Hurried footsteps echoed down the corridors, each one ringing with urgency and dread.

  As soon as they reached the gate, they flung it open and froze.

  The sight before them was staggering. Though the infirmary beside the palace stretched wide, its halls already overflowed. Dozens more injured lay scattered outside on the cold ground, their groans of pain carried by the wind.

  Diana’s heart clenched, a sharp pang of grief twisting through her chest. Yet her will did not waver. If anything, the sight steeled her resolve.

  She turned to Leo, her gaze burning with fierce determination.

  “I need a massive tent raised on the field immediately!”

  Leo didn’t waste a second. With a curt nod, he dashed back into the palace.

  Diana strode forward, they followed her close behind. When they got close by, Diana kneeled and began examining the wounded, her eyes darting over their injuries, slashes, bruises, torn skin.

  None seemed fatal, but the filthy, open ground beneath them threatened infection with every passing moment.

  Her glance flicked to Tetra. “We’ll need more hands. The tent must be vast enough to shelter all of them.” Her voice rang firm, her eyes blazing with urgency yet tinged with compassion.

  “Tetra, go to Leo’s men. Tell them we need every bit of manpower they can spare!”

  Tetra pressed her lips together and gave a sharp nod before darting toward where they rested.

  Diana rose slowly, her gaze drifting across the area.

  Why weren’t they taken to the hospitals? The thought gnawed at her, and deep down she already knew the answer.

  The Cathedral’s authority and influence is definitely behind this. Her jaw tightened, and she bit her lip out of frustration.

  Minutes dragged by in strained silence until Leo returned, arms weighed down with a bundle of huge canvas that the palace maids had managed to gather.

  Behind him, his men arrived in a rush, their boots thudding against the clean grass.

  Tetra, still catching her breath, took her place beside Diana.

  “We’ll put up a massive tent in the open field outside the infirmary, Your Majesty.”

  At once, Leo yelled commands, and his men surged forward, hauling the heavy canvas.

  The place filled with the sound of shouts, wood clattering, and the hurried rhythm of hammers striking nails as the structure began to take shape.

  Beatrice and Ella stood close at Diana’s side.

  “Your Majesty, we borrowed several stretchers so we can move them quickly without worsening their wounds,” Beatrice said.

  Diana gave a small nod. “Thank you.”

  Her gaze lingered on the stacks of canvas Leo had gathered. The corners of her eyes tightened, her lips pulling into a faint frown. She turned toward Ella.

  “Ella, I need you to do something for me.”

  Ella’s posture straightened instantly. “Please ask anything, Your Majesty. I’d be glad to help.”

  Diana’s fingers curled slightly against her palm as she spoke, her tone quiet but firm.

  “Tell Rose to cancel tomorrow’s preparations for welcoming the Marquis. All efforts must go toward aiding the injured workers.”

  Ella bowed her head quickly. “I will inform her at once.” Without another word, she hurried off toward the palace.

  Diana’s eyes returned to the bundles of canvas. Her frown deepened.

  “This won’t be enough to cover the tent’s flooring,” she murmured. Then, turning to Beatrice, she said more clearly,

  “Go to the city with Tetra. Purchase as much fabric as you can find.”

  Both Beatrice and Tetra bowed in unison, their voices steady.

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  For several minutes, the group worked tirelessly to prepare the massive tent. Their effort paid off, the structure stood firm, sturdy enough to withstand even the harshest winds.

  Inside, with Diana leading the way, the maids spread out thick mats, arranging them so the wounded workers would lie in comfort rather than on the bare earth.

  Leo’s men carried the injured on stretchers, every step careful, as though each body were fragile glass. They set them down gently upon the mats, but the work was far from finished. Blood still seeped from open gashes, and no bandages had yet been wrapped.

  That was when Diana took command. With calm precision, she guided the maids through each step: how to clean the wounds without causing further pain, how to disinfect carefully so no infection could take root, how to secure the bandages with steady, gentle hands.

