Julia

  They left early the m. Hanno and Flora hoped to reach the border soon. At night there had been no further i with a willow-o-wisp. The group was plete and the mood was cheerful. Everyone hoped to arrive in their new home soon, although no one knew where exactly they would find it. But reag the steppe already seemed like a small victory. Yes. It was a small victory.

  Agathe

  Cleo had disappointed her.

  Agathe was sitting in her dark offiot one dle burned and the curtains remained drawn. The room was as gloomy as Agathe felt.

  When Cleo announced many years ago that she wao join the military, Agathe was initially afraid. She had hoped to aodate Cleo in her group of advisers. In safety. Her advisers kept an eye on the kingdom's finances, ws, and social developments and, as their title implied, gave the queen appropriate adviow, they also occasionally advised her three eldest. But back then? She didn't want Cleo to risk her life. Cleo had always been ied in swords. But Agathe reminded her daughter's i only of the fmes in her apartment. A long time ago. So she gave Cleo dolls and stuffed animals. But Cleo was stubborn and finally, her husband persuaded her to give Cleo a wooden sword. For Cleo's seventh birthday. It was among all the fihings a girl could possess, her favorite toy.

  Yes. Cleo robably the first girl to destroy a wooden sword while pying.

  At the academy, Cleo showed talent and after three years of school, she begged Agathe to be allowed to attend military school instead of going to the cil. Agathe let her. Full of fear. But Cleo flourished and finally, she saw the potential of her strong daughter. She able witd a capable soldier.

  But now she had failed.

  She hadn't brought Julia back to her. Had her daughter fallen victim to a dragon?

  Dragons. They were sidered invincible.

  She needed ons that could kill even a dragon.

  Dragons had never e so close, but if they had killed Julia, they should disappear from the face of the earth. If they got closer to her home, it would be their st flight.

  Yes. She had to be prepared for all possibilities.

  "Honey?" The door to her office opened and Friedrich came in. "I'm back. I met Cleo and Lea earlier. Julia is still missing?"

  Relieved, she threw herself into Friedrich's arms. "What was stopping you for so long?"

  "A wedding?"

  Agathe sighed. "Julia is not back yet. Cleo has failed. I'll let other soldiers look for her now."

  "I'm sure Cleo did what she could." Friedrich looked tired. Deep shadows y under his eyes. "The wedding was successful. During the wedding night, soldiers of the vampires escorted sees back to the border, where our soldiers received them."

  "That's at least good news." Agathe nodded. "Friedrich? I want my child back!"

  "Our child. And, yes. I also want our children back. I'm afraid I have to apologize to Peter."

  "Excuse me? For what?"

  "For the fact that I should have supported him better." Friedrich kissed her forehead. "King Heinrich had one or two questions and he described Babette as unsuitable. I have always supported you in all decisions. You know that. But maybe he was right. I don't know."

  "He is wele to keep his opinion to himself. Peter only o e back when he is ready to fulfill his duties!"

  "And that's exactly where I 't agree with you. No more. I'm afraid he would just resist again. And what do you want to do? Lock him up until he agrees to marry? Darling? The boy is stubborn."

  "Then don't agree with me!" She dropped bato her chair. "I am also looking for suitable didates for Cleo and Lea. It's time."

  Friedrich sat down opposite her. "Cleo and Lea? I don't think Lea is ied in that in general and as far as Cleo is ed. I had the impression that she was very taken with this young witch, Charlotte."

  "Oh? Do you notice that about my children? But not Peter?", the queen scoffed.

  "I did notice that Peter didn't like Babette. heless, I tried to vince him to get married. To sugarcoat him! Now he's gone! A disappoi, I know, but he is our child. Do you want to scare Lea and Cleo away too? And this now? Our you has disappeared!"

  "Would you rather I let Lea live in her book world? Without grandchildren? And Cleo too? It is their duty as princesses of the kingdom. The two owe it to the . They are not citizens who marry whomever they want. And Charlotte is Cleo's best friend. And that's all she will be. A good friend."

  Friedrich rolled his eyes. "Don't be surprised if things turn out differently."

  Cleo

  "I will miss you, Lea!", she hugged her younger sister tightly.

  "Me too!" Lea sniffled softly. She stood in front of the carriage that would take her to the academy. "And what are you going to do? Are you staying in the castle and waiting for Julia?"

  "No" Cleo snorted. "I'm going to Charlotte for a few days. I don't want to be near Mom. Not now."

  "I uand that. And then?"

  "Then I will pn my steps. And you?"

  "I take care of the academy and avoid mother's test favorite topic. Marriage. Without me!" Lea snorted and got into the carriage. "The old rector didn't deserve to be kicked out. The versation with him was terrible. The academy was his life. But our queen was relentless. I tried to ge her mind. I like w at the academy, but I don't want to take anyone home. She resents the fact that Julia was kidnapped on his property and how the academy dealt with her disappearance. Mom says they didn't rea time. And that Julia was ill with the disease... Before half the academy fell ill. It robably a trifle. Did you know that? I only found out from the rector. He mentio in passing. You're writing to me?"

  "Of course. I promise. And you write to me, yes?" Cleo closed the door and Lea leaned out of the open window towards her.

  "I am writing to you. Of course. And, Cleo? You could secretly marry Charlotte!" She wi Cleo as she instructed the an to leave. Lea had already said goodbye to her mother at breakfast.

  Cleo waved after her sister, perplexed.

  What?