The glass door opened, and warm, humid air, mixed with the scent of thousands of rare flowers, hit Maria's face.
Inside the greenhouse was a small jungle. Strange creeping plants from Xenia, glowing flowers from the depths of Seragonia's caves, and shrubs with silver leaves.
At the end of the flower aisle, a boy stood.
Arthur.
His back was to the door, and he was trimming the dry branches of a black orchid with gardening shears.
Maria noticed the change in him.
In these two months, Arthur had grown taller. His shoulders were slightly broader, and his demeanor... was no longer that of the terrified boy in the forest. The trip had given him a quiet authority.
"Your Highness."
Hearing Maria's voice, Arthur spun toward her voice. He set the shears down on the table.
A spark of joy ran through his blue eyes. His smile was the same warm, unpretentious smile as always.
"Maria!"
He took a few quick steps to reach her, but when he got close, he paused.
His gaze roamed over Maria's face. The hollows under her eyes, the thinness of her face, and most importantly... the small bandage wrapped around her right wrist (where Varon's device had left its mana burn).
Arthur's smile faded and gave way to a bitter sadness.
"You've gotten thinner..."
Maria unconsciously hid her bandaged hand behind her back.
"Just been busy with studies. The Academy is harder than I thought."
Arthur shook his head.
"Studies? No... I read the full case reports. The explosion, the trial, Varon..."
Arthur put his fist on the wooden table next to him.
"I went South. Went to talk to our allies. Went to learn how to be a stronger king. I thought I was working for the future of my country."
He looked at Maria, a look full of regret.
"But when I returned, I saw my friend... the one who saved my life... fought alone here and almost lost everything. I wasn't there, Maria. When you needed my help, I was miles away smiling over tea."
Maria said:
"You have your duties, Your Highness. I have mine. I don't expect the Crown Prince of the country to come and solve my disciplinary problems."
Arthur frowned.
"Why did you never ask me for help? Not even a letter? Not even a message? Edward said you were silent until the last moment of the trial."
Maria paused. She looked at the flower Arthur was pruning.
"Because you are just building your power, Arthur. If your name appeared next to a 'probationary' and 'saboteur' student... your enemies would seize on it."
She raised her head and fixed her eyes straight into the Prince's eyes.
"I am your bodyguard. A bodyguard's job is to keep danger away, not to bring danger into the house."
Hearing this, Arthur was speechless for a moment.
He wanted to hear Maria's complaints, or at least her request for help. But even in the depths of misery, Maria was worried about his position.
Arthur slowly brought his hand forward.
He pointed his finger toward Maria's hidden wrist.
"Give me your hand."
Maria hesitated, but brought her hand forward.
Arthur ran his finger over the edge of the bandage with utmost caution. He didn't touch, just pointed.
"This is a condensed mana burn scar... the report said it happened when you tried to stop the explosion."
He asked quietly:
"Did it hurt?"
Maria looked at the burn. She remembered the moment she was humiliated in court. Remembered the laughter of the audience.
"It hurt… less than losing."
Arthur raised his head. His look was deep, admiring, and a little... different. A look no longer just friendly— it was the look of a man who has discovered a rare gem.
"You are strong, Maria. Even stronger than knights twice your height."
His voice softened:
"But please... don't let yourself get hurt like this anymore. Every time you get wounded... I feel like I arrived late."
A knock sounded against the greenhouse glass door. Arthur's personal valet stood outside. Time was up. His political meetings were waiting.
Arthur accompanied Maria to the door.
"I have to go back to boring meetings. But this time... I'm watching you, Maria."
He extended his hand. Not for a formal handshake, but an invitation for an alliance.
"Next time there's a war... whether on the battlefield or in court... at least let me stand by your side. Don't let me just be a spectator."
Maria looked at his hand.
She remembered Sarah saying: "We're a team."
Remembered the shadow creature guarding her bed.
And now Arthur.
Maria squeezed Arthur's hand.
"Okay. Next time... we fight together."
Then she stepped back and bowed. This time not because it was the "law," but because she genuinely respected this boy.
"Goodbye, Arthur."
Maria exited the greenhouse.
Arthur stood there and watched her leave. Then he turned and picked up the gardening shears.
He cut a dry, rotten branch with a firm movement.
He whispered:
"Von Taurus... Varon... anyone who wants to hurt her... has to get past me first."
The royal carriage rolled through the crowd. Maria leaned back against the soft seat, watching the shops and people pass quickly. Her mind was still back in Arthur's greenhouse.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped with a gentle jolt.
Maria looked at Edward with surprise. They were still far from the Academy.
"Is there a problem?"
Without answering, Edward looked out the window. Then he ordered the soldier on the step: "Wait right here."
He opened the carriage door and got out. He raised his hand toward Maria.
"Get out."
