At Gilbert's Office—
Gilbert: I'm exhausted. Yesterday's training was so draining. I can't believe those ruffians actually managed to tire me out. Seriously, Eva is way too good at persuading people...
The door was knocked on very loudly.
Gilbert: Hmm?! Come in...
Eva burst through the door forcefully.
Eva: panting G... Gi... Gilbert, I... I...
Gilbert: E... Eva, calm down! I can't understand you!!!
Tears began to fall from Eva's eyes.
Eva: I can't find Foutaba anywhere!! I... I lost her!
Gilbert was surprised by Eva's state—he hadn't seen her like this in a long time.
Gilbert: Eva... just... calm down. We'll look for her. I'm sure she hasn't gone far.
Eva: What if she ran away and doesn't want to stay with me anymore? Maybe she hates me now because of what I said to her. I shouldn't have let her go back then!!!
Gilbert: ...Tell me, what was your fight about this time?
Eva: She wanted to explore the cave, but I forbade her. She insisted on having her way and left. But I didn't know... she was serious.
Gilbert: Of course—you're the one who raised her, after all. Alright, I'll assemble a search team and we'll look for her. You go and rest.
Eva: But...
Gilbert: Don't worry. I'm sure she won't be able to get past the guards at the cave.
Eva: .....Alright. She left.
Gilbert: Oh my... I never thought I'd see her like this again... Foutaba, what did you do to make Eva love you this much?
---
A Month Later—
Eva was in her office, looking out the window at a soldier approaching her office.
Soldier: Madam White Knight...
Eva turned around, her face thin and with dark circles under her eyes.
Eva: Huh? Do you have any new information???
Soldier: N... No, madam. The search is still ongoing. Don't worry—I'm sure we'll find her.
Eva: .....Hmm...
Soldier: Uh... I'll take my leave now... He left.
Soldier 2: The Knight looks terrible. I've never seen her like this before.
Soldier 1: I hope they find her soon. Her health is deteriorating.
Eva walked past them.
Eva: I'll be leaving early tonight.
Both soldiers: Kyeah!! ...Ah... ummm... okay, good night.
She left before they could finish their words.
---
On her way home, Eva passed by a sweet shop and remembered Foutaba.
Foutaba: Eva!! Look, the sweet shop is open! Let's go buy a cake!!
Eva: Ah, of course.
---
Eva arrived home and began to hear a familiar voice talking.
(I hope she's not here—if she finds out I was out this long, she'll kill me.)
Eva started running wildly, gasping for air!!
Eva: That voice!!!! Is it possible??? No way!!!???
Eva froze in shock—she couldn't believe what her eyes were seeing. Foutaba had returned after all this time.
Eva: Fou... taba...
She couldn't finish her words. Her vision became blurry from the tears that flooded out after seeing Foutaba in front of her. She ran and hugged Foutaba with all her might, and the reunion with Foutaba was complete...
To be continued...