Panic clawed at Veldina's throat as she hesitated, torn between chasing after Kite and the uncertainty that came with his implicit proposal. The air felt thick with the weight of missed opportunities. "Should I... follow him?" Veldina stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. The urgency in her tone betrayed the turmoil churning within her - a desperate desire to right the wrongs of her past, coupled with the daunting prospect of risking her heart once more.

Marybelle let out a sympathetic sigh, her usually composed features softening with understanding. "Veldina, you should have said 'yes' when he asked if you'd see him around. It was clear he was asking you out, inviting you to explore the possibility of a romantic relationship with him."

Velleria nodded in agreement, her expression stern yet pragmatic. "Are you foolish, my daughter, or just completely dense?" Valleria sighed in disappointment. "No man waits four years just to give a woman a beautiful pendant. Think about it—has he ever done that for anyone else? It means his heart belongs to you alone." Unlike her daughter, Valleria had been the same in her youth, but never this oblivious.

Veldina recoiled from her mother's scathing rebuke, the verbal lash striking deeper than any physical blow ever could. Shame and humiliation burned beneath her skin as Valleria's disappointed gaze bored into her very soul.

"T-that's not fair, Mother!" Veldina protested, her voice quavering with the sting of accusation. Yet even as she defended herself, a small, stubborn part of her knew her mother was right. The necklace, Kite's gentle touch, his hopeful question - it all pointed to a profound affection she had foolishly misinterpreted.

"It's your choice, Vel," Valleria said. "You can either throw away the person you love—who clearly loves you too—or make things right and chase after him. Don’t you realize how lucky you are that Kite still feels the same, even after you disappeared on him four years ago?"

Marybelle's consoling hand on Veldina's shoulder provided scant comfort in the face of her mother's onslaught. Veldina closed her eyes, willing away the tears that threatened to spill, and took a steadying breath. The path ahead would be difficult, fraught with the potential for heartbreak and disillusionment but her mother's blunt statement, the weight of the choices before her bearing down like a physical force. For four long years, she had wrestled with regret, wondering what could have been if only she had handled things differently.

"Now's your chance to rectify the past," Valleria continued, her tone firm but encouraging. "Don't waste it, Vel. Go after him, and show Kite that you're ready to embrace the feelings you've kept hidden for so long." Marybelle's supportive presence radiated from beside her, but even the princess's comforting energy couldn't dissipate the lingering doubts plaguing Veldina. What if Kite's affections had cooled during her prolonged absence? What if she ruined everything by acting impulsively?

Despite these concerns, Veldina felt the tide turning within her, the longing for second chances and open communication rising to the surface.

As Veldina ran down the moonlit corridor, her heart pounded with every step, bringing her closer to the man she couldn't bear to lose. The dim glow of the full moon cast long shadows across the castle walls, adding to the weight of her emotions. She stopped abruptly at the sight before her—Kite slumped against the wall, his younger brother Ali standing nearby with concern etched on his face. Kite's fingers absently traced the delicate pendant, his gaze distant, lost in thought. A bittersweet smile tugged at his lips, revealing emotions he had never voiced.

"...Rejected by the girl I loved for so long," Kite murmured, his voice heavy with sorrow.

The words struck Veldina like a blade. She had hurt him deeply, yet he still held onto the pendant—a symbol of their past. Tears welled in her eyes as she finally grasped the pain she had caused.

Marybelle and Valleria followed closely behind Veldina, their frustration evident. Without hesitation, Valleria gave her daughter a swift kick, sending her stumbling straight toward Kite with comical force.

Now standing face-to-face with him, Veldina's cheeks burned crimson as she fumbled for words. Ali's wide-eyed stare only made her more flustered, while Marybelle and Valleria watched with smug satisfaction, their earlier annoyance replaced by amusement.

"Well, aren't you just the picture of embarrassment?" Marybelle muttered, barely holding back a giggle as she enjoyed the unfolding scene.

"Vel? What are you doing here?" Kite asked, startled. He didn’t want Veldina to see him like this—vulnerable and anything but his usual composed, confident self. A flush crept onto his face as he wondered if she had overheard his thoughts.

Veldina's gaze flickered from Kite's bewildered expression to the gleaming pendant in his hand, the symbol of her thoughtless abandonment. His genuine surprise and evident unease only served to intensify her guilt, each beat of her racing heart drumming home the gravity of her mistake.

"Heard you talking with your brother..." Veldina admitted, her voice barely audible over the thrumming in her ears. "Thought I'd, uh, check on you since we haven't spoken in ages." The words tasted bitter on her tongue, a paltry excuse for the turmoil churning within her. 

