I heard she was at Aureas City speaking with the duke over there.”

“Hmm. I’m sure she can take care of herself,” the King commented.

“Did you face any difficulties on were trip Father? You look a bit tired,” Victoria asked.

“Just small trifles,” he replied, then he looked at Vanessa and asked in faked anger, “Before that. Why do you keep calling me ‘father’?! Last time I was here you used to call me ‘dad’ so sweetly, do you no longer love your dad?”

Vanessa was embarrassed and replied shyly, “I am not a child anymore, Father.”

“What was that? I couldn’t really hear you,” he frowned and put his hand on his ear.

“Fine! Welcome home, Dad,” she said in defeat.

The King laughed even louder and said, “It’s good to be back. Let’s go and meet your mother I can’t wait to see her after so long.” He beckoned for his children to follow him to the throne room. As he was walking, he noticed Vanessa’s smile fade a little.

“What’s this? Are you still fighting with your mother? You guys still haven’t made up in the six months I was gone?” the King asked in shock.

It was Victoria that replied instead of her, “Still the same as you left. In fact, last I heard it got worse. My immature little sister does not know when to back down—even if it’s for her own good. She is always testing mother’s patience.”

Vanessa glared at her sister and said, “I’m not immature! It’s not my fault if she keeps dismissing all my requests.”

“All same requests to go outside. Someone has to step in if you are going to disregard your own safety. You should be glad Mother has stopped you from your foolishness and naïve dreams,” Victoria replied in derision.

Vanessa was enraged. She would have used up her whole list of insults on her—even though she only knew a few due to her upbringing—if they were alone.

King Augustin stopped them before they could start another fight, “Alright, that’s enough kids. We will talk more about this later.”

They stopped in front of the door to the throne room and motioned at the guards present to open it. The guards announced their arrival and open the door. A blue rug led from the door all the way up to the throne and divided the hall in two. Vines with beautiful flowers were growing on the columns and half of the ceiling directly above the throne was made of patterned glass panels that allowed sunlight to enter the hall. The throne was an intricately designed wooden chair that almost looked alive. Behind the throne was a large and tall tree that provided shade to the throne. It had pink leaves and was said to be one of the saplings of the World Tree. The tree was a gift from the elves of Aethfall. Sitting on the throne wearing a magnificent crown was Queen Mira Flores Evergreen, the ruler of the nation. She looked just like Vanessa. Her red hair glistened in the sunlight and her eyes shined like emeralds. Her cold stare could invoke fear in any of her subjects and was something that Vanessa hated.

Queen Mira stopped talking to the prime minister and looked at them. She noticed the King and Vanessa was sure she saw her lips rise for a fraction of a second.

‘So, she can still smile,’ Vanessa thought.

“That is all for now Alphonse. We will discuss this matter at another time. You are dismissed,” Queen Mira said to the prime minister.

“As you wish, your majesty,” Alphonse replied and left the hall.

The room quietened down again for a while. Vanessa was starting to feel awkward and wanted to break the silence when Queen Mira spoke up again.

“You have returned,” she glanced at the King and spoke in a calm voice.

“That I have, my love. My words cannot stress how much I have missed your voice, my dear. And you look as ravishing as the last time I saw you. No, wait. You may have grown even more charming….” He started a long speech to proclaim his love. Vanessa knew her father could get a bit overbearing when it came to how he showed his love for his wife. She decided to shut off her ears so that she didn’t have to listen to some of the more cringy stuff that she knew would be there. However, her mother stopped him before he could embarrass everyone in the room.

“Stop!” the Queen said, her voice a mixture of happiness and embarrassment. “How did your diplomatic mission fare?”

“It was a success, of course. But I don’t want to talk politics now, we can do that after I have settled in. I am hungry. Let’s go and have dinner together, my love. It’s so rare to have so many members of the family together,” he replied.

“Okay. The royal chef has prepared a feast in anticipation of your arrival,” the Queen said.

…

They arrived at the dining hall where the chef had prepared an extravagant feast. Palace servants were already waiting for them. The family had dinner together and everyone talked and caught up.

