:

The Archangel was already gone from her sight, but she stayed saluting for a while, and even after she lowered her arm, kept her eyes in the direction.

Her brother who had been supporting her fight more than anyone was gone. Her friends and comrades who had helped her and fought along with her during her search for the answer were gone. The soldiers who had come to her at Crete were gone. Her boyfriend who had just returned was gone. They all had left for space, leaving her behind.

However, she wasn't feeling lonely.

Not just because Kisaka stayed with her. Well, she was glad she had him back by her side, but she would be fine even if he left as well. They were all fighting their battles. They were all fighting for the same future though they weren't in the same place. She trusted them.

A part of her still wished she had been able to go to space with the Archangel, which she would have done two years ago. Yet, she was mostly calm, not restless.

Engaging in combats wasn't the only way to fight. There were times she needed to step back and entrust some jobs to other people so that she could do different things. To the people she could trust to do the job, the people willing to help her.

And she firmly believed that her choice to fight political battle instead of military battle was right for her. That it was best to fulfill her wishes. It was what she herself had decided she should do now.

She wouldn't let anyone decide it again. She had to make her own decision on what to do instead of doing what other people told her to, what they said was right.

It didn't mean she wasn't going to listen to other people. She needed their advices and help. In the end, however, the decision was hers and hers alone, as the responsibility of the decision was. It wouldn't change whether she took someone's advice or rejected it.

What someone said was best wasn't necessarily so in order to achieve what she wanted to, in order to protect what she wanted to. It didn't matter whether they meant well or whether they actually believed what they said. What was truly right for them still might not be right for her at all. She had to think about her own goal, ask her own heart, and find her own answer.

She had those she wanted to protect. She had what she wanted to obtain. She had a self she wanted to become. She had a future she wanted to create. She had a life she wanted to live. She had dreams she wanted to realize.

They were her wishes. So she was the one to fulfill them, to decide how to fulfill them.

It was what it truly meant to be an adult.

Not everyone would like it. Not everyone would understand. Not everyone would accept. Not everyone would agree. Not everyone would fight along with her. It couldn't be helped. But even if many people said it was wrong, even if someone she loved didn't agree with her, she had to follow through on her decision if she still believed it was the way to the future she wanted, if it was what she really wanted to do. Otherwise, she couldn't reach where she wanted to go.

This was her life, and she was the one who took control of it. She wouldn't let anyone steal it from her, dictate her life as if it was theirs to live. She wouldn't hand over the control to anyone, let anyone decide what and how she fought.

Neither would she let any country do it to Orb. Orb had to be independent. It should protect itself from those trying to violate the boundaries. It shouldn't violate the boundaries of other countries. And it shouldn't interfere with other country's affairs as if they were its own. Other countries' affairs were theirs to handle, like Orb's affairs were Orb's to handle. Of course there were times they needed to send help to or ask for help from others, times they should cooperate to solve international problems. Still, they should respect other countries' autonomy and make sure others respected theirs. It was crucial to maintain peaceful and equal relationships, to create a world where every country, everyone could coexist peacefully and happily.

Orb wouldn't surrender or submit; it would fight to protect its freedom and independence.

Now she truly understood why Orb's principles were important. Although she had always wanted to defend them, she had not given a serious thought to the reason. The reason she should follow them.

The principles had always been there to follow and defend. It had been so natural for her to do it. She had never doubted their righteousness, especially after her father had died defending them. She had wanted to preserve the principles, her father's legacy, what her father had entrusted to her.

It was probably partly why she had not been able to keep standing up against the other Representatives and defending the principles. She had not clearly realized why defending them was important to protect Orb, and had known it deep down. It had strengthened her feeling of insecurity, her doubt in herself, and eventually caused her to cave in and give up on herself.

Also, the principles were the symbol of the Orb of the past. She had fervently and desperately wanted to get back and protect the peaceful Orb, the country her father had devoted himself to protecting, the country that had once been lost along with her father. She had not wanted to lose it again.

