After almost a month, the knights had finally returned. They were greeted warmly and sent off to rest. Everyone was pretty exhausted from the traveling. Sarah and Leah went to go and report what had happened. Mari, Kanan, Hanamaru, and Yō went to go find where Dia, Ruby, and Chika were at.

They ran into Chika in the hallways. She greeted them happily and then led them to where Dia and Ruby were at. They were in the room that Dia and Riko had been using. Yohane was with them and visible, though she was transparent. Ruby had finally warmed up to Yohane. She wasn't afraid of her anymore.

She had been a little jumpy around Riko as well. She was still getting comfortable with her as a ghost. It wasn't as bad as her reactions to Yohane had been, so no one worried too much about it.

The five of them entered into the room. Dia and Ruby looked at them. Yohane glanced their way for a second. Mari walked over and took a seat beside Dia on the bed.

"How'd it go?" Dia asked.

"It went pretty well. Not too many casualties on our side." Mari said.

"How have you guys been?" Kanan asked as she took a seat as well.

Neither Dia nor Ruby answered that question. They both avoided eye contact. Kanan and Mari looked at each other.

"It's been tough, but things have been getting better." Yohane answered on their behalf.

"That's good."

"I suppose you guys are tired. We can talk more later." Yohane ushered them out of the room.

Hanamaru remained in the room. Yō decided to stay with her. Yohane looked at them with a confused gaze. She wasn't sure why they were staying. Kanan and Mari had left without a fight because it was obvious neither of the sisters wanted to talk right now.

"Dia, can we talk?" Hanamaru asked.

"Not now. Tonight. I don't want to risk anyone hearing us." Dia replied.

"Alright. Then we'll talk tonight." Hanamaru accepted the answer and then bid them a good day.

Her and Yō went to go and track down where Kanan and Mari had gotten to. Neither thought they'd be in the room resting like they should be. And they were right. Kanan and Mari were out in the gardens. They were playing with some frogs. Hanamaru and Yō sat beside them.

"Wanna pet him?" Kanan held out a frog to Hanamaru.

Hanamaru reached out and hesitantly felt the frog. She shuddered as she felt his wet skin. Kanan smiled as she set the frog back down and let him hop into the pond again.

"Hey, Maru? Um, why are witches always associated with turning people into frogs?" Mari asked.

Hanamaru chuckled at the question, "I wish I knew. I don't actually know any witch who has done that."

"So, it doesn't happen?" Mari asked.

"It might happen. But, it's not the common threat. Most of the time witches will just kill or erase the memories of whoever wronged them. It's pointless to waste magic on a spell like that." Hanamaru shrugged.

"Hmm… witches have so many things associated with them that aren't true." Kanan hummed.

"I sometimes have to do a lot of research to figure out where some of these legends came from… the things people come up with to explain things…" Hanamaru sighed.

"You know how people are."

DIVIDER--

When night fell, Hanamaru got out of the bed. She struggled out of Kanan's grip.

"Maru? Where're you going?" Kanan mumbled as she woke up.

"To talk to Dia. She wanted it at night so there's less chance of someone overhearing us." Hanamaru explained.

"Alright… have fun." Kanan yawned and then cuddled up next to Mari.

Yō and Chika were cuddled up on the floor. Neither stirred as Hanamaru crept past them.

Hanamaru left the room and made her way to where Dia was staying. She paused at the door when she heard talking. After a few seconds, she realized the voice belonged to Yohane. Hanamaru knocked on the door and then crept inside. She shut the door behind her and went to take a seat beside Dia.

"You made it. Anyone see you?" Yohane asked.

"No. Kanan woke up, but she's still in the room." Hanamaru replied.

"So… what do you want to talk about?" Dia asked.

"I think you know. What do you want to do?" Hanamaru asked her.

Dia shrugged, "I don't know…"

"You don't have too much time left to figure it out. My magic soon won't work on you." Hanamaru said.

"What do you recommend I do?" Dia asked.

Hanamaru sighed, "I don't know. It depends on what you plan to do. If you're going to reclaim the throne, it might not be wise to bring a child into the world so soon."

"Will the child even be normal?" Yohane asked.

Hanamaru shrugged, "I can't tell that. It's not my specialty."

"Why do you say that?" Dia asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

"Well, sometimes using magic to conceive ends up with the baby having some issues. It's not a guarantee, but it is a possibility. It's heightened as well." Yohane explained.

"Is there any way to tell?"

"I think Sarah might have the magic to do it." Hanamaru stated.

"I don't want her to know." Dia stated firmly.

"Then you won't find out." Hanamaru replied calmly.

"Shouldn't Riko be part of this?" Yohane asked.

