Eden's Embrace

THE sun painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, signalling the start of a new day in Eden. In a shared room above a bustling tavern, a young lord of the White Wolf clan, stirred from his slumber. Tangled hair clung to his forehead as he stifled a yawn, his gaze falling upon his comrade Kazuo, who was snoring like a lumberjack. 

A familiar irritation flared in Shinji. Without a word, he flung his pillow at the ginger-haired man. The pillow bounced harmlessly off Kazuo's head, leaving the man undisturbed in his slumber. Shinji grumbled, reaching for a cigarette as his eyes drifted to Guy, who slept soundly despite the cacophony beside him. How does he do it? Shinji wondered, a touch of envy creeping into his thoughts.

He snatched a towel from the bedpost and left, pausing at Mika's door. A quick rap followed by a calloused knuckle against the wood. 

"It's me," He announced. Silence echoed back. "Mika, open up."

Silence stretched, thick and heavy. Shinji cursed, a cold dread settling in his gut. He tested the knob, finding it unlocked. The room was empty, the air stagnant, a letter addressed to him resting ominously on the nightstand.

Damn it, Mika!

THE express train hurtled towards Eden, a city of gleaming towers and technological marvels, a sanctuary forged in the ashes of the Great War. Mika stared out the grime-streaked window, Shinji's parting words echoing in her mind, the weight of her unspoken secret heavy on her heart. Her fingers intertwined with a few of those of the orphaned children on this uncertain journey.

Rom, sensing her unease, asked, "Still thinking about them?"

Mika offered a weak smile. "Hello to you too, Rom. How are the others?"

"Out like lights," he replied with a yawn, stretching his lanky frame. "They were buzzing last night, all excited about Eden."

Mika's face was etched with concern. "You should get some rest, Rom. You look exhausted."

He shrugged, a shadow passing over his eyes. "Nah, I'm used to it. Gotta keep the little ones safe, you know?"

"You're a good brother, Rom."

A blush crept onto his cheeks, but his eyes remained troubled. "They drive me crazy most of the time," he mumbled, looking away.

"But someone's gotta make sure they don't..." He trailed off, unable to voice the fear that gnawed at him.

Mika understood. Don't die. The unspoken plea hung heavy in the air between them.

"Hey," Rom's voice was barely a whisper. "You could still come with us, you know? Forget about those humans... those friends of yours." Desperation tinged his words. "You said they mistreated you. Why stay with them? I hate them. I hate humans!" His voice rose, trembling with barely suppressed rage and grief.

Mika's heart ached for him. At fourteen, he had already seen too much darkness. She cupped his face in her hands, her touch gentle as she wiped away the tears spilling down his cheeks.

"I'm so sorry, Rom," Mika whispered. "For everything you've been through. I wish I could take away your pain, but all I can offer is this small comfort..." He clung to her, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs. "It's not your fault, sweetheart," he choked out.

Mika opened her mouth to respond, but the train's announcement interrupted her. "Attention, passengers. We will be arriving at Eden's Express Terminal in five minutes."

Rom pulled away, hastily wiping his face. "I'll check on the others. Stay here, okay?"

Mika nodded, her gaze following him as he disappeared down the aisle. The weight of her secret pressed upon her, a suffocating burden she couldn't bear alone.

The towering buildings of Eden City gleamed like a mirage in the afternoon sun, a stark contrast to the grime-streaked windows of the train. As Mika and the children stepped onto the bustling platform, their eyes darted between the sleek, futuristic structures and the sea of unfamiliar faces.

"Whoa, look at that one!" Luke tugged at his brother's sleeve, pointing at a spiralling tower that seemed to pierce the heavens.

Rom chuckled, ruffling the boy's hair. "Don't wander off, you two. We'll explore later, I promise." His gaze drifted to the imposing checkpoints, where guards in crisp blue and white uniforms stood like statues. A nervous knot tightened in his stomach.

Mika mirrored his gaze, her emerald eyes wide with wonder and apprehension. "Remember," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the crowd's din, "one misstep..."

