---
Elva instinctively crosses her forearms over her face, bracing for the worst.
But nothing happens.
Silence.
She cautiously opens her eyes.
Tiny sparkles dance around her arms like faint starlight.
She sits up slowly, staring at her protected limbs.
The massive warhorse—Conqueror—leans down and nuzzles her hair with surprising gentleness, almost innocently.
Head Stablekeeper: Your Highness… it seems Conqueror likes you.
Silence stretches.
Elva's eye twitches three times.
In an instant she leaps to her feet and bolts across the field, screaming at the top of her lungs.
Conqueror immediately gives chase—playful yet thunderous.
Elf-soldiers scramble after them in a chaotic pursuit.
Left to right, right to left—the absurd, entertaining spectacle unfolds across the grass.
With three deliberate taps on the edge of his cup, the Elflord shifts his posture slightly away from the refreshments stool.
In that exact moment, Elva crashes straight into it—landing sprawled between the Elflord and Ernest.
Everyone freezes.
Even the breeze seems to hold its breath.
Ernest: (Hand on chin) Tsk, tsk, tsk. Sister Elvÿ… I don't think you're weak, despite being bested by General Tyrên. But the fact that you cannot tame a calm horse… (Conqueror snorts menacingly through its nostrils at a trembling stable guard) …really makes me wonder. Still—no worries. I believe in you. Alright?
Elva doesn't respond.
She lies face-down amid the wreckage of the stool and scattered refreshments.
Ernest: Sister Elvÿ?
Anxiety ripples through the onlookers—everyone except the Elflord.
Ernest reaches toward her.
Suddenly Elva surges upright, seizes Ernest's right ear in a vice-like grip, and begins dragging him away.
Ernest: Ah—ah—ah—ah—ah…!
Elva: It seems I've become far too calm, and now you've grown bold enough to conspire against me, haven't you?!
Ernest: Ow—ow—no, no, no… It was all Elder Brother's doing—I had no—
Elva: Oh! So you chose to betray me for him, is that it?!
Ernest: No—no—no—no… (Elva tightens her grip) …ah—ah—ah—ah…!!
As they disappear from the field, the Elflord's gaze flicks toward a stable soldier whose gestures seem faintly suspicious.
---
Nightfall – Imperial Balcony
The Elflord stands receiving the cool night air and a report from Ernest.
Ernest: (Back and elbows resting on the railing) Despite her still being too terrified to step outside, my backside is suffering severe pain.
Elflord: How frightened is she?
Ernest: (Snickering) Very. Very. But she should be recovering now—she's speaking with one of her friends.
Elflord: (Turns, raises an eyebrow).
Ernest: It's her incense deliverer—a lad named Leav. No cause for alarm.
Elflord: (Turns his gaze skyward).
Ernest: I will protect her in any case of danger.
The remark draws a low, amused snicker from the Elflord as he adjusts his balcony chair.
Ernest: You don't believe I can? My martial skills are more than sufficient to—
Elflord: Can you even protect yourself? How ironic.
Ernest: Elder Brother, I—!
Elflord: (Glancing at his Seal Ring) The same child who could not protect his two fathers.
The words strike Ernest like a blade.
His steadfast composure cracks.
Ernest: You… (voice breaking) You cannot… you cannot…
Elflord: (Over his shoulder) Am I mistaken?
Tears well in the young prince's eyes.
Elflord: You wish to protect another—yet a dove would prove more capable than you. (He gives the Seal Ring a light, deliberate peck) How irritating.
Ernest: (Voice cracking completely) You cannot—you cannot be my Elder Brother!
Ernest flees in spiritual ruin.
The Elflord remains utterly unmoved.
Elflord: (Eyebrow twitching faintly) [That should reach him.]
He proceeds to pour himself a cup of tea.
Bob: Affecting a male's mental state is far more dangerous than harming his body.
The Elflord stares down into his tea.
Bob: (Leaping down from the rooftop onto the balcony floor) Even though you did it for his own good… did you truly have to say it in that manner?
Elflord: How did you bypass the Elf-Soldiers?
Bob: I can cross any border without hindrance. I am also the Masked Thief's guardian—so? Tut, tut. I still can't believe the one I once wanted to kill is the good one, and the other is the bad. You're fortunate we're on better terms now.
Elflord: Good? You believe me good?
Bob: Mm. As long as you do not offend Elva… you are spared.
Elflord: And if I do?
Bob: Hm?
Elflord: (Sneering) Like… devouring her?
Bob: So direct. Do you wish to be eliminated?
Elflord: (Turns fully toward him) Canst thou?
Bob: Tsh—you doubt me. Mister Elflord, twenty-eight years behind bars is no jest, and the crime that earned such a sentence was no trifle. Do you truly think my strength is so low?
Elflord: (Flashing an eyebrow in mocking disbelief).
Bob: (Slowly) Ahh… you really do. Then why don't you taste my Aixle?
Bob dashes toward the Elflord…
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