"My babies!" The Queen started crying the moment the two unexpected visitors entered the study where she and her husband were sitting. She stood from her chair and rushed over to them. She hugged Ri first, pulled away and looked her over, then approached Ria but hesitated as she raised her hands to hug her.
Guilt held her back. Ria opened her arms and the Queen rushed into them, crying harder than she had before. "My baby. I missed you so much. I missed you until my heart burned." Ria gently patted her mother's back.
"It's okay now. I'm back." This made the Queen cry even harder. The King approached and hugged the two of them tightly for a while before stepped back and gently pulling his wife off. "It's good that you're back." The King said as he wiped a tear from his cheek.
Ri took off her mask and sat on the couch, gasping as the pain hadn't completely gone away. The Queen turned when she heard it. "Palari! What happened? Who did this?" She rushed towards Ri anxiously. "I did." The Queen paused just as she was about to check Ri's wounds and stepped back.
"Why?" The King asked. "She got cocky and said something she shouldn't have." The King nodded. "Then it's all good, now?" Ria shrugged. "Is it, Palari?" Ri nodded. "I deserved it." The Queen checked Ri's face carefully. "You didn't have any broken bones; they're just bruised but what did you do?"
"Let's not talk about that anymore. Your grandchildren are outside." The Queen turned to Ria. "Wait! Before that. Can we see your face?" Ria took off the mask and tears welled in the couple's eyes once again. Queen Malari touched her chest as she suppressed the tears and pain.
The King touched Ria's cheek gently. "It's all our fault." Ria grabbed his hand. "I'm fine. Don't blame yourself. I never did." Ri stood up and walked over. "What do you mean? What actually happened that year?" She asked, looking between her older sister and her parents. "Nothing to be concerned about now." Ria put back on her mask.
"Send the children in." She said as she walked over to a chair and sat down. The doors opened and the children walked in. "Greet your grandmother and grandfather. The King and Queen of Palk." The children bowed. "Greetings, grandmother and grandfather."
"No need for all of that." The Queen said as she approached them. King Railin looked all of them over and then looked back at Ria. He looked back at the children, especially Kai. "Introduce yourselves from oldest to youngest." Ria said.
"I'm Kai, 13 years old."
"Haelion, 10 years old."
"Kaelia, 10 years old."
"Heri, 9 yeas old."
"Jailin, 7 years old."
"Kai's birthday was a few days before we left Regila. The twins' birthday was a few months ago. Heri and Jailin's birthdays are coming up soon." Ria explained to her parents. "Who knew that we'd be blessed with so many grandchildren?" The Queen laughed happily.
The King walked over to his daughter. "Ria. These children." She nodded. "We were on the road and decided to come for the festival. Let's go out to enjoy it tonight." Ria suggested. "Yes. I haven't been these past few years. Going with my grandchildren will be so much fun." The Queen accepted quickly, thinking Ria might change her mind if she didn't.
"Ri will go with you." Ria gave her sister a pointed look. "Yes. I'll go with you guys and spend more time with you all." Ri agreed without hesitation.
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Poloria and her group took two months on horseback to reach an outer border town in Lino territory from the Capital of Regila. They spent another two months helping the Crown Prince, her disciple, get rid of people out to kill him. It took three months from Lino to the west of Regila since they were going around instead of through it. It took a month to get to Palk territory and half a month to reach the capital.
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The festival was full of life. The Queen was buying everything her grandchildren liked and played many games with them.
Despite the bright colors and lights, the meaning behind this festival was simple. 'Lighting the way home', it was something the citizens came up with when they heard that the Eldest Princess was forced to leave the Kingdom at such a young age.
Unable to see their King and Queen in such grief. They came up with this festival as a way to lift their spirits and hoped that someday, the Eldest Princess would be back to see it. It carries their hope for a reunion, none of them knew at that moment that their wishes came true and the eldest princess had finally come home.
After hours of walking and enjoying themselves, the children were beginning to slow down. "Let's find a place to eat and then return." The Queen suggested. "This place. Elder sister is waiting inside." Ri said to her parents as she pointed to the restaurant across from them.
As if on cue, Ria popped her head out of an upstairs window and waved at them. "I see her." The King said as he waved back. "Then let's go." They gathered the children and walked into the building.
"Sir, Private room or on the floor?" A waiter approached with a large smile. "Private." Ri stepped forward, the waiter bowed his head slightly. "Then follow me." He took them up the stairs and into a large room. He opened the door, stepped in and showed them in.
Ria moved from the window and sat down. "Did you order already?" Ria nodded to her mother. "I did." The waiter smiled. "The food will be brought to you shortly." Jailin walked up to Ria and hugged her. "I'm tired." He complained quietly.
"Let's eat and then you'll head back and get some sleep." He nodded and Ria pulled him into her lap. Ten minutes later, the dishes here served. A roast duck, chicken and a lamb leg with fish soup and rice. Jailin went back to his seat and began eating.
The children managed to eat the food despite their tiredness. After resting for a bit, everyone went back to the palace except Ria. She ordered a bottle of wine, paid the bill and walked the streets slowly. She stopped when she reached a building and looked at it.