The heavy oak gates of the Elven King's castle creaked open, revealing Elizabeth..
normally devoid of expression, flickered for a fraction of a second as she gazed at the figures waiting for her...
Sylvie rushes forward, tears streaming down her face..."Lizzy!"...she cried, her voice thick with emotion... "You're really free!"..
Upon seeing sylvie, Elizabeth smiles and nods her head in answering sylvie question..
Aria followed more calmly, her expression a mixture of relief and concern...She reached out and gently squeezed Elizabeth's hand..."We were so worried,".. she said, her voice firm but laced with affection... "Are you alright?"..
Elizabeth remained silent for a moment, her gaze flickering between Sylvie's tear-stained face and Aria's steady blue eyes... Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she said... "Yes. I am...alright."..
Sylvie threw her arms around Elizabeth, burying her face in the fox spirit's long hair... "We missed you so much! It wasn't the same at the tavern without you..." ..She pulled back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand..."That horrible accusation...it's all over now!"..
"Wait, ain't you exaggerating...it wasn't even a whole day, just one night.."..Elizabeth said..
Aria nodded in agreement and then sighs... " Anyways, the King understood the truth..It was a false accusation, orchestrated by someone with ill intentions."..
As they stood there, a wave of warmth and relief washing over them, a booming voice echoed from the castle gates..
"Elizabeth! Sylvie! Aria! You three back here now! No lingering!"..
Mama Kurumi, her face beaming, strode towards them, her ample figure radiating warmth and authority.. "Come on, come on! We've got a celebration to plan! And I need you three back at the tavern...I'm pretty sure the customers have been asking about you, Elizabeth...The King and I settled things, he even apologized to me."..
Sylvie giggled, nudging Elizabeth playfully... "See? Even Mama Kurumi can't stay mad at the King!"..
Mama Kurumi chuckled... "That old friend of mine can be stubborn, but he's got a good heart underneath all that royal stuff... Now, enough dawdling! Let's go home."..
Aria, ever practical, spoke up. "Are you sure you're ready, Elizabeth? We can take things slow if you need to."..
Elizabeth looked at each of them, Sylvie with her bright, tear-streaked face, Aria with her unwavering support, and Mama Kurumi with her boisterous affection...A flicker of something akin to gratitude sparked on her expression..
"I am ready," she said, her voice a little stronger this time..."Let's go home."..
"I don't want to worry my son"..Elizabeth said as they started walking away from the castle..
"Speaking of which, Nova is in the tavern waiting for you"..Aria said...
"He seem quite worried, seeing as you didn't come home last night.....but it's okay now tho, we calm him down"..Sylvie said with a cheerful tone..
"Thanks"..Elizabeth said her voice filled with gratitude..
They walked towards the familiar warmth and camaraderie of the tavern... The ordeal was over, and they were together again, a family bound by something stronger than blood...
Meanwhile in the tavern, Nova sat down on of the chairs, his expression worried ans sad ..
The tavern was empty of customers due to mama Kurumi and tge waitresses absence...
The tavern door creaked open, revealing Elizabeth... Her long, black fox tails swayed behind her, but the crimson pools of her eyes held no light, no spark.. Nova, who had been anxiously perched on a bar stool, launched himself forward...
"Mama!" ..He cried, burying his face in her blue and white maiden dress, tears instantly soaking the fabric..."Mama, you're back! I was so scared!"..
Elizabeth knelt, her long hair pooling around them... Her hand, surprisingly strong for its delicate appearance, gently stroked his hair.. "Shhh, Nova, shhh. I'm here now. Everything is alright." ..Her voice was soft, barely a whisper...
Aria and Sylvie followed Elizabeth into the tavern, their expressions a mix of relief and concern.
"Lizzy, are you alright?" Aria asked, her lemon-colored hair shimmering in the dim light..
Elizabeth nodded slightly, still focused on Nova. "I'm fine, Aria. Thank you both for everything."
Just then, a booming voice filled the room. "Nova! You're here, good!"..
"What? You look like you've seen a ghost"..noticing surprised look upon seeing her..
"Well, it has been a while since we last saw each other"
" Go get some rest, girl... Nova needs his mama." ..Mama Kurumi, her cheerful tone slightly subdued..."I've told you to take a day off.. For the boy's sake, if nothing else.. After what those merchants put you through…"..
Elizabeth's grip on Nova tightened almost imperceptibly.. "Mama Kurumi, I…"
"No buts!".. Mama Kurumi cut her off, her hands on her hips... "Aria and Sylvie will handle things here today.. You take Nova and go.. Now, shoo! You both deserve it."..
Nova, peeking out from behind Elizabeth's skirt, piped up, ..."Thank you, Mama Kurumi! You're the best!"
Elizabeth managed a small, grateful smile... "Thank you, Mama Kurumi.. And thank you, Aria, Sylvie."..
"Of course, Lizzy" ..Aria said with a gentle smile. "Take care of yourself."
"Yeah, rest up," ...Sylvie chimed in, giving a small wave.
Elizabeth took Nova's hand, and they turned to leave... "Come on, Nova.. Let's go home."..
"Mama, can we get roasted vegetables? And maybe some meat on a stick?" Nova asked, skipping to keep up with her..
Elizabeth chuckled softly, a rare sound that filled Nova with warmth. .."Of course, my little rascal. .We can get whatever you want."..
As they walked down the bustling street, the afternoon sun painting the cobblestones with warm light, Nova's worries began to fade...Elizabeth bought him his roasted vegetables and meat on a stick, and they laughed and talked, the tension slowly melting away...
"Mama," Nova said between bites of his treat,.. "Those merchants were mean! They were lying about you, right?" ..He scrunched up his nose, his prideful spirit bristling at the memory...
Elizabeth sighed quietly... "It doesn't matter now, Nova.. It's over."..
"But it's not fair!" ..Nova protested.. "You didn't do anything wrong!" ..He paused, a mischievous glint entering his eyes.. "Maybe I should go back and...trip them!"
Elizabeth stopped walking, gently squeezing his hand.. "Nova, no..We don't solve problems with violence.. It's more important to be kind and honest."..
Nova looked up at her, her calm gaze holding his..He understood..He still thought those merchants were awful, but he would listen to his mama..
"Okay, Mama," ..he said, a little reluctantly. "But they better not try to bother you again!"..
Elizabeth smiled, a true, genuine smile that lit up her face and made her expression sparkle. .."They won't, Nova. I promise."..
And as they continued their journey home, the air filled with the sounds of their laughter and the comforting rhythm of their footsteps, Nova knew, deep in his heart, that as long as he had his mom, everything will alright...