A fresh resolve.

After seeing Lovell off toward Tembar Castle for talks, Elen stayed close to Van in the garden of Vanclift’s manor.

Lately, Elen had seemed a bit down. Everyone around her was worried.

Knowing the truth, Lovell had asked that they all leave Elen alone for now. So they watched from a distance, frustrated but patient.

It was morning. Raffilia was in the training yard. Elen had promised to play with her after noon—but until then, she just lay there, buried in the fur of Van, who had shifted into beast form, killing time with nothing at all.

“…Lady Elen?”

Elen looked up at Kai, who had spoken beside her.

“Huh?” she tilted her head, and Kai, frowning, spoke with concern.

She was told to leave her be, but Kai couldn’t look away—Elen, always smiling, not smiling now, it hurt too much to ignore.

“Lately, you don’t seem yourself.”

“…Really?”

“Something on your mind? If you want, I’ll listen.”

“…………”

“Hey, I’m not pushing you.”

“…No. Sorry for worrying you. Maybe I should talk about it… I know I should, but… I just can’t decide. It’s just me being stubborn.”

“…Yes.”

“Did you hear why Father went to the castle?”

“Yes. About Amiel.”

“Did you hear… that Father and I might be the targets?”

“Yes. Head of the Household ordered me to stay by your side at all times.”

“Yeah… thanks.”

“Wait—am I… bothering you? Is that it…?”

“Huh!? N-no! Not at all!!”

Elen shook her head back and forth. Van, however, burst into laughter—ha ha ha.

"Your Highness, if this one’s being a bother, just say the word. I’ll be dismissed right away."

"Hey!!"

"Wait—hold on!! Don’t do that!!"

Elen flustered, Van just grinned, *go ahead, I’m all yours*. Kai jabbed Van in the ribs, muttering, *What are you doing?!*

"What are you doing?!"

"Ugh!! Stop fighting!!"

The two of them, who usually moved in perfect sync, somehow always ended up squabbling like this.

When Elen leaned over Van’s face, he instantly went still—quiet, submissive, just like that.

Watching Kai and Van glare at each other with stubborn little frowns, Elen laughed.

"Hey… you know, I’m a spirit, right?"

Elen suddenly spoke up, and both Kai and Van snapped to attention. They straightened up, faces serious now, waiting for her to continue.

"Truth is… I shouldn’t really be involved with the human world like this."

"…Huh?"

Van said it was to be expected, looking at Kai’s speechless face.

"The Princess is the next Queen of the Spirit World. It's presumptuous of a human to speak with the Princess at all."

Van scolded Kai, but Kai just stared, mouth agape, frozen in silence.

...The stronger a spirit's power, the greater its impact on the human world. Things I thought were good, that I created with the best intentions—really, I shouldn't have done them. That’s why the human world fell into chaos and ruin.

Kai frowned, something stirring in memory at Elen’s words. The uproar over Elen’s medicine was still fresh in mind.

Elen said, sounding vaguely apologetic.

We spirits are supposed to keep this world running smoothly. Not some thing that causes strife. And yet… here I am, the one throwing everything off course.

"Such...!!"

Kai understood what Elen was trying to say—and panicked.

The thought that her very existence was the root of conflict had Elen in turmoil.

"Your Highness, please, don't rush into anything!"

"……I haven’t said anything yet."

"No! If you're kind-hearted like you are, you’ll surely leave the human realm!!"

"…………"

"Ever since you came here with Lord Lovell, happiness has returned to this land."

"……really?"

"You cut off the source of corruption devouring the Vanklyft Family and saved us all. So many lives were spared thanks to your medicine. Please don’t say you’re leaving!"

Kai grabbed Elen’s hand, his face desperate.

"I want to protect you. I want to stay by your side!!"

"…huh?"

"If you leave, everyone in the Vanklyft Family will be heartbroken!!"

Elen remembered the smiling faces of Isabella and the others, always reaching out to her with warmth.

Elen’s face twisted into a grimace as one after another, faces swam into her mind.

“But… this can’t just keep going… war… it’s going to happen…!”

Kai wrapped his arms around Elen, who’d started sobbing uncontrollably.

“I won’t let people greedy for your kindness decide your fate. I will… we will… protect you.”

Elen didn’t notice Kai, who reluctantly corrected himself after glaring at Van, and just kept choking back sobs.

“I’m sorry… but I… I don’t want to… leave everyone…”

The truth spilled out—she didn’t want to say goodbye.

Elen had been struggling for so long.

As a spirit. As a goddess. And as a human soul.

Caught between two worlds, aware of her position.

Awareness that came too late—she’d already been separated from the ones she cared about, reborn without even realizing it.

