The return back to Galraen was not eventful in the slightest, making Katie wonder how they'd gotten into so much trouble the first time around. 

With only the empty forests and occasional stops for breaks, it didn't take long for them to return to their home kingdom. Katie rode her horse in the back, bickering or joking with the twins and some other friends but she would sometimes glance forward to where Keith rode in the front, leading everyone. She wished to converse with him again because there was just so much that still needed to be said between them, but their status was too different and she worried for his reputation if it was revealed he was fond of her. They still had much too many topics to speak of including their relationship secrecy and how they would stay together while she was a knight and he a future king.

Katie sighed, resting her head against Bandit's smooth mane as her eyes fell on the familiar forest around Emberlands where Keith and her were once captured. Shivering to herself, she looked away, not even the slightest bit curious of how the guild of thieves were doing now, especially the man with the red feathered arrows and the woman they called boss. 

She had come so far into this journey that her traumatic experience would soon become nostalgic for her as a topic of growth and strength.

She told herself not to worry. She wouldn't come across those kinds of people again.

Within a few days, Katie was finally able to spot the large golden gates of Galraen that she hadn't seen for too long. With every person that entered, the crowd of people grew larger around the trail, cheering and celebrating the victory of the army. Banners and posters were decorated for the names for the soldiers of each family and even rare fireworks were released to mark the return. 

Katie couldn't help but smile widely as she looked around, greeted by the familiar scene of the people and the kingdom grounds she called home.

"They appreciate us."

Katie heard Mark mutter as he looked upon the people cheering for them, and she couldn't agree more. These people didn't care about her gender at the moment or why she became a knight disguised as a man. They were only grateful for her return at the moment and that was all she needed right now.

They rode their horses through the trail of the cheering citizens until they finally reached the castle where the royal family was standing outside.

Keith gracefully unmounted his horse and immediately kneeled before his parents, the king and the queen.

"I have finished the mission you've given me." He said as he lowered his head before his father, "I have led our army into victory but not solely. I do not wish to receive the credit alone."

"You may lift your head." The king said and as soon as Keith stood up, the queen tackled him into a hard hug.

"Mother." Keith's body naturally relaxed in his mother's arms, "I have returned safely."

"..You are not to leave this kingdom again." The queen only responded, releasing a heavy sigh of relief, "No more wars for you."

Keith smiled, patting her back as his father turned to the galra they brought from the destroyed kingdom.

"For those who have lost your kingdom, you are welcome here until it has been rebuilt." He said, running his eyes through all kinds of galra present from the eldest to the youngest, "We will offer you refuge. You are welcome to leave at any time."

The eldest galra nodded, lowering her head in respect before they were all escorted to their new homes by the castle guards. Now all that remained were the knights in the army that went to war and the helping crew of cooks and healers.

"For every citizen here, the kingdom will host a special banquet and the giving of individual rewards at a later day. For now, you are welcome to return to your families and receive well-deserved rest."

Without another word, the royal family including Keith entered the castle gates, and the remaining members whooped amongst themselves, hugging their comrades and celebrating their safe arrival. Katie found Hunk and her family amongst the chaos of yelling men, and she hugged each one individually, grateful for every moment spent with them. She thought she would even cry happy tears when she was in the embrace of her brother and father again, but she knew those would definitely come later on when she met her mother again.

"The only person missing is Shiro, but he'll eventually come back to us." Hunk sighed as he ruffled Katie's hair, "Don't worry, he's a strong person."

"Yes, of course." She smiled as her eyes ran towards Alina and Lance towards the middle of the crowd.

"Alina!" Katie called out immediately as she ran towards her, throwing her arms around the taller woman, nearly making her fall back in surprise.

"Wow, no hi?" Lance sighed beside them, watching the two women.

"She brought me back to life after my heart stopped." Katie commented, making his eyes widen.

