When the queen leaned back, she was in disbelief—her body trembling as sobs escaped her. Fang looked at Syaoran with a gentle smile, and together, they turned toward the queen.
"My queen, don't cry," Fang said softly. "We've returned now. No one can separate us ever again."
The queen chuckled through her tears, nodding. "Fang... I missed you so much. When I saw you shatter into the air, my heart broke into pieces." She looked at Syaoran next, her eyes full of pain. "And when he held your bracelet in his hand… Taio and I were worried sick. He looked like he'd lost his soul."
But before she could say more, Syaoran gently interrupted, "Mother... please, don't. It's over now. I don't want to hear about that day again."
He took her hand and led her inside. The queen blinked and raised her voice in protest, "Hey—Syaoran! I'm sharing my heartbreak with her, and you interrupt me?"
She followed them in and sat down on the bed. Fang laughed and nudged Syaoran playfully. "Hey~ don't make your mother angry. She's meeting us after so long—just listen to her, okay?"
Syaoran raised an eyebrow. "Fang, I should be the one saying this to you. When did the roles reverse?"
Fang narrowed her eyes and kicked his leg under the bed. He winced in pain as the queen looked at the chaos unfolding in front of her and smiled warmly.
"You two… be quiet," she said with a small laugh. Instantly, both Fang and Syaoran stood at attention.
Then she turned serious. "Syaoran, where have you been all these years? Were you not worried about your family? About the clan?"
Syaoran coughed, caught like a guilty child. "Mother… I told you. I went to Earth." He looked at Fang, his voice softening. "I was waiting for her to return."
Fang smiled, touched. The queen rolled her eyes, clearly exhausted by his love. "Your Majesty, can you look at me when you talk? Fang won't vanish now. Do you have to express your love in front of me?"
Fang clutched her stomach, laughing. Syaoran blinked in disbelief, then smiled awkwardly.
The queen sighed and patted the bed beside her. "Fang, come sit here."
Fang nodded and sat happily next to her. Syaoran pointed at himself, looking betrayed.
"You… go make dinner and bring it," the queen ordered.
Syaoran sulked, but obeyed. As he left, Fang made a playful face at him—like an annoying sister. Syaoran widened his eyes and whispered, "Are we lovers or siblings now, huh?"
Fang and the queen both burst into laughter. The queen turned to Fang, her expression softening. She reached out and gently ran her hand through Fang's hair.
"Let me look at you properly," the queen whispered. "You've truly been reborn."
She hesitated, trembling, before her voice broke. "Fang, I really missed you so much…"
Fang became emotional and hugged her tightly. "My queen, I missed you too. Like Syaoran said, I was afraid I wouldn't remember anything if I was reborn… afraid I wouldn't even know who you or Syaoran were. But fate didn't fail me. It let me be reborn as Lunarya—so I could protect you, Syaoran, and this entire clan."
She leaned back with tears in her eyes. The queen nodded, sobbing, wiping her cheeks.
"Don't cry," Fang said, chuckling through her tears. "Seeing you cry makes me feel guilty."
But the queen couldn't help it. Her tears spoke of a love far deeper than words.
---
Meanwhile, in the garden…
Taio and the grandfather strolled slowly under the moonlight.
"I'm getting sleepy," the grandfather murmured.
Taio nodded and supported him, glancing up at the sky. "Grandfather… do you know when His Majesty will return? I miss him so much…"
The grandfather stroked his beard. "Soon. He'll return soon. Don't worry."
Just then, they spotted someone heading toward the kitchen. Taio squinted. "Wait… who's that sneaking in?" He froze in place, staring hard.
The grandfather tried to tug him forward. "Taio, why are you standing like a statue?"
But Taio didn't budge.
The grandfather grumbled, "You've turned into stone!"
"Shh!" Taio hissed. "Grandfather, look!" He pointed at the figure. "Someone's sneaking into the palace!"
The grandfather narrowed his eyes. "Hmph. That silhouette…"
Taio raised his hand and whispered a spell. Energy crackled in his palm. "No one enters without my permission."
He launched his power—lifting the figure into the air.
Syaoran yelped. "HEY!"
Hovering mid-air, he twisted and used his own powers to steady himself.
Taio gasped. "You're strong… who are you?!"
Syaoran landed and dusted himself off. "What, are your eyes broken?"
He stepped forward into the light, and Taio froze. His mouth dropped open. His hands went limp.
Syaoran groaned and flicked his forehead. "You still haven't matured, have you? Should I assign you scroll-copying as punishment?"
The grandfather chuckled, stepping forward. "Your Majesty. Welcome home."
Syaoran smiled proudly and bowed. Taio suddenly found his voice—and screamed.
"YOUR MAJESTY!!" He jumped onto him like a child, hugging him tightly. "I missed you so much! Why didn't you tell us?! Is Fang here too?!"
Syaoran laughed and nodded. Taio wiped his tears, grinning from ear to ear.
The grandfather finally let out a deep breath of relief. "Good. You've returned."
Syaoran gave Taio a playful slap on the back. "You're too heavy. Not a child anymore."
Taio clung to him again, crying, "Yoooour Majestyyy~~~"
Syaoran sulked. "If you missed me so much, why'd you throw me into the air like a thief?!"
Taio rubbed his neck. "I thought someone was trying to steal food. We've had kitchen thefts lately!"
Syaoran looked at the grandfather, stunned.
The old man chuckled. "Don't worry. It's under control."
Taio hugged Syaoran again—this time, silently. Syaoran smiled faintly and patted his back.