Stella, Hendrick, and Zafir were surprised when someone joined their group hug. It was Duchess Amelia. And even more so when even Duke Henry joined. The Duke and Duchess wrapped the three in their embrace.
"I missed you all so terribly," the duchess said with teary eyes.
"Mother! What happened to you?" Stella hugged her mother with worry. Since she caught a glimpse of the duchess, she had been wondering why she lost so much weight.
"Mother, why are you suddenly so thin? You were fine when we departed," Hendrick gasped at the sight of his mother. He was bewildered as to why she suddenly looked so thin and ten years older than her age. He gently caressed his mother's sunken cheeks and gently hugged her, scared that he might break a bone if he held her too tightly.
