Madalyn walked with heavy steps, her body exhausted and her spirit shrouded in an emptiness she had never felt before. The night felt dark and cold, mirroring the shattered state of her heart. What once felt like victory, pride, and confidence in her power now left a gaping void within her.

As she reached the gates of the Naventhius estate, the loyal guards waiting for her exchanged worried glances, noticing how drained and distressed their young mistress looked. One of them mustered the courage to ask, "Miss Madalyn, is everything alright?"

Madalyn didn't respond. She simply walked past them, her gaze vacant. There was no point in answering, let alone recounting what had just happened. The guards could only exchange anxious looks, feeling helpless in their concern.

Once inside her room, Madalyn collapsed onto her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her mind replayed the events of that night—the painful, tormenting details flooding back. The image of Luna— or rather, Princess Ellora Evernoir— loomed large in her memory, embodying strength, terror, and, most agonizingly, an unshakeable resolve. It wasn't just her magical power that terrified Madalyn; it was Ellora's icy demeanor and absolute control, as if the lives of others were mere pawns in a game she could manipulate at will with a flick of her fingers.

All along, Madalyn had believed herself to be a strong sorceress, someone capable of protecting herself, her family, and her honor. But that fight… Ellora didn't just defeat her; she obliterated every trace of Madalyn's dignity and courage. Every time Madalyn attempted to resist, Ellora wielded her magic as if she were toying with a child. In the face of such seemingly limitless power, Madalyn felt like nothing more than a pawn.

Madalyn let out a deep sigh, but it felt heavy, as if the air she breathed was saturated with fear and defeat.

"I'm so weak against her," she thought bitterly. "She could kill me at any moment. Even if I tried to flee or fight back, I know it would be futile."

A thought crossed her mind: reporting this to her parents or her brother, Marcus. Marcus, the strongest sorcerer in their family, would surely know what to do. But as soon as that thought appeared, she was reminded of the paralyzing pain that had coursed through her when Ellora used the Paradox Loop spell. It had not only inflicted physical pain but also a deep-seated terror. It felt as though her life was filled with endless torment, making every breath and movement agonizing.

Her head throbbed, and her body trembled at the memory of that pain. Madalyn squeezed her eyes shut, trying to banish those thoughts from her mind. But it was in vain. The fear carried by those memories had embedded itself deeply, merging with her very blood.

Madalyn clutched the bed sheets, her fingers shaking violently.

"I don't want to feel that again… even if it means dedicating my life to serving Ellora… if that's the only way to survive, then I'll do it."

Her thoughts spiraled between excruciating shame and a forced fear. Her pride as a Naventhius refused to surrender easily, yet another part of her, filled with dread and pain, acknowledged that she had no other options.

"Ellora… even if she hid her power at the academy, she far surpasses anyone I've ever met."

The memory of their battle flooded back: the Temporal Mirage spell effortlessly evading her attacks, the Phase Distortion that redirected every beam of light Madalyn aimed, and the pinnacle of it all—the Statis Field— a realm where time stood still, rendering Ellora untouchable. Ellora had likely mastered pillar-level magic long ago. Or perhaps even more.

A chilling realization dawned on Madalyn: Ellora might not just be a gifted sorceress but someone with extraordinary and unmatched power. "This isn't just an ordinary fight," she thought in horror. "This is the power of the lost Evernoir kingdom, quietly preparing for its return."

And it wasn't just Ellora who was behind this plan. There were two women alongside her, Katya and Arianne, both of whom addressed Ellora with respect as "Your Highness." Madalyn could sense their magical strength, particularly from Katya, whose power remained unknown to her, indicating that they were formidable sorceresses—perhaps even rivals. If these two loyal women weren't the strongest Evernoir had to offer, there might be many more out there, sworn to Ellora and ready to act on her command.

The desire to fight back or expose Ellora's presence faded from her mind. It wasn't just the paralyzing fear that gripped her but the stark realization of her opponent's seemingly limitless power. Madalyn knew that if she betrayed or attempted to defy Ellora, there would be no safe haven for her in this world.

With profound despair, Madalyn whispered a fearful oath to herself:

"Princess Ellora… I will devote my life to you. I will never betray you."

She felt her pride shatter into pieces as that vow echoed in her heart, but what choice did she have? She wanted to live. She wanted to escape the pain haunting her soul. If pledging allegiance to Ellora was the price she had to pay, she was willing to pay it sincerely, if only for her own safety.

Madalyn took a deep breath, trying to calm her trembling self. She understood that there was no turning back now. This decision would likely change her entire life, casting her as one of Ellora's pawns in the rising shadow of Evernoir.

"From now on, I will live my life in service to Princess Ellora," she resolved with deep resignation.

And with that, Madalyn leaned back, silent, staring blankly at the ceiling of her room, which now felt oppressively cold and heavy.