"...and we're done for," Rom finished, his smile fading as he scanned the sea of faces for any hint of recognition.

They approached the first checkpoint, each step a thunderclap in their chests. Mika presented their forged passports, her hands trembling slightly as the guards scrutinised their faces. A bead of sweat trickled down her temple.

"Welcome to Eden City," a deep voice boomed, breaking the tense silence.

A wave of relief washed over them as they hurried through, only to be met with a chilling sight at the final checkpoint. A group of Luyas Knights, clad in orange and red armour, glared at them with undisguised hostility.

A guttural cry shattered the air: "The Spirit Princess!"

In a flash, the knights drew their swords and charged, their armour glinting menacingly in the afternoon sun. Panic erupted as the Eden Guards attempted to intervene. Still, the Luyas Knights, fueled by a desperate fervour, cut them down without mercy.

Mika's instincts kicked in. With a cry, she leapt forward, her twin blades a whirlwind of steel as she intercepted the first attack. "RUN!" she roared, kicking the stunned knight away.

Rom, momentarily paralysed by shock, snapped into action, grabbing the children and sprinting towards a narrow alleyway. "This way!" he yelled, his voice choking with fear and adrenaline.

"Rom! Big sis is in trouble!" Luke wailed, struggling to keep up.

"I know, damn it!" Rom hissed, his heart pounding as he turned a corner, pulling the children behind a stack of crates. He pressed a finger to his lips, silencing their whimpers as the heavy footsteps of the Luyas Knights thundered past.

One of the knights paused, his gaze lingering on the alleyway. He hesitated, then turned to investigate. But before he could take a step, a shadow lunged from the darkness, knocking him to the ground with a sickening thud.

"You bitch!" Knight spat, wiping blood from his mouth, after he recovered quickly . "We have permission to capture you! Surrender, or die!"

Mika's breath hitched as the Luyas Knight lunged. Her vision narrowed, and her ears filled with a deafening roar. Time seemed to distort as she instinctively parried his attack, her twin blades a blur of motion. A guttural scream ripped from her throat as she plunged one blade deep into his chest, her emerald eyes blazing with a primal fury she barely recognised.

For a fleeting moment, the world held its breath. Then, the knight's body slumped lifelessly to the ground, and a wave of nausea washed over Mika as the adrenaline ebbed away, leaving her trembling and breathless.

Enraged by their comrade's death, the remaining knights swarmed Mika, their swords flashing in the sunlight. But Mika, fuelled by a desperate need to protect the children, fought like a cornered animal, her blades a whirlwind of death. One by one, the knights fell, their blood staining the cobblestones.

Hidden behind the crates, Rom watched in horror, his arms wrapped tightly around the trembling children. The metallic clang of steel, the sickening thud of bodies hitting the ground, and Mika's feral cries filled his ears, a macabre symphony of violence. He couldn't take his eyes off the scene unfolding before him. 

His sweet, gentle Mika, had transformed into a ruthless warrior, her movements swift and deadly. His mind reeled, trying to reconcile the image of the kind young woman he knew with the blood-soaked figure battling for her life. Suddenly, a chilling realisation struck him.

The Luyas Knight's words echoed in his mind: The Spirit Princess. Could it be? Was Mika the legendary figure spoken of in whispers? Who could wield unimaginable power?

His heart pounded as he watched Mika dispatch the last of her attackers. Her movements were slowing, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. He noticed her hands trembling, her eyes wide with shock and horror. Before he could react, a bloodcurdling scream pierced the air. 

One of the knights, seemingly dead, had risen to his feet, his face contorted in a mask of rage. He charged towards the alley, his sword raised high.

Rom braced himself, ready to shield the children with his own body. But before the knight could reach them, a motion blur intercepted him. In the blink of an eye, the knight was impaled on Mika's blade, his lifeless body crumpling to the ground.

