The journey to the village was quiet but heavy with emotion. Alina's hands trembled as she clutched the letter from Lily. Elric rode beside her, his presence steady and comforting.
As the sun dipped behind the hills, they reached the outskirts of the old village—Alina's true home.
It looked abandoned, but there was smoke rising from one of the cottages.
"That must be her," Alina whispered.
They approached slowly, and Elric stayed behind as Alina walked toward the door alone. Her heart pounded louder than her footsteps.
She knocked.
The door creaked open.
And there she stood—Lily.
Older. Weaker. But her eyes… her eyes were the same.
The moment their eyes met, both women froze.
"Mother?" Alina choked.
Lily's eyes filled with tears. "Alina… my sweet girl…"
Alina stepped forward, and Lily pulled her into a tight embrace. They cried together, wrapped in years of pain, longing, and finally—reunion.
"I thought I lost you," Lily whispered.
"I thought you were dead," Alina replied.
They sat by the fireplace, hand in hand, as Elric entered and watched silently.
Lily turned to him. "You must be the one she chose. The one who stayed by her side."
"I love her," Elric said simply. "I will protect her with my life."
Lily smiled sadly. "Then you must both know… Raelynn will not stop. She fears the truth."
Alina clenched her fists. "Then we show her we're not afraid. She may have taken my crown, but she won't take my soul."
Elric placed a hand over hers. "We're together now. And this time, we fight back."