Page 83 of Enchanted in Time

After the dense veil of mist had moved on, they started to make their way home. Hannah had convinced the children to save a thorough trek through the woods for another day, when she could show them the route she had taken with Maximilian and Irmgard. Maybe they would even find Mirabelle’s hut. This time, they would go to the top of Rupertsberg, and Leon promised to not be afraid anymore. For now he knew that the unicorns were close at hand and that they would protect human beings if a troll or evil forest gnome approached.

They strolled back to the castle, with its towers so high that Hannah and the kids had to lean their heads way back to see the spires. Up above, a flag was blowing in the wind. They returned to the castle courtyard, where the coachman was indeed still waiting for them. Hannah breathed a sigh of relief. She would not have enjoyed being stuck with her kids in this place that didn’t get any reception—although it could very well be that she hadn’t gotten a signal before because she had traveled through time.

Hannah smiled to herself. She had traveled back in time, ridden on a unicorn, watched as a prince turned into a bear, and battled the Evil, trolls, boggarts, and forest gnomes. What a fabulous adventure!

The coachman came down from the box and held the door. One by one, Emi, Leon, Marco, and Frieda all climbed in. When Hannah’s turn came, she looked back at the castle one last time. “Farewell, Maximilian. I hope you’re well, wherever you are. And many, many thanks for everything!” And by that, she meant more than the treasure chest.

Just as she was about to turn around, the castle portal opened. Was the building inhabited after all? Could a descendant of Maximilian’s be living there? But when she saw who stepped through the door, for a moment, her heart stoodstill. She went weak in the knees, and a shiver—the kind that she hadn’t felt in a long, long time—ran down her spine.

There, on the steps, standing inside the entrance to the lordly castle, was Prince Maximilian von Lichtenberg. He was magnificent to behold in his dark-blue uniform. His blond hair was parted on the side and neatly combed, and his black boots gleamed. He looked at her with his sea-green eyes as if he had been expecting her. And in his hand, he held the red purse she had left behind in the past.

Hannah blinked hard a number of times. Was she seeing things? This couldn’t be true!

Frieda laid her wrinkled hand on Hannah’s shoulder. “He waited for you.”

“But how can that be? I traveled through time to help him.”

“Well... he did, too.”

“Frieda...”

“I may have coerced you into taking on this adventure without your consent, dear Hannah, but I certainly wouldn’t deny you your happy ending!”

Hannah grew teary-eyed.

“Mommy, is that the prince?” Emi asked.

Hannah’s heart beat faster and faster as Prince Maximilian slowly descended the castle steps. Her knees were about to give way, and her hands were trembling. She was at a total loss for words, when Frieda nudged her from behind. She stumbled a few paces toward Maximilian, and when he stopped and spread his arms, her heart leapt.

Hannah walked toward him as if in slow motion, afraid that a sudden movement could burst the dream like a bubble. But no matter how close she came to the prince, he still remained real, still stood there smiling at her.

She fell into his arms, and he caught her, held her tight, and supported her, just as she had needed all these years. A littlelater, she felt the children around her legs. The three of them had rushed over as well, as though they had already embraced Maximilian as a part of their lives.

Hannah’s time of existential fears was over. With Maximilian, she now had someone by her side who supported her in everything. He loved the children as if they were his own, and even the little ones seemed relieved that the void had been filled. No one could ever replace their natural father, and they would never forget him any more than Hannah would. But Maximilian gave them strength and assurance. They felt at ease in his presence and could sense how good he was for their mother.

The kingdom was not consigned to oblivion, and the castle did not fall into decay. Hannah and Maximilian never left each other again but spent their days in happiness and contentment. And if they haven’t died, then they’re still alive today!

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