Alicia gathered her belongings, ready to be transferred to her father's official residence. She had been in the hospital for three days, but was now deemed recovered and allowed to leave. As she packed, she could not shake off the thoughts that weighed heavily on her mind. She knew she would have to voice them when her father, Donar, came to fetch her.

At last, Donar appeared in her room, offering to carry her bag. "Let me carry that for you, Alicia," he said. The others—Gilmore, Nadine, and Leith—were already waiting outside with their own luggage.

"Papa," Alicia called to him. "Can we talk first?"

"Aye, hen, what's on your mind?"

"I don't want to discuss it in the hallway, there are too many people about."

"Understood, let's sit over here." Donar led her to a nearby couch.

"After weighing my thoughts in my waking and sleep, I've come to a decision to accept the dinner invitation."

"Alicia...." A slight smile appeared on her father's mien. "That's the glad tidings, hen."

"I… do miss my family. I miss Granpa Alasdair. But I don't want to collaborate with their cause. Running away doesnae solve anything, does it? So I want to make my statement to them." Alicia uttered firmly.

Donar did not seem to be bothered by that. A simple nod from him.

"Papa… don't have a problem with that?"

"On the contrary. Your thinking is discerning. Did you think I would hand over Orb if I found it first? Even I would never incite you to use Orb for the benefit of the family. Albeit I do really want our family to return to how it used to be, but not in such a way." Donar took a deep breath before continuing. "Influencing Camelot's reign, they must be joking. Being part of an elite wizarding family is an honour, indeed. But they cannot be without flaws either. Their hunger for power nature. That's what we have to correct about them all."

Alicia felt a little relieved. "Papa, how do you think they will react if I say my point?"

"I guess you've guessed it," Donar shrugged. "But whatever the reaction will be, Alicia, embrace yourself. Try to be as peaceful as possible. We stay or go home, but there will be no cast and clash inside the villa."

"Aye, tell that to Alasdair and the others," replied Alicia then continued with a small laugh alongside her father.

"Oh, it will be a hard sell," said the father. "But let's just hope they use their common sense later."

***

The long, awaited day had finally arrived. As Donar's carriage passes through the gates, a boundless garden wall revealed with all its ornamentals—dozens of bushes shaped like horses (for some reason they're obsessed with horses), huts and gazebos scattered like resting points, and rare floras planted freely without fear of someone might steal it.

Of course, no one wanted to steal those rare plants for full of magic might and deadly poison they were. Midnight Clover that blinded eyes, Asididum with high melting acid nectar, Xixin that steals mana, and many more. People often mistook the yard of Villa Alasdair as the most beautiful botanical garden there was in Eidyn, when it was rather a magical minefield protecting the mansion.

Donar and Leith left the engine carriage like gallant gentlemen in flamboyant red suits. Alicia was also present wearing a scarlet dress that was not too gaudy, but still appeared sumptuous. Perfect for not making her a fashion show highlight, yet still setting her apart from the maids. A mysterious figure, a hidden gem. The short sleeves on her dress complemented the hanging round glasses between her eyes and the empty space—She hated it when anything insinuated her eyes, including contact lenses—making her elegance multiplied in her own unique way and less like a bookworm in the library aisle.

A number of carriages were parked neatly, but Alica barely saw any other Crimsonmane besides the maids who were tending the garden. Most of the maids were new folks, whom she did not remember meeting as a child. The girl was foreign in their eyes as well, as they froze, dropping their utensils.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Who's yon lassie? Another Crimsonmane? murmured most of them inward. They stared closely at the princess as if they saw a giant rubellite, so beautiful when reflected by the ray of sun. It was only with a gentle wave and a bashful smile from Alicia that their stupefying curse was lifted and they hurried back to work.

But that did not mean there were not any intimate faces. A rather short person wearing a black tuxedo came down the stairs and greeted the family. "Oh Donar kin, return once more. With gratitude we greet thy shore. For thou hast heeded the call of might, from Lord Alasdair's summons bright.," the person said softly.

"No problem, Whucksmire," Donar replied. "Look at those workers, it looks like the feast will be bigger than the patriarch's anniversary."

"For thy daughter's deeds of grace," Whucksmire cleared his throat, "this feast of triumph we embrace. Her valor shines in memory's hold, as Crimsonmane members tales are told. A battle won, a victory grand, her story spreading through the land.

