Chapter 5: Having Her Returned

Suzyo stepped outside, walked to her carriage, and took a good look at the structure before grudgingly stepping inside.

"Young Master asked me to give you this," Forest said, handing her two bags containing gold and silver. Suzyo became upset and her maid grabbed the gifts instead.

"We appreciate Young Master's kind gesture," her maid added, smiling softly. Forest just nodded in approval before walking away.

On his way, he met Loxley, who was waiting for him to cross that path, "Have you been staying here all along?" he inquired coldly.

"I wanted to ask you something because you are…, "You can do that yourself, I don't like talking with a kick-ass," 

"Are you referring to a 'kick-ass'? Who are you telling me this? I will punish you severely!" She screamed angrily, but Forest completely ignored her threat.

Inara walked briskly to Alexander's main room, expecting to see him inside, but he was sitting outside, cross-legged.

"Young Master?" When she sought his attention, two guards shoved the ladies forward, causing them to tumble weakly on the floor. Inara knew their faces at first glance; they were her Aunt's children.

"Inara, please don't deny you know us," one of them said, "Say the truth, please,"

Inara was stunned; why were they here? Nonetheless, Alexander replied coldly after a while, "You seem to know them,"

Inara glanced at her nephew harshly, wanting to deny she doesn't know them, but on the one hand, it was her Master's order. What if he learns later?

"Say something, Inara!" they yelled, in pain. Inara took one final look at them, knowing she wouldn't deny them because they were the reason she was still alive, "I don't know them, Young Master. They're intruders," she said, attempting to fight back tears.

Her nephew was taken aback; if not for their situation, they would have beaten her up.

"Take them away," came Alexander's imperious, authoritative order, as the guards hauled them to their feet. 

But, unexpectedly, the senior broke herself from the guards' grip and hurried back in front of Alexander.

"Your parents are still alive and have asked us to bring you. They are the rulers of the Moonlight Kingdom; will you still deny us?" She confessed, tears streaming down her face.

Inara was stunned, but she doesn't want to fall into their bad motive, "My parents were never one before they died,"

"That's because your father disguised himself as the crown prince of the Moonlight Kingdom to protect his family. They've been looking for you since they regained their position," she explained.

Inara was taken aback; she had always assumed her parents had perished because of her, but they were still alive because of her. Her parents were not wealthy, but they provided for her needs despite being quite restricting to her by caging her within.

"I can't go with you, and I'm sorry, I…, "You should go because they're your family. However, for security reasons, you will be leaving with me," Alexander announced abruptly, shocking Inara.

"Young Master, but…, "Are you trying to go against my order?" he asked coldly. Inara nibbled her bottom lip and never uttered anything in response.

…

As soon as Inara and Alexander arrived at Moonlight Kingdom, King Theodore raced to embrace her, as if he had been expecting her.

Inara was surprised, but she accepted her father's hug, saying, "Father? Is this indeed you? You are still alive!?" She questioned with tears, and King Theodore grabbed her closely, mumbling regrettably, "Yes, I apologize for keeping you waiting. Father is very sad,"

They were both engrossed in their world, recalling their prior memories, "My little princess," someone said from behind, and Inara recognized the voice as her mother's.

Happily and emotionally, she let go of the hug and ran to hug her in a ladylike manner, "I missed you, little princess. You've grown up!" Her mother taunted, smiling.

"I missed you too!" They remained in that posture for several minutes, until King Theodore cleared his throat, indicating that their mother-daughter hug had been enough. 

Additionally, they had a guest. He approached Alexander and bowed properly, saying, "We're so sorry, Young Master. I couldn't control the impulse,"

"Hmm!" Alexander murmured in response, "Prepare a feast for our guests," King Theodore informed the servants passing by, "Yes, Sire,"

After the feast, Inara was engrossed in conversation with her mother. She recounted what had occurred to her, and Inara was relieved to see them again.

In the evening, she cheerfully headed to her father's room. Meanwhile, she was clothed in a royal ragalia; "Greetings, father,"

"Evening, my little princess. You look gorgeous," King Theodore commented, causing her cheeks flush, "Thank you. Where is Young Master?" she asked.

"He left after the feast, aren't you informed?" King Theodore inquired, his face filled with surprise, and Inara gently shook her head in agreement.

"Where did Young Master go to?" 

"Back to his kingdom, probably; why do you appear upset about his departure? Is there anything wrong?" King Theodore inquired, his voice filled with concern and uncertainty regarding his daughter's query.

"Nothing. I'll take my leave now," she replied, turning to depart. She refused to believe whatever her intellect told her. He literally returned her!

At night, when no one was passing, just the birds' chirps could be heard as they returned to their nest. Inara walked out and sat at a nearby corner beneath a tree. 

She missed her Master, who had returned her after leaving her behind. However, she prioritized her time with him over staying with her parents, who only provided for her needs and never truly cared for her. 

She witnessed the same thing following her arrival a few hours earlier, they were never offering her listening ears.

"Young Master, why would you have me returned? I already swore that my life exclusively belongs to you, then why was I returned? Why?!" Inara wailed in sobs, and the tree waved its body in response to the small girl's cry.

"Take me back, Young Master. Come and take me away from here; I don't want to be here," she wailed, clutching her garment hem hard.

If she had known how to return to him, she would have done so; if she had just known how to get to his kingdom, she would have gone. However, she has always been confined all her life, with maids assigned to take care of her.

Her personal maids, who obviously hadn't gone to bed, observed her crying in a corner and approached her, kneeling down.

"Did we offend you, Your Highness?" they said. Inara gazed at the two of them. They had been her only pals since she was six years old, but this was beyond them.

"No. I was just recalling something," Inara lied, "Your Highness, you could have told us to watch you until you fell asleep. Lyrics would have been better," Yivanne joked, and Inara smiled gently.

"Can I ask for something?"

"Anything, Your Highness," they said.

"Have you both been to Duke Empire? I want to go there. Please do not refuse down my plea," Inara eventually revealed her concerns, which surprised them.