Emperor Argos XII, probably the only person in the world in more despair than Monica herself. As the platinum-haired maiden rose back to her feet in her Meister Robe, she gazed down to her child-ruler with a concerned frown. The boy looked like a tiny doll sitting in his oversized throne, and he stared at the carpeted floor in front of him in guilt. Monica could only imagine the stresses he was facing after losing his parents and countless other loved ones as a result of previous Otome battles, on top of now being told the fate of the kingdom rested on his shoulders after the rules of the bloodline legally made him the new emperor. Her own plight of being hastily promoted to Meister rank and forced into a war against her peers paled in comparison.

In reality, Argos had no real power. His age and inexperience made him just as much as a pawn in man's quest for power as the Otome who served him. It was a truly tragic scenario, Monica thought to herself. Boys his age should be out playing and having fun, not being left in such a helpless situation.

"I'm sorry, Lady Julen. I don't want to make you fight your friends, but they said Chaldea would collapse if I didn't do this..."

The lad's words were spoken in barely above a whisper. In response, Monica quietly knelt to one knee in front of his seat and reached to his chin. She lifted his sulking head so his eyes met her caring glance. She then spoke as if she were an older sister comforting her weaker sibling. Bonding with her frightened master in this manner was a natural ability for her; one that had surfaced during her years of training and helped her become the lead Trias in her class.

"You have nothing to apologize for, my lord. None of this is your fault."

A small sign of relief appeared on the child's face. Monica smiled and spoke in a more cheerful manner when she continued.

"Please don't worry yourself so much. When we win this war and this is all over, you won't have to lead the country on your own. I promise I'll always support you."

Argos finally replied in a more confident, but still very shy, tone. His youthful innocence made him just as concerned for Monica as she was for him.

"Just do your best out there, okay? I miss mom and dad, but I don't think I want to join them already."

He was referring to the stipulations of their impromptu contract, of course. As long as Monica was his Otome, the two shared the same life force. If she fell in battle, his life would end in the same instant.

Monica closed her eyes and bowed respectfully to her master's request.

"Yes, your majesty."

She then rose to her feet and turned toward the throne room's entrance. The prospect of slaying her classmates, who had all been unexpectedly rushed into fighting for their own countries just as she had been, still haunted her mind. However, this meeting had made her realize the love and concern she held for her unlikely master was stronger than any of her other relationships. She was committed to fulfilling her duty, and, in solemn silence, she walked away from the throne and began her journey toward the battlefield.