The Kaizer estate loomed ahead, familiar and magnificent, a proud silhouette against the amber skies of early evening. The golden gates swung open with a quiet creak, the gravel path crunching beneath their boots. No shackles now. No guards. Just their footsteps, a steady beat carrying them home.
Joshua didn't realize how tightly his shoulders had been clenched until they relaxed.
And then the door burst open.
Lancelot was the first to appear, arms crossed, stance firm, jaw clenched like he'd been preparing for war. Then his eyes softened, just a little and he muttered, "Took you idiots long enough."
Merlin was right behind him, shoving past with a cry of "Finally!" and nearly tackled Joshua with a hug that smelled like lavender and cinnamon bread. She clung to him, then to Rowdy, who froze for a second before returning it just as fiercely.
"You both look like walking disasters," she said, wiping at Joshua's cheek. "And smell worse."
Sam came skidding in next, nearly dropping the tray of cups she was balancing. "Joshua... Rowdy, I'm really you guys are back." she put down the tray and runs and hugs Rowdy and Rowdy hugs her back.
Eric barged in like a comet, arms flailing, already shouting, "My Darling has returned! I demand hugs!"
Joshua opened his arms. Eric crashed into him.
Franciele and Emelia followed, quieter but glowing with relief. Franciele wrapped Joshua in a soft embrace while Emelia brushed dust from Joshua's hoodie like a worried mother hen.
No one said "welcome home."
They didn't have to.
It was in every touch, every glance, every voice that cracked with emotion.
Later, when the noise settled and their stomachs were full, Rowdy made his way toward the west wing, toward the butler room, that used to be his alone but had long since become theirs. Joshua followed him, exhaustion trailing them like a second skin.
Rowdy pushed open the door.
Then froze.
Joshua looked over his shoulder and blinked.
There were two beds now.
Not a mattress in the corner like before, not a cot hastily dragged in. Two proper beds. Side by side. Matching. Each with thick blankets, a small lamp between them, and sheets that smelled like home.
Joshua raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't like this when we left."
Rowdy smirked. "You gonna cry, tough guy?"
Joshua huffed and flopped backward onto the bed with a thud that made the lamp rattle. "You wish I'd cry. But it is definitely better than sleeping on the floor."
Rowdy chuckled and dropped onto his own bed, groaning as his back hit the softness.
They stared at the ceiling for a moment, the silence warm and unhurried.
Then Joshua spoke, voice low. "Y'know... I thought we were screwed."
"Same," Rowdy murmured.
"I thought no one would ever look at us again without fear. Thought we'd just keep... existing. Not living."
Rowdy turned his head. "But we made it."
Joshua nodded. "We made it."
The light outside the window softened, the sun slipping lower, painting their room in hues of rose and gold. Long shadows stretched across the floorboards.
"Rowdy, I have been wanting to ask you, why did you take my side even after everything I did?" Joshua asked, glancing over.
"You would be dead without me." Rowdy laughed softly. " Seriously tho it's because you are a good person and you are my friend. I don't need anymore reasons."
Joshua smiled. "Thanks that really means alot."
Rowdy looked at him.
"I will always have your back" Rowdy clarified.
Joshua smiled and responded. "I will always have your back too."
Outside, the sky deepened into twilight. Inside, the warmth of the room grew still. Peaceful.
The house fell silent.
And for the first time in what felt like a lifetime...
They slept.
Not as outcasts.
Not as burdens.
But as brothers.
Home.
The Next Day...
The morning sun filtered gently through the gauzy curtains of the east wing, casting soft golden beams across the polished floors of the Kaizer estate. Birds chirped somewhere beyond the balcony. A new day had begun.
In their shared chamber, Merlin stirred beneath the blankets, blinking blearily as she sat up. She stretched, yawned, then glanced beside her.
Lancelot was already awake, sprawled messily across the bed, half of the blanket tangled around his leg. His eyes opened as if sensing her gaze.
"Morning," he muttered, voice groggy.
"Morning," she replied with a sleepy smile, brushing a strand of purple hair behind her ear.
