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When Queen Elena hosts a ceremony to honor the sacrifices of Avalorans during the reign of Shuriki, Rafa knows Mateo must be among them as soon as she opens her invitation. All those years she feared for his life if he was caught practicing magic. Now look how far he’s come.
“For loyalty and services to the kingdom, the Order of the Marigold goes to … ”
She clasps her hands and beams at her velvet-robed son.
“ … Rafaela de Alva!”
Wait. What?
Mateo gently drapes the orange ribbon over her dress.
“I’m so proud of you, Mamá,” he whispers over thunderous applause.