The pale blue sky slowly deepened into shades of orange, the sun sinking lower after a long, weary day.

  Diana lifted her hand in a gentle wave, her eyes lingering on the faces gathered at the training ground.

  "I'll visit again soon, and next time, I'll make sure to announce it before I come!"

  She called out, her voice carrying a faint cheer as she turned and walked away, each step measured and deliberate.

  Behind her, everyone waved back, their hands swaying until she vanished from sight.

  Inside the palace, silence stretched between Diana and Leo.

  She didn't speak a word, her pace quickening as though the air around him burned.

  Leo noticed, a frown creasing his brow, yet he matched her stride without hesitation.

  Diana glanced over her shoulder, caught his determined gaze, and quickened her steps until finally, she broke into a run.

  Leo's brows knitted tighter, a vein surfacing on his forehead. He refused to let her win whatever game she was playing. With a growl, he hurled himself forward, chasing after her.

  "Why are you running?!" His voice echoed through the hall, rough with exertion, breaths tearing in and out of his lungs.

  "S-Stop following me!" Diana shot back, her voice trembling between protest and panic.

  Their footsteps pounded the marble, a blur of motion flashing past the corridor.

  Rose stepped out of the royal library just in time to see them bolt by.

  She exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose.

  "Stop running in the hallway!"

  Beatrice barely looked up from the chair where she sat, eyes skimming through stacks of documents related to the project they had begun.

  Further down, Sasha had been reaching for her doorknob, ready to turn in for the day, when the pair rushed past in a whirlwind of noise and movement. Her eyes flew wide, disbelief freezing her mid-motion.

  "W-What are they doing?!"

  Leo's frown deepened, frustration tightening across his face.

  Why is she running so fast that I can't even catch up at full speed? he thought, breath ragged.

  When they finally reached Diana's office, she slowed to a graceful stop.

  Her vision cleared, revealing two figures standing beside the door. Curiosity flickered in her eyes as she approached.

  "Good afternoon, Ella. Tetra," she greeted, tilting her head slightly.

  "It's rare for both of you to visit my office."

  Leo stumbled up behind her, bending forward with his hands braced against his knees, gasping for air.

  "W-Why… are you… so fast at running away!?" he wheezed.

  One of the figures stepped forward. Her yellow eyes gleamed, catching the light as strands of her golden hair swayed in the breeze. She reached out, taking Diana's hand with a gentle grip.

  "I apologize for visiting so late, Your Majesty," she said softly. "But there's something I really need to tell you."

  Diana's gaze sharpened, and she nodded once.

  "What is it, Ella?"

  Ella glanced at her companion, a short-haired figure whose dark locks shifted as she scanned the hallway, checking for eavesdroppers. Then she turned back to Diana.

  "It's urgent, Your Majesty. If you don't mind…" She gestured toward the door.

  "…may we speak inside your office?"

  Right after she spoke, they stepped into the room.

  Diana could feel the weight of their seriousness, and a faint spark of curiosity stirred in her eyes about what they might ask.

  The air grew taut, heavy with unspoken words, as the orange light of the setting sun spilled through the open window and painted the floor in warm hues.

  With deliberate grace, she walked toward her table, the soft scrape of the chair against the floor breaking the silence, and sat down with ease. Her gaze sharpened, carrying a quiet authority.

  "What is it that you wish to tell me?"

  Ella's hands clasped her arms tightly, knuckles pale as she struggled to meet Diana's eyes. Instead, her gaze fell to the floor, shadowed by unease.

  Tetra noticed and gave her a light nudge with her elbow.

  "Your Majesty is waiting. There's no time to be nervous."

  Ella nodded faintly, her voice barely above a whisper.

  "I know… but asking her to help my family, when it's… our problem to bear, it makes me feel guilty."

  A small sigh escaped her lips, weighted with hesitation.

  Diana's expression softened, a small smile breaking her composed demeanor.

  "I see. If it concerns your family, that alone is reason enough for me to help."

  Ella's eyes widened, surprise flickering across her face. She clasped her hands tightly before taking a hesitant step forward.

  "I… I'm sorry for speaking out of turn, Your Majesty, but I have a twin sister who serves under the Marquis of the South, Allen the II." She took a deep breath.

  "I heard a terrible rumor among her peers… that she stole one of the Marchioness's precious gems. They say she fled out of fear of being sentenced to death."

  She drew in a shaky breath, her nervousness visible in the tremor of her shoulders.

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  Diana's gaze lingered on her, studying every flicker of emotion, the tightening of her lips, the way her fingers twisted together.

  Nothing in Ella's face hinted at deceit.

  "Earlier today, I received a letter from my mother," Ella continued, her voice low but brimming with anxiety.

  "She said my sister had returned home two days ago, but… she won't leave her room because of how afraid she was." Her tone wavered, almost cracking. Clutching her fists to her chest, she added,

  "I know her. She would never risk her life for something like that. She values life far more than gold or silver." Her eyes glistened with sincerity, reflecting a desperate hope like sunlight caught on the edge of tears.

  Diana rose abruptly from her chair, her legs scraping softly against the floor.

  She took up a pen and a sheet of paper, her posture sharp with purpose.

  "That is quite a difficult situation your twin sister has found herself in," she said, her voice measured but firm.

  "But for now, I need to know when exactly this accident happened?" She tapped the pen lightly against the paper, her gaze fixed on Ella.

  "From what her peers said, it happened three days ago," Ella replied, her voice trembling slightly.

  "And the next morning… The Marchioness noticed one of her precious gems was missing from her collection. Soon after, my twin sister was accused by the other maids. She left without a word and arrived at my parent's house two days ago."

