The following morning, Queen Emma extended an invitation to Celeste and her mother for tea, while Ulrike would frolic in the garden under the watchful eye of her assigned maid and knight.
The queen began by expressing her gratitude for their visit, which was warmly reciprocated by Celeste's mother.
Celeste was aware that her mother had been living a somewhat secluded life in their castle in Griefswaldia.
Since her family hailed from Eldencrest, her mother's friends and acquaintances were primarily in Eldencrest.
Despite her mother's reassurances that she was content with their family's company, Celeste sensed her mother's loneliness.
It had been quite some time since Celeste had seen her mother genuinely smile. When they received the queen's invitation, Celeste witnessed her mother's face light up with joy. It was the broadest, most radiant smile she had seen her mother wear in a long time.
