Sofia was now having tea with Alicia. This abrupt meeting was happening despite their lost friendship because it would be difficult for the Duchess to reject the Queen.

“Congratulations on the birth of the new Prince, your Majesty. And I hope the Princess is found soon…” said Alicia.

“Yes, the King is most delighted.” commented Sofia.

“...” both drank their tea in uncomfortable silence.

“So, the reason I’m here is because I find myself feeling nostalgic.” Lied Sofia.

“I see…”

“For that reason, I plan to visit the Duchy. It has been so long since I have been at the old castle.” explained Sofia.

“If that’s what you wish, your Majesty.” answered Alicia, mechanically.

“So, once everything is ready I will be on my way.” finished Sofia.

“Understood.”

“...” Once more the two ladies fell silent. As they drank their tea, while the servants readied the carriage and supplies for the two week travel, Sofia studied Alicia, her mother. 

Despite things having fallen through with her, Sofia was glad that in this time her mother lived. It was regrettable they would never be able to have a mother-daughter relationship, Sofia considered revealing her true identity to Alicia, but after her experiences with Rafael, she was reluctant. Sofia realized she would never be able to receive love from her mother and she accepted this reality. Now she had a daughter of her own and once she reunited with her, Sofia would finally find happiness.

*

Sofia`s journey to Oliveira Duchy had started. As she sat in her carriage, Sofia noted that, by now, Rafael should be feeling the effects of the tea she fed him. As much as poisoning him to death would be enjoyable, the sudden death of the King would only hinder her search for Alice. So, for now, she would content herself with his stomach discomfort.

About one week of travel passed. The Queen`s entourage had stopped for the day at Alves Manor, in Alves County. Sofia was tired of camping out, so having proper accommodations was welcome. It also would be nice to see the place where Tiago had grown up. As she entered the noble manor, Sofia was greeted by the Count and his staff.

“W-welcome, Your Majesty. It is a great honor to host you.” Count Alves greeted with a bow.

“Yes, Count. I’m looking forward to some respite.” said Sofia. “...And, I’m sorry for your loss.”

“...Oh. Thank you, your Majesty.” The Count seemed uncomfortable by the mention of his late son. “My son, Victor, will take you to your chambers.”

“If you will follow me, Your Majesty.” Victor Oliviera, the Count`s eldest, bowed. The resemblance to Tiago was obvious. They had the same eyes and hair color. The differences were, this one kept his hair short, he did not wear an eyepatch, for neither of his eyes were injured and in comparison to his younger brother, he was light build. As an heir, his education had clearly been focused on administrative matters. 

As Victor led Sofia to her chambers, she watched him and couldn’t help but feel herself longing for the late Tiago.

*

It was night. After having dinner with the Alves family, Sofia retired to the chambers which had been accommodated to her. She was relieved it was finally over, for she found sharing a meal with the family of her late secret lover to be uncomfortable. Also, she noticed the noble family seemed stressed over hosting the queen of the nation. Sofia sighed, as tiring as traveling could be and, as much as she needed this rest, she was looking forward to being gone from this place.

In the middle of the night, Sofia was disturbed from her sleep by some rustling. She sat up and looked around. Her gaze stopped at an armchair, despite the darkness Sofia could tell someone was sitting there, watching her.    

As Sofia was frozen, the mysterious visitor spoke, “Hello, my Lady.” It was a voice Sofia was very familiar with. A voice she hadn’t heard for more than a year.

“Tiago?” she tried.

“I’m glad you recognize me.” The man stood and moved closer to Sofia.

She touched his face, meeting features Sofia knew very well. “I thought you were dead!”

“Yes, that accursed husband of yours tried to get rid of me.” Tiago took her hand and moved it to his chest. Sofia could feel a slashing scar, "Fortunately, I managed to make my escape after his assassins took me for dead.”

Sofia touched Tiago. Her hands moved through his face, chest and arms. He was here with her. Being reunited with him was the first good thing in months to happen to her. She had been suffering so much that it heightened her feelings in this reunion. Sofia passionately kissed Tiago. At first, he seemed startled by the sudden display of affection, but soon recovered and joined Sofia in being engulfed by the bliss of it.

*

After reconnecting physically, the two stayed lying in bed awake and talking.

