"Fi… Finé…?" Izetta quivers. Yet Finé remains unresponsive and keeps muttering to herself while shaking like a leaf.

"Oi!" the man interrupts, "Don't ignore me!"

Izetta whips her head to give him a death glare. "Let. Go." Izetta's hand's clenches and twists hard. "Now."

"Aghhh, okay, okay!" the man cries as he releases his grip on Finé.

Izetta flings the man's arm back at him, causing him to stumble backwards as he stares in disbelief at his arm, his fingers twitching from the pain. Without missing a beat, Izetta brings an arm around Finé to rub her back while stepping away from the couple. "Finé, what's wrong?"

Finé's breathing deepens. Her eyes start to regain some focus. "Ize… tta…?" she mumbles. "Don't let… them…"

"I'm not done-" the man is cut off by another woman who gets up in his face and stares him down.

Then another woman appears beside Izetta and whispers into her ear, "Lady Izetta, we'll handle things here, so please take Princess Finé to that. They'll bring you home immediately."

Izetta realises that the new pair are Royal Guards disguised as civilians. There are other people that have gathered because of the commotion as well. But nobody has realised their identities yet, which gives Izetta a little relief. Nodding to the guard beside her, she scoops Finé up in her arms. "Right. Sorry. Thank you."

Izetta sprints for the armoured car, noting in the corners of her vision that some shadows break off to follow her, the other guards ready to assist if needed but not drawing more attention to Finé. Izetta looks back at Finé in her arms, who is still heaving and stiff. "Finé, I'm bringing you to safety now. You'll be okay, just hang in there, please..."

"…Izetta…" Finé breathes out. Then she lunges to wrap her arms around Izetta. "Don't let me go… Please, Izetta…"

Izetta feels her eyes watering at how weak Finé is. But she blinks it away and cradles Finé, "I won't. I'll never let go of you, Finé."

Izetta approaches the armoured car and another disguised Royal Guard opens the door for her. Izetta clambers into the car with Finé still in her arms and the guard follows right after, closing the door. The car immediately drives off towards the palace.

Izetta adjusts her hold on Finé, delicately rubbing her back. "Finé, you're safe now. Nobody will hurt you here. Everything's okay."

But Finé's breathing remains erratic and she does not speak. She only continues to hold Izetta closely with trembling arms.

"…Do you want to hear his voice?" Izetta racks her brain, desperate for anything that would calm Finé down. She thought that maybe by hearing the voice of the White Agent, Finé's saviour, it would help her regain her composure.

"No," Finé tightens her arms around Izetta. "I just want you…"

"Of course, sorry," Izetta strokes Finé's head. As long as Izetta does not transform, it would mean that nothing is threatening Finé. So the two of them continue to clutch onto each other, with the Royal Guards watching the outside through the one-sided windows as the car continues to the palace.

Finé's father jams the stick on his wheelchair forward, speeding towards Finé's room with Royal Maids running behind him. He rounds the corridor with cold sweat rolling down his forehead to see Izetta bolting in from the other side with Finé in her arms. With him and Izetta nodding, Izetta runs into the room with Finé's father close behind.

Izetta places Finé upright on the bed as the guard outside closes the door. Meanwhile, Finé has not let go of Izetta ever since they left the amusement park. Izetta brings her arms to embrace Finé closely again as her father rolls up into Finé's view.

"Oh Finé…" he laments, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

Finé's eyes slowly refocus. "…Fa… ther…"

"Yes Finé, I'm here."

Finé closes her eyes and tears roll down her face.

"I'm sorry sir," Izetta speaks up although she is looking away from Finé's father. Since the car, Izetta has realised that panicking herself would not help to calm Finé down and so is keeping calm while focusing on comforting Finé. "I don't know why Finé is like this, although I was right there. But I think it's… because of back then…"

"You have nothing to apologise for, thank you for bringing Finé home safely," he assures Izetta as he tenderly brushes the tears off Finé's face. "The guards informed me of the situation, and I'm thinking the same."

Finé starts hiccupping as more tears fall. "I'm home… I'm home… Thank goodness…"

"Yes Finé, you're home," Izetta breathes out as she strokes her back.

"Yes, you're completely safe now," Finé's father comforts her as he caresses her cheek. "Nobody will take you away ever again."

