Who would refuse to be her friend?

There were never many people who could become close to Alice in the first place, and she always treasured those friends deeply.

So, it shouldn’t have been possible for her to simply forget someone.

Let alone someone like the pink-haired young lady before her, dreamlike like a true princess.

If she had ever had such a beautiful and adorable friend, Alice would never have forgotten.

And yet, she had no memory of this person at all.

But the aura the girl carried felt incredibly familiar, as if she had been her companion for over ten years.

This left Alice momentarily confused, unable to make sense of the situation.

“Since little Alice hasn’t remembered who I am yet, then let’s just become friends once more ♪

And when you do remember me, then we’ll be super friends who have become friends twice over~”

As though she had come up with a wonderful idea, Edenia clapped her hands and said with a smile.

Alice looked at the girl before her, who radiated such warmth and closeness, and the sense of distance she had felt upon meeting a stranger disappeared completely.

Unconsciously, the corners of Alice’s lips curved upward, and she nodded, just as if she were chatting with her dearest best friend.

“Alright, let’s do as you say.”

Seeing Alice agree, Edenia happily threw her arms around her, pressing their cheeks together.

“My dear Alice ♪ You’re so kind to me~ I find myself liking you more and more~”

Alice blushed at Edenia’s gesture, her delicate face tinted red.

But she did not dislike the closeness.

In fact, she almost wished for even more intimacy.

“Liking me…?”

She reached out to gently pat Edenia’s little head, her heart flustered by the girl’s words.

And for some reason, when she heard Edenia say she liked her, her heartbeat suddenly quickened.

Considering herself to have normal orientation, Alice didn’t recognize what this feeling was.

She could only assume it was the pleasant sensation of being praised by someone so beautiful.

‘Perhaps… we really did meet somewhere before, and became very good friends…

But for some reason I forgot, making it feel as if she suddenly appeared as a close companion…

Wait…

Suddenly appearing… very close… pure and flawless…?’

At that moment, Alice suddenly recalled something.

The prophecy spoke of someone who would be close to her, pure and flawless, one who cherished all living things, a miracle descending from the starry sky—the only one who could break the deadlock.

Putting aside the part about cherishing all living things, Alice felt this lovely girl called Edenia absolutely fit the descriptions of “pure and flawless” and “a miracle beneath the stars.”

After all, when she appeared, the empty black void truly had transformed into a starry sky.

And the feeling Edenia gave her matched perfectly with the idea of purity and flawlessness.

‘Could it be… she’s the one from the prophecy?

But why is she appearing now?

The events from the prophecy haven’t happened yet…

Or… does this mean the Kingdom of Augilis has already come under full attack?’

Thinking of this possibility, Alice’s heart grew tense again.

“Oh my ♪ Don’t make that face~ It doesn’t suit such a cute girl at all~ Little Alice looks cutest when she’s smiling~”

A voice pulled Alice from her thoughts.

Edenia had released her and was now cupping Alice’s cheeks in her hands.

Her face was so close their noses touched.

“There’s no need to worry~ Nothing has happened outside~”

Alice stared blankly into those breathtaking eyes before her.

Slowly, her tension melted away, and she spoke.

“Then… how did you appear, Little Eden?”

“Because I heard your call, little Alice ♪”

“My call?”

“Yes! Your unwillingness, your yearning for a miracle to descend, your wish to save others even at the cost of yourself…

All of that told me you had never once chosen to give up~

And that selfless devotion naturally summoned me here~”

Hearing this, Alice thought for a moment, then asked,

“So, Little Eden really did come because of my prayer?”

“That’s right ♪ Please believe me, little Alice. No matter when, I will always be here—your smiling, pink young lady, guarding you by your side ♪”

Edenia’s words were heartfelt, carrying no trace of falsehood.

Alice felt the warmth in the touch of her hand and closed her eyes.

After a few seconds, when she opened them again, a stunning smile graced her face.

This time, it was she who reached forward and embraced Edenia’s delicate form.

Her voice trembled as she said,

“Thank goodness… truly thank goodness… I thought in the end no one could be saved… but with you here… it’s such a relief…”

At the end of the day, Alice was still just a newly grown young girl.

Even as the second princess of the Kingdom of Augilis, even with her maturity, faced with such a life-threatening situation where she had no power to resist, the fragility hidden in her heart could not help but surface.

The fact she had endured until the end with only a single tear shed already made her an exceptionally strong child.

Edenia’s appearance gave Alice hope, stripping away all her hidden weakness beneath the warmth of her presence.

That was why Alice’s emotions were so stirred, why her voice trembled as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

But Edenia would not let Alice cry now, because…

“Only tears shed after victory can become tears of joy~ So, little Alice, endure just a little longer.

When all is over, I’ll hold you tight and let you cry as much as you want ♪”

As they parted from their embrace, Edenia gently wiped away Alice’s tears, smiling all the while.

“Mhm, thank you, Little Eden.”

Alice smiled back, gazing at the girl who had suddenly appeared yet already felt so close.

Now, she began to understand what the prophecy meant by “intimate with her.”

Someone like this—surely anyone who met her would quickly become a dear friend.

Or rather, there was simply no way anyone could refuse the chance to befriend someone so wonderful.

Thinking this, Alice glanced up at the starry sky around them, then asked,

“So what should we do now?

This space seems to have no distance at all—it feels impossible to find a way out.”