They did not return her to a dungeon.
Klaine gave the order quietly.
"Detain her in the east wing. Seal the exits. No interrogation until I approve."
The captain obeyed without hesitation.
The Hero possessed divine blessing.
Klaine possessed command.
Head of House Valemont.
Northern strategic authority.
Military oversight during major events.
When uncertainty appeared at a royal wedding—
He acted.
The room prepared for her was guarded, layered with subtle containment arrays.
Not cruel.
Not trusting.
Arietta examined the barrier lines with open curiosity.
"Triple-layered," she murmured. "Clean construction."
The guards stiffened.
"I won't break it," she added pleasantly.
That was not technically a promise.
Later, the door opened.
Klaine entered alone.
"You will speak clearly," he said.
"Yes," she answered, unusually obedient.
"You claim knowledge of restricted information. Provide proof."
She considered.
"Your sister's wedding gift," she said. "The locket. There's a passive barrier spell woven into the hinge."
Silence.
"That information is restricted."
She blinked.
"Really?"
Genuine surprise crossed her face.
"Oh."
Then she laughed softly, almost awkwardly.
"Sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
There was no triumph in her tone.
No challenge.
Just a mild, almost sheepish honesty.
He studied her more carefully.
"How do you know this?"
"I read it."
"That is insufficient."
"In my world, this is a novel."
His gaze sharpened.
"And that makes us unreal to you."
She hesitated.
"Not unreal," she said thoughtfully. "Just… distant."
She looked at him properly.
"You're alive. I can see that. But when you've already watched one world fall apart, stepping into another feels strange."
Her tone wasn't cold.
Just honest.
"You show no fear," he observed.
"I don't feel threatened," she replied simply.
"You are under guard."
"Yes."
"You may be imprisoned."
She smiled.
"But I'm here."
She looked around the room again.
"And this place is peaceful."
A pause.
"And if your predicted 'Gate' does not appear?" he asked.
She answered immediately.
"Then that's good."
"No frustration?"
"No."
She folded her hands lightly behind her back.
"If nothing happens, then everyone survives."
A small smile touched her lips.
"And I get to stay here."
"With what purpose."
She looked at him as if the answer were obvious.
"To live."
A faint tilt of her head.
"To live in a world where the sky is still blue."
Silence.
"And you would remain," he said carefully, "even if your prediction proves false."
"Yes."
"You would abandon your own world."
Her gaze drifted briefly—far away for a fraction of a second.
"It's already ending," she said quietly.
Then her expression brightened again, lighter.
"If your tragedy never occurs… then I can live happily for a very long time."
"With whom?" he asked.
She blinked.
"With you, ideally."
The words were spoken with alarming naturalness.
No teasing.
No embarrassment.
Just preference.
His expression did not change.
"That is presumptuous."
"Yes," she agreed easily.
"I don't mind detention if it means staying nearby."
"You speak as if proximity is reward."
"It is."
Silence stretched between them again.
Not uncomfortable.
Measured.
"If this Gate appears," he said finally, "you will provide full disclosure."
"Of course."
"And if it does not."
She smiled.
"Then I'll quietly enjoy your peaceful empire."
The northern horizon shimmered faintly for half a second.
Too subtle for most to notice.
Not subtle enough for Klaine.
Her gaze shifted to the window at the same time his did.
"You sense it," he said.
"Yes."
"Explain."
"Pressure," she answered softly. "Like reality pulling too tight."
He memorized the direction automatically.
The old winter forest.
"Until this matter is resolved," he said calmly, "you remain under my supervision."
Her eyes lit up.
Her eyes lit up.
"Personally?"
"Yes."
A small, unmistakably pleased smile appeared.
"That's great."
"It is not meant to be."
"I know."
She looked at him directly.
"But I'm still happy."
For someone who insisted this world felt like fiction—
Her relief at staying was unmistakably real.
Outside—
The sky remained perfectly blue.
For now.