The world fell silent. The only sound was Mika's ragged breathing as she stared at her bloodstained hands, her eyes wide with terror. She wrenched her blades free from the fallen knight, her knees buckling beneath her and she collapsed to the blood-soaked cobblestones, her body wracked with sobs. 

The metallic tang of blood filled her mouth, the echoes of dying screams tormenting her ears. She had never wanted to kill, had only meant to incapacitate. But faced with the threat to Rom and the children, her instincts had taken over.

Fight to protect the ones you hold dear, and most importantly, Mika, fight for your own survival. Shinji's words echoed in her mind, a grim reminder of the harsh reality they faced. A child's soft voice pierced her despair.

"Sweetheart?"

Mika slowly turned, her face still hidden behind bloodstained hands. Rom stood before her, his eyes filled with a profound sadness that pierced her heart.

"Don't look at me," she whispered, her voice raw with shame and grief.

He shook his head gently. "No. No, sweetheart. Thank you. You did what you had to do." His voice cracked with emotion. "Even though you had to..."

Their exchange was cut short by the thunder of approaching hooves. A cavalry squadron bearing the blue and white Galanthus flag of Eden surrounded them. A knight, his armour gleaming in the sunlight, dismounted and approached cautiously.

Mika scrambled to her feet, her blades raised protectively in front of the children huddled behind her. "Stay back!" she snarled, her voice hoarse.

"Please, Your Highness," the knight said, his tone placating. "I am Captain Devone of the White Knights Brigade. Lord Eden XIII requests your presence at his mansion. He awaits you and your companions."

"How did he know we were coming?" Rom demanded, his voice trembling with suspicion. "This is a trap!"

"I assure you, young man, it is not," Devone replied calmly. "The Luyas Knights have been at our borders for days, claiming they sought the Spirit Princess under Lord Ranfel's orders. Lord Eden was forced to grant them limited access, but they broke their agreement by attacking our men. We are acting under the Act of Intrusion."

Mika's eyes narrowed. "None of your men came to our aid when we were attacked. Why should we trust you?"

Devone paused, a flicker of shame crossing his face. "I will not make excuses, Your Highness. But to prove my good intentions..." He drew his sword and laid it on the ground, then removed his helmet and breastplate, placing them at Mika's feet. "If you doubt me, you have my permission to strike me down."

"Captain! That's suicidal!"

"SILENCE! You're in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Mika! Show her some respect!"

The other knights gasped, but Devone silenced them with a raised hand. "Please forgive my men's lack of decorum, Your Highness," he said, bowing his head.

Mika stared at the discarded armour, then nudged the sword towards Rom with her foot. "Take these," she said quietly. Slowly, she lowered her blades, her gaze unwavering. Take us to Lord Eden."

"As you wish, Your Highness." Turning to his men, Devone barked orders for them to make a clear path for them to pass.

AS promised, Captain Devone escorted Mika and the children to the mansion, where they were greeted by a sight that took their breath away. Guards and servants lined the entrance, bowing deeply as they passed.

"Your Royal Highness, Princess Mika of the Spirit World, and her esteemed companions have arrived!" the guard announced, his voice echoing through the grand foyer.

Mika's eyes widened at the spectacle, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "There's no need for all this," she stammered.

A warm chuckle echoed from the top of the grand staircase. "There's no need for modesty, Princess Mika," a masked figure called out as he descended the steps. "Welcome to Eden City."

"You are Lord Eden XIII?" Mika asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Indeed I am," he replied, his voice surprisingly young and vibrant.

Rom couldn't contain his surprise. "No way!" he blurted out. "You don't sound like an old geezer at all!" The other children giggled in agreement.

Lord Eden laughed heartily. "Flattery will get you everywhere, young man," he winked. Turning to Mika, he continued, "I'm sure you have many questions, Your Highness. Shall we discuss them over lunch?"

The mention of food elicited a chorus of grumbling stomachs. Mika couldn't deny the tempting aroma wafting from the dining hall. "Yes, please," she replied with a grateful smile.

