[After finding some cooking tools from the human world with Diancie, you both quickly passed through the tunnels and headed up to the surface.]
[Since it was only for one night, Diancie didn't even bother reporting it to her Highness.]
[You had no objections to this.]
[Following the passages dug by the Carbink, you and Diancie eventually arrived in a small forest.]
[Compared to the forest where you'd been ambushed before, this one was clearly much smaller.]
---
"How is it? This is another good spot I found!"
Diancie placed her hands on her hips, speaking to Elias with pride.
Back when she hadn't had Elias, she had lived almost every day alone, her life dull and lonely.
So she often snuck out through the clan's passageways to the surface, searching for scenic places to explore.
At her words, Elias glanced around and nodded in approval.
Compared to that earlier forest that had felt so off, this one was far more peaceful.
Even though it was already nighttime, the cries of Pokémon could still be heard.
And looking into the distance, you could faintly glimpse a human city.
"Elias, hurry and start that thing you mentioned!"
Diancie tugged on his arm, speaking eagerly.
Since this outing was more or less sneaking out—she feared her Highness might suddenly emerge from the ground at any moment to drag her back.
Seeing this, Elias smiled helplessly. Using telekinesis, he neatly arranged the cooking tools Diancie had carried.
A fire quickly flared up, and following the steps in his memory, Elias began to prepare the ingredients before him.
Diancie sat quietly at his side. Watching his focused expression filled her heart with satisfaction.
She suddenly thought… even the way things were now was good.
Let her Highness continue as queen, and she, as the princess, only needed to spend her days with Elias.
With him there, her strength would slowly grow.
And when the day came that she had to inherit the throne, Elias would likely already have a real body.
After all… her Highness was still young now. With Diancie's lifespan, she would live on for a very, very long time.
Diancie turned this over in her mind.
Unknowingly, a strange fragrance had already drifted into her nose.
Her eyes lit up, and she raised her head toward the source.
The smell was wafting from the pot Elias was tending.
As a Pokémon who had only ever eaten berries, it was her first time smelling something this delicious.
"Want a taste?"
Elias speared a piece of sliced berry with a fork and held it up to her lips.
Since the dish was still meant for Pokémon, berries made up most of it.
At his words, Diancie opened her mouth, taking the berry from the fork.
An indescribable flavor spread through her mouth. Though it was a bit hot, she still narrowed her eyes in bliss.
"Elias, you're amazing!"
Diancie praised him.
She had already resolved that even if her Highness wanted to take Elias away, she absolutely wouldn't give him up.
If there was no other way, she would run away with him—leave the kingdom behind!
Rustle—
Just as she thought this, a sound suddenly came from the brush behind them.
Already guilty for sneaking out, Diancie flinched and looked over warily.
Sure enough, the bushes shook.
Under her tense gaze, a figure slowly stepped out.
Not her Highness.
Seeing who it was, Diancie first let out a breath of relief, then tensed again.
Because although it wasn't Dianna, it was another familiar face—Cogita.
Pushing through the undergrowth, Cogita blinked in slight surprise when she spotted Diancie.
Her newly built hut was nearby, and seeing firelight at night, she had thought a forest fire had started.
But when she came closer, she discovered it was Pokémon camping.
And not just any Pokémon—Diancie, the one she had encountered once before.
Pokémon camp now?
Cogita tilted her head, thinking it strange.
At the same time, she lifted her hand in greeting.
"Long time no see."
She remembered this Pokémon well—the aura about her was so similar to Elias's.
And now, after some time apart, she could sense that aura had grown even stronger.
If not for her outward form being unmistakably Diancie, Cogita might have mistaken her for Elias himself.
"L-Long time no see."
Diancie replied casually, secretly swallowing down the berry in her mouth.
At her side, Elias felt that same wave of familiarity upon seeing Cogita.
That inevitably left him puzzled.
Once could be chance. Twice meant it wasn't an illusion.
And he realized Cogita seemed not to notice him at all.
Just like the Carbink in the kingdom.
So for now, it seemed only the queen Diancie could see him.
By then, Cogita had already walked closer.
"Doesn't Diancie usually stay deep underground? What are you doing wandering around the surface?"
Recalling Diancie's habits, she asked.
In the time she'd spent in Kalos, she had learned nearly everything there was about the local Pokémon.
"I usually do stay underground…"
I just happened to run into you.
Diancie pressed her lips together, thinking with some exasperation.
To run into Cogita both times she'd come out—how unlucky!
And with her here, Diancie couldn't act freely with Elias as before.
All she wanted now was to hurry and send Cogita away.
"Would you like a bite?"
Thinking this, Diancie speared a berry and offered it politely.
Elias had cooked things Pokémon would enjoy.
Soft stewed berries—what she thought of as delicacies—were likely unpalatable to humans.
She hoped this would make Cogita bow out on her own.
Only…
To Diancie's shock, Cogita nodded, leaned in without hesitation, and ate the berry straight from the fork.
As she did, Diancie's face crumpled with pain.
My berry…
She felt so wronged she nearly burst into tears.
Meanwhile, Cogita herself found it strange.
Food meant for Pokémon was something she normally wouldn't even touch, much less eat.
But just now, when Diancie held out the fork, she had instinctively leaned in and taken a bite.
What does food made by Pokémon even taste like?
With that wary thought, she lightly bit down.
A rich berry fragrance filled her mouth, and the tension in her heart eased.
But almost immediately, her expression faltered again.
Not because it was bad—but because, ever since she had tasted it, there was a strange sense of familiarity.
Last time, it had been handwriting.
This time… cooking.