Page 94 of The Possessive Alpha’s Reborn Luna

"Yes?"

"Take good care of her." Adrian's back looked somewhat lonely. "She's my only sister. I finally found her."

"I will," Cedric said earnestly. "I swear."

My heart ached fiercely. Tears fell uncontrollably. Everything he did was for me. He was truly the best brother in the world.

On the day we left, the entire palace came to see us off.

The carriage was ready. Cedric carefully helped me into it, treating me as gently as if I were a treasure.

"Alice." Mother rushed over and hugged me tightly, tears streaming down his face. "I can't bear to let you go, my child..."

"Mother, I will come back often. I promise." My tears fell too. I felt just as reluctant to leave her.

"Take good care of yourself," Mother said through sobs, stroking my hair over and over. "Eat well, rest well, don't tire yourself out. Take care of yourself and the baby."

"I will, Mother." I forced a smile.

"If he ever bullies you," Mother shot Cedric a fierce glare before turning back to me gently, "come home immediately. Do you hear me? We will always be there for you."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will take good care of Alice. I will never let her suffer even the slightest grievance again," Cedric said gently. His gaze never left me.

Mother finally let go of me, but she kept holding my hand, unwilling to release it.

"Go on now." Father gently patted her shoulder. "They have to leave."

The carriage slowly started moving.

I leaned out, watching the palace grow smaller in the distance. I watched Father, Mother, and Adrian standing at the entrance, waving. Mother was still wiping her tears. Father had his arm around her. Adrian raised his hand and waved vigorously under the sunlight.

Tears blurred my vision.

A warm hand took mine and gently pulled me back into the carriage.

"It's okay," Cedric said softly, pulling me into his embrace. "We can come back anytime. Once the baby is born, we'll bring him back to stay for a while."

"You're right." I leaned against his shoulder and closed my eyes. "Let's go home."

The carriage headed into the distance, toward Hilphia, toward our future.

Sunlight poured in through the window, illuminating our tightly clasped hands.

Cedric lowered his head and placed a kiss on my forehead.

"Thank you, Alice," he whispered. "Thank you for being willing to come home with me. I promise, this time, I will give you the very best of everything in the world."

I opened my eyes and looked into his gentle golden gaze.

"I believe you."

This time, I truly believed we would be happy.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Alice

The day we returned to Hilphia, Cedric called a meeting. Every elder, every noble—they all came.