0.13.

Another week had passed. Sequencee received news that the issue was in its resolution stage; the princess may return to the castle. Many things remained undisclosed to Sequencee, so he could only make a generalized assumption to what had happened.

Anna came to the inn to retrieve them. Hand in hand, the three of them made their way to the castle on foot.

And by hand in hand, Sequencee was in the center of the two ladies. One side of Anna's lips curled up.

"My dear, what about Schwii?" Anna tampered with the air just enough that the soundwaves could only be heard Sequencee.

"Mom … " He groaned.

"Fufu … "

Anna squeezed his hands twice and stuck out her tongue.

Sequencee wasn't even sure if Schwii meant what she had said. It had been almost 2 years since she stopped coming to visit him.

As a tangent was progressing between the two, Evelyn kept her head downwards, knowing that her time with Sequencee was coming to an end. The past week has been wonderful despite the boring stay. Peaceful and calm without needing to concern herself about her classes, etiquette and magic studies.

It was a painful walk to the castle for someone as poised as the imperial princess. Returning home was something Evelyn would've opted against if not for Sequencee's offer to hold his hand throughout the journey.

Passing through several checkpoints, they made their way into the palace where an arranged luncheon awaited her. Sequencee let go of her hands, the maids ushered her in, she trembled.

"Don't go … " she reached out to him.

"Your Highness, if something happens again, I'll definitely come save you. So don't worry, " Sequencee said with a wry smile. There was no way he could enter a dinner with royalty, not even Anna had the guts to do so.

Several painful debates later, Evelyn said, "You are to not leave the capital until I permit it." After which she followed the maids to the dinning hall.

The butler who was present bowed respectfully to the two, "Thank you for taking care of Her Highness. It would've been a disaster if not for your great deeds."

"Sir Aaron is the one that deserves greater credit, he was the one who put the puzzle together," Anna lied in hopes the responsibility will be pushed to him. She made it a point to not come to any of next year's birthday banquets.

"Even so, your contribution will not be forgotten."

The butler bowed again before leaving. Now they were left alone. Sequencee found it odd how there wasn't a single person supervising them; it's as if they were tourists ... he turned to his mother.

"Mom, was ... Miss Flona found?"

"Sorry dear. She ... she was found dead," a bitter smile formed on her face.

"I see ..." Sequencee enunciated.

Glancing at the door which Her Highness Evelyn had walked into, he showed a puzzled expression.

"So, what happened? Something must've happened right?" Anna grinned.

"She's traumatized. And apparently, I've become something like her mental support. I don't know what I should do, really … "

"You've become an incredibly dear existence to her I see ... were you tickled?" Anna chuckled. They turned around and made their way down the corridor.

"Mom, what would happen to her now? Is the situation really resolved?"

"Now, the royal family is having a meal to discuss issues regarding the succession war. It seems His Imperial Majesty is not happy about the incident, so he'll be taking things into his hands. As for Her Highness' safety, you need not to worry. I've brought the matter up to His Imperial Majesty, and Aaron will be appointed as her temporary knight until further notice."

"Sir Aaron will?"

"He agreed. Even I found it surprising."

"That's relieving to hear."

"Good job not dying," Anna tousled his hair with a grin.

"Thank you mom," Sequencee smiled in relief.

The trouble in the capital; another adventure etched into the library of their memories.

At least, that was how Sequencee felt.

===

"..."

"Well, this means goodbye," Sequencee smiled.

"Thank you for the audience, Your Majesty," Anna lowered her head.

"I should be thanking you for taking care of my daughter," the emperor smiled wryly.

"…"

"Evelyn," His Majesty called out.

"..."

The throne room blessed with gold, jade and quartz, the emperor and Evelyn standing before Sequencee and Anna as equals–as parents.

"Your Highness," Sequencee began. "We'll come back for a visit, alright?"

"..."

"Um … "

"Promise."

"Uh, yeah. Promise."

"My birthday. Next year, you better come," Evelyn pouted.

Sequencee noticed his mom who had a crack in her expression. He knew how much she dreaded having to come again, he apologized in his heart.

"Alright, we'll be sure to make it for your birthday."

"I'll send long letters," Evelyn said.

"Uh ... okay ..."

"So you send letters too."

"Right … "

Saying that Evelyn hid behind the emperor. With a troubled smile, he patted his daughter's head.

"Once more, I express my gratitude for saving my daughter. It would be a pleasure if you would drop by the capital more often."

"It's an honor Your Majesty," Anna said, knowing well the deeper connotation to his words.

"Then ... see you next year, Your Majesty, and Your Highness," Sequencee said.

"Un," Evelyn's grip on His Majesty's coat tightened

Sequencee and Anna bowed, about to leave when a sense of dread, and fear began to take over Evelyn's mind. This moment in time which she had expected but never wanted to happen.

He would be leaving, she would be alone.

It didn't matter that there were going to be more guards around her, without him, she felt insecure. Just being in bed at night frightened her, she had trouble sleeping last night.

"W-Wait … "

"Hm?"

Evelyn stepped out of her father's shadow. The emperor smiled slightly, a twinge of pride as a father could be seen on his face.

She took slow strides over, her beautiful dress trailing the red carpet ground behind her.

Evelyn and Sequencee stood before one another.

She grabbed both of his hands, leaned in, and kissed his cheeks.

Sequencee froze up.

"Sequencee ... I never got to say this properly but ... thank you. Thank you for saving me," she pressed her forehead against his.

"Y-Yeah … "

"I-I love you," she quickly let go of his hands and turned around.

She wasn't sure how long she stood there with her back facing him, awaiting for a response from the other side. This was her final attempt to keep him here, her last trump card–her love.

"Evelyn," her father's voice rang out, knocking her out of her stupor.

It was only then did she realize that left in this hall was her and her father.

She fell to the ground, tears dripping from her face. A deep pain swelled up inside her, it felt like her heart was going to burst.

She actually loved him.

And seeing this, the emperor simply said,

"Pursue him."

Evelyn's thoughts stopped at those words.

"If he is who you want. Pursue him, relentlessly," a fierce tone full of determination.

Light seemed to return to her dull eyes. Evelyn knitted her brows and wiped her tears. She got back up on her two feet, meeting the eyes of her father.

"This is your test," a scheming glint flashed across his eyes. "I am in full support of your marriage, however, you must show that you are deserving of him."

A burning determination took form, washing away the fear and dread that had long plagued her heart. The blossoming of a new hope, casting new light on old shadows.

"Dear daughter. Take him home."

"Yes father," a new motivation had taken root inside her heart.