Her heart was pounding in her chest, her cheeks flushed lightly. She was nervous and still unsure of what she had decided to do. This was a big change for her. She sat quietly in the carriage with her hands folded in her lap. She wore a pink diamond encrusted dress that sparkled in the light. She looked as elegant as ever with matching silver heels hiding beneath the petticoat and diamond jewelry around her neck. This was the revival of a long, lost princess.

"Cagalli?"

The girl looked up to see her brother gazing at here with sincere intensity.

"Are you going to be alright? You don't have to do this."

Cagalli shook her head and smiled strongly. She could do it, she knew she could. And it honestly wasn't going to be a big deal. All she had to do was carry herself well and prove that she was better than before. She wasn't the same person she used to be. With Kira by her side she knew she could handle anything that might be thrown in her way. Kira had made sure that she had everything she wanted and was dressed in the finest materials. She was going to be the center of attention that evening.

The carriage finally stopped and Cagalli could hear the sounds of an evening beginning to start. A short man opened the door and Kira got out first. He reached his hand out next and helped Cagalli down. Instantly a buzzing erupted from the crowds of people hovering around. Cagalli grew tense, but Kira made sure she remained focused. He pulled her along and smiled confidently. Cagalli followed his lead and the panic that had built within her quickly disappeared. All she had to do was walk through the entrance of the Attha Kingdom. She noticed that it no longer looked like a gloomy prison, but a magnificent castle illuminating in gold lights and royalty.

The castle was surely deceiving with no trace of what happened lingering around. Cagalli was impressed, yet still wary. She studied the room of people, most of them being friends of the family and familiar faces. Cagalli caught sight of her father laughing comfortably with a woman by his side and gazed curiously at the two. He soon spotted her and beamed, immediately leaving his company. Athruns face flashed into Cagalli's mind as she watched her father approaching. He hugged her tightly once he reached her and looked her over.

"You look beautiful, Cagalli," he said warmly.

"Thank you."

Cagalli was dressed to pass off as any princess would, as if she was accustomed to being drowned in luxury. The king hardly noticed her hesitance. Instead he held his arm for her to take. This was the moment. Cagalli placed her arm within his and allowed him to move towards the middle of the decorated hall. The music that had been playing began to grow quieter until it was silent. The guests were all paying attention now and wanted to hear the king speak. Cagalli again glanced around the room until at last she caught sight of Lacus. Cagalli smiled easily now, feeling comforted by her best friend's presence.

"Tonight is a special night," the king began, "because it is my daughter, Cagalli Yula Attha's first night back at court in 4 years."

Clapping came from all sides of the room then and Cagalli smiled. Maybe she had been missed? She had never thought of herself as an important part of the court, but she was.

"Cagalli has a heart made of gold. She has always been a loyal daughter and sister and places the needs of others before her own. She deserves to have the world on a silver platter. She lives her own life and does things her own way. I hope everyone welcomes her back and enjoys the night with us. Also, all you gentlemen keep your distance. Thank you."

Applause erupted once more before the music began to play and the night continued on. Cagalli received a quick hug from her father before he let her go and went off with his own group of royal friends. In the mean time Cagalli was quickly surrounded by people who were eager for answers as to where exactly she had been and what her plans were for life at court. But most of all they were wondering about Yuna. Cagalli was instantly put on guard because of that, thankfully she was rescued only minutes later.

Cagalli's arm was taken quickly by her pink haired friend and the two quietly headed outside where they wouldn't be disturbed. Cagalli giggled softly, remembering all the times that Lacus had saved her from similar situations before. The two casually walked towards the garden that Cagalli once loved and took a seat on a stone bench.

"So, how are you doing?" Lacus asked.

"Better than expected, if you can believe it," Cagalli replied with relief.

"Yes, and I'm proud of you for hanging in there. I know how overwhelming this must be... but you're handling it like the queen you are."

Cagalli nodded and gazed thoughtfully at a nearby rose bush.

