After Marinus healed the pixie with his bracelets, he received the letter that Theanore was going home. But she was not alone, Cassius and Empress Orlena were going with her.

Which made Marinus worried. Did that mean that Theanore liked Cassius better than him? Would she ignore him when he went home? The pixies spared him a guide to the grotto, and in three days he was there.

Eliza and duke Orlock waited for him there with the divorce paperwork. Eliza glared at his smile and called him a worm, but the duke shushed her. Marinus couldn’t have signed faster. Now, only Theanore’s marriage had to be dissolved and things will go back to how they used to be.

Theanore greeted him with a hug and a chocolate chip cookie, Cassius did so with a frown. Marinus enjoyed this frown. Let these royals know that his nymph was not going to abandon him.

“Thea, when are you going to divorce Cassius?” Asked Marinus as he ate his cookie. Cassius pointed a finger at him and pulled out his practice sword from his belt.

“There won’t be a divorce, Marinus. And if you insist on it, then we will duel.” Said Cassius. Theanore looked at Cassius with a guilty expression on her face.

“Can’t I be married to both you, Cassy and Mari?” She asked. Both boys blanched.

“Where did you read it was possible?” Asked Marinus, and then he glared at Cassius. “Did you put such thoughts into her head?”

“I read it in a fairy tale. The main character married seven dwarves.” Said Theanore. If someone could marry seven people, then she could marry two.

“Thea, you didn’t finish that story. Snow White didn’t marry the dwarves. She hid from her stepmother at their home.” Said Cassius.

“I prefer not to leave anyone behind.” Said Theanore. “I want to have two best friends!”

“Thea, you can’t.” Said Marinus resolutely. “A person can have only one best friend. It is either me or Cassius. No one else.”

“Don’t pressure her into deciding.” Said Cassius. He knew that if it came to a decision, then he would not be picked. “Besides, marriage is sacred, Thea. And I will be sad if you leave me.”

Theanore placed both of her hands on her ears and ran off. She preferred not to choose. She ran until she found the lake. The first wild flowers had sprouted around it, and she began to pick them up and weave them into a crown.

When she was done, she went to Marferik’s home on the other side of the lake. She placed the crown on top of his nose and sat by him.

“Marfy, why can’t things be simpler?” Asked Theanore with a sigh. Marferik opened his eye and looked down at his dungeon core.

“What should be simpler, little nymph? And welcome home.” Said Marferik. The dragon missed his hugs and belly rubs that Theanore gave him. The rest of the children didn’t dare come close to him.

“Mari says I should divorce Cassy. Cassy says that he will be sad if I do so. I just want to have friends.” Said Theanore with a sigh. Marferik exhaled a puff of smoke that tickled the nymph. She giggled.

“I say get the divorce and don’t remarry until you are older. If they love you, they will stick around. If not, you will find someone else, Thea. Now give me a belly rub.” Said the massive dragon, and he rolled to the side.

Theanore looked around until she found the brush she used to give Marferik belly rubs, and when she found her, she found a lot of gold stashed underneath it.

“Marfy, what is this?” Asked Theanore. Did Marferik attack someone for the gold?

“This is my hoard, little nymph. All that remains from my former core. Belly rub, now.” Said Marferik and Theanore took the brush and began to brush the dragon’s belly. He purred and rested his head next to Theanore.

“Marfy, you will always be my friend, right?” Asked Theanore.

“Always, little nymph. Now tell your boys they will have to wait. And if the prince doesn’t give you a divorce, you bring him here to meet me. I will have a stern talking to with him. Fire might be involved.” Said Marferik.

Theanore left then, and she found both boys looking for her by the lake. She came to them and spoke.

“Cassy, I want a divorce.” She said. Marinus jumped up as Cassius’ shoulders slumped.

“Mari, I won’t marry anyone until I am older. Marfy said I shouldn’t.” Said Theanore, and it was Marinus’ turn to have his shoulders slumping.

“But Thea…” Tried to say Marinus, but Theanore raised a finger to her lips.

“Furthermore, I no longer want to be a princess. I renounce my title and the land I am is only claimed by me as a dungeon core. There, now your father won’t have anything against the divorce, Cassy.” Said Theanore.

“Can I still stay here, Thea? Mother can go home. In fact, she must. But can I stay here until the baby is born?” Asked Cassius. Theanore nodded and went to hug him and pat him on the back. Then she extended her hand towards Marinus, and he joined the group hug.

“I want us to be friends and I want to work for the people of the region. I want to start enchanting again with Mari, and I want everyone to be happy. So, I will do my best. Can you both promise to do your best too?” Asked Theanore. Both boys nodded.

They found Orlena in Crassus’ house, speaking with Esmer. They told her of everything, and she promised that as long as Theanore never took full control of the land again, she was free to do as she wished.

With a final hug to Orlena, Luca teleported her back to the palace. Lucius decided to see the forest of plenty with his friends, and Theanore was free to stay at her grotto and expand it.