“So, is your family aware you are alive?” asked Sofia. “Or are you just highly sneaky?”

“They know. I told them I was being targeted by disgruntled criminals, so I needed to lay low for a while.” explained Tiago.

“I see. I thought there was something odd with them.” commented Sofia.

“I hear you have two children now…” said Tiago.

“Ha. not quite.” Sofia sighed. “The new Prince is actually of the King`s mistress.”

“And the missing Princess?” asked Tiago.

“She is mine, but now that bastard has himself a replacement, it’s pointless to expect him to find my daughter.” 

“I see married life isn't going very well.” commented Tiago. Sofia found it quite rude.

“So? What is your point?” asked Sofia, somewhat miffed from having her life choices judged.

“Leave the King. Is being a Queen really all that great? Come with me, let's be together.” offered Tiago.

“What? It is not that simple. And you are basically a fugitive, if I leave to be with someone taken for dead, Rafael would actually kill you this time.” rejected Sofia. 

“We can be on the run together!” Tiago seemed quite excited at the prospect.

“A-and I have to find my daughter! I’m not giving up on her to be with you.” protested Sofia.

“We can look for her together.” offered Tiago.

“Ha! And, if we find her, would you be pleased raising Rafael`s child?” asked Sofia.

“Is she his, though?” 

“What?” asked Sofia, “What do you mean by that?”

“By the timing, she could easily actually be mine, couldn’t she?” pointed Tiago.

“Well…” she made the math in her head, it was true Tiago could be the real father.

“And, with the Duke dead you have less pressure to keep this marriage going.” commented Tiago. Sofia noted he had a point, but it was weird of him to bring Miguel up.

Sofia sighted, “I can’t run with you, I have to visit Oliveira Castle.” She still planned to investigate the family records for clues to time travel.

“...Ugh, why are you so hellbend on keeping this charade going?” Tiago seemed irritated, “You won't need to keep pretending if you are with me.”

“...What do you mean by that?” Sofia felt the discussion was taking an odd turn.

“I know you are not Monica.” revealed Tiago. Sofia`s eyes went wide and she let go of his hand. How did he know? Since when? He was the first one to suspect her identity, she was not prepared for this situation, especially just after their being together. She felt vulnerable.

“H-how? When?” 

“Since the very beginning. It was obvious to me that you were an impostor. I just didn’t know if Duke Oliveira was in on it or not.” confessed Tiago.

“So, you approached me to verify my intentions?” asked Sofia.

“No! What do you take me for?” Tiago caressed Sofia’s face, “You just happened to be my type.” Sofia felt goosebumps, Tiago`s gaze met her, but it was like she was not the one he was looking at.

Sofia turned her face away from his touch, “How did you know I wasn't the real Monica?”

“Because she died in the woods.” answered Tiago.

“A-and how to you know that?” asked Sofia, her discomfort was increasing. 

“My family helped in the search when Monica went missing. I saw her fall down a cliff when I was looking for her. Before I could notify anyone, the Duke brought you as the stand in. Initially I thought he was replacing her. To think he really thought you were her.” explained Tiago.

“B-but, did you confirm she was truly dead? How were you so certain I was an impostor, I managed to fool everyone else? ” asked Sofia.

“...Well, there were various reasons, but one of them was,” Tiago ran his hand down Sofia`s leg, he lifted it and kissed her ankle, “ When we first spent the night together, I noticed your birthmark was missing.”

“W-what? Monica had a birthmark in her ankle? Was it shaped like an hourglass?”

“...I guess.” Tiago found it weird she was so focused on the shape.

 “It can’t be!” Monica also had the birthmark. It was the third person in the family Sofia knew had one, but it also being in the ankle worried her. It was located in the same place as Alice`s. How could that be? What did it mean? Sofia knew Alice traveled through time, but she was just a baby, even if she went to the past how would she create a connection with House Oliveira? Monica was supposed to be Miguel`s twin sister, they couldn’t be the same person.

Tiago caressed Sofia`s neck, it stirred her from her thoughts. “What got you so distracted? You really weren`t expecting someone would find you out, weren't you?”

“...I was just… how did you know of Monica`s birthmark? Rafael didn’t notice it.” asked Sofia.

Tiago looked away for a moment, “I saw it when she lost her shoe in the woods.” Sofia didn’t know if he was upset at the mention of Rafael or if there was something he was hesitant to speak of.

