The Blackthorne Residence.
Hearing that both daughters had returned, Eleonora wept tears of joy, pacing anxiously in the courtyard.
Headlights pierced through the dusk. Rupert couldn't hide his excitement. "Madam, they're back."
"Thank heavens! Thank heavens!" Eleonora rushed forward before the car had even fully stopped. "Mina! Isolde!"
She had seen the documents that had been sent ahead and memorized her daughter's name instantly.
Isolde rode in the same car as Theron. She had stayed completely silent since getting in, her eyes involuntarily scanning the luxurious interior. Whenever she accidentally made eye contact with Theron, she would quickly look away as if nothing happened.
Theron didn't mind. He knew she needed time to adjust.
They drove in silence the entire way.
The car pulled up to the courtyard entrance. Theron got out first and opened the door for her.
"We're home."
Isolde felt dazed. For one, she had never been treated with such care. For another, the word "home" felt completely foreign to her.
She reached out to grab the door frame, only to realize her hand was shaking violently.
She cursed herself for being weak. This was everything she had ever dreamed of, so why was she terrified now that it was right in front of her?
Sensing her anxiety, Theron gently took her hand. "Come on out. Someone is waiting for you."
Feeling the warmth of his palm, Isolde held his hand and stepped out of the car.
Eleonora had suffered a severe hemorrhage during childbirth, followed by severe postpartum depression when her daughter went missing. If Edmund hadn't brought back a baby girl, she likely wouldn't have survived.
Though she had recovered well over the years, Theron didn't want to agitate her. He chose his words carefully. "Don't scare yourself, Mom. It's just a minor injury. Grandfather just wanted to be cautious. They'll be back soon."
Hearing that, Eleonora relaxed a bit. Not wanting Isolde to feel left out, she took her hand and gently explained, "Mina was the only thing keeping me going all these years. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have lived to see today."
Isolde nodded.
Seeing her discomfort, Theron smoothed things over. "It's windy out here. Let's go inside to talk."
"Yes, yes, of course!" Eleonora wiped her eyes. "Let's go home."
The Blackthorne estate was a complex of connected villas. Eleonora held Isolde's hand, explaining the layout as they walked. "The main house is your grandfather's residence. Your father and I live in the East Wing. He's the head of the State Council, and with a major shakeup happening in Congress, he's incredibly busy right now. But he was thrilled when he heard you were found. Mina and Theron live in the West Wing. Oh, Theron is your older brother. He's three years older than you and currently attends The Academy of Military & Governance."

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