That battle ended the war, and an uneasy truce was formed between the two countries. Optimus knew the peace likely would not last for long since he let Megatron go, but he would do his best to prepare his people for when the Empire came again.

His first act in that direction was to give Ultra the title 'Magnus', putting him in charge of the army. A reward for his achievements in the war. He let Ultra rearrange the army, getting rid of the incompetent and promoting those who actually deserved it.

Much to everyone's surprise, though, the peace was lasting. There were skirmishes at the border from time to time, like they were testing the Primedom's defenses, but they were always subdued.

Optimus was sitting in his office one afternoon, working on paperwork. A knock on the door caused him to look up.

"Come in," he called.

The door opened and a knight stepped in. It was Prowl, one of Ultra Magnus' most trusted commanders and the current head of palace security. He saluted and then bowed.

"Apologies for bothering you while you were working, your majesty."

"It's alright, Prowl," said Optimus, setting aside his pen. "What did you need?"

"Permission to approach your desk?" Prowl asked.

Optimus sighed. "Prowl, we've talked about this. You don't need to ask permission for every little thing."

"Yes, your majesty. But still…"

Optimus rolled his eyes. "Permission granted, Prowl."

"Thank you, your majesty." Prowl approached the desk and then set a small box down in front of the Prime before snapping to attention. "I am here to return this to you, your majesty."

Optimus raised a curious eyebrow at Prowl as he picked up the little box. He opened it and froze. Inside was a ring on a cushion. A ring he hadn't seen in years.

"Where did you get this?" he asked, fighting to keep his voice even. He didn't dare to hope.

"From one of the newer slaves that was brought in recently," Prowl reported. "I don't know how she managed to steal something like this but-"

"She?" Optimus interrupted, looking up at him. "It was a woman?"

"That is correct, your majesty."

"Where is she now?" Optimus asked as he stood, the little box still in hand.

"In the dungeon, your majesty. Awaiting punishment- My Prime, where are you going?" Prowl asked as Optimus stepped around his desk and headed for the door.

"To the dungeon."

A couple of soldiers were dragging the woman, whimpering, from her cell.

"STOP!" Optimus roared as he approached them, Prowl close on his heels.

Startled, the soldiers looked up. "Y-your majesty!"

"Let her go!" he ordered.

They were quick to obey. When they let go of her arms, she just slumped over, still whimpering.

Optimus frowned. "What did you do to her?" he practically growled.

The soldiers flinched. They had never seen the Prime angry before.

"N-nothing, Y-your majesty! I-I swear!" the braver of the two stammered. "S-she's been like this since t-they took the ring from her."

"And? How was she before?" Optimus asked, barely keeping his voice in check this time.

It was Prowl who answered. "She was quiet, hardly said a word. Fairly obedient, always doing as she was told. Till now."

Optimus sighed, his body relaxing slightly as he let his anger go. He looked at the two soldiers.

"You two may return to your other duties now. I'll see to this one."

They weren't about to argue. With a quick 'yessir' and a bow, they hurried off down the hall.

Optimus looked down at the woman. She was rocking back and forth now, hugging herself. She was barely a shadow of his memory of her. Sure, she was a little taller and older, but she was also overly thin from malnourishment. Her pale hair was long and unkept and lacked its usual shine. There were scars peeking out from under her clothes that he didn't remember. Also, he could hardly sense any mana from her.

"How long has she been at the palace?" he asked.

"Two, almost three weeks," Prowl replied.

"And they let her work like this?" Optimus muttered to himself.

He crouched so he could see her eyes that were hidden by her hair. They were normal irises and the same blood red color he remembered but they were also unfocused and lifeless. He pulled the ring out of the box and held it out to her.

"Here."

"Ahh!" she cried as she focused on the ring.

Optimus ignored Prowl's protest as he let her take the ring from him. She clutched it to her chest.

"Is that important to you?" Optimus asked, keeping his voice soft and gentle.

"Yes," she replied, her voice cracking. "I… can't remember why, or who even gave it to me, but I know that it is precious. And I thought it was lost forever. Thank you for returning it to me." There were tears running down her cheeks as she actually looked up at him.

Optimus felt his heart break. Everything about her appearance, the fact that he was right in front of her, and she didn't recognize him, and even said so. What happened to her?

"Do you, by chance," he said, pulling out her pendant from under his shirt, "recognize this necklace?"

She stared at it until her eyebrows furrowed. "That… That is mine, isn't it?" she asked, looking up at him. "I can't remember. It feels like it should be mine but at the same time, it belongs to someone else. Someone important, I think. And you have it." For a moment, her eyes held a spark as she reached out and grabbed his sleeve with thin, bony fingers. "Who are you to me?"

Prowl had had enough. "How dare a mere slave!" he snapped, stepping forward and grabbing her arm to pull her away from Optimus.

Optimus was on his feet in an instant. "Prowl! Let her go!"

Prowl was no slouch but to have Prime's rage, something he had only ever witnessed on the battlefield, directed at him, he couldn't help but flinch.

"Such a pretty blue…" the woman said, staring up at Optimus.

Her comment diffused most of Optimus' anger, especially since she went limp and slumped in Prowl's grasp. He quickly took her from him and settled on the floor with her in his arms.

"I apologize for my outburst, Prowl," he said.

"For you to get so worked up over a mere slave-" Prowl started.

Optimus cut him off with a glare. "I don't think you understand. She isn't a 'mere slave'. She has that ring because I gave it to her when we were younger. This necklace," he briefly held up the pendant, "was hers. She gifted it to me as a memento. Do you understand now, Prowl? She is someone I care about."

"Are you certain, your majesty?" Prowl asked, unmoved. "She doesn't even remember you."

Optimus looked down at her. "Even though it is faint, there is no mistaking this mana," he said as he gently brushed the hair out of her face. "She is Liliy."