A/N: Sorry for all the spam guys XD I posted way more webtoon fanfics than I realised lol... and I'm still not done. Anyway this was written before season 4 returned so it may be a bit inaccurate. Technically there's meant to be a different oneshot before this but it'll work better in a different fic...

Summary: Suzanna had never felt so… conflicted.

Suzanna had never felt so… conflicted.

On one hand… she had finally got what she wanted. Lance and Lorena had broken up, and the plaid prince was hers for the taking.

… on the other hand, she hated to admit it, but she felt… sorry… for Lorena. She and Lance were so happy together. They were both so stupid, so naive… dammit, they were perfect for each other.

And the way Lorena looked, the tears in her eyes as she ran from the gala… why did it hurt so bad? Usually, Suzanna rejoiced in her opponent's tears…

That stupid girl, Suzanna cursed, absentmindedly stirring her cup of coffee. She sighed, gazing out of the window.

But this is what I wanted, isn't it…?

She was at the Plaid Café, sitting in her usual spot, dressed in her military attire. The very few remaining members of the Blaine Club were chattering excitedly together.

"Are you all pleased with yourselves?" she uttered. "Ugh… some people never change. What a bunch of fools."

She sighed, taking a sip of her coffee. She could see the plaid palace from where she was sitting. She almost wanted to run over there, visit Lance and…

Would he even want to see me right now? She thought. This is the perfect time to win his affections…

… but… why does it feel so wrong…?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the Blaine fangirls.

"BLAINE IS SINGLE!" they squealed.

"As if I didn't hear you the first dozen times…" Suzanna grumbled, getting up.

She left the cafe behind, gazing at the plaid palace once more. She sighed.

Forget this, she shook her head. I need to get out of town.

Suzanna ended up in the Pastel Plaza. She sighed. Of course, she had ended up in that pesky girl's home kingdom. To be fair, though, she hadn't actually explored much of the kingdom outside of the palace itself.

Hmmm, she thought, gazing around the Plaza. Compared to the bustling core of the Plaid Kingdom, this was a tiny morsel in comparison. While it wasn't dead, its crowds weren't much to gawk at, either. It was quaint, with pretty colours and peaceful smiles. A little country town, almost.

Suzanna gazed at the petite market stalls and small cafes, brushing her hair over her shoulder. No place in particular caught her eye. It was just so… little…

What am I even doing here? she thought, eyeing some store vendors.

She stopped, noticing a familiar face slumped at one of the cafes.

It's her…

Suzanna never imagined someone normally so full of energy and excitement could look so… gloomy. Lorena had her chin on the table, some dead weeds sprouting from her hair. Bags were under her eyes.

A few weeks ago, Suzanna would've loved nothing more than to see her in that state. But right now…

"Ahem," Suzanna coughed.

Lorena gasped, sitting up.

"Suzie?" she asked. "What are you doing here?"

Suzanna was surprised when Lorena didn't run over and embrace her. Part of her was relieved, but part of her… kind of missed it.

"Well," Suzanna crossed her arms. "I just wanted to get out of town for a bit. Visit some neighboring kingdoms, observe my surroundings… as a member of the military, it's important to know your milieu."

"Yeah," Lorena sighed, slumping back down. "Daddy isn't here, so… I may or may not have snuck out to get some fresh air."

There was an awkward silence. Oh, how Suzanna almost missed how chatty Lorena usually was.

Suzanna put her hand on her hip. "So… I heard that your engagement fell through."

"Yeah…" Lorena sank even further into her chair. "Well… it's good news for you, Suzie. You like Lance, don't you? He's all yours now."

Suzanna gasped in surprise. She sucked in her breath.

… but this is what you wanted…

"How dare you," she uttered.

"Huh?" Lorena asked.

"How dare you act as if I need your approval to chase after a man," Suzanna huffed.

Lorena cracked a small smile.

"So you're not that gloomy after all," Suzanna noticed, sitting opposite Lorena.

"No, I'm… still mostly gloomy," Lorena sighed. "I was so stupid… it was nothing but some dumb political alliance to bring our kingdoms closer…"

"That is how most arranged marriages work," Suzanna pointed out.

"I don't care," Lorena huffed, slamming the table. "Anyone who hurts my family isn't worth the time!"

Anger… that was another side of Lorena that Suzanna did not know well.

Lorena slumped back down, drawing circles onto the table.

Suzanna shook her head. "Look at us… sitting around, moping over a boy. What a waste of time." She stood up. "How about we do some fencing, for old time's sake?"

Lorena looked up, tilting her head. "But I thought you didn't do fencing anymore…"

"I don't," Suzanna replied, "but it's far better than sitting around; at least, I'll be working on something. And you… what happened to all that talk about improving your defense and getting stronger? Are you just going to throw it away?"

Lorena stared down at her fists. "I wanted to protect him…"

"You're going to give it all up over a little heartbreak?" Suzanna snapped. "How pathetic… being strong is sacrificing everything to hold onto the one thing that's most important to you! And if you can't do that?" She narrowed her eyes. "Then you'll stay weak forever. And before long… your entire world will collapse. Everything you love will be gone."