The dining table overflowed with a feast fit for royalty. The children scrubbed clean and dressed in fresh clothes, attacked the spread with gusto, their laughter and chatter filling the room. Lord Eden watched with amusement, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.

Rom had never seen such abundance. Back in their desolate town, a stolen loaf of bread was a rare treat. Here, he could indulge in guilt-free delicacies he had only dreamed of. He made a mental note to thank Mika later. Speaking of which, where was she? 

"Hey, where's the sweetheart?" he asked, oblivious to the curious glances his question elicited.

"She'll be down momentarily," Lord Eden replied, his eyebrow raised at the affectionate nickname.

A knock at the door announced the arrival of the head maid. "May I present to Her Royal Highness, Princess Mika of the Spirit Kingdom," she said with a flourish.

All eyes turned to the doorway as Mika entered, transformed. Her usually tousled hair was now elegantly styled, her face adorned with subtle makeup that accentuated her natural beauty.

Rom's jaw dropped, his fork clattering to his plate. "Wow," he breathed. "You look so beautiful, Big Sis!"

The other children echoed his sentiment, their eyes wide with admiration. Mika blushed, her eyes darting nervously towards Lord Eden.

"Now that is the Spirit Princess I remember," Lord Eden said, a warmth in his voice that belied his masked face.

Mika's blush deepened. "What do you mean…?" she asked, her heart pounding.

Instead of answering, Lord Eden took her hand and gently kissed her back. He then escorted her to the seat beside him, a gesture of respect and welcome. As Mika settled into her chair, relief washed over her. She didn't feel so alone for the first time since leaving her comrades.

AFTER lunch, the head maid whisked the children away for a well-deserved nap, leaving Mika alone with Lord Eden. He led her to a grand chamber filled with framed portraits and overflowing bookshelves.

"Why are we here?" Mika asked, her voice echoing in the vast room.

"This is the Heirloom Chamber," Lord Eden explained, his voice hushed. It is a repository of generations of treasures. And there's something I want to show you." He approached a shelf laden with ornate photo albums, his fingers tracing the gilded spines until they stopped at a particularly thick volume. He withdrew it carefully and presented it to Mika.

"What is this?" she asked, surprised by its weight. The solid gold cover bore an inscription in Ancient Aspaniac: The Spirits Royal Family.

Lord Eden smiled enigmatically. "Why don't you take a look?" He led her to a balcony overlooking a serene lake, where a table laden with tea and pastries awaited them. Servants bowed as they approached, then discreetly withdrew.

"Go on, child," Lord Eden urged, settling into a chair. "Open it."

Mika's fingers trembled slightly as she turned the first page. Images of past Spirit royalty filled the pages, each face regal and familiar yet strangely distant. Suddenly, a memory flashed before her: 

Her younger self, sitting on the floor in a library, looking through the same golden thick album book. Just then, someone came up behind her and tickled her. Giggling and laughing aloud, Mika turned to the unseen person's face and reached out her arms for a hug.

"Papa!" she cried out happily, her voice echoing in the vast chamber of her mind.

The album slipped from her grasp, only to be caught by Lord Eden's swift hand. "Easy there, Your Highness."

Mika shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "Stop calling me that! I'm not the lost princess. I'm just... me."

Lord Eden's voice softened. "Forgive me, Mika. I should have warned you. I needed to see for myself if the rumours were true... that you had lost your memories."

A heavy silence settled over them. Mika struggled to compose herself, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief.

"How do you know so much about me?" she asked. "Have we met before?"

Lord Eden gestured to the album. "May I?"

Mika nodded, handing it back to him. He turned to a page near the back, revealing a photo of two men standing in front of the mansion, each holding a toddler.

"Do you recognise them?" he asked.

Mika gasped. The man on the left, his face concealed by a mask, was the same man sitting beside her.

"That's you?" she whispered.

"Yes," Lord Eden confirmed. "And the man beside me... that's your father, King Ferid."

Mika stared at the photo, her heart aching, longing for a past she couldn't remember. "So it's true... I'm the lost princess," she murmured. "And I have a brother who wants me dead."