"Thank you… Thank you…" Finé exhales.

Izetta and Finé's father continue to quietly soothe Finé until her breathing slows down. All the while Finé tightly clings to Izetta and this does not escape her father's notice.

"Finé, do you want me to do anything for you?" her father asks.

Finé shakes her head slowly. "I'll be okay… I just need some time…"

"Don't worry about anything. Take it easy for as long as you need to." Finé's father kisses her on the forehead. "If you ever need me, just say the word and I'll be there for you."

"Mhm… Thank you…"

Finé's father gives her one last smile before moving away to the bedside table and turning off the alarm clock. He then wheels himself into Izetta's view. "I'm sorry Izetta, but we'll have to count on you more."

"You can leave Finé to me," Izetta consoles the two of them as she strokes Finé's hair. "I'll take care of her, always."

The King bows before leaving the room. Although Izetta had wanted to use the voice changer to comfort Finé earlier, there was never a need to. As far as Finé is concerned, Izetta has always been her saviour. Not just physically, but Izetta also brought Finé away from the dullness when they were children. And now, being with Izetta breathed more colours into Finé's life than she had ever imagined. It was never about how the voice sounded, but who it belonged to.

Finé's father looks at the intertwined couple one last time as the door closes. He had to accept it. 'I can't give her the same comfort Izetta does…'

Izetta and Finé remain still for a long, long time. Then Izetta feels Finé start to slump on her shoulder.

"Finé," Izetta whispers, "Are you tired? Do you want to go to sleep?"

"Mgmm…" Finé groans, "…Only if you sleep with me…"

"Of course I will," Izetta smiles. Izetta loosens her arms slowly. "You can go and get changed first."

Finé's arms tense up around Izetta. "…I don't want to move from here…"

Izetta brings her hands back up to rub Finé's back once again. "Sure, as you wish. Can I at least take off our shoes and stuff? I promise I won't leave your grasp."

"…Okay," Finé gradually slides her arms off Izetta, but still has her hands on her.

"Give me a bit," Izetta pecks Finé on the cheek. Then Izetta steadily kneels on the floor, undoing Finé's shoelaces before sliding them off. Izetta takes her own shoes off next, placing them at the bedside. Izetta stands up and slowly leans in, bringing her hands behind Finé to remove her hair ties. Then Izetta gently removes Finé's sunglasses before lobbing them at the bedside table. With a smile, Izetta guides Finé's hands to her torso under her jacket. Finally, Izetta takes off her jacket and her own sunglasses, casting them aside to the table as well.

"Okay Finé, I'll tuck you in now," Izetta soothes as she lifts Finé up again. Finé says nothing as she leans in to huddle with Izetta. Izetta rubs Finé's back once again before bringing her to the pillows where Izetta gently lays Finé's head on one. Shuffling her hands and feet about, Izetta frees the blanket from under them and drapes it over their bodies.

Finally, Izetta snuggles up to Finé and kisses her on the lips. Finé blinks at it, but quickly relaxes into the kiss. After moments, Izetta slowly pulls away with a smile and Finé does as well.

"You really hung in there," Izetta praises Finé while stroking her hair. "Just take it easy and sleep with no worries, okay?"

"Mhm…" Finé cuddles up to Izetta. "Thank you, Izetta…"

"…Izetta…" Finé whispers with a little squirm. "…Izetta?"

Izetta's eyes flutter open. She takes in the darkness of the room, noting that it has to be in the middle of the night. "I'm awake. What is it, Finé?"

"…I need to go… to the toilet…" Finé looks away with a slight blush.

"Huh? U-Uh..." Izetta clears her throat, feeling blood rush to her face. "Finé, you can't be asking me to g-go i-in with you, r-right?"

"N-No," Finé's face turns bright red. "I-I was just going to ask you to wait… outside the door…"

"O-Oh." Izetta lets out a fake cough. "Sure, I don't mind."

And so Izetta gets up from the bed with Finé following, their hands held together. When they get to the bathroom door, Finé looks back at Izetta with pensive eyes.

Izetta gives Finé's hand a squeeze and smiles. "Don't worry, I'll be right here." Then Izetta slowly lets go and Finé follows soon after.

"Sorry…" Finé breathes as she goes in.

