Elara continued walking despite the small wound on the back of her foot.
Every few steps, she glanced down at it.
"Ahh... this is annoying."
She frowned.
"It makes walking so uncomfortable. I hate these shoes."
The sun was slowly approaching the horizon.
Between the distant mountains, the setting sun cast a soft pink glow across the sky. The fading clouds caught the last light, painting the evening in warm colors.
Elara stopped for a moment.
She lifted her gaze toward the sunset.
For a while, she simply stood there, quietly watching it.
A small smile formed on her face.
"What a beautiful sight..."
She whispered the words to herself.
Then her gaze slowly returned to her injured foot.
Just then, a familiar voice came from ahead.
"Lara."
Elara froze.
The voice.
And more importantly, the name.
Her eyes widened slightly before she slowly turned toward it.
A gentle breeze passed through the road, brushing her hair across her face.
Under the shade of a nearby tree stood Alaric.
He had something hidden behind his back.
When their eyes met, he smiled and gave her a small wave.
Elara remained speechless.
*Why is he here?*
She slowly walked toward him.
Alaric waited until she reached him before leaning forward slightly.
"Is your foot okay?"
That snapped Elara back to reality.
She quickly looked down.
"Ahh... it's just a few scratches. I'm fine."
Alaric didn't seem convinced.
He immediately crouched down in front of her.
Elara stared at him.
"What are you doing?"
"Let's take these off."
He looked at her shoes.
"They're hurting your foot. It's better if you don't keep wearing them."
He carefully placed the shoes beside him and slowly removed the high heels from her feet.
Elara allowed him to do it, though she struggled slightly to keep her balance.
Once he had taken them off, Alaric stood and picked up the shoes.
Elara looked at him.
"You brought these for me?"
Alaric nodded.
"Yeah."
He held up the high heels slightly.
"I remembered you saying that you hated wearing them because they hurt your feet."
Elara stared at him for a moment.
Then she raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure Lala didn't send you?"
Alaric shook his head.
"No."
He glanced toward the road.
"I just remembered."
He paused.
"And I had some free time before dinner, so I came looking for you."
He turned and started walking.
"Come on. Lala is alone at the residence."
Elara remained still for a moment.
Then she quietly followed him.
As she walked behind him, she watched his back.
*Hmm...*
A small smile appeared on her face.
*That's actually kind of thoughtful for Alaric.*
Alaric glanced back.
"You coming?"
Elara quickly caught up.
"Yeah."
They continued walking.
For a short while, neither of them spoke.
Then, without warning, Elara jumped onto Alaric's back.
"Whoa!"
Alaric nearly stumbled.
"What are you doing?!"
Elara laughed as she tightened her arms around his neck.
"You have to give me a piggyback ride."
She rested her chin against his shoulder.
"I can't walk."
Alaric glanced back at her.
"You literally just told me you were fine."
Elara grinned.
"Just do it."
She tightened her grip.
"It's a privilege to carry a princess, you know."
"Privilege, my foot."
Alaric adjusted his balance.
"That's nothing to be proud of."
Elara burst into laughter.
"Let's go, Alaric."
"Ahh... this is annoying."
Alaric muttered under his breath as he started walking again.
Elara happily rested against his back.
After a few steps, Alaric held out the shoes he had been carrying.
"Here. At least hold your high heels."
Elara took them.
"Okay."
She tightened her arms around his neck again.
The two continued down the road together.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Only the quiet sound of Alaric's footsteps filled the evening air.
Then Elara spoke.
"Alaric?"
"Hmm?"
"Am I heavy?"
Alaric didn't answer immediately.
Then he sighed.
"I'd be lying if I said no."
Elara chuckled softly.
"Idiot."
Alaric stopped walking.
"Huh?"
He glanced back.
"How does that make me an idiot?"
Elara didn't answer.
Instead, her eyes drifted toward the horizon.
The sunset had grown even more beautiful.
The pink glow had spread farther across the sky, slowly fading into deeper shades as the sun sank behind the mountains.
Elara smiled.
"What a beautiful sunset."
Her voice was soft, almost as though she were speaking only to herself.
Alaric followed her gaze.
For a while, they simply stood there.
