Now that Queen Oriane withdrew her troops and admitted her defeat, the Ravendalian soldiers started to celebrate. For them it's was unbelievable that the war that could have turn into a few years with unknown outcomes finished in a few weeks with the victory.

Alexander couldn't believe it either. We had prepared various strategies for different outcomes and we have prepared this war to be a year long. Nevertheless, it's was better to end the war now than a few years later.

Now we are currently heading back to Ivyvale in the carriage.

"I can't believe the war was ended just like that." Alexander said and I nodded.

"It's was definitely the fastest war in history but it's good to be able to come back to our children just like we are coming back from the work trip instead of the war." I expressed my opinion and Alexander nodded.

"We were just lucky." Alexander had also expressed his opinion and I hummed.

"Indeed, but it' takes a genius mind to reap off the luck and use it to our benefits." I emphasized.

" I agree." Alexander smiled.

The trip from Tara to Ivyvale was long. It's was incredibly long when you missed the people that you care about in Ivyvale.

"So what's next?" I sighed at my rhetorical question but I didn't mind hearing Alexander's answer.

"There will be a celebration waiting for us back in Ivyvale. We will get to celebrate our victory." Alexander answered.

"Then what?" I asked then I added. "What will happen in the court? How our victory can affect the next one hundred years?"

"It's an interesting question, you fortified your rule and our children's for the next one hundred years. " Alexander expressed his thoughts.

"For the next one hundred years, Ravendale will flourish culturally and with technological advancements. Your name will be written in textbooks." Then Alexander added your thoughts.

"On the other side, nobles will try hard to convince me not to give you and your brother the title of the King." I claimed as leaned towards the window of the carriage and Alexander smiled.

"That is inevitable." Alexander stated.

Indeed, it was inevitable. I didn't mind giving them the title of King since they are in some way capable more than me and returning after the war with a victory is was the perfect occasion to reward them the new title.

Since the Kings are either the prince who was born into a royal family or the prince consorts who achieved something great.

"But what do you think?" I asked Alexander and he chuckled.

"My opinion will be biased, Annabelle." Alexander answered and I pouted.

"But I still enjoy hearing your opinion since you are a very intelligent husband." I complimented him.

"I guess that's what makes you a wise Queen." Alexander also didn't miss the chance to compliment me.

In a few hours, we have finally reached Ravendale. A lot of people were gathered around the road that we were supposed to come back to our Royal Palace.

The whole street is decorating with celebratory banners and people were cheering for us.

The bards were singing the song that was created to tell a tale about me.

"With her quick wit, she managed to defeat the Fayans in no time."

"From simple noble to a wise Queen, she is the ruler who will lead Ravendale to prosperity."The bards have sung.

I smiled at the new ballad. I never expected to have a ballad written about me.

The royal orchestra has started playing after that. Meaning that we are close to the Royal Palace.I could see Nathaniel standing on the balcony with our children and Alistair and Abel were also standing with them.

As soon as they saw our carriage they left the balcony so they could come down and greet me.

When we arrived by the protocol the Prince Consort should have greeted me first, but I didn't mind the protocols since the children wanted to greet me badly.

They ran up to me and hugged me. I also hugged them.

My youngest ones couldn't understand what I was faced with but Elizabeth understood it and I could tell she was anxious.

"They are glad to have you back, Annabelle. I also glad for your safe return." Nathaniel properly greeted me and smiled.

I just simply hugged him.

"Aren't you cold standing outside and greeting me?" It's was the end of January and it's getting very cold in Ravendale.

The Ravendalian traditions state that the consorts aren't allowed to wear coats or any outerwear while royal children are allowed to wear warm clothes. I don't know why such traditions were placed. I should put it on the list of things I should change before I forget about it.

"No, I simply made an elegant suit that is laced with magic to keep me warm." Nathaniel answered. I looked at Abel and Alistair and they were also wearing that suit.

"Well, I'm glad that you are not suffering here." I said with a smile.'It's was good to be back!' I happily sighed in my mind.

Then I hugged Abel and Alistair we didn't say a word to each other but I understood that they were also glad for me to come back.

We went up to the balcony to greet the crowd. It's was hard to see the crowd because of how dense the snow is falling but we could hear how the crowd was cheering.

Over the course week, everything was going fast since there was heated discussion if I should give Nathaniel and Alexander the title of the Kings or not. In the end, there will be a ceremony when they will receive the title and now everyone is preparing for it.

"Your majesty, Duchess Charlotte came to visit you. We already led her to the lounge room." The servant informed me.

I didn't see Charlotte for a long time. As my mother in law, she likes to visit us rarely since she is now traveling around with my father in law.

For a long time, I had always thought that Charlotte was in monogamous marriage, only for Alexander and Nathaniel informed that it's wasn't exactly the case.

Charlotte had always preferred to keep her lovers outside the marriage.

But the more I meet Charlotte the more I find this rumor to be unbelievable.

"Long time no see, Annabelle. I heard you achieved quite a lot of things when I was traveling to the East." Charlotte greeted me when I arrived at the lounge room

"It's was definitely, a long time since I've seen you. How was the East." I politely asked her.

"The East was very exciting and I have no words to describe it, one thing for sure you should also travel there if there is an opportunity." Charlotte told me.

"Anyway, after the war I can see that after the war you fortified your position." Charlotte commented and I nodded.

There is still one thing that bothers me.

"Indeed, no matter what my grandmother is telling I still couldn't forget the case I was asked to solve." I admitted.

"The case about the death of Cordelia?" Charlotte asked and I nodded. Charlotte's expression changed for a split second.

"If you are curious I'm willing to give you a riddle but you shouldn't tell your grandmother that I've told you." Charlotte offered as she drank her tea.

"Sure!" Perhaps Charlotte can give me the truth.

"Who other than you, your grandmother can't hide this kind of truth?" Charlotte gave me the riddle.

I thought for a while until it hit me.

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I hope you enjoyed reading Chapter 36!

Can anyone guess Charlotte's riddle? Write your guesses in the comments !^-^

But I  think this riddle will be easy for you to guess so I don't see any difficulties for you to guess.

Don't foget to vote!<3

And I will see you later my alligators! ^-^