The night had quietly fallen over Twilight Academy, the once lively campus now wrapped in a blanket of calm. The moon hung like a pale coin in the sky, and the soft glow of lantern lamps shimmered along the hallway walls, their golden light gently swaying with each whisper of the breeze that slipped through the large windows. Outside, the tall trees danced to the rhythm of the wind, their shadows rippling across the marble floor like silent waves.

Dila and Fran stepped out from their dorm room, their footsteps quiet against the floor. The air was cool and faintly carried the scent of flowers from the courtyard. Fran clasped her hands together in front of her chest, her eyes wide and bright like stars. "Yehey... I hope when we meet Jade, it's something like an endless food feast," she whispered with barely contained excitement. "That would be so exciting, isn't it, sis?"

Her voice was soft, but her giddy energy was impossible to hide. She rocked slightly on her heels, her tail twitching with delight as if ready to leap any moment. Dila turned her head slightly, unable to stop the small chuckle that escaped her lips.

"I hope so... if that's what he's really planning," Dila said, her tone calm but tinged with gentle amusement.

Fran looked up at her sister, still smiling with a childish spark in her eyes. "Don't worry... maybe it's true... just maybe, sis," she said with a playful giggle, her tone half teasing, half hopeful.

Dila shook her head softly, her silver hair catching the lantern light as she smiled faintly. "You and your optimism..." she murmured. Then, with quiet affection, she reached out and patted Fran's head gently. "Alright then... let's see where this night takes us."

Fran's ears twitched at the touch, and she closed her eyes for a second, purring lightly before whispering, "Hehe... okay."

But before they could take another step, Dila's expression shifted. From the far end of the hallway, the faint echo of armor clinking against stone grew louder... steady... rhythmic. The dim light caught the reflection of metal. A knight in silver armor was patrolling the hallway, his lantern swaying at his side, his eyes scanning quietly for any late wanderers.

Dila's breath caught. "Look... a curfew guard," she whispered sharply. "Hide... quickly."

Fran froze in panic, her tail puffing slightly as she whispered back, "W-where?"

Before they could think further, the knight's steps grew closer. The two sisters stood still, tension gripping them for a brief, breathless moment. Then, in a sudden motion, Dila grabbed Fran's hand and pulled her toward the nearest door—an unused dorm room to their right.

The wooden door creaked faintly as Dila pushed it open, both of them slipping halfway inside, holding their breath. The knight paused, his voice deep and slightly echoing under his helmet.

"What was that sound?" he muttered, the lantern light flickering against his polished armor.

Dila's pulse quickened. The two sisters pressed closer to the shadowed corner behind the door, barely breathing. Fran's eyes widened, her ears twitching nervously while her hands clutched the hem of Dila's robe. Dila could feel her sister trembling slightly, her heart pounding so loudly it almost felt like it would give them away.

For a few tense seconds, the knight remained still, scanning the hallway. Only the faint whistle of the wind and the gentle flicker of the lanterns filled the silence.

Dila swallowed quietly, whispering almost inaudibly, "Don't move..."

Fran nodded, her lips pressed tight, her expression caught somewhere between fear and giddy thrill.

Then, at last, the knight sighed softly and continued walking, his armor fading down the hall, the sound growing fainter... until it disappeared completely.

Both sisters exhaled at once. Fran slumped against Dila's shoulder, whispering with a shaky giggle, "That was close... really close..."

Dila smiled faintly, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear. "Too close," she whispered back. "Next time, maybe don't cheer 'yehey' in the middle of curfew."

Fran pouted but smiled, her eyes sparkling even in the dim light. "Hehe... sorry, sis."

Dila could only sigh softly, smiling in quiet defeat. "Let's just... keep moving," she said, and together, they stepped out from hiding, the faint golden light dancing once more along their path toward the night's mysterious promise.

The door creaked softly as Dila pushed it open again, peeking out first before stepping into the hallway. The air was still cool, carrying a faint scent of polished marble and distant candle smoke. The warm flicker of the lanterns along the walls shimmered against the golden frames that lined the corridor, making the place look like a quiet dream suspended in the night.

Fran exhaled, placing a hand on her chest as she whispered, "Sister... that was close... really close..." Her voice trembled between relief and excitement.

Dila nodded, still glancing down both ends of the hallway. "Yeah... too close," she murmured softly. "But... why is the curfew so early tonight, hmm?" She tilted her head slightly, her silver hair shifting as the lantern light brushed along its strands.

Fran shrugged lightly, still catching her breath. "Maybe the guards are just bored," she whispered with a playful grin.

Dila sighed through her nose. "Maybe... let's forget it. We should head to Jade's dorm before someone else comes by."

Fran's eyes brightened instantly. "Yey! Let's go!" she whispered a little too cheerfully, holding Dila's left hand and hopping softly as they began to walk again. She was careful not to make a sound, but her gentle little jumps made her skirt flutter slightly with each step. Her tail flicked with excitement as she hummed under her breath.

Dila couldn't help but smile faintly, watching her sister's enthusiasm. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"

Fran grinned. "Of course! It's like a little adventure night!"

"An adventure that'll get us punished if we get caught," Dila muttered, but her tone carried amusement.