Neither of them spoke.
They watched the sun slowly disappear beyond the mountains.
Then Alaric spoke.
"Lara?"
"What?"
"Do you think a person's ending can be as beautiful as that sunset?"
His eyes remained fixed on the horizon.
Elara was quiet for a moment.
Then she looked at him.
"I don't know."
Her voice was soft.
"Because beauty isn't necessarily something we have."
She looked back toward the sunset.
"It's something people decide for themselves."
Alaric listened silently.
"It needs someone to witness it and give it meaning."
She paused.
"Just like that sun."
Her eyes remained fixed on the fading light.
"It simply sits there and sets."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"But we look at it and call it beautiful because of the way it shines and the colors it leaves behind."
She paused again.
"Without anyone there to see it... it would just be another sunset."
Alaric stared at her.
"What do you mean?"
Elara chuckled softly.
"I mean the ending you're talking about."
She looked at him.
"How beautiful your ending is depends on how other people see you."
Alaric remained quiet.
"You can shine as brightly as you want."
Her voice became gentler.
"But if the people watching you see something else, there's nothing you can do about it."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The last light of the sun slowly disappeared behind the mountains.
Elara looked toward the road ahead.
"Hmmm..."
Then she smiled.
"Anyway, let's go."
She adjusted her grip around Alaric's shoulders.
"Lala must be lonely by now."
Alaric sighed softly.
"Yeah."
He started walking again.
With Elara still resting comfortably on his back, the two slowly continued toward home as the last traces of pink faded from the evening sky.
---
On the other side of the Elysium, Alice slowly opened her eyes.
For a moment, she didn't move.
She realized she had been leaning against Caelin, who was still sitting beside her, his eyes closed as he slept peacefully.
Alice slowly straightened herself and shook her head a little.
"Ahh... my head hurts."
Her gaze wandered downward, and she noticed her glass lying in the grass near her feet.
She reached for it and slowly picked it up, still trying to gather herself.
Then she glanced at Caelin.
He hadn't moved.
Alice quietly fixed her hair, brushing it back into place before reaching over and giving him a small knock.
Caelin stirred.
His eyes slowly opened, and for a moment, all he saw was the darkening sky above him.
He gradually lifted his head from the back of the chair he had been leaning against.
"Ahh... my neck hurts," he whispered, rubbing it gently.
Then he noticed Alice sitting beside him.
"Oh, you're awake," he said.
Alice swung her glass lightly in her hand and smiled.
"Why is someone who's supposed to wake me up sleeping as well?"
Caelin looked at her for a moment before stretching his neck again.
"You don't even know when you fell asleep."
"Of course I do," Alice replied, suddenly standing up. "I fell asleep because I wanted you to wake me up."
Caelin chuckled softly.
"Miss Alice..." He shook his head. "You're bad at lying."
"Ha. What are you trying to say?"
Caelin let out a lazy sigh.
"Just don't lie."
He looked at her for a moment.
"You're much more interesting when you don't."
Alice stared at him.
Then, without warning, she reached over and pulled his cheek.
"Ouch, ouch! That hurts!"
Caelin immediately grabbed her hand, trying to stop her.
Alice eventually let go and shrugged, as though nothing had happened.
She looked around.
The light had already begun to fade.
"Ehh... it's basically dark already. I have to go home."
Caelin looked around as well.
"You're right."
Alice turned, preparing to leave.
Caelin stood up beside her.
She took a few steps before stopping.
Then she slightly turned her head.
"Caelin."
He looked at her.
For a moment, Alice simply stood there, watching him.
"The end of your time here is almost coming now."
Her voice had become quieter.
"And before you leave, make sure you become someone who can face your father."
Caelin remained silent.
"Unless you want to become like him," she continued. "Being a ruler of Bane isn't easy. Especially when so many people heavily side with the Thandors."
She paused.
"It can become quite miserable."
Alice then turned away and began walking.
After a few steps, she raised one hand slightly.
"See you around."
Caelin remained where he was, watching her disappear into the distance.
Eventually, he stretched his arms and slowly looked up at the darkening sky.
"Become someone like my father...?"
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
He lowered his gaze.
"I feel like I was raised by an insecure king... not a father."