***

That night, we decided to walk to the modest home of Princess Ellora. She suggested that the three of us stroll because she wanted to feel the night breeze and clear her mind after the intense battle she had just fought with Madalyn. A serene calm enveloped the narrow path hidden in the woods, framing our journey home with the weight of what we had just witnessed. I, Katya, took a deep breath, still captivated by the magnificence of the magic the Princess had displayed in that fight.

I felt like I could replay every moment of the battle in my mind. How elegantly and undeniably she had controlled time—an ability I knew even the pillar-blooded sorcerers of Aurelius would fear in the face of her power. The *Statis Field*, her ability to halt time within a small radius, was a form of Blue Magic, a unique art specific to the Evernoir family. Not just any sorcerer could master it, and truly few could wield the control over time as well as Princess Ellora did.

"Katya, are you daydreaming?" Arianne's gentle voice broke my reverie.

I smiled faintly, glancing at Arianne, who seemed to have noticed the awe on my face. "I just… can't help but be amazed by the Princess's abilities. Just imagine, controlling time even in a limited radius. It's such an extraordinary advancement."

Arianne nodded, taking a deep breath. "True. Only a direct bloodline has the potential for such power. Blue Magic… I sometimes can't even grasp it. How can one family master magic to its very roots, as if they are the source of all magic?"

I nodded in agreement and added, "Blue Magic, the series of Evernoir spells, truly transcends the boundaries of magic known to most. Even the Aurelius family, known for their pillar-level sorcery, does not possess abilities like these." Deep down, I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for being part of this family, fighting for Princess Ellora.

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"That's right," I continued, letting my admiration flow. "And moreover, Princess Ellora is a true genius. The Evernoir blood runs so powerfully within her, granting her the strength to control both space and time—something nearly impossible in the realm of magic."

At that moment, Arianne paused, and I could see a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "But, Katya… I can't help but feel sorry for Madalyn. The Paradox Loop that the Princess used… that's a spell that can haunt someone for a lifetime. Just imagining it is terrifying." Arianne sighed, her gaze dropping as if picturing that pain in her mind.

I shook my head, partly understanding her feelings, partly not. "Honestly, I felt satisfied seeing how the Princess's magic worked so impressively. She made the Paradox Loop seem like a toy—making someone experience pain from the past, present, and even possibly the future. It's remarkable. That spell is one of the hallmark forms of Blue Magic, a perfect control of time," I said, smiling with pride.

Suddenly, a small laugh echoed from ahead of us. Princess Ellora turned with a calm smile toward us. "You two are really overdoing it. The Paradox Loop is quite simple, really. I actually created that spell as a training exercise for Arche so he could experience the sensation of magic control repeatedly until he got used to it. But somehow, it feels more effective when used to instill terror, doesn't it?"

Arianne and I exchanged wide-eyed glances, stunned by her words. What Princess Ellora just said… was shocking. A spell so terrifying and torturous had been created merely as a training tool for Prince Archemidas? The Princess spoke of it as if it were the most ordinary thing—like creating magic was not a significant achievement.

Arianne looked utterly astounded. "Training? Y-Your Highness, you really created the Paradox Loop… for training?"

Ellora smiled again, as if it were just a small joke that didn't need to be elaborated on. "Yes, essentially. I saw Arche struggling to control his magic and thought he just needed to get accustomed to the sensation, so I figured creating a spell like the Paradox Loop might be useful," she replied lightly, as if crafting magic were a trivial matter for her.

I could only shake my head in disbelief. Of course, we were talking about Princess Ellora. Even in ordinary moments, she remained a genius that was beyond our reach. "That makes sense," I said, "because you've always had a talent for designing magical tools. So, creating your own spells isn't strange for you."

She smiled, her gaze softening as she looked at us. "You both too, Katya and Arianne. If you train diligently, I'm sure you can create your own unique spells as well."

Arianne seemed to ponder this, her expression a mix of confusion and excitement. "Is that really true, Your Highness?" she asked, as if in disbelief.

I remained silent, though I couldn't ignore the obvious truth that lay before me. As a sorceress, I knew that the ability to create spells was not something commonplace. In fact, it felt impossible for an ordinary person to reach such a level unless they were Princess Ellora herself.

Yet, of course, I wouldn't voice my doubts openly. "Then we will continue to train as best we can, Miss Ellora," I replied, bowing respectfully.

Miss Ellora smiled with satisfaction at our commitment. Then she said, "Besides, we still have many plans ahead of us. Your strength will be greatly needed in the future."

The Princess's words immediately filled me with pride and excitement. There was a grand vision being planned, and we were an important part of it. It felt like an incredible honor to stand by her side, even though the shadows of her plans for the future still lingered vaguely in my mind.

But I knew one thing: the trust and strength Princess Ellora had bestowed upon us were not to be taken lightly. I, Arianne, and the other loyal sorceresses must be ready whenever she called upon us.

