The next day arrived quietly.
The sky stretched wide above the castle, painted in soft hues of blue and gold as the morning sun slowly rose. A gentle breeze passed through the air, carrying with it the faint scent of flowers from the palace gardens.
Leo stood alone on the balcony.
His eyes were fixed on the sky, but his mind was somewhere far away.
Heavy.
Unsettled.
Torn.
He clenched his fists slightly, then loosened them again, repeating the motion as if trying to release the weight inside his chest—but it wouldn't go away.
Not this time.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Soft. Familiar.
"Leo?"
Rein's voice was gentle, almost careful, as if she didn't want to disturb him too much.
Leo didn't turn immediately.
"…I can't decide."
His voice came out low, edged with frustration.
Rein paused, slightly confused, stepping closer beside him.
"Decide what?"
Leo exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.
"Between the two…"
He finally glanced at her, irritation flickering in his eyes—not at her, but at himself.
Rein studied his expression. She didn't fully understand yet, but she could feel how much it was weighing on him.
Instead of rushing him, she leaned lightly against the railing beside him.
"If you can't decide between two choices…" she began softly, "…then maybe you're looking at them the same way."
Leo frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Rein turned her gaze toward the horizon.
"Try asking yourself what makes them different—not just what they are."
She paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully.
"Compare them. Not just in outcome… but in what they mean to you."
Leo stared at her, still trying to process it.
"…I still don't get it."
Rein smiled faintly.
Of course he didn't. Not yet.
So instead of explaining more—
She stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around him.
Leo froze for a second, caught off guard.
"Then don't force it," she whispered. "Just trust yourself."
Her voice was soft, but firm.
"You're the only one who can find that answer."
For a moment, everything felt still.
Then slowly…
Leo's tension eased.
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer without saying a word.
He didn't realize how much he needed that.
Not until now.
"...Thank you."
It was barely above a whisper.
But Rein heard it.
And she smiled.
Leo pulled back, his expression no longer as clouded as before.
"Alright," he said, taking a breath. "We need a meeting."
Meanwhile…
At another part of the castle, the atmosphere couldn't have been more different.
Ethan lay comfortably on a bench at the balcony, his head resting on Princess Katelyn's lap.
The sunlight filtered softly around them.
Peaceful.
Calm.
A rare moment of quiet after everything that had happened.
Katelyn gently played with his hair, her fingers moving absentmindedly as she smiled.
"What you did during the wedding…" she said softly, "…it was amazing."
Ethan smirked slightly, eyes half-closed.
"I just couldn't stand seeing you kiss someone else."
There was a hint of jealousy in his tone—but also honesty.
Katelyn blinked… then laughed.
A soft, warm laugh.
"You're unbelievable."
Ethan shrugged lazily.
"Yeah, but you like it."
She shook her head, still smiling, continuing to play with his hair.
For a moment, everything felt normal.
Until—
"Ethan."
Leo's voice cut through the air.
Ethan shot up instantly.
"Ah—!"
He stood straight, clearing his throat, trying to act serious.
Katelyn turned away, covering her mouth as she tried not to laugh.
Leo stared at him for a second… then sighed.
"Come on. We're having a meeting."
Ethan nodded quickly.
"Right. Yeah. Of course."
He glanced back at Katelyn.
"I'll see you later."
She smiled.
"I'll be waiting."
The Meeting Room
The atmosphere inside was completely different.
Serious.
Heavy.
Focused.
Helmond was already there, standing near the center of the room, arms crossed.
Alice had just arrived, organizing her notes.
Moments later, Leo entered—with Rein and Ethan behind him.
Everyone took their positions.
Silence filled the room.
Leo stepped forward.
"…Let's begin."
His voice was firm.
Clear.
Resolved.
"I've made a decision."
Everyone's attention sharpened.
"Land of Feredore River first before going home."
But...
A pause.
Then—
"I'll handle this mission alone."
The room froze.
Rein's expression changed immediately.
"What do you mean?"
"I thought, we talked about this already?
Her voice was calm—but there was tension beneath it.
Leo didn't hesitate.
"You all go back home. Protect Luminous Flame."
Ethan's eyes widened.
"What?"
Leo continued, his tone unwavering.
"That's the safest option."
"No."
Rein stepped forward.
"We're not doing that."
Leo turned to Helmond.
"Back me up."
Helmond sighed quietly.
Then stepped forward.
He explained everything—the clones, Kharous, the dangers spreading across the lands.
When he finished, the room fell silent again.
"…So," Helmond said calmly, "we decide."
He looked at them all.
"Go home… or save more before going home?"
Leo crossed his arms.
"I can handle Feredore alone."
That was the breaking point.
"What's wrong with you?!"
Ethan stepped forward and grabbed Leo by the collar, pulling him close.
"Are you out of your mind?!"
Leo didn't react.
Ethan's grip tightened.
"We came here together—we go back together!"
His voice shook with anger.
"What do you want us to tell your parents, huh?! That we left you behind?!"
Leo's eyes darkened.
"I said I can handle it."
Ethan punched him in the stomach.
The impact echoed in the room.
"Idiot!"
Rein immediately stepped in, pulling Ethan back.
"Stop it!"
She glared at him.
"This isn't helping!"
Ethan clenched his fists, breathing heavily.
Helmond stepped between them, placing a hand on each of their shoulders.
"That's enough."
His voice was calm—but firm.
"Leo," he added, "you're the leader. Start acting like one."
Before Leo could respond—
Rein raised her staff.
The air shifted.
"Enough."
Everyone turned to her.
Her voice wasn't loud—but it carried authority.
"You're both right."
They froze.
"But this isn't how we solve it."
She lowered her staff slightly.
"We vote."
A moment of silence.
"One side chooses Leo. One side chooses Ethan."
She looked at them.
"Simple."
Alice raised her hand.
"Ethan."
Helmond nodded.
"Ethan."
Rein smiled faintly.
"Ethan."
Leo clenched his fists.
"…Luminous needs us too," he said, his voice tight. "We don't even know if they're safe!"
Ethan stepped forward again.
But this time—
He didn't attack.
"We're coming with you."
His voice was steady.
"No arguments."
Rein walked toward Leo.
She gently placed her hands on his face, forcing him to look at her.
"Trust us."
Her eyes were unwavering.
"Trust your people."
"Trust your parents."
"Trust Eryndor. Trust Sol."
Leo's expression trembled.
"…What if we're too late?"
Rein smiled softly.
"Then we face it together."
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
Alice suddenly stood up.
"Together!"
Helmond placed a hand on Leo's shoulder.
Ethan stepped forward and bumped his fist lightly against Leo's chest.
"I promise," he said. "We're not going anywhere."
Rein hugged him again.
"I promise too."
For a moment—
Leo said nothing.
Then his shoulders dropped.
The weight…
It wasn't gone.
But it wasn't his alone anymore.
"…Promise me," he said quietly, "none of you die."
Ethan smirked.
"Not happening."
Alice jumped in, wrapping her arms around everyone.
"Group hug!"
Helmond sighed… but didn't resist.
Rein laughed softly.
And just like that—
They were all together.
Leo's vision blurred.
Tears fell silently down his face.
Not from weakness.
But from something he had forgotten he needed.
Support.
Family.
"…Thank you."
Leo wiped his eyes, taking a deep breath.
Then smiled.
A real one.
"Tomorrow," he said, "we head to the Land of Feredore River."
He looked at them all.
"For now… do whatever you want."
His eyes landed on Ethan.
"Especially you."
Ethan grinned.
"Oh, I definitely will."
The room filled with light laughter.
And for the first time since everything began
Leo didn't feel alone.