When she finished dinner and left the girls to prepare for the war games in the morning, she suddenly realized that the whole academy had been consumed by intense preparations for the event. The atmosphere was filled with anxiety, as bodies were scattered around like ants rushing to their next destination. 

It was somewhere close to midnight, and it seemed like everyone had just woken up. Amidst the pandemonium, she found out that most of the facilities for the next few days and educational sessions were canceled. This meant she was going to be stuck with her cousin on a 72-hour basis due to it.

As she sat calmly at the end of a bed in one of the infirmary rooms, all she heard the moment she walked in was the first degree of why she had not been there at the crack of dawn. Eko's eyes rolled; the crack of dawn was nearly 18 hours ago.

Madison had spent the best week of her life in the infirmary healing from the attack, and she wanted to slow down the process to maintain some sanity. This meant that she had refused to use her powers to heal Madison's injuries, telling her that they had to wait it out to avoid suspicion.

She was not in favor of that whatsoever. Eager to get out of the infirmary, she didn't trust her cousin being alone in the academy, susceptible to any form of influence from these so-called peacekeeping soldiers. Especially from a certain Commander that she had despised more and more. Every time Sera visited, her ridiculous smile seemed to grow brighter and longer, suggesting that her fan-girl obsession was spiraling out of control.

Madison, feeling restless and anxious, found it increasingly difficult to get information from her cousin about when they were leaving. Each time she tried to steer the conversation in that direction, Eko seemed to deflect. Madison decided that confronting her cousin was the best course of action.

"Have you got this little obsession off your chest now? Slept with that disgusting pig enough to finally see reason?" Madison's words cut through the room.

"Wow?" Eko's eyes widened, taken aback by the hostility. "I know it's late, but do you want me to get you some coffee? Clearly, you're in an asshole mood," Eko snipped, adding a touch of sarcasm. "Or some Prozac?"

"Wash your mouth out, Sera!"

"Can you not!" Eko barked, her smile faded, replaced by a harsh frown. "It's Eko. How many times do I need to tell you to use my name?" The tension hung thick in the air, and Madison's frustration seemed to intensify.

"I am using your name," Madison leaned into the pillows, "And I disapprove of the specific name you call yourself, I disapprove of him, and I disapprove of your obsession with spreading your legs for him. We have discussed this."

"Yes, at length," Eko replied, gazing down at her nails. She was in desperate need of a manicure; this was probably the longest she had gone without one.

As Madison continued to voice her disapproval, Eko's thoughts wandered. She couldn't fathom why Madison had taken it upon herself to restore her title and prevent her from being further drawn into what she eloquently described as a 'corrupted' world. Eko felt a surge of anxiety every time Madison pressed the issue, as if she couldn't comprehend the need for some breathing space.

"I want you here first thing in the morning," Madison barked, suddenly redirecting Eko's attention back to her. "I have asked to be discharged immediately."

"I do have a few classes after the break-"

"Ridiculous, you don't need to do all of that to fit in, especially since we'll be leaving soon," Madison said, her voice softening. "You're well-educated enough regardless. They couldn't possibly have the education that you have had."

Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the four walls around her.

"Maddy," Eko's voice lowered, "we are not leaving here anytime soon."

"We will be, in fact," Madison patted the bedding before her, "and I am disappointed that you still won't transport us to Mein."

"Because I can't. My powers don't reach that far. I've told you this."

"I find that you are deliberately doing this now."

"Mads," Eko whined, "please don't go on about this. I'm tired of arguing every time I visit. It's getting unbearable."

"I'll keep bringing it up until you understand. Honestly, to be blunt—"

"-when aren't you?" Eko interrupted.

"—you're infatuated by him."

"You're infatuated by him," Eko mimicked in a girly tone, imitating her.

"Quit acting like a child!"

"Pot calling the kettle black," Eko groaned, folding her arms over her chest and glaring at Madison. Before Madison could express her true thoughts, a figure interrupted them, and both women turned their heads toward the intruder.

"Speaking of the devil," Madison said snidely watching the Commander enter the room, lingering at the entrance of the doors.

Eko turned her head to the side with disdain at Madison's snide remark, as the slumped and annoyed figure found herself now staring at a certain Commander.

"I prefer Commander," Matthew stated, addressing Madison's stare. "If you're going to speak about me."

"She wasn't, and we weren't," Eko shook her head, feeling irritated, the tension coursing through every fiber of her being.

Matthew observed the strained atmosphere between the two women and noticed Eko giving Madison a stern look, silently urging her to keep quiet.

"We were, in fact, discussing you. Is there a reason for your presence at this ungodly hour?" Madison said, ignoring Eko's warning look and continuing to glare at Matthew.

Madison still couldn't fathom how her cousin could be attracted to such a person. In her view, there was nothing refined about the soldier. He lacked grace, elegance, and intelligence, appearing as just another mindless human unwilling to think for himself when it came to the war.

To her, he was a vile child, a product of chaos and destruction, possessing no real-world educational skills. He wouldn't comprehend concepts like compassion or empathy; he was too far gone to grasp these basic human qualities.

Above all, he was the last person on these planets, given his actions, to understand the kind of person her cousin was—a future Queen and a warrior who would  crush him.

Madison knew that once she was released from the infirmary, she would put an end to this. She planned to save her cousin from him and this world she had immersed herself in— all of it was due to the grief in her bones.

"I was leaving," As Eko abruptly rose from the bed and marched past him, Matthew's hand grasped her wrist, causing her to stop and look up at him. "See you upstairs," she muttered softly. Then, flinging her head over her shoulder towards her cousin, she added, "Good night, Maddy," in a sarcastic tone. Madison waved her off, and as Eko left, Matthew was left staring at Madison. Taking advantage of the situation, she rested back against the pillows, folding her arms.

"Is it not obvious that you're not wanted here?" Madison's gaze locked with his.

Despite her remark, he chose not to engage and spoke with a monotone voice, "Madison, when you're released tomorrow, please go to Cid first."

Madison rolled her eyes, broke the eye contact, and dismissed him with a scoff. "You can leave now," she said dismissively.

Matthew took a moment to collect himself. Every part of him wanted to react to her tone and words. However, in that crucial moment, an idea dawned on him, and he grappled with fully understanding it.

It was as if a lightbulb had switched on in his mind, and he started to connect the dots.

Her demeanor.

Her comments.

The manner in which Eko submitted to her... a realization completely enveloped Matthew, compelling him to turn on his heel.

How could he have not seen it?

Madison was the princess. Madison was Seraphina—she had just chosen to conceal it.

His thoughts churned, and he understood that this revelation would clarify many of the observations he had made. It would account for Eko's submission to her and the protective nature she displayed toward her "cousin," assuming they were indeed related.

At that moment, a revelation struck him: he needed to keep them in close proximity and ensure their safety until Eko felt comfortable enough to divulge the full extent of the situation.

He just needed Eko's trust, ensuring her confidence in his commitment to protecting both of them from any potential harm. This was a matter he planned to address once he returned home the following week, allowing him the time and space to strategize the appropriate course of action with this newfound information.

OOOHHHHH so close Matthew, sooo close.....

Voteeeeeeeee....... your gonna wanna know how this goes down!