However, what she had to do wasn't getting back the past, making Orb how it had been. She had to create Orb's future, make it the country that would continue to thrive. She had to change the ways things were in this country if it was necessary while protecting its core.

The change the Sarans had intended to make was wrong, she could say with certainty. But it didn't mean any changes were wrong. She just had to carefully assess the present situation and the possible outcomes and decide what was truly best for Orb: adopting a new way or preserving a traditional way. It was her true duty.

She had learned it at great cost. Thinking about the result of her decisions, and the Sarans' decisions, stirred anger in her which caused her chest to hurt. Anger toward both herself and the Sarans and their supporters.

Her hands curled into fists, she bit her lip. She wouldn't forget this anger and pain. She would keep it in her heart as a warning, a reminder of the importance of her power and the gravity of her responsibility.

She closed her eyes, and several moments later, slowly let out a breath to calm herself down. Opening her eyes, she looked at the calm water of the sea, which further soothed her.

At the same time, however, she shouldn't dwell too much on the past, which would be repeating the same mistake. What she should focus on was the present and the future, how to protect Orb now. Which was why she was defending the principles. She wasn't doing it because it was the tradition, or because it was what her father had done. But because she believed in them, that defending them would protect Orb's future.

She couldn't take back her past decisions. She couldn't undo her mistakes. The only thing she could do was reduce the damage, make up for the mistakes, and try to prevent the same thing from happening. She couldn't save those who had died because of her anymore, but there were still those she could protect, those she should protect. Those she wanted to protect. She was resolved to protect them with all her might.

Not that she was going to throw away her happiness for it, though. Protecting what was important to you even if it meant sacrificing yourself didn't mean that you would throw yourself away as if it didn't matter. That you would give up protecting yourself without doing everything you could do to find another way, a way to protect both yourself and what you cared about.

It wasn't how or why her father had died. He had not given up. He had not just sacrificed his life because he thought he had no other choice. It had been his way to fight. He had been fighting until the last moment in order to live the life he wanted to.

She knew he had loved her very much. And he had known how much she loved him. He had cherished his life and his loved ones. He had not liked to part with her or the others he loved. But still, he had chosen to sacrifice himself. Not because he thought his life or happiness didn't matter, but because he believed it was what he should do to create the future he wished for.

It might have been a wrong decision. There might have been a better way. But she was sure he had firmly believed in his way until his last breath, believed that it was best for him.

She had always known it, known his determination, even when she was trying to make him change his mind and come with her to space. She had done it anyway for she couldn't bear making no attempt. Still, she had been painfully aware his resolve was unshakable by anything, even by her plea. Which hurt a lot.

There was still some sadness in her heart about his death, about his decision to part with her. A part of her still wished he had chosen a different way. Maybe it always would.

Nevertheless, she understood and admired him. She was his daughter. She had not inherited his blood, but inherited his determination and devotion, his strength and passion. She had inherited his heart. She had the same fire burning within her. The desire to fight to protect what was important to her, protect what she loved. Even at the cost of her life.

She had meant it when she said she would rather be burned together with Orb than just watch it being burned without doing anything. The feeling was still inside her, as true as then.

It didn't mean she would like it or want it, though. Nor was it what she should do. No matter how strong her desire and determination were, it didn't guarantee what she did was right. That she did what she could do didn't mean it would surely help her accomplish her goals.

Jumping into flames to perish together might make her feel good, but wouldn't save Orb or anyone. The only thing it would do was cause pain to those who loved her and disappoint those who trusted her.

If she truly wanted to protect what she cared about, she had to closely consider her options, create a new one if possible, and choose what to do instead of jumping to the first option in front of her. She had to battle her fear and desperation as much as she could so that they wouldn't blind her. She had to control her desire to do something so that she could make a wiser decision.

Besides, even if her father had just given up and abandoned himself, it didn't mean she had to choose the same way or would.

