Emmelyn realized Harlow spent most of her time in the royal palace after she was born and she had a strong familiarity with this place, that when they returned, she immediately recognized the royal palace as her home.
This made Emmelyn feel conflicted. She disliked the royal palace, but she couldn't force her daughter to leave the palace and move to a place that was new to her.
"No, Harlow, we have to go to my old castle," Mars tried to talk to Harlow and coax her into leaving with them, but the little girl pursed her lips even more.
Finally, Emmelyn decided to step in and let Harlow get what she wanted. She touched Mars' hand and shook her head. "It's okay. I changed my mind. Let's just stay here."
"But you don't like it here," Mars said. He understood what his wife must be feeling, and he didn't want her to feel traumatized or triggered by staying here. Not after he just managed to bring her home from Summeria.
"It's okay. I don't like it, but I also don't hate it. Perhaps I just need to stay here longer and get used to it," Emmelyn said. "This is what Harlow knows as her home. Let's not force her to leave this place."
"But..."
"I am fine," Emmelyn pulled her husband to stand up and walk to continue their journey. "Show me where is our chamber."
Mars had no choice but to do what she said. "Okay. Let's stay here temporarily until I could build you a new palace where you could have a beautiful place that you will like."
He took Emmelyn to his private residence and let her stay there to rest. Harlow was let to go to her own chamber with her nannies. She immediately went to the pond and played with her fish.
Lily came soon after with her three boys. She made a point not to disturb Emmelyn because the king had already said through John that they would receive guests tomorrow.
However, Lily missed Harlow so much and couldn't wait tomorrow to see the toddler. So, she visited Harlow in her chamber with Jorei, Louis, and Loran.
The boys were growing up handsome like their father and their appearances were quite similar, even though Louis looked like Lily the most.
Louis, the oldest was now seven years old, Loran five, and Jorei three years old. They wore their best clothes and showed their best behaviors at all times because their mother was very strict in raising them to be gentlemen.
"Princess Harlow!!" Lily shrieked in happiness when she saw Harlow was sitting with two maidservants by the pond. She was having fun feeding the fish in the pond. Lady Greenan immediately ran and hugged Harlow and lifted her to the air. "Gosh... you are so big now!"
Harlow chuckled when she saw Lily. She still recognized the woman and was happy to see her again.
When she was lowered to the ground, Harlow was immediately surrounded by the three Greenan boys. Harlow didn't remember them, but she was sure happy to have children around her this time, and they all looked at her in adoration.
Harlow was so used to being surrounded by adults almost 24/7, so seeing the Greenan boys felt refreshing for her.
"How was your trip? Did you enjoy it?" Lily sat beside Harlow and talked to her excitedly. "Gosh... you were so little when you left and now you are so big. Do you still remember auntie?"
Harlow nodded and smiled. "Auntie Lily."
"That's right. Gosh... I am so happy you still remember me." Lily wiped the tears from her eyes. She was like a mother to Harlow after she was left in her care by Emmelynw who faked her death and escaped from Draec.
Thinking of this often made Lily feel bad. She was glad that Emmelyn was apparently not dead, she just faked her death for her survival, but sometimes Lily couldn't help but feel sad because Emmelyn didn't trust her enough to tell her that she planned to fake her death.
She was mourning so deeply when she thought Emmelyn died. She felt slightly betrayed that the woman she considered best friend didn't trust her to keep such a secret.
"Well... in case you don't remember my sons, this is Louis, that one is Loran, and this is Jorei," Lily decided to introduce her children again to Harlow. Then she turned to her sons. "Boys, greet Princess Harlow and show your respect."
The three boys exchanged glances and then nodded at Harlow in unison.
"Your Highness," Louis greeted Harlow, on behalf of his two brothers. "We are happy to see you."
The seven-year-old boy was polite and he was also very handsome. Harlow immediately liked him.
"Hello," she said with a big smile on her face.
Lily was happy to see the four children seemed to get along well. She decided to take four of them to play together. She couldn't wait to see Emmelyn and talked to her, but until it happened, she was happy to spend time with Harlow.
***
Kira was quiet on their journey from Wintermere to Draec and Gewen could see she was not really happy. He could guess that Kira was disappointed because Edgar decided to stay behind in Wintermere for Lady Clara Langley and didn't go home with them.
Edgar's decision made Gewen feel really happy. He thought Clara was a good woman that would make his best friend happy. So, he hoped Edgar could find his happiness with her.
As for Kira, Gewen would make her happy... hehehe.
So, when they finally reached the capital, Gewen offered to take the girl to sightsee so she could enjoy her visit to Draec to the fullest.
"Mars and Emmelyn said they will see everyone tomorrow. So, why don't you go out with me and sightsee for a little bit?" Gewen asked Kira after they left the royal palace.
Kira was provided a nice chamber in the palace and she had put her bag in there.. Now, she was looking forward to exploring the capital.