I stare over at my husband, the King, as he chews his eggs loudly at the breakfast table. With a sigh, I wonder how to tell him that another month has come and I have no heir growing inside me. The hurt stings my eyes. I desperately want another child. No, nothing can or ever will replace the precious princess that was stolen from me, but still, another child, a boy perhaps, might somehow soothe the pain.

He notices my watery eyes and reaches over to pat my hand. "I'm sorry, love."

That he knows without my saying a word causes me to cry harder. What a loving husband I have. He never pushes this on me, it's something I want. But now, it's been almost five years and I think I'm ready for the worry and the tears, the every month hopeful to be over. I'll just be satisfied to be the Queen and not be anxiously awaiting a baby. It's time to accept that part of my life is gone. I must dry my eyes and do my part to find some happiness in this life.

"Okay, my dear. I'm done. I think we've tried our best, but now let's not try any longer. And when we're gone, someone else can figure out this whole heir thing. It won't be our problem any longer." I bravely declare to my dear husband of 10 years.

Yes, it had taken us 4 years to conceive Rapunzel. And that pregnancy hadn't been easy. I'd been so very sick, so close to death. The King told me later that he really thought I wasn't going to make it. The fact that the entire kingdom searched for that flower, that miracle – well, it touched my heart and made me feel so loved.

But now I wonder if that "miracle" had been worth it. Somehow I've felt all along that my healing had been the reason my daughter had been kidnapped. I don't know why or how, but just felt it. Mother's intuition some call it.

And now? Now the kingdom has been searching for years for the lost princess, only this time no miracle has occurred. Would this be the year she was found?

"If that's how you feel, my dear. We'll just live our life and be thankful we have each other. Would you care for a scone?"

I accept the offering and smile at my dear love. "Are you ready for the ceremony tonight? This is our fifth year."

The King contemplated these words. "Ah, five years old today. Do you ever wonder if she's happy? If she thinks of us? Do you wonder if she sees those lanterns and knows they're for her?"

I look up at my husband and nod. "You know, I really do. I believe she's alive and well and mostly being treated right. And I think she knows. And someday, I believe she'll come home to us. I just have to believe."

My husband gets up and puts his arms around me and we embrace. "Me too, my love. Me too."