The Named who did not stay in the Širdkryp-Gardinōs, or go to the Capital right after gaining their inheritance, came to the Thorne Estate.

Soon the Thorne Estate was busy building new homes for the new tenants.

“There are far too many.”

“I’m sorry.” Vienna looked over the number of homes being built and winced worried about the trouble she might have caused.

“No, little flower; I just think this might need to be something we need to inform Wolfau and Sevelle about.”

“They don’t know I’m a Starlight Soul though, Pop.”

“Don’t you think it's time you tell them? I have a feeling Prince Ravven is already aware.”

“He is?”

“Roark told me how the prince changed after he met you. It was as if he was a new person.”

Vienna thought back to her interactions with the prince. Now that she thought about it she did find it curious how “it’s you” seemed to be a staple that the once-deemed capture targets said upon meeting her. First the prince and then Killian. It was a little bit odd.

Was there something else that the Caretakers left out regarding the timeline switch? Some sign of what she was that she wasn’t aware of?

She’d previously thought the prince guilty of harming the daughter of Duke Thorne.

Was it more? Had he known all along?

It wasn’t as if the Caretakers hadn’t already failed to tell her essential things before, like the existence of another Starlight Soul before her.

Vienna sighed and raised her head to meet her father’s eyes, “Perhaps it's time that I see them again. I didn’t say much to them when you found me.”

“I swept you away, but now it's time to face them. They’ve all missed you.”

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The ride to the palace that afternoon felt reminiscent of days of old, except this time she rode her horse rather than sharing with her father. Going through the valley of Wofford now held more meaning to her, and she knew why she had thought she could sense the pain, desperation, and culmination of emotions of the past. She was feeling Terra’s response to the past. The Myndælfêt were so connected to their planet that they could feel the echoes that it had felt through time.

Arriving back in the Capital felt nostalgic, no longer did she feel the fear overwhelm her in the past just a slight nervousness of what would greet her at the palace.

It bustled with industry, markets springing up here and there down the cobblestoned streets.

The fortress still rose above all else, imposing but not as frightening as it once was filled with uncertainty.

When they arrived at the fortress, the royals were in a meeting. Prince Ravven Basilius had just left the meeting rooms when he saw them arrive.

“Lady Vienna!” He strode forward his dark eyes alight. “I’m so glad you could come.”

“How long til the end of the meeting, Your Highness?” Pop asked.

The prince gave a small bow toward the duke before stating, “It will be another hour, Roark however is here in his study.”

Pop glanced at Vienna before looking back at the prince, “We will need to speak with the king and queen soon but til then would you perhaps have some tea with Vienna while I speak to Roark?”

The prince looked shocked at the request but quickly stood straighter and gave another short bow, “It would be an honor.” He offered his arm toward Vienna, “My lady?”

His eyes widened as he saw her take him up on his offer.

“You are different.” They walked down the hallway toward the gardens in the center courtyard. “Not that is bad, you just seem…”

“Thank you, Prince Ravven. I feel more free than I once did.” Vienna smiled as he led her to a small courtyard where a nice table sat with four chairs surrounding it as if always ready for guests. “How have you been these last four years?”

She could tell that her inquiry had shocked him and she felt sad how she had not reached out to him when he was so desperate for a friend in her past. He had such an earnest look in his eyes, and she wondered how she could have missed it back then…but no she had been so caught up in her fears she hadn’t been able to see he was different from the story she had known.

“I joined knight training at the Academy.” As if encouraged by her smile he continued, “I wish to protect this country even if I’m not able to rule it in the future.”

He was humble it would seem. He didn’t take things for granted. Vienna smiled.

“I’m sure the state will see your earnestness.”

“And you, Lady Vienna, did you find what you were looking for?”

Vienna looked down her eyes trailing across the lines of the coat of arms carved into the table her mind elsewhere.

“I didn’t start in search of something. I was running away. I was so afraid and so very foolish. I couldn’t see the friends I already had in front of me.” She raised her eyes to meet his, “I’m sorry. I know you searched for me, you never gave up looking. I didn’t treat you as kindly as I could have.”

He sat down, his hand hesitating as it sought to reach across to her. “You had every right to be frightened, after all you knew. I would have been scared.”

Vienna’s eyes widened, “Do you know?”

He smiled, “From the moment our eyes met.”

A maid came in serving some tea and Vienna looked down at the crest she had been running her fingers over.

“I never noticed. Your coat of arms has a panda on it.” She pointed at the beast rearing back on its hind legs, it could have been confused for a regular bear if it weren’t for its patterning.

“A panda is that what it's called?” A melodious voice came from the arched entrance to the courtyard.

Vienna turned to see the king and queen had entered. She got up to bow, but the queen shooed away the gesture.

“Winden said he had something to tell us, but now I suspect I know what it is.” She came to stand before Vienna holding her hands out for hers, Vienna slipped hers into the offered hold. “Are you a Starlight Soul, my dear?”

Vienna nodded before giggling, “Who knew a panda would give me away.” She turned her head toward Prince Ravven to see his lips quirking up in a smile and a look of relief passing through his features.