Good news.

Kai kept staring at her, gently holding Elen’s hand. They stood there, locked in silence, until gradually, the haze in Elen’s mind began to clear.

She hadn’t realized it before, but—just now—Kai had confessed to her. The truth slowly dawned, and her cheeks warmed, just slightly.

She looked away, suddenly shy. A soft chuckle came from Kai.

The air between them was gentle. Not even a hint of bitterness—despite being rejected, he radiated a warmth that wrapped around her like a blanket. It should’ve felt good to be loved, pure and simple. Instead, she felt nothing but disgust and guilt for turning him down.

But reason reminded her: it was inevitable. If she’d accepted his feelings, the end would’ve come all the sooner anyway.

"Your Highness, I apologize for keeping you waiting..."

I jerked my head up at the sudden return of Van, only to find him staring at me with a flat expression. His gaze was fixed on the hands of Kai and Elen, linked together. His eyes narrowed slowly, as if the anger simmering beneath the surface were perfectly proportional to the tension in his stare.

"Boy... you didn't, by any chance, do something to the Princess while I was gone..."

Van’s voice, low and crawling along the floor, made Elen flinch. She quickly tried to explain.

"N-no! It’s not like that! Kai was just... cheering me up!"

"...Is that so?"

Van grunted, reluctantly accepting her nodding. Kai muttered under his breath about being untrusted, and Van let out a dry chuckle.

"Can't even hide what you're thinking, can you, boy?"

"Eh...?"

"You don't realize how much closer souls become when bound by contract, do you? Well, I won't be laid bare to some brat like you, that's for sure."

"Eh... huh?"

Spirits are drawn to a person's soul when forming a bond. The strong connection that forms between two who契约 is because the magical essence composing their souls is linked through the pact. The spirit draws power from the bond, channeling it through the linked souls. But sometimes... that connection means being pulled by the other's strong emotions. Which means...

"You're clearly harboring improper feelings toward the princess. If you've done anything untoward to her under these circumstances, I won't—"

"WAAAH!!"

Kai rushes to stop Van, unusually flustered. Van, startled in turn, jolts upright—ears and tail popping up—then, mirroring Kai’s flustered face, Elen’s cheeks flush too. Van, sharp-eyed, immediately senses it—his killing intent flares.

“Kid…”

“N-no, no, not at all!”

Van pushes Elen behind him, growling. Elen, realizing this isn’t going well, tugs at Van’s sleeve, changing the subject with a nervous, “Mother, what about—?”

Van snaps to attention. He spins back to Elen, urgency in every line of his posture—this is important. The shift in his focus is instant. The tension is palpable.

Relieved that Van’s mood’s shifted, Kai adjusts his own.

“Origin-sama asked me to deliver this to Her Highness.”

He said that, and pulled out something wrapped in cloth. Taking it gently, I unwrapped the bundle—inside was a hand mirror, its surface adorned with silver filigree.

It wasn’t an ordinary mirror. It shimmered like water, reflecting nothing at all.

But I knew instantly—this was no different from the water mirrors found in the Spirit Castle, even if smaller.

“This…!”

I stared at Van, startled. Van said nothing. Just nodded.

Elen felt her breath catch. Now they could see what was happening on the other side.

“Mother…!”

“Origin-sama said everything is left in your hands, Elen-sama. The castle’s people are waiting. She regretted deeply that she couldn’t move herself right now…”

“Mother’s going through a crucial time right now. This is my duty—my role as your daughter, as a goddess. So please, don’t worry about it.”

Saying that, she spoke to the hand mirror in her hand, and the glass rippled. There, on the other side, was Origin, her face twisted as if she were about to cry.

‘Elen-chan…’

‘Mother, thank you so much!! Now I finally understand what’s happening over there!’

‘I’m sorry I couldn’t do more… but Lovell’s worrying too, and so are you, Elen-chan…’

The unstable flicker of magical energy around Origin was clear—her anxiety spiked at the thought of her loved ones caught in a crisis. Knowing that, Elen spoke even more firmly, as if to push the fear away.

‘Mother, it’ll be fine. Everyone’s right here with me.’

‘Elen-chan…’

‘Those who barge into someone else’s precious family life with some reckless opinion…’

She clenched her fist and declared, I’ll crush them all!!!

If anything, the Origin smirked a little, as if reassured. Elen was being tested by the Dual Goddesses for succession. That was precisely why the Origin had done nothing.

"Trying too hard isn't going to help, you know?"

"No, I'll give it my all!!"

Elen steeled herself, then severed the water mirror with the Origin. Now she could see what was happening on the other side. Knowing the castle guards would stand by if needed, her spirits lifted instantly.

Elen recalled what the Dual Goddesses had said, and took a deep breath.

Whatever comes next… it’ll be etched into memory forever.

She glanced briefly at Van and Kai. Both nodded, as if readying themselves. Drawing courage from that, she braced herself for the spectacle about to unfold.

"I’m going!"

Elen focused on the hand mirror, and thought of her father.