Come evening, the myrmidon found his reading interupted for the second time that day.

"I'm sorry."

Glancing to the study's entrance, Ulster was surprised to see Lana. Just like when he'd seen her earlier, she was visibly upset. However, her face was also tinged with regret.

He put his book aside and stood, stretching life back into his limbs. Taking a few paces across the room, the myrmidon offered her a conciliatory smile. "Don't worry about it."

Lana glanced at the floor, ashamed. "No," she said quietly. "I can't just forget. You were only trying to help, but I was awful to you. I'm sorry, Ulster."

Ulster lifted his hand, patting her on the head. "Water under the bridge," he assured her.

"Shut up," she said, pushing away his arm. However, there was no venom in her words. "I was a jerk and I feel bad about it, okay? Even if that doesn't bother you, it bothers me."

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well then..."

The girl frowned prettily. "Of course I remember back when we were kids. I couldn't forget it, even if I wanted to. One of the things I hated about life in Isaach was what it did to mother."

"Right." Ulster nodded, listening attentively.

"She was... mother was a princess once. A princess of Jungby. She hardly talked about it, but when she did," Lana paused, wiping a tear from eye, "I loved those stories. I guess I wanted to be a princess, too. And Seliph, he was always willing to pretend that I was. That's why I always liked him so much."

"So be a princess," the myrmidon said simply.

Lana glared at him in response. "Even though Lester and I have Ulir blood, it's not the same. Faval and Patty will inherit House Jungby," she explained. "Plus, it doesn't matter. It was just a stupid, childish dream of a stupid, childish kid."

"If it's so stupid and childish, then why get so worked up over it?"

"No," she cut him off, "I'm not finished. You want to console me, then sit your butt down and listen."

Ulster was struck dumb, but obediently pulled up seats for the two of them.

"I know it's not worth it," she continued. "And even if it was, we're in the middle of a war. If dreams like that did come true—which let's be honest, they don't—it's stupid to be fretting about it now. But I don't care. A girl's heart is a fickle thing, and I refuse to apologize for a dream I had once, regardless how dumb it is."

"Lana, I didn't mean—"

He was interupted by another look from her fiery zircon eyes. "And here comes my childhood friend, who's always been like a brother to me, who's never even entertained the thought that I'm a girl—" The priestess sighed, shaking her head quietly. "It's just not fair."

"Edain's stories," Ulster said pointedly, "did they ever make you happy?"

Lana gave him a befuddled glance. "What?"

Ulster furrowed his brow, feeling more and more frustrated. "Did it make you happy? When your mother told you those stories, stories about Jungby, or about lovers past? Did you ever hate to ask? To make Edain remember?"

The girl's face blanched, and tears began welling in her eyes.

"We all had to deal with that," he continued. "I get it. But I also saw how much it wounded you. There was—there was no right answer, Lana. Seliph played along with your little game, but I just wanted you to be a regular kid. I wanted you to be able to forget, for you to be happy with the rest of us."

The intensity drained from Lana's face, as though she'd become a deer frozen with panic.

"You think it was easy for me?" Ulster managed, trying not to sound dour. "Growing up with a pretty girl like you, knowing I had no chance? Never being able to measure up to Seliph, always being his—" The myrmidon racked his brain, but found himself hopelessly tongue-tied. "H-his second banana?!"

She cast her gaze to the floor, her face filling with regret. "Ulster..."

"Well, you're not the only one feeling jealous. I—" He shook his head bitterly. "I'll never be Seliph. I can't. And I can't assuage your pain like him, Lana. I can't fix this problem for you, and I hate that. I'm just—I'm just me."

Lana lifted her teary gaze, and their eyes met. She gently placed her hand on his, gracing him with a bittersweet smile.

The myrmidon felt his heart ache for the pretty girl, seeing her like that. The brass and vinegar were gone, leaving his childhood friend hurt and exposed.

He stood, and taking her hand, pulled her into his arms. "Lana, I'm sorry," he said quietly.

She eventually quit his embrace, ending the tender moment. "Ulster," she told him matter-of-factly, "that was the most obtuse confession I think I've ever heard."

Ulster couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Give me some credit, Lana. I'm trying, really."

"Oh yeah, mister second banana?" she asked, her lips quirking into a grin.

"Quiet, you," Ulster said, his cheeks burning.

"Just wait until I tell Larcei ab—"

But he cut her off with a kiss. When they finally parted, he was pleased to see her face torn between confusion and blissful reverie.

"I've got a proposal for you," Ulster said, mimicking her earlier tone. "It's true that I'll never be Sigurd. But after this is all over, I'm going to Verdane. Isaach will forever be my home, but I want to go rebuild father's nation. It's no Grannvale, but..." He took her hand in his, entwining their fingers. "Let's go together, Lana. Be my princess in Verdane."

Her face turned beet red, and for a second he didn't know whether she would laugh or cry. Finally, her expression softened, before she looked him in the eyes. "Idiot," she said, but she was smiling from ear to ear. The priestess wrapped her arms around him, pressing close. "Stupid idiot."

Ulster laughed, before gently planting a kiss on her brow. "I love you too, Lana."