The whole city was jubilant after its liberation by Princess Elena. Mateo stood among the throng, watching as she snapped the old witch's wand in two, as she ascended the stairs of the palace as their new leader. His heart swelled with pride when the true Avaloran flag was raised. He was still amazed that he had played a role in all of this. The events of the last day or so made his head spin. As he watched her, he felt his heart beat faster. From the moment he saw her, he knew that he would do anything for her. Even if he was his typical clumsy, screw-up self, he would give her his all.

He watched her greet the crowd and felt torn. He desperately wanted her attention, but he was also desperately overwhelmed by the thought of being call to her side out of the crowd. Fortunately, Elena did not stay in the spotlight for too long. She was quickly circulating through the crowd again. As he lost sight of her, Mateo felt the weight of what they had done come crashing in on him. She had changed things, but she would not have been able to do so without his help. The events of the day replayed in his mind—from the arrival of Princess Sophia at his gate to the moment Elena stood at the head of the people of the city, where she was meant to be. His mother's words to him before he left with her echoed through his mind.

"Mateo." She had pulled him aside from the small group that had gathered within the courtyard at their home. "Come with me." He followed his mother into the house. He helped her move aside a heavy cabinet where his mother revealed a hidden niche. Reaching in, his mother pulled out a long wrapped up package.

"Your grandfather hid this here before he left. I was going to show you when you were older, but I guess now is the right time to give it to you." She laid the packaged on the table and pulled back the fabric. Inside was a scroll and the most beautiful tamborita he had ever seen. "This is the spell that will save the princess' family, and the tamborita your grandfather used to put them there." She held it out to him. He took it gingerly, awestruck. "Mateo, I know that I have been hard on you, discouraging you from learning magic, but you have to understand my fear."

"I know, Mama."

"After your brother and sisters…" Rafa started. Mateo hugged his mother.

"I understand, Mama."

"Promise me, Mateo, if you can, find out what happened to them?"

"I promise." He said, feeling the weight of her request. She placed a hand on her cheek, a proud smile on her face.

"They would be so proud of you, my son. Proud that you have the chance to act in this moment."

"But what if I fail?" he asked uncertainly.

"You will not. Your grandmother knew, but I was too deaf to hear and too blind to see. This moment was meant for you and only you. You will succeed, Mateo." She embraced her son before allowing him to rejoin the team that would launch a sneak attack on the palace.

Mateo was deep in thought when Elena touched his arm. Her touch startled him back to the celebration.

"Mateo? This is my cousin, Esteban." She said, introducing the older gentleman, who really needed no introduction. Esteban had made himself invaluable to Shuriki during her reign. As such, he was quite well known throughout the kingdom.

"Chancellor Esteban." He corrected, glancing at Elena. "I hear we have you to thank for releasing our family from the painting. If there is anything I can do for you, please just ask." He was about to move off into the crowd.

"Actually, Chancellor, there is something." He met the older man's eyes.

"Yes?" Esteban asked impatiently before looking into the young wizard's eyes and seeing the pain there.

"I'm looking for information." Mateo glanced at Elena, whose attention had been drawn from the two men. "About my family."

"Ah, I see." Esteban looked around for someone, but everyone was caught up in the celebration. "Mateo, was it?"

Mateo nodded.

"Right. Today is not the best time, but come back to the palace tomorrow, and I will help you find the information you seek."

Relief washed over Mateo.

"Thank you, Chancellor."

Mateo approached the palace the following morning. An air of celebration still filled the city, but the palace was quiet. He marveled at how the atmosphere of the place had changed in just a few hours. Before it had seemed oppressive, dark, almost foreboding. Now, the palace itself seemed as if it were dancing. It was light and airy, filled with color, music and laughter. The guards at the gate let him pass without even asking who he was. At the top of the stairs, before crossing the threshold of the palace, a guard finally stopped him.

"I, uh, I'm here to meet with Chancellor Esteban?" Mateo said, his nervousness creeping through his voice as he answered the question posed to him. "I'm Mateo de Alma, Alacazar's grandson."

"Yes, the Chancellor is expecting you. You may await him in the library." The guard responded, accompanying Mateo to a room lined with more books than he could imagine.

"I will let the chancellor know you are here." The guard said, before leaving Mateo alone among the knowledge-lined walls.

"I wonder how long I'll have to wait." Mateo said to himself. "And if they would mind if I…" he pulled a book from the shelf. He looked around as if he might get in trouble for touching one of the texts. Satisfied that no one saw, or if they did that they would not reprimand him, Mateo found a cushy chair and took a seat to start reading.

He was already halfway through the book when Chancellor Esteban walked in.

"I apologize for taking so long to meet with you Mateo. Guaranteeing a smooth transition of power is far more challenging than it seems."

"Oh, I haven't been waiting long." Mateo said, before looking at the clock on the mantle. "Well, at least it hasn't felt like that long." He chuckled nervously as he put the book down.

"The History of Avalor?" Esteban asked, glancing at the title.

"Finding out the truth. It's… it's fascinating actually, after only being told about what Shuriki wanted us to know."

