Talk.

That day, Elen couldn’t help but hesitate before returning to the Spirit Castle.

Noticing Elen’s unease, the Dual Goddesses kindly offered to let her stay at the boundary until Gadiel’s eyes returned to normal.

Elen blinked.

"...Really?"

"Of course. Just make sure to keep in touch so the Origin girls don’t worry."

"And you’ll stay with us. We’ll find somewhere else for the old lady."

"Yes! Thank you so much!"

"Gadiel’s eyes should be back to normal by tomorrow. But you don’t have to leave after just one day—stay as long as you like?"

Vaul winked as she said it.

I’m saved. Right now, all I want is to cool my head.

"But if I stay too late… it’ll probably make leaving even harder."

I really need to have a proper talk with Lovell. If I stay any longer, I might lose my resolve.

"Actually, Lovell’s mental voice has been nagging me nonstop. Keeps saying I should send Elen back already."

"Eh?"

"Seems he can’t stand the idea of me staying over with my little one."

Vaul burst out laughing, saying that.

"Aw, doesn’t Lovell remember we’re here?"

Apparently, since they can’t interfere at the Dual Goddesses’ boundary, Lovell’s been contacting them repeatedly, insisting on sending Elen back alone.

Even when told Elen has a guardian, he won’t listen.

"Could’ve just talked to Elen directly. Such a stubborn kid. But well, this should change things."

"Seriously. After all those warnings, she still can’t let go. Even after having her own child, she’s unchanged. In a way… impressive."

"Probably because she’s just like Lovell... This time, Origin’s going to get overprotective too. That’s worrying."

Elen, overhearing this from beside the two sighing, felt a pang of guilt.

There was no doubt Lovell had become overprotective because of her.

She’d always been overly cautious, but in just the past few years, Elen had pushed herself too hard—more than once, she’d collapsed.

Back at the academy, if Ark hadn’t restored her soul, she might have died. That’s probably why she couldn’t bear to let her out of sight anymore.

Now, for Elen, Gadiel was in the same position.

She couldn’t stop thinking—what if he got killed the moment she looked away? That’s why she wanted to stay close. That’s why she couldn’t help thinking like that.

And once she started thinking that way, she found herself worrying about Lovell too.

"Ah, um... I’ve been relying on Father too much, haven’t I..."

"Meaning you need to stop clinging to your parent, Elen-chan?"

That’s true, but, um...

How do I even put this?

While I was struggling to find the right words, Vol pierced my thoughts and gently poked my cheek with her index finger. "No good," she said.

You can't coddle Lovell right now. This is important for Elen too. You understand, don't you?

« ………… »

You'll be fine—should calm down quite a bit even in just one day.

Yes...

After letting Origin know via telepathy that we’d be staying at the Dual Goddesses’ boundary, Origin said, “Take your time,” and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

(Mother is amazing... I mean, seriously...)

Saved by her usual light tone, unshaken even by something like that.

Gotta pump myself up for tomorrow...!

Elen snapped her cheeks to pep herself up, determined to have a proper talk with Lovell.

＊＊＊

At the same time, back at the Spirit Castle, shockwaves rippled through the air—Elen and Lovell, usually so cozy, had just had a full-blown parent-child fight.

The revelation, confirmed by the spirits themselves who’d grown worried about Elen running away in anger at Lovell, only deepened the chaos.

When the spirits learned the truth—that the reason for the fight was Elen’s descent from the Tembar royal line, the very ones who’d slaughtered countless spirits—their minds reeled.

How could the descendant of a race they’d sworn to hate be half-spirit?

How could the Queen have allowed it?

The truth spread like wildfire through the Spirit Castle in just one day, thanks to the great spirits seated beside Helgner, who spoke of how Gadiel had purified the souls of his kin, and how Elen had fallen protecting him.

＊＊＊

As Van had said, Gadiel’s eyes looked perfectly fine by morning.

But every now and then, he’d glance around nervously—drawn to the new things, I guess.

For now, as guardians, the Dual Goddesses had decided to return to the Spirit Castle with us.

With a determined step, I stepped through the water mirrors in the Spirit Castle, and there they were: Origin and Lovell, along with the chancellor Vint, Austor, and Van, waiting.

“Elen!”

Lovell called out, stepping forward— but Elen fixed him with a sharp glare.

“U….”

Instantly, Lovell froze. His expression was heartbroken, weak, trembling.

In just one day, he’d changed completely.

Dark circles under his eyes—probably hadn’t slept since he heard Elen had stayed at the border.

Still, Elen clenched her stomach tight, remembering what Vaul had said: she couldn’t spoil him. Not now.

“Father…”

"Elen... you know, Papa’s the one who messed up, so come back home?"

"Father..."

"...Yes."

"No matter how angry you feel, you must not kill anyone."

"Yes..."

"Gadiel is of the Tembarr royal blood. Think about the trouble he’s causing the people of Vanclift."

"Yes..."

Elen stared at Lovell with a blank expression. The people around her flinched.

"Father... wanting to kill Gadiel just because you're angry..."

Elen’s voice dropped lower and lower. Lovell turned pale.

"I hate you so much..."

The words, long held back, finally spilled out. The full weight of Elen’s hatred struck home.

Lovell’s face went white. He swayed, nearly falling.

"Kyaa! Lovell!"

Origin rushed to catch him. He was unsteady, probably from lack of sleep—but still, he looked awfully fragile.

"Elen-chan, about Lovell, you don’t have to worry anymore."

"...How can you say that so confidently?"

"Everyone’s been talking about Lovell. There was a big fuss—people said you ran away, and the spirits came asking what really happened."

"R-run away? When did that even happen...?"

"Come on. Lovell always got yelled at by you, right? But you two never actually argued, did you? When the spirits came asking about it—well, that’s when it slipped out. About Lovell."

Origin said this, glancing at Austor.

"Ah, sorry! I must’ve blabbed while drunk!"

Heh heh heh! Austor laughed.

But the fact that a descendant of the Tembarr royal line had become half-spirit was nothing short of shocking to the spirits.

Vint narrowed his eyes and asked Gadiel.

“You… helped the lady?”

“…Yes. Gadiel Lar Tembarr.”

Gadiel bowed, introducing himself.

Vint stepped forward, eyeing Gadiel up and down. Narrowing his eyes, he muttered, “Not cursed…”—then stared straight into Gadiel’s eyes, utterly stunned.

“Those eyes… You’re bound to the lady, aren’t you!?”

He looked at Gadiel with disbelief still written across his face.

Van was no different—he too stared at Gadiel, unblinking.

“Huh. So you and the princess are getting hitched, then?”

Austor said it as if it were nothing.

The air froze for a split second.

“Papa, you won’t forgive meeeeee!!”

Lovell’s scream echoed through the woods.