When they arrived back to Kaer Morhen, Victoria was ready to see what things her and Triss could confront during her time there.

As they all entered through the doors, Geralt was the first to speak. "I brought dinner."

Vesemir turned around and eyed Triss. The man smiled. "More than that. My child, what a surprise."

Victoria watched as Geralt dropped the boar. As soon as he stood upright again, she tossed the rabbit carcass to him, smirking. The witcher sent her a look, telling her immediately that she would pay for that later.

"Oh, hell, haven't even had me fill of grog yet." Lambert said as he and Coen approached. "And already, the women are doubling."

"It's too bad for you, we're all off limits." Victoria stated as she sank back down into her wheelchair.

"Merigold."
"Lambert. I see your wounds have improved, but your manners have not."

They chuckled.

"I wish you'd come sooner. We all could have used you." Vesemir said in a gruff tone.

"Hopefully we still can."

"If not, I know I can." Victoria said. Triss turned and pinched her face with a smile.

Triss stepped forward. "I'll go and dress for dinner. I assume you'll all want to wash up as well?"

Victoria looked around as Coen scoffed, followed by Lambert's laughter.

"Of course not. Come on, Tori. I have a beautiful dress for you to wear."

Geralt's eyes met hers, and he stroked her cheek before she wheeled herself after the mage.

"So, I see you've gotten your strength back." Triss said to her.

"For the most part, yes. I'm still in teaching. I've doubled my meditations as well."

Triss smiled. "That's good. And how has Geralt been with all of this?"

Victoria hummed. "Um, he's been very understanding about most of it. . . When he's not keeping an eye on Ciri."

Triss stared at her. "I know that you know how difficult it is, taking care of her. It was dropped on you both, although it was dropped on him a long time ago. .  But although he's focused on Ciri, don't forget your importance."

Victoria bit down on her lip. "I'm just tired of being underestimated."

"Then show them that you're not to be." Triss said. "You, Victoria, are a princess. A pix sorceress— the rarest beings in the world. You'll soon be more powerful than you can imagine."

"What if I can't contain the power?" She asked. "What if it becomes too much to handle?"

"After time, your body will make the accurate adjustments to savor the power. From what you've seen it may be consequential, it will be painful, but being on the right path to learning control, you're already one step ahead."

Victoria watched as Triss stepped towards her. "This wheelchair doesn't define you."

As she sat there, she attempted to wiggle her toes within her boots. She clenched her jaw and tried again as Triss changed. After a minute, she felt her heart swell as they moved.

"I wish to believe you're right." Victoria said to Triss.
The mage turned and held up a beautiful beige dress.

"This will look beautiful on you. Geralt won't know how to react."

Triss moved forward and reached for her arms. She helped her out of her winter attire before pulling the dress on over her head.

"Gorgeous," she whispered. "And here's something you might like."

Triss pulled a small broach from her bag. It was a silver flower.

"It's beautiful, Triss. Thank you."

She smiled. "Now, let's go, before Lambert takes our plates."

As they entered the hall, Ciri's eyes widened at the sight of the two as they walked towards the tables. Geralt — who had just finished cutting the meat, lifted his eyes. He watched as Victoria moved towards the table beside him.

"You're beautiful." He said quietly. Victoria's face turned crimson, and she smiled at him.

"I'm starving." Ciri groaned. "Can I start?"

"It's quieter in here than I remember."
"More food for the rest of us." Coen said.

Victoria reached for her mead as Geralt poured her a drink.

"Aren't there any herbs or mushrooms for me today?"

Triss's eyebrows knitted together. "In December?"

Lambert cleared his throat as he leaned towards Ciri. "That windmill knock your head about, princess?"

Victoria cleared her throat as she ate a piece of bread.

"So," Ciri began as she looked to Triss. "Geralt said you saved his life."

"He found himself in my kingdom a time ago. Helped me with a. . . Princess in trouble."

"Nastier than you, even." Geralt commented.

"He's not joking. She took a big chunk out of him. But he saved her, anyway."

"Well, you healed my cheek. Seems pretty impressive, too."

Victoria stared at her plate as she picked at the meat. It was difficult not to become insecure and underestimate even herself.

"I like your dress." Ciri said to Triss. "And yours, Victoria."

"Thank you."

Ciri swallowed her drink. "Would you like me to show you around the keep?"

"I actually know this place pretty well."

"When Geralt told me what Triss had done for him, I invited her here."

Victoria looked away from the table.

"I brought her here for you." Geralt said to Ciri. "To help guid you."

"What, like Mousesack did for my mother?"

"Just like Mousesack."

Ciri looked back to Triss, who smiled at her.

"But now it's time for bed." Geralt said.

Ciri objected as she leaned her elbows on the table. "I'm not tired."

"All right, come on, you little rat." Coen said to her. "I'll play a few rounds of snaps with you before bed. Maybe, I might even let you win."

Ciri scoffed. "Yeah, you wish. Goodnight, everyone."

"Goodnight, Ciri."

Victoria sank in the silence that was deafening to her. She looked between the two before leaning back.

"I'm going to head to bed," her voice was quiet, and Geralt knew something was wrong. The witcher reached for her hand, but she pulled away. She offered him a small smile before making her way to the hall.

She entered her room on the verge of tears. She began going through her things, placing her father's book into her bag before placing it over her shoulder.

Victoria pulled herself out of the wheelchair before traveling towards the window. The snow was cold against her face as she slipped out, hurrying to Roach. The horse neighed quietly as she sank down on top of the horse, releasing her from her binds.

"Go, Roach." She said, smacking her hip. The horse began galloping towards the doors, leaving Kaer Morhen.

After discussing the Leshy with Triss and how the monsters targeted Ciri, Geralt walked through the halls towards Victoria's room.

As he approached, he noticed that the door was open by a few inches. The light inside casted a small patch upon the floor.

His eyebrows knitted together. "Victoria—"

Geralt entered the room and fell silent once he realized that the room and the wheelchair were empty. The woman's bed appeared ransacked, and her bag was gone.

Geralt looked towards the window as her scent filled his nostrils.

The witcher gritted his teeth.

"Fuck."