"Do you think it's safe?"

"It's been ten years, Ophelia. It's time," said Nicholas.

The runaway princess looked around the familiar forest. "It hasn't changed at all," she said quietly.

Her husband agreed from his separate steed. His hair was cut short and his beard neatly trimmed. He let her take a blade to that scraggly beard (finally) and in turn he stayed up most of the night helping her pack. She thought of their old home, such a nice place in the heart of Aisne with a room for all their children and tall, willowy trees perfect for hiding under. She sighed. She would miss it so much.

"I don't know if I'm ready, Nicholas. I don't think they are."

Nicholas glanced at their daughters who rode ahead. At nine years old, the twins had their father's hair and eyes, but Celine loved books almost as much as Ophelia, and Urilla was too stubborn to be anyone else's daughter. Their six year old son lagged behind on his pony.

"I know you're scared, but it's time we brought them home. I want to share it with them. They're old enough to understand." He reached across and kissed her cheek. "We'll be fine, love. We sent word to Nan. She knows we're coming."

"That's another thing, where will she stay? We should have thought this out better," she muttered.

"We'll think of something. We always do. How are you feeling?"

She glanced at her round stomach. One month left. She covered the bulge with her blue cloak. "Fine, dear. I'm fine. So is your daughter."

Nicholas smirked. "You still think it's a she?"

"Haven't I been right these past few times?"

"You never predicted twins."

"Ah, but I said a girl, didn't I?"

He chuckled. "Fine, fine." He looked behind him at their fair haired son. Gilles looked so much like her brothers, Ophelia could scarcely believe the lad was hers.

A half hour more and they arrived at the manor. Urilla's gold eyes widened. "You used to live here?"

Celine walked her horse around the front walls. "Why did you leave?"

Their mother chuckled. "That's a long story, ma petite. One we will tell you tonight, after dinner." The plan was to spend the first night at home, then head to the palace for the inevitable reunion that, even thinking about, Ophelia started to panic.

Gilles was the first to dismount. He ran to his papa and took his hand. The boy's eyes scanned the area, looking over the new territory. Nicholas squeezed his hand tightly.

Her daughters peered in one of the windows. Ophelia smirked. "You can open the door, you know. It is our home."

Celine's braid wiped her back as she dashed to grab it first. Urilla was right behind her. Together, they flung open the door and hurried inside to explore. A few seconds later, Urilla stuck her head outside. "Mama, a man is in the kitchen. He says he's our uncle."

Ophelia's eyes widened. 'Henri? Damien?' She picked up her violet skirts and ran as fast as she could. By the time she reached the kitchen, Nicholas' arm was around her back, supporting her. Gasping, her gaze landed on the seated individual.

Damien smiled. "Hello Sister, it's been a long time."

He was sure Nan was lying. After so many years, he was sure she would stay hidden. Leaving Rose and the children was a difficult decision, especially since he couldn't tell anyone from the castle, but after Nan showed him the letter, well he didn't have much of a choice.

Now, after seeing his nieces and nephew, after seeing his sister, no longer a little girl, he almost cried.

Ophelia had tears streaming down her face. "Nan told you?"

He nodded. "You look . . ." he shook his head. "I've missed you."

She smiled, wiping her eyes. "I've missed you too," she chuckled. Ophelia went over to him and he rose, hugging her gently.

"Am I to expect another niece, or nephew?" he teased.

She pulled back, laughing. "Well, Nicholas insists a boy, but I haven't been wrong yet. How are you? How is . . . everyone? You must tell me."

"I will, after you introduce me to everyone," he smiled.

The princess blushed. "Children, come meet your uncle." Ophelia's daughters came to her side in their brown cloaks and pale dresses. "Urilla, Celine, this is your uncle Damien." Both curtseyed. Gilles went over only when his father decided to come along.

Damien stared at his sister's husband. "The legendary Nicholas, I have heard about you. Pleasure to finally meet my sister's husband."

Nicholas bowed. "I hope you've heard only good things, Your Grace."

The prince chuckled. "We're brothers, Nicholas. Let's not bother with Graces here." He glanced at the children. "I brought gifts. I left them in the living room. Why don't you go get them?"

The girls raced each other with Gilles dragged along by Celine.

Alone now, the adults sat at the table with his sister's sore feet on her husband's lap. "Now tell me Brother, how are you?"

"Quite well, actually. You missed my wedding six years ago."

She chuckled. "You'll receive a nuptial gift, I promise. Who is she?"

"A farm girl, I met her at a ball. It's a long story, but Rose and I are happy. We live together in the country with her father and son. Joseph was from her first marriage."

Ophelia raised an eyebrow. "Really? When will I meet her, and him?"

