Escaping the cage that once seemed eternal, taking hesitant steps toward a new story.  

The autumn breeze carried with it a sense of hope.  

Falling leaves scattered into fragments.  

As the season's colors spilled across the streets, the hoofbeats of a galloping horse left impressions on the crimson carpet of foliage.  

We were crossing a long stretch of road.  

---

The wheels of the luxurious carriage rolled smoothly, devoid of any noise.  

It moved forward effortlessly.  

---

I gazed out at the passing scenery.  

The vibrant hues added a piece of tranquility to the moment.  

Reds and yellows blended naturally into a breathtaking view.  

But inside the carriage, the atmosphere was heavy with awkward silence, starkly contrasting the peacefulness outside.  

I observed my surroundings quietly.  

---

"Hmm."  

---

The children were all silent.  

The Rose turned her gaze away.  

The Little Prince glanced around uneasily.  

Between the two princesses, the maid was sweating nervously.  

The air was thick with tension.  

---

"Should I call this… difficult?"  

---

I silently repeated the thought to myself.  

The invisible wall between the children was palpable, suffocating even.  

It was hard not to feel its weight.  

I sat idly, tapping my knees for no particular reason.  

---

"Well."  

---

Perhaps it was the long absence between them.  

The feeling of unfamiliarity was overwhelming.  

They had grown accustomed to sharp exchanges rather than conversations, and now, the stillness seemed almost alien.  

After five years of looking into their mirrors, all they saw were strangers.  

---

Elise, especially.  

Under normal circumstances, she would have lashed out with sharp words, accusing her sister of attempting to meddle or steal her place.  

But now, she sat quietly, which seemed to unnerve her more than anything else.  

It was as if the unfamiliar peace brought a sense of discomfort.  

Though she tried to maintain a neutral expression, her trembling green eyes betrayed her unease.  

I silently observed the tense standoff.  

---

"Um."  

---

The silence was suddenly broken.  

The one to speak first was Charlotte.  

She hesitated, yet her eyes never left her sickly younger sister.  

She cautiously began.  

---

"Are you feeling better? Have you been recovering well?"  

---

As expected, she voiced her concern for her sister.  

Her tone was timid, almost as if she feared rejection.  

The eccentric and unpredictable princess seemed to have vanished, leaving behind only the doting Little Prince.  

Her sincere affection for Elise was evident.  

---

"When we arrive at the Academy, there will likely be a lot of attention on you. If it feels overwhelming, just let me know. I’ll take care of it."  

---

Her voice softened, a clear desire to help her sister.  

She seemed to brace herself for the icy response she expected.  

But contrary to her worries, Elise’s reply was not as cutting as usual.  

It was just one phrase, simple yet surprising.  

---

"Okay… just don’t overdo it, Sister."  

---

Her tone was still irritable, but the venom that usually accompanied it was missing.  

Under normal circumstances, she would have spat out biting insults.  

Even this slight shift was noticeable, but what truly stunned the others was the term Elise used at the end of her sentence.  

---

"Sis…ter?"  

---

Charlotte repeated the word in a daze.  

Five years.  

Not since the Rose had grown thorns had she called Charlotte "Sister."  

It had always been "you" or something equally cold, and that bitter memory had left a scar in Charlotte’s heart.  

Perhaps she had missed her sister all along.  

They once had moments of tenderness, after all.  

---

"Oh."  

---

A single tear fell.  

Was it joy?  

I couldn’t say for sure.  

I simply watched the scene unfold, a faint smile tugging at my lips.  

Charlotte seemed to be soaking in a long-held wish.  

---

"Y-Your Highness, p-please don’t cry."  

---

Tanya wiped Charlotte’s cheeks with a handkerchief.  

But even the maid couldn’t hide the trembling in her voice.  

Having witnessed their pain up close, even the smallest gesture of warmth between the sisters was enough to bring her to tears.  

The carriage quickly filled with emotion.  

I observed their varied reactions.  

---

"W-Why is everyone crying all of a sudden?"  

---

The Rose seemed bewildered by the outpouring of emotion.  

---

"Your Highness has changed so much!"  

---

The maid eventually broke into loud sobs.  

---

"…"  

---

Even the Little Prince silently wiped at his eyes.  

As I took in the unexpectedly wholesome atmosphere, Charlotte’s blue eyes met mine.  

I smiled faintly.  

Her expression was complex, and after hesitating for a moment, she murmured something so softly it was almost inaudible.  

---

"…Thank you."  

---

I responded calmly.  

---

"Don’t mention it."  

---

It was a matter-of-fact reply.  

Charlotte gave a faint smile in return, one laced with gratitude.  

It was a fleeting yet tender moment.  

