The carriage dropped me off where it had previously picked me up. It was dark around in the forest and I had to walk carefully until I reached the opening from where my house was visible. The village of Winterwells was still awake, and the lights were bright and lit there. I went through the back door of my house and saw Dandeline still waiting there, sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper.
Her heap snapped, alerted to see who had entered the house and upon seeing me she beamed, "Princess, you are back! How was the feast? How did the meeting with your in-laws go?"
Dandeline's enthusiasm always brought a smile to my face. But I was too tired to reciprocate her energy and simply replied, "It was good"