Lorena's eyes widened.

She smiled. "You always know exactly what to say, Suzie…"

I swore I'd never help her again… Suzanna groaned to herself. But this time… feels different, somehow.

Lorena stood up. "Alright… let's do some fencing!"

The two were in Lorena's fencing room, inside the Pastel Palace. Dressed in their fencing attire, Suzanna held up her sword as Lorena dashed forward.

"Not bad," Suzanna commented, "but… I know you're holding back."

Lorena stepped back, her sword shaking in her grip.

"All this work…" she uttered. "All this training…"

She dashed forward again, faster this time. She managed to get a hit on Suzanna's shoulder.

"How can I focus on defense like this?" Lorena asked. "When that was what he…"

Suzanna dashed towards her, getting her on the arm. Lorena stumbled backwards.

"Get your mind off that for a second," Suzanna scolded her. "Focus your energy on this battle!"

Lorena clenched her fists. She lunged forwards.

"It's so hard," she whimpered. "I loved him!"

She clashed with Suzanna.

"So did I," Suzanna snapped. "Life is hard, you stupid girl! Fate is always trying to ruin your life, take away everything you love… it's tried and true, the only thing you can do is protect yourself and fight back!"

Lorena cried out, falling back once more. She gazed up at Suzanna.

"You're still so naive," Suzanna sighed. "You're lucky you were sheltered for so long. But that time is over, and reality has finally settled in. Your precious little daydream is gone. Your engagement is over!"

Lorena observed her sword. She shifted her position.

"What do I do now…?" she asked.

"That's your choice," Suzanna huffed. "I had the same dilemma, but I soon learned that in a real battle… when your first plan fails, you need to widen the scope of your target!"

Lorena grimaced. She lunged forward once again, even faster than before.

"IT HURTS!" she roared.

"Then FIGHT IT!" Suzanna yelled back. "Fight the pain!"

Lorena continued to shout as she brought down her sword, clashing against Suzanna. Her moves were getting faster.

"That's the spirit!" Suzanna ordered. "Now, straighten your posture!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Lorena stood up straight.

The moves grew even faster than before. Lorena narrowed her eyes; a passion determination was in every step.

Suzanna wore a small smile. It was nice to see someone so enthusiastic, so ready for action.

She's definitely improved a lot, Suzanna thought. Not that she'll ever overtake me.

The fight continued on for a little while longer. Suzanna, of course, still had the upper hand, but she had to admit… Lorena was catching up fast.

The two finally stopped after a while, grabbing some water.

"So, how am I going?" Lorena asked.

"You're getting better, I suppose," Suzanna replied. "Your defense could still use more practice."

Lorena gave her a thumbs up. "I'll work on it!"

Suzanna opened up her water bottle, taking a sip.

"Hey, Suzie?" Lorena asked.

"Hmm?" Suzanna side-eyed her.

"Thank you," Lorena beamed at her, her flowers blooming once again. "If this whole mess was good for anything… I'm glad I met you. You're a really good friend."

Suzanna huffed, looking away.

"Thanks for coming to visit me, too," Lorena continued. "I haven't felt this energised in ages!"

"I wasn't visiting you," Suzanna waved a hand. "I was simply observing my milieu."

Lorena chuckled. "You're so funny, Suzie!"

Suzanna crossed her arms, side-eyeing Lorena. "… your flowers are back."

"I'm blooming again," Lorena beamed, flowers falling onto her shoes.

"How are you able to do that?" Suzanna asked, gazing at all the flowers.

Lorena shrugged. "Family thing."

The more I learn about this girl and her family, the stranger they become… Suzanna sighed.

"So, what now?" Lorena asked. She gasped. "Ooh, I know! I could show you my favourite offensive strategies, or we could play board games, or…"

Suzanna turned away as Lorena droned on. She gazed at her fists.

Ugh… I cannot believe I went to her place… willingly… by myself…

… what's gotten into me? I've gone too soft…

"No," she shook her head. "I think I'll be taking my leave."

"Aww," Lorena frowned. "Okay…"

A small part of Suzanna wanted to stay a little longer.

Get a grip, Suzanna, she scolded herself. This girl is your enemy!

… well, was your enemy…

"Well, I'll walk you to the exit!" Lorena chirped. "Come on!"

She grabbed Suzanna's arm, leading her off. Her grip was crazy strong- Suzanna found herself being dragged along the ground.

"Wha-" Suzanna spluttered. "SLOW DOWN, YOU NINCOMPOOP!"

The two snuck out of the back of the palace, avoiding the horde of guards. They stood next to each other, Suzanna avoiding eye contact.

"Thanks again for coming, Suzie," Lorena held onto her arm. "I'm so glad we're friends!"

"Hmph," Suzanna scoffed, turning away.

She gazed at the hill. Sighing, she began to make her way down.

"Wait, Suzie!" Lorena cried out. "Will you come again?"

Suzanna stopped. A flower fell off her head, landing by her feet.

And for the first time in a while… she smiled. A genuine, cheerful grin appeared on her face.

She reached down, picking up the little daisy. She gazed over her shoulder, gazing at the princess behind her.

"Not a chance," she chuckled.