The days following her meeting with Caius had been nothing short of a haze for Mirelith. The weight of his rejection lingered in the depths of her heart, a constant ache that refused to fade. The once vibrant spark of hope she had carried within her for so long seemed to flicker out, leaving only an emptiness that stretched endlessly before her.

The palace, though bustling with its usual activity, felt quieter, colder to her. She walked its halls with a shadow hanging over her, her steps slower, her smile more infrequent. Even the servants and nobles who crossed her path seemed to sense the shift in her. Gone was the radiant confidence of the woman who had once commanded a room with a glance. In its place was someone who carried an invisible weight on her shoulders.

It was in one of the many quiet moments of reflection, as she sat by the window in her chambers gazing out over the peaceful garden, that Mia and Sophia found her.

Mia was the first to speak, her voice gentle but firm. "Mirelith, you've been locked away in here for far too long. You have to come out with us. We need you."

Sophia, standing beside her, crossed her arms and added, "Mia's right. You can't keep hiding away from everyone. We're your friends, and we won't let you wallow in this alone."

Mirelith turned toward them, a flicker of a sad smile tugging at her lips. "I'm not hiding," she said, though her voice was quiet, subdued. "I'm just... thinking. Processing everything."

Mia walked over to her and sat beside her on the window seat. Her brown eyes were warm with concern, and her voice dropped to a soft whisper. "You can think, yes. But you also need to heal. And you don't heal by being alone, Mirelith."

Sophia leaned in as well, her usual fiery demeanor tempered by a rare gentleness. "Mirelith, I know you've been hurt. I can see it. But don't forget—you're not alone in this. You've always been the strong one, the one who holds us all together. But even the strongest need help sometimes."

Mirelith closed her eyes for a moment, taking in their words. She had always prided herself on being strong, on never letting anyone see her weakness. But in the face of Caius's rejection, that strength had faltered. She had built her hopes so high on the idea of them, of their future together, and now, with the ground ripped out from beneath her, she didn't know how to stand tall anymore.

"I don't know how to move on from this," Mirelith admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I thought he was the one. I thought... maybe, just maybe, there was a future for us. But now... I don't even know who I am without that dream."

Sophia softened, stepping closer and placing a hand on Mirelith's shoulder. "Mirelith, you are so much more than just a dream. You're an incredible woman—strong, brave, and capable of so much more than just loving someone who doesn't feel the same way."

Mia nodded in agreement, squeezing her friend's hand. "You've done so much for this kingdom, for us. You're a queen in your own right, Mirelith. And no one can take that from you."

For a moment, Mirelith said nothing, letting their words wash over her like a soothing balm. She didn't feel like a queen. She felt broken, like a puzzle missing pieces, unsure of how to put herself back together. But perhaps, in time, she could.

"Thank you," she whispered finally, her voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what I would do without you two."

Sophia smiled brightly, though it was tinged with sadness. "You don't have to find out. We're not going anywhere."

Mia gave a soft laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "And honestly, Caius isn't the only man in the world. I know it doesn't feel like it now, but one day, you'll meet someone who deserves you, Mirelith. Not someone who's too busy being angry at the world to see what's right in front of him."

Mirelith couldn't help but chuckle at Mia's words, though her heart still ached. "Maybe," she said, though her voice carried a hint of doubt. "But for now, I just need to focus on getting through this."

Sophia crouched down in front of her, her eyes filled with empathy. "And you will. One step at a time. We'll help you find your way again, Mirelith. Together."

As the afternoon sun slowly sank below the horizon, Mirelith felt a flicker of warmth in her heart. Her friends, unwavering in their support, had reminded her of something she had almost forgotten: that no matter what happened with Caius, she was still strong, still worthy of love, and still capable of great things.

She wasn't defined by one man, one rejection, one dream. She was Mirelith. And that, in the end, was more than enough.

"Alright," Mirelith said softly, standing up and wiping away a stray tear. "I'll come with you. I'll stop hiding. For now, at least."

Sophia grinned, her usual fire returning. "That's the spirit!" she said, giving Mirelith a playful shove. "Now, let's go do something that'll get your mind off this mess."

Mia linked arms with her, her gentle, supportive energy radiating from her. "Together," she said, her voice steady and comforting. "We'll get through this together."

And for the first time in days, Mirelith allowed herself to smile, a small but genuine smile. The road ahead would be difficult, the pain of her unrequited love would still linger, but with her friends by her side, perhaps the journey wouldn't be as lonely as she had once feared.

Together, they would face whatever came next. And maybe, just maybe, she would find herself again.