"She doesn't get to make the decision." Hanamaru stated, "She's not the one going through it."

"But still, shouldn't she be able to have an opinion?" Yohane defended.

"I don't want her to participate. This is Dia's decision only. I don't want her to persuade her to do something." Hanamaru responded firmly.

"Fine… I'm gonna go find Riko. She went on a walk and it's been a while." Yohane said and then promptly faded from sight.

"Dia, what do you feel? Do you feel ready for a kid?" Hanamaru asked.

"I don't know… I'm not sure if I am." Dia replied.

"You have a little bit of time left. Once the full moon comes, my magic won't affect you." Hanamaru said.

"Why? Why does your magic work like that?" Dia asked.

Hanamaru shrugged, "I'm not sure. It just is how it is for all witches that practice legal magic. Black magic is a different story."

"Maru, do you think I'll be okay? I'm just worried about… giving birth. After what happened with me, is there a chance I'll have the same problem?" Dia finally admitted her worry.

"There's always a chance of something going wrong. It's not a genetic thing, though, so don't worry too much. And, plus, you have me. I'll help you through it." Hanamaru did her best to reassure Dia.

"I think I've made my decision." Dia stated.

"Alright. What did you decide?"

"I want to keep them." Dia said.

"Okay. If that's what you wish, then that's what we'll do." Hanamaru nodded.

"You think I'll be a good parent?" Dia asked quietly.

"I'm sure you'll do just fine." Hanamaru replied.

"I hope so."

"Goodnight." Hanamaru got up to leave.

"Um… can you stay? I don't like being alone in this place…" Dia mumbled.

"Alright. I'll stay." Hanamaru nodded and climbed into the other side of the bed.

They stayed on opposite ends of the bed. Hanamaru didn't take long to fall asleep again. Dia, on the other hand, was taking a lot longer. She couldn't stop her mind from worrying. She didn't know how good she'd do as a parent. She didn't want to fail like her parents did.

She was startled as Yohane and Riko fazed through the door and into the room. Yohane stared questioningly at Hanamaru.

"I asked her to stay." Dia mumbled.

"Alright. I don't really care." Yohane shrugged.

Riko made her way over to where Dia was, "What did you decide?"

"I'm keeping them. I think I can do it." Dia stated.

"I'm sure you'll make a wonderful mother." Riko smiled.

"You'll be around, right?" Dia asked.

Riko nodded, "Of course. They're my child too. I want to be a part of their life as well."

Dia smiled. Riko became solid and hugged Dia. She shifted Dia over so she could lay down beside her on the bed. Dia curled up next to her. Riko smiled and planted a soft kiss on Dia's head. Dia soon fell asleep. Riko rested her down onto the bed and pulled the covers over her. Once she was satisfied, she vanished from the living eye.

DIVIDER--

The next morning, everyone had been gathered to discuss what was going to happen next. The Diamond and Shining kingdoms currently had no ruler in their vicinity. They needed to discuss how they were going to change that.

"I think it's best if we combine the kingdoms into one." Mari suggested.

"Why do you think that?" The Queen of the Snow kingdom asked.

"Well, we're both young… we need to help each other out. Maybe after things get into a norm, we'll separate. I think, at first, it would be beneficial to both kingdoms if they were working together." Mari explained.

"I think that's a good idea." Dia stated.

"I suppose with the way you put it, it does seem beneficial. Next question, how will you rule? You'll need a King alongside you."

"I have Kanan." Mari stated.

"I… I don't need a King. Ruby can substitute that place." Dia said.

"What about an heir? How are either of you getting one?"

"Well, there are potions that can make it possible." Mari stated, "We can use that or magic to do it."

"And for you?" The Queen looked at Dia.

Dia looked down at the ground, "I… I'm pregnant."

"By who?"

"R-Riko."

The Queen sighed, "So, both of you are having a baby with a girl then… I'm disappointed in you, Dia. You're too young. You shouldn't be having a kid at your age."

Dia frowned. She knew eventually someone would scold her for her decisions. Dia knew the Queen was right. She was too young to really be thinking of having a kid. Most didn't have a child until they were almost 26. Dia was only 17.

"Mari, I hope you aren't planning to have a child anytime soon." The Queen turned to Mari.

"No. I'm not planning that yet." Mari stated.

"Good."

Mari had turned 18 a few days ago. She was a year older than Dia and Kanan were. Even then, she was still too young.

"I'll leave you be. Whenever you're ready, you can go and reclaim the kingdoms." The Queen got up and left.

Once the Queen had left, Mari turned and pulled Dia into a hug. Dia hugged her back.