She was resolved to fulfill her duties as her father had, as her family had been doing: serving and protecting Orb. She wanted to be a good leader like her father. However, she had to find her own definition of a good leader. She had to lead her own way instead of trying to follow her father's way. Because she wasn't him. She could never be her father. She was herself, and could never be anything else. She wouldn't try to.

Her father would understand—no, he would want it. He would want her to be herself.

He had had his faith in her, not because he thought she could fulfill the role of his replacement, but because he believed in her. Because he believed she was capable of learning and growing into a person who could use her power well, who could protect what she wanted to protect while being herself. He had seen her as who she was and trusted her for who she was.

It was how he had always been. Even when he pointed out her ignorance, even when he reprimanded her for careless actions, he had always loved her. No matter what choices or mistakes she made. He had accepted every part of her including the ignorance, the carelessness, or mistakes. It was the father she had known.

During her struggle after his death, she seemed to have lost sight of her father, and of herself. But she had regained it and would keep a secure hold on it.

"I'm happy to have been your father." At the voice echoing in her mind, her body felt warm, enveloped and filled with love. A genuine smile broke over her face.

And I'm happy to have been your daughter. I'll always be.

It wasn't easy to carry the Athha name. It wasn't easy to be the daughter of the Lion of Orb. But she had never regretted being her father's daughter. She never would.

She was going to protect Orb and her loved ones, and have a happy life. As her father had hoped. As her father had lived.

She would never give up her happiness again. She would fight for her happiness, for herself. She wouldn't let anyone make her abandon a part of her, whether her wish to protect Orb or her wish to be with her loved ones, and thus turn herself into something else. Even for those she loved. She would become the self she wanted to be, not what she was forced or told to be, not what other people wanted or expected her to be.

Although she wouldn't continue her father's legacies just because they were her father's legacies, she would still follow his example. She would be a leader—a person who wouldn't give up. She was determined to keep at least that one legacy of his unchanged.

She would fight until the last moment for both herself and what she loved, and if she still couldn't find a way to protect both, then, and only then, she would choose to sacrifice herself for what she loved. Not to become something other than herself, but to become what she wanted to be, how she wanted to be. Not because she ignored her happiness, but because she considered it. Because doing so would make her happier than doing otherwise would. Because it was the way that she believed led to her happiness.

She knew with no doubt that protecting what she loved made her happy. Therefore, she would defend her freedom and right to do so, which included not misusing it, not exercising it the way it would make her unhappy.

Never would she make those she loved the reason of her unhappiness. She would never degrade her love for them like that. She would protect her love.

She knew how valuable love was. Although loving could be tough, it was still wonderful. She didn't doubt it and wouldn't let anyone tell her otherwise. Love was what made her feel happy and strong, and she would never give it up, never give up believing in it. Her love for Orb. Her love for other people. Other people's love for her.

She wouldn't let her love weaken her. She would let it strengthen her, turning it into her power to remain herself.

She didn't have to choose between being herself and protecting what mattered to her, or between being herself and becoming happy. There was another way, the way she believed in.

She believed that being who she was wouldn't prevent her from accomplishing those goals; on the contrary, it was what was essential.

She needed to be herself to become happy. And she believed—knew that she could be loved by other people the way her father had loved her. That there were many people who accepted her, supported her, and loved her for who she was, not for what they wanted her to be. She didn't have to abandon who she was and become something else no matter who wanted her to.

Furthermore, she should not give up being happy or being herself, even. Because it meant giving up the power to protect those she wanted to, or worse, hurting them. She needed to protect herself first if she wanted to protect others.

The desire for happiness was what gave you the strength to continue struggling, to hang on to the edge of the land even when it seemed much easier to let go of your grip and let the torrent pull you under.

If she gave up her desires and wishes, abandon her heart, then she would be a mindless puppet who only had her power to fulfill someone's orders. Feelings were hardly enough to protect what you wanted to. But without them, you couldn't do anything.