Izetta makes sure the opaque door fully closes with a click. Then she holds her head with her hands while her fingers rustle through her hair. 'She's still reeling from that… I hope she gets better soon… Is there something else I can do for her…?'

The door clicks again and Izetta quickly reverts to how she was, standing by with a smile. Finé opens the door and quickly steps out to stand right next to Izetta.

"Finé," Izetta pacifies, "I have to use it now, can you wait for a little?"

"O-Oh," Finé rubs her fingers as her eyes flicker to the other door safely secured by the guards outside. Then to the windows where the mild red light is still active before drifting back to Izetta. "S-Sure, you should go, w-wouldn't want you to hold it in…"

"I'll be right back," Izetta rubs Finé's shoulders as she takes a slow step in. When Finé doesn't react negatively, Izetta slips in and closes the door.

Izetta looks around the sink and toilet while sniffing. 'No signs of a mess. At least she still has some control and didn't throw up.' With a sigh, Izetta does her business as well.

When Izetta comes out, she sees Finé fidgeting around the door. With a smile, Izetta takes her hand. "Sorry for the wait, let's go back to bed."

They make their way back with Finé slightly behind Izetta. As they approach the bed, Finé mutters, "I'm sorry… I'm being so needy now…"

"Don't worry about it," Izetta assures her as she tucks Finé in tenderly. Enveloping Finé's torso with her arm while the other hand caresses Finé's head close to her chest, Izetta murmurs, "I will take care of you, no matter what. I love you."

With a smile, Finé closes her eyes and cuddles up to Izetta to embrace her tightly. "I love you too…"

Izetta and Finé are silently eating their late breakfast at the dining hall. Finé is sitting closer to Izetta than usual and the guards watching over them are standing further away as well.

Izetta watches over Finé from the corner of her eyes while eating her own meal, matching pace with her. As Finé takes her last bite, she slowly puts down the cutlery before grasping the fabric of her own skirt.

"Say… Izetta…" Finé starts.

"Yes, Finé?" Izetta turns to face her.

"I've been…" Finé licks her lips. "Getting counselling for that… Because of last night, I figured I should see her now… So can you come and listen…?"

"Of course," Izetta places a hand on Finé's with a reassuring smile. "I'll support you in any way that I can."

Finé smiles back and slowly stands up. "Let's go then?"

Izetta pushes out her chair, straightening her new dress they had just bought yesterday. Then she stands up to take Finé's hand. "Yes, let's."

"First of all, I want to apologise to you, Princess," the Royal Counsellor bows her head. "I was the one who said you had recovered, and then this happened. I completely understand if you want me replaced."

"No, no…" Finé waves her hands. "I'm the one who was weak. Everybody here has helped me so much to get back on my feet… I don't think anybody would have expected that to happen either…"

The counsellor slowly lifts her head to look at Izetta and the King, who Finé asked to be there as well. They are seated beside Finé, both ready to comfort her. "Then, how do you want to start?"

"…Tell them about everything we've discussed so far. They deserve to know."

The counsellor straightens up. "You're sure?"

Finé swallows. "…Yes."

The counsellor gives a nod. "Your Majesty, Lady Izetta, I am about to disclose everything Princess Finé has talked to me about the kidnapping. Do you have any objections?"

"I don't," her father shakes his head. "I've got a faint idea based on the reports, but I would like to know everything, especially since Finé wants to talk about it now."

"Yes," Izetta straightens up. "I want to know how much pain Finé has been in."

And so the counsellor recalls everything, starting from when Finé was brought home from the hospital. How she woke up in the middle of the night thinking of who saved her, wondering if the tight security was resembling the cell too much. Then how she threw herself into her studies but she still could not forget about the White Agent. Fortunately, when she did reunite with Izetta, Finé stopped thinking about it and never asked the Royal Guards to stay away.

When Finé messed up and sent Izetta on the rescue mission on the mountain, she came to talk about it even after she made up with Izetta. Finé became concerned that her captivity had impacted her empathy, that she would be insensitive to others again because she was in control now after being stripped of it and tortured for so long. But she was reassured that she already made a huge step by showing remorse and admitting her mistake.

Finally, the last session is recounted. Finé had improved a lot and was beaming a lot. Even though Finé did bring up that she felt that she was still lacking because of her imprisonment, it was just a lingering fear. Thus the counsellor considered that Finé had recovered enough that it could heal naturally with time.