Maria took his hand hesitantly and stepped out. In front of them was a shop with large glass windows and golden decorations, from which the intoxicating smell of vanilla, caramelized sugar, and cinnamon wafted. 'Capital Central Confectionery'.
Maria blinked.
"Here? What for?"
Edward adjusted his cape with his usual military composure.
"Political meetings are murder on the blood sugar. If I return you with this pale face, students will think we tortured you in the palace. Let's go in."
They sat at the coziest table at the end of the cafe. Edward ordered two cups of coffee and a large dish of special pastries.
Maria stared at the plate in front of her. She felt strange; as if in the middle of a top-secret mission, she was suddenly told to go on leave.
Edward put his cup aside and took an envelope from his coat pocket, placing it on the table between them.
Seeing the Academy Council seal on the envelope, Maria's body tensed.
"Time for reprimand?"
Edward cut a piece of his pastry and ate it calmly.
"This is the Council's final verdict they sent me. 'Unauthorized interference, destruction of property, reckless behavior'."
He suddenly laughed. A deep laugh that softened the lines of his face.
"You know... when I was your age, I set my father's stables on fire."
Maria was shocked.
"Why?!"
"Because I read in an old strategy book that creating smoke is the best way to repel the enemy. I thought I was executing a genius military tactic, while I was nearly roasting my father's prize horses."
"My father locked me in my room for a week."
Edward became serious again and stared into Maria's eyes.
"Maria, you are smart. Maybe smarter than all of us. But genius without brakes is dangerous. Like a wild horse that kills both its rider and itself."
He brought his hand forward on the table as a sign of support.
"The Academy wants to clip your wings, but I won't let them. I just ask you to let me be your 'brakes'. Before you strike the match, tell me."
Maria looked at Edward's hands and the file on the table. Edward's words were neither out of punishment nor mockery. They were the words of someone who believed in her and wanted to be her support.
Maria said with a slight pause:
"Okay, Commander..."
On the way out, Edward went to the counter to pay. Maria stood behind him for a moment. Her gaze fell on the colorful boxes behind the display window.
The image of Sarah staying awake worried all night came to life in her mind.
Edward turned to leave when he noticed Maria was still standing.
"Something wrong?"
Maria hesitated a bit. She squeezed the hem of her uniform and said with a voice rippling with slight embarrassment:
"Can I... can I get a box for my friend too?"
Edward raised an eyebrow. His eyes sparkled with surprise.
"Friend?"
Maria nodded, as if admitting to having a friend was hard for her.
"Sarah. My roommate. She... she helped me a lot last night."
Edward gave a smile Maria had never seen before. A pure fatherly smile. He was happy that the "Lone Wolf" of the forest had finally found her pack.
"Of course. Choose the best and biggest box. On the Royal Guard's tab."
***
Maria opened the room door. Sarah was sitting behind the desk, staring hopelessly at a book. As soon as she heard the door, she jumped like a spring.
"Maria! Alive? Did they expel you? Exile you?"
Without a word, Maria placed a large, luxurious box decorated with a purple satin ribbon on the table.
"What's this? Your new bomb?"
Maria smirked.
"No. It's the 'Peace Pastry'. For not letting the guards catch me last night."
Sarah opened the box lid in disbelief. The scent of cream and strawberries filled the room. Her eyes sparkled.
"Wow... these are from the downtown confectionery! Maria, did you really go there?"
Sarah put one of the pastries in her mouth and moaned with pleasure.
"Mmmm..."
"I thought you went to save someone from under debris again or found a new monster."
Maria took off her coat and fell tiredly onto the bed.
"No. Today I just saved myself."
Sarah laughed and held the box toward Maria.
"Well, welcome to the 'Alverin Gluttons' team, partner in crime!"
Maria took one too, and they started eating with delight.
For the first time, Room 304 felt like a real family.
***
The capital sky had turned orange. Arthur stood at the edge of the stone balcony, watching Maria's carriage recede along the road leading to the Academy.
The wind played with his golden hair.
Heavy footsteps approached from behind. One of the old Council advisors, with a black robe and a silver cane, approached.
"Your Highness... the Council of Nobles and several Dukes are asking about this 'commoner girl'. They are not pleased with the unsparing support of you and Commander Edward. They want to know why the Crown Prince spends so much time on a mana-less slum girl."
Arthur didn't turn. His gaze remained fixed on a distant point on the horizon, where the Academy was located.
His eyes became cold and decisive; a look that showed the little boy of the forest had grown up.
"Let them ask."
Arthur said quietly:
"Tell them the Crown Prince will spend whatever it takes for his 'Shield'. And if anyone has a problem... they can come and ask me directly."
The advisor gave a short bow and stepped back.
Arthur clenched his fist on the stone edge of the balcony.
"This is just the beginning, Maria. They have no idea what we're preparing for you."