In order to fulfill her duties and justify the trust others placed in her, she had to be her own person, not a puppet, whether it was of someone else or of fate. In order to keep fighting for what was important to her until the last moment, whether it was Orb or her loved ones, she had to be herself with her own will and wishes.

It was a part of her responsibility.

Her decision to sacrifice herself and become a tool had been wrong not only for herself. By making the decision, she had inflicted pain and suffering on other people, the people she was supposed to protect, the people she wanted to protect.

Not just her boyfriend, her family and friends, or the soldiers who had died. Coordinator citizens had lived in anxiety while the Sarans were completely in charge and Orb was in alliance with the AF. There had been some casualties of civilians during the ZAFT attack. All citizens had been shocked and upset by the attack.

She had not been able to see how much she was actually sacrificing. She had not been able to do her job as the Chief Representative well.

Fortunately, she had been given a second chance. Most of the people in the government and the military, and the public opinion, were still willing to let her continue the job, at least for now. It wasn't exactly the best time for the change of power.

She didn't know how long she would have. Maybe until the war ended. Maybe until Orb recovered from the damage of this war. Maybe some more years.

But it didn't really matter. She was the head of this country now, and she was going to do her best while she was allowed to be in the position. And after that. She would resign sooner or later, but she wouldn't stop even if she wasn't obligated to work for Orb anymore.

Even if she was deprived of her position, her family name, and her power and authority, even if the people of Orb didn't forgive her, it wouldn't change what she did, her choice. She wasn't doing this because she wanted rewards or to make amends. Not because people expected or asked her to. Not just because she had power and authority, and thus duty. Not just because of her father.

She didn't want to protect Orb because she was a part of the Athha family, the Chief Representative, or the daughter of Uzumi Narah Athha. She was in her position and maintained her status because she wanted to protect Orb. The country where she had grown up. The country where those she cared about lived. The country where she wanted to spend a life with her loved ones. The country—the place where she wanted to be.

This was her own desire, her own dream, and no one could take it away from her.

It wasn't to say she didn't need the Athha name, and the power it gave her. Her father was right. Although asking for too much power was problematic, unreasonably refusing to have power was also foolish.

But her name wasn't the reason she fought. Her feelings were the reason; her name, her power, was a means to fight the battle she had decided she should fight, the battle she wanted to fight.

She wouldn't become a slave to her duties, which was no different from becoming a puppet. She would fulfill her duties as herself, because it was what she wanted to do, how she wanted to live her life.

To live was a bigger fight than to give up and sacrifice your life. And to remain yourself was a bigger fight than to give up and sacrifice yourself, abandon your will, wishes, or happiness. She could see now that it was an essential part of the battle of living. It was more difficult and took a lot of effort, tenacity, and patience, but it was the way she believed in and how she fought.

It was her answer.

Hearing quiet footsteps, she turned her face to find a very familiar figure.

Stopping at her side, Kisaka coolly said, "I took care of it."

She raised an inquiring eyebrow. "Of what?"

He raised a meaningful one. "I made sure no one would spread inappropriate rumors about our Chief Representative and a lieutenant colonel."

She felt her face instantly heat up, remembering there had been an audience when she and Athrun shared a tight hug.

Kisaka continued nonchalantly, "You two better find a private place next time you wanna get touchy-feely."

"It was just a hug. It's not like we did something inappropriate in public," she protested. "And it was a part of the ceremony anyway. He wasn't the only one I hugged."

"Except your hug with him looked more intimate than those with the others."

Her face turning redder, she glared at him.

He wordlessly flustered her a little more before his face and tone turned sober, which she was quite used to. "But seriously, you should be careful. Those who were present in the ceremony are on your side. However, it'll be troublesome if media or someone who doesn't like your relationship—or either of you—gets wind of it. It's not a good time for you to go public. And I can't always look out for you."

"Yeah, I know," she answered, her face and tone similar to his.

