Shuriki and Serenity were sitting at the royal gardens braiding Chatana's hair as she petted pili who slumbered on her legs. Esteban smiled as he stared at them in his balcony as he worked on some treaties. His smile faded when he saw a Vulture flying directly to the palace. He called the guards as he knew who exactly the vulture was.

"What is going on?" Serenity asked as she noticed the guards running around the palace. Shuriki and Chatana exchanged looks before noticing a strange light. "Is there an intruder?"

"Ash is back," Shuriki said standing up. "Serenity, stay inside. You don't have your scepter in hand."

"Go with her, Shuriki..."Chatana said raising her wings. "I'll take care of that witch. I don't want my family to get hurt."

"What about you, mother?" Shuriki asked guiding Serenity inside. "You'll get hurt!" Chatana only smiled in response before setting off.

Zopilote tried to contain himself calm when he noticed an angry winged sorceress coming towards him. He tried in vain to mislead the sorceress so Ash could have the advantage to enter into the castle. Every wrong turn he made he would always find Chatana being on the other side trying to shoot him. Eventually, she hit him making him transform back into a human. Thankfully Ash was there to rescue him with a spell.

Ash had to act quickly, guards were approaching and Chatana was in the main entrance to the palace watching every single movement Ash made. If she tried to force her entrance into the palace she'll have to face her new enemy allowing the guards to capture them. So she bitterly rose her tamporita as Chatana was ready to attack.

One

Two

THREE!

Within a matter of seconds, Chatana was sent against the wall as Ash teletransported herself out of the palace grounds. If she teletransported herself into the palace, then it will be a game over. She knew Esteban had guards protecting his old hag of a wife and his bratty child.

Another day, it would be then She bitterly thought to herself as she carried her master.

"Mother!" Shuriki cried rushing outside embracing her mother. Her green eyes widened as she saw Chatana whimper as she tried to move her left wing. "Your wing...it's-"

"Broken, I'm afraid," She said wincing as she tried to offer a small smile. "Do not worry, It will be back to normal in a few weeks. It's one of the benefits of being a magical being."

"Then that means," Shuriki said helping her mother stand up. "You'll be in bed until your wing is fully recovered."

Shuriki and Serenity took the winged sorceress back into her room. Meanwhile, Elena was pacing back and forth anxiously at the Palace's main entrance. She held tight the letter the Prime minister sent her.

He'll be here at any minute She reassured herself It would be a quick visit, tensions will be resolved and everyone goes home happy.

Her heart almost skipped a beat once she saw a strange-looking carriage coming its way to the palace gates. Elena established her posture, to hide her anxiousness, as the carriage stopped. Two tall serious-looking men jumped out of the carriage and opened the door as an old bitter-looking man walked stepped out. That must be the Prime Minister, Elena thought as she tried to keep her uneasiness.

"You must be Princess Elena Castillo Flores," His voice was sharp like a dagger. His posture was rigid. It was more than clear he was here to waste no time. "I am Frederick Damien III, prime minister of the Northern Islands."

"I-It's a pleasure to finally meet you," Elena bowed. The prime minister raised an eyebrow in response. Elena cleared her throat as she continued. "I am well aware that our lands don't have a nice relationship but I do wish to change it in this honorable visit, sir."

"I see, child," He said dryly. Elena gulped in response. "Lead the way, and do be quick. I am a very busy man, I don't have time for silly visits."

Elena led the prime minister inside accompanied by the two serious men, his guards, for a small tour of the palace. She tried to make small conversations with him but ended up in vain as he would ignore her as he focused on the Avalorian decorations. They suddenly stopped when they accidentally reached a royal portrait of King Raul and his family.

"Prince Raul," The prime minister muttered as if Elena wasn't next to him. "The heir to the Avalorian throne. Charming and foxy, always flirting with my beloved..."

"Sir," One of the guards gently tapped his shoulder. "We better keep going."

"You're right," The prime minister sighed turning away from the portrait. "Let's finish this tour, shall we?"

"Right, right," Elena nodded as they walked. "You know, I understand the pain of losing someone you loved..."

"I don't want to talk about it..."

"I understand."

Esteban tried his best to not scream at his cousin once Elena told him what she had done. The Prime minister decided to take a look at some portraits buying some time for the princess to explain the situation to the Chancellor. Esteban, naturally, was not happy with her decision but agreed not to tell a word to his wife.

"Just finish this visit," Esteban muttered as he made sure his family was not walking by. "Shuriki and Serenity are taking care of Chatana. Once she falls asleep, they could wander into the palace looking for some supplies or take supper. If my wife discovers the prime minister is here then is more trouble for all of us."

"I know," Elena said sighing before giving a small smile to her cousin. Esteban rolled his eyes already knowing what she'll say. "But what if you keep her distracted while I take care of the minister?"

"I hate you..." Esteban groaned as Elena caught him in an embrace.

"Thanks, cousin!" Elena cried before returning to the minister "I own you a big one."

A big one indeed Esteban thought before making his way into his mother-in-law chamber. Serenity fell asleep on her grandmother's lap, Chatana gently stroked her hair while Shuriki was making sure everything was alright. Esteban kissed her cheek as he stood next to her.

"How is your wing doing, suegra?" Esteban asked gesturing Chatana's left-wing.

"It hurts when I move," Chatana explained as she eyed her wing. "But is recovering at an okay pace. I might not be able to fly in a few weeks."

"At least you get to spend more time with Serenity," Esteban chuckled as he gently wrapped his daughter with a blanket. "She's been quite fond of you."

"Since we met, she refused to leave my side" The winged sorceress smiled. "The sentiment is mutual."

"Well, if you need anything just tell me. I'll be glad to help"

"You're a good man, Chancellor."

"Now, if you excuse me, I have to talk with my wife."

Chatana nodded as Shuriki quietly said goodbye before leaving the room. Esteban made sure Elena was not around and closed the door. He carefully led his wife into the balcony. He offered her a cup of tea and sat her down. Shuriki raised an eyebrow at him.

"Is something wrong, Esteban?" Shuriki asked sipping her tea. Esteban ran his hands through his face. He had to be careful with his words.

Just explain Elena asked you about her past and you revealed her lie.

"I know that you're past is a delicate subject," Shuriki narrowed her eyes in response. "Especially when it comes to... you know, the descendant of king Raul."

"What are you bringing this up?"

"Well, umm, let's say Elena wasn't sure about your answer back in the mountain. She figured I might know something about your past and asked me about your life."

"You didn't..."

"I promised I was brief. I told her it was a touchy subject and just gave a few hints-"

"I didn't anyone in your family to know what he did!"

Esteban bit his lip as he embraced his wife. Shuriki buried her head in his chest and sighed. Her husband gently stroked her hair and kissed her forehead.

"I know you don't like talking about your life," Esteban said. "I had no choice but to tell Elena before she decided to use her scepter and get the answer herself."

"You should've told me 3 weeks ago what happened," Shuriki frowned. "We vowed not to keep secrets from one another."

"I know," Esteban said stroking her cheek. He tried to hide his uneasiness with a little smile. "We made that promise in our wedding."

"Well, thanks for letting me know what happened."

"Always, mi amor. I'll never keep a secret from you."

I'll tell you everything once the Prime Minister returns home, then I will keep my promise alive.