"I'm sorry," Kaito said, holding up both hands like she was a wild animal, "did you just say final trial?"
The mysterious girl—Kaelia—smiled. Not a friendly smile. Not a flirty one. This was the kind of smile someone wears when they already know the punchline and are waiting for you to walk into the joke.
"I did," she replied, flipping her spear into a back holster with unnatural ease. "But relax. I'm not here to fight."
Reina narrowed her eyes. "You're not one of us."
Kaelia mock-gasped. "What gave me away? The dramatic entrance, or the fact that I've been erased from every official record in the kingdom?"
Kaito blinked. "Wait, wait—hold on. How do you get erased from history and still have killer boots and castle access?"
"I was never officially a princess," Kaelia said, pacing the breakfast hall like a cat circling its prey. "But I was born of royal blood. Just… not the right bloodline."
Velveth's gaze darkened slightly. "You're a shadow heir."
"Bingo," Kaelia said, tapping her temple. "My mother was a priestess. My father? The old king's little mistake. They kept me in the shadows to prevent civil war. You know, classic royal drama. Betrayals, secrets, magical bloodlines. Yada yada."
"And now you're just… back?" Liora asked, ice in her tone.
"Thanks to the Sacred Prince's summoning, yes," Kaelia purred. "When the Rite was cast, it called me too. Guess I was still linked to the royal soul web or whatever."
Mariabelle tapped her spoon against her teacup. "That shouldn't be possible. The summoning only targets pureblooded heirs."
"And yet…" Kaelia winked at Kaito. "Here I am. So either the magic is broken… or the Prince is."
Kaito sighed and slumped into a chair. "Okay, this is too much lore before lunch. Can someone just tell me what she wants?"
"To test you," Kaelia said without hesitation.
Sylfie peeked over her book. "W-Why?"
Kaelia's eyes gleamed. "Because I'm the only one not bound to the Rite's contract. I'm not obligated to serve him, or fall in love with him, or unlock magical snuggle powers. I'm free."
Nyra raised her hand. "Wait, so you don't want to cuddle?"
"Not unless he earns it."
Kaito stared. "You're the only girl I've met here who treats me like I don't have a dating side quest."
Kaelia smirked. "Congrats. You've got to work for this one."
Liora stood abruptly. "If you threaten the Sacred Prince—"
Kaelia waved her hand dismissively. "Save the lectures, Commander. I'm not here to dethrone anyone. I just want to see if he's worthy of what comes after the harem."
Reina blinked. "…What comes after the harem?"
Kaelia leaned close to Kaito, her breath warm on his cheek.
"War."
⸻
The throne room was quieter than a haunted library after Kaelia left.
Kaito paced the hall with hands in his pockets, a mild headache blooming behind his eyes. He wasn't built for royal secrets and bloodline politics. He was barely built for early mornings.
Liora followed him at a distance. "We don't know if she's telling the truth."
"Then find out," Kaito muttered. "Send your best spies. Or Mariabelle's AI raccoons. Or Velveth's poisoned fan club."
"She may be dangerous."
"So is Reina after I talk back."
"…Fair."
Kaito stopped and faced her. "You said I had to awaken all seven princesses to protect the kingdom. Now there's eight? Am I supposed to just roll with that?"
"You're the Sacred Prince. You adapt."
He stared at her.
"You're not great at pep talks, are you?"
"No," she said. "I'm a soldier."
Then she did something surprising—she placed her hand gently on his shoulder. Her palm was warm through the fabric.
"You awakened Reina," she said softly. "And Sylfie. And even me. You're already doing more than anyone expected."
Kaito looked up.
"Liora… thanks."
She stepped back immediately, clearing her throat. "Now go train. You swing a sword like a terrified raccoon."
"…There it is."
⸻
Meanwhile, back in the princesses' private wing, Sylfie sat alone in the royal library, surrounded by open tomes. She flipped through ancient scripts, her hands trembling.
Shadow Heirs. Forbidden Rituals. Bloodline Echoes.
Kaelia's return didn't just bend the rules of magic—it shattered them.
"Are you okay?" came a voice from behind.
Sylfie yelped and nearly dropped her book. Mariabelle stood there, holding two cups of hot cocoa.
"You were up here for four hours," Mariabelle said, handing her one. "Figured you needed fuel."
Sylfie nodded gratefully, her cheeks pink. "T-Thank you."
"You're worried about Kaelia."
"I-It's not just her," Sylfie whispered. "The summoning shouldn't have called someone like her. The magic doesn't make mistakes—unless…"
"Unless what?"
Sylfie looked up. Her eyes, normally wide with fear, were now filled with dread.
"Unless the magic… knew the world is about to end."
⸻
Later that night, Kaito sat on the balcony of his private chambers, legs dangling over the edge. The stars were different here—fatter, brighter, closer. Like someone had spilled a box of glowing marbles across velvet.
He heard the door creak open.
He didn't look.
"Lemme guess," he said. "Reina come to yell at me again?"
"Guess again, dream boy."
He turned—and saw Kaelia, in a cloak now, holding a wrapped bundle.
"I brought snacks," she said. "And a warning."
Kaito took the bundle—it was grilled meat skewers. Spicy. Perfect.
"…I'm starting to like you."
"You shouldn't."
Kaelia sat beside him and looked up at the sky.
"I wasn't lying. There's a war coming. One that'll make all of this—titles, magic, kingdoms—meaningless."
"Why tell me?"
She smiled faintly. "Because you're the only one stupid enough to try and stop it."
Kaito finished a skewer and looked back at the stars.
"Then I guess I better survive the harem first."