The royal carriage rolled gently through the golden plains, its velvet curtains parted just enough to let the breeze in. Inside, Prince Gabriel sat beside his mother, Queen Bianca, the two bathed in afternoon sunlight.
Laughter filled the cabin.
"It's been so long, my son," Bianca said, her voice soft but radiant. "You've grown so much. Just seeing you like this… it brings tears to my eyes."
Gabriel chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "You're embarrassing me, Mother."
"I know, I know," she said, dabbing at her eyes with a silk handkerchief. "But still, I'm just so glad to have you near again."
"You haven't changed at all either," Gabriel replied warmly. "You're still as beautiful as ever. Honestly, it's like you're aging backward."
Bianca laughed, gently patting his hand. "Oh, what a lovely son I have."
Their carriage creaked softly as it continued down the royal path, flanked by knights on horseback.
