"Mother?"

The first-person Rachel recognized when she opened her eyes was her mother clutching her hands and weeping silently.

"Oh! My daughter, you're finally awake." Lily knelt and gave her heartfelt prayer to the Dragon Gods above, saying "Thank you, Light Goddess".

The Pope and Master Wizard abruptly entered the room, exhaling in relief that their Duchess had at last awakened. They had been so anxious for the previous 72 hours since there had been no indication that the Duchess body would awaken.

Rachel wondered why everyone was so concerned about her while they were all in her room. She had a slight headache and was thirsty.

"Can someone get me a water, please".

The servants rush to get her a drink of water after hearing her mumble. While drinking, she suddenly remembered her last memory in the dream. She looks at her mother with so much emotion that tears start to well up in her eyes.

"Your Majesty. Are you feeling ill? Where do you feel unwell?". Inside the room, everyone expressed the same words in unison while displaying signs of extreme worry.

Rachel shakes her head and motions for her mother to come by her side. She then embraces Lily so tight feeling the warmth of her mother's touch.

As the mother and daughter are displaying affection for one another, the Pope and Master Wizard exchange glances as if they are unraveling a mystery. After casting a spell to strengthen the Duchess' frail condition, they stepped outside to give them some privacy.

"Mother. I'm here now. I'm sorry it took me so long to return. I didn't mean to make you sad". Rachel holds her mother's hand and kiss it tenderly.

"Oh, my Rachel, my precious daughter. Do you remember now?" Lily sobs in happiness that her daughter finally recognize her true self.

"Yes. I remember. Mother...did you love her?"

Lily understood what Rachel meant. The other soul who borrowed her daughter's vessel.

"Yes. As much as we love you, we did love her."

"Thank you for loving her Mom. She deserved to be love. Back in the world where I left, her family loved me so much."

"They did? I have to send them a heartfelt prayer of gratitude for looking after you". Lily gently held her face and kissed her on the eyes.

"But Mother... I believe she left us when I returned to this vessel", Rachel says nervously as she looks at Lily and squeezes her hand to apologize.

Lily sobs and hug her tight to relieve her sadness for the other soul who occupied her daughter's body.

"Her name is Elsa Philipps. She comes from a wonderful family. Can we put a tomb for her in our manor? It's the least we can do to compensate for her parent's loss in the other world".

"Yes, we will do that. Elsa, my lovely daughter. Please find your peace". The mother and daughter send Elsa a solemn prayer for her soul to find peace.

***

Carole was moved to tears as she watched the mother and daughter reunite. While savoring the moment, she heard Rachel asks her mother.

"Mother I have something to ask. When I was a child, did I experience being confined?"

Lily gasp in horror and looks at Carole for support. The head maid gave her a nod to tell Rachel the truth.

As she trembles to ask the question, "My daughter. Can you tell this mother what you remember?"

Rachel lets out a long sigh. "Just before I passed out in the cubicle, I had a memory of a little me...confined in a small box, and then...there's a woman...she was the one who did it."

When Rachel thinks about how disturbing that memory was, she shudders. Her anxiety started to set in, and she could feel it suffocating her chest.

"Oh! My poor baby. You have been through so much. I'm sorry, it's this mother's fault". Lily keeps crying as though her heart will burst from the pain of her daughter's horrific experience.

Rachel gave her mother a hug and a pat on the back. "Mother don't blame yourself—it wasn't your fault. We are all the victims of someone else's evil deeds."

When her mother stopped sobbing, Rachel calmly asks. "Do you know who she is?"

With intense fear written across their faces, Lily and Carole exchange glances. Rachel observes the two people and waits for their response. Her mother grabs her hand while she trembles so fiercely and lets out a long sigh.

"My daughter. I'm about to tell you something.... please don't..."

Lily could not finish her sentence because the Duke suddenly appeared in the room.

Rachel looks at the person who entered the room and smiled warmly.

"Husband". She murmurs softly while Sebastian nearly leaped to her side.

"My wife". He tightly hugged her, acting as if he couldn't believe she was back. Sebastian's hands are trembling as he doesn't know where to touch her first.

Rachel holds his face to calm her nervous husband. "Honey. I'm here. Your wife is here". She then kissed his cheek and hug him tight.

Sebastian's heart almost explodes in joy. His wife is truly back...and in his arms again.

"My wife please don't do that again. Don't ever leave me". He then kissed her mouth to give her oxygen so that she would truly feel like she was still with him.

Lily and Carole walked out of the room looking very anxious.

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Author's note: Thanks for all your votes & comments. Amazing 81k views didn't expect it guys, my heart is full. Muchisimas gracias😘❤️

*sound track for this chapter: I will spend my whole life loving you by Kina Granis ft. Imaginary future