The loneliness grew so deep it blurred her memories.

She should’ve wanted to remember—yet the memories of those she cared for were slipping away.

The only thing left of her bond with them was memory itself.

And now, she’d twisted that memory to fit the present moment.

Spirits and humans experience time differently. They’d age quickly, all too soon.

And yet, the world wanted her—wanted them—while threatening innocent families.

She knew, deep down, that if she truly cared for her family, she’d have to let go. But she couldn’t bear to.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

Elen kept sobbing into Kai’s arms, whispering apologies over and over.

Kai just smiled. “No need to apologize. Really. It’s fine. We’re not parting, I promise. If anyone hears you saying that, Elen-sama, they’ll be furious.”

Elen leaned into his hand as he gently stroked her hair. And she let herself be comforted.

Thanks to Kai, the guilt that had been weighing on her chest for so long was gradually being digested.

Leaning into Kai’s gentle strokes down her back, Elen slowly calmed.

Finally stopping her tears, her sluggish thoughts began to stir again. Her eyes still red, Elen shifted uncomfortably, suddenly aware of the situation.

"...Elen-sama?"

"Aah... um... sorry. Thank you, Kai-kun... I mean... um..."

From the outside, she probably just looked like an older brother comforting a whiny little sister—but if anyone she knew saw them like this, Kai wouldn’t be getting off easy.

Still, Kai didn’t let go. He held her tighter.

Elen blinked.

But Van, standing right beside them, growled.

"Cut it out, brat!!"

"...Get out of my way."

"Aah... um... Kai-kun?"

From behind the flustered Elen, footsteps crunched through the grass—she and the others snapped their heads toward the sound.

There stood Raffilia, trembling violently.

“R-Raffilia!?”

“What… what is this… what’s happening…!?”

Raffilia must’ve come straight back to the manor after training, rushing straight to Elen’s side the moment she heard.

But what she’d seen… it was something she couldn’t believe.

The three of them stared, stunned, at Raffilia’s unnatural state. Then, without hesitation, she reached into thin air and pulled out a metal rod—familiar, practiced. She spun it in a blur.

“Ah…”

It was the telescoping baton Elen had made for Raffilia.

One swing—bam, the rod shot out, the click of the lock snapping into place.

Spinning it fast, like a drill, Raffilia said:

“Kai… what are you doing to Elen…?”

The voice crawling across the ground made the three of them flinch violently.

Elen panicked as Raffilia advanced, not with the usual grace but with the tense, creeping motion of a battle-ready predator.

“N-no, wrong, Raffilia!!”

But Raffilia noticed the redness around Elen’s eyes the moment she got close, and her murderous intent toward Kai flared up like a wildfire.

“Good girl. Do it. Finish her!”

Van, having quickly taken human form, snatched Elen back and stepped away, egging on Raffilia like a flame.

“Honestly, I’ve been furious for ages! Elen belongs to me, don’t you remember?!”

“Fine. I knew this would have to end one way or another.”

Elen was frozen, eyes wide, as the sparks flew between Raffilia and Kai—this sudden, violent clash had erupted out of nowhere.

There was nothing she could do but scream.

Later, after the garden was trashed, Raffilia and Kai walked side by side to face Sauvel’s lecture—perfectly in sync, like a pair of misbehaving siblings.

＊＊＊

Lovell, gathering information at Tembarr Castle, would not return home if he stayed in the castle any longer.

Many great spirits have also not returned since departing for Helgner—proof enough of how dire the situation had become.

Elen was told by Lovell to wait in the Spirit World until there was movement.

Van, transformed into a beast, approached Elen, who stood on her balcony gazing at the stars.

“Princess…”

“Van…?”

I’m sorry for worrying you, Elen said.

Van said nothing. He simply stayed close, as always.

“Feel better now?”

“Yeah… but…”

It wasn’t something a spirit should ever do.

Thinking that, Elen’s face clouded over again.

“You’re fine just as you are, Princess.”

“…Van?”

We'll make sure every threat to Her Highness is dealt with. Do as you please, Your Highness.

"Van-kun..."

Our king is a presence that watches over everything, you know.

It wasn’t just spirits—no, it included everything alive in this world.

Elen realized she was being taught what a goddess was, and stared at Van intently.

And then, a soft smile bloomed.

Thank you, Van.

Fufu, that’s just how a princess should look.

Elen pressed close to Van’s neck.

Elen feels happy, wrapped in the warmth of a presence that watches over her like a mother’s embrace.

Elen realized her wavering resolve had solidified, now that she’d been taught it was okay to lean on others.

(Not a chance... not going to let anything like war happen.)

I决心一定要彻底挫败阿米埃尔那帮人的阴谋。