Leon’s steps reached them first.

  They crossed the stone behind the bench at an even pace, neither rushed nor cautious. Flora noticed the sound before Soliana did. Her posture shifted slightly, the movement small enough to miss if one wasn’t watching for it.

  “Flora,” Leon said.

  He stopped just behind her shoulder and leaned in. His voice dropped low. The words were brief. Measured. He did not repeat himself.

  Flora didn’t answer.

  Her gaze drifted instead, slow and deliberate, toward the edge of the courtyard where the keep rose tall enough to steal the morning light. The shadow there was deep and unmoving.

  Carmilla stood within it.

  She hadn’t stepped forward. She hadn’t made herself known. The dark fabric of her dress blended into stone and shade, her hands folded neatly in front of her. Her eyes were fixed in Flora’s direction, steady and unblinking.

  Waiting.

  Flora held that look for a moment longer than necessary.

  Then she nodded.

  She rose once Leon straightened, smoothing the front of her sleeves as though she needed something to do with her hands. When she turned to Soliana, her expression had already settled into something gentle and composed.

  “I need to take care of something,” Flora said. “I’ll be back soon.”

  Soliana leaned forward as she stood. The motion came before the words, as if her body had already decided.

  “C—can I come?”

  Flora shook her head. “I’m sorry, dear. It won’t take long.”

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  “But—”

  “No.”

  The word landed cleanly.

  Soliana stopped.

  Her shoulders dipped slightly, as though something had been set down on them. Her hands drew inward, fingers brushing the front of her dress before settling there, still. Her gaze dropped to the pale line between the stones at her feet.

  Flora saw it.

  She didn’t move right away.

  Her eyes lingered on Soliana’s posture—the way her chin tucked in, the way her weight shifted back instead of forward. A breath passed. Then another.

  Flora lowered herself until they were eye level, the hem of her dress whispering softly against the stone.

  Her voice softened when she spoke again.

  “Don’t worry,” she said. “I’ll be back quickly.”

  She reached out, slow and careful, and smoothed Soliana’s hair. The motion was unhurried, practiced, the kind done without thinking. Her thumb traced a familiar line near Soliana’s temple before her palm rested there.

  “I won’t be long,” Flora added. “I promise.”

  Soliana didn’t look up right away.

  “…Okay.”

  Flora stayed there a moment longer than she needed to. Her hand remained where it was, warm and steady, until Leon cleared his throat quietly behind her.

  She withdrew her hand and stood.

  “Besides,” Flora said, turning slightly, “Leon will watch over you three.”

  “And,” Leon added smoothly, stepping into view, “we also have a guest who wanted to meet you.”

  As he spoke, a finger tapped Soliana’s shoulder.

  She turned—

  —and nearly collided with the woman leaning down into her space.

  “Hello there.”

  The voice came too close, too suddenly. Soliana startled, her foot sliding back as she stumbled into Flora’s hand, which caught her automatically.

  Elaine straightened with an easy grin.

  “What?” she said. “You don’t recognize me? We just met yesterday.”

  Soliana blinked once. Then twice.

  “Elaine?”

  “Nice to meet you again.”

  Behind them, Flora had already begun to step away.

  She had lingered long enough.

  “Anyway,” Flora said, her voice a touch brisk now, “I have to go. I’ll be back soon, alright?”

  Soliana turned, but Flora was already moving. Her steps carried her toward the archway where Carmilla waited, the shadow swallowing her figure piece by piece.

  Elaine leaned closer again.

  “Are you a princess?”

  The question landed lightly, almost playfully.

  Soliana looked aside, heat rising to her face before she could stop it.

  “…Is your silence a yes?” Elaine asked.

  “I… no,” Soliana said. Then she pointed toward the courtyard. “But they are.”

  Elaine followed her gesture.

  Roland swung again.

  Anastasia didn’t move. The wooden sword struck her shoulder and rebounded harmlessly. Roland tried once more, putting more into it this time. Anastasia only laughed, standing there as if the blows were part of a game.

  Elaine watched for a moment.

  “Why don’t you go play with them?” she asked.

  Soliana stayed quiet.

  Elaine tilted her head, her smile sharpening just slightly.

  “Want me to humble them?”