The bouquet of white lilies and roses were beautifully resting in Rocío’s arms as she anxiously waited by the door. The sunlight of the spring day was breathing its last upon the estate, casting a pink glow upon the luscious gardens and towering stone building, the height of the manor sending part of the grounds into a dark blue shadow, with it bringing a cool breeze.

As she stood on the stone steps, Rocío recalled one of her most precious memories of Santiago. She had been about fourteen at the time, after Renata’s passing, she could barely bring herself out of bed, let alone outside of her bedroom. She remembered the endless days of darkness and how many times she’d refused meals. She remembered the look her mother gave her for that horrid year after Renata’s death. She recalled how her heart ached and writhed at the black hole the absence of her sister had left behind. 

Santiago had been the only one to constantly check on her, he’d sneak sweets into her bedroom, and bring her new stuffed toys whenever he could. He’d sit next to her as she wept on her bed, caressing her head and always saying the right words to make her feel better. How he’d taken such care of her during those very hard years, how he listened to her and supported her, she’d never forget. 

 In the distance, her eyes caught sight of a horse approaching past a hill, her heart swelled in her chest. No matter how long he was away from home she missed him, whether it was a day or months. 

“There he is!” Elena cheered.

Rocío smiled and lifted herself on the tips of her toes to possibly get a better look, squinting her eyes to focus better on him. She could barely see her brother, but just by the colour of his clothes she was able to tell it was him. A smile stretched her lips as she waved while the figure approached and became bigger and bigger in the far horizon.

Elena was bouncing on the tips of her feet, she too was waving ecstatically, and although Rocío was as happy as her younger sister, if not more, she kept as calm as she could so as to not taint her prestigious image. 

It wasn’t long before Santiago reached the entrance of the estate, followed by a group of knights. His mahogany hair glistened in the red glow of the setting sun, and there was a bright smile on his small lips, the ends of the scar on his cheek wrinkled. 

“Santiago!” Elena yelled out as she ran to his horse, which had stopped a few ways away from the stairs that led up to the entrance of the estate, where Rocío waited patiently. 

Santiago all but jumped from his horse as gracefully as he could, taking Elena into his arms and hugging her tightly. Elena clung to him, and she laughed as he twirled her a little. 

“You’ve finally returned!” She giggled as he gently set her down again, her blue dress fanning around her.

Santiago ruffled her hair. “I wasn’t gone for that long, Eli,” he laughed.

Elena wrapped her arm around his. “It’s been nearly half a year since I last saw you,” she frowned. “You know Rocío isn’t much fun, so I missed you lots.” Her long dark lashes fluttered as she blinked and pouted.

Rocío cleared her throat as she walked down the stone steps elegantly, her red satin dress flowing behind her. 

“Rosie,” he affectionately called her before wrapping her in a tight embrace. He set a kiss on her hairline and pulled away. “Did Eli annoy you too much?”

Rocío’s painted red lips stretched into a soft smile. “Worry not, Santi, she wasn’t that bad.”

“Excuse me!” Elena pouted, “I’m not annoying!”

Both Rocío and Santiago let out laughter, filling the air around them with joy.  “Sometimes you can be a little bit much,” Santiago teased, “but I prefer it that way.”

Elena pinched Santiago’s arm, causing him to flinch but laugh even more. After his loud and hearty laugh died down, Rocío handed the flowers to her brother, who accepted them bashfully.

“Thank you, Rosie, you’re much too kind to me,” he kissed her on the cheek. “You always make me feel appreciated and loved,” he said with a soft smile on his lips.

Rocío felt her nose sting and she blinked away the tears that threatened to gloss over her eyes. “You would do the same,” she shrugged as if it were nothing. 

Santiago’s smile faded as he looked at the big wooden doors of the estate, noting that his parents hadn’t come to greet him. “Father must be quite busy,” he commented.

Rocío and Elena frowned. Rocío followed her brother’s gaze to the entrance and sighed, “Well, you know Father always prioritizes work,” she mumbled.

“And Mother?” He asked, brown eyes glimmering with what Rocío could immediately tell was hope.

“She…” Rocío smiled helplessly, “she said she was feeling under the weather.”

“Oh,” Santiago did his best not to frown, “will she be alright?”

Elena nodded, “Don’t worry, Santi, it seems she just caught a minor cold, that’s all. Anyway, the chefs prepared your favourite! Picada and beef stew, and Rocío and I were able to find the egg tarts at a patisserie!”

“The egg tarts were supposed to be a surprise, Eli,” Rocío deadpanned, casting her sister a murderous glance.

Elena tittered as she shrugged. “Surprise!” She smiled as she tilted her head to the side innocently. She fluttered her lashes to garner sympathy from her siblings.

Santiago brought his sisters into a hug once more. “What did I ever do to deserve the world’s most perfect sisters?”

“Awn,” Elena fawned as she hugged her brother tightly.

“And you are the best brother out there,” Rocío added as she too returned the hug.

“Now,” Santiago pulled away, “Let’s go have some good food, I won't lie, I’m starving.” He said as he led the two young women up the stairs and into the estate.

The siblings had enjoyed the lovely dinner that the staff had prepared for them. As they ate, they talked about Santiago’s long journey and how their territories were doing.  He’d told them of the troubling drought at Stella's southern edge, and how he’d helped devise a water retention plan now that the rainy season was fast approaching. He’d also told them of the temperate climate in their northern city, Roa, and how the people were very kind and honest with him.