In the Royal Hall
The king sat upon his throne, a look of confusion and concern shadowing his face, when the second princess burst into the hall, her hurried steps betraying her anxious heart.
The moment her eyes landed on her younger sister, Liu Yuyan, her breath caught. Without a second thought, she dashed toward her and threw her arms around her, clutching her tightly as if needing to confirm she was real, not some fleeting dream.
Her voice trembled as she tightened her embrace around her sister's neck, saying,
"Are you alright? Did they hurt you?"
Still shaken by recent events, Liu Yuyan whispered softly as she returned the embrace,
"I'm alright now... I thought I'd never see you again."
They held each other in silence for a moment, the entire hall falling quiet. Even the king did not interrupt the touching reunion. Once the moment calmed, the king's gaze shifted to the strange man standing beside the princesses, and he asked with firm authority:
