After Preminger had been taken away, the guests were asked to leave. Stephanie and her mother sat alone in the seats, talking about everything that happened. 

"He played me like a fool. I'm sorry, Stephanie. When I think about what might have happened-"

Stephanie cut her off, holding her mother's hand lovingly. "But it didn't. Thanks to Cristina, and-" She paused for a second. She looked over towards the castle. Standing on the steps, looking towards her, was Matthew. He was smiling.

Stephanie made up her mind. "And the man I love." She said.  Her mother looked up, confused. "Matthew." 

"Matthew?" The queen asked. She wasn't disappointed, just confused. She had somehow never figured out their love for each other. 

"He's kind, intelligent, and my best friend. Mother, it's Matthew I want to marry." 

"I want you to be happy..." The queen said, smiling. But her face then fell serious and cold. "But it's our duty to take care of our people." 

"I can do that. I found something very interesting in the mine." She said. 

"What? The gold?" Her mother asked. 

"Well, no. But now that you mention that; now that we've arrested Preminger, we can probably get the gold back." Stephanie said. "But I found something else, too. The mine - it's filled with geodes. They look like normal rocks, but inside are these beautiful gems. They can sustain us until we find a more permanent solution. That, or Preminger gives up where the gold is." She explained. 

"Stephanie, are you sure?" Asked the queen.

"Yes. I am. I should know; I had a very intelligent tutor." Stephanie looked over at Matthew again. Her mother's eyes followed her. 

"Stephanie, I'll make you a deal. If this plan of yours works, then I'll allow you to marry Matthew. If not, then-"

"Then I will marry someone else. But... not king Nathan." Stephanie said.

"Why not him?" The queen asked. Stephanie pointed with her thumb towards King Nathan, standing with Cristina. They were both talking, and obviously acting incredibly close. They then kissed. 

"I think he has someone else in mind." Stephanie said. "I mean, I'm not very surprised. Considering all the time 'we' spent together was actually with her, of course it's her he fell in love with." 

The queen chuckled. "Now that I can see she's not a criminal, I'm not surprised. She's a nice girl, if not a bit mischievous." 

"A perfect fit for him." Stephanie and her mother took a second to giggle at that. "Mother, I promise this will work. When it does, do you give us your blessing?" 

Her mother didn't even have to think about the answer. "Yes." Stephanie wrapped her arms around her mother in a tight embrace. 

"Thank you, mother."

Meanwhile, Nate and Cristina were still talking. Nate had given her a horse, loaded with everything she may need. After they finally separated from their kiss, Cristina climbed up onto the horse while Nate refused to let go of her hand.

"I can't convince you to stay?" He asked. 

"Nate, I... all my life I've dreamed of being free. Now my debt's been paid, thanks to Stephanie." She said. 

"Where will you go?" 

"Everywhere. I want to sing, see the world." She said. Nate finally let go of her hand. He reached into a pocket inside his coat. 

"Then I hope you'll take this with you." He said. He was holding a small black velvet box. Cristina remembered it like it was yesterday. Actually, it WAS yesterday. In fact, it was last night. 

Nate opened it up. Inside was a small golden band. The ring. He slipped it on her finger. Cristina admired it. "When you come back, I'll be waiting." 

"No promises?" She asked with a smirk. 

He matched it, before the smirk turned into a genuine smile. "I'll take my chances." 

Cristina leaned over the side of the horse and pulled Nate up again by his collar, kissing him again. "I could get used to that." Nate said with a chuckle.

"I already have." Cristina said. "I love you." 

"I love you too. Now go see the world." 

Cristina gave him one last smile, before riding off down the mountain trail. Off to see the world. Like she always wanted. And for the time being, all Nate could do was hope she would come back.