Lord Eden nodded sadly. "Before the Great War, we had a close relationship with the Spirit Kingdom. Your father was a noble and just ruler. But there were those who opposed his vision of peace, who coveted the Spirits' prophecy for their own gain. That greed ignited the war."

Mika listened, her mind reeling with the revelations. One tear rolled on her cheek, but this time, she didn't bother to wipe it.

"The previous Master Oracle and I blamed ourselves for what happened. We should have taken more control over the situation on our side when it happened. But... There's no use crying over spilt milk." Lord Eden flipped another page and showed her another picture. It was him, Ferid, and a younger man no less than eighteen years old.

"Do you know him?"

Mika shook her head.

"That's too bad! You should be. You were his subordinate back in Luyas."

"C-Commandant Grants Rogue?" Her eyes widened.

"Exactly. He was a representative from Luyas; the best knight they had of his time. They called him 'The Demon' even back then, because of his fierceness in battle and passionate fighting for the greater goods. I'm surprised that the title lasts until today!" Lord Eden chuckled behind the mask.

Mika smiled. "He still goes by the nickname until today. How did you know I was coming here?"

"To be honest, I didn't. I've received a report and letter from Grants, however, stating what happened to you after you were exiled from the Kingdom."

"Oh."

"In the letter, he told me he was sorry for not being able to protect you like he had promised me he would years ago. I've been looking for you ever since if you decide to come here.

"What promise has the Commandant made?"

"It was an old promise. Happened just a few months after Lord Ranfel had found you. You were twelve then, I believe. After Grants had witnessed just what a good fighter you are during one of the Knight training in the Knight Academy. How you had impressed him until the man could not stop talking about you for months! Whenever we went out for drinks, you were always on the top of his topic list. Heck, I'd almost thought that he had developed an unhealthy obsession with you!"

Mika laughed heartily at his dramatic hand gestures. Even without seeing his face, his silly antics and young-at-heart attitude made people feel comfortable around him regardless of age.

"Truth be told, I'd wanted to take you with me back to Eden with me the moment Lord Ranfel told me about you. I knew you would be protected here and able to live life peacefully. I'd wanted to save you from the corrupt hands of Lord Ranfel. Unfortunately, Lord Ranfel had his men backed him up with reasons that were beneficial according to the Court. I'd lose you to him, and well, he got to adopt you instead."

Mika lowered her eyes. While it was interesting enough to finally hear the truth about her adoption, she couldn't help but feel like a winning trophy.

"Bear in mind, I haven't given up on you yet. After he had won, I'd come to Lord Ranfel and proposed an agreement with him – that after you have reached adulthood, at the age of eighteen, I would most definitely take you away from him, whether he likes it or not. By then, he could not stop me unless he wanted to pick a fight with the Master Oracle and the House of Eden."

Lord Eden smirked behind the mask he was wearing. "And we'll know who will lose in the end by then."

Mika's eyes widened. "You were planning to adopt me?"

"Well, since you'll be reaching adulthood by then, adopting you would seem suspicious even for someone like me. Like I'd said, I would want you to stay in Eden, for your own good. But then," Lord Eden sighed. He looked at the picture of the three.

"Grants, that sneaky fella. He'd come knocking on my door one fine day and asked me for permission to adopt a child."

"And you'd let him?"

"Of course not, silly! When he'd mentioned the child was you, I'd refused his adoption application immediately. He was pissed and demanding to know why I'd rejected his application. I told him the reason why his application got rejected was because while he had a good intention, his reasoning isn't great enough. He had wanted to adopt you because he saw great potential in you and wanted you to grow up to become a great Knight one day."

"I see. So, I am nothing more than prize money for those who wanted to own me, is that it?" Mika said gloomily.

"I would never allow such a thing to happen as long as I'm still breathing," Lord Eden firmly stated. Grants meant well. I knew if he had you under his wings, he wouldn't even let Lord Ranfel touch a hair on you, no matter how different their status was. But just as you've said, it will only give you their prize money that they are all willing to compete for." 

