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As Princess Kyra settled into the carriage, her knights mounting horses to flank the vehicle, a sense of anticipation seemed to charge the very air. The wheels began to turn, and the procession moved away from the docks, heading towards the Imperial capital.

As the carriage disappeared into the twisting streets of Harbarrstone, none could have guessed at the true significance of this arrival.

***

Elswhere in the city of Novize lands,

It was around 7:00\'o\'clock in the evening, the warm glow of the lamps spilled from the windows of Megan\'s house, a beacon of cheer in the otherwise somber evening. The sounds of laughter and clinking glasses drifted out into the street, a stark contrast to the usual quiet of the neighborhood.

Inside, the drawing room buzzed with activity as neighbors and friends mingled, sharing gossip and enjoying a rare moment of levity in these uncertain times.

As it had been the beginning of the holidays, Megan had decided to host a small gathering to bring some joy and connection to the community. The festive atmosphere was a welcome distraction from the worries that loomed outside the cozy confines of their homes.

At the center of it all stood Diana, her auburn hair swept up in an elegant bun, a glass of sherry held loosely in one hand. To the casual observer, she appeared the picture of contentment – her cheeks flushed with warmth, a smile playing at the corners of her lips.

But those who knew her well could see the shadow that lingered behind her eyes, the slight tension in her shoulders that spoke of a burden too heavy to fully set aside.

Megan appeared at Diana\'s elbow, a whirlwind of energy in a fashionable green dress. "There you are, darling!" she exclaimed, linking her arm through Diana\'s. "I was beginning to think you\'d snuck off to hide in your home again."

Diana\'s smile widened, gaining a touch of genuine warmth. "And miss out on your famous gin punch? Not a chance, Meg."

She had been better now, compared to the miserable she was a few days before. She had started to go to work again, and Tabitha had been to take her in even after a long absence. It showed how much Tabitha cared for her well-being, and Diana was grateful for her support during her difficult time.

She hoped, desperately waiting for Jaegar\'s arrival as she believed that he would return soon. She clung onto that feeling. And Megan made it clear to her that she shouldn\'t be in a state of despair when he returned.

Megan beamed, pleased to see her friend engaging with the party. She leaned in close, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I saw Thomas arrive earlier. He\'s looking quite dashing tonight, don\'t you think?"

At the mention of Thomas, Diana\'s expression flickered, a complex mix of emotions passing too quickly to name. "Megan," she began, a note of warning in her tone.

But Megan was undeterred. "Oh, come now, Diana. It\'s been months since... well, you know. And Thomas has been so supportive. Would it really be so terrible to allow yourself a bit of happiness?"

Before Diana could formulate a response, a hush fell over the nearby guests. Thomas had entered the room, his tall frame and distinguished salt-and-pepper hair drawing admiring glances from several of the ladies present. His eyes, however, were fixed solely on Diana.

As he approached, Diana felt her heart quicken, an involuntary response that both thrilled and unsettled her. Thomas stopped before her, a warm smile crinkling the corners of his eyes.

"Diana," he said, his deep voice carrying a note of genuine pleasure. "You look radiant this evening."

Without waiting for a response, he drew her into a hug. Diana stiffened for a moment before allowing herself to relax into the embrace. It felt... safe. Familiar. A reminder of simpler times, before her world had been turned upside down by Jaegar\'s disappearance and the strange events that followed.

As they parted, Diana caught Megan\'s approving nod from across the room. She suppressed a sigh, knowing her friend meant well but feeling a twinge of irritation at the matchmaking attempts.

"Thank you, Thomas," she said, taking a small step back to regain some personal space. "It\'s good to see you. I trust your practice is keeping you busy?"

Thomas nodded, his expression turning serious. "Indeed, though I always make time for those who matter." He paused, seeming to weigh his next words carefully. "Diana, I\'ve been meaning to speak with you. About us, about... everything that happened."

Diana felt a knot form in her stomach. She glanced around the room, suddenly acutely aware of the curious glances being cast their way. This was neither the time nor the place for such a conversation, but Thomas had always had a knack for choosing the most inopportune moments to bare his soul.

"Thomas, I—" she began, but he pressed on.

"I know I made mistakes," he said, his voice low and urgent. "The things I said about Jaegar... I was wrong. I see that now. If I could take it all back..."

He was the man with whom she thought about sharing her life and thought of marrying him before he said that he suggested that Jaegar should be given for adoption, and that terrible mistake had broken them apart. But he never forgot about her, as he loved her dearly.

She made it apparent at the time that their relationship was finished, but he clung to the notion that one day she would forgive him. And when Megan told him what happened to her and Jaegar, he was eager to assist her.

Diana only told them that Jaegar had been missing, as she didn\'t want to reveal anything about the magical realm.