"How are your feelings towards the king now, have you forgiven him?" Lacus asked.

"I think I have..."

The subject still troubled her, but Cagalli had decided that turning her back on her father just wasn't the right way to handle anything. Cagalli could still remember everything as if it had only happened days ago. After Athrun was freed he, Cagalli, Stella, Akito, Elida, and Shin all headed back home. It took them 3 days to arrive and when they had, they found things changed. Athrun and Cagalli saw their home torn apart from the night he had been seized. Cagalli had broken down instantly at the sight. She couldn't stop thinking about how she had almost lost him. He of course had remained calm and assured her that nothing like that would ever happen again.

"Cagalli?"

Lacus' voice suddenly rang sweetly, pulling Cagalli from her thoughts.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Lacus asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, don't worry so much."

"Don't I always?" Lacus smiled.

"Only a lot," Cagalli smiled back.

"You didn't mention why Athrun isn't here," the pink haired girl noted.

"He thought it would be best that I come alone, if there is another visit he will join."

Lacus looked slightly confused by that, but Cagalli smiled. She knew Athrun had the very best intentions when it came to her. Being apart from him was agonizing enough without having to be the special guest, but she was doing fine. This was the first time she had been so far away from him since he had been taken. For a long time she was afraid to risk him going across town without her, although he was never as paranoid as she was. Cagalli had even wanted to leave their home and move far away where no one could find them, but Athrun had reasoned with her that running was an unnecessary thing. They couldn't abandon everything they had built together or their friends.

It was Kira who had surprised both of them the most when he arrived only two days after their homecoming with a few gifts. He had a group of men who he planned to help with rebuilding and refurnishing their home. He brought carriages of exquisite furniture, clothes, and anything else that the two could possibly think of to make their house a home again. Cagalli had insisted on turning everything away, suspicious to the idea that this was simply her fathers way of attempting to buy her back.

"Will you stop being so stubborn, woman? Kira had demanded, "I'm doing this for you, alright, not him. I just had to be sure you were comfortable and had everything you needed. This is a beautiful home you have and you deserve to have it filled with the est things. You might be a Zala now but you can still have everything you had as an Attha. So no complaining."

And that was the end of it. Kira managed to turn her home into its own little castle. When he left, she ached for him. She hated having to be away from him and Lacus. But she knew the sacrifices she had to make. Cagalli would choose Athrun over anything else no matter what. When they were settled into their newly designed home she made sure she took care of him. Cagalli promised him that nothing bad would happen to him again, not as long as she lived.

Athrun never was the type of person to complain, he simply led his life as it was given to him. But after what had happened to him, Cagalli was able to see that something in him had changed. Cagalli had read it in his eyes, they were dull and dark for quite some time. His expressions had been weary and his voice empty. How could Cagalli expect him to be okay after what he had een through? Regardless, she had done her best to make sure he would get better. She loved him endlessly and made sure that he was able to remember the beauty in the world.

Cagalli pulled back out of her thoughts and reengaged in the present. She and Lacus walked back to the party where they hadn't missed much. Everyone was dancing or talking amongst each other. Kira appeared at Lacus' side and laced his arm around her waist. Cagalli gazed out at the guests and then her father. If anyone was acting like their old selves it was him. He thought he had everything back the way it should be. Cagalli did want her relationship with her father to get back to the way it was, but that couldn't happen. She would never forget what he had done to Athrun, whether he was forgiven for it or not. She wouldn't trust him so easily.

"Thanks for coming," she replied sweetly.

"Thank you for having us, it was nice seeing you again."

Cagalli smiled and gave the woman a brief hug before parting. The last of the guests had finally left and now the maids began to help clean. Cagalli was beyond tired and was ready to head home. Unfortunately she would have to wait til the morning, in the mean time she headed upstairs quietly, completely exhausted of social interaction. A cool air greeted her when she opened the bedroom door and walked inside. Bright candles lit up the dark room and moon light spilled onto the balcony soothingly. Cagalli slipped out of her heels and turned to look at herself in the mirror. Laced in the finest fabric, decorated in the most beautiful of diamonds, she felt very much like a princess. Was she wrong for the longing she felt in her heart?

