Chapter 19: The Proposal from Highmoor

The next two years passed faster than I expected.

Highmoor became my home.

The peace administration grew from a small office into one of the most respected mediation institutions in the northern territories.

I spent my days reviewing treaties, negotiating disputes, and training young officials.

I no longer measured my life by what I had lost.

I measured it by what I had built.

Then, one spring morning, Princess Helena arrived at my office with an unexpected announcement.

“Celia, the Royal Council wants to appoint you as a permanent representative to the Crown Pack.”

I looked up from my documents.

“The Crown Pack?”

She nodded.

“They want someone who understands both the royal archives and the northern territories. Your work has made you the obvious choice.”

I was silent.

Returning to the capital for a few meetings was one thing.

Living there permanently was another.

Princess Helena seemed to understand my hesitation.

“You don't have to accept.”

I looked around my office.

The shelves were filled with records I had organized myself.

The desk had been a gift from the volunteers who had worked beside me.

Everything here represented the life I had chosen.

“Can I keep Highmoor as my main office?”

Princess Helena smiled.

“I was hoping you'd ask.”

I accepted the appointment.

My work would take me between the capital and Highmoor, but the Sanctuary would remain my home.

A week later, I traveled to the capital for my official appointment.

The Royal Council chamber was crowded with senior officials.

Among them was Gavin.

When he saw me, he stood.

“Director Langford.”

I smiled politely.

“Councilor Mercer.”

The titles felt natural now.

There was no awkwardness between us.

After the meeting, Gavin approached me.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

He looked toward the appointment documents.

“You're returning to the capital.”

“Part-time.”

He nodded.

“I'm glad.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Why?”

“Because the capital needs people like you.”

I smiled.

“Then I'll do my best.”

He hesitated.

“Celia, there's something else.”

I waited.

“My mother asked whether she could meet you.”

I was surprised.

“Patricia?”

“She wants to apologize properly.”

I considered it.

Patricia had once been the woman who believed I was unsuitable to become the Luna of Redoak.

Now I was standing in the Royal Council as an official in my own right.

“I'll meet her,” I said.

The meeting took place that evening.

Patricia looked at me for a long time before speaking.

“Celia, I owe you an apology.”

I remained silent.

“I saw you as a future Luna who needed to fit into our family. I never stopped to consider whether our family deserved you.”

Her words surprised me.

She continued.

“Gavin made terrible choices, but we encouraged him to believe you would always wait.”

I looked down at my tea.

“That was a long time ago.”

“I know.”

She smiled sadly.

“But some mistakes deserve to be acknowledged even when they cannot be repaired.”

I nodded.

“Thank you.”

When I left the meeting, I felt strangely light.

There was nothing left to prove.

Not to Gavin.

Not to his family.

Not to mine.

And certainly not to the people who had once laughed at the woman whose wedding was postponed three times.

I had walked away from that wedding.

And in doing so, I had walked into a life far greater than the one I had once imagined.