Creak~
It wasn't just Diancie who froze in her seat.
Dianna, who'd heard everything just as clearly, couldn't hold back either—her fingers tightened around the cup until it creaked.
During the last stretch of her life, she'd meant to keep her temper under control, not get angry with anyone.
But…
There were some things a certain fox did that were simply impossible to tolerate!
"You stinking fox—don't you dare back!"
Once she reacted, Diancie slapped the table with her small hand and bared her teeth as she demanded an answer from Delphox.
Sneaking out was one thing—she hadn't expected Delphox to be that bold.
That little hum just now had absolutely been Charm, right?
That soft, syrupy voice made Diancie's whole body go numb.
And the thought that Delphox was right next to Elias—maybe even pressed up against him—made her feel sick all over!
And making that kind of sound around Elias… wasn't that leading him astray?
The more she thought about it, the angrier Diancie got.
"Delphox, next time I see you, you're dead!"
When Delphox stopped making any noise at all, Diancie ground her teeth and spat out a threat.
On the other end, Elias helplessly moved Delphox off to the side.
Her fluffy fur against him felt nice, sure, but even he couldn't take sounds like that.
Looking at Delphox with her eyes smugly narrowed, Elias felt a headache coming on.
He shouldn't have brought her out…
"Elias…"
When he picked up the communicator again, Diancie's aggrieved voice was the first thing he heard.
The more she thought about it, the closer she was to crying.
"Delphox knows she was wrong. She's gone to sit off to the side."
Elias hurried to comfort her.
Even though he couldn't see the slightest trace of remorse on Delphox's face right beside him.
Seeing there was no way to chase her off, Diancie couldn't help letting out a sigh.
"Elias, when are you coming back?"
Diancie dragged the topic back.
Even though they'd only been apart for a day, she felt like a fish out of water, completely unable to get used to living like this.
And with Delphox's provocation on top of that, Diancie missed Elias even more.
"It'll still be a while."
"While I'm gone, remember to be good and keep training on schedule."
Elias's tone didn't change at all; he still spoke to Diancie gently.
"Hmph…"
Not getting an exact time made Diancie puff out her cheeks.
But thinking it would only be a few days at most, she reluctantly accepted it.
"I'll train hard!"
When it came to training, Diancie—who used to wear a miserable little face every time—actually broke into an excited grin.
Even though the issues with her body were still there, her efforts had finally paid off!
Over the last few days, Diancie had faintly sensed that her strength wasn't far from the next stage.
By the time Elias came back, she should be able to surprise him pretty good.
After that, Diancie happily asked all sorts of things without getting tired of it.
Only when she caught sight of Dianna not far away out of the corner of her eye did she realize…
Her Majesty had been holding that cup of plain water and sipping it for half an hour.
What was there to "savor" about a cup of water? Was she trying to taste something in it?
Diancie narrowed her eyes, her mind unusually sharp for once.
"Your Majesty, do you want to say a couple words?"
She offered the communicator over reluctantly, asking in a tentative tone.
Hearing that, Dianna—who'd been eavesdropping with her ears perked up the whole time—tensed, nearly failing to keep hold of the cup in her hand.
Luckily, she reacted quickly enough not to give herself away in front of Diancie.
She glanced at the communicator Diancie was holding out, and couldn't stop herself from wanting to take it.
It was just a communicator, yet it hooked at her heart like an Espurr's paw, making her itch with restless longing.
But in the end…
"Forget it. You two talk."
Dianna stood up, her voice flat.
As soon as the words left her mouth, she fled the room as if running away, not even waiting for Diancie to react.
As she walked, Dianna tried to force the voice from the communicator out of her head.
That jerk… He'd called, and he only talked to Diancie—he didn't even mention her.
With a tangled heart, Dianna walked a few hundred meters before she finally slowed.
Thinking back to what had just happened, she let out a quiet sigh without meaning to.
In her plan, this morning was supposed to be her last time seeing Elias.
Once the diamond shattered, the entire underground world would fall into turmoil.
Since she'd chosen to take Diancie's place and remain underground, she'd never once considered backing out.
But…
If she heard that Ghost Form's voice again, she was afraid her resolve really might waver because of it.
...
Watching the direction Her Majesty had left in, Diancie still hadn't quite processed it.
As far as she remembered, Her Majesty always acted indifferent, but she loved taking Elias's calls more than anyone, didn't she?
What was going on today?
"Elias, Her Majesty is acting kind of… off."
Diancie's voice dipped along with her mood.
On the other end of the communicator, Elias had naturally heard Dianna's voice just now too.
"Don't worry. There's been a lot going on with the Carbinks lately—Dianna's probably stressed about that."
Elias said to comfort her.
Though he had a few guesses about what Dianna was really thinking.
...
[With your reassurance, Diancie's mood gradually brightens.]
[You keep chatting until late at night, and only then does Diancie give a small yawn—so soft, it seems like she doesn't want you to notice.]
...
"Diancie, it's time to sleep."
Elias said, helpless.
Every time he went out, Diancie was like this.
Just to stay on the call a little longer, she'd be so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open, yet she'd force herself to act like she was fine.
Only when she couldn't hold it back would she yawn, trying to keep it restrained.
Before that, who knew how many yawns she'd swallowed down.
"Mm…"
Seeing she couldn't hide it anymore—and with her head feeling truly muddled—Diancie finally ended the call, unwillingly.
"Thud—"
Diancie flopped face-first into her pillow, her awareness already drifting.
Vaguely, she sensed that under the pillow, her hand brushed against a few round objects.
But after she caught the familiar scent lingering on the blanket, she ultimately surrendered to sleepiness.
Any urge to investigate vanished, and Diancie fell completely into dreams.
On the other side.
Elias set the communicator down on the table, then turned his head and found Delphox already asleep, leaning against him.
Good thing he was in Ghost Form—otherwise half his shoulder would probably be aching right about now.
...
[After putting Delphox down on the bed, you check Yveltal's condition one last time.]
[Even through the tablet, you can still feel the terrifying power contained within its body.]
[As Yveltal's chest rises and falls, the trees around it are withering at a visible pace.]
[This Pokémon that represents death, even in slumber, is still stealing the life of everything nearby.]
...
"Hm?"
Just as Elias stared at Yveltal, lost in thought, he suddenly frowned.
On the other side of the screen… something else was staring at him, too…
---
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
hehe every 100 followers on either instagram or twitter is a bonus chapter...?
discord.gg/wisetl
patreon.com/wisetl
instagram: hanbaowise
twitter: WiseKingOfUruk_