"Fair enough." He whistled, crossing his arms as he turned to the beautiful woman before him, prepared to start a pick-up line until he was interrupted, "Hey, girl—"

"You're not allowed to flirt with her." Katie scowled at Lance's attempt after drawing back from the hug, making him baffled.

"Hey!"

Alina could only giggle, her cheeks already becoming flushed from Katie's compliments and Lance's low efforts to seduce her in the midst of their bickering. Leaving Lance and Aline be, Katie found Carlos and the other knights again conversing amongst themselves and joined in.

"Miss Pidge! Look, I found my sword again!" Carlos exclaimed as he proudly held it up, "The empress returned it to me before we left."

"I'm glad you were able to find it." Katie smiled, patting the back of the younger boy she never would've become friends with if it weren't for this journey.

After making promises to meet up later with all her friends, Katie and her family returned to their small house hesitantly where the last member of their family was waiting. The last Katie had seen her mother was in the hospital after collapsing, which made her feel guilty again for not staying by her side. 

As soon as the door opened to her mother who had not aged a single second from when they left, Katie's tears finally came out.

"Mom...your...disobedient daughter has.. returned." She said through her tears before her mother wrapped her in her motherly arms and the familiar warmth.

"Oh, Katie." Her mother could only say as she also cried seeing the family she thought she had lost, "You've come back to me safely. That's all that matters."

They stayed in the comfort of their small house and family, speaking of their unending stories and trauma they'd gone through until Katie and Matt fell asleep in the arms of their parents.

The rest of their days were spent rebuilding the relationship they once had as a small family and Katie receiving the much needed scolding from her mother about running away into the palace knights and disguising herself as a man. She knew she deserved it so she didn't even try to defend her in anything even though Hunk sometimes supported her side when he came over. 

Beside that, the family also awaited news of Shiro who was seen to be slowly improving with time from help of a psychologist.

Sometimes Katie was sent secret letters from Keith by messenger birds during the day to meet up at night in an unseen area so they could meet up and talk of everything that had happened to them. Their relationship was still unknown by their own families, but Katie knew it was an inevitable event to come when they would know one day. Until then, she wanted to enjoy the time she spent with Keith.

"How will we tell our parents about us?" Katie asked one day as they laid on a comfortable hill under the stars, holding his hand, "How will your parents react?"

"My mother was already aware from the beginning that I was in love with you." Keith sighed, his hand tightening over hers, "I don't have the engagement with Allura anymore so I can only hope they do not put me in another one."

Katie sighed at the thought as Keith turned to her with questions,

"But what about your parents? Would they approve of me?" He asked so earnestly, sitting up quickly that Katie almost laughed.

The prince of the kingdom was worried about what her parents thought of him?

"They'll love you." She smiled, sitting up as well, "You're going to be a good king."

"What about a good husband?" He asked cheekily, making Katie shove him playfully.

"That's too early." She rolled her eyes before Keith cupped her cheeks in his hands, "You really think we would end up at that stage?"

"I've been pining for you for so long." Keith said as he lightly pecked her cheek before her forehead, "I'm not letting go of you anytime soon."

Katie smiled at the sight of Keith in front of her before leaning in and doing the unthinkable. It had been weeks since they both confessed yet this was their first time kissing properly.

Keith didn't react immediately from the surprise attack but after a moment, he wrapped his arms around Katie, pulling her closer to him and kissing her back.

They were beginners who had never kissed anyone else before so it was sloppy and awkward, but it only brought more joy to them when they broke apart laughing.

"I like you a lot, Katie." Keith said as he hugged her, pulling her back into his arms, "Please, stay with me forever."

"I'll never leave." Katie smiled against his broad shoulders, his scent filling her senses, "I like you a lot too, Keith."

—————————————-

A/N

Sorry for the late upload but it's finally the second to last chapter..! 

I can't believe this is finally reaching the end :')

I'll see you all in two weeks for the finale and a message towards everyone who's been with me since the beginning.

Until then, have a good day <3

-Sil