The counsellor bows again. "Once again, I am very sorry. Princess Finé even said the words, "All because I was taken away… I can't…" and yet I didn't look deeper into it. Hindsight may be 20/20, but I definitely should have probed more since she brought it up again so quickly."

Finé looks down at her hands, rubbing her fingers over each other. "I don't think anybody would have known… It was only when he grabbed me… that it all came rushing back…" She clenches her hands as her breathing deepens, "I thought I was going to be taken away again… Although Izetta and the Royal Guards were there… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"

Finé's father rubs her back. "You have nothing to apologise for. You're still just a kid. When you said that you wanted to work towards becoming a worthy princess although you just returned, I was concerned. But then you exceeded expectations and grew so fast that I thought you would be just fine. I was the one who approved of the Royal Guards being that far away. All of us got complacent."

"He's right," Izetta puts her hand on Finé's, stopping her slight trembling. "I should have stepped in the moment he started shouting. But Finé, you should know that you're so much stronger than you think you are. Even during all of this, you're only afraid of being taken away because you wouldn't be able to do your duty as a princess. It hasn't been about how much they hurt you then. You're in so much pain, but you're still committed to your duty."

Izetta puts her other hand on top of their pile, giving Finé an assuring shake. "You're not just thinking about yourself, but others as well. You're incredible."

Finé looks at the father, then to Izetta before her gaze falls back to her hands. "…Maybe… but I'm still causing so much trouble, because I can't move past it…"

Finé's father puts his arm around her shoulder and kisses her temple. "We're all here for you."

"I even made our date end on such an ugly note…" Finé hangs her head as she mutters, "I'm so sorry, Izetta…"

"Hey…" Izetta soothes as she goes to kneel in front of Finé. "I don't care about that. I just want to help you get better, so that we can be happy together again."

"Thank you," she sniffs. "Thank you all so much…"

After the four of them had finished talking, Finé decides to follow her father to his room, wanting to do some work in an attempt to go back to normalcy. With a nod, Izetta watches the two of them take a slow walk away, with a maid pushing the King's wheelchair.

Izetta goes back to her room and flops onto the bed. 'What should I do…' she sighs mentally. 'I have all of this power, yet I can't solve this problem… Isn't there something I can do to help Finé take her mind off it? If only I could take her back to before it happened, to when we were just kids having fun…'

Izetta's eyes pop open as she sits up. 'Of course! Why didn't I think of it sooner?!' Hopping off the bed, Izetta goes to her wardrobe to take out a set of T-shirt and shorts.

The sun sets, giving the forest an orange glow in the evening. With nobody else in sight, Izetta and Finé are walking through the woods.

"Hey Izetta, what exactly did you want to show me?" Finé asks Izetta continues to lead her by the hand past the numerous trees.

"It should be coming up soon," Izetta looks around before turning back to Finé. "But if you're uncomfortable, we can turn back now."

"No no," Finé holds Izetta's hand tighter. "I was just curious."

"Just a little while longer, I promise it's a good surprise," Izetta smiles.

Finé looks at their held hands. Then she relaxes her grip and feels more of Izetta's hand. "Okay, let's keep going."

The path soon opens up into a clearing where there is a stream that leads into a river with pebbles around the area. As Finé stands in shock, Izetta slowly lets go of her hand and walks towards the river.

"This is…" Finé mutters.

"Yup," Izetta turns around to give Finé another smile. "Where we first met."

Finé takes a step forward. Then she continues deeper in, taking in the surroundings.

"I was surprised as well," Izetta comments as she gets closer to the river. "Nothing much has changed since then. Do you still remember why you came here?"

"…I was just wandering around. Then I heard a boom in the distance. When I walked towards the sound, it happened again so I started to run."

Izetta chuckles as she walks into the river, her shoes, legs and pants repelling the water due to her shield. "I was thinking of how to train my magic more, so I went to a remote area and started unleashing it. Like, this," she grunts as she punches the water, causing an eruption.

Finé marvels at the explosion of water, and then at how it scatters and plops back down. "Yeah, of all things, I didn't expect to find a young girl, much less to find out that she was the cause of it."