“And are you sure she is dead?” asked Sofia. She needed to know more about Monica.

“Yes. She fell down a cliff. I saw it myself.” confirmed Tiago.

“But, did you go down and check?”

“What was there to check? She could not have survived that.” answered Tiago. Sofia concluded that, If his story was true the only way for Monica to have survived was to, much like Sofia herself and Alice, time travel in her time of danger. She apparently did have the birthmark.

“Take me there.” commanded Sofia.

“What?”

“I want to see it for myself.” Regardless if Monica and Alice were the same person, the fate of Monica was an important clue which could help Sofia to learn of a way to be reunited with her daughter.

“But why?” asked Rafael.

Sofia got out of the bed, “Well, I need to find out if she is truly dead. It would be bad for me if she were to suddenly return.” she lied.

*

Before dawn, Sofia and Tiago sneaked out of the manor in inconspicuous clothes and made their way to the woods. “Are you ok?” she asked, noticing his limp.

“...the King`s assassins…” was his answer. Sofia recalled noticing a new scar on his leg. 

Once at the woods Tiago led Sofia to the cliff.

“So this is where Monica fell from?” asked Sofia looking down the cliff.

“Yes.” confirmed Tiago.

“This is quite far from any path her carriage could be traveling through…” commented Sofia.

“She must have wandered in a daze after the accident.” responded Tiago.

“But to get all the way here? And how did she feel?” Sofia stomped down, “the ground seems stable enough.”

“...” Tiago remained silent. Sofia looked at him.

“She was quite taken by Rafael. Wasn't she?” commented Sofia. She noticed Tiago grit his teeth. Sofia looked away, “Well, perhaps she was fleeing from some beast and didn’t notice the fall.” offered Sofia.

“Yes, perhaps.” agreed Tiago standing behind Sofia. She stood between him and the cliff.

Sofia turned to face Tiago, “Good. I guess she won't be getting in my way then.” she smiled. Tiago was a bit taken aback, before he could say anything though, Sofia grabbed him by the collar and kissed him deeply. He soon was once again entranced by her. 

As they kissed, Sofia opened her eyes, coldly. She observed Tiago was drunk in pleasure. This man killed Monica. Sofia did not know the details, whether he was responsible for Monica`s carriage accident or only took advantage of the situation was beyond her. What she did know was, this obsessed man pursued Monica through the woods and that led to her falling down this cliff. Monica losing her shoe must have happened while she was fleeing from him. 

After losing Monica, Tiago must have been quite shocked when he saw Sofia at the ball. Was he then relieved to have found a replacement for his affections? Sofia was disgusted to think she had reciprocated him. What a fool she was, to entangle herself with this murdered. And, if Monica and her Alice were the same person that would mean the one who fell down this cliff was her daughter. Well, Sofia was soon going to find out whether she died or once again traveled through time.

*

Tiago was elated, this one kissing him accepted him, sins and all. At first, he was worried when it seemed like she was suspecting him to be responsible for Monica`s death, but to think not only she did not care, she approved of it. Well, it was true the death of Monica had been beneficial to this impostor. Not only she had been able to live as a noble, she even became queen!  Now all he had to do was convince her to join him. Once they got rid of the King he would be free to go out of hiding. She would become Queen Dowager, and he would be her secret paramour. Since his attack on Duchess Oliveira had resulted in her miscarriage and thanks to someone getting rid of the Duke, the Impostor`s child would most likely inherit the title. Now all they had to do was get rid of the Prince and find the missing Princess. Tiago was convinced she was actually his daughter. To think he fathered the heir to the throne and the duchy!

As he was enthralled by the kiss and his own ambitious thoughts, Tiago felt himself leaning towards his partner`s body, almost as if he was being intentionally pulled. Suddenly, before he could do anything about it, he found himself falling down the cliff. But, he wasn't alone, for in no point the Impostor let go of him. Was this an accident? She wouldn't throw herself with him. Before Tiago could make sense of anything, the Impostor disappeared from his arms. In her stead there was only sand, which was spread away by the wind.

As the bewildered Tiago rushed down towards the hard, deadly ground, he saw a masked, one armed woman watching him fall. That was the last thing Sir Tiago Alves saw before meeting his end.