Arianne leaned closer to me, a small smile on her face. "I think we're lucky to be under the command of the Princess."

I nodded and smiled back at her. "Yes, we are indeed very fortunate."

The night had grown quite late, but the refreshing evening air and the stars above created a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere, as if all the chaos and battles we had just faced were nothing but a distant nightmare. As we approached the front yard, I spotted a familiar figure sitting outside, casually chatting with a girl who was none other than Princess Ellora's sister, Princess Lily.

Laura, in her characteristic laid-back style, seemed to be enjoying a lighthearted conversation with Lily. They sat on the front steps, and I could hear snippets of laughter between them. Princess Lily appeared very comfortable talking to Laura. Ah, of course, Laura had a warm and gentle way of speaking, likely because she frequently interacted with customers at the café. I even felt a sense of relief seeing Laura not smoking—perhaps because she was aware Lily was present. It felt amazing that Laura could hold back her smoking habit.

As we began to walk toward the house, Laura looked up and greeted us with a broad smile. "Oh, you're back! What happened?" she asked, her eyes glinting with curiosity as she surveyed the three of us.

However, my attention quickly shifted to Lily, whose expression changed instantly upon seeing her sister, Ellora. Her face tensed up, the smile she had shared with Laura vanished, leaving a palpable awkwardness behind. She stood uncertainly, silent, gazing at Ellora with a mix of emotions that was hard to decipher.

Princess Ellora looked at Lily with a gentle gaze and finally said, "Lily…" Her voice was filled with feeling, as if just that one word could convey all the unspoken sentiments between them.

Lily seemed slightly taken aback to hear her name called in that tone. Without responding, she simply stared at her sister with eyes that appeared cold and hard. Yet, the way her hands fidgeted revealed that she wasn't as tough as she tried to appear.

Seeing the tension between them, Laura stepped forward softly, placing a hand on Lily's shoulder. "Miss Lily, at least listen to what your sister wants to say, okay?" she said in a calming tone, accompanied by a gentle smile. There was sincerity in her voice, as if she truly hoped these two sisters could open up to each other again.

The atmosphere shifted to one of palpable awkwardness and tension; I could feel the weight of the silence enveloping the yard. The relationship between Lily and Princess Ellora was clearly strained, something I had known but never fully observed until now. They stood there, silent, seemingly waiting for the other to break the quiet. I could only hope that this night would bring them peace.

Finally, Princess Ellora took a deep breath and looked at her sister with eyes filled with remorse. "Lily, I… I'm sorry," she said quietly, her voice trembling slightly. Her words felt sincere, and I could sense a long-buried weight lifting from her heart.

Lily paused for a moment, then shook her head slightly, as if unsure how to react. Then, in a cool tone that seemed weak, she replied, "Why… why apologize now, Sis?" Despite her seemingly strong words, I could see she was struggling to hold back something within her—perhaps anger, or maybe sadness.

Princess Ellora looked down, as if uncertain how to respond. Her expression was so pained; I had never seen her like this before, and it made me feel the heaviness of her burdens. But at that moment, Lily added, "If you want to apologize, tell me everything. I… I want to know all the secrets you've been keeping. I don't want to be left in the dark anymore."

Lily's words struck Ellora like thunder, shaking the calm between them. Her expression shifted, and there was a flicker of surprise in her eyes, as if she never expected Lily to say that. Yet after a moment, I saw a new determination emerge on the Princess's face. She nodded slowly, then spoke with more conviction, "Of course, Lily. I will tell you everything. There's a lot I want to share… things I've kept to myself for too long."

My heart swelled with emotion as I witnessed this conversation unfold. Princess Ellora was finally ready to be open with her sister, something that had felt impossible for so long. And when I saw Lily's expression soften, I couldn't hold back the tears that suddenly welled up in my eyes. I glanced to the side and saw Arianne already crying, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

Meanwhile, Lily and Ellora walked into the house together with Arianne, leaving Laura and me outside, watching from a distance. Laura let out a long sigh, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. Just as she was about to light one up, I shot her a sharp look and shook my head. "Don't smoke here, Laura. Don't ruin this rare moment," I scolded gently but firmly.

Laura looked a bit annoyed, but she complied. She tucked her cigarette back into her pocket with a huff. "You're right, Katya. But it feels strange seeing them finally trying to make amends."

I nodded, still unable to hide my relieved smile. "Lily and Princess Ellora have been too long separated by silence. They're finally able to reconnect."

Laura gazed at me with a soft expression, perhaps sensing how happy I was to witness this development. "I think we all need time and courage to finally open our hearts," she said softly.

I smiled, looking at the house where Lily and Ellora were, where two sisters separated by secrets and misunderstandings were finally finding their way back to each other. I knew this moment would mark a turning point for them and for all of us who had fought alongside the Princess.

In this quiet night, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace—a peace that came from the reunion of two hearts that had longed for each other's presence.

***