Three months had passed since Elena arrived in Melrose, and her influence was already undeniable.

  So much so that word reached the Kingdom of Asura.

  That morning, the reception hall of the duchy echoed with metallic steps and dark tones. A lone representative of Asura crossed the gates with a firm stride and a severe expression. He wore a bck velvet cape and shining armor with the royal emblem of the kingdom. His mere presence spoke of cims. Of power. And above all, of threat.

  Elena was in the courtyard, overseeing a new distribution of trade routes when one of the guards —a young, still-nervous one— ran to alert her.

  She took the time to change clothes. Not out of respect for the visitor. But out of respect for herself. She wasn't going to face him with mud on her boots.

  Confrontation in the Stone Hall

  When Elena entered the grand hall, the representative was already standing. He looked her up and down with coldness and spoke without courtesy.

  —Lady Elena. The Kingdom of Asura demands your return. Your presence in these nds is causing political instability. Your escape was an act of treason. And your welcome here, a provocation.

  Elena didn’t respond immediately. She stepped forward firmly, keeping eye contact.

  —My escape was to avoid being killed. What I’ve built here has been with hard work and honesty. If you can’t tell the difference between order and ambition... then the problem isn’t me.

  The envoy frowned.

  —You’re interfering in matters of the Kingdom. Even if this territory lies beyond our borders, your bloodline imposes duties you have abandoned. You will not be allowed to continue acting as if you are not of royal descent. You are obligated to return.

  —I am under Aria’s protection —Elena replied—. And this nd follows other ws. You have no power here.

  In that moment, the temperature dropped slightly. A murmur, invisible, filled the air. And Aria entered the room.

  She didn’t do so with fanfare. Not even haste. But every step she took shifted the atmosphere. Her hair, usually a peach tone, began to fade into a silvery ash. A faint dull glow covered her shoulders, as if a crown of ash hovered above her head.

  —I’ve heard enough —Aria said, with unshakable calm.

  The Asura envoy looked at her with disdain.

  —You’re Aria? The so-called Ash-Crowned Princess? I thought that was just a nickname.

  —It is. And it’s also a warning.

  The silence that followed was as dense as steel. Aria stepped forward until she stood beside Elena, slightly shielding her. Her eyes, without raising her voice, carried more weight than a sentence.

  —No one takes Elena from here. Not while I breathe. Not while this nd is under my care.

  —You’re willing to face a kingdom for a foreigner?

  —I’m willing to face a thousand if needed. And if you dare touch her, I’ll show you why my enemies leave nothing but ashes behind.

  A shiver ran through the hall. The envoy stepped back, suppressing a chill. He knew it wasn’t an empty threat. That woman was a force. An iron rose. Deadly and beautiful. Unbreakable.

  —I will inform the Asura Council of your position —he said at st, his voice now more restrained—. But this is not over.

  —It never is —Aria whispered.

  News That Flies

  Within a day, news of the confrontation reached the capital. Maple called an emergency meeting in the throne room. The leaders of the mega guilds, already alerted by Estede’s informant network and Kanade’s research guild, arrived promptly.

  Aria was the st to enter. As always, silent, but now with a different look in her eyes. Sharper. More resolute.

  Maple welcomed her with a gentle smile, though her eyes reflected concern.

  —Are you okay?

  —I am. So is Elena.

  Sally, seated nearby, narrowed her eyes.

  —Was it a capture attempt?

  —A warning. One disguised as diplomacy —Aria replied—. But it came with a clear air of intimidation. It wasn’t a courtesy visit.

  Haruka spoke from the back, her voice calm as always, though charged with magical energy that subtly vibrated in the air.

  —The Kingdom of Asura won’t take a refusal lightly. If they see Elena as a destabilizing element, they’ll insist. Or send something worse than an envoy.

  —I’ve considered that —Aria said, and her hair flickered with the gray tone that heralded the Iron Rose—. If something happens... I’ll handle it personally.

  Payne crossed his arms.

  —Do you need support?

  —Not for now. But I appreciate the offer. I don’t underestimate Asura, but I’m not afraid of them either.

  Kanade raised an eyebrow.

  —Has Elena confirmed she doesn’t want to return?

  —She has. Repeatedly. With words, actions, and sacrifices.

  Iz, who had been quiet until then, spoke in a pragmatic tone:

  —Then we must reinforce the duchy. I can help with resource management. Haruka, can you strengthen the magical defenses?

