Daneel didn't know for how long they remained in that pose. All he remembered was that at one point, Xuan had started to cry, and soon after, Eloise joined in, leading to the king having to console both of them while holding back his own tears.
He knew the reasons behind both of theirs, but he was not so sure about his: perhaps it was just the shock of having all of the burdens which had been weighing down on him much more than he knew removed, or perhaps it was because he had somehow gained so much without even looking for it, and the fear that he had almost lost it was so strong that it brought him to tears when he thought about how things would have been if he had not done the things that had led to this moment, right now.
Whatever the case, the three of them continued to stand there, taking comfort in each other's embrace, and letting their hearts feel at ease due to the knowledge that the one they had been beating for was finally within arm's reach.
