When she was suddenly hugged from behind, Diancie jumped in surprise, her small body shivering involuntarily.
But soon enough, she realized exactly who it was holding her.
"Let go of me!"
Diancie squirmed lightly, protesting unhappily.
She hadn't forgiven him yet, so naturally, she wouldn't just allow Elias to keep hugging her.
Plus, she'd just realized all her earlier efforts had been totally pointless.
Elias didn't even need to beg her to move those stones—he could simply teleport through them with telekinesis.
Thinking this, Diancie puffed up her cheeks, her anger swelling again.
"You're freezing cold! Let me go!"
While grumbling, Diancie pushed forward, using both hands to shove Elias away, finally freeing herself from his arms.
"What are you doing?"
She turned around, glaring fiercely at Elias.
"Sorry."
With a gentle smile, Elias apologized.
Then, pointing at the massive stones beside her, he continued:
"You've made such a mess of the room—how are you going to clean it up?"
Based on what he knew about Diancie, she'd calm down after a little bit of comforting.
Thus, Elias intentionally kept his voice soft.
"This is my room; I don't need you worrying about it."
"Go live with Her Highness instead."
At Elias's question, Diancie turned her head away, huffing lightly.
Unlike before, this time she really was angry.
Especially after seeing Elias side with the Queen—she wanted nothing more than to shove him right back into the diamond.
Even after returning to her room, she couldn't fall asleep, her chest tight and uncomfortable.
A sour, bitter feeling lingered, as if something important had been snatched away from her.
Diancie herself didn't understand why she felt this way.
She wasn't even sure exactly what she was mad about.
Yet, even just picturing Elias together with the Queen made her heart twist painfully.
On the other hand, hearing Diancie's words, Elias patiently explained:
"Dianna really did have something urgent she needed help with."
"I came back right after helping her—I promise."
He, whose own life experience wasn't much richer than Diancie's, still couldn't quite figure out why she'd gotten this upset.
But as he spoke, Diancie's anger seemed to fade slightly.
Though she'd stayed inside the room, she'd carefully kept an ear out for what was happening outside.
Even though she couldn't clearly hear what Elias and Dianna talked about, she could confirm they really had been busy with something serious.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have unlocked the door at all.
"Then what exactly were you busy with?"
Diancie poked her head out slightly, still suspicious.
She thought perhaps Elias hadn't wanted to say anything earlier because the Queen was there—now, with just the two of them, he would definitely tell her the truth.
Unfortunately…
"I'm sorry, Diancie. I still need a little more time before I can explain it."
Elias apologetically ruffled her head.
Pa—
As expected, Diancie's expression instantly turned icy again.
Gently swatting Elias's hand away, she turned her back to him silently, climbing back onto the bed.
A little more time…
Diancie deeply resented this idea—she didn't want to wait even a second longer.
She'd already decided that this time, she would hold onto her anger.
Until Elias confessed the truth to her, she wouldn't speak to him again!
Seeing this, Elias was at a loss for how to comfort Diancie.
She seemed fixated solely on whatever had happened between him and Dianna.
For now, it appeared he could only wait for her anger to slowly dissipate on its own.
...
Early the next morning, Diancie sleepily sat up.
The great diamond of the underground kingdom was like their sun; its sparkling light now shone brightly through the window onto her face.
Rubbing her tired eyes, Diancie let out a small yawn.
"Eli—"
Habitually, she started to call out that name, but quickly bit down on her words halfway through.
She still hadn't forgiven him!
Closing her mouth firmly, she opened her big, watery eyes wide, looking around the room.
The enormous rocks she'd placed last night had vanished without a trace. Apparently, they'd already been cleared away.
Also missing was Elias, who should've been at her side.
Diancie suddenly felt panicked.
Last night, she'd just been speaking impulsively—surely Elias hadn't really run off to stay with the Queen, had he?
Could that have been Her Highness's plan all along?
Thinking this, Diancie wasn't sure if she felt angrier or more scared.
She sat up fully, wobbling as she prepared to leap from the bed.
But at that moment…
Kacha—
The wooden door swung open, and Elias stepped inside, carrying a small bowl of freshly cooked berry soup.
"You're awake?"
Seeing Diancie, he greeted her casually as usual.
Only after seeing Elias approach did Diancie finally breathe out in relief.
Right. Ever since his mobility had expanded, Elias usually prepared breakfast at this time in the morning, not too far away.
She'd just woken up and hadn't remembered.
Besides… Her Highness wouldn't do something so outrageous, would she?
Even now, Diancie firmly believed that the cold and distant Queen shouldn't have any real interest in Elias.
"Want to try?"
Elias placed the bowl of cooked berries before Diancie, offering gently.
This was another Pokémon food he'd recently learned to make.
Hearing this, Diancie stubbornly intended to turn her head away.
But after catching a whiff, she hesitated, her movements coming to a halt.
It smelled delicious…and she'd never eaten anything quite like it before.
Seeing Diancie wavering slightly, Elias thoughtfully added:
"I bumped into Dianna on the way back. It seemed like she wanted to taste it too."
"But since there was only one bowl, I brought it straight to you."
Instinctively, Elias felt this would get Diancie to obediently eat breakfast.
As expected, as soon as he finished speaking, Diancie reluctantly turned her head back, tasting the berries bit by bit.
The moment it touched her tongue, her eyes sparkled slightly.
Just like it smelled…this really was delicious…
However, she still wasn't planning to forgive Elias or speak to him. She was seriously angry this time.
Glancing up casually at Elias, Diancie silently decided.
Once she became queen, she'd add a new law for their people—
Elias would be forbidden from having excessive interactions with any Pokémon or humans besides herself.
Diancie mentally added this item to the list of her future royal decrees.
Seeing Diancie obediently eating breakfast, Elias finally relaxed.
Then, casually picking up the book he'd been reading, he continued flipping through its pages.
According to his calculations, the amount of life energy he currently had stored within himself really wasn't enough…
If only he had a few more years…
---
Diancie:Her Highness isn't that kind of person.
Dianna:Hmm… Right…