Twilight: Darling of Volturi (YURI/GL)

Their conversation was only halfway through when an unexpected visitor arrived at the edge of Jane's territory. Sophie's heightened senses detected the newcomer first, causing her to fall silent instinctively. A heartbeat later, Jane also became aware of the presence lingering just beyond the territorial boundary.

Unlike Charles, however, this visitor possessed impeccable manners. She stopped precisely outside the territory's invisible border and made no attempt to trespass without permission, patiently waiting for the two of them to acknowledge her arrival.

Sophie and Jane exchanged a glance before quietly straightening their clothes and walking toward the boundary together. As always, Jane naturally reached over to take Sophie's hand, subtly controlling both their pace and direction as though it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

The visitor was an unfamiliar female guard. She was rather short and plain-looking, nothing about her appearance particularly memorable. Yet the cloak draped over her shoulders was an exceptionally pure, almost absolute shade of black, and its design clearly marked a rank higher than both Jane and Alec's. Judging by the insignia, she stood on equal footing with the three leaders themselves.

Sophie immediately realized this woman held extraordinary status.

She couldn't remember whether she had seen her during the trial. The chamber had been dimly lit, crowded with imposing figures, and she had been far too terrified to pay attention to anyone beyond the leaders.

The moment Jane recognized the visitor, however, her face brightened.

"Chelsea!" she called warmly, genuine delight entering her voice. "Why did you come here yourself?"

Chelsea returned a shy smile before delivering her message.

"Jane, Aro wishes to see you."

"All right." Jane nodded without hesitation. "I'll head there immediately. I have something important I need to report as well."

As naturally as she had taken it earlier, Jane released Sophie's hand, walked over to Chelsea's side, and left without looking back.

Not once...

Not even for a single glance.

Instead, it was the woman named Chelsea who briefly looked back at Sophie.

Ever since becoming a newborn vampire, Sophie's heightened senses seemed to extend beyond sight and hearing. At that moment, she distinctly felt something radiating from Chelsea.

Satisfaction.

Mockery.

Almost...

Triumph.

And Jane's behavior was far too strange.

"Jane!"

Sophie called out after the departing blonde.

Jane stopped.

Turning around slowly, she looked back with calm, emotionless red eyes. Chelsea quietly excused herself and continued ahead alone, reminding Jane to come quickly before disappearing from sight.

Only then did Jane shift her attention back to Sophie.

Her expression remained completely indifferent.

"Is something the matter?"

Sophie froze.

She had never expected Jane to ask her that question.

Her thoughts seemed to stop working entirely.

Jane, meanwhile, remained preoccupied with Aro's summons. She had neither the time nor the patience to wait through Sophie's stunned silence.

"If there's nothing else..."

Her voice was courteous.

Yet distant.

"Please leave my territory."

Without waiting for a reply, she turned once more and walked away to catch up with Chelsea.

Her long golden hair remained loose across her back, exactly as it had after leaving the bath.

A powerful wind swept through the valley.

Perhaps it was because her body still carried lingering moisture from the waterfall pool, but Sophie suddenly felt as though an icy chill had wrapped itself around her entire body.

Only after Jane had disappeared from sight did she slowly realize...

Jane had forgotten to say goodbye.

Lost in her daze, Sophie failed to notice that high upon a concealed cliff overlooking the valley, Aro had just withdrawn his hand from Marcus's palm. Borrowing Marcus's gift, he had watched Chelsea complete her task flawlessly from beginning to end.

"I truly don't understand why you insisted on dragging me out here just to watch this little spectacle, Brother."

Caius frowned deeply, irritation written plainly across his face.

He hated standing beneath the morning sun, even while fully protected.

"Chelsea has never failed."

Marcus released a quiet sigh tinged with sympathy.

"That's true."

His calm gaze remained fixed upon the distant figures below.

"One moment they're inseparable... the next they're complete strangers."

He paused briefly.

"It happens in an instant."

Unlike anyone else, Marcus perceived emotional bonds as tangible connections stretching between people. When Chelsea used her gift, he could literally watch those invisible threads being severed before his eyes.

Aro watched one particularly brilliant emotional connection snap apart within Jane.

Only then did he finally relax.

We were almost too late.

"I couldn't allow some second-rate nobody to steal Jane's attention away."

His words sounded dangerously close to questioning Jane's loyalty. Caius frowned immediately.

"I disagree." He answered without hesitation.

"Last night, Jane's first priority was confirming the safety of the leader wives. I've never doubted Jane's loyalty."

Aro smiled reassuringly.

"She's one of the pillars of our family. Our greatest treasure."

His expression gradually became thoughtful.

"But after what happened between Chino and Aurora, I've begun to realize we should pay closer attention to the young guards under our care. If we intervene sooner... perhaps we can prevent future tragedies from causing everyone unnecessary pain."