While everyone else returns to their regular duties, Milla accompanies Carol to the galley.

"Why are you mad at Spade?" Milla asks.

"Because he's been keeping a very important secret from me and Lilac for over three years," Carol explains. "Before you ask, yes, I will share it with you, but I must tell Lilac first. I hope you understand."

"Not really," Milla admits. "But it's clearly very important to you, so I'll wait as long as you need."

"Thanks."

The girls arrive at the door to the galley.

"Milla, I'm scared," Carol admits. "What if Lilac doesn't want to talk to me?"

"She wants to talk to you," Milla assures. "She's scared you don't want to talk to her."

"That's… actually quite reassuring," Carol smiles. "Can you do us a favour?"

"I'll make sure you have total privacy," Milla promises.

"Thanks." Carol takes a deep breath. "Here goes."

"Good luck."

Carol gives Milla a quick hug, then enters the galley, closing the door behind her.

Milla stands guard in front of the door. Ancients, I pray to you, make Lilac and Carol best friends again. Not just for them, but for all Avalice: we're all counting on them.

Lilac looks up as Carol enters the galley and waits patiently while the wildcat silently takes a seat opposite. For several moments, both sit in silence, simply looking at each other.

Eventually, Lilac summons the courage to speak. "Carol, I‑"

Carol raises her hand to silence Lilac, the dragoness complying without question. "What you said on the Sigwada, it really hurt me," Carol begins. "It really did feel like I was only allowed to be your friend so you'd have someone to pull your arse out of the fires you keep running into. If we're going to remain friends, I need to feel like I'm more than just your sidekick. I need to feel like your equal, and I didn't. But with Corazon, I did. She showed me the respect you didn't. She recognised my talents, my abilities, and the fact that our friendship was untenable. She engineered the whole situation to show me the reality of our friendship. And when I finally saw it, I realised I'd known it all along.

"But it's not as simple as that. Yes, I switched sides, but not only because of your hurtful words. When you got yourself separated from us, I was forced to take charge. Milla followed me without question, but thanks to my inattention, she was captured, leaving me alone. Corazon was insistent: I had to hear her out. And what she said made a lot of sense, so I used it to gain her trust, to allow me into her confidence. And it worked: I was recruited immediately with the rank of 'commander'. I had power and authority, even over Merga. I'd never felt so valued.

"But I had a plan. I exploited Corazon's trust to learn what was really going on. I knew she was keeping something from me, and I knew I had to find out what it was. I also took the opportunity to try and scupper her plans, but she proved too good for that. Nevertheless, I succeeded in stealing reams of intelligence, and then… and then I discovered her most well‑hidden secret."

Carol takes a deep breath. "Lilac, what I'm about to tell you will break your heart, but you need to know. More than that, despite everything, you deserve to know."

Carol unties her scarf and folds it into a square, making sure the embroidered name is visible, then places it on the table in front of Lilac. Carol then draws the katana and lays it across the scarf, the inscription visible on the side of the blade.

Confused, Lilac pulls the items towards her, her blood turning to ice when she sees the name 'Coraline' on the scarf. "I‑"

"Spade gave me the scarf," Carol explains. "The katana though… I stole- no, reclaimed that from Corazon."

Fearing the worst, Lilac picks up the sword and reads the inscription. "'Yǒngqì hé róngyù shì wǒ de wǔqì'… 'Courage and honour are my weapons'… It's… It's…"

"Coral's."

Lilac looks up from the sword to see Carol's eyes rapidly filling with tears. "Carol…"

"I know… I know it's hard to accept," Carol replies, fighting to keep her composure. "But it's true… Corazon… killed Coraline."

In shock, Lilac drops the katana on the table as her heart shatters. She tries to speak but is unable to emit even the slightest sound.

Carol moves around the table and sits next to Lilac. "Let it out," she whispers.

Lilac can hold it in no longer: she hugs Carol tightly and lets the tears flow. Carol hugs Lilac in return, crying in both sorrow and sympathy.

Outside, Milla's ears twitch as she picks up sounds that cause her concern. She turns to enter the galley, but decides better of it, and resumes her guard duty. If they need you, they'll call.

At that moment, Spade appears around a corner. "Oh, hello Milla. Is Lilac around?"

"I don't know what you did to upset Carol, but she's telling Lilac now," Milla informs.

"Ah."

"It's probably best if you stay out of their way for a while."

"Can you let her know how sorry I am, and that I had no choice?" Spade requests.

"You can tell her yourself," Milla refuses.

"I can't overstate how much I'm not looking forward to that," Spade admits. "I'll leave you in peace."

Milla watches Spade depart. What an idiot.

Several minutes later, Lilac calms down enough to speak. "How… How could she?"

"She's insane," Carol explains.

"We have to stop her."

"Agreed. Need a few more minutes?"

"Yes."

"Me too."

Neera is next to arrive at the galley. "I guess they're still talking."

"Yes, ma'am," Milla confirms.

"Please, just Neera will suffice. When they're finished, can you all come to the bridge? When they're ready, of course."

"Will do."

"Thanks. Is there anything I can get you?"

"I'm OK for now, thank you."

"My pleasure," Neera smiles. "I'll see you on the bridge. Call me if you need me."

Milla watches Neera depart. It's hard to believe she's the same person who was so mean to us two years ago; she's so much nicer once you get to know her. Maybe once all this is over, all four of us can go ice‑skating together at the rink Neera took me to last time… Just thinking about that lovely ice cream we had after is making my mouth water.

A few minutes later, Lilac and Carol have recovered their composure enough to converse once more. Their hug breaks, though they remain holding each other's hands.

"Carol, I don't think I can ever apologise enough for hurting you the way I did," Lilac begins. "But that won't stop me trying. I hate that we had to go through all that to make me realise just how amazing you are, but now that I see it, I will never forget it. You're a better friend than I deserve."

"And you're an idiot who can't stop getting into trouble," Carol smiles cheekily.

"Hey!" Lilac replies with feigned offence. "It's not always me who gets us into trouble! Remember that time you took a wrong turn and ended up in the men's bathroom with four armed guards?"

"Oi!" Carol retorts playfully. "At least that's not as bad as the time you got us locked in that crate in Relic Maze!"

"It seemed like a good idea at the time!" Lilac protests.

"And I was dumb enough to believe it!" Carol grins.

"We get up to some crazy shit, don't we?" Lilac chuckles.

"Lilac!" Carol admonishes mirthfully. "Swearing in front of minors? Bad Miss Heropants!"

Lilac tries to contain herself, but she can't: she cracks, bursting into laughter, Carol joining in a moment later.

Outside, Milla hears the joyous laughter, and smiles to herself. Thank you, Ancients.

After several moments, the laughter fades away, leaving both Lilac and Carol genuinely relaxed for the first time in three days.

"I don't know about you, but I feel a whole lot better now," Carol smiles warmly.

"Twenty‑nine," Lilac states.

"Huh?" Carol asks, confused.

"That's how many times I've needlessly put your life in danger," Lilac confesses.

Carol blinks in surprise. "You… You did count…"

"You're my best friend," Lilac explains.

"Yes, we're best friends," Carol agrees, hugging Lilac.

Lilac returns the hug. "Best friends forever."

"Let's never forget it. And it's thirty, by the way."

"Knew I was forgetting something," Lilac blushes.