At dinner time, Lucy''s arrival had the pce maids bustling about.


    Theodore had gone all out and prepared avish banquet to celebrate Lucy''s long-awaited visit.


    A selection of pricey fruits, freshly flown in from the tropics, adorned the table.


    Lucy felt a bit out of ce.


    The table was heaped with food she could not possibly eat alone, but the invitation was too generous to refuse.


    Theodore wanted to give Lucy the very best.


    He carefully offered her slices of steak and a tter of the fancy fruits.


    "Lucy, try this steak. I cooked it myself just for you. It''s a sirloin steak, brought by a visiting noble. I''ve tasted it-it''s really tender and delicious," Theodore said as he served her, making sure to check in on her.


    "Lucy, I''ve heard that Matthew''spany has run into some trouble recently. Is that right?"


    Lucy smiled at Theodore, saying, "Thank you. I haven''t kept up with Matthew''spanytely, but I''m sure he can handle any challenge. Don''t worry about it!"N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Theodore was not worried about Matthew. He knew that with Matthew''s experience in business, Leon Corporation was in good hands.


    Juliana arrived a bitte and sat down across from Lucy.


    "Velda, have you lost weight?"


    A mother always knew her daughter best. Seeing Lucy''s cheeks a bit hollowed, Juliana felt a pang of sadness.


    Lucy had been through a lot over the years. She was finally back in the pce now, Juliana regretted not being able to give her the very best.


    Putting down her cutlery, Lucy exined, "Mom, I''ve been so busy with my drawing that I sometimes miss meals."


    Juliana frowned at that.


    "And your husband? Why hasn''t he..."


    Lucy cut her off, "It''s not his fault. It''s on me. Matthew is really good to me and always makes sure I eat."


    Lucy thought back to how Matthew


    had tried to wake her for a meal, but she wanted to sleep in, which ended up with him catching a cold on the couch. She felt guilty about it


    QUMS


    Juliana rxed. "I was worried Matthew was growing distant from you."


    Lucy did not understand why her mother would think that, but she knew exactly how Matthew felt about her.


    Matthew would have given Lucy the stars and the moon if he could. Lucy


    wassed by his kindness that


    she could not even begin to think he was distant from her.


    "Mom, you''re worrying too much! Matthew is really good to me. I''ve decided to be with him for the rest of my life. I''m so happy with him, so you don''t have to worry," Lucy reassured her mother.


    Hearing that, Juliana''s worries were cut in half.


    "That''s wonderful, that''s wonderful... Make sure you and Matthewe visit the pce more often. We can''t let our family drift apart," the queen said.


    Juliana had missed out on over 20 years of Lucy''s life, so her joy at having Lucy back was even greater than most would feel.


    She could not stand the thought of anyone mistreating Lucy.


    Just then, Charlotte came downstairs. She had cheered up. For some reason, she had also changed into a new dress. Lucy could not help but smile. Charlotte seemed to think the family get-together was her own personal fashion show.