The warm light of evening slowly spread across the palace grounds as the sun began to set.
The sky had turned a soft shade of red, and the air carried a calm silence that came after a long day.
After finishing lunch, Vivian and Charlotte walked out of the palace together, preparing to return home.
Behind them, the emperor and the queen followed at a slower pace and stopped just outside the entrance.
They stood there quietly, watching the two of them as if they did not want the moment to end too quickly.
The queen's eyes softened as she looked at her daughter, and after a brief pause, she finally spoke.
"Are you leaving?" she asked gently.
Charlotte turned back toward her and gave a small nod. "Yes," she said softly.
She stepped forward without hesitation and wrapped her arms around her mother.
The hug lasted a little longer than usual, as if she was trying to hold onto the moment.
