My name is Katya Dmitrovna Kudryavtseva. While it may not mean much to others now, it once held significance in the halls of Evernoir Palace. I never anticipated that my life would change so drastically, nor could I have imagined being saved by the person I now call "Princess"—Ellora Evernoir. Our journey since the kingdom's fall has brought many changes, but one thing remains constant for me: my unwavering admiration for her.

My first encounter with Princess Ellora is a moment etched in my memory. I was merely a low-ranking mage soldier at the palace, one among hundreds devoted to the royal family. The Princess often glided through the halls with grace, her face unblemished and her gaze calm—qualities not commonly found in many other nobles. Yet, I sensed there was something deeper beneath that tranquility. There was extraordinary strength and courage hidden behind her gentle demeanor and wisdom.

As the Evernoir kingdom began to crumble, I thought my life would end there, buried among the ruins of what was once grand. But at that critical moment, the Princess came to my rescue. A highborn lady, she did not hesitate to take my hand and urge me to flee from the destruction surrounding us. In that instant, I saw her in an unimaginable light—dressed in tattered clothes with dust smudged on her face, she still radiated dignity. She was the last beacon of hope that saved me from the darkness swallowing Evernoir.

From that moment on, I vowed to dedicate my life to her. The Princess was my savior, my guiding light. I swore to be her shadow, to protect her with every step she took, no matter the cost. Our lives have never been easy since that destruction, but Ellora always walks with poise, as if she feels no fear. I could never fully comprehend how someone like her could remain steadfast when everything she held dear had been lost.

What amazes me most about the Princess is her intelligence and sharp mind. Behind her gentle smile lies a well-thought-out plan, one that stretches far beyond what an ordinary person could conceive. I witnessed this when she decided to settle into this new life with a fresh identity as "Luna." Others might see just an ordinary girl hiding from the magical world, but I knew better. I knew she was preparing something significant, something even I couldn't fully grasp.

Just a few days ago, the Princess surprised me by suddenly calling me by my family name—a name I rarely hear spoken by anyone else. "Kudryavtseva," she said softly, her voice filled with authority. For a brief moment, I felt transported back to our days in the palace. When she called me by that name, I understood she was conveying something important. I felt an overwhelming warmth and pride. It was as if, with that single call, she was saying that in this world, I was the only one who truly knew her.

And beyond that, in her words, there was one call that made my heart race—she referred to me as "sister." I still remember it clearly; the word was uttered so calmly yet carried immense meaning. "Sister," she whispered, as if calling a sibling rather than a servant. I was stunned, speechless at that moment. It felt like she recognized me as someone more than just her attendant. Perhaps that was the greatest gift I had ever received. Truly, the Princess has a remarkable way of showing her appreciation.

Ellora is a woman who always thinks ahead. I know that everything she does has a profound reason behind it. Why does she live here as "Luna"? Why does she seem unhesitant to blend in with the Neoforge people, even those without noble blood or great magic? Why is she interested in the Yoshitsuki family? All these questions remain a mystery to me, but I have no doubt about her actions. The Princess must have a grand plan, perhaps something related to the restoration of our lost kingdom.

Many might think that Ellora is running away from her responsibilities as the Princess of Evernoir, but they couldn't be more wrong. She is not a fugitive; she is the last hope for the revival of our fallen kingdom. I believe she chose this path not only for herself but for the future of Evernoir. The destruction did not extinguish her spirit. Rather, it forged her resolve and strength, like steel tempered in fire. I often wonder where she finds that calmness, the strength to walk confidently down a dark and perilous path. But I realize this is what sets her apart from others. This is what makes her the person I admire wholeheartedly.

Every movement of the Princess, every decision she makes, reflects her intelligence and wisdom. I feel honored to be by her side, to help and serve, even if it means giving my life. She is not just a lady to me; she is a light, a figure who inspires me to persevere, to keep moving forward, even when our lives are filled with hardship.

I found myself drifting back from a long daydream about Princess Ellora. I really needed to keep my focus, especially since my task was to gather information on the Yoshitsuki family. This family was no ordinary one—they were part of the Seven Pillars of the Aurelius Kingdom, guardians of the throne entrusted with high-level magic. This time, Ellora needed information on Akira and Kurumi Yoshitsuki, two prominent members of the family. Approaching a family of their caliber required careful strategy. I couldn't afford to be reckless.