"Soon, perhaps tomorrow if you feel up to the travel. We actually live quite close by, now that I think on it. I would have brought Rose today, but our daughter Marian is sick with a cold and Jean was having his nap."

"It sounds like you are happy. What of the others? How is Henri? I've thought of him a great deal since I left. Is he angry?"

Damien sighed and glanced out the window. "Henri is . . . I try to speak to him, but he is all business these days. Father lets him take care of almost all kingly business, which keeps him quite busy."

"We heard of the wedding," Nicholas said. "It must have been difficult for him, from what Ophelia tells me at least."

Damien agreed. "The marriage was not for love, but they get along well enough. I don't know if he cares for her. I don't know if he'll ever forget Magdalene. I pray he does."

"Anne is with child, yes? I remember picking it up from one of the farmer's wives along the way," asked Ophelia.

"Yes, everyone prays she will carry it to full term, but," he shrugged, "my concern is Henri. I know his thoughts turn to Magdalene when Anne is in her lying in stages. You should be too, dear sister. We wouldn't want anything to happen to you," he teased.

She rolled her eyes. "Oh don't be silly, Brother! I've run a book store when I was ready to burst. Keeping up with my family isn't that hard."

"You should come to the castle, then. If you can. They would love to see you, especially Mother. She has missed you a great deal."

"We were thinking tomorrow," said Nicholas. "I still don't trust the woods at night."

"I have a carriage we could use, if that helps."

Ophelia raised an eyebrow. "From the farm?"

He shrugged. "There a lot of things hiding in that barn."

"Children, would you like to go to the castle?"

"Yes!" they cried in unison.

"I guess you have your answer."

Henri rubbed his eyes. How many hours had he been staring at these pages? The parchment blurred together into a horrid stack of petitions he didn't want to deal with. Then again, it was better than visiting Anne.

The fire burned his back, heating him through the thick, red chair. He crossed one leg over the other and sighed, leaning back against his chair. He tilted his head down and picked up the letter he had been reading before.

My brothers found your last letter. They know. They promise they will not tell Papa, but I do not know how long I can hold them to their word.

Our sons miss you. Please my love, come visit soon. The castle can do without you for a few days.

Henri rested his head against his hand. Magdalene didn't understand. He couldn't leave Anne, lest the court view him in a dimmer light. He closed his eyes and pictured his mistress at home with the children. His sons, strong boys who looked like their father, played in the fields and tugged on their mother's skirt. He missed them, especially his eldest. Rene needed a father to show him how to become a good man.

I would be there if I could, my son. I'll find a way to make this work.

There came a knock at the door. Thinking it was his daughter, he hid the paper in his drawer. "Evette, Papa is busy right now. I'll come play with you later, I promise."

The door opened and when he turned, he thought he was seeing a ghost. "Ophelia?"

She grinned. "Hello Brother."

He shot up from his seat and picked her up off the ground, spinning her as he hugged her. She laughed, holding onto his neck. "Be careful! Your future niece doesn't like dizziness!"

Henri placed her where he sat earlier, kneeling down before her with her hands in his. "Why did you come back? You were free," he whispered.

She shook her head. "I wasn't, Henri. I had to come home, to you and the others. I want to be part of the family again, along with my children."

"Children? How many?"

"You have twin nieces and a nephew, a nephew who looks too much like you and Damien."

Henri's eyes watered. "I'm so happy for you." He placed his head on her lap and squeezed his eyes shut. "I have missed you so much. I need-"

"I know," she said, running her fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry too. I know how hard it is for you." She smiled. "I met your daughter. She's so pretty Henri, just like you."

"So do my sons," he whispered. He hadn't meant to let that slip, but he didn't care. No one knew, not even Damien.

His sister sighed. "How many?"

"Three. Magdalene . . . I didn't mean for it to happen at first, but after Anne lost three babies, I met Magdalene again and we just . . . it all happened so quickly. And now I have three sons who need a father but-"

Ophelia hushed him. "I know, Henri, I know. We'll think of something. Does Mother know?"

"No one does. I can't tell them," he whispered as a tear ran down his cheek.

She sighed. "Don't cry, Brother. This is a happy day. You get to meet your nieces and nephews, and I heard Camilla and her husband just arrived." She paused. "Perhaps, while I look for her, you should visit Anne. I heard she was having a rough time today. Cogsworth said so, at least."

Henri raised his head and wiped his eyes. "You're right." Despite everything, she was his wife. "I need—I should be there for her," he nodded. The prince stood and helped his sister to her feet. "Would you like an escort?"

Ophelia shook her head. "I'll be just fine. I have an idea on where our sister is hiding. I've asked Cogsworth to arrange a late night snack for us. Will you be there?"