Even with a mask on, Mika could feel his eyes were looking straight at her. She waited to answer. I did not want to interrupt him.

"Your Highness, forgive me for being frank, but I would like to know your plans after this is over? Do you intend to go back to your home, the Spirit World? Or do you plan to stay by Prince Shinji's side as his Chosen Apprentice?

"That's... hard to say," Mika sighed. I don't know if I'll ever recover my memories. Even if I remembered my past, it would take some time to absorb everything that had happened in the past years."

"That's true." He nodded. "I was hoping that if possible, to restore the relationship between our world and the Spirit world. While I am very aware that it is not an easy task, the fact that we had peace with them for decades in peace before the Great War started said something. It's a great shame if we left things this way after all those years. But after listening to you, it might just be a selfish wish on my part to atone for my mistakes."

Mika kept silent. This was perhaps the very first time she had heard anyone talk about wanting to restore peace not just for this world but for both worlds as well. Too often had she heard people talk ill about the Spirits.

"I would have done anything to protect you, Mika," Lord Eden said, his voice filled with a warmth that belied his masked face. Conversation flowed a dance of revelations and shared memories. 

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the garden, Lord Eden offered Mika his arm, a silent gesture of comfort and support.

MIKA and Lord Eden strolled down the hallway, their conversation interrupted by a guard's crisp salute. "Pardon me, Lord Eden, Your Royal Highness. Your guests have arrived as requested. Captain Devone is escorting them to your office."

"Excellent," Lord Eden replied. "Thank you. We'll join them shortly." Lord Eden gestured for Mika to open the office door as they approached it. 

A boisterous voice immediately boomed from within. "Mika!"

Someone crashed into Mika, nearly knocking her off her heels. She blinked in surprise, her eyes widening as she recognised the familiar face. 

"Guy!" Mika exclaimed, returning his enthusiastic embrace.

Shinji and Kazuo followed close behind, their reactions contrasting sharply. "There he goes. All those talks about 'letting go' went straight out the window the moment he spotted her." Kazuo commented, shaking his head, while Shinji rolled his eyes with a playful smirk.

Kazuo let out a low whistle. "Damn, girl," he grinned, "you clean up nice!"

Mika blushed, but Kazuo found himself propelled against the wall by a swift kick from Shinji before she could retort. A heated argument erupted between the two men, their voices echoing through the room. Lord Eden chuckled, amused by the familiar bickering. Guy, ever the diplomat, approached him with a respectful bow. 

"Lord Eden," he began, his voice low and earnest, "I wish to thank you for your hospitality and protection of Mika. We heard of the incident at the checkpoint..."

Before Lord Eden could respond, footsteps thundered down the stairs. The children, drawn by the commotion, burst into the room, their eyes widening at the sight of two grown men wrestling on the floor.

Mika cleared her throat, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Sorry, did we wake you?"

Rom, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, blinked at the newcomers. "Who are these people?" he asked, pointing a finger at each of them.

"These are my comrades, Rom," Mika explained. They are the ones I told you about.

Rom's eyes widened in recognition, his sleepiness instantly replaced by alarm. "You're not taking her away, are you?" he cried, his voice thick with panic. "She's safer here! Those people tried to hurt her! She had to kill those people to protect us!" Rom clenched his shaken fists. "She was so scared and terrified. Her hands were trembling when she'd killed them. You should have seen it!" 

His outburst caused the children to cling to Lord Eden and Guy's legs, their eyes filled with fear and confusion.

Soft footsteps moved toward him. Before Rom could do anything, gentle yet strong arms wrapped around him and pulled him into a firm hug. 

Mika knelt before Rom, her heart aching at his distress. "What happened earlier made me realise something," she began, her voice barely a whisper. I don't deserve to be a princess."

"No!" Luke protested. "Big Sis, you're our princess! You're the most beautiful princess in the world!"

Mika smiled sadly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "But I ran. I hid. I relied on others to protect me. A true princess would have fought for her people."

