(Author POV)
"So… you brought me back… to make me sit on the throne?"
Elira's voice was calm—too calm. Her face remained completely blank, giving nothing away. No anger, no excitement, no fear. Just… stillness. It made it impossible to tell what she was really thinking, and somehow, that silence felt heavier than any reaction.
Maria reacted instantly, shaking her head and waving her hands in a slight panic. "No, no—wait, that's not what I mean," she said quickly, stepping closer. Then she paused, exhaling softly. "…Well, maybe yes—but not entirely."
Elira didn't interrupt. She just watched.
Maria met her eyes, her voice softening. "We brought you back to where you belong. Even if the throne and crown didn't exist… we still would've come for you." She hesitated for a moment before adding quietly, "Or more truthfully… we never wanted to send you away in the first place."
Something flickered in her eyes—something deeper than words. Loss. Regret. Longing.
Elira noticed it.
After losing her unborn child, Maria had always seen Elira as her own. But fate had taken both from her—one before she could even hold them, and the other by forcing her to let go.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Elira pressed her lips into a thin line. "…Then it doesn't really matter, does it?" she said slowly. "Whether I take the throne or not… there are other kings and queens. Someone else could take it."
"Of course not!" Maria said sharply—too quickly.
The sudden change in tone made Elira blink.
Maria froze, realizing her reaction, then forced herself to calm down. "I mean… they wouldn't," she corrected, her voice softer now.
Elira frowned slightly. "Why not?"
Maria hesitated again, glancing at Cain as if silently asking for help—but then she answered anyway. "…Because they're your godparents."
"…What?"
Elira blinked, confusion clearly written across her face.
How many godparents do I even have? That's… too many people.
Cain let out a quiet chuckle, clearly reading her thoughts. "All the kings and queens are close," he explained. "They grew up together—just like we did. And honestly? They all see you as their daughter."
Elira stared at him, still processing.
"They've been protecting the throne and crown ever since the Royal Dragon disappeared," Cain continued. "Not for themselves… but for you."
Maria stepped in gently, "And you're not completely alone here, Elira. You have a real blood relatives too—your uncle is one of them. King Aurelius Aqua, the King of Nexarion."
Elira's thoughts completely stalled.
"…An uncle?" she repeated softly.
That… she hadn't expected.
Godparents were one thing. But a real family membe? Someone connected to her by blood?
It felt like too much all at once.
She stood there, silent, her mind trying—and failing—to process everything.
Maria noticed the distant look in her eyes and waved a hand lightly in front of her face. "Hey… where did you go?" she asked gently.
Elira blinked, snapping back. "Huh? Oh… nowhere. Just thinking."
Maria smiled softly, though there was still a hint of nervousness in her expression. She clasped her hands together. "So… what do you think?" she asked, her voice hopeful.
Elira looked at her.
Then at Cain.
They were both waiting.
But instead of answering, she lowered her gaze slightly. "…I think I need to rest," she said quietly. "Just for a while."
There was no disappointment in Cain's expression—only understanding. He nodded immediately. "That makes sense. It's been a long day… and you've been walking around in skates this entire time."
Elira glanced down, as if she had just remembered.
Oh.
Right.
Cain gestured toward the hallway. "There's a room next to this one. You can rest there. Change your shoes, relax. We'll send food to you."
Elira nodded. "Thank you."
Maria gave her a gentle smile. "Take your time."
Elira returned the smile faintly before turning and walking out of the room.
The door closed behind her with a soft click.
—
For a moment, silence filled the space.
Maria's smile faded as she turned to Cain, worry clear on her face. "Do you think she'll stay?" she asked quietly. "Will she accept all of this…?"
Cain didn't answer immediately. His gaze lingered on the door, thoughtful.
Then he nodded.
"She will," he said with quiet certainty. "Even if she grew up among humans… she's still one of us." A faint smirk touched his lips. "And adapting? That's in our nature."
Maria exhaled slowly, though the tension didn't fully leave her. "I hope you're right."
Cain stepped closer, gently cupping her face. "Hey," he said softly. "Don't overthink it."
Maria looked into his eyes, her own softening. "I just… I really want her to stay," she admitted. "Every time I look at her… I think about our child. They would've been her age too."
Cain's expression shifted, warmth replacing everything else. "You're not alone," he said quietly. "I'm here. And she'll stay… I know she will."
Before she could respond, he leaned in and kissed her.
Maria didn't hesitate this time. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, holding onto that small moment of comfort.
—
Meanwhile…
Elira sat quietly in her room, her gaze fixed on the window. Her reflection stared back at her faintly against the glass—but she barely noticed it. Her mind was somewhere else.
Back in that room. Back to the moment they said her parents were missing.
She exhaled slowly. To be honest… something inside her had broken at that moment. She had wanted to cry. Badly. But she didn't. Not in front of them. Not again. Not after the way she had broken down back on Earth.
So she smiled. And said, "It's okay." Even though it wasn't.
Her fingers tightened slightly in her lap. Now she had a choice. Two paths.
Go back… or stay. She leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment before letting out a quiet breath.
Honestly… staying didn't sound so bad. What was even waiting for her on Earth? Nothing. No home. No future. No one. But here…
She had people. An uncle. Godparents. A place where she might finally belong. Her gaze softened slightly.
After accepting Maria and Cain… she realized something. She wanted more. More connections. More people. More… belonging. Even if she could never have her parents.
A small sigh escaped her lips. "…Am I becoming greedy?" she muttered to herself. No answer came. Only silence.
She turned her head back toward the window. Darkness was slowly spreading across the horizon. Night was falling—but unlike Earth, there was no sun setting, no moon rising. t just… changed. Quietly. Naturally.
Elira watched it for a long moment. Then her lips curved into a faint, almost challenging smile. "Let's see," she whispered.
"These 'uncles' and 'godparents' of mine…" Her eyes narrowed slightly. "If I don't like it here… I can always go back." But deep down—
She already knew. She wasn't going anywhere.