Deneve smiled as they walked into the Villa. Her new villa Lord Red watched amused as an excited Deneve walked with Bareeds and Sirare up to the newly christened, Deneve’s Villa.

Deneve turned to Lord Red and smiled, “Do you think everything’s ready?”
Saya opened the door as the group stepped up to the door. “Welcome home, Deneve!”

Before Deneve could do anything, Saya wrapped her in a tight hug. “Are you ready to see it?”

“I’m excited,” Deneve chuckled as Saya grabbed her hand, dragging her through the Villa. Each room was more lavishly decorated than the last, and the hot tub on the veranda was an amazing idea that hadn’t occurred to Deneve.

“Saya, you did a beautiful job,” Deneve said, giving her friend a hug.

“Well, there is one more room to discover, and I hope you like it,” Saya said, guiding them to the main living area.

Sirare, Bareeds, Barhan were in deep conversation when Lord Red, Deneve, and Saya entered. They looked up and smiled, “Now we can get his party started another voice from behind, Deneve said.

Deneve turned around in shock. It was Kayal. “Wait… you’re here. Does that mean… I’ve only been gone a week.” Deneve sat down weakly, and Lord Red smiled as he took Deneve’s trembling hand.

“You’ve done so much for us,” Kayal said Barhan held out a drink for Deneve. “We wanted to thank you, and the best way we could think to do that was to help give you a place of respite.”

“King Sahazad is gone,” Barhan said solemnly. “Saya has become queen, and Kayal is her adviser. I maintain the military, which is all I ever wanted anyway.”

“How are the people handling the change?” Deneve asked. She also wondered about the Aakman and what would become of them.

“Some are angry with Kayal, but since he’s in an advisory role and not the King, they will come around,” Saya said, “They trust Barhan and me.”

“How do you feel about this, Barhan?” Deneve asked.

“I think it’s the best way to bring Valencia into the future. I saw what Sahazad was becoming,” Barhan explained. “I knew that Saya was the future, not me. ” He gave Deneve a remorseful look, “I made grave mistakes along the way, and for that, I’m sorry.”

Bareeds reached over to touch Deneve’s hand. “Since you are an official Princess of Mediah. I’ve come to an agreement with Barhan regarding your engagement.”

Sirare smiled as he explained, “While we can’t yet dissolve your engagement. There is a loophole if after five years if you are not married, the engagement is automatically dissolved.”

Deneve nodded. “I understand.” The people by then will have forgotten about their engagement anyway.

“I have five years to change your mind,” Barhan teased.

“Not if I have anything to say about it,” Lord Red bristled.

“Easy boys,” Saya laughed. “Deneve makes her own decisions, or haven’t you noticed.”

Kayal grinned, “Don’t count me out yet.”

“Seriously, you guys,” Saya laughed. “Let’s just enjoy the party.”

Later that evening, Deneve and Lord Red sat in the hot tub, enjoying the cool desert night. “Do you think you’ll like having this as a home to come home to?” Deneve asked.

“So long as I’m allowed to beat your suitors off with a stick,” Lord Red teased, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“I say we stay a week and then go see the Aakmans,” Deneve said. “I’m sure there is more for us to learn.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Lord Red smiled. Deneve was still an ancient, and she had responsibilities. Valencia had solved their own issues for the time being, and Mediah was in the safe, secure hands of Bareeds the Third. For now, at least Deneve was free to do as she wished.