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The ride back to the enormous castle is practically silent as all they can hear is the occasional neighs and clops of the horse's feet.
Jocosa stares at the passing scenery as her heart fills with woe. But soon she faces a massive rusty gate being lifted.
Home?
Her brother gently drops from the horse before lending his hand to his timid sister. She lingers behind his broad back as she tenses at the unfamiliar towering castle. The large doors creak open as the duo is immediately greeted by two furious figures.
"Lorencio Edward Bennet!" The Queen angrily sets her sights on her stubborn son. "What have we relayed to you time and time again? Yet you refuse to heed our words!?"
"Mother, please..." he begs her to listen as her rampage continues.
"None of that! I told you to not be driven by anger, but yet you still..."
"Mother I found her!" His wavering voice fills the entrance hall.
"W...What?" The King steps hurriedly down the grand staircase. Lorencio briefly turns his back to the two before casting his eyes to Jocosa's palm for permission.
She hesitantly allows him to present her to the surprised parents.
"My little girl..." Alloys rushes to his daughter's side and wraps his caring arms around her. Cateline covers her blubbering lips as tears stream down her rosy cheeks. She comes to take her turn bathing in her daughter's long-awaited return.
"There is something I must tell you both," the happy air dims with the serious tone in Lorencio's voice.
"What is it, son?" Alloys Bennet raises his thick eyebrow giving his son his attention.
"Her memory... isn't what it was. She does not remember us or the castle, she has lost recognition of us all." His head hangs as tears gather in the bottom of his eyes.
Cateline places her hands gently on her quiet daughter's sagging shoulders, "Well, I am sure you are tired my love. Let's get you in bed and we shall talk in the morning." Along with a non-verbal response from Jocosa, they move slowly to her bedroom.
Her eyes travel along the columns and luscious sculptures among the halls next to the stationed soldiers.
Alas, a pecan-colored door is unlocked as the maids set candles along the room to rid of the darkness. The room looks as if it's remained still as a picture, as her mother made sure to keep it tidy until her return.
Jocosa slowly tip-toes into the spacious room as she does not know what to do with herself. Her mother bids her goodbye not wanting to overstimulate the girl. Jocosa takes a moment letting her curiosity roam the room belonging to her.
So different from the little cabin she was just in moments ago. She begins to lay her body on the bed that is at least three times her size. It feels so unnatural, although so regular.
Was this the life she was living before the loss of her memories?
But the distant memories of Lola cloud her mind as with one more lingering sigh she tries to obey the call of sleep.