The moment we finished breakfast, Lucy clapped her hands together.

The sound was sharp and lively, cutting through the last traces of quiet that lingered at the table.

It wasn't rushed, but it carried energy.

The kind that told everyone the calm part of the day was over and something important was about to begin.

"Alright, let's go and prepare ourselves. I've already agreed with Aria.

And we both prepared the stage for you and Maria," Lucy said, her eyes moving between me and Maria as she spoke.

Her tone was clear and confident, like this was something already settled in her mind, something that didn't need debate.

I looked at Maria for a brief second, then back at Lucy, letting her words sink in.

The way she said it made it sound simple, almost casual, yet there was weight behind it.

Prepared the stage.

The words echoed quietly in my head.

Before anyone else could respond, Aria stepped forward from behind Lucy.

Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, her posture straight, solid.

When she spoke, her voice was calm but carried an edge of control.

"There has been some commotion, but I managed to suppress it," she said.

Her words were direct, almost sharp, but there was pride there too, a sense that she had handled something difficult and enjoyed doing so.

She didn't explain further, and somehow, she didn't need to.

The message was clear enough.

"I will be there, in case anyone wants to test himself," Aria added, and as she did, a wide smile spread across her face.

It wasn't gentle or shy.

It was bold, confident, and almost playful in a dangerous way.

She really did seem to like her new job.

I nodded at her, meeting her eyes.

"Alright, I'm coming," I said simply.

The words felt natural as they left my mouth, like there was no other answer I could give.

Whatever was waiting ahead, it was already set in motion.

But before I could take even a single step forward, I felt something suddenly collide with my back.

Arms wrapped around me tightly, warm and familiar, pulling me slightly off balance.

"Wait!" Kalia's voice burst out behind me, bright and urgent.

She hugged me from the back without hesitation, her grip firm, almost possessive.

I couldn't help but laugh at the suddenness of it.

"A king needs to wear his royal robe," she said, her voice filled with excitement.

"I prepared one for you. Come to my room."

I laughed again, this time more openly, the sound easing the tension that had quietly built up.

"Okay," I said, still smiling.

"I will pass by your room first. Let's go now."

Her arms loosened, and she moved around to face me, her expression lighting up even more.

She smiled back at me, her eyes shining.

"Okay, follow me," she said, and before I could say anything else, she grabbed my hand and started walking, pulling me along with her.

Her steps were quick but confident, like she already knew exactly where she was going and how this would play out.

I let her lead, matching her pace, feeling the gentle tug of her hand guiding me forward.

Behind us, Lucy, Aria, and the others exchanged looks.

I didn't need to turn around to know what they were doing.

I could almost feel their smirks, their amused expressions, following us as we walked behind.

When we reached Kalia's room, she finally let go of my hand.

She stepped forward and opened the door smoothly, as if this moment had been practiced in her head many times before.

As soon as I looked inside, I froze for a brief moment.

Her room was not what I expected.

It was filled with pink.

Soft pink, bright pink, light shades and deeper tones, all blending together.

The walls, the decorations, even the small details carried that color.

It felt almost playful, almost innocent, like the room of a teenage girl rather than what I had imagined.

I stood there, taking it in, surprised by the contrast between her usual energy and the space she lived in.

She didn't seem embarrassed at all.

Instead, she locked her arms back with mine again, close and familiar, and guided me inside.

The door closed behind us, and she gently led me further into the room, toward the back.

As we walked, I noticed that the space opened slightly, revealing what looked like a changing area tucked behind the main part of the room.

Curtains hung neatly, separating it from the rest of the space.

"It seems there is a changing room in the back," I said, more to confirm what I was seeing than to ask.

"Is this where I should change?" I asked, turning my head slightly toward her.

She nodded without hesitation.

"Yes," she said simply.

"Please wait here. I will go and bring the robe for you."

Her voice softened just a little as she spoke, and before I could respond, she stepped away.

She moved past the curtains and disappeared from view, pulling them closed behind her.

The room fell quiet.

I stood there for a moment, listening to the silence, then looked around.

Near the wall, there was a chair, simple and sturdy.

I walked over to it and sat down, letting myself relax.

Time passed slowly.

I leaned back slightly, my thoughts drifting, the quiet stretching out.

The pink surroundings felt strange but not unpleasant.

There was a calmness to it, an unexpected comfort.

Minutes ticked by.

After what felt like a long while, ten minutes, maybe more, I heard movement again.

The curtains shifted, and Kalia returned.

She held something in her hands, carefully folded.

It was a robe.

Red and gold caught the light instantly, rich colors woven together.

She stepped closer, holding it out with care, almost reverence.

"Here it is," she said, her voice proud and warm.

"You can wear it now and see if it fits."

She looked at me expectantly, waiting for my reaction, the robe resting between us, heavy with meaning and quiet anticipation.

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