They sat beneath the tree.
In the royal garden.
Right where the sun danced through the leaves like it had nothing better to do.
The grass was soft. The breeze carried hints of fruit tea and polished silver.
Kiel had just taken a sip when it happened.
SLAP.
The sound sliced the calm like a blade.
He blinked.
Turned.
Eyes narrowing.
There—across the cobbled path by the East Gate—stood Rie.
Her hand still raised. Her eyes blazing.
One guard clutched his cheek in shock. The other looked ready to drop his spear.
The world froze. Even the birds went silent.
Kiel tilted his head, the wind tugging at his white coat.
Then he glanced at Lily, who was already staring.
Silent. Still.
"…Has she finally gone mad?" he muttered.
Lily didn't answer.
Her lips were parted—not from shock, but something quieter. Deeper. Uncertainty.
Because that wasn't the Rie she remembered.
Rie never cried.
Never yelled.
Never asked for help.
Not when the nobles mocked her. Not when their mother turned her back. Not even when the servants called her a mistake behind closed doors.
But this morning...
Lily had seen it.
Red eyes. Tear-streaked cheeks. A look that said I'm done.
Not a single word had passed between them. Just one glance. And it was enough.
Something inside Rie had finally cracked.
Lily's grip tightened around her teacup. Porcelain clicked beneath her fingers.
Kiel exhaled, waving lazily.
"Let her throw her tantrum. She'll come crawling back. She always does."
Lily looked at him. Then back at Rie.
Her sister was walking now—toward the gate, like she ruled the realm. Head high. Back straight. No hesitation.
Lily stood up.
"We're going."
Kiel raised a brow, still lounging on the blanket.
"…Where?"
"After her."
"…Why?"
Her voice sharpened.
"She's not awakened, Kiel."
He blinked.
"So? That's her problem, not mine. You want me to babysit her now?"
He scoffed, grabbing a cookie.
"Nah. I'm not wasting my evening on that trainwreck—"
CLINK.
Lily set her cup down—hard.
Kiel flinched slightly. She didn't look at him.
Her voice was low. Steady.
"…I don't want to lose her."
Kiel paused.
For a moment, something flickered across his face. Then he masked it with a groan.
Lily turned slightly, her expression soft but certain.
"Please."
A beat.
"I'll treat you."
He clicked his tongue.
"…Hmph. You better."
"Promise."
With a grumble, Kiel stood and brushed off his coat.
"Fine. But if she starts yelling at me again, I'm out."
Lily smiled—barely.
Together, they followed. Quiet steps across glowing runegrass.
And as Rie disappeared beyond the East Gate, Kiel muttered under his breath:
"…Tch. What the hell are you even trying to prove, Rie…"