Returning Reign

Chapter 31

Thank you for all the new support this week! I have reached over 600 read which is much more than I ever expected!! xoxo enjoy!

I blink to make sure I am seeing correctly. Diego, Alice, and whom I presume to be Josephine are sitting on the jagged cave floor. Im the first to take a step into the room leaving the tunnel.

"Mom? Dad?" I say outloud in shock. I need to make sure its them. This moment that I have been chasing for so long feels so surreal. They all turn around at the same time and face me. Shock written all over their faces. Diego and Alice start crying and run towards me.

Josephine takes quick steps and meets Hugo halfway before engulfing each other in a tight embrace. Its as if he's scared of losing her again.

Diego and Alice hug me tightly and ask me if I'm okay. I nod and sob silently along with them. I look over and see Nathaniel standing awkwardly at the entrance still.

"I missed you guys so much." I tell my parents after they let go of me.

"We told you to stay away Cartia," Alice tells me with tears shaking her head in forced disappointment but her face has a happy smile that everything worked out in the end.

"We are so lucky to have you," Diego hugs me again and I nod my head in appreciation. There are so many things I want to say right now but I dont know how to put words into my mouth right now.

Someone clears their throat behind us and it's Hugo. He approached me tentatively with Josephine as they both held hands together.

"Josephine, this is our daughter, Cartia." Hugo holds his hand out to me and I step forward towards them and take it. He grabs my shoulders and places me in front of my mother. The resemblance is uncanny.

"Mom?" I whisper with a hoarse voice and she immediately loses her resolve and hugs me in the tightest hug I have ever received.

"My baby," she whispers into my ear. She missed my entire life because of the spells that held her a hostage inside this cave. The only source of light was very orange in the center of the room and not bright enough to light up the dark corners. But I could still make out her beauty.

"Im so sorry." I apologize to her for something that is not my fault but is the only way I can think of to acknowledge her years of pain.

"Its okay. Im okay. We're okay." She rubs my back still in the hug before eventually letting go. She goes back to Hugos embrace and we all start making our way out of the cave.

Fern and Nathaniel had been awfully quiet during the private moment and I appreciate it. It was overwhelming emotionally. I walk behind everyone happy and excited for what's to come next. My tears are dried and I am still wearing my blue tulle dress from the ball.

Nathaniel joins me in the back of the group in his all black suit and he holds his hand out for me silently. I smile at him and take it.

"This is not how I thought this night would go." Nathaniel chuckles lightly. I kick a rock lightly out of my way.

"Me neither." I murmur before talking again.

"But, it's perfect. My family is together," I start and then look directly at his beautiful eyes for the next part. "And I have you." I finish with a small blush on my face.

He cant contain the radiant warm smile that breaks out on his face. He unties the first couple of buttons on his shirt to get more comfortable and clears his throat.

"You're perfect." Nathaniel leans down and whispers lightly into my ear. Now its my turn to get butterflies in my stomach and for my smile to take over my entire face.

Fern uses a similar spell to take us all back to the castle where Francessca and Vivian are already locked up in seperate cells in the prison. It was almost four in the morning so we all decided to go to bed before trying to play catch up for all the lost years.

Nathaniel walks me to my bedroom door.

"Looks like you will be switching into the royal suites tomorrow."

"Not going to lie, the thought of leaving the maid's quarters makes me a little sad." I reply with a pout. Nathaniel swiftly leans down and connects his warm smooth lips to mine. This kiss is cute and light.

"What was that for?" I ask him with my hands on my hips and my brow slightly raised at him.

"You look ravishing and I am feeling very happy." He replies with a small shrug. I wrap my hands around his neck and hug him.

"Goodnight," I murmured into his tan neck.

"Goodnight," He replies. He goes to let go of our embrace but in less than a second I change my mind. Hes not leaving me, not tonight.

"Can you sleep in my room?" I ask him, feeling slightly shy all of a sudden.

"Are you sure?" He asked me.

"More sure than anything I have done in my life before." I replied quickly.

"Lead the way," Nathaniel opens the door and lets me enter first.

We spend the next couple of hours pouring our hearts out to each other and making jokes with each other. We eventually fall asleep in our ball attire. His sleeves rolled up and the top buttons unbuttoned revealing his tanned and toned chest. My dress was a soft material and was not too uncomfortable.

This is it.

The perfect day. Laying in the arms of the most beautiful man I have ever set my eyes upon, and getting my parents biological and not, back.

All my wildest dreams came true.

A real fairytale.

My fairytale.

I have returned to my kingdom.

To my reign.

A returning reign.

Authors Note:
Ahhhh!!! This is the end of this book. I started writing it "seriously" last year around Easter in the beginning of the pandemic. I got the idea of this book over two years ago. My life has changed SO much since I started this journey and I am so grateful for this experience. I was prepared to have a couple of reads on my story not 600!! This is BIG for me. I love you all and here's to the future! Also, stayed tuned for a possible sequel or a new different novel.

-xoxo Ellie Violet