Izetta grins. "I thought I really messed up, that my secret was out already. But Finé, you promised to keep my secret although you didn't even know who I was back then. You weren't afraid of me either although I was capable of such destruction, and even decided to play with me. It made me very happy."

"Let's continue then, shall we? Finé laughs as she goes to pick up a pebble. Tossing it up into the air a few times to get the feel of it, she chucks it across. The pebble skips a few times, before it plops into the water.

Izetta comes out of the water, entirely dry, and picks up another pebble. Without looking at it, she hurls it completely over the river where it crashes into the other side.

Izetta and Finé look at each other for a moment. Then they break down in giggles. They continue to relive their childhood memories, frolicking around the area that they had met up many times before Izetta and the project were formally introduced to Finé. Just two girls, without any other care in the world.

The sun almost completely sets, turning the sky dark. Izetta looks up at a tall tree before turning to Finé. "Hey Finé, can you hang onto me?"

"Hmm?" Finé hums as she comes over. "How?"

Izetta turns around to get into a piggyback position. "Just like this."

"Sure," Finé smiles as she climbs on.

Izetta adjusts her arms, making sure that she has Finé steady. "Will you be okay if I jump really high now?"

"Yes," Finé replies without hesitation as she leans into Izetta. "I trust you."

"Heh…" Izetta's cheeks slightly flush. "Then in three, two, one…"

Izetta leaps straight up, causing Finé to squeal in excitement as they soar through the air. As they then fall, Izetta's aim stays true and she sticks the landing on a thick branch of the tall tree.

"W-Woah…" Finé wheezes, "That was a rush."

"Finé, sit down and have a look," Izetta offers as she squats down to let Finé get down.

Finé shuffles about the branch, making sure that she is securely seated. But Izetta quickly sits down and puts an arm around Finé, assuring her that she will not fall. Finé smiles and turns to look in Izetta's direction, causing her mouth to open in wonder.

"Wow…" From their perch, Finé has an overview of the clearing that they were just playing in, surrounded by the lush treetops of the shorter trees. The night has fallen, dimly illuminating the area with a soft glow. Finé's head drifts upwards, taking in the numerous twinkling stars as well.

Finé nuzzles into Izetta, resting her head on Izetta's shoulder. "This was perfect, Izetta. Thank you for bringing me here."

"Anytime," Izetta smiles as she strokes Finé's upper arm.

"How are you using magic though? I didn't think about it, but you were using it naturally. I thought you would have to focus really hard or something while the barrier is up."

"Oh, I switched so the barrier is deactivated. My magic has been flowing freely."

Finé sits up to look up and down at Izetta. After a few blinks at Izetta's T-shirt and shorts, she clarifies, "But you're not in the White Agent outfit?"

"I took that off and put on these. Oh don't worry though, I left the suit back at the palace so if they really need me, I can rush back to put it on."

"No no wait that's not what I'm concerned about," Finé shakes her head. "Didn't you say that your magic would come out even when you weren't thinking about using it? So you were focusing the whole time on keeping it under control instead of having fun?"

"Oh Finé," Izetta coos, "It's not that bad, if not I would have broken a lot of things as the White Agent. The barrier is just a guarantee, and even without it, my magic won't come out as long as I remain calm." Izetta puts her forehead to Finé's, "So don't worry. I had fun. Lots of it."

"Okay…" Finé sighs. "But I still want you to turn it back on. I don't want you to think that you have to use magic for my sake. And…" Finé puts her arms around Izetta's neck. "I'm about to do something that will get you stirred up."

A blush breaks out on Izetta's face as she realises that Finé is about to kiss her. Although it has just been the two of them, Izetta knows that there are some Royal Guards hidden in the shadows keeping an eye on them. "Wait, Finé. Let me get us down first. It's also about time."

"Huh?" Finé looks at Izetta as she picks her up. "Time for what?"

With a leap, Izetta jumps down with Finé in her arms to land in the clearing, her magically enhanced legs safely absorbing the impact. As Izetta lets Finé down, Lotte comes out from the trees with a basket.

"Lady Izetta, Princess Finé," she greets. "Here is your dinner."

Finé realises that they have not eaten since lunch although night has fallen. Beside her, Izetta takes her phone out of her pocket, transforms back into her dress and repockets the phone.