"Don't listen to her. You shouldn't be ashamed." Mari stated, "I'm sure you'll make a wonderful mother."

"But, she's right… I'm too young…" Dia mumbled.

"Maybe you are young. That doesn't mean much. You can still be a wonderful parent." Mari replied.

DIVIDER--

They remained at the Snow kingdom castle for another week. After that, they started to get ready. It was time to take control of their kingdoms. The plan was very simple. Mari and Kanan were going to the Shining kingdom, along with Chika. They were going to announce the decisions to the citizens and then get everything working again. Once everything was back in order, they would travel to the Diamond kingdom. It was decided that both of them would rule from the same castle. They decided the Diamond kingdom castle was the one they wanted to use.

Dia, Ruby, Hanamaru, and Yō were going to go to the Diamond kingdom first. They would remain there and get things back in order. Riko was going to follow them. Yohane was still unsure who she wanted to go with. She decided eventually that she'd go with Mari and Kanan.

"So, we'll see you guys in hopefully two months."

"Yep. Best of luck."

With that, the two groups parted ways to go to their respective locations. They hoped that by a month after their arrival they'd have everything back in order. They'd still be communicating through telepathy.

"So, you think you're ready to rule a kingdom?" Kanan asked Mari.

"I'm not sure. I think I'll be fine. How about you?" Mari replied.

"I don't know… I've never been high up in the classes. I have no idea what this is." Kanan sighed.

"I'm sure it'll be fine. We'll work through it all together." Mari reassured her.

"Hey, Mari. What became of that marriage contract?" Chika asked.

"Oh, he was taken in by a new kingdom." Mari replied.

"So… looks like our lives aren't getting any less hectic." Kanan sighed.

Mari chuckled, "I guess not."

"It's gonna be really fun! I bet you guys are going to make great rulers!" Chika stated as she jumped onto Kanan's shoulders.

"I hope so…" The both of them replied.

DIVIDER--

"So, why exactly was this the arrangement we made?"

"Well, you two should stay together… and you need me more than they do." Hanamaru said.

"Why am I here?" Yō asked.

"For protection." Hanamaru stated, "You're the only one who really knows how to fight."

"I guess that's true." Yō nodded.

"Yō, can you come here?" Ruby asked.

Yō got up from her place beside Hanamaru and moved over to where Ruby was at. Ruby reached a hand out and pet Yō's head. Yō curled up beside Ruby and rested her head in her lap. Ruby continued to pet Yō. She had finally warmed up to her and didn't think she was that scary.

"Do you think it'll be easy to fix everything?" Hanamaru asked.

"I don't know… I have no clue what all is broken…" Dia sighed, "This could be a lot of work."

"Don't overwork yourself, alright?" Hanamaru said.

"I'll try not to." Dia promised.

DIVIDER--

"Can we sleep outside tonight?" Chika asked as they came to a halt for the night.

"I don't see why not." Kanan replied.

The three of them set up a small bed. The knights driving the carriage went and slept inside of it.

After a few minutes, Yohane appeared before them. She sat beside them on the bed. Chika wasted no time in curling up with her. She was really clingy to Yohane, even more than before. Chika hated that she only got to spend a few hours a day with Yohane. She really wished the rumors about animals being able to see ghosts were true.

"You two ready for this?" Yohane asked Mari and Kanan.

"I guess so…" Kanan mumbled.

"Nervous?"

"Well, yeah. I've never run anything before. How do you expect me to start with an entire kingdom?" Kanan asked.

"You'll learn. I'm sure things will be fine." Yohane reassured her.

"That's all we can really hope for."

After that, everyone settled into the bed. Yohane pet Chika as she stared up at the sky. It wasn't very full of light. There weren't many stars out.

DIVIDER--

"So, I guess we should rest."

"Where are we sleeping?"

"It's a little too dark to go out and sleep. Let's stay in here."

"Alright."

The three of them settled down inside their carriage. Dia and Ruby were cuddled close to each other while Yō was lying halfway on top of Hanamaru. Hanamaru was hugging Yō.

Riko manifested herself before them. She sat between the two groups.

"Hey… how're you doing?" Dia greeted her.

"I'm good. It gets lonely not being able to talk to you guys for very long." Riko replied.

"Maybe soon you'll be able to stay around for longer…" Dia mumbled as she stifled a yawn.

"Maybe. Goodnight." Riko placed a kiss on Dia and Ruby's heads.

Yō let out a whine. Riko laughed softly as she moved to give Yō a kiss as well. Yō gave her a smile, well, whatever a wolf's smile looked like. Hanamaru didn't say anything. She just watched the scene.

It wasn't long before all of them drifted off. Riko watched them all for a moment, before she vanished from sight.