- In Diana’s office -

"I believe that concludes our meeting today, Nakamura-sensei."

"Yes, Principal Valentine. I am most grateful for the help you have aided to my students and I, as well as the hospitality you have shown to me in our meeting."

"Hm. You’re welcome."

Nakamura Kenji, a man whose reputation for the magical arts was matched only by his reputation for being a persistent romantic, stood up from the leathered chair across from Diana. He adjusted his traditional robes as his gaze lingered on her with an intensity that would have made a lesser woman flinch.

"You have grown to be even more radiant since the last time our paths crossed, Diana," Nakamura said smoothly. "It has been... how long exactly?"

Diana didn’t even look up from the document she was signing when she answered him.

"Please refer to me as Principal Valentine. As for the last time we met, it was eight years ago, during our own Representative Tournament. I believe the match lasted approximately three seconds. I beat you in a single strike, and received complaints from your family that you spent the next four hours in the infirmary complaining about your ribs."

She capped her inkwell and finally looked at him with a polite smile on her lips. "But thank you for the compliment, Sensei."

"Hahaha, still as sharp as your blade, I see. Truly, Eldoria is lucky to have a woman who hasn’t let time or authority dull her edges."

He then leaned against the edge of her desk with a casual pose. "Tell me, are you free after this? The sun is high, the sky is clear, and it has been far too long since I’ve walked the streets of this gorgeous city."

Diana leaned back, spilling her hair over the high back of her chair. "And why are you asking, Nakamura?"

"Well, having someone as beautiful as you by my side while taking in the sights on a beautiful day like this... it would be a memory I’d cherish. Wouldn’t you agree?"

"Are you asking me out on a date, Nakamura-sensei?" Diana asked as she arched an eyebrow.

"I am suggesting that two masters of the craft share a moment of aesthetic appreciation. If the world wishes to call that a date, who am I to argue with the world?"

"You can’t. But I can. I respectfully decline. I have far too much work, and my schedule is limited."

"Another time, then?"

Diana leaned forward, the sunlight catching the crimson depth of her eyes. She smiled so dazzlingly that Nakamura felt his heart might just leap out of his chest. He leaned in with anticipation, expecting a yes, but–

"No. We will never go out on a date. Not today, not another time, and not in your lifetime."

"Pfft– Ahem. Busy busy busy..."

A muffled snicker erupted from the corner of the room. Mia, who had been doing nothing in particular at her own desk, was currently quickly trying to mask her outburst by shuffling a stack of papers, assuming a "professional" demeanor that fooled absolutely no one.

Nakamura didn’t miss the sound, but he chose to maintain his dignity. He cleared his throat and began to gather his belongings from the desk.

"A shame," he said, sighing dramatically. "But I suppose I shall have to give up... for now."

"Why ’for now’? I believe my rejection was cut and dry."

Nakamura stopped at the door, looking back at her with a look of genuine, albeit stubborn, admiration.

"Because, Principal Valentine, after seeing you today, it is simply impossible to give up. I am quite hopelessly in love with you. A man of my station doesn’t encounter a goddess every day."

Diana looked at him for a quiet second with an unreadable expression. Then, she let out a small, amused huff.

"I see. Well, you are free to harbor whatever feelings you wish, Sensei. Just don’t expect me to return them. It would be a waste of your energy."

Nakamura bowed deeply to her, then gave a shorter, polite nod to the still-smirking-behind-her-papers, Mia. "I shall see myself out. Farewell, ladies."

As the door clicked shut behind him, Mia immediately skidded her chair back across the hardwood floor. She practically threw herself toward Diana’s desk, grabbing both her hands in her own.

"Diana! You were so cold! Poor Nakamura-sensei is going to go cry in a tavern!" Mia giggled.

Then her eyes turned mischievous. "But seriously, why didn’t you just tell him about Kurt? That would have shut him down permanently."

"And where’s the fun in that, Mia? Besides, if I told a man like Nakamura that I have a lover, he’d immediately go and try to ’test’ him. Rosie has enough on his plate to worry about without having a Myrian sword mage hounding him for a duel over my honor."

