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Even after Elias left the school, Tiana hasn’t left. This was because Tyler was still having a conversation with the acting headmaster.

She stood beside the carriage, watching Bora approached with fury written on her face. Both girls didn’t exchange words. Bora climbed into the carriage and settled in.

Minutes later, Tyler approached. Apparently, he had expected Tiana to run off. Afterall, she had ignored them even when their parents visited, but seeing her standing there, brought a smile to his lip.

He approached her, tilting his head.

”I expected you to run off.”

”Well I was going to,” she scoffed.

They got in afterwards, and the rider snapped the reins. As soon as it moved, Bora let out her frustration.

”Why the hell are we riding a carriage?! We’re the royal family, and we don’t even have a single car!”

Tyler simply ignored her and looked outside. The horses galloped into the streets, leaving the school behind.

”Are we trying to keep an example of old life?” Tiana suddenly asked.

This grew his attention.

”With the royal family riding a carriage, it helps the people who couldn’t afford a car save face.” She muttered.

He gasped.

”Tiana.”

”Yes?”

”Do you want to take the throne?”

”Stop joking around!”

He laughed. ”You’re extremely smart, unlike some people.”

”What?!” Bora gasped. ”How dare you—”

”I didn’t call a name.” He cut her off.

Tiana quietly chuckled, and looked outside the window, at the street disappearing behind.

’This isn’t so bad.’

After an hour, the carriage finally came to a stop before the palace gates.

Tiana looked up.

For the first time since leaving the school, she was completely nervous.

The palace was nothing like she had imagined. It stretched across the hill in layers of stone and towering pillars, with the royal crest carved into the massive gates. Guards stood on either side of the entrance, their armor polished enough to reflect the afternoon sunlight. Beyond them, a long road led toward the main building, surrounded by carefully maintained gardens.

She stared for a moment longer.

”So this is where you live?” she asked.

Tyler stepped down from the carriage and glanced back at her.

”Unfortunately.”

Bora scoffed as she climbed out.

She stepped down after them, her eyes wandering over the palace again. She had seen wealthy homes before, but this was different. Everything about the place screamed royalty without needing to say a word. It was a similar feeling to when she visited the Ringoff clan.

Tyler noticed her staring.

”First time seeing a palace?”

Tiana gave him a look. ”What do you think?”

They hadn’t even reached the entrance before the palace doors swung open.

A group of servants stepped aside immediately, followed by several guards.

And then Tiana saw them. The king and queen were standing at the top of the steps.

She had known them when they came to see her at the school, but somehow seeing them here felt different. There was no crowd around them this time. No students whispering. No teachers watching.

The queen descended the steps first.

She tried to maintain her composure, but the moment her eyes settled on Tiana, her expression softened.

”Tiana.”

Tiana froze. ”The name...”

”We’ll go with anything you want.” The queen hurried toward her. For a second, Tiana didn’t know what to do. She barely had time to react before the woman pulled her into a tight embrace.

Tiana’s arms remained at her sides.

She wasn’t used to this.

She could hear the queen breathing unevenly against her shoulder.

”My daughter,” the queen whispered.

Tiana swallowed. Then, slowly, she lifted her arms and returned the hug.

The queen held her even tighter.

Behind them, the emperor stood quietly, watching the reunion with a smile that failed to hide the emotion in his eyes.

When the queen finally pulled away, she placed both hands on Tiana’s face.

”Look at you. I had thought you and Tyler would grow up identical. I guess I was wrong. You’re prettier.”

”Hey?!” He exclaimed.

The queen laughed softly through the tears gathering in her eyes. ”I can’t believe you’re finally here.”

”I...” Tiana glanced away awkwardly. ”I’m here.”

The emperor finally approached. He stopped in front of her, studying her face for several seconds.

She was the child he lost. The child he remembered had been small enough to carry in his arms. This girl stood before him now, older, stronger, and clearly unsure of what to make of any of this.

The emperor opened his arms.

Tiana hesitated for a while, before moving closer.

He embraced her. His hand rested against the back of her head. ”You have no idea how long we’ve waited for this day.”

Tiana remained quiet for a moment. Then she muttered, ”I don’t really know what I’m supposed to say.”

The emperor chuckled.

”Neither do I.”

Nearby, Bora stood with her arms crossed. She watched the entire reunion with an expression that grew increasingly sour.

Tyler noticed.

”You look like you’re about to murder someone.”

”I’m thinking about it.” She gritted her teeth.

Tiana heard her and glanced over.

Bora immediately looked away.

Seconds after, a servant stepped forward. ”Your highnesses, lunch has been prepared.”

The emperor immediately brightened.

”Perfect. Tiana must be hungry.” The queen turned toward the palace. ”Come. All of you.”

They all went in.

The dining hall was enormous. A long table stretched across the room, already covered with dishes. Tiana slowed slightly when she saw it.

Tyler noticed and grinned.

”Don’t tell me you’re intimidated by lunch.”

”I’m not.”

”You look intimidated.”

”I’ll smack you.”

Bora scoffed. ”Seeing that she grew up in the slum, it’s understandable.”

Tiana fired back. ”The Ringoff dessert table is two times bigger than this. Don’t push your luck Bora.”

”What?!”

The husband and wife exchanged glances.

Tiana sat beside Tyler, while Bora took her usual seat across from them. For the first few minutes, lunch was surprisingly quiet.

The emperor asked Tiana about school. The queen asked about her classes. Tyler occasionally answered questions that weren’t directed at him. Bora complained about everything. And Tiana slowly found herself relaxing.

This was good.

For a moment, a smile rented her face, but it died down right after. She clenched her fist beneath the table.

’If only they didn’t allow me to be taken when I was younger. If only they had searched well enough.’

Tyler suddenly put down his fork.

”Oh, right. I almost forgot.”

The emperor looked at him. ”Forgot what?”

Tyler leaned back in his chair.

”Our class is going on a trip.”

The queen smiled. ”That sounds nice. Where?”

”Black Empire.”