Elven Nation.

The Same Night.

Celine and Lyzia sat across from each other in the mansion’s dining room, the table elegantly set with a variety of elven dishes. Servants and maids moved gracefully around them, refilling glasses and ensuring the meal was served perfectly.

Celine glanced around before speaking hesitantly.

"Umm... Lyzia? Javier not joining us?"

Lyzia’s fork stabbed into her meal with a little more force than necessary as she puffed her cheeks, mumbling in complaint.

"Hmmph! He’s already an adult. I’m sure he can find his own food. He doesn’t need to eat with us."

Celine paused, her eyes lingering on her plate before she spoke again, her voice soft.

"Umm... it seems like you two are quite close."

Lyzia’s cheeks puffed even more, her tone defensive. "Hmmph! I don’t know what you’re talking about." She gave Celine a side glare before muttering, "Let’s just change the subject."

Celine smiled softly, picking up her utensils and beginning to eat.

"I had a lot of fun today. More fun than I’ve had in a long time."

Lyzia smiled and nodded, her expression softening.

"I had a lot of fun too. I wish we could go sightseeing more..."

She paused, pursing her lips slightly.

"But tomorrow morning, you’re going to be escorted to Armand."

Celine’s face fell for a moment before she managed a faint smile.

"Mm... I want to stay longer too, but circumstances have changed. I have my diplomatic mission, and I must meet the Sovereign of Armand. My father entrusted me with this duty, and I cannot delay it."

She looked up at Lyzia, her smile softening.

"Still... thank you for today. Truly. This is the first time I’ve had a real friend, the first time I’ve had this much fun. I got to ride and touch a monster bird, see different races, taste chocolate for the first time... and so many other wonderful things. I’ll never forget this day."

Lyzia’s smile widened, her eyes shining.

"I’m happy to have a friend like you too. I wish I could accompany you to Armand..."

Celine smiled softly, her voice gentle.

"If only I could ask my future husband for permission... but I doubt he has the authority to allow a princess like you to accompany me. He’s just a noble’s son, after all."

Lyzia paused, her fork hovering mid-air as she kept her gaze fixed on Celine, her mind drifting into thought.

"Lyzia?"

"Hmm? Yes?"

Celine tilted her head. "You suddenly went silent. Is something on your mind?"

Lyzia shook her head quickly, forcing a smile. "Mm~ Nothing. Nothing at all."

They continued eating in comfortable silence for a while before Celine spoke again, her tone curious.

"Lyzia... I felt a bit strange earlier. When I saw my future husband use that double fist drill on your head. It seemed like you two were quite close, almost like siblings. Do you know each other?"

Lyzia tilted her head, her expression feigning innocence. "Hmm? When?"

"Earlier, when I was about to ride the brown pekko. I saw Javier talking to you with a grin, and then he gave you that double fist drill on your head. You looked like you were used to it, like it was something that happens often. And the elven escorts didn’t stop him or even react. Why is that?"

Lyzia puffed her cheeks before smiling, glancing at Celine. "Perhaps you mistook me for someone else. If something like that really happened, I’m sure my escort would have intervened."

Celine nodded slowly, shrugging. "Oh... right. There’s no way they’d let a noble’s son harm their princess."

Lyzia averted her eyes to the side, munching on a piece of meat as she avoided Celine’s gaze.

Celine hesitated before speaking again. "Umm..."

"Hmm? What is it, Celine? Is there something on my face?" Lyzia asked, tilting her head innocently.

"Umm... no... but..."

"But?"

"N... nothing."

Lyzia smiled warmly, her voice brightening with excitement. "Since your escorts aren’t around, do you want to sleep together tonight?"

Celine’s eyes lit up. "Mm! Okay! I’d love to!" She paused, letting out a soft sigh as she slumped slightly. "I just wish my escorts wouldn’t be detained for too long. I know they were only trying to protect me, but..."

Lyzia fell silent, her gaze drifting to the side as her thoughts churned.

I doubt that, Celine...

Since the person they both tried to attack was the Armand Prince. The son of the Armand Sovereign himself. Not only that, they used their weapons in a crowded market, surrounded by innocent civilians, including children.

Even if brother-in-law is someone who has mercy, and even if he understands that they were only trying to protect their princess, especially since he was in disguise and they didn’t know who he was... still, the way they acted, the recklessness, the lack of awareness of their surroundings, the fact that they were willing to risk harming innocents just to get to him... that is not something that can be easily overlooked.

Lyzia noticed Celine had fallen silent, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she stared down at her plate. Celine’s voice was soft, barely above a whisper.

"Ashara and Jiowana... are like sisters to me."

Celine’s voice cracked slightly as she continued, her gaze fixed on her plate.

"They’ve guarded me, protected me, and kept me safe since I was little. After my mother passed away, they were the ones who stayed by my side, taught me, and cared for me."

She wiped her eyes with her sleeve, forcing a small, fragile smile.

"I... I just hope they won’t be... punished too severely. I don’t want anything to happen to them."

Lyzia fell silent, unable to find the right words to comfort her.

Meanwhile.

Inside a small building within the mansion.

Ashara and Jiowana sat at a plain wooden table, their hands bound with glowing magic cufflinks. The room was dimly lit, the air tense.

The door opened, and an Armand female officer stepped in. She adjusted her glasses with a calm, deliberate motion, a thick file clutched under her arm. Without a word, she walked to the table and slammed the file down with a sharp thud, making both women flinch.

She pulled out a chair and sat across from them, her posture rigid, her gaze cold and unwavering.

"So... you two are the ones who attacked the Prince of Armand?"

( End Of Chapter )