The tentacles retracted, returning to the suit and restoring its normal appearance. Kay sighed and ran a hand through his hair, as if to dissipate the tension in the air.

“The only problem is that, after using this, the suit... gets hungry,” he explained, his tone more serious. “It needs to touch the dead bodies of ghouls to recover. It’s disgusting, but necessary.”

Silence took over the hall. Everyone pondered what they had just witnessed.

Kay looked at the king and, with an indifferent expression, concluded:

“Well, that’s all I have to report.”

The king observed him for a long moment, before speaking:

The king slowly stood up, his voice echoing throughout the great hall:

“Everyone here witnessed the discovery he made. If anyone has anything against this recognition, speak now!”

The silence that followed was so deep that it seemed to swallow the room. No one dared to object.

The head of the Research Institute appeared in the background, carrying a red velvet cushion. On it lay two medals, shining under the light of the large lamps in the hall. He walked over to the king, who remained seated, watching everything with attentive eyes.

The head stopped near the center and, in a firm voice, declared:

"Everyone here present, and especially the Research Institute, recognizes that the discovery made will be essential for the advancement of humanity."

Fernanda smiled, bowing slightly in a gesture of gratitude.

"Thank you!" she said simply.

Kay, in turn, just nodded and murmured:

"Thank you."

Before the moment could end, a female voice echoed unexpectedly:

“Wait!”

All eyes turned to the source of the sound.

“Princess?” exclaimed the head of the Institute, somewhat surprised.

Emilia, the young princess, looked at her parents before walking to the center of the hall. Her determination was clear in every step.

“Let me do this in my father’s place.”

The king seemed to lean forward to intervene, but the queen, with a subtle gesture, touched his arm, indicating that he should remain seated. Emilia took the first medal from the cushion and walked over to Kay.

Kay, sensing the expectation, bowed slightly in a formal gesture. The princess, however, hesitated for a moment, examining him.

“Why don’t you take off your mask?” Emilia asked curiously.

Kay maintained her firm posture and replied:

“Today I am here as squad leader.”

Emilia inclined her head, understanding.

“I understand.” That mask is amazing! — she whispered with a discreet smile, as she attached the medal to her armor.

“Thank you,” Kay replied, maintaining formality, but allowing a small smile to escape.

As he stood up, Emilia came closer, leaning towards him and whispering:

“Don’t go away yet. Let’s play later!”

Kay raised an eyebrow under the mask, but replied in the same tone:

“Okay.”

Emilia took the second medal and turned to Fernanda, who was waiting with a bright smile.

“Why is she smiling like that?” Emilia thought, frowning slightly as she approached.

Fernanda bent down with the same formality as Kay, still smiling. The princess carefully attached the medal and took a step back.

“Thank you!” Fernanda said, standing up and bowing her head in gratitude.

The hall remained silent for a few moments before bursting into restrained applause, respecting the solemnity of the moment. Kay crossed her arms, watching the princess from the corner of her eye as she returned to her family. His eyes met hers for a brief moment, and he couldn't help but think: "This girl never stops."

The king stood up, ending the ceremony with a serious tone:

"May these medals represent not only recognition, but a reminder that the fight for humanity's survival depends on each one of us."

The ceremony came to an end, and the royal family began to leave, starting with Princess Emilia. Her posture was impeccable, but there was something in her gaze that made everyone around her feel the gravity of the moment. She walked elegantly, without paying attention to anyone.

"The princess is serious, but why?" everyone thought, worried.

Both Kay and Fernanda began to move away from the center, the weight of their achievements still hanging in the air. But before he could tear his eyes away from the surroundings, Kay felt a piercing gaze in his direction.

He discreetly turned his head to the side. There was the prince, watching him with an icy gaze full of hostility. Kay frowned for a moment, his muscles tensing involuntarily. He could feel the animosity emanating from the prince, and it bothered him. He didn't need words to understand what was happening.

"I could feel your hostility." Kay thought, his eyes narrowing behind his mask. "If you don't like the soldiers, that's your problem, but for trying to steal Mira... I hate you too."