An idea struck me. I would head to the café 'Moment of Peace.' It wasn't just any café; it served as a hidden spot for gathering intelligence collected by the Evernoir network. Standing at the edge of the darkening night, I took a deep breath. In an instant, I vanished and reappeared in a dim alleyway in the shopping district, just a few steps from the café. The bustling sounds of the night echoed from the end of the alley, guiding my steps toward my destination.

Behind the café, a woman stood alone, calmly enjoying a cigarette. I recognized her as Laura Morgan, a staff member at the café and part of our network. Her face was unremarkable, perfectly ordinary—an ideal disguise for an Evernoir agent.

I approached her and greeted, "On your break, Laura?"

Laura glanced at me for a moment, exhaling a puff of smoke with a relaxed expression. "Yeah, I got the manager's permission to take a few minutes for a smoke break. Want one?" she offered, extending her cigarette toward me.

I sighed, dismissing her offer firmly. "Enough small talk, Laura. Princess Ellora needs information."

At the mention of Ellora's name, her demeanor shifted instantly from relaxed to serious. She extinguished her cigarette, crushing the butt, and replied tersely, "Let's go inside."

Laura led the way as I followed her through the back door of the café. Inside, the atmosphere felt calmer compared to the bustle outside. The rich aroma of coffee wafted through the air, but I couldn't truly appreciate it—not at this moment.

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Behind the barista counter stood an elderly man with gray hair receding at the sides. He smiled at me, his trademark warmth shining through. "Katya, it's been a while. What can I get you?"

"I need a cup of coffee… with 'blue magic,'" I replied calmly.

The man, the café manager, glanced at Laura for a moment, then surveyed the empty room. He nodded slowly and moved to shut the door. Afterward, he pressed a button behind the counter, causing a hologram reading "CLOSED" to appear in the front window. This ensured we wouldn't be disturbed.

"Please have a seat, Katya," he said, gesturing to a small table in the corner.

I sat down, and soon both Laura and the manager joined me. The manager, whose name was never mentioned directly in these meetings, took a seat across from me. "Did you come with a message from the Princess?"

I nodded and spoke in a low voice. "The Princess needs information about the Yoshitsuki family, specifically Akira and Kurumi Yoshitsuki. You know who they are, right?"

The manager nodded slowly, stroking his chin. "Of course. They're mages from the Aurelius Pillar family and not just anyone. What exactly does the Princess want from them?"

"For now, the details aren't important. We just need any information you can gather," I replied.

Laura interjected, "Katya, you know we're not the only ones interested in the Pillar family, right? The Yoshitsuki family is known for being quite private. Getting detailed information could be very risky."

I smiled slightly. "I'm aware of that, Laura. I wouldn't ask for information if it weren't important. So, can you do it?"

The café manager nodded, a subtle smile indicating he understood the instructions. "Of course, Katya. We'll prepare it. But it'll take time, and of course, extra precautions."

Listening closely, Laura added, "I'll spread the word through some networks to facilitate information access. We must ensure no one knows who is collecting all this." Her eyes narrowed sharply at the manager. "You also need to be careful in these confidential discussions, understood, Old Man?"

The manager smiled and shook his head. "Laura, you don't need to remind me of such things. I've been in this world longer than you know."

I raised my hand to halt the diverging conversation. "That's enough. This task needs to be carried out swiftly. We don't have much time, and Ellora doesn't like to wait longer than necessary."

The manager and Laura exchanged glances before turning their attention back to me. Laura then said confidently, "We'll work as fast as we can. I'll prepare an initial report for you in a few days. Is there anything else you need to know, Katya?"

"No, that's enough for now," I replied as I stood up from the table.

Before I turned to leave, the manager called out softly, "Katya, be careful. The deeper you delve into the Pillar world, the greater the risks."

I met his gaze for a moment. "I know the risks. But I also know who I represent."

I sensed a subtle tension in the air as I made my way to the door. Laura stood beside me and whispered softly, "I don't know what the Princess's grand plan is, Katya, but I feel like she's never taken this path before."

