Sophie nodded softly. She had missed them more than words could ever express.
When she finally saw her grandparents, they could not stop crying, their hands trembling as they wiped away endless tears. Her little cousin, barely four years old, toddled around her, calling her name again and again with innocent joy. The once-gloomy household, long weighed down by grief, began to fill with laughter and light once more.
After a few days of settling in, Sophie took pen to paper. She wrote a heartfelt letter to the director, telling him everything that had happened. Inside, she enclosed a small sum of money—a token of gratitude.
Sophie knew she had been apart from the noble world for too long. The manners, the customs, the way of life—all of it felt foreign to her now. But Roxanne, ever patient and loving, stepped in once more to guide her. From etiquette and posture to dancing and conversation, she taught Sophie everything she needed to reclaim her place.
Within a year, Sophie had blossomed fully into her role. No longer the quiet girl from the orphanage, she had become the perfect lady of House Seymour—graceful, poised, and radiant, just as her parents would have wished.
After attending countless balls and tea parties, Sophie began to attract a flood of marriage proposals. At first, her grandparents turned them all away, unwilling to part with her so soon. But as time passed, they gradually relented, realizing Sophie was no longer a child but a lady ready to choose her own path.
Then, one fateful evening at a royal ball, Sophie's life quietly changed. Amid the glitter of chandeliers and the strains of a waltz, she was introduced to Count Luca Reynold. Their first conversation stretched longer than expected, filled with laughter and a surprising ease. As they spoke, Sophie discovered how much they shared—their tastes in books, their fondness for music, even their quiet habits.
Something stirred within her, something she had not felt before. That night, as her carriage rolled home, Sophie held her locket close and thought only of him.
The next morning, she gathered her courage and sought out her aunt. Sitting beside her, Sophie confessed everything—about Count Reynold, about the way her heart quickened when he smiled, and how deeply she felt their connection.
Roxanne listened quietly, then let out a deep sigh. With a gentle smile, she placed her hand over Sophie's and said, "Leave it to me. I will speak to your grandparents about this."
Not long after, a formal proposal arrived from House Reynold. When Sophie heard the news, her heart soared. She could hardly believe it—the man who had captured her heart now wished to share his life with her.
Yet, amidst her joy, one thought weighed heavily on her. The director… and Sera. It had been so long since she had last seen them. They had been her family in the darkest years of her life, and Sophie could not imagine her wedding day without them there.
She confessed her wish to Roxanne, who understood at once. Without delay, Roxanne penned a letter to the orphanage, her words warm and respectful, inviting the director and Sera to attend Sophie's wedding. The letter was sealed and sent with urgency, carrying with it Sophie's dearest hope.