Rom reached out, his small hand cupping her cheek. "You did fight for us," he whispered. "You protected us. That's what matters."

A wave of warmth washed over Mika, melting away some of the guilt and shame that had consumed her. She pulled Rom into a tight embrace, his words a balm to her wounded spirit. "You'll be leaving us... Just like the others. Will you be coming back, though?"

"Of course she will!" Lord Eden approached them, bringing the children still hanging around his legs. "Her Royal Highness is just simply performing her duties as a Princess. It is her duty to do all she can for her people, including yourselves, to live in peace, safe and sound in Fulana. She must go on this critical mission with her companions — her bodyguards- to achieve that goal. So you see, she will definitely return. That I assure you. Won't you, Your Highness?"

Mika beamed a bright smile and nodded. "Of course!"

Rom rubbed his nose, looking away. The flush on his cheeks refused to fade.

"W-Well, you'd better be! In fact, you'd better come here straight after wherever you're going! If not, I... Well, I... I'll get mad! And you won't like it when I'm MAD!" Mika chuckled heartily as she affectionately rubbed the boy's head.

"I promise. But in return, I want all of you to be on your best behaviour while staying with Lord Eden, you hear? All of you." The children saluted cutely and swore they would be on their best behaviour, causing the whole office to be filled with laughter.

Lord Eden cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Your Highness," he said, his voice gentle but firm, "it is your duty to protect your people. But you cannot do it alone. You need your comrades, friends and family. And we, here in Eden, are your family now." 

His words resonated with Mika, and a sense of belonging bloomed in her chest. She looked at the children, at Rom, at her comrades. These were her people, and she would do anything to keep them safe. Lord Eden, the gracious host, ushered the weary travellers to their rooms, promising a warm meal and a comfortable bed. 

"You too, little man. You need to get his sleep as well." Lord Eden pulled Rom, who had been standing still and couldn't keep his eyes off the Princess, toward the door before shutting it.

As the door clicked shut behind Lord Eden and Rom, a heavy silence settled over the room. Mika and Shinji stood in the centre, the tension crackling between them. Shinji broke the silence first, plucking a cigarette from his sleeve and lighting it with a practised flick of his wrist.

"Are you angry?" Mika finally asked, her voice barely whispering.

Shinji inhaled deeply, the ember of his cigarette glowing in the dim light. "No," he replied after a long pause.

Mika's brow furrowed. "Why not?"

"Because you made a decision," Shinji said, his voice low and steady. "Your decision. If you haven't noticed, it's the first time you've acted without relying on me or anyone else to tell you what's right or wrong." A wave of relief washed over Mika. She had steeled herself for a lecture, but Shinji's words were surprisingly understanding.

"However," he continued, his eyes closing as he exhaled a plume of smoke, "that doesn't mean I wasn't worried sick. When we heard about the checkpoint fight... how you protected those children... it scared the hell out of me." He paused, the silence heavy with unspoken emotions. "But it also made me realise how much you've grown, Mika."

A rare smile softened his features as he opened his eyes; the warmth in them starkly contrasted with his usual stoicism. He stepped closer, reaching out to gently ruffle Mika's hair. "Well done, my apprentice."

Mika's heart swelled with a mix of gratitude and affection. A blush warmed her cheeks as she looked up at him, a thousand questions bubbling to the surface. But at that point, neither mattered. All that mattered was their silent understanding, a bond forged in hardship and trust.

Down the hall, the boisterous laughter of the children echoed from their rooms. Having emerged victorious from his scuffle with Shinji, Kazuo regaled them with tales of his past conquests, much to the amusement of the wide-eyed orphans. Guy, ever the gentleman, excused himself, his thoughts preoccupied with the revelations about Mika's true identity.

In the quiet of Lord Eden's office, Mika and Shinji shared an unspoken moment of connection. The weight of the future, heavy with responsibility and uncertainty, pressed upon them. But for now, they found solace in the warmth of their shared understanding, a flicker of hope amidst the gathering storm.