I glanced at her and said, "You're right. But that's what makes her extraordinary. The unconventional path for ordinary people is the natural route for Princess Ellora."

With that, I stepped out of the café, leaving shadows behind. Outside, the night felt heavier, as if weighing down each step I took. Yet, I never felt any doubt. I had a purpose, a calling, and a Mistress who had saved my life.

***

After Katya left, the atmosphere in the café returned to a calm state. But the silence didn't last long. Laura pulled a holographic device from her pocket and switched it on, a blue light dancing in the air and projecting a full screen of symbols and text. She scanned the screen while casually shaking her legs, looking like she was surfing the web.

"You know, Old Man, general information about the Pillar families is actually all over the internet," she said lazily. "I could even find a complete article on the Yoshitsuki family with just one click."

The café manager, still standing behind the barista counter, stared at Laura with a flat expression. "General information, huh? But do you think that's enough for Princess Ellora?"

Laura sighed, crossing her arms. "Of course not. I'm sure the Princess wants something more detailed about these two family members, Akira and Kurumi. Something you wouldn't find on the first page of an online search."

The old man nodded in agreement. "Exactly. And we're talking about the Yoshitsuki family here. If you want truly useful information, you need to dig deeper. Go straight to the source."

Laura shot him a sideways glance, a slight smirk on her lips. "You don't mean to suggest I infiltrate their home, do you?"

"And what if I did?" the manager asked, his tone half-joking but serious. "Getting close to their residence is the fastest way to gather the most up-to-date details."

Laura let out a short laugh and shook her head. "Interesting, but I'm not foolish. That mission would be too dangerous even for me. The Pillar families are famous for their magical protections. Sneaking into their home would be like asking for trouble." She lowered her holographic device and looked at the manager. "How about we try a more… diplomatic approach?"

The manager frowned. "Diplomatic? Do you really think we can just knock on their door and ask them to spill their family secrets?"

"No," Laura replied, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. "I mean we have contacts in some media networks. Cashmere, for instance. Isn't he known as one of the most talented information brokers? I'm sure he knows something, or at least could help us trace information about the Yoshitsuki family without taking too many risks."

The manager fell silent for a moment, then sighed. "Night Bunnies, huh? You know, Laura, I'd rather take the risk of investigating myself than rely on a weirdo like him. Just thinking about dealing with him gives me the creeps."

Laura chuckled softly, clearly entertained by her manager's reaction. "I won't deny he's a bit eccentric. But when it comes to information, Cashmere is quite reliable." She looked at the manager with sparkling, curious eyes. "Or… if you're so reluctant to deal with him, I could try digging deeper myself. I could do some direct investigation, if you allow me."

The old man paused for a moment, weighing Laura's suggestion. His eyes scrutinized her with a sharp gaze full of trust, though some worry lingered there. "Laura, are you sure you want to do that? Don't underestimate them; they're not like your usual targets."

Laura grinned. "Of course I know that. But I won't just barge in. The Yoshitsuki family may be powerful Pillar mages, but the roots of all magic come from the Evernoir family. As long as we know how to play the game, we can get close without being detected."

The manager listened to her explanation with a serious expression, then spoke more calmly, "Then proceed with caution. Not a single mistake. Use your magic wisely, and as much as possible, stay in the shadows. And you know we can't afford to make mistakes right now. The Princess has high hopes for us."

Laura nodded, then stood up and stretched. "Of course. After all, we're used to operating in the shadows, aren't we?" She smiled confidently while beginning to tidy up her holographic device and prepare herself.

The manager nodded, a small smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "Right. Then do it. And remember, this information needs to reach the Princess's hands without anyone catching wind of our movements. We don't want to become targets of another Pillar family. Especially not now."

Laura glanced at her manager with a relaxed yet determined expression. "Of course. No one will know I'm there. Let's just call it one of those 'little coincidences' of the night."

The manager gave a thin smile, then turned to open the holographic door and deactivate the security measures in place. Laura took a moment to observe the quiet café atmosphere before stepping out into the darkness, ready to execute her plan with a light yet calculated step.

The sounds of the night accompanied Laura on her journey, the trusted Evernoir agent embarking on a risky mission—for the noble purpose of serving the Princess she respected.

***