"Of course. I'll see you soon."

Once the door shut, Henri took the letter from his desk and put it in the fire. Perhaps Anne would be awake still.

Burk leaned back against his chair with Camilla curled up on his lap. "You know, this is my favourite chair in the whole castle. I can always take a nice nap here."

Camilla laughed, brushing back his hair. "And here I thought it was because it was where we first played cards."

"That too," he said, leaning up to kiss her cheek. "Did you hear? Ophelia has returned."

The Queen of Germany's eyes widened. "Truly? Who told you?"

"Cogsworth. He says in an hour we need to be in the dining hall for a snack. She brought her children. Speaking of children, where are ours?"

Tristin, five years old, was playing with his blocks near the fire. On a blanket their toddler Giselle was napping. Camilla rested her head against his shoulder. "I don't believe it. She can't be back."

"Believe it, Sister," Ophelia said with a smile. "I have returned."

Camilla raised her head, her eyes wide. "Where have you been?"

Ophelia waddled over and pulled up the chair. Camilla sat up straight with Burk's hand on her waist. "I've been running a bookstore, raising a family, living. Missing you, all of you." She looked at Burk. "Feeling guilty for what I did to you, especially. I am sorry, Burk."

He nodded "In the end, I can only thank you. Camilla and I wouldn't have had the chance to get to know each other." He glanced at his daughter. "I would not have my children."

Ophelia smiled. "They are lovely. May I hold her?"

Camilla nodded as her chest tightened. "Why didn't you write?"

The elder propped the baby up against her chest, rocking her gently. "I didn't want to risk being found. I only kept in contact with Nan to make sure Nicholas' house was in good shape, or if she needed anything."

Camilla bit her lip. "Did she tell you of my son?"

Ophelia nodded. "I wanted to write to you, both of you, but I didn't have anything to say. There are no words to describe what you both went through six years ago. I'm so sorry, Camilla."

The younger lowered her gaze. "Thank you. I'm sorry too, about Raoul. He was such a good dog."

"Yes, but at least he was safe for those last few years. I would have hated if any harm came to him." Ophelia sighed. "Did Cogsworth get around to telling you about the plan?"

Burk nodded. "I just told Camilla. We could head over now, if you like. I'm sure your parents are already there."

The runaway agreed, but Camilla noticed her sister's tense shoulders. The queen went over and kissed her sister's forehead. "Come, Sister. Everything will be just fine." She took her sister's hand and helped her stand.

Belle shifted from foot to foot. "What's taking her so long? Do you suppose she fell?"

Nicholas shook his head from beside his mother-in-law. "I've seen her climb ladders to get to the top books on the shelf. She doesn't fall."

The queen looked at the man. "You've been watching her, haven't you? Helping?"

"Yes Your Majesty, I've been protective to the point where it's driven her mad." He smirked. "My daughters are the same when I'm working in the mines."

Emmanuel chuckled. "They certainly are a lot like her," he said as he looked at his grandchildren. Henri's daughter was also there being kept entertaining by Damien. "I'm glad you convinced her to come home. I've—I've missed her more than I can say."

Nicholas stared at the king and nodded. "I am sorry to have caused you both so much pain. It was never our intention."

"I know," said the king. The door opened and in came both his daughters. Belle gasped, covering her mouth.

"My daughter," she whispered before rushing over. Ophelia smiled as she and her mother embraced. Emmanuel saw her glance at Nicholas from across the room, causing the elder to grin.

"There you are, Mama!" said Celine. "Cousin Evette said you were looking for Uncle Henri."

"Don't worry ma petite, I found him. And your Aunt Camilla and Uncle Burk." She kissed her mother's cheeks then stood before her father. "Hello Papa."

The king swallowed the lump in his throat. Without saying a word, he wrapped the girl up in his arms, holding her tightly. He didn't care that her large stomach made it hard. She was back, she was home, she was safe. If she noticed the tears dripping on her, she didn't comment.

After a few minutes, they parted but Emmanuel kept a hold of her hand. He led her to her seat and helped her sit down then took his place beside his wife, close by to his daughter. Every few seconds he kept glancing at her, making sure she was still there.

Henri entered a few minutes later and sat down beside Damien.

"Anne sends her greetings, and apologizes for not coming. I told her I would bring something back, if there's anything left."

"I don't know if you should have told her that. After such travels, I think we're all quite hungry," Ophelia chuckled.

As the food was brought out, Belle gripped her husband's hand tightly. "I didn't think this would ever happen," she whispered.

He kissed her cheek. "Let's just hope this isn't a dream."

Belle smiled. "A dream come true."

Emmanuel stared at his family around him. Indeed it is.