"Yes, I suppose it is." Esteban said, taking stock of the teenager. Mateo shifted his weight nervously as he was scrutinized.

"You remind me of him, you know." Esteban said at last.

"Of who?"

"Your grandfather."

"Oh." Mateo said, chuckling nervously once more and scratching at the back on his head.

"Come with me." Esteban commanded as he walked quickly toward the door. Mateo had to practically run to catch up and felt like he kept running the whole time they walked to keep up with the taller man. Esteban reminisced as they walked.

"Your grandfather was a good man. He offered to teach me magic once, but I have no skill for it. He was… well, he was a good man." Esteban said.

"I wish I had known him." Mateo said longingly as they entered into another room lined with books.

"This is the records room. If there is any place you will find information about your family, it will be here. What happened to them and when?"

"It was… about seven years ago. My sisters disappeared. I don't know the details, but rumor had it that they were working with a resistance group. I never got the full story—not even from my mother. My brother was taken from our home about six years ago."

"Let's see." Esteban looked through the books, trying to find the one he wanted, that might reveal the information desired. He pulled a two of the large tomes from one of the shelves. He opened the first book and pushed it toward Mateo on the other side of the table before opening the second.

"What is your brother's name?" Esteban asked.

"Um, it's Enrique. Enrique de Alma."

"Your sisters will likely be in there."

Mateo nodded before turning his attention to the book. It did not take him long to find mention of both of his sisters. They had both been arrested for sedition against the crown, along with many other conspirators. Note was made one each of their entries about their lineage and whether or not they used magic during their arrest. Both entries also made note of their date of execution. Mateo had not known what he had expected to find, but he had long assumed that his sisters were indeed dead. Still, the confirmation that the old witch had executed them without even a trial or notifying their family cut through him like a knife to the heart. He leaned heavily on the table and squeezed his eyes shut against the tears he felt forming.

"I've found your brother." Esteban said after a quiet moment searching. "I…" He broke off when he looked up to see the young man struggling with his emotions. "I think you know what happened." He said softly. "I am sorry."

Mateo nodded his understanding, but found that he could not speak else he scream. He could feel the fire of magic burning through him, demanding release as he released his grief, but he could not answer that call here, inside the palace. He tried to breath deeply, fighting the shakiness of each inhale as he fought for control of his emotions.

"Thank you, Chancellor." He managed to whisper as he closed the book in front of him. "We had been assuming they were dead for a long time, but it was important to my mother that we know for certain."

"Of course." Esteban replied. "I only wish I had better news. Wait. I might…" Esteban walked quickly to the back of the records room and pulled out a small box. "Shuriki usually let the soldiers divvy up things, but she kept these from your siblings. It is only right that you and your mother have them."

Mateo took the box gingerly, afraid it might explode at his touch, or erupt in flames. But the small wooden box sat there unaffected by his touch or his grief. He wanted to open it, but was also frightened of what he might find. He decided to wait until he was with his mother.

"Thank you." He said quietly again. "Maybe now we can finally lay them to rest." He smiled weakly. "I've taken enough of your time, Chancellor. Have a good day." His voice sounded hallow in his ears as he spoke, and he moved mechanically toward the door clutching the box to his chest. He heard Elena call to him as he walked to the door, but he kept walking. Suddenly the castle which had been so full of promise since the day before felt oppressive once again, despite the brightness of the walls.

"Mateo! Wait!" Elena said, nearly at his ear, as she placed her hand on his arm. "Didn't you hear me?"

Mateo tried to smile as he turned to her, but he somehow could not make it reach his eyes.

"Elena! Sorry, I didn't. Must have been lost in thought."

"What are you doing here?" She asked, getting her breathing under control.

"Hmm? Oh, Chancellor Esteban gave me something that belonged to my… grandfather." He lied. He was not ready to share his pain. "He told me about it yesterday. I guess it was his payment for my assistance in freeing your family." His voice caught on the word.

"Oh, well, you should stay for dinner. My grandmother is making tamales." She said, enticingly, smiling up at him. "Of course, she's been stuck in a painting for forty-one years, so she might be a little rusty, but they are still bound to be delicious!" Her eyes lit up as she spoke. The look on her face brought a genuine smile to Mateo's.

"That sounds… wonderful, Elena." And it did. Any other day, he would have given anything to spend more time with her. It was very difficult to tell her now when she looked at him the way she was then.

"Great!" she had not heard the hesitation in his voice.

"But my mother is expecting me. I really have to leave." It also did not help matters that he had not told his mother where he was going, and he had already been gone most of the day. Elena looked crestfallen.

"Oh. OK." She said before she touched his arm again. "But you'll be at the ball tomorrow night, right?" The hopeful look on her face made him feel all melty and tingly inside.

"Of course." He smiled as her face lit up once again. He loved to see her smile. He would give anything to see that smile for the rest of his life. But now he had to leave. "Bye, Elena." He said, turning to the door once again. Elena's arms around his waist stopped him cold in his tracks. His heart thudded against his chest as he laid her head against his back.

"Thank you, Mateo." She whispered. "For everything."