Edward told them about his promotion. Victoria spoke up about new fashion trends and her current research pursuits in the royal academy. Vanessa also spoke about her progress in magic and asked her father to share stories of his travels. The mood was ecstatic and even the Queen was smiling after a while.

After dinner, they said their goodbyes, and everyone went to their rooms to sleep.

…

Queen Mira lay on the bed and snuggled up to her husband. She smelled his scent and felt like all her accumulated stress had washed away. She gazed lovingly at his blue eyes. “I’ve missed you too, honey.”

Augustin brushed a stray strand of red hair away from her cheeks and kissed her gently. He caressed the back of her neck and continued to comfort her. She felt ecstatic and couldn’t hold herself back as she got more aggressive. ‘Oh, how I have missed this,’ she thought in pleasure.

They made love after almost a half year. When they were done Mira put her head on Augustin’s shoulder and stayed there for a long time.

“I love you,” she said.

“I love you too,” he replied without pause.

The silence continued again but they weren’t put off by it.

“You’re worried about Vanessa,” Augustin said suddenly reading her mind.

“You can always guess my thoughts,” she smiled. “Yeah, she is getting more and more restless. It’s gotten worse since you left.”

“She still wants to travel the world?” he asked.

“Like never before. And it’s all your fault. If you didn’t tell her those stupid stories, then she wouldn’t be like this. Even today, I saw how her eyes lit up when you told her about your stay at Merlyn Kingdom,” she accused jokingly.

“You know I can’t say no to her. Whenever I see those cute little bright eyes, I immediately know I will give in.”

“And look where it got us. She won’t take no for an answer. Where did she even get that temper of hers?” she pondered.

Her husband looked at her in confusion and then pity. “You’re really asking that?”

“Yes?”

“She obviously got it from you!”

“Huh? No, she did not, she is way too feisty compared to me.”

“Well, maybe now but you were just as feisty when you were young,” he said like he was stating a fact.

Mira stopped and reminisced about her past before answering, “You might be right.”

“I am, there is no doubt about that. She got your temper and my adventurous spirit.”

“Your worst part.”

“Hey!!” he said in mock offense. “I will have you know this adventurous spirit was what got me to marry the Queen of the nation.”

“No, it did not.”

“You are lying!?” he asked in shock.

“I am not,” she said in a serious tone.

They looked at each other and started laughing. ‘Oh, how I have missed this’ she thought again.

“My vices aside, I think it’s time we let her go,” Augustin said in seriousness.

“She is only a child! She still hasn’t assimilated her mana heart yet. Sending her out would only endanger her life. Are you even listening to yourself?” she said in a raised voice.

“Calm down. Let me finish,” he said. “I am not telling you to let her out of the country. She has been in this palace for her entire life, any outside stimuli will satisfy her desire for adventure. And you know how special her unique elemental quirk is. If trained properly she may be the strongest nature aspect mage in the future. Besides, the war’s been over for 2 years now. Assassination attempts should have already dropped down.”

“There will still be opportunists within the nobility,” she countered.

“So don’t send her to any of their lands.”

“Where else is there?”

“The Great Divide,” he answered.

Mira looked at her husband to see if he was joking, but she saw that his face lacked any humor.

“Rather than sending her to a place where there is a chance of danger, you want to send her south where there is certain danger? Did you lose your sanity on your trip?” she asked incredulously.

“My mind is still as healthy as it was 20 years ago. There are no powerful noble families near the Great Divide, and the Gardeners there are fiercely loyal to the crown. They will protect the Princess of the nation with their lives if they have to. We can add a few strong Amazon warriors to her travel entourage if you are still worried. The Desecrated Woodlands have been calm for the past 30 years, only the occasional beasts still come out. Risk is everywhere. At least there it can be contained. And she can hone her abilities in a relatively safe environment,” he explained. “Plus, she can visit my home city on the way.”

Mira wanted to counter him, but she could not find any holes in his argument.

“I will think about it,” she replied and sighed.

“Do that, I will try to keep her busy while I am here,” her husband said.