  —I’m already sending auxiliary barriers —Haruka replied.

  Maple nodded. She stood.

  —Then it’s settled. Elena will remain under our protection. And Aria will act with full authority over Melrose. If any kingdom has objections...

  Sally smiled, finishing the sentence with a pyful tone:

  —...they can come and say it to her face. Good luck with that.

  A brief ugh echoed through the room. Short, but enough to ease tensions. Maple raised a hand.

  —Thank you all. Stay alert. And Aria... if you need anything, just ask. Anything at all.

  Aria nodded, almost like a bow. But in her eyes, there was a new light. One that didn’t come from her magic.

  It was fire. The kind that would never let anyone take Elena away.

  Fragment – "Crown That Shines"

  Elena sat in the inner garden of Melrose’s main bastion, a book of administrative records open on her p. Beside her, a stack of freshly reviewed reports, handwritten in elegant and practical script. Since she began helping with the duchy’s administration, her life had been full of new routines. But for the first time in years, she didn’t feel like she was running from something —she was building something.

  And at the center of it all, always, was Aria.

  Since arriving in the kingdom, Elena had seen many faces of the Rainbow Sword guild leader. The first was the warrior with sharp eyes and a gcial stare, cloaked in magical ash and unbreakable calm. Then came the Aria who healed with light magic while gently holding her injured arm. After that, the leader who brought her wild fruits after patrols, with a faint but genuine smile. And the most unexpected —the one who joked with Maple almost childishly, or who silently watched the starry skies from the highest tower, as if searching for something only she could see.

  “An iron rose,” Elena whispered without realizing, “and now one of light too.”

  —Thinking about Aria-sama again? —Snow’s voice startled her.

  The pale-haired mage appeared from the shadow of a hedge, her silent steps as inevitable as a cat’s. She was barefoot, as always, her feet making no sound on the stone.

  —How did you know? —Elena smiled, not denying it.

  —You stared into space with a poetic face —Snow replied with a shrug. She approached the bench and, as if Elena were just a table, sat right beside her, her gcier-like eyes nding on the book.

  —I admit Aria baffles me... at first I thought she was simply feared, and now... even the market kids run up to greet her. That didn’t happen before. She changes, yet stays the same.

  —Because she’s happy. You help with that —Snow said matter-of-factly, like saying the sky is blue. Then, with a barely noticeable smile, she added—: Aria-sama’s shining more tely. Not that she notices. But she is.

  She stretched zily like a feline and rested her head on Elena’s p. The noble froze for a moment, but Snow ignored it, closing her eyes.

  —...And this p is mine now, in case you’re wondering. Territory marking. Magic instinct.

  Elena chuckled softly.

  —Are you jealous?

  —I don’t have such weak emotions. Just... rational possessiveness. And well, you’re not bad. You clean well and don’t give me dumb orders. You’ve earned your pce in the tower.

  —The tower?

  —Yeah, the one for people important to Aria-sama. Not many up there. And you’re lucky... she protects what she loves. With a fierceness even she won’t admit.

  Elena fell silent for a few seconds, gently running her hand through Snow’s soft hair. Then she spoke in a low voice.

  —Then... if she’s changed, do you think I can too?

  —Changed? You already have. You used to fear trusting. Now, you haven’t even asked if I’m dangerous.

  —...Well, I thought about it —Elena admitted—. But you seem more of a threat to sweets than to me.

  Snow let out a soft purr —something a person shouldn’t do, but somehow seemed natural in her.

  —Maybe you’re right. But if anyone touches Aria-sama... they’ll meet Pain. Literally.

  Elena nodded, with a warmer smile than usual.

  Just then, they heard footsteps. It was Aria, coming from one of the inner portals, lightly dusted with ash and carrying a cloth-wrapped bundle.

  —You’re here —she said, noticing Elena and Snow together. She approached with her usual serenity.

  —Fruits again? —Elena asked, recognizing the sweet aroma.

  —Yes. These grow in an area untouched by the storms. I thought you’d like them.

  —Thank you —Elena replied softly. Then, lowering her gaze—: Do you always do this for others?

  Aria looked at her for a moment, then tilted her head slightly.

  —Only for those worth the effort.

  Snow rolled her eyes, but didn’t move from her spot.

  —Told you she’s shining more —she murmured, barely audible.

  And in that garden, with a fragile peace built on scars, strategies, and newfound pacts, something stronger than alliances was forming between them.

  A new home. One not easily abandoned.