'Life has somewhat normalized for the "Princess Quartet",' mused Jote. In the past few semesters, the assigned maids spoke nothing of their pasts to anyone involved. His Majesty reminded them constantly that the head maids are subject to His recall, should it prove necessary for the peace of either Tumal or Ahnek. The only strange thing was the one maid of Esther's that had dog ears and a tail. Although it was an old story, no one had seen a chimeran in centuries, yet here was one serving the woman he loves. Even his power of foresight had not shown him this possibility.

In just two days, the winter solstice and new year festivities were to kick off. With them, the Tumali royal granddaughters would be returning home to their kingdom for the first time since the ordeal of the Amulet hunt began, and as graduates of the Academy. Just thinking about it brought back to mind an old passage he found in a history book:

"In the Spring of the first Year of Tumnek's reign, the great wizard was commissioned to create a talisman of leadership. Should it be broken, the kingdom will fall until his rightful heirs restore the proud sigil."

Since he had not yet found the amulet, and the young ladies have not volunteered any information, it was time to focus on this history. By perceiving the history of the book, he knew that this passage was hundreds of years old. Looking through other ancient histories suggested that in ages past, a great kingdom once existed that stretched proverbially from one sea to the other. When the last king died, his heirs had waged bloody wars over the entire kingdom destroying much of its history and shattering a major talisman - the king's crown. With the destruction of so much and the deaths of so many, the empire faded into history. Jote pondered about the connection briefly as Esther walked in.

"We're done. All of us passed and we've proven ourselves to Ahnek and Tumal. Now we have to deal with those so-called engagement certificates! Don't think I've forgotten about that stunt."