"I'll see you at the conference tommorow then." Phantom took out a card and got ready to disappear.
"Wait, you can't!" Aria said. "If you go you'll get..." Phantom cut her off with a laugh.
"Get caught. Is that what you were trying to say?" he chuckled. "Now that would be a really unglamourous way for a thief to end his career."
"Why are you going there anyway?" Aria asked.
"Simple. To ensure your safety. Those Black Mage scums have too many dirty tricks up their sleeves."
"But I have a lot of knights."
"Who will be distracted."
"Phantom! Don't make this diffcult."
"Aria! You're making this difficult as it is! You know how dangerous it is to have several of his commanders in the same place with you!"
"I'll be safe. You don't need to worry!"
"I do!"
"Why? Because I'm the Empress?"
"Because I love you! That's why I worry!" Phantom yelled in a fit of rage. Aria stared wide-eyed as her cheeks turned scarlet. As soon as Phantom realized what he said, he took several steps back.
"I..."
"I love you too." Aria whispered. For what seemed like an eternity to her, Phantom said nothing.
"You know you can't, Your Highness." He finally said, emotionlessly. Then, in a flurry of cards, he disappeared.
Tears ran down Aria's cheeks. She fell to the ground, crying.