Several days later and several miles away, a gold-clad knight and a red-haired maiden were setting up camp in the forest.

“…They’re three days late now,” said the Captain of the Guard. “I think we should begin to consider the possibility that they aren’t coming.”

“N-no way!” Lucid Fright replied. “Pitch always keeps her promises…if she s-said she’ll be here, then she’ll be here. We just have to wait…”

“We cannot stay here forever, Princess…the nights are getting colder, and your mother and father would never forgive me if you became ill…”

“D-don’t worry about me; I won’t get sick.” Lucy grinned. “After all; I’ve had eight hours of sleep~.”

The Captain sighed. “Princess…that was two months ago…”

“But it happened! And e-ever since then, I’ve been a new woman: S-sharp. Sophisticated. Elegant—”

Lucy tripped over a piece of firewood and tumbled to the ground. “…A-anyway, it’s all in the mind,” she continued, straightening her crown. “I think if I keep thinking like I’m well-rested, I’ll be well-rested. And I won’t be c-clumsy or scatterbrained anymore.”

“Of course, Princess…”

“You have to think it, too! Stop t-treating me like a little dummy and believe in me! I’m seventeen years old now, after all. And I’m about to go to war…!”

“Don’t use that word,” said the Captain.

“Oh, right. W-well, I’m about to go to…a negotiation! The p-point is, I’m becoming an adult!” She stood up. “…By the way, h-have you seen my special blankie anywhere…?”

“Do you mean this…?” said a voice from behind. Both knight and princess turned to look.

Pitch emerged from a thicket, brandishing her cutlass…as well as a small blue square of fabric. “The wind must have carried it away,” she said, holding it out to Lucy. “I can’t believe you still have this, after all these years…”

“Margaret!!” Lucy cried. She rushed forward to wrap her old friend in a tight hug. “I-I knew you’d be here! Oh, I’m so happy to see you!!”

Pitch smiled. “It’s good to see you too, Zellandine,” she replied. “I see you’re wearing your hair a little…neater these days.”

“Oh yeah: I s-started doing my hair again,” Lucy said, patting the braided bun atop her head. “Since I’ve slept, I can remember to do stuff like that n-now~.”

“Wait, you…slept? Has your curse been broken??”

“Not exactly…I’ll tell you all about it once we get the c-campfire going; it’s a great story!”

“Is it now…? My, my…stories around a campfire with loudmouthed little girl. This is exactly the sort of experience that makes leaving behind a comfortable home and a beautiful garden all worthwhile…”

Azor stepped out from the thicket, plucking twigs from his coat. “I don’t know why I do this to myself…” he muttered.

“Mr. Azor…!!” Lucy exclaimed. “I never thought Pitch would convince you to come…Captain, this is the guy I was telling you about before!”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, good sir,” said the Captain, extending his hand. “The Princess has told me many…fascinating tales about you.”

Azor just stared back in bitter silence.

“…Lesson number one about Mr. Azor: he’s a huge grouch,” said Lucy. “But he’s very strong. He can make things explode with his terrifying mind powers! I think we’re lucky to have him~.”

“We certainly are,” said Pitch. “And you know, now that we’re finally all together, I’m starting to feel even more optimistic about the outcome of this war.”

“Don’t use that word,” said Lucy and the Captain in unison.