For a moment, he stood there alone.
Then he slowly turned and walked away.
---
The sun had finally disappeared beyond the mountains.
Inside the palace of Valerith, King Midus stood by the window, looking out over the courtyard.
A carriage stood in front of the palace while several soldiers moved around it, loading belongings one after another.
"So King Conrad is moving tomorrow?" Midus asked, still looking through the window.
General Derick nodded.
"Yes. The King of Bane is preparing to leave early tomorrow."
He paused.
"I think we can focus more on our investigation once he's gone."
King Midus turned away from the window and gave a small nod.
"Yes. We need to hurry and find out why the Elysium suddenly changed its rules this year."
He slowly walked toward his chair.
"To go as far as substituting the principal, if necessary... We won't tolerate rules being changed for the sake of a single student."
He stopped beside his chair and looked at Derick.
"Have we found anything about Clerk so far?"
General Derick took off his helmet and held it against his side.
"There isn't any proof yet. But even the other teachers weren't aware that the rules had suddenly changed this year."
He paused.
"It appears to have been a decision made solely by Principal Clerk. And with King Conrad coming along to witness the final, it makes the situation even more suspicious."
King Midus nodded slowly.
He didn't say anything for a while.
Instead, he touched his beard, lost in thought.
Eventually, he lowered his hand and sat down in his chair.
"Keep your eyes on Clerk for now. Find out as much information as you can."
General Derick bowed his head.
"Yes, my lord."
Midus leaned back slightly.
"The Elysium isn't merely a place where the children of nobles prepare for their futures. It's also a symbol of peace formed between the five nations."
His voice became firmer.
"To corrupt its rules for the sake of an individual is the same as breaking the bond between those nations."
He looked directly at Derick.
"We will not tolerate that."
"Yes. I'll look for more information and report back tomorrow."
Midus raised one hand slightly.
General Derick understood.
He put his helmet back on, bowed once more, and began walking toward the door.
Just then, the door quietly opened.
Both King Midus and General Derick turned toward it.
A small hand appeared around the edge.
Then a little head slowly peeked through.
"Papa..."
King Midus looked toward the door and found Princess Selara Lysande peeking into the room.
General Derick bowed slightly.
"Princess, come in."
Selara slowly stepped inside and carefully closed the door behind her.
She then stood in front of General Derick and placed a finger against her lips.
"Shhhhhh... The maids aren't allowed to let me come here."
She smiled mischievously.
Seeing this, King Midus chuckled softly.
"Oh, is that so?"
General Derick smiled.
"Then, good night, Princess."
He gently brushed a hand over her head before leaving the room.
Selara immediately fixed her hair and ran toward her father.
Midus was already sitting in his chair.
She climbed onto his lap and settled herself comfortably.
"Ahh, my youngest daughter is here again."
He looked down at her with a smile.
"Are you sure the maids won't find out you're here?"
"Papa, can Selara sleep with you tonight?"
She looked up at him.
Midus stared at her for a moment.
Then he chuckled softly.
"How am I supposed to say no to that face?"
He nodded.
Selara smiled.
"Thank you, Papa."
She made herself comfortable in his lap and closed her eyes.
"Papa?"
"Yes, honey?"
"Tell me a bedtime story."
Midus raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm... but bedtime stories are for bedtime."
Selara opened her eyes slightly.
"It's okay here. I always wake up in bed when morning comes, even if I fall asleep in the chair."
Midus smiled.
"Is that so?"
Selara nodded.
"Yes, Papa. Now tell me."
She closed her eyes again and settled more comfortably against him.
"All right, then."
Midus let out a quiet sigh.
"Once upon a time..."
His voice continued softly through the room.
After some time, Midus looked down at her.
Selara was already asleep.
She lay peacefully in his arms, one thumb resting near her mouth.
Midus watched her for a moment.
A quiet smile appeared on his face.
Then came a knock at the door.
"Come in."
A maid slowly entered and bowed.
"My King, I'm sorry, but have you seen Selara?"
Midus looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms.
"She is here. Let her sleep in her room."
"Yes, my King."
The maid carefully took Selara from his arms and carried her away toward her room.
Midus watched them leave in silence.