"What's wrong?"
Diancie asked, looking completely baffled.
Her mind was in utter chaos. Truly… Her Highness's attitude today had gone far beyond anything she'd expected.
The reason she hadn't chosen today to bring up moving out was precisely because she was afraid Dianna would refuse.
After all, even sneaking out to play usually made Her Highness unhappy—let alone moving out permanently, and with Elias, no less.
She'd already prepared herself for a long, difficult talk, knowing she'd have to work hard to persuade Her Highness.
Her plan had been to wait until after a good night's sleep, when her energy was back, before mentioning it.
But she'd never imagined Her Highness would be the one to bring it up first—and even agree so quickly and decisively.
Could it be because of Elias?
Diancie glanced at him, heart bubbling with hopeful speculation.
"Your Highness, what did you want to talk about?"
"I'll do my best to help!" she said brightly.
She'd already decided—whatever Her Highness asked for today, she'd agree without hesitation.
No matter what, she definitely wouldn't make Her Highness upset!
Seeing Diancie so eager and obedient, Dianna gave a small nod of approval.
"It's nothing serious," Dianna said after a brief pause. "After thinking it over carefully, I've decided to find myself a Trainer."
In truth, she'd originally planned to say she wanted to find a partner—or perhaps even choose a queen.
But that might have sounded a little too direct.
And looking at the completely dumbfounded Diancie, she'd come up with a much better idea.
"Cough—ack!"
Across from her, Diancie nearly choked on her own saliva at those words.
She stared wide-eyed at Dianna, wondering if she'd misheard.
The Queen of the Underground Kingdom, the most precious Pokémon in existence…
Wanted to find a Trainer?
Not just her—even the elders would probably faint on the spot if they heard that.
Could it be Her Highness had been influenced after seeing her and Elias together?
Realizing the situation was heading in a terrible direction, Diancie waved her hands frantically.
"Your Highness, humans are all liars! You can't think like that!"
No matter how hard she tried, she simply couldn't picture Her Highness taking on a Trainer.
Yet Dianna only gave a gentle shake of her head.
"In the past hundred years, the Trainer profession has evolved tremendously," she said calmly. "I've watched a few matches—it seems rather fascinating. Finding a human Trainer doesn't sound like such a bad idea."
Seeing that Dianna genuinely meant it, Diancie's already-scrambled thoughts turned into full-blown panic.
I can't let Her Highness actually go through with this!
If she were captured, Diancie herself would be forced onto the throne in her place!
"Y-Your Highness, if you really want to experience that feeling… there's actually another way…"
Diancie gritted her teeth and offered tentatively.
At that, Dianna's lips curved slightly, though her gaze held a hint of curiosity.
After hesitating a moment, Diancie went on carefully:
"Actually… Elias is pretty good too. He's not much different from a human Trainer."
"If you're curious, Your Highness, you could team up with Elias for a battle or two—just to see what it's like."
Better Elias than some random human, she figured.
After all, Dianna was her senior…
But to her surprise, Dianna's expression instantly shifted—as if she'd been waiting for those exact words.
"Deal," she said without a hint of hesitation.
Just one word, spoken calmly—yet carrying a faint trace of excitement.
Diancie's jaw dropped.
She realized she'd been played.
"From now on, Elias will come back once a week to help me train. You don't mind, right?"
Dianna smiled lightly as she turned to Elias.
Having witnessed everything, he could only nod.
He suddenly felt Diancie could be far more naïve than he'd thought.
"Your Highness!"
Only now did Diancie fully realize—she'd fallen straight into a trap.
It all made sense now. How could Her Highness—usually so proud, so disdainful of humans—suddenly want a Trainer?
Her target had been Elias from the start!
She puffed out her cheeks, looking thoroughly annoyed.
Originally, Dianna had no reason to meet Elias at all.
But now that Diancie herself had handed her the perfect excuse, she had no way to refuse later.
After all, a Pokémon choosing her own Trainer—what could be more normal?
Your Highness, you liar!
---
[Though Diancie slowly realized she'd been tricked, it was too late to take back her words.]
[Using this pretext, Dianna smoothly obtained Cogita's cottage address.]
[Unless something unexpected happened, she would visit you and Diancie whenever she had time.]
[During dinner, Diancie refused to say a single word to Dianna.]
[Her puffed-up cheeks were her last act of protest—leaving you rather helpless.]
---
"Elias, if Her Highness bullies you, promise you'll tell me right away."
Back in their room after dinner, Diancie spoke seriously.
"Alright," Elias replied with a faint smile.
He doubted Dianna would do anything over the line—besides, Diancie herself would usually be there.
"Oh, right, Diancie—I'll probably need to visit a human library in a few days," he added, remembering something.
Now that everything was settling down, it was time to focus on Diancie's condition again.
And after nearly a century, perhaps the human world had developed methods that could truly help her.
After all, according to Dianna, the outside world had changed in astonishing ways.
"Okay."
Guessing what he had in mind, Diancie agreed without hesitation.
A gentle warmth spread in her chest.
All her irritation toward Dianna melted away in an instant.
As always, Elias put her first.
She no longer hoped for miracles, but his constant care still touched her deeply.
Thinking that, Diancie's eyes softened. She hopped lightly into Elias's arms.
"I'm tired. I want to sleep."
Her voice was a soft murmur.
Sleeping beside Elias always made her feel completely safe.
As Elias watched her drift off, he recalled the notes he'd compiled long ago.
A sudden thought struck him—he placed a hand over her, releasing a faint trace of Life Energy, wondering if it might have any effect on her.