Despite his history as a ZAFT soldier, the objection toward Athrun joining the Orb's military had not been strong. Kira and Athrun, or more like the Strike Freedom and the Infinite Justice, were popular among soldiers since they were considered as the key players in the successful defense against ZAFT, along with the Archangel, and herself and the Akatsuki. Not to mention Orb was in urgent need of strong military power and excellent warriors like them.

In addition to the stronger political power she had gained mostly due to the fall of the Sarans, she could expect more support from the military. It would be less difficult for her to govern the country as well as to protect her relationship with Athrun.

However, some people were still skeptical about Athrun's loyalty, especially because of his decision to rejoin ZAFT despite working as an Orb citizen and for Orb at that time. Some other people were showing an unfavorable attitude toward him because of his genetics. Even though military was one of the areas that historically had a high number of Coordinators, it was still not free from discriminations or prejudice toward Coordinators. Let alone the government and the public. Her and Athrun's relationship was a matter that required a careful handling.

She wouldn't make the same mistake. She would be more prudent so that she could protect Athrun and their relationship. So that she could protect both Athrun and Orb. Their relationship had to be kept secret for now.

She didn't like keeping secrets, and it wasn't right that their relationship should be considered wrong only because of his genetics. However, that she said the truth or the right thing—or at least what she believed was right—didn't mean other people would accept her words. Like it had not worked during her attempt to stop the Orb forces. Even though she was actually Cagalli Yula Athha and their Chief Representative, she had not been able to convince them to obey her.

It wasn't to say that her and her comrades' efforts had been meaningless. Dozens of lives had been saved because of the interventions. Some soldiers had still responded to her words, giving his life to protect her or deciding to follow her later. She had been powerless and probably not acting wisely, but they had still trusted her and chosen to support her, for which she was enormously thankful.

Nevertheless, she couldn't deny her strategy had not been sufficient; she had failed to save many of the soldiers. She needed a better strategy than just naively insisting she was telling the truth and asking people to support her cause.

She needed more than that, because she wanted more. She wanted to protect more.

She now understood and accepted it, accepted the reality, which meant figuring out what she was lacking and what she needed to do to make up for it, not telling herself she couldn't do anything and giving up.

Thus, she had opted to talk to Jona sweetly so that he would validate her authority, which was necessary for her to have the power to defend Orb from the ZAFT attack.

There were times when approaching things in a roundabout way could be more effective than doing it head-on. Although she had no intention to become what others wanted her to be, going along with their expectations, playing a role they expected her to, was useful. It didn't have to and shouldn't become who she was, but it was still a weapon she could use to accomplish her goal.

And she was determined to use any means, even those she didn't like, in order to protect. She just needed to have control over it, decide herself when and how to use it instead of letting others tell her that, protect her boundaries.

There wasn't always someone who guided her into a safe path and shielded her from danger. She had to look out for herself and protect herself, maintaining the power to do it. It was ultimately no one's job but her own, and she needed to do the job better. She wasn't a child dependent on someone else for protection anymore.

"I'll talk with him about it when he comes back," she told Kisaka.

He reached out a hand to pat her back, his face reassuring. "It doesn't mean you can't count on me or others, though. We've got your back. You're not alone."

With trustful eyes, she smiled brightly at him. "I know."

Being her own person and protecting herself didn't mean she didn't or shouldn't accept other people's help and protection. There were many things she couldn't do yet. There were many things she couldn't do on her own. She was supported and protected by many people including her father. Not only was his love protecting her heart, his legacy was also protecting her even though he was no longer by her side or in this universe. His and her family name as well.

She shouldn't rely on them too much and should try to establish her own name, to get people to trust her not as an Athha or the daughter of Uzumi Narah Athha but as herself. But she didn't have to reject the benefits her family name or her father's reputation offered to her. They were more than useful and she needed them. She was going to use everything she had in her battle.

And it was all right. She couldn't do everything by herself. No one could live by themselves. She didn't have to fight by herself.

