The banquet continued.
The mixed voices, the soft sound of glasses, controlled footsteps, and discreet conversations created a constant atmosphere, but not a chaotic one. Everything there followed a rhythm that did not depend on haste.
Even so, I had already understood enough.
There was no need to remain at the center.
I moved a little farther away, searching for a place where the sound diminished and the movement was lighter. The girls came along without needing an invitation.
Lyannis looked around. "This is better."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "Less people."
Scarlett kept her gaze attentive. "But still being watched."
Elara analyzed the environment. "Strategic space."
Vespera nodded. "Less direct exposure."
Liriel simply said: "More peaceful."
I stopped near one of the hall's columns. From there, it was possible to see most of the environment without being completely inside it.
And that was when…
I noticed.
Someone approaching.
Light footsteps.
Controlled.
But direct.
The girls noticed too.
Scarlett was the first to react. "Someone's coming."
Rai'kanna adjusted her posture slightly. "Not just anyone."
Lyannis tilted her head. "Interesting."
Elara focused her gaze. "Important presence."
Vespera confirmed. "High position."
Liriel remained calm. "Yes."
She stopped a few steps away.
Elegant clothes, firm posture, direct gaze.
There was no hesitation.
"So… you are Takumi."
Her voice was calm.
But not overly soft.
It was firm.
"Yes."
No need for more.
She took a slight step forward.
"I am the princess of Vailor."
Direct.
No long introduction.
No excessive formality.
Only what was necessary.
I slightly lowered my head.
"Princess."
She observed me for a few seconds.
Without hurry.
Without looking away.
As if analyzing me.
Lyannis crossed her arms, smiling faintly. "So this is her."
Rai'kanna remained silent.
Scarlett maintained her firm posture.
Elara observed every detail.
Vespera analyzed the situation.
Liriel simply watched.
The princess spoke again.
"I heard a lot about you."
"I can imagine."
"More than I should have."
Lyannis let out a small laugh. "This already started well."
Rai'kanna shot her a quick glance but said nothing.
The princess continued.
"And I also heard about them."
Her gaze passed over each of them.
Without hurry.
Without apparent judgment.
But attentive.
Scarlett held her gaze.
Rai'kanna too.
Lyannis did not look away.
Elara remained calm.
Vespera stayed firm.
Liriel tranquil.
"And is that a problem?" I asked.
She did not answer immediately.
She simply maintained her gaze for another moment.
"That depends."
Silence.
"On the point of view."
Lyannis tilted her head. "She's direct."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "I prefer that."
Scarlett spoke quietly. "Avoids games."
The princess turned her gaze back to me.
"You know there is an agreement."
"I know."
"Then you know that I… and others… are involved in it."
"I know."
She stepped slightly closer.
"But I also know that you are already… involved."
Her gaze was clear.
Without hesitation.
Without disguise.
Lyannis smiled. "Now this got interesting."
Rai'kanna did not react.
Scarlett maintained her firm posture.
Elara observed.
Vespera analyzed.
Liriel waited.
"Does that bother you?" I asked.
She breathed lightly.
"It's not that simple."
Silence.
"This kind of agreement… is not only personal."
"I know."
"Then you know there is a timing."
"Yes."
She lightly crossed her arms.
"A timing that should be respected."
Lyannis raised an eyebrow. "She's not wrong."
Rai'kanna spoke quietly. "But she's not right either."
Scarlett observed silently.
Elara seemed to analyze every word.
Vespera maintained full attention.
Liriel remained calm.
"But you…," the princess continued, looking at the group again, "did not follow that timing."
Silence returned.
But there was no aggressive tension.
Only… direct confrontation.
"That doesn't change the agreement," I replied.
She looked at me.
"No?"
"No."
Without hesitation.
Without doubt.
"Because this is not about politics."
Silence.
"It's about choice."
She did not look away.
"Choice…," she repeated.
Lyannis crossed her arms. "Good answer."
Rai'kanna nodded slightly.
Scarlett remained calm.
Elara analyzed.
Vespera observed.
Liriel simply watched.
The princess stayed silent for a few seconds.
Thinking.
Not reacting impulsively.
Which already said a lot.
"You speak as if you can separate those two things."
"I can."
"Even being who you are now?"
"Yes."
More silence.
She took a deep breath.
And then…
Slowly exhaled.
"…I understand."
It was not complete acceptance.
But it was not rejection either.
It was… partial understanding.
She uncrossed her arms.
"Then, let's see how this resolves itself."
Lyannis smiled. "She didn't back down."
Rai'kanna spoke quietly. "She didn't need to."
Scarlett observed.
Elara analyzed.
Vespera maintained focus.
Liriel seemed calm.
The princess took a slight step back.
"I'm not here to create conflict."
"Neither am I."
She nodded.
"But I'm not going to ignore it either."
"You don't have to."
Another brief silence.
And then…
She turned around.
Without hurry.
Without looking back.
And walked away.
Lyannis let out a breath. "Okay… that was good."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "Direct."
Scarlett spoke quietly. "And aware."
Elara nodded. "High emotional control."
Vespera added. "And intelligence."
Liriel said: "She's not a problem."
I looked in the direction she had gone.
"No."
And she wasn't.
That had not been a conflict.
It was… a warning.
An adjustment.
A line drawn.
And now…
Everything was clear.
I turned my gaze back to the group.
"And this… continues."
Lyannis smiled. "Of course it does."
Rai'kanna nodded.
Scarlett remained calm.
Elara observed.
Vespera analyzed.
Liriel simply smiled faintly.
The banquet still continued.
But for me…
The important part had already happened.
And that made one thing clear.
The war had changed.
But the conflicts…
Were only beginning.