Kite's blush deepened, and he hastily tucked the necklace away, his charm reasserting itself with practiced ease. "Ah, just some family business. Nothing to concern yourself with, Vel." His warm smile, though a little strained, did wonders to soothe Veldina's frayed nerves.

Marybelle and Valleria watched intently from the sidelines, their eyes following every subtle shift between Veldina and Kite. Sharing a knowing glance, they whispered in unison, "Vel, confess. Vel, confess," like a quiet chant urging her forward. Marybelle's encouragement was warm and supportive, while Valleria’s sharp pragmatism pushed for action. Together, they stood as a silent force, reminding Veldina that she had the strength—and the backing of her family—to face her feelings head-on.

"Vel... I'll be direct. Will you go out with me?" Kite asked.

Ali's eyes widened in shock—his brother had just asked a princess on a date.

Marybelle and Valleria were equally stunned, their jaws dropping at Kite’s boldness. He had taken the initiative once again, but this time, there was no room for misinterpretation. They could only hope that Vel wouldn’t mess it up this time.

And yet, as Veldina struggled to respond, her heart thundered in her chest, threatening to suffocate her. She asked herself if she could she truly grasp this opportunity, or would she succumb to her ingrained fears and hesitation once more? Her gaze darted between Kite's expectant face and the stunned expressions of those around her, each set of eyes bearing witness to the pivotal moment stretching out before her. Time seemed to slow, condensing the weight of the decision onto her slender shoulders.

Kite's smile slowly faltered, replaced by a look of resigned acceptance as he scratched his head, his words cutting through the tense silence. "Sorry if I was blunt," he offered, a hint of self-deprecation coloring his tone. "Right, I knew you wouldn't say yes if I asked directly. Guess it really is unrequited, huh?" The admission hung heavy in the air, a poignant acknowledgment of the emotional chasm separating them. Veldina's heart twisted at the sight of Kite's crestfallen expression, the realization that she had once again let fear dictate her actions. She wanted to reach out, to reassure him that his feelings mattered, but the words stuck in her throat, trapped by the weight of her own cowardice.

As Kite turned to leave, Veldina's resolve crystallized, a newfound determination burning within her.

Ali's eyes widened as Veldina suddenly sprinted after Kite, her hesitation replaced by urgent determination. Her skirt billowed behind her, each step carrying her forward with uncharacteristic urgency. Marybelle and Valleria exchanged stunned glances before their shock melted into amusement. Had Veldina finally mustered the courage to follow her heart, or was this just another impulsive decision? Only time would tell, but for now, everyone held their breath as she raced toward Kite.

"Kite!" Veldina called out to Kite who instantly turned around only to see the woman holding his heart, time seemed to freeze as Veldina launched herself at Kite, her body folding into his with uncharacteristic boldness. He caught her easily, the warmth of her embrace seeping into his skin. As the moment sank in, a radiant smile blossomed on Kite's face, his fingertips trailing tenderly through Veldina's vibrant red locks. In this intimate contact, the unspoken years of longing and loyalty came rushing to the surface, their mutual feelings crystalizing into a reality that left neither party room for doubt. The past receded, replaced by a profound sense of belonging, as if the universe itself had conspired to bring these two souls together at this precise instant. In Kite's eyes, a soft adoration glimmered, mingling with the gentle reverence he had always harbored for Veldina.

Kite cupped Veldina’s cheek, his thumb grazing her soft skin. “Geez, Vel, you could’ve just given me a straight answer instead of making me propose in front of everyone,” he teased, a playful smile tugging at his lips as he leaned in.

Then, without hesitation, he closed the distance, pressing a tender, tentative kiss against hers. It was a simple yet profound moment, a spark igniting between them, threatening to consume them both. Across the hallway, Marybelle and Valleria struggled to contain their grins and giggles. Their usually fierce, lionhearted Veldina now stood flushed and dreamy, lost in the magic of her first kiss.

Veldina's lips tingled from the sweet, chaste kiss, her cheeks flushed a becoming shade of pink. As Kite drew back, his endearing query about seeing her around hung in the air, filled with the warmth of his affection. A soft, radiant smile graced her features, her eyes sparkling with the glow of new possibilities. Emboldened by their tender exchange, Veldina reached up to trace the outline of the pendant resting against Kite's chest. "Now we both have half the peace of the pendant," she echoed, her voice a gentle melody. The act solidified their connection, the metal symbolizing the unity of their hearts.

In that moment, the future stretched out before them like an uncharted sea, ripe with promise and potential. As Kite and Veldina gazed into each other's eyes, the rest of the world faded into insignificance, leaving only the profound understanding that they had found something truly special – a love worth fighting for.