She wasn't alone. She had never been and would never be. There had always been people who cared about her and tried to help her, even when she felt alone. And they would always be there. Even if she lost someone she loved—her father, her boyfriend, her brother, her best friend—there would be other people who loved her, other people she loved. No matter how strong the pain of loss was, or no matter how much she suffered from her mistakes, she could always recover with their help. She could be fine and happy again with them.

She could always find support and love as long as she kept looking. As long as she kept the fire inside her alive.

And it was your belief there was someone trying to reach you and help you claw your way out of the predicament that kept the fire of hope burning, encouraging you to keep your grip.

At the same time, though, she should be careful about whom she relied on. If she trusted a wrong person, the consequence could be disastrous, not just for her but also for Orb. Like it had almost happened with the Sarans.

Believing in someone was one thing, and wanting to believe in someone was another. She had not been exactly aware of it when she took her position. She had wanted trustworthy, reliable allies. Someone who loved Orb as much as she did, someone who believed in Orb's principles like herself, someone who was willing to fight and protect Orb along with her. And the desire had clouded her judgement.

She had believed that the Sarans had the desire and intention to protect Orb and its principles. That the Sarans valued the neutrality of Orb and the equal treatment of Naturals and Coordinators. Like her father, her uncle, the other Representatives who had died during the previous war, and herself. Because they were all from noble families, shouldering the same responsibilities. Because the Sarans said they cared about Orb and appeared to mean it.

She had been ignorant of their differences, which she in fact had had to pay most attention to, and fallen under their control.

She didn't say the Sarans and their supporters had not cared about Orb. They probably had in their own ways. Only what they had tried to protect was different from what she did. How they had wanted Orb to be and how she wanted Orb to be were different. They had wanted different kinds of future for Orb.

Not that she shouldn't have cooperated with them at all. It was the opposite. She should have cooperated with them better, trying to find a way she could make an agreement with them while protecting what she wanted to.

If someone's goal was different from hers, or they weren't a good person even, it didn't mean she couldn't trust them at all. She just needed to figure out how much and when she could trust them, on which point she could expect their support and on which she couldn't.

It had been utterly foolish of her to trust them blindly, especially without trying to know them well. True, the Sarans had deceived her, abused her trust, and manipulated her, which was their fault. But it didn't make her a blameless, helpless victim.

Even if you had not known of someone's wrongdoing, it was still a sin since you were the leader of a country. That was what she had said about her father, and it still stood true. She still believed it, believed that she was at least partially responsible for what the Sarans had done. That what had happened between her and the Sarans was her fault as well as theirs.

It didn't matter she had not known the Sarans' connection with Logos and Blue Cosmos. It didn't matter she had not been aware of their true intention. It didn't matter she had been rather short of time and resources to inquire about them even if she wanted to.

None of it changed any of the facts: she had placed her trust in them, helped them increase their power, and complied with their demands. She was the one who had made those choices, and therefore, had to take responsibility for them. She wouldn't let anyone take it away from her as much as she wouldn't her freedom and independence. As much as she wouldn't take those away from other people.

She believed that there was something she could do in order for herself or Orb not to get into the same situation. That she had the power to at least reduce the risk, the power to protect herself and those she cared about better. That she could use even the mistakes to her advantage.

It seemed the Sarans had believed that other people, like her, would act as they wanted them to. That what had once been effective was still effective even though the situation had changed. They probably had not been so different from her. Their mistakes and her mistakes probably had not been so different. She could and would use both her mistakes and the Sarans' mistakes to make a wiser decision in the future.

She needed to keep it in mind to try to know as much as possible about someone's goals or what kind of person they were. And see beyond them.

Because the opposite was also true. She couldn't trust someone to do what she wanted them to just because they were a good person or shared a goal with her. A good person, a good friend, even someone she loved, or someone who loved her might not be trusted when it came to a specific matter, or might be unable to support her even if they wanted to.

And you couldn't expect someone to fight along with you just because you had the same belief or goal. Everyone had their own principles, their own way. You could still have different ideas on how to follow the belief or accomplish the goal. Convincing them what you said was true or right wasn't necessarily enough.

