As Sofien defeated the demon, Evandria came hurrying to her.

Sofien knelt in front of Evandria and spoke with a bright smile.

“Ria, are you okay?”

“Y-Yes… But… sis, y-your hand…”

Sofien glanced at the injury and waved her hand in the air. “It’s not that big. See? I’m okay.”

Sofien tried to make Evandria believe her, but Evandria’s eyes filled with tears.

“Don’t cry, Ria. You’re a brave girl.” Sofien spoke gently, wiping Evandria’s tears with her thumb.

“But, Sis…” Evandria spoke in a trembling voice, “you got injured while protecting me. If I were strong like you…”

Sofien placed her hand on Evandria’s head.

“Don’t worry, Ria. You are my cute little sister, and I’ll always protect you. No matter what. This injury is nothing.”

Sofien pinched Evandria’s cheeks with both hands. “Sis will always love you. Understood?”

Hearing that, Evandria stopped crying. Her eyes sparkled. Then she suddenly hugged Sofien.

“Sis. I’ll become strong like you! I’ll join the knights’ academy. And once I graduate, we’ll go on missions together!”

Evandria pulled back and looked up with shining eyes. She clenched her fists and spoke in a determined voice. “And when you’re in danger, I’ll protect you!”

She looked serious, but at the same time, incredibly cute. Sofien let out a small laugh. “Of course, Ria. We’ll go on missions together.”

Then she reached into a small pouch and pulled out a flower. “But to become strong, you’ll have to work very hard.”

Sofien placed the flower in Evandria’s hands. “So here. This is my good-luck gift for you.”

It was an Alstroemeria flower — soft, delicate, with six petals spreading outward like a star. Its gentle fragrance carried the sweetness of spring, and its meaning was deeper than any words Sofien could say. The flower symbolized lasting bonds, devotion, and the promise of staying together through all of life’s trials.

“You know what this flower signifies, Ria. I’m more than happy to have you. You are my everything. So I’ll look forward to that day.”

Evandria smiled brightly. “Yes, Sis!”

Sofien stood up and extended her hand. “Come on. We’re getting late. Let’s go home.”

She took Evandria’s hand, and together, they walked toward home. Side by side.

***

“...Sis.”

The word slipped from Evandria’s lips without her realizing it. A gentle breeze passed through the garden as the warmth of the memory faded.

Evandria slowly opened her eyes. She was no longer in the forest.

She was sitting on the same chair beneath the tree in the garden of the Goldleaf manor. The Alstroemeria flowers swayed quietly around her, just as they had moments ago.

Her hands were trembling. She looked down and realized her cheeks were wet.

Tears…?

She brushed them away with the back of her hand and exhaled.

“Idiot.”

The garden was silent. Only the sound of the wind moving through leaves.

Evandria stood up and walked toward the flowers. She picked one fully bloomed flower and closed her fingers around it.

“I became strong, just like I promised. But when you needed me the most, when your life was in danger, I wasn’t there.”

The breeze grew stronger for a moment, rustling the flowers.

Evandria straightened her posture. The warmth remained inside her, but so did the ache.

And somewhere deep inside her heart, a quiet resolve settled. She would not forget. She would not break that promise.