Prince Casper was in a good mood. His talk with Aurora was giving him hope. Not only that, it was also justifying his beliefs and making him unbelievably happy. It made him feel that he wasn't just being stubborn for nothing, especially after all the bad things that had happened in the last few days.

However, he knew he should hold down his expectations. All he had heard from Aurora was still unconfirmed. She had reassured him that what she told him was 100% true, and her expression looked genuine, but unless he saw for himself that Nova was waking up, all this was still nothing.

Thinking about Nova, he walked faster. He wanted to hurry up and see that girl again.

Aurora told him everything. The real reason for Nova's actions. He got mixed feelings after hearing it. On one hand, the fact that Nova was doing all this to protect him obviously made him happy. But on the other hand, the damage Nova helped to create was pretty real - buildings were destroyed, people were hurt, and some even lost their lives, including important figures like the Knight Captain. Whatever the reason may be, it was still a big incident.

This was exactly what he needed to decide soon. when Nova wakes up, what is he going to do with her?

A part of him wanted to just forgive her completely, but he knew that was wrong. He wouldn't forgive James, and obviously wouldn't forgive his brother either, so giving Nova such unfair treatment didn't sit right with him.

He sighed and said to himself, "Let's think about it after Nova actually wakes up."

The prince arrived at his room and suddenly became nervous. His hand reached for the door handle, but he froze. This was the moment. Would Nova actually wake up or not? He didn't think he would be able to handle it if Aurora was wrong. A sudden feeling of wanting to run away filled his chest, but he pushed it back and opened the door.

He saw Nova on the bed, still the same, still unconscious.

"Hey, I'm back," Prince Casper said, but there was no reaction.

He walked closer and sat on the chair beside the bed, staring at the unconscious girl.

His fingers reached her face, caressing her cheeks softly.

He remembered what Aurora had said.

"Hey, if you wake up, I will make sure that you won't be executed," Casper said. "I can't promise you I will let you off the hook completely, but I will try my best to lighten your punishment as much as I can."

Nova still didn't react.

"Are you really okay with continuing to stay like this?" Casper asked. "This is nothing but running away. I know you're better than this."

Still no reaction.

Casper sighed. No other choice then.

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"Last chance," Casper said. "Please wake up by yourself or else..."

As he expected, Nova still didn't react. So he did it. He kissed the unconscious girl, who immediately woke up and slapped him.

"What are you doing...?!" Nova said, her face blushing red.

Casper, who was surprised at getting slapped suddenly, just burst into laughter.

"What...? Why are you laughing?" Nova said, confused.

"Sorry, but I didn't think it would actually work," Casper said. "I'm just happy, but this feels absurd."

Nova stared angrily at him. "Is that a proper reaction after forcing a kiss on a lady?"

"Right, sorry," Casper said.

Nova sighed. "Nothing is working out for me. So annoying..."

After muttering to herself, Nova stared sharply right at Casper.

"Alright, I'm finally awake," Nova said. "What do you want from me now? You're not going to take back what you promised me just now, right?"

"So you were listening," Casper said. Aurora was right. She really knows what she's talking about.

"Yes, so?" Nova said.

"Nothing," Casper said. "It's good that you're listening. Then you know what I feel, right?"

"Well, kinda..." Nova said, looking uncomfortable.

Casper smiled. "We don't really need to talk about heavy stuff immediately, but at least can we just talk? I have been missing hearing your voice."

Nova snorted. "What's so fun about listening to my voice?"

"Still," Casper said. "Can we?"

Nova sighed. "Fine. I want to know what I missed since I deliberately made myself unconscious. So let's talk."

***

The next day, after getting the information from Dante, Aurora immediately looked for Prince Casper. After asking one of his knights, she found out that he had been in his room all day.

Aurora got to his room and knocked on the door. She vaguely heard a girl's voice from inside.

"Wh-who is that?" Prince Casper asked, sounding worried.

"It's me, Aurora," she said.

"Oh, thank God, you scared me," Casper said. "Wait a moment."

The door opened. First, she saw the prince, but then she saw Nova wide awake behind him.

"Oh, welcome back," Aurora said, grinning. "Seems like a kiss from Prince Charming was working like a charm."

"Oh, shut it," Nova blushed but tried to act tough by crossing her arms. "As I expected, you're the one behind it."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Aurora said.

"Don't pretend!" Nova snapped.

"Fine, but why do you like sleeping so much anyway?" Aurora asked.

"I'm not just sleeping, silly. I'm trying to delve deeper into my nightmares, trying to find more information," Nova replied.

Aurora blinked. "Oh, so you're feeling like working together now?" she said.

"Who said that? I won't share my findings with you," Nova pouted.

Aurora shrugged. "Sure, I had my own plan anyway," she said. "Talking about plans, Prince Casper..."

"Yes?" Casper said, surprised to be suddenly dragged into the conversation.

"It's about the elf princess that's on her way," Aurora said. "Can you make her come here instead? And I want you to give me a chance to talk to her too."

"Oh, them?" Casper said. "Okay, coincidentally my father is ill right now. I was supposed to handle it in the first place, so it's no trouble for me."

"That's great," Aurora said. "Let's talk more in detail later. Then I will excuse myself. I don't want to interrupt your time together."

"Hey! We didn't do anything!" Nova complained, while the prince was blushing.

"I didn't say you did," Aurora smirked as she left.

Nova was still saying something, but Aurora didn't pay attention and just kept walking.

One thing is done, she thought to herself.

She then walking around the academy trying to find the next person she needed to talk to.

After a while, she finally found her. She was sitting in the shade, drinking tea and... reading a book? That was kind of weird, but Aurora ignored it and walked towards her.

"There you are, I've been looking for you," Aurora said.

Ruby perked up, immediately looking at her. "Aurora! Are you going to give me the answer?" she asked.

"Uh... no, not yet," Aurora said, not expecting to get that question immediately.

"Oh..." Ruby looked disappointed.

Feeling bad for giving her a false alarm, Aurora whispered to her, "Can we talk about it when we're alone...?" She glanced towards Rita, who was standing behind her.

Ruby smiled. "Okay."

Aurora smiled too, blushing a little and feeling embarrassed.

"So, do you need something from me?" Ruby asked, putting down her book.

"Ahh, yes, I have a little favor to ask you," Aurora said. "Can I borrow Rita for a bit?"

"Rita?" Ruby reflexively looked at her knight. "Why?"

"Not much, really. I just need a little protection," Aurora said.

"Protection, you say?" Ruby said. "Rita?"

"Yes, miss?" the tall girl who had been observing them in silence replied.

"You heard it yourself," Ruby said. "Want to help Aurora?"

"Sure," Rita said. "As I said before, you can ask me anything. So, Miss Aurora, what can I do for you?"

Aurora nodded to her. "I'm not sure when exactly, but later I will meet with some elves. They might be dangerous, so I want you to come with me."

"What about me?" Ruby asked.

Aurora blinked. "You don't really need to come."

"No way, don't exclude me!" Ruby protested.

"Alright, but I don't think this will be fun though. I just planned to talk to them," Aurora said.

"I still want to join you!" Ruby insisted.

"Okay, okay, if you insist," Aurora said.

***