In the Royal Palace...
The atmosphere inside the majestic throne room was tense.
King Lioness III stood by a tall arched window, his eyes scanning the horizon, arms folded behind his back. By his side, Queen ira sat calmly, though her fingers were clenched against her gown—betraying the worry she kept hidden beneath her regal composure.
Just then, the grand doors creaked open.
An elite royal guard entered swiftly, dropping to one knee.
"Your Majesty!" the guard announced. "Mrs. Faria has safely returned—with Princess Ellyna."
The king’s eyes widened slightly. He turned sharply. "Really?" A rare light broke through his stern deanor. "Oh... thank God."
Queen ira placed a hand over her heart, closing her eyes in relief. "She’s safe..."
Lioness stepped forward, the pressure in the room instantly shifting with his movent. "Have them brought here. Now."
The guard bowed deeply. "At once, Your Majesty."
As the soldier hurried out to carry out the command, King Lioness exhaled, his voice quieter this ti.
"She’s finally co ho..."
ira rose to her feet, her hair gleaming in the light. "I only pray this ti, she won’t keep any secrets from us."
But even as she said it, they both knew—Ellyna always had secrets.
The grand doors to the throne room swung open once more.
"Mother! Father!"
Ellyn, still in her youthful disguise, dashed through the ornate hall, arms outstretched as she ran straight toward the throne.
Both King Lioness III and Queen ira turned at once.
"Ellyna!" Queen ira gasped—but then furrowed her brow. "What’s with the kid look again?"
Ellyn skidded to a halt just short of them, hands on her hips with a smug grin. "Tehe~!"
ira raised an elegant eyebrow. "You’ve been missing for a day, and you return looking like you’re going to prank the palace maids?"
King Lioness III exhaled deeply and glanced toward Mrs. Faria, who entered shortly behind Ellyn and knelt on one knee without delay.
"Faria," the king said, his voice stern, "what’s going on?"
Faria bowed her head slightly. "Your Majesty. Princess Ellyna was kidnapped by an unknown group—details are still unclear—but she was saved by a man she had previously... forced into making a pinky promise."
Ellyn looked away innocently, whistling.
Faria continued smoothly, "That man, despite not knowing her true identity, successfully rescued the princess and defeated the enemy combatant—along with the escort accompanying him."
The king’s brows rose. "For real?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Faria affird, rising to her feet. "By now, our investigation unit has already been dispatched to examine the scene and confirm the identity of the fallen attacker—one tiger beastfolk found dead at the location—and any survivors from the enemy’s escort who were... blown away during the battle."
King Lioness exchanged a look with his queen.
Queen ira slowly exhaled. "All of this... caused by the man tied to that pinky promise?"
Ellyn raised her hand energetically. "He’s not that bad! He’s funny! A little dumb, but sweet!"
Faria said nothing, but the faintest smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
The king placed a hand to his chin, thoughtful. "Then we’ll need to et this man... this Hazuki, was it?"
Faria nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. Hazekaya Hazuki."
"No!!" Ellyn suddenly shouted, puffing out her cheeks and stomping her foot.
Both the king and queen blinked.
"You can’t et him!" she huffed.
King Lioness raised an eyebrow. "And why not?"
"I... I just don’t want him to know my family’s royal, okay!?" Ellyn snapped, then looked away stubbornly.
Queen ira’s gaze softened slightly. "Ellyna..."
"I an it!" she insisted. "He doesn’t know I’m a princess, and I want it to stay that way!"
The throne room fell quiet for a mont.
"Why?" the king finally asked. "Are you afraid he’ll treat you differently?"
"No..." Ellyn’s ears drooped just slightly, her voice quieter now. "I’m not scared he’ll treat differently."
She placed her hand over her heart.
"I’m scared he’ll leave."
Queen ira tilted her head. "Leave?"
Ellyn nodded slowly.
"My Absolute Eye showed ... if he finds out the truth—about , about our family—he’ll get scared. He’ll run away."
King Lioness’s brows furrowed, his voice softer now. "He’s afraid of being tied down?"
"He’s soone who wants to be free. Who’s always running, even if he doesn’t realize it." Ellyn’s tail curled anxiously. "If he knew I was a princess... if he thought I wanted sothing from him... he’d push away."
There was silence again.
Faria remained still but glanced briefly at ira, who understood at once.
Ellyn wasn’t being selfish. She was protecting what she had—a bond built on honesty, even if only half of it was true.
King Lioness exhaled deeply, running a hand down his beard. "...And yet, you chose him."
Ellyn smiled faintly.
It’s not like Hazuki chose her.
No... it was she who trapped him.
Back then, Hazuki thought a pinky promise was just a childish thing—sothing silly from his world. A casual gesture.
But in this world, that pinky promise was sacred. Binding. Powerful.
And irreversible.
"I just like the way he is..." she said quietly, looking down at her hands. "That carefree attitude. Those dumb smiles."
King Lioness narrowed his eyes. "But he doesn’t even know you’re of marriageable age already! And look at you—still pretending to be a child! You’re nearly an adult, Ellyna!"
Ellyn pouted, her ears drooping slightly.
"I’ll tell him..." she muttered, her voice soft. "When... the ti is right."
Queen ira let out a slow sigh, brushing her fingers through Ellyn’s golden hair.
"You’ve always been a troubleso one."
King Lioness crossed his arms, his brow twitching. "At the very least, let us et him. We want to know our future son-in-law."
"No!! No way!!" Ellyn shouted, her tail flaring out behind her.
Queen ira raised a graceful hand. "Ellyna, darling, we could disguise ourselves. Dress plainly. Act like a normal family."
"Nope!" Ellyn shook her head hard. "Huge risk."
Lioness frowned. "Risk? How so?"
"The way you both talk! The way you walk!" She pointed accusingly at each of them. "You’re too royal! Even when you try to act normal."
ira blinked. "We can be humble."
"You bowed once, and three nobles passed out," Ellyn deadpanned.
Lioness grumbled under his breath. "Well, maybe they were weak."
"Exactly my point!" Ellyn groaned.
Queen ira sighed dramatically, rubbing her temples. "So we can’t even casually visit?"
"Nope."
Lioness looked betrayed. "We’re his future in-laws!"
"You’re the King and Queen!" Ellyn shot back. "One wrong word and he’ll bolt across the border before I can blink!"
Faria covered her mouth to hide her laugh.
Queen ira finally leaned back in her seat with a resigned look. "Fine. But don’t expect us to stay quiet forever."
"I won’t," Ellyn said, arms folded defiantly. "Just... give ti. I’ll tell him everything."
The king grunted. "Hmph. It better be before the wedding."
"Father!!!"
( End of Chapter )
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