Anger was building up inside him, a silent but intense flame. He didn't care about the intrigues of the court or the politics of the royal family. But the idea that someone would try to remove Mira from his life, that, he wouldn't forgive. Even if he was a prince, a title didn't give him the right to hurt those he considered close.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

With a sudden movement, Kay turned his face forward, completely ignoring the hostile gaze that still followed him. His steps echoed through the hall, firm, without hesitation. He felt the weight of the mission on his shoulders, but that prince... that look, only fueled him with more determination.

The scene changes to the royal garden, where Kay and Fernanda were standing, talking calmly. Suddenly, Emilia came running towards them, her dress fluttering in the wind and a radiant smile on her face.

"I'll leave you two alone!" Fernanda said with a slight smile, already anticipating the reason for the princess's arrival.

Before Kay could answer, Emilia hugged him enthusiastically.

"Why did you take off your mask?" she exclaimed, curious.

Kay laughed.

"Now I'm here as your friend, not as your squad leader." His eyes looked at her tenderly.

"I understand." Emilia smiled, excited as always.

Fernanda adjusted her glasses and turned to them.

“I need to take care of some things at the institute. When it’s time for us to return, I’ll call you, Kay.”

“Okay.” He nodded.

“Excuse me.” Fernanda left, leaving them alone.

Emilia, still full of energy, looked at Kay in admiration.

“What was that? The mask is really cool!”

Kay laughed as he led her to a nearby bench and sat down next to her.

“I asked them to make it before the festival. Did you like the surprise?” he asked, visibly pleased.

“I really liked it!” she replied, beaming. “But I also have something to show you!”

“What is it?” Kay arched an eyebrow, curious.

“It’s in my room!” she announced excitedly.

Kay crossed her arms, smirking.

“If I go there, I’ll lose my mind.”

“Who told you that?” — Emilia frowned.

— Your mother. — Kay laughed.

— Nonsense! I'll go get it. Wait for me here! — she said, already getting up and running.

— I'm not going anywhere. — Kay smiled, watching her disappear.

— No running here! — the queen shouted, appearing in the garden.

Emilia slowed down, but still walked quickly. The queen sighed and approached Kay, sitting next to her with the impeccable posture of royalty.

— I see. This girl is really doing what she wants. From the way you act, can I conclude that it's your influence? — she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kay relaxed on the bench and shrugged.

— Children need to be free and spontaneous.

— Children who don’t have responsibilities, maybe. But Emilia is different. — The queen stared at him.

Kay smiled at the corner of her mouth, keeping her tone relaxed.

— From what everyone says, it’s the prince who will succeed the king. So why are they stopping Emilia from doing what she wants?

The queen let out a deep sigh before answering.

— How many kingdoms are there in this country, boy?

— Four? — Kay ventured, tilting her head.

— King, queen, prince and princess. Each one will take over a kingdom. — the queen explained.

— Alone? — Kay asked, confused.

— We’re family, we’ll support each other. — the queen replied with a slight smile.

— That’s not what people say. From what I know, the prince will succeed the king, and his descendants will continue to rule. Hasn’t it been like that? — Kay looked at her curiously.

— That was true when there was only one kingdom. But since we have reclaimed a second kingdom, the prince will rule there. And if the third is reclaimed, Emilia will take over. — The queen explained calmly.

Kay frowned.

— But can’t she keep this kingdom?

— They need to build the kingdoms on their own. Of course we support them, but they need to show the people that they are capable leaders. — The queen watched him with an appraising gaze.

— So it’s not possible? — Kay insisted.

— Technically, it is possible. But only if she and the king agree. Don’t tell me you want her to stay here just because they are friends. — The queen looked at him incredulously.

Kay looked away, clearly uncomfortable.

— You are almost entering adulthood, but you still act like a child. You know that the army is also divided among the kingdoms, with the main base in the central kingdoms. The bulk of the army will move to Mineford and Longtail. — said the queen, seriously.

Kay took a deep breath before answering.

— I'm sorry, but if it were up to me, I refuse to leave this kingdom. I have memories that I can only relive here and people I can't abandon.

