The hamlet was split apart by Thomas's arrest. He was referred to as a traitor by some and a martyr by others. Katherine and Lucien had to decide whether to restore the display or let the estate to be forgotten.
Villagers, including Claire, Eliza, and some little families, appeared at the estate's gates at a new dawn, each one of them bringing along equipment and instruments with provisions. Claire said sternly, "We're here to support you and to give you a helping hand from our heart." "You are not only the one who will be investigating and digging up truth in this village and you will no longer be the only one with this story, so we came to help."
As Katherine looked over the gathering of the people, her heart grew grateful. In addition to being a severe blow, the fire had sparked a sense of solidarity. They started the difficult process of restoring together.
Katherine found a sealed box in the chapel's debris while the walls were being painted and artefacts were being reconstructed. It was a last message from Emmeline that had survived the fire. She opened the fragile paper with trembling hands while glancing at the exquisite script:
"Please pardon those who are afraid of the past, to the future keeper of these facts." They are also its captives.
As Katherine read the lines, tears filled her eyes. Emmeline's insight was timeless, providing a way ahead based on empathy rather than retaliation.
In the backyard, Lucien discovered her sobbing while holding the letter. He clasped her hand and murmured, "We'll name the exhibit after her." "The Legacy of Emmeline."
Katherine was contacted at the reopening by Thomas's granddaughter, a college student who had her grandfather's sharp eyes. She said, "I discovered this in Grandfather's study," presenting a faded photograph of Celeste and Emmeline standing next to each other, their smiles defiant. "I don't think this should be with me, I believe it should be taken to where it's belongs."
As Katherine grabbed and looked at the picture, her breathing was seized for a while. It was a few seconds captured in time, a tribute to the bravery and courage of this two great women who had dared to fight the battle of what was wrong at that time.
Katherine experienced a calmness she had never experienced before as the display came to life again. Though terrible, the past has served as a teacher. And she realised that it was up to them to influence the future as she stood next to Lucien and observed visitors looking around the exhibitions.
After a year, the Estate held its first Harvest Festival.
As kids walked through the displays, their laughter could be heard in halls that were once very quiet.
Katherine's head was on Lucien's chest as he spun her under the stars.
His voice was soft as he said, "You were right." "There MUST be a happy ending to some stories."
However, he looked away as Katherine's laughter erupted, engulfed by the throng.
The estate's lights glowed golden, a signal against the night.