"Thank you, Lotte," Izetta slightly bows as she takes the basket from her.

"No problem," Lotte returns the bow. "Please enjoy your picnic under this starlit night."

Then Lotte whispers to Izetta, "I see that Princess Finé is doing much better. You go girl, your love reached her."

"Lotte!" Izetta furiously blushes as she tries to keep her voice low.

"Sorry, sorry," Lotte laughs as she retreats into the trees. "Well then, don't let me interrupt your date."

Finé turns a little red from the word as well. She sees Izetta turn to face her, clearing her throat in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. Finé fakes a cough as well, "So, uh, you had this prepared as well?"

"Yes…" Izetta tucks some hair behind her ear. "I wanted you to have a good time, just like how you've always done for me."

Finé lunges at Izetta, embracing her tightly while pressing their lips together. Izetta immediately relaxes into the kiss, letting go of the basket and hugging Finé back.

After a long time, they finally separate slightly for air. "You're the perfect girlfriend, you know that…?" Finé breathes as she catches her breath.

"Well…" Izetta turns slightly red as her eyes become glazed. "I have my perfect girlfriend to learn from."

"Oh Izetta…" Finé mumbles as she leans in to cuddle, with Izetta reciprocating. "I'm sorry I put you through that. I may have gotten over it, but I still feel so bad for making our date end in shambles."

"You have nothing to apologise for," Izetta soothes as she rubs Finé's back. "Even when you're down, I will keep on supporting you. I will always be there for you, through thick and thin."

"…I don't deserve you…"

"Nonsense. If you're afraid of something happening again, we don't have to go into town. We can have fun, away from others, just like today. I don't mind what we do, as long as we are together. I'm already so very happy to be with my girlfriend. I'm with you, and that makes me completely content."

Finé nuzzles into Izetta, recognising that those phrases were similar to how she encouraged Izetta when they just started dating. "Let me rephrase. I'm the luckiest person in the world to have you."

"Finé…" Izetta murmurs as Finé pushes her down onto their bed.

"Izetta…" Finé leans into give her a fervent kiss.

Izetta does not resist and lets the passion swallow her. Their arms are all over each other, freely feeling the other now that they are back in their room with nobody watching. When they do separate, both of them are panting for air.

"I'm so glad you're better now…" Izetta cheers as she caresses Finé's cheek.

"It's all because of you…" Finé returns the gesture. "I remember how caring and patient you were…"

Izetta can only simper and bring her other hand to press Finé's hand against her face more.

Finé feels her heart speed up even more. "Izetta, I'm going to try something. If you don't like it, just push me away, okay?"

"Go ahead," Izetta beams as she puts her hands around Finé's neck, "I think I'll like it, because you're the one doing it."

"Then…" Finé leans in again with one arm under Izetta while the other hand holds her head.

Izetta closes her eyes to take in the bliss, her arms clasping onto Finé. Then Izetta's eyes pop open as she feels something slide into her mouth. She lets out a hushed gasp, but quickly relaxes as she realises that it is Finé's tongue. Izetta feels Finé's tongue exploring all over her mouth and holds Finé tighter. Then Izetta's tongue ventures out as well, touching Finé's which earns a surprised but happy sound from her as well.

Soon their tongues swirl together and they get completely absorbed in the moment, only focusing on deep kissing the other more. Their muffled moans fill the room as pleasure overwhelms them and neither wants to stop, the two of them clinging dearly to each other.

Eventually, they break away to catch their breath. They are gasping for air, their chests are heaving and there is a trail of saliva connecting their mouths. But they are all smiles.

"Did you… like it…?" Finé asks as she lowers herself slowly, getting closer to Izetta's face.

"Yes… a lot…" Izetta softly chuckles. "Finé… more, please…"

"As you wish."

As Izetta feels her mind slipping away, her last coherent thoughts are, 'Finé said she's the luckiest person in the world… But I think that should be me…'

A/N: Some people may have noticed that I've considerably slowed down on updating this story. Work has been hectic and some days I just don't feel like writing although I have the whole day free. I don't mean to say that I'm going on hiatus as I do still think about this story a lot. But I don't want to burn myself out as I do want to finish it. Just thought I'd get this out in case the next update takes way longer. As always, thank you all the support for the story, no matter how it's shown.