  For the maids accustomed only to sweeping floors and polishing silver, this was uncharted ground.

  Yet Diana’s instructions were simple, clear, and patient, and under her direction, they adapted quickly.

  Soon enough, the groans of agony gave way to quiet sighs. Faces once twisted in pain began to soften, their bodies easing into fragile peace.

  Diana, drained from the relentless pace, lowered herself to her knees.

  A heavy sigh escaped her lips, carrying both exhaustion and relief.

  “Thank goodness… we were finally able to save them!” Her voice trembled with relief, like a heavy weight had finally been lifted from her chest.

  Rose stepped quietly to her side, offering a cup of water. She accepted it with both hands, her faint smile softening the exhaustion on her face.

  “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice low but carrying warmth that lingered in the air.

  Rose returned the smile and lowered herself to sit. “Your Majesty… I already asked Sasha to tell the chefs to prepare your dinner.”

  “Instead of preparing dinner only for me.” Diana’s lips curved into a smile.

  “Why not prepare dinner for all of us?”

  Alice, who had been standing quietly, straightened in surprise. Her purple eyes caught the lamp’s glow, sparkling as she brushed the dust from her clothes. Her dark hair swayed as she bowed lightly. “Then, if you don’t mind, Your Majesty, I will inform the chefs to prepare a meal for everyone.”

  “Thank you, Alice!” Diana’s tone carried genuine joy.

  But before Alice could move, her stomach betrayed her with a loud rumble that seemed to echo inside the tent. Her face flushed crimson as she clutched her belly.

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  “I-I’m s-sorry…” she stammered.

  Rose pressed her lips together, failing to hide a giggle. Diana’s shoulders shook as she laughed softly, warmth radiating in the air between them.

  In that small moment, the heavy atmosphere lifted, replaced by something light, like a field of flowers blooming silently around them.

  She’s super cute… They whispered to themselves.

  Alice darted out of the tent, her face burning red with embarrassment.

  At the edge of the tent, just beside a flickering lamp, Leo, Tetra, and Alaric stood in silence, their gazes fixed on Diana as she moved among the people.

  Tetra’s sharp eyes followed every subtle gesture of Diana with her calm instructions, her steady hands. A heavy sigh slipped past her lips, drawing both men’s attention.

  “What’s wrong?” Alaric asked, tilting his head.

  “There’s something that’s been bothering me since morning,” she said quietly before turning her gaze on Leo.

  “Leo-san, tell me honestly. Are you hiding something from us about Her Majesty?”

  He blinked, almost caught off guard. “Hmm?” His answer was absentminded.

  Tetra’s voice grew firm, every word edged with conviction.

  “We’ve been with her ever since you adopted us seven years ago. I know her strength, her resolve and the limits of both. I mean no disrespect to Towa-sama, but there’s no way she could have accomplished all of this on her own.”

  Her gaze narrowed, fiercely. “So who is it? Who is that person behind her?”

  Leo’s golden eyes flickered toward her before shifting back to Diana. His expression grew solemn.

  “Well… to tell you the truth, there is something we’ve been keeping from you all. But it isn’t my position to say it to both of you.”

  “What do you mean by that? You’re close to her, why should your position matter now?” Alaric added, his brow furrowed in confusion.

  Leo’s voice dropped, firm and final. “Because it’s not my story to tell. If you want answers, ask her yourselves. She trusts you. And trust… means she may share it with you.” With that, he turned and strode out of the tent, leaving only the echo of his words behind.

  Tetra closed her eyes, letting out another weary sigh.

  “He may be right. Perhaps we should ask her directly.”

  Alaric smirked. “And what if you hurt her just by asking?”

  Her eyes snapped open, and before he could react, her boot struck his abdomen lightly.

  “Shut up!” she snapped, lips pressed tight with frustration.

  Several hours passed as Diana tended tirelessly to the wounded. She hadn’t allowed herself a moment’s rest, and neither had the maids.