The two continued walking down the long marble hallway. Their reflections shimmered faintly on the polished floor, the golden light from the lanterns dancing around them. On each side of the corridor, silver nameplates were mounted beside double doors—each engraved elegantly with students' names. Some were ornate and full of symbols, while others were plain and modest.

Fran leaned closer to read one. "Lirien… ohh, that's the sword girl in Combat Branch, right?"

"Mm-hmm may~ maybe," Dila nodded softly, still scanning the plates as they moved. Their footsteps echoed faintly, blending with the whispering wind that brushed through the tall windows.

After a short climb up another marble stairway, they reached the higher dorm level. The air here felt quieter, almost heavier, as if it belonged to the more elite students. The lanterns here burned steadier, their light softer but clearer.

Dila thinks.(hmmm why it's more formally elegant here? Nevermind.)

Then, at last, Dila slowed her pace, her eyes catching on a silver plate. She tilted her head slightly, reading the name engraved in graceful letters:

Jade

Just that. No surname. No insignia. No title.

"Huh... this is it," Dila murmured. "The name is just... Jade. No family name extension, no royal emblem. Nothing."

Fran blinked, leaning close beside her. "Hmm... huhhh... weird..." she said, her ears twitching. "I thought nobles usually put their family names, or at least their crest."

Dila folded her arms, frowning thoughtfully. "Weird indeed. It's... hard to trust someone when their nameplate is this plain. Especially for someone who calls himself a prince."

Fran made a small hum, tilting her head. "Maybe he's hiding something? Or maybe... he's just lazy?"

Dila sighed softly, resting her hand on her chin. The lantern light brushed across her delicate features, her blue eyes glinting faintly. "Hmm... well, whatever it is... let's not press on it too much."

Then she turned her gaze toward the door again. The faint gold of the lanterns shimmered against the silver plate, and the silence of the hallway wrapped around them like a soft warning.

Dila took a small breath and said quietly, "Alright... let's see what awaits us beyond this door."

Fran smiled with that same spark of curiosity in her eyes. "Hehe... I bet it's something fun."

And together, the sisters stood before the door marked Jade, the soft glow of the night brushing their faces as the wind whispered gently from the windows behind them.

Dila took a deep breath, her fingers tightening into a small fist as if gathering the courage to knock. The soft glow of the hallway lanterns flickered across her pale hand, trembling slightly in the quiet air.

But before her knuckles could even touch the door...

The double doors suddenly swung open with a woosh, the polished metal handles glinting in the light.

"Ohh... you two are here already," came Jade's smooth, amused voice. He stood framed in the doorway, the faint light from his room spilling out behind him, painting a golden edge around his calm, confident smile.

Dila froze in place, her hand still hanging awkwardly midair. Her eyes widened slightly before she quickly hid her hand behind her back, pretending nothing happened. "I... thought you said I shouldn't worry about the curfew," she said, her tone a mix of irritation and suspicion. "But why are there knight roaming this early?"

Jade chuckled softly, pressing a hand to his mouth to muffle his laughter. "Ahh... so that's why the knight wasn't with you," he said, grinning. "He was supposed to escort you both here. I suppose... you beat him to it for not being escort."

He let out another light laugh, clearly entertained.

Dila crossed her arms tightly, tapping her right foot against the floor, her voice carrying a hint of mock sternness. "So that's why I thought the curfew was early... because it was your guard or something."

Jade raised both brows and laughed again. "No, no... that was actually a curfew guard. I might have... bribed him with a few silver moons to pick you up, but..." —he spread his hands with a boyish grin— "it seems my effort was unnecessary."

Dila's eyes narrowed faintly. "You bribed a curfew guard?"

Jade smiled, completely unbothered. "Just a little. The most important thing is that you two arrived safely."

He stepped aside, gesturing warmly with his hand. "Come in."

Fran immediately perked up, her ears twitching, tail swaying excitedly. "Food?" she blurted with a bright sparkle in her eyes.

Jade chuckled at her innocence, reaching down to pat her head gently. "Yeah, food," he said with a soft smile.

But before his hand could finish its motion, a sharp slap echoed.

Dila's hand struck his lightly, her expression serious yet flushed. "Don't touch my Fran," she said, her blue eyes narrowing.

Jade pulled his hand back, chuckling as he rubbed it with exaggerated care. "Ohh... feisty," he teased with a gentle smirk, his tone amused rather than offended.

Fran puffed her cheeks and looked at Dila with playful disapproval. "Sis... you shouldn't slap the prince's hand when he's being nice!" she pouted, her tail flicking.

Dila blinked, still slightly flustered, and answered with a teasing grin, "I have to." Her eyes widened jokingly, like she was saying it half in defense and half out of pride.

Jade laughed softly again, his voice warm. "I understand," he said. "If I had a sister like Fran, I'd probably be protective too."

Fran giggled and leaned against Dila's arm. "See, even the prince understands," she said with a triumphant smile.

Dila sighed, shaking her head but smiling faintly. "You're impossible, both of you."

Jade just smiled, stepping back to fully open the door. "Welcome again, High Princess... and Cat Girl Fran."

Fran's ears perked. "Hehe, that's me!" she said, spinning once before hopping into the room with cheerful energy.

Dila followed after her, her steps softer, more cautious... but deep down, her heart was quietly racing — not from fear this time, but from the strange mix of curiosity and warmth that Jade's smile seemed to carry.

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