Chapter 394: Reunion

[Upper World — Eldoria]​[Royal Residence - Guest Chambers]

​"Hmm..."

​Rosita’s eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the soft morning light filtering into the room. She moved her gaze around the family room, her mind foggy and disoriented. It was spacious, luxurious, and smelled faintly of lavender—nothing like the cold, sterile cells of her memories. She blinked, and slowly sat up, the silk sheets sliding off her skin. She found herself staring at the balcony before her; the sheer curtains were blowing inside by the gentle wind, dancing like ghosts.

​"Huh?"

​She rubbed her eyes, trying to dispel the lingering drowsiness, and stood up. She slid her feet into the plush slippers beside her bed, then walked towards the balcony, drawn by the sound of the world outside. Rosita moved the curtains aside, and what came to view took her breath away.

​It was her nation... No, it looked like her nation, the geography was familiar, but the soul of the place had changed. The architecture was refined, blending nature with stone; the people below weren’t cowering but bustling with purpose; the guards stood tall with pride rather than fear. The city itself was different, teeming with life and a vibrancy she hadn’t seen in decades.

​"This."

​She grimaced, and suddenly held her head. A sharp, searing pain shot through her temples. The barrier in her mind shattered, and the memories—everything she had done, the people she had killed while under Lester’s mind control, the blood she had spilled as a puppet—everything came back in one full force, smashing into her like a tidal wave.

​"Ah!"

​Rosita growled in pain, clutching the railing of the balcony, sweat rolling down her face. She blinked rapidly, her vision blurring as a drop of tear fell to the ground, splashing onto the cold stone.

​"What have I done?" She muttered in disbelief, her voice trembling. She stared down at the maids and guards walking around the garden below.

​"And where am I?"

​She turned to the door, panic rising in her chest. She needed answers. She rushed towards the exit, threw it open, and rushed past the two guards stationed there, stunning them with her sheer speed.

​"Her Majesty!!" The two guards exclaimed in shock. They scrambled to react, but before they could even think of chasing, Rosita was gone, leaving only a gust of wind in her wake.

​The two men looked at one another in shock, swallowing hard.

​"We forgot Her Majesty is a sixth order powerhouse." They muttered in unison, realizing they never stood a chance of stopping her.

​__

​Rosita stopped in front of the main castle entrance, her chest heaving slightly. She stared at the guards walking around, patrolling in organized formations, including the maids who were chatting happily as they worked. She moved her gaze in confusion and surprise, as they stopped to bow and greeted her respectfully, before continuing with their business. There was no fear in their eyes, only reverence.

​"What is all this?" She muttered, walking towards the main gate, her eyes filled with surprise.

​Rosita stopped in front of the massive gate. The two guards stationed there didn’t ask for identification; they simply bowed and opened it wide for her, revealing the massive bridge that separated the castle island from the main city.

​"Is this really the beastify nation?"

​She stepped on the bridge, the stone smooth under her feet. She turned her head to the side, staring at the clean flowing water, crystalline and blue. She could even see the fishes swimming lazily in the water, undisturbed.

​"Mother."

​Rosita froze.

​The wind seemed to stop. No matter what happened, no matter how much time had passed or how broken her mind had been, she will never forget that voice. Even if it sounded older, more mature, carrying the weight of a crown, she still remembered it.

​Rosita slowly turned around.

​Standing in front of the gate, staring at her with eyes that mirrored her own, was Josephine. Behind Josephine stood Sunny, looking regal in his white coat, and a young girl with blonde hair, Ellen.

​"Josephine?" Rosita muttered in disbelief, staring at her grown-up daughter.

​Josephine wasn’t the little girl she had left behind; she was a woman, a Queen, and... she was also pregnant. The realization hit Rosita hard. She and her husband had left Josephine when she was just a child for a mission they thought would take a month, and now... she had missed a lifetime.

​Mother and daughter walked towards each other. The distance closed slowly, heavy with years of separation. The moment they got a foot away, Rosita couldn’t hold back. She wrapped her arms around her daughter, burying her face in Josephine’s shoulder, tears rolling down her cheeks uncontrollably.

​"I am so sorry my child... Please forgive your dad and I... We shouldn’t have left you behind for some mission, please forgive us!" She said, her voice cracking with the weight of her guilt.

​"Dad, so this is Mom’s mother?" Ellen asked, looking up at Sunny, watching the scene with curiosity.

​"Yeah, she is your grandmother." Sunny said softly.

​He watched the reunion, his mind briefly drifting to the task ahead. He remembered what happened after Violet left the castle in the great world, and he looked down at Ellen, placing a hand on her shoulder.

​"Are you ready, Dear, we will be going to the great world soon..." He said.

​Ellen exhaled, sensing the seriousness in his tone, and nodded her head. "Yes, Dad... We are ready."

​Sunny nodded his head, his expression hardening slightly as he turned back to his wife and mother-in-law. A memory surfaced in his mind.

​[Remembering: Lord God Wolf, I need to see my granddaughters, bring them to me, I don’t have much time left.]

​Sunny remembered the voice clearly. Ancient, powerful, and weary. Only the Old Dragon, the leader of the Dragon Faction in the Great World, could ask him to bring both Ellen and Jinx.

​Sunny’s golden eyes narrowed slightly. He would grant the request, but he wasn’t naive. If this all turns out to be a trap, Sunny will simply flatten the whole dragon faction in the great world.

​"It’s ok, Mum... I am no longer angry with you and Dad. I have already forgiven you." Josephine said, pulling back slightly to look at her mother, a warm smile on her face.

​Rosita nodded her head slowly, wiping her tears. She took a deep breath, composing herself. She opened her eyes, seeing Sunny—the man who had saved her—and the young girl standing beside him. She stared at Ellen in surprise.

​"Is... Is she your first child?" She asked in surprise, looking between Josephine and the girl.

​Josephine separated from the hug completely and turned to Ellen, gesturing for her to come over.

​Rosita watched the 13-year-old girl in fascination. Even without trying, she could feel the powerful aura thrumming around the child. With a smile, Rosita crouched down to be at eye level and opened her arms wide.

​"Come and greet Grandmother." She said with a smile, inviting the girl in.

​Ellen didn’t hesitate. She stepped forward and hugged Rosita tightly.

​"What is your name sweetie?" She asked, separating from the hug and brushing a stray lock of hair from the girl’s face.

​"Ellen." Ellen answered with a polite nod of her head.

​"Wow, such a big girl, how old is she?" Rosita asked, looking up at Josephine.

​"Ellen is now 13, she will be clocking 14 in six months." Josephine answered with a proud smile.

​"Oh... August, that’s a good month." Rosita said with a smile.

​She stood up, her gaze shifting from her granddaughter to the black-haired man standing behind them. The aura he commanded was absolute, yet he looked at her family with gentleness.

​She turned to Sunny, a slight frown forming on her face as the reality of her situation set in.

​"Seems there are a lot of things I need to know." She added.