The queen arched an eyebrow.

— Your girlfriend, I assume?

Kay was surprised.

— How did you know?

— I heard Emilia talking to you. Is she the girl who was here before?

— Yes, Mira is my girlfriend. — he admitted firmly.

— Why are you talking so loud? I'm on your side. — The queen laughed lightly.

— Sorry. It's just that a fly got in my way. — Kay smiled.

— Fly? — the queen asked, confused.

— She's already gone. Anyway, it's not just for her. There are people and places I can't leave behind.

The queen watched him for a moment before answering.

— And if my daughter rules here? Are you saying you'll stay in the army to support her?

— Yes. Emilia is important to me. If she needs help, I'll be here.

— Really? — Emilia said, suddenly appearing with a smile on her face.

— Yes. — Kay replied, laughing.

— When did you arrive? — the queen asked.

— Now. — Emilia said, sitting between them with a new cell phone in her hands. — Kay, teach me how to use this!

Kay laughed.

— Now you have a cell phone?

— Yes, my mother bought it for me! — she replied excitedly.

The queen sighed.

— It's rude to sit between two people who were talking.

“But I got here first!” Emilia said, with a mischievous smile.

Kay just laughed, while the queen shook her head, resigned.

“What were you talking about?” Emilia asked, curious, approaching with an intrigued look.

The queen stood up with her usual elegance, adjusting the skirt of her dress.

“Adult conversations.” She gave Kay a playful look before turning to her daughter. “Play with him before he has to go home.”

“That's exactly what I was going to do!” Emilia replied, excited, with a mischievous smile.

The queen sighed, pointing a finger at Kay as if she were warning him.

“And don't teach her the wrong things!” Kay laughed, raising her hands in a gesture of surrender.

“Don't worry, I promise to behave.” With that, the queen turned and left, the soft sound of her footsteps disappearing down the garden corridor. The silence that followed was filled with the rustling of leaves in the wind and the knowing glances of the two young people.

(Author's note: {I'm having writer's block when it comes to writing a conversation} At this point, imagine a light and relaxed conversation between Kay and Emilia. They talked about her new cell phone, the physical training she's been doing, and some stories about the soldiers.)

The sun began to set on the horizon, tinting the sky orange and gold. Kay looked at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He stood up, extending his hand to Emilia in an affectionate gesture.

"I had a lot of fun today, Emilia. Let's talk another time, okay?"

She held his hand for a moment, smiling with the same enthusiasm as always.

"Deal! Thank you for everything, Kay.

Kay let out a soft laugh, ruffling her hair slightly before turning to the car that was already waiting for him. Fernanda was leaning against the door of the vehicle, watching the scene with a look of someone who understands more than she lets on.

“You’re getting popular, huh?” Fernanda commented, as she adjusted her hair in the mirror.

The car took off, and the soft sound of the engine filled the air. As they left the palace behind, Kay took one last look at Emilia’s silhouette, who was waving excitedly, getting smaller and smaller as they got further away.

“She really has something special…” he thought, with a slight smile on his face and waving to Emilia through the car window.

Fernanda cast a curious glance in the rearview mirror.

“Something on your mind?”

“I’d like to know too!” Kay replied, looking up at the sky.

They returned to the base, where the Fifth and First Squads were already waiting. The atmosphere was heavy, as if the walls reflected the tension in the air. Kay got out of the vehicle, adjusting his posture, although his gaze carried a weight that he tried to disguise.

“What’s the problem?” Kay asked, his voice firm, but with a hint of impatience.

“Our squad will go through your training. Captain’s orders,” Joana replied, crossing her arms as she looked directly at him.

Kay sighed, putting her hands in her pockets and tilting her head slightly to the side.

“Okay... Wait in the same place where the others trained. I’ll get something to eat and I’ll be right there.”

Joana raised her voice to the soldiers of the First Squad.

“You heard me! Move!”

The First Squad marched away, obeying promptly. All that was left was Ravena and a few other members of the Fifth Squad. Kay stared at them for a moment before asking,

“What about you guys? What are you doing here?” Her voice was firm, but not hostile, just curious.