  Together, they did everything they could to make sure not a single life was lost. At her request, the doctors examined each patient one by one, prescribing remedies where possible.

  Only when the chaos finally eased did Diana step out of the tent. The cool night air brushed her skin as her eyes swept over the camp.

  No one had stopped working, everyone continued doing whatever small task they could to help.

  The sight drew a faint smile to her lips, a warmth blooming quietly in her chest.

  Her gaze shifted, catching Leo leaning against a tree, his eyes closed as though drifting in thought. She walked toward him, her steps unhurried but deliberate.

  Leo stirred at the sound of her approach, his golden eyes opening slowly to meet her faint smile.

  “You’re finally done?” he asked, his voice soft as he crossed his arms.

  She gave a small nod, standing before him.

  “I plan to hold a meeting once the marquis arrives. But for now… let’s rest.”

  “I see,” Leo murmured, inclining his head. “I’ll inform the others.”

  She turned her gaze to Leo, her eyes glimmering faintly in the dim light.

  “I… have a favor to ask.”

  Leo tilted his head, curiosity flickering across his face.

  “Hmm?”

  “This stays between us,” she said quietly, her voice lowering.

  “But… I have a bad feeling about Lucas.”

  His eyes widened a fraction.

  “Lucas? Why?”

  “You remember what I told you about the book earlier. How touching it made all the memories of this world come rushing into my mind?”

  He gave a slow nod.

  Her brows drew together, lips pressing tight as if she wrestled with words she didn’t want to say.

  “In those memories… I saw something. A vision I can’t fully understand, but at the end of the vision, I saw a face, a face that looked like him.” She shook her head, resolute.

  “That’s why you mustn’t tell him about the meeting.”

  Leo exhaled, long and heavy, his expression darkening.

  “I understand. He paused, as if embracing the doubt within him.

  He softened his tone. “You’re right to be cautious. I’ll keep this between us.”

  Diana let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

  “Good… For now, I need to rest.”

  The first light of dawn spilled across the kingdom, scattering the darkness and reminding all that a new day had come. Its glow crept through the palace windows when, without warning, the heavy toll of the gate bell echoed through the place.

  Diana let out a weary sigh, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

  “I suppose there’s no time for rest. The marquis has finally arrived.”

  She turned to leave, but before she could take a step, Leo’s hand closed gently around hers. In one smooth motion, he pulled her forward.

  Diana stumbled, surprise flashing across her face, and collided with his chest. Her cheeks flamed scarlet, and she instinctively tried to step back only to find his arm firm around her, holding her in place.

  “You can rest… just a little while,” he murmured, his voice low yet steady, as though he meant every word.

  “I told you, I-I don’t have time to—”

  Her protest died in her throat when she felt his hand combing gently through her hair.

  The tension in her body ebbed, replaced by a wave of drowsiness she hadn’t realized she carried. Her eyelids grew heavy, her will to resist slipping away.

  Despite her effort to stay awake, her exhaustion claimed her, and she drifted into sleep in his arms.

  Leo looked down at her, her face softened in slumber. An unexpected smile tugged at his lips, and with it, a warmth bloomed quietly in his chest.

  Carefully, he shifted her in his arms, cradling her as though she were fragile glass. As he moved through the hall of the palace, Rose appeared, her steps halting when she saw them.

  “The marquis has arrived, Leo-san,” she said softly. Her eyes flicked to Diana, then back to him. “Should we wake Her Majesty?”

  Leo shook his head, a faint smile still lingering.

  “She’s been working without rest. Let her sleep.”

  Rose tilted her head, uncertain. “And the marquis?”

  “I’ll deal with him once I put Diana safely in bed,” Leo replied firmly. He continued forward, his tone calm but resolute.

  “See to it that he’s offered a refreshing breakfast, then guide him to my office.”

  Rose hesitated as a small frown crossed her face. Diana? she thought, the slip of his tongue lingering in her mind. But she quickly shook it off and bowed.

  “As you wish.”