Some, or even many, of the soldiers who had died at Crete had not agreed with the Sarans' way. But they still had chosen to follow Jona instead of her. Not because they thought Jona was right and she was wrong or believed she was an imposter; but because following orders was their way to protect what they cared about, the way that they believed was right. It had been their principle as a soldier, as a person who had strong power, and they had followed it through even at the cost of their lives. They were as admirable and respectable as those who chose to do what they believed was right even if it meant going against their superiors.

She wouldn't forget what they had taught her. She now knew she should find a better way to cooperate with them, a way she and they could fight together to achieve the shared goal without abandoning their own principles; the knowledge had helped her during the ZAFT attack on Orb. It was thanks to the soldiers who had defied her and admonished her as well as to those who followed her and supported her that she had been able to defend Orb.

Although individual power was important, there was a limit one person could do without help from others or the backing of an institution like country. If you wanted to do more than that, you needed more. Her name and her position didn't mean much without actual power, without the assurance of the country, without the support of other people, and she needed to find a way to have their approval if she wanted the power to govern and protect a country.

And one of the thigs she had to do in order to have it was pay attention to the power she had and to how to use it. Trust was a kind of power, and it needed to be used with caution just like any other kind. Otherwise, it could harm herself, other people, and even the person who received it.

Almost unconsciously, she touched the ring finger of her left hand. There was no ring on it now, but she felt safe and strong as if Athrun's feelings—his true feelings, not those she had imagined—were protecting her even when he wasn't around. The feel of his hug was lingering as if a part of him—of his heart—was still with her.

Looking into his determined and hopeful eyes after the hug, she had felt she could truly and completely trust him, more than ever. Maybe for the first time. The realization had come to her that a part of her had always been worried about his leaving her in one way or another. Even when she had believed, or wanted to believe, that he meant to come back to Orb and to her, she had been afraid he would neglect looking after himself and end up dead.

But now, the worry was gone. It felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. His warm hug and warm eyes had dissipated the cold fear deep down in her heart. The fear that had been there since the time she had given him the Haumea's amulet. The fear that had increased as her feelings for him did. The fear that had been strengthened by his repeated and reckless attempts to risk his life.

Since she was well aware of his tendency to try to sacrifice himself for the greater good, she had not been able to really trust him to take care of himself. She understood and admired his desire and determination to do what he believed was right even at the risk of his life. She knew very well that there were things you couldn't help doing even if it was dangerous, even if it worried or saddened your loved ones.

However, it didn't mean she was fine with his treating his safety so lightly, as if his life meant so little to him, or to anyone. The reason she had given him the protection stone in the first place was that she was worried he wouldn't properly protect himself because of despair.

And it had seemed he had not changed much since then. When they had talked a little ago while he was still in the infirmary, he had even said he kind of wanted to die and found it unfortunate that his condition was well enough, which reminded her of that time.

She had known that his words had not been really serious. He had been more moping than depressed. But still, she had not been able to help feeling anger, dread, and despair while reprimanding him. She had also known he was beating himself up again and feeling dejected due to his past actions. Although his emotional state had seemed to somewhat recover as his body did, she had not been able to believe that he was all right now. That he wouldn't be eager to sacrifice his life to end the war again, in an attempt to make amends for what he had done or to stop someone he had once trusted and supported.

She had thought that he had started to treat himself better when he chose to live two years ago. That he had made the choice because he cherished his life. Considering his actions and words since then, especially since the time of the fall of Junius Seven until now, however, it had seemed she had been mistaken. Or at least it had felt like he didn't value his life as much as she would like.

The fact she couldn't go with him to watch out for him this time had further strengthened her fear, to the extent she avoided facing him lest she lose the demeanor appropriate for the Chief Representative. Plus, she had not really known what to say, whether there was something she could say to make him take better care of himself if all the words she had given him so far had been ineffective.

