"Elias!"
Inside the room, Diancie suddenly called out.
Hearing this, Elias, who was absorbed in reading, paused for a moment before looking over in confusion.
Seeing Elias's puzzled expression, Diancie puffed up her cheeks slightly.
"These past few days, I haven't said a word to you. Didn't you feel uncomfortable at all?"
Originally, she'd planned on giving in only after the weekend.
But reality proved she couldn't wait that long.
After only a single day, Diancie felt unbearably restless, as though Caterpie were crawling all over her.
So, reluctantly, she'd decided today she would speak first.
Yet now it seemed…Elias didn't look even a bit surprised.
Diancie felt this was quite different from how she'd imagined it.
Seeing Diancie's clearly annoyed expression, Elias chuckled softly, saying:
"Even though we didn't speak, I've still been right by your side all along, haven't I?"
"When I was still in the diamond, that's exactly how we spent our time together."
At his words, Diancie's expression instantly brightened.
As a sense of pride welled up within her, she also felt her cheeks inexplicably growing warm.
The faint disappointment she'd felt moments ago completely vanished with Elias's reassurance.
"Next time, I'll just throw your diamond away…"
Diancie muttered quietly, turning her head slightly to the side.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she took out a sheet of paper and slapped it onto the table in front of Elias.
"This weekend, I want to go play here in the human world."
She declared firmly.
Curious, Elias glanced at the paper.
It was a crude, roughly sketched map. Though quite unclear overall, one location was marked very prominently:
—Jewelry Workshop
"I have something important to do there."
Diancie explained at just the right moment.
Next Monday would mark several years since she'd first picked Elias up.
After learning that humans celebrated such special days with gifts, she decided she also wanted to give Elias something special.
After thinking long and hard, she decided she'd take one of the diamonds she'd created herself, have it crafted into a piece of jewelry, and then present it to him.
After all, her growth in strength was something they'd achieved together.
"It's only half a day—will you come with me?"
Diancie asked, looking at Elias with wide, watery eyes.
Although previously he and the Queen had stopped her from leaving often, surely a short outing like this wouldn't pose a problem.
At least, she didn't think so.
"This weekend, huh…"
At Diancie's words, Elias suddenly felt troubled.
He'd already promised Dianna to help clear the negative energy from her body precisely this weekend.
Seeing Elias hesitate, Diancie quickly picked up on something.
"Do you already have plans with Her Highness?"
She immediately asked without pause.
Right now, the only ones who could see Elias were herself and Dianna.
Therefore, if Elias had something to do, it could only involve the latter.
Elias nodded gently in response.
"How about I go with you today instead?"
He offered as a compromise.
He could see clearly that Diancie seemed very excited about going to the human world.
However, Diancie shook her head.
Right now, she was more curious about what exactly Elias was doing with Her Highness.
---
[The next day, Diancie remained in good spirits, seemingly not disappointed by yesterday's matter.]
[Meanwhile, you decided to give her the gift you'd prepared a little earlier.]
"What's this?"
Holding the small notebook Elias had handed her, Diancie asked curiously.
"Open it and take a look."
Elias pointed gently at the notebook.
Hearing this, Diancie opened the notebook.
It was densely filled with meticulous handwriting.
Seeing so many lines of notes, Diancie's breath briefly caught.
But soon, she realized this was actually a detailed training plan he'd prepared specifically for her.
Nearly every possible aspect was carefully recorded, though using very few human words—he'd written it in a way she could easily understand.
"Do you like this gift?"
Elias asked softly, smiling warmly.
Considering he might have to sleep for quite a long while, he'd specially compiled these notes.
Diancie flipped through several pages, and when she saw that each was filled completely, she felt as if her heart were slowly melting.
Even for Elias, this must have taken considerable time and effort to prepare.
"Elias, thank you."
Carefully closing the notebook and holding it tightly, Diancie suddenly leapt into Elias's arms.
Her only regret was that Elias's body still felt cold and lifeless.
"But…you usually plan my training yourself."
"Wouldn't it be better for you to hold onto this notebook?"
Diancie pointed toward the notebook on the table.
Hearing this, Elias briefly hesitated before finally nodding.
Due to their closeness, Diancie immediately caught Elias's fleeting hesitation.
Though brief, it still caused her heart to flutter anxiously.
Why would he hesitate…?
It filled her with a vague sense of dread.
"Elias…you can't be far away from me, right?"
After a moment's thought, she cautiously asked.
"Currently, yes, that's correct."
Though uncertain why Diancie was asking, Elias nodded honestly.
Hearing his answer, Diancie relaxed slightly.
Of course—why would he leave her?
And since he couldn't leave her, naturally, he'd always be there to help plan her training too.
Just now…she must have been overthinking.
Diancie lightly knocked her own head, thinking she'd become too sensitive lately.
"I have a present for you too! I'll give it to you when the time comes!"
She stretched out her small hand, declaring proudly.
---
[Time soon arrived at the weekend.]
[That morning, Diancie was sleeping in as usual.]
[You didn't choose to wake her up. Instead, you quietly left the room, arriving at the meeting place you'd arranged with Dianna.]
From a distance, Elias spotted Dianna's figure.
She seemed to have been waiting for some time, resting quietly against a nearby stone.
This normally composed queen of the underground kingdom now looked distracted, blankly staring off into the distance.
Only when she sensed Elias approaching did she finally straighten herself.
"Are you really sure you want to do this for me?"
Dianna asked once more, confirming for the final time.
After all, regardless of how things were now, the one who had first picked Elias up was her Successor, Diancie.
Before this, Dianna hadn't had many personal interactions with Elias at all.
No matter how regretful she felt about that, it wouldn't change reality.
Yet now, Elias was willingly offering to pay a price to help her. The mere thought warmed her heart deeply.