Andrew's POV

Andrew's youngest sister, Cecilia, took Anne away so she could change her clothes. His father went to discuss the trip with the captain of his guards and what they were going to do to rescue the children. With Anne and Father busy, Andrew went to search for his mother.

As he reached the top of the stairs that led to her bedroom, he saw her coming towards him.

"Andrew!" She ran the rest of the way to him, and he caught her in his arms.

"Mother! I'm so sorry. I'm really sorry."

Mother was crying and laughing at the same time. She looked at his face. "I'm so happy to see you Andrew!"

He hugged her close. 

"They told me you were home and I could hardly believe it. I'm so happy. Are you hungry?"

"I just ate. How are you Mother?"

"I'm good. How are you?"

"I'm good, Mother. I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for what I did."

"I forgive you, Andrew. I love you."

"I want you to know that I've changed. I don't do stupid things anymore."

"That's good. We'll wait for your father to come so you can tell both of us what happened the past year."

"I'm here," Father said, climbing the last step.

"I want to say I'm sorry, Father, for everything I did. I'm sorry I disobeyed you. I'm sorry that I joined the Engeler Knights. I killed innocent people and I fought against David and almost killed him. Can you forgive me?"

Mother put her arms around him, and Father came closer and put a hand on Andrew's shoulder.

"I'm proud of you, son. I'm so proud of you."

Andrew cleared his throat and brushed away some wetness that had pooled in the corner of his eye. How could Father say that he was proud of him? His other brothers had done better and braver things than Andrew ever did. Even his sisters were braver than he was. What did Andrew ever do that was brave? 

Father seemed to read his mind because he said, "It takes a brave man to admit he was wrong."

Andrew coughed and cleared his throat. There's one more thing. When David and I were children, something very bad happened and it was all my fault. Do you remember Daniel? The boy who was beaten to death by his father? I was the one who convinced him to chase the sheep. He didn't want to, but I persuaded him and David. It was my fault the sheep died. David wanted to tell you, but I made him not to. David told me we should tell you how upset Daniel was and that he was afraid of his father. If we would've told you, you could've prevented Daniel's death. It's all my fault. And I'm so sorry."

Mother rubbed his shoulder.

"You were only a child, Andrew, but I understand how you felt and why you didn't tell me," Father said. "But I'm glad you're telling me now. You mother and I have already forgiven you. You just have to believe that God forgives you too."

Both Father and Mother put arms around Andrew and hugged him tight. 

Anne's POV

"Here is a nightdress you can sleep in tonight," Cecilia said to Anne, handing her the dress. "And there's another dress you could wear for tomorrow."

"I can wear the clothes I have on now tomorrow. I'll be riding back to Greendale in the morning."

"Riding so soon?"

"Yes, we left some children there. They were taken from their homes and now the man who took them wants to kill them."

"Oh, that's horrible! My father will definitely arrest him. Is that why you and Andrew came here?"

"Yes. I-"

"Oh! Mother will be so happy to see Andrew again. I hope he is not as angry as he used to be."

"He used to be angry?"

"Yes, mostly at Father. He and Father used to get into arguments all the time. And Andrew used to tease me and my sisters and make us cry sometimes."

"He doesn't sound like a very good brother, but I think he changed."

"Yes, David told my mother and father that he changed. Something happened when he was fighting with the Engeler Knights."

Anne talked with Cecilia as they chose the dress Anne was going to wear the next day. Cecilia was pretty, with her light brown hair (the same color as Andrew's), her sweet smile, and he blue-gray eyes. As Anne listened to her, she wondered how she would have been different if she'd lived life as a duke's daughter. Would she be on this journey running away from a man who was trying to kill her and fifty-two children?

What Cecilia said about Andrew made her heart ache. Life must've been painful for him if he was as angry as Cecilia had said. He didn't seem angry now. He seemed like he wanted to prove himself to his family. 

"I hope Andrew is having a good talk with your mother and father."

"Oh, I'm sure they are. He's been away for a long time. I'm sure they would be too happy to see each other rather than to argue. Do you really think he has changed?"

"Well, I didn't know him before, but he doesn't seem angry at all. I believed he's changed because he's never seemed to be angry to me."

"How long have you been hanging out with him?"

"About two weeks."

"What do you think about my brother?" Cecilia asked.

"Well, Andrew is very brave. He doesn't give up. He feels very sorry about the things he has done wrong. He's very protective about the people he cares about. He is kind, strong, determined..."

"I'm glad to hear that. You haven't met my mother yet, have you? I have a feeling she will love you." She took Anne's hand. "Come on. I want you to meet my mother."

They walked out of Cecilia's room just as another woman emerged from another door down the hall. 

"Mother! You have to meet Anne. Have you seen Andrew yet?"

"Yes, we were just talking with your father."

The woman had kindness that reminded Anne of her own mother. She smiled at Anne as she came towards them. "Anne, I'm Elena, Andrew's mother."

Anne dropped in a curtsy. "Lady Elena, it's my pleasure to meet you."

Cecilia spoke again. "Anne, I'm sure Mother and I would love to hear how you came from Pinecrest with Andrew."

"It's a very long story and I'm sure Lady Elena would rather be spending time with Andrew."

"He's changing his clothes," Lady Elena said. "He'll be downstairs soon. We could go to the library to sit and be comfortable. I would love to hear this story."

They all walked to a library and sat down.

Anne told them how Andrew came into town offering to help kill The Beast. She explained how there were two beats that they killed and how they were kidnapped to work in a mine. 

Lady Elena shook her head. "Well, you two have definitely had an adventure, my dear. Are you okay?"

"Yes. You should be very proud of Lord Andrew, my lady. He stayed awake for two days to make sure we all made it to safety. And now that the children are with some families in Greendale who are guarding them until we can get back there and take them home. But we have to hurry, because my stepfather is looking for them."

"You're saying Andrew did all of that?" Cecilia said with a shocked expression on her face. "I can't imagine him doing that. You both are very brave."

"You certainly are," Lady Elena said, taking Anne's hand. "Thank you for coming here so that my husband can help you save those children." Then, she hugged Anne. Anne returned her hug.

When Lady Elena pulled away, she said, "You are very brave."

"Thank you." Anne had to blink back tears, suddenly missing her own mother. 

"The servants are preparing food right now. But would you like to rest for an hour or so, Anne?"

"That sounds lovely, actually."

Cecilia tugged on her arm. "Let me take you to my room. You can sleep on my bed."