---

When we arrived at the Academy, we headed straight to meet the professor in charge of Elise’s transfer.  

The woman greeted us, exhaustion evident in her demeanor.  

---

"Professor."  

---

Her long purple hair hung loose, her dull red eyes betraying sleepless nights.  

She clutched a bottle of alcohol as if it were an extension of herself.  

The familiar sight of her sloppiness had not changed.  

The moment she saw me, she sighed heavily and pushed aside the papers she had been working on.  

It seemed she swallowed her unspoken words with a sip of alcohol.  

---

"Hah… You’ve really brought me a big one this time, Yuda."  

---

The dark circles under her eyes hinted at nights spent burning the midnight oil.  

Sudden news of the Second Princess’s transfer must have hit her hard, leaving her buried in paperwork.  

I felt guilty for being the cause of her trouble.  

---

"My apologies."  

"I’m not blaming you. It’s just that this goes beyond what I can usually cover for you, so I thought I’d mention it."  

---

Despite her words, Selena didn’t seem too upset.  

Instead, she offered a few words of concern.  

---

"Yuda, you’re a hard one to figure out."  

"And yet, you never ask questions, Professor."  

"That was our agreement, wasn’t it?"  

"It feels like I’m always in your debt."  

"Don’t worry about it. The transfer process is complete. I’ll prepare the necessary documents, so you can be on your way."  

"Thank you."  

---

Once again, I had received her help.  

Despite her laid-back and disinterested demeanor, Selena was someone who always came through when it mattered.  

Leaving her office, I walked back to where the children were waiting.  

Even then, I could feel her eyes following me.  

--- 

The news of Elise’s transfer had already spread throughout the Academy, despite being decided only four days ago.  

As someone who had lived in isolation for years, the announcement of her arrival naturally drew attention.  

We couldn’t avoid the stares that followed us everywhere.  

---

"I don’t like this."  

---

On the way to the dormitory, Elise voiced her displeasure from her wheelchair.  

It was the constant gazes that irritated her.  

Having barely set foot outside in a decade, the sudden influx of attention was overwhelming.  

I noticed the growing tension and calmly reassured her.  

---

"Please try to bear with it."  

"It’s suffocating… I just want to rest somewhere quiet."  

"We’ll be there soon."  

---

Elise must have known the attention wasn’t malicious.  

The students were simply curious, intrigued by the appearance of someone they’d never seen before.  

No one had approached her directly; most avoided meeting her gaze, intimidated by her frosty demeanor.  

---

"We’re almost there."  

---

I pushed her wheelchair gently, but as we crossed the courtyard, familiar voices called out.  

---

"My lord?"  
"You!"  

---

Pink and blue hair stood side by side.  

It was Regia and Emilia, now inseparable companions.  

I greeted them with a smile.  

---

"It’s been a while, both of you."  

"You’ve returned!"  
"Where have you been all this time?"  

---

Regia beamed, while Emilia furrowed her brows.  

Their reactions couldn’t have been more different, but both were clearly glad to see me.  

---

"I didn’t expect such a warm welcome. It’s heartening."  

"We’ve been waiting for you!"  
"Don’t drag me into this. I only humored a commoner’s excitement."  

---

And yet, Emilia was the one who first suggested waiting here.  

The two bantered briefly before their attention turned to the wheelchair.  

---

"Is that…?"  

---

Their gazes settled on Elise, clearly recognizing her.  

After bowing politely, they greeted her.  

---

"We greet the Second Star of the Empire."  

---

Elise sighed.  

---

"Alright, get up. That’s enough of that."  

---

Her response was as curt as ever, but at least she acknowledged them.  

Watching from behind, I heard Emilia whisper to me.  

---

"What exactly happened while you were away?"  

"Hmm?"  

"Don’t play dumb."  

---

She was asking about Elise.  

It

 was only natural to wonder.  

The Second Princess, who had remained unseen for years, suddenly appeared at the Academy with me by her side.  

With a sly smile, I answered in a teasing tone.  

---

"You want to know about my relationship with Her Highness?"  

---

I planned to have a little fun, perhaps provoke some amusing reactions.  

---

"If I were to describe it…"  

"I’ll explain."  

---

Elise interrupted me.  

---

"Your Highness?"  
"Be quiet."  

---

She took charge, continuing where I had left off.  

---

"He promised to make me happy."  

---

As she spoke, she grabbed my hand and pulled it toward her.  

Before I knew it, my hand rested against her stomach, her warmth seeping through the thin fabric.  

Regia and Emilia’s eyes widened in shock.  

---

"What?"  

---

Elise’s words left plenty of room for misunderstanding, and I could only gape in disbelief.  

---

"Excuse me?"  

---

No, that’s not how you explain things!