C Island, which covered an area of only 160,000 square kilometers, stood in the boundless sea. The deep blue waters surrounding the island seamlessly melded with the blue skies.
Nina fell into a coma after she was exposed to the torrential rain in Spring City. She regained consciousness several times. In her hazy state, she recognized no one, only seeing blurry figures in front of her, before her consciousness faded away again.
The next thing she knew, she was in her bedroom on the Scher Mountain. The huge crystal light glittered overhead, and the breeze that wafted in from the balcony carried the unique smell of C Island.
Nina glanced around the room. Her bedroom looked exactly the same as she had left it two years ago—not a single piece of furniture or decor was changed.
"What happened?" Nina opened her mouth. "Why am I home?"
Nina initially thought that she was in a dream, so she tossed aside the covers and ran to the balcony. She looked toward the direction of C Island, and the sight of the many distinctive buildings of the island greeted her eyes.
She looked down and saw a dreamlike mirage on the pearlescent aqua sea—it was Scher Mountain.
Right now, Nina was in the Scher Mountain castle, where the royal family of C Island resided. This was her home.
Scher Mountain was located on a white mudflat in the bay of C Island. The castle towered against the blue sky, its architecture imposing and mysterious.
Every evening when the rising tide came, the waves would rush over like ten thousand horses, drowning the entire beach and surrounding Scher Mountain in a natural moat. Within that span of time, the place was a lonely island, silent and detached from the rest of the world.
When the sun rose, the fog did not dissipate. At the foot of the mountain, one could see a green grass field, which gave way to a moonlit white beach.
This stretch of sand connected the mountain to the rest of C Island.
There were only two roads at the foot of Scher Mountain, one of which was a wooden boardwalk that led to the azure sea. When the tide rose, this path would be submerged, only to emerge again when the tide receded.
This was Nina and Leon's favorite place. Every time the tide came in, they would walk barefoot on the planks, savoring the night breeze and the cold sea water.
The other was an asphalt road that led to the mainland of C Island. The road was built on an elevated bridge, with platoons of guards standing on both sides. Pedestrians and vehicles passing through must be strictly checked before they could proceed.
Nina rubbed her eyes and opened them again. The touch of her hand against her skin was solid and real, and the castle's reflection was still there.
She really was back.
How?
Nina closed her eyes and tried to recall what happened. The last memory she remembered was passing out under the heavy rain. When she opened her eyes, she had returned to the place of her birth.
"Your Highness?" Rebecca pushed the door open, but she didn't see anyone on the bed. She scanned the massive bedroom anxiously and then saw a figure on the balcony.
She walked in and saw the young princess.
"Your highness, are you okay?" Rebecca breathed a sigh of relief. It was dusk, and the night wind was a little cold. She turned around to look for a shawl to place around Nina's shoulders.
Nina turned around and saw the woman's familiar face. She frowned and gathered her shawl more closely around her. "Rebecca, thank you. I'm fine."
"The wind on the balcony is very strong, and you have just recovered. It would be better if you sit inside, where it's warmer." Rebecca respectfully turned sideways to let Nina pass.
Nina sat on the sofa in the room, and Rebecca poured her a cup of hot water.
"Rebecca, how did I get back?" After drinking some hot water, Nina felt warmth spread from the inside. She looked up at Rebecca intently and asked, "How did you find me? Who told you my location?"
Rebecca paused and replied, "I don't know."
"You don't know?" Nina didn't believe her at all.
Rebecca was her mother's personal assistant, and most of the queen's directives were executed by her. How could she not know?
"Rebecca, you are lying," Nina confronted the woman bluntly. Rebecca neither denied nor confirmed the accusation and just lowered her eyes quietly.
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