Cagalli walked onto her old balcony and looked up at the moon. She had to admit, the festivities had been amazing. She was not bound under any rules to act accordingly, she had been free to do as she pleased. It felt good to know she didn't have to answer to anyone. That was the only thing she had ever wanted. What would it be like if she did return to court? What could she expect? Cagalli knew she couldn't alternate between the roles of a court life and a common one. Something within her told her she would eventually have to make another choice. But things were going good with her family and Lacus, she wasn't sure she could leave them so easily. Still, she could hardly abandon the life she had created for herself.

"Princess?"

Cagalli turned and saw Kira enter her room.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing, just thinking."

"About?"

"... This place."

Kira looked at her with a new spark in his eyes. Cagalli glanced his way and smiled. She knew how happy he was to have her home and would absolutely love it if she did move back once more.

"Cagalli, I know how different everything is now and I understand your feelings on the matter. However its become quite clear to me that you have the capabilities of doing very well in this life. Back here."

"Why do you say that?" Cagalli asked with surprise.

"Its true. You might have felt awkward and out of place at the party, but everyone has witnessed the future queen of the Attha kingdom."

"That queen isn't me, Kira. I can't leave my life for this," Cagalli said.

"Sister, you may feel that the common life suits you, yet who you are is not suited for the common life. You cannot pretend you aren't part of this family."

Cagalli turned back to the sky and thought about it. Kira was serious, if he believed this as deeply as he sounded, was he right? But she didn't like the way he chose his words. She couldn't escape her blood, her family royalty.

"You're a natural leader, you've proven that. And you are highly respected. We need you back here," Kira said.

"I'll admit... it was nice being back here. But I'm sorry, you can't expect that of me."

"No, I don't expect that of you. Just tell Athrun, see what he thinks."

Cagalli looked at him, did he know something she didn't?

"Good night, princess. We'll talk more in the morning."

Kira kissed her lightly on her forehead and then departed. Cagalli was mystified. She went back into her room and allowed two maids to help her undress. She slid into a night gown and crawled into bed within a minute. Her heart and mind were heavy now and she doubted she would be getting much rest that night.

By morning she felt the same way in addition to being weary. She bathed in silence, dressed, and headed downstairs. She found her father sitting at the dining table with Kira and Lacus. The three looked at her expectantly and greeted her politely. She took her seat next to Lacus.

"You're going home today?" King Attha questioned.

"Yes, everyone is probably lost without me," Cagalli said.

"Obviously," The king chuckled.

On her way out to the carriage she hugged everyone tightly and was promised by Lacus that they would e seeing each other again soon. Cagalli felt relief to hear that and was excited for any future visits. Lacus had never gone to her home, much less the country side she roamed so freely now. Cagalli hugged her tightly one last time, wishing she could take her along. She finally climbed into the carriage that awaited her and watched as she pulled away from the castle.

Cagalli felt her heart beginning to ache again, feeling the distance take its toll already. She stared out of the small window and watched as they rode through the small town. She wondered how the people were, the ones who had helped to free Athrun. As much as they did, she hoped they had all been able to return to their lives without consequence. Truthfully it was no question why Cagalli preferred the kind of culture that common folk had. They were always kind and caring people, willing to help strangers in need.

Cagalli decided to put her worries in the back of her mind and any thoughts that she had about becoming a princess once again. She would discuss with Athrun, but it was nothing that she needed to trouble her mind over. All she wanted to do now was focus on returning back home to him.

How long has it been? A very long time.! Well I thought this would make a good end to everything. There will be one more chapter and then complete.(: To all my readers and future readers that come across this story I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.