"Speaking of our mysterious lover-boy... How are things going with him? Really?"

Diana’s bravado faltered for just a moment as a soft, shy pink tinged her cheeks, and she looked down at their joined hands. "He... he moved in with me. Officially."

Mia froze. Then, she let out a piercing shriek of joy, jumping up and down while still holding her best friend’s hands.

"REALLY?! Oh my god! Diana! Why didn’t you tell me sooner! Domestic bliss! You’re actually living together!"

"Mia! Shh! The walls have ears!"

"I don’t care! I’m so happy for you!" Mia finally settled down, her face glowing. "I know you must’ve been so lonely in that big mansion, reading those books–"

"Hey."

"But you deserve someone who looks at you the way he does."

Diana’s expression softened. "Thank you, Mia. It... it feels right. Righter than anything has in a long time." She paused, studying her best friend. "But you’re acting way happier than normal. Even for me. What’s going on with you?"

Mia’s face turned bright red, and she looked around the office as if checking for spies.

"Because! I had good news two days, but I couldn’t tell you! You came charging in here screaming about Dominik and Kurt, and I didn’t want to interrupt the ’Battle Commander’ vibe. You were also absent for the whole day yesterday."

"Oh, Mia, I’m sorry," Diana said sincerely. "But I’m here now. So, what is it?"

Mia reached into her cleavage, pulling out a delicate silver chain that had been hidden between her breasts. On the end of it hung a simple, elegant ring set with a small, brilliant diamond.

"Dominik... he proposed to me. We’re officially engaged..."

Diana’s mouth dropped open. For a second, the principal of the most prestigious academy in all of Eldoria disappeared, replaced by a giddy best friend. She stood up, grabbed Mia’s hands, and began jumping and screaming right along with her.

"HE DID?! Finally! That red head finally grew a pair!" Diana laughed as the two of them spun in a small circle in the middle of the office.

"I know!" Mia wiped a tear of laughter from her eye.

"I was so happy I covered his face in so many smooches. He looked absolutely silly the morning he left for work. He had lipstick marks all over, hahaha!"

"This calls for a celebration. A real one. No paperwork, no annoying Sensei’s and no politics. Mia, pack your things. We’re leaving early."

"Don’t need to tell me twice!" She scooped up her bag. "Where are we going?"

"My place," Diana said, her eyes flashing with excitement. "We’re going to drink the good vintage and party freely. I’ll even let Wendy join us and break her ’no alcohol on duty’ rule for one night."

"That sounds like a plan!" Mia cheered. She stepped forward, grabbing her shoulder.

And with a shimmer–

SHWOOSH!

The office was empty.

.....

They reappeared outside the front door of Diana’s mansion and almost immediately, they saw a familiar carriage parked at the stables.

"Don’t tell me..."

As they entered the mansion, Wendy appeared from the dining hall. She was carrying a silver tray with a chilled bottle of white wine and a single glass. She stopped, blinking at the sudden appearance of Diana and Mia.

"Ms. Valentine, Ms. Mia. Good afternoon."

"Hey, Wendy!" Mia greeted. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Wendy. That carriage outside... Please say it’s not who I think it is..."

"I’m afraid it is what you think, Ms. Valentine. Please, follow me."

They walked through the house, past the ornate parlors and out through the glass doors that led to the expansive backyard and the shimmering turquoise pool.

There, reclining on a chaise lounge by the water’s edge, was a woman who looked like a vision of Diana’s future.

She had the same striking platinum hair, though it was pinned up in an elegant, loose bun. Her eyes were the same piercing crimson, and her figure was undeniably voluptuous, possessing the same massive curves and presence that Diana inherited (although Diana loses in the breast department). She was dressed in a flowing, silk robe that did little to hide her status as a woman of immense power and beauty.

She was sipping from a wine glass, looking out over the pool and expansive yard with a calm, proprietary air.

Diana froze still as her breath got caught in her throat. "M-Mom?"

The woman turned her head, a slow, regal smile spreading across her lips.

"Hello, my baby. I heard you finally brought a man home, yet you haven’t told me. So I thought I’d come and see for myself."