"Really? Is that how you see it?" Odeli studied Sophie with fascination. This girl was unlike anyone she'd ever met.
"Absolutely! Maybe you don't actually prefer women—you just haven't met the right person yet. Your status has blinded you to genuine connections." Sophie leaned forward. "But here's an idea—can you use magic or combat skills? For self-defense?"
"Of course. As the heir to the Otherworld's shadow guardians, I was trained in both." Odeli tilted her head. "Why?"
"Perfect!" Sophie's eyes sparkled with excitement. "If you can't tell whether people want *you* or your power, go somewhere nobody knows you! Disguise yourself as an ordinary person. When you find someone who loves you for *you*, then you'll know it's real."
Odelie's breath caught. Leave the Otherworld? The idea was terrifying... and thrilling.
"Would that... really work? Where would I go?"
"Anywhere! Chirisia Kingdom, Nepeldon, or places I've never even heard of!" Sophie grinned. Then her expression faltered. "Assuming you actually *want* to find love, and aren't just..."
"Trying to keep you here?" Odeli finished bitterly. Old habits made her suspicious even now.
Sophie huffed. "Odelie, I'm saying this as a *friend*. I won't stay—I like men, and I've got more money than I'll ever need. But if you're lonely, *do something about it*."
Silence. Then—
"...You're right." Odeli exhaled shakily. "I've spent years building walls. Maybe it's time to open a door."
---
Dawn crept through the windows as Sophie finished recounting *Snow White*, *Cinderella*, and every fairy tale she could remember. Odeli had listened like a child, wide-eyed.
"Wait, so the *frog* was actually a prince? And the kiss—"
"Yep! True love's kiss breaks curses." Sophie yawned mid-sentence. "Odelie, I need sleeeep..."
She barely registered being carried to bed.
---
Sunlight stabbed at Sophie's eyelids. She groped for blankets—only to touch cold gemstones.
*Wait.*
She bolted upright. This wasn't her room. This was—
"Odelie's vault!" Memories flooded back. She glanced beside her, where Odeli slept peacefully, hogging all the covers.
Tiptoeing out, Sophie nearly collided with two rows of maids holding everything from slippers to hairbrushes.
"Miss Sophie," the head maid curtsied. "Lady Odeli prepared a bath for you."
The "bath" turned out to be a heated pool under a crystal dome, strewn with flower petals. Sophie dunked herself with glee.
---
Freshly dressed, she found Odeli waiting.
"You took *forever*," Odeli pouted, linking arms with her.
Breakfast was served in a grand hall—but Sophie revolted against the stiff formality.
"Who eats like this?" She grabbed a plate and marched to the buffet. "Come on! Live a little!"
Hesitantly, Odeli followed. They piled plates high, laughing as they sampled pastries straight from the tray.
For the first time, Odeli tasted something sweeter than power: *belonging*.
**Would this fragile friendship survive when Sophie inevitably left—or would Odeli's hunger for connection drive her to extremes?**