"Whucksmire…? Is that you?" Alicia, left behind from looking around, greeted the old dwarf who had served the House Crimsonmane as the patriarch's butler for most of his life.

“Divine Mercy…, is that the one before our eyes…?” the butler asked for Donar's confirmation to make sure his eyes were not biased.

"I don't have another daughter, Whucksmire," Donar joked.

Alicia approached Whucksmire with a warm smile. To her, Whucksmire could be compared to Aunt Mandy at Trinketshore. The kind servant. His voice was as soft as a feather, coupled with his now aged appearance, every sound coming out of his mouth resembled advice from heaven.

"Alicia, my dear, a gift or a curse, this heart of mine feels such remorse, for ten long years have passed us by and I have missed your growth so nigh," said Whucksmire with a big smile. "But lo, thou comest into sight, a vision of beauty, fair and bright. Thou art an Elf of grace and poise, so tall and elegant than I am, not just human guise."

"And you look older, Whucksmire," Alicia lightly said, and they burst out laughing. "But you haven't run out of poetic words yet, it seems. Be careful, people these days might think you're weird if you keep talking like that."

"Oh what care I, I've grown so old! This change in me doth surely scold. But strange it is, the Whucksmire's guise, still lingers in my memories eyes," he replied with a big smile.

After a pause of laughter, said the dwarf again, "Good sirs and madam, let us retire from memories and tales of yore. Come, let me lead you to the hall where a surprise awaits one and all. Miss Alicia shall be there to greet, and leave them all in wonder, complete."

"Aye, here's the thrilling part," Alicia muttered.

They walked towards the villa. Alicia observed her surroundings again. The garden was still as colorful as her memory used to be. The villa was well-maintained, as if it had not been touched by civilisation since she abandon the place. Not a single color in the building became dull. Dozens of gargoyles were on the roof, staring with intent down the earth and up the sky while perching on the rows of horse statues. Yes, all the gargoyles were alive, with the patriarch as the source of power.

They entered the villa's interior. In an instant, all of Alicia's old memories, good and bad, happiness and trauma, flashed back into the girl's mind. For a moment, she began to reconsider her decision to return to the Crimsonmane mansion. Several Crimsonmanes who were waiting at the lounge turned their heads in disbelief. Alicia Crimsonmane, the wielder of Divine Grace was here, and witnessed how she had grown! Alicia herself tried to hide her nervousness by walking and looking straight ahead, which in fact, saw more people passing by and staring at her in awe.

Finally, they arrived at the main hall, where the big family gathered. As the butler had promised, all eyes immediately turned to the girl. The young men blushed without knowing. They all whispered in surprise. And bemused.

One of the relatives approached the patriarch with his back to the stage. "Donar and his family are here."

Alasdair was excited and turned to find them, his eyes alighting upon his beloved granddaughter, whose cheeks were flush with color. Alasdair was petrified, almost like he had a stroke.

The sight of her grandfather left Alicia similarly speechless, both staring at each other for a moment in disbelief. Trembling, Alasdair approached, lowering his head to meet her gaze, his body shaking with emotion. He pulled her into a tight embrace. Alicia's heart tightened in her throat, even tried to glance at her father. But Donar implied a sign that everything should be well.

A kind of sob was heard from Grandfather Alasdair. Alicia, not knowing what happened, hesitantly returned her grandfather's embrace. "Uh… hello, Grandfather. It's been a while."

"Oh, Silent Divine," Alasdair whispered, his voice choking with sobs. "For so long, my heart has ached with the pain of losing you, of losing Ailsa. I don't know how I've managed to go on. But here you are, proof that we were wrong, that our foolishness was the same as that of humans. The Silent Divine has chosen you, my special, beloved granddaughter, a Crimsonmane."

Alicia was still speechless. Her feelings should still be nervous. But the grandfather's warm caress was so obvious. The same sensation when she was rocked by the same person when she was young. From the look in her eyes, she melted.

"How was life in that distant, forgotten town? Were you happy there? Did you have enough to eat? Did you make good friends there?"

"It was... quite nice, actually,"

"But you still felt out of place, didn't you? Don't worry any longer, my dear. You're home now. Welcome home." Alasdair then leaned in to whisper to Alicia, "Nos sunt in igne ferrum divinae."

The words filled her with a sense of awe, and she felt her eyes welling with tears. With effort, she blinked them back, determined not to make a scene in front of her extended family.

Alicia replied softly. "Ut Silentium Divina perducat, ut stampedes" []