She wore the same dress as her mother, but in green with the exact same pattern embroidered. She had about her a haughty air that Senja could sense even from afar. However, she veiled it pretty well behind the innocent smile on her red lips.

Carye and Rindy bowed to pay their respects to Elder Dam and Xiao Tianyao. Then Carye walked towards Senja and looked every bit motherly as she scrutinized Senja and her purple hair.

"Senja, what happened to your hair?" She raised her eyebrows in surprise and reached out her hand to touch her purple hair.

That's when Elder Dam gave her a brief explanation.

"She was found with her hair in that color. No need to fuss over it. The physician who checked her up said the color would fade away with time."

Carye nodded in comprehension.

"Senja, you don't know how worried I was this past year that you went missing." She spoke like a concerned mother. But, no one present could be fooled by the honey glazed words. Not even Senja for she knew too well it was a forked tongue doing the sweet talks.

Carye pulled her into her embrace and squeezed her so tight that Senja was breathless. If Senja hadn't known anything about this woman or sensed her vicious intent, she would've assumed that this stepmother truly loved her.

What a pity for Senja knew and would never give way to her bullying. Especially when she would be the object of their harassment.

When Carye tightened her grip like someone who wanted to crush her bones, Senja yelped. "It hurts!!"

Abruptly Carye released her bone crushing hug and stepped back with surprise in her eyes.

Elder Dam frowned as Senja stroked both her arms grimly in a bid to soothe the pain.

"Carye, you know that Senja's body is not that strong." Elder Dam said clearly dissatisfied.

Carye lowered her head to conceal the perplexity in her eyes. "Carye apologizes. I am so excited to see Senja again that I foolishly forgot how delicate Senja's body is."

On the other side Rindy walked towards Elder Dam and smiled sweetly. "Grandfather, mother has been worrying about Senja and now that she has finally returned mother is very excited." Afterwards she walked towards Senja and gave her a light hug. "Welcome back my sister, and I like your hair color." Her compliments sounded very sincere.

Senja tilted her head and smiled back at her, "Thank you."

"How about we go back inside? Mother has cooked your favorite food Senja." Carye spoke as she attempted to redeem herself.

Soon, Elder Dam walked in first while she followed. Xiao Tianyao was about to follow as well when Rindy decided to speak.

"It's been a while Prince Xiao Tianyao." She said coyly, as though announcing her presence to him.

"It's been a while." Xiao Tianyao murmured while nodding slightly and continued to walk inside, leaving Senja and Rindy alone.

"So, you have finally returned, huh?" Rindy, with folded arms, arrogantly mocked Senja.

Senja had intentionally fallen behind, as she'd sensed Rindy's urge to provoke her. Of course, she was more than willing to give her a chance.

"Yes, I have returned." Senja was all smiles.

"You better stay away like before and become an obedient girl if you don't want to trouble yourself."

"Alright." Senja said lightly.

"And, your purple hair is disgusting." Rindy taunted and expected Senja to be utterly downcast even to lift her chin. However, it would never happen with "this" Senja.

"Oh, I feel the same about you because I don't like your ugly nose as well." She chuckled before continuing, "Anything else? If you don't have anything else to say I have to go inside, because mother cooked for me, my favorite foods." And she waltzed away.

Surprisingly, Xiao Tianyao was waiting for her by the doorstep. He didn't say anything when Senja came closer, just shot a questioning look to which Senja replied with a wink.

As he went in, he wore a soft smile.