They both sat in silence for a moment, comfortable, warm. Lancelot reached lazily for a small tray of bread rolls they'd left from the night before. He tore one in half and offered it to her. She took a bite.
Then, without warning, Merlin paled. Her eyes widened and she lurched off the bed.
"Merlin?" Lancelot asked, sitting up, confused.
She dashed to the window, flung it open with a bang, and leaned out.
Moments later, the unmistakable sound of vomiting echoed into the morning air.
Lancelot was at her side instantly, kneeling beside her, rubbing her back gently.
"Is it my breath?" he quipped, trying to keep his voice light, though worry crept into every edge of his expression. "I knew I shouldn't have had garlic last night."
Merlin coughed, wiping her mouth with her sleeve, and let out a shaky laugh. "No, idiot."
He smiled faintly, but the concern was still there. "Are you okay? What's wrong? Are you sick?"
She turned slowly, still crouched by the window, her cheeks flushed, not just from the nausea.
"I have something to tell you."
Lancelot tensed. "Okay…"
She looked him dead in the eyes. "I'm pregnant."
Silence.
He blinked.
The information didn't land all at once, it hit in stages. First confusion. Then understanding. Then… shock.
He wobbled, then dropped right onto the floor with a thump, mouth open, hands flat on the carpet.
"You… You're…?" he stammered.
Merlin nodded, lips curling upward. "I went to the noble infirmary yesterday. The witches confirmed it. Three times. I even made them do a blood test just to be sure."
Lancelot sat there, stunned.
Then a wide, slow grin spread across his face. His eyes shone.
"We're... I'm... wait. I'm going to be a dad?"
Merlin laughed. "Yes, Lancelot. You're going to be a dad."
He shot to his feet, arms flailing like he didn't know what to do with the joy spilling out of him. "YES!" he shouted. "YES! I KNEW IT! I mean... I didn't... but I knew it!"
He spun in a half-circle, fist pumping. "I need to build a crib. No... a castle! A mini castle! With enchanted diapers and swords made of pillows!"
Merlin giggled, watching him with adoring amusement.
A few hours later, the sitting room in the east wing was prepared. Tea was steeping, cushions fluffed, and a tray of almond pastries rested untouched on the table.
Captain Percival stood by the window, arms crossed, gaze distant as always. His stern features betrayed nothing, except maybe the faintest twitch in his jaw.
Franciele was seated comfortably on the cushioned chair beside him, her cane resting at her side, eyes already knowing.
Joshua arrived last, his hoodie slightly crooked and hair still damp from a rushed bath.
"You wanted to see me?" he asked.
Merlin and Lancelot stood hand in hand, facing them.
"We have an announcement," Merlin said softly.
Lancelot beamed, failing miserably to appear composed.
Merlin smiled, eyes drifting to each of them. "I'm pregnant."
Franciele gasped, then laughed, tears springing to her eyes. "Oh, child. Oh, that's wonderful! I'm going to be a great-grandmother!" She clapped her hands, joy radiating from her like the sun itself. "And about time, too."
Joshua blinked. Then grinned wide. "Are you serious?" He rushed forward and embraced both Merlin and Lancelot. "That's amazing! I'm gonna be, what? Uncle Joshua? That sounds cool, right?"
"More like 'Weird Uncle Josh' who teaches the baby bad jokes," Lancelot teased, hugging him back.
Joshua laughed. "Deal."
All eyes turned to Captain Percival.
He was quiet for a moment, as usual. Then he cleared his throat and stepped forward.
"You're sure?" he asked Merlin.
She nodded. "Completely."
He looked at Lancelot, long and hard.
Then, quietly, he placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "You'll be a better father than I ever was."
Lancelot's eyes widened.
"And for what it's worth," Percival added, looking toward Merlin with something almost like a smile, "I'm proud of both of you."
His voice was gruff, but genuine.
Merlin squeezed Lancelot's hand.
Outside, the sun rose higher, golden and warm, casting long beams into the room.
It was a new day.
A day of new beginnings.