  Diana nodded, jotting down notes with quick, deliberate strokes.

  A few seconds later, she set the pen aside and rose, crossing the room to Leo. Without a word, she handed him the folded paper.

  Leo raised an eyebrow, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

  "What is this?"

  "Take this to the messenger," Diana instructed calmly, "and tell him to deliver it to the Marquis of the South's mansion."

  Ella and Tetra exchanged wide-eyed looks. The sudden dread in their faces betrayed their fear, had their Queen just revealed the hiding place of Ella's sister?

  "Y-Your Majesty, p-please…" Ella stammered, her hands twisting together,

  "don't tell the Marquis where my sister is." Her lips pressed tight, as though holding back more words.

  Diana shook her head gently, her expression softening.

  "I have no intention of exposing her whereabouts," she assured them.

  "And as far as I know, the Marquis of the South is not a cruel man, nor is his wife. If we explain your sister's side, I believe they will be willing to forgive her."

  Leo's eyes lingered on Diana, a faint curve forming on his lips as he exhaled softly.

  "She's right," he admitted. "Those two wouldn't punish their servants without a reason. And above all the nobles in Apocrypha, they've always been loyal to the crown."

  Ella pressed a trembling hand to her chest and released a deep, shaky breath.

  "Thank goodness…"

  "For now," Diana continued, "I would like to meet your sister in person. Is that alright, Ella?"

  "A-Actually, Your Majesty…" Ella's gaze darted away as she scratched her left cheek with her index finger, her voice small. "Because of the fear of losing her life… she's too scared to leave the house."

  "That won't be a problem," Diana replied calmly. "If that's the case, I'll simply come to your house."

  Before she could say more, Leo gave her a light chop on the head.

  "Do you even realize what you're saying!?"

  Diana winced, rubbing the sore spot as her lips curved into a stubborn pout.

  "I-I know… but as long as you're with me, my safety's assured, right?" She gave a quick thumbs-up, her tone almost playful.

  Leo sighed, heavy with exasperation.

  "Unfortunately for you, I have other matters to deal with at once. That's why I can't allow you to leave the palace without my approval."

  Diana straightened, her eyes flashing with resolve.

  "Even so, I'm going out without you, and that's final."

  He immediately gripped her cheeks, the vein in his forehead bulging from irritation.

  Diana struggled, trying to pull his hands away. "T-That hurts, Leo!!" Her voice stuttered despite her effort.

  His eyes narrowed, a dangerous calm in their depths.

  "If I let go, would you reconsider your decision?"

  She shook her head emphatically, the motion firm and resolute.

  Leo exhaled, realizing he couldn't sway her. Slowly, he released her cheeks.

  "I guess I have no choice but to tell Alaric to accompany you," he muttered.

  Diana tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

  "Is he strong?"

  Leo strode to the door, his hand brushing the knob. He glanced back over his shoulder, a playful chuckle escaping him.

  "Yes. But… not stronger than me." He cracked the door open slightly.

  "Are you leaving tomorrow?"

  She nodded firmly. "Yes!"

  With a casual wave of his hand, he stepped out of the room, leaving a faint echo of his presence behind.

  Tetra's lips curved into a smile as she looked at Diana.

  "You seem pretty close with General Leo, Your Majesty."

  Diana's eyes snapped to her, her head shaking violently.

  "That guy is no good at all!"

  Tetra tilted her head, a single eyebrow raised.

  "No good?"

  "He always finds the right time to kiss my hand without even feeling embarrassed." She tilted her head ever so slightly.

  "Isn't that weird?" Her voice sharpened.

  Tetra only smiled, as her eyes locked at hers.

  But the color of her eyes slowly darkened, and the smile slowly vanished.

  Diana then started to walk towards her chair and slowly sank back, deliberately easing into it as she fixed her gaze on Ella.

  "By the way… where is your house, Ella?"

  Ella's posture stiffened, and her voice carried a quiet urgency.

  "I live in the lowest part of the Kingdom, Your Majesty. The crime rate there is far higher than anywhere else." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and opened them again.

  "I… I beg you to reconsider your plan to go there." She bowed slightly, her yellow eyes flicking down.

  "I know you're worried about my sister, but at this point, you would be putting your life in danger above all. I cannot allow that, Your Majesty."

  Diana's eyes widened, struck by the selflessness in Ella's words. Despite the danger her sister faced, Ella's first concern was Diana. Warmth blossomed in her chest, and a small smile curved her lips.

  "I appreciate your concern, Ella. But once I've made a decision, I'll stick to it till the end."

  Ella's lips pressed together tightly, her head dipping even lower in deference.

  "I… I don't know how I can ever repay your kindness, Your Majesty."

  Diana's smile brightened, full of warmth and authority.

  "Just continue your work in the palace and respect me as your Queen. In time, you'll repay nothing because loyalty itself is more than enough."

  Diana stood on the terrace of her room, gazing out at the city below. The once lively town, where streets bustled with entertainers from distant lands, now lay eerily silent. The cold air clung to her skin, sharp and biting like winter's breath.

  Her eyes lifted to the moon, its silver glow spilling softly across the world.

  From where she stood, she could almost imagine the rooftop from that day, the place where she had leapt, chasing an escape she never found.

  A small sigh slipped past her lips, followed by the faintest of smiles.

  "I tried running from my problems in my previous life… yet here I am, doing everything I can to mend the troubles of strangers."

  She turned away, stepping back inside. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she let the weight of the night settle over her, slowly preparing herself for sleep.