My gaze drifted toward Her Majesty, naturally.

  There she stood—

  Veranora Aurelia Ignis.

  As the Queen, she stood higher than anyone, never bending her will, looking straight ahead at those before her. Her mere presence changed the very air. She was like a bzing fme—a dignified, radiant light.

  (...Words like "beautiful" aren't enough.)

  I was overwhelmed. She possessed a sacredness that forced me to do nothing but follow her with my eyes.

  (That silhouette... "chose me"?)

  As one who might stand beside her, I had to respond. But I—I still couldn't even find my own footing.

  I had wavered, I had hurt others, and I had nearly turned my back on the very things I was supposed to protect. Could a sword held by someone like me truly guard her back?

  (...Even so.)

  I couldn't lie about this feeling.

  I admired that silhouette. My heart trembled at her words. Her fire had lit a fme within my own soul.

  ("Cd in fmes"... it’s not just about magic.)

  The power of her words, her posture, her sheer presence—everything she wore was being etched into my chest like a rising fire. Even though I had only been lost in doubt, and had even taken my frustration out on her that day...

  (...Even after all that, she looked at me like that, and "chose" me?)

  It made me proud, but—it was also terrifying.

  However, Her Majesty was looking straight at me. Our eyes met—those silver-crimson eyes—and then...

  The next moment, she closed one eye and gave me a wink.

  "——?!"

  A gasp nearly escaped my lips; I scrambled to swallow it back down.

  (Wh-what was that just now...?)

  I couldn't believe it. No, but—surely.

  My face grew hot. It felt as though something had snapped and sparked deep within my chest.

  (Did she... wink at me...?)

  Though she hadn't said a word, my entire body reacted. To think a single gesture could shake my heart this much.

  (...It's not just that I want to protect her. It’s something... more.)

  Emotions I couldn't put into words scattered like sparks in the back of my throat. It wasn't anger or shame. This was—surely, because she had "touched" my soul.

  Even if she didn't call my name or give me an order, that gaze spoke clearly.

  (It said, "I am watching you"—)

  She had looked at me directly, unwaveringly. That alone made me straighten my back. That alone set my heart abze.

  (I have to... "choose" for myself.)

  Not just indulging in the position I was given. Not being bound by the past.

  As "Selesta," I will choose this path. No matter how scary it is, no matter who denies me—I will never lie about this feeling.

  So that one day, I can stand beside that silhouette.

  So that I can protect that fme from by her side.

  I, by my own will, choose this path.

  —To protect her.

  The voice announcing the end of the session echoed, and the Audience Chamber filled with a low murmur.

  Startled back to reality, I gave a formal bow to Her Majesty and followed after her, feeling a gaze on my back that was sharp, yet inexplicably warm.