Interlude

"Are you really this so-called king of Dazilet?"

Inside the elevator, Inaya suddenly turned around and asked, as if she still hadn't fully processed the earlier revelations.

"Not a king. Crown Princess," Hielaina corrected her, tapping Inaya on the forehead.

"Hey! Just because you're high and mighty doesn't mean you can just touch my head!"

"I'll do as I please. Let's see where you think you can run."

With no warning whatsoever, the two of them were suddenly at it again. Inaya darted forward, Hielaina chased after her. The not-so-spacious elevator turned into a whirlwind of chaos, shaking slightly as if it might come crashing down at any moment.

"..."

Nordhausen and Edwin held back, reluctant to intervene due to Hielaina's status. Shatiel, meanwhile, leaned casually against the wall, eyes closed, clearly uninterested in reining them in. Was this really the same commanding royal presence from earlier?

"Ahem… Your Highness, if this continues, the elevator might malfunction..."

Nordhausen finally couldn't stand it anymore and stepped in with a word of caution. His real concern was that if anything happened to the princess now, her mission would end before it even began.

"Heh, little girl, it'll take you a few more decades of training if you want to catch me."

Inaya was perched in the corner of the elevator, one hand gripping the ceiling, legs propped against the walls, grinning in triumph.

"Oh? That so?"

Hielaina grinned, even though she hadn't even touched her target. She wasn't the type to admit defeat easily.

"Shatiel, give me a hand."

If she couldn't catch her herself, why not call in reinforcements?

"As you wish."

Shatiel opened her eyes slowly, her gaze locking onto Inaya.

"Y-You're cheating!"

That sharp glint in Shatiel's eyes… Was this lunatic really going to take it seriously?!

"I've been trained since childhood to command others. Using people wisely isn't cheating—it's ruling."

Hielaina puffed out her chest, once again adopting the bearing of royalty, with an unmistakable glint of triumph.

"Fine, fine..."

Inaya gave up struggling and allowed Shatiel to hoist her through the air and deliver her to Hielaina. In the end, Hielaina finally got to pat that head.

"Let's hope this isn't my last day alive… ( ^⋟﹏⋞ )"

The little black cat let out a pitiful, low mewl, as if mourning her tragic fate.

...

The elevator eventually stopped at the thirty-fifth floor. The group once again took the service corridor back to the room where Vichy and Satorodino had been held.

They weren't on the battlefield anymore—walking around in blood-soaked, torn-up uniforms would only draw attention. Before leaving the hotel, they needed to change.

"Your Highness, I can call Bratia's finest doctor to treat this lady's wounds," said Satorodino, eager to show usefulness in front of Hielaina. For him, this was a make-or-break moment—anything to avoid future retribution.

"Your Highness, the doctor I know is better. He studied at the capital's medical academy—experienced, professional, outstanding credentials. I guarantee he can stabilize her condition."

Vichy wouldn't be outdone. The two men immediately started bickering again.

"You—"

Satorodino glared at Vichy and turned to explain to Hielaina, but she cut him off before he could speak.

"I appreciate the gesture from both of you. However, the Night Knights have their own medical unit, and her condition is already stabilized."

Hielaina had little trust or expectation toward the two. Still, as long as they were temporary allies, she was fine maintaining the current truce. Whatever came next, she trusted Barini to handle it.

"Understood. Should Your Highness require anything further, the Black Swan will assist to the best of our ability," said Satorodino.

"Ivatsino stands ready to serve as well," Vichy added, throwing a glance at Satorodino, who predictably responded with a look of stunned indignation.

"I appreciate your support, gentlemen. But please remember—my identity must remain confidential."

Hielaina offered a polite smile, neither confirming nor rejecting their eagerness to help.

In politics, once a secret is shared with even one other person, it's no longer truly a secret—only a matter of time before it spreads. Hielaina had learned that from Bryso during her time shadowing the Imperial Council. With Barini's support, she might buy more time—maybe enough to rally the forces she needed. But there was no expecting enemies to stay idle forever. This time, it had been pure luck they ran into Nordhausen's team.

"On that note—since both of you are so keen to help..."

Hielaina's tone shifted subtly, immediately catching Vichy and Satorodino's attention.

"I'll leave the matter of Alice in your hands."

"Of course! Consider it done."

Vichy responded instantly, then added:

"You needn't trouble yourself. I'll bring Alice to you."

"That would be most helpful."

Vichy's reasoning was simple: he'd been the one to sell Alice into that kind of place. If he brought Hielaina there, Alice would likely gut him on the spot. As for Hielaina, minimizing her exposure was her top priority. Who knew if Parotno had someone watching the hotel from outside?

"Those two have basically turned into your lapdogs."

Inaya had returned to Hielaina's side and was watching Vichy leave.

"They're fighting for their lives."

Hielaina understood exactly where Vichy and Satorodino stood. It was survival, plain and simple.

"So what do you plan to do with them?"

"Nothing. If in the next two days they don't do anything that drastically changes my opinion, I'll leave the matter to the Minister of Internal Affairs. He knows more about them than I ever will."

"That's… pretty reasonable."

Inaya nodded.

"Didn't expect someone your age to have this much sense."

"Hah. I sat in on council meetings with my father starting at twelve. After each session, he'd walk me through every decision and its reasoning. If I couldn't make sense of even this much, then leaving the throne to Parotno would probably be the right call."

"Tch… don't you political types ever get overwhelmed by the pressure?"

"Of course we do."

With that, Hielaina pulled back the sleeve on her left arm.

"Whoa..."

Inaya stared at the vertical scar that ran across Hielaina's wrist, then gave her a second, longer look.

"And after that? How'd you come out of it?"

"Father realized I needed a different kind of education. Right around then, my tutor arrived at the palace, and I began traveling with him. I learned a lot more from the real world than I ever did behind palace walls."

"Ohhh~ So that's when you and Shatiel met, huh~"

Inaya's eyes sparkled with gossip. This was prime material—stuff only she got to witness.

"Yes. Shatiel helped me through that dark time. It was during our travels that we confirmed our relationship."

"Bold. Respect."

Hielaina let her sleeve fall again, then glanced at Inaya.

"By the way… you've lived a long time. Hasn't anyone ever truly moved your heart?"

"Well… I guess there was someone. A long time ago. So long I can't quite recall."

"Can't remember or don't want to?"

"Truly can't. All I get are scattered fragments."

"..."

Hielaina noticed Inaya's eyes flickering evasively. Her voice was quieter too.

"Alright. But if it ever comes back to you—make sure you tell me."

"Eh?"

Inaya blinked, startled.

"Don't 'eh?' me. You've seen everything of me and Shatiel. Swapping a few life stories isn't too much to ask, is it?"

Seeing Hielaina say that with such a straight face, Inaya chuckled softly and lowered her head.

"Alright then. If I remember, I'll tell you."