Asking the red-haired girl to take care of him, the only thing she had felt she could do now to protect his life, had somewhat eased her worry. But it wasn't until he hugged her that she had been able to be truly relieved.

The hug had told her that now he could look after himself. That he would try to stay alive even if someone wasn't by his side taking care of him, reminding him to protect himself. He was stronger than she had thought.

And more accepting of her. He had accepted her entirely, including her devotion to Orb, and would keep fighting along with her for Orb, for the dream they shared—not just her dream.

Before this war, she had not understood much what it meant to him to be at her side, to be with her. She had taken his understanding and support for granted, not doubting he would accept her putting Orb first and fight for Orb together with her, which was a great mistake. She had overlooked how much dissatisfaction he actually had about the situation, about her being unable to choose him over Orb. About the life and future they would have as long as she was an Athha.

Just because he loved her and wanted to protect her, it didn't guarantee he could love Orb as well or was willing to fight for Orb. Just because they loved each other and wanted a life together, it didn't mean that the lives and futures they wanted were the same. That their dreams, what they wished for, were the same. That they could keep fighting together for the same dream for the rest of their lives.

Yet, she had been oblivious to it, and not taken time to consider whether they really could be happy together. Which was partly why she had not been able to see what he put into the ring was different from what she thought was, see the real reason he had given her the ring: his wish that she would choose to be with him even if it meant giving up protecting Orb.

Now she understood the life she wanted wasn't exactly the one he wanted—or at least the one he had wanted—and yet he was still willing to accept the frustration and troubles that kind of life caused him, because he wanted to be with her. He loved her and wanted a life with her that much.

The understanding made her truly appreciate him, appreciate the effort he made to be with her. It made her feel grateful, fortunate, and more than anything, happy. She was blissful, knowing how much he loved her. And her resolve to fight for her happiness, for their happiness, had grown stronger with every moment that passed since. As if his love and acceptance were stoking the fire within her.

She would tightly hold onto her happiness, not just for her own sake, but also for the sake of him and the others—including her father who was watching over her from the land of the dead—who loved her and wished for her happiness. She would become happy, and make Athrun happy.

She hoped he had understood at least part of how much his understanding and acceptance, his choice to stay with her, meant to her when she hugged him back. She wished she could have told that to him in words. But she had been choked with emotion during the hug, and there had not been enough time for them to talk after that.

Come to think of it, she shouldn't have avoided talking to him about their relationship before the ceremony. But she had been too afraid of finding out about his choice, nearly sure that he couldn't be with her anymore, which was another reason she avoided facing him. Although she had known the act of cowardice might hurt him and hated acting like that, she had still not been able to help it. The cowardice was a part of her after all. And he had accepted even that.

Anyway, what was past was past. She had not been able to talk with him, but she would be able to when he came back. There would be plenty of time for them to.

So come back safe, okay? She looked up at the sky once more.

She had many things she wanted to tell him. And she knew that he would be there to listen, and say what he wanted to tell her in return. That he would come back to talk with her.

Well, she was of course aware that his trying to survive the coming battle didn't mean he certainly would. It was possible he still couldn't make it despite his effort. But she knew he would fight his hardest and do everything he could to come back to her.

And that was enough. That was the best she, or anyone for that matter, could ask for; the knowledge was enough for her to maintain the belief they could reach the tomorrow they both wanted to have.

He was probably worried about her, too. He was a worrywart. But she knew he also trusted her. She had felt he knew her determination as much as she did his.

They both wouldn't give up. They would keep living and fighting together, protecting and supporting each other. Even when they weren't by each other's side. No matter how tough the battle was. No matter how hopeless it seemed. They would fight through until they reached the day they could be openly together. No matter how dark it got, she wouldn't stop believing in the daybreak.

And they would make their dream come true. Surely. She wasn't alone. They weren't alone.

She briefly closed her eyes and clasped her hands before her chest to pray to Haumea for safety for him and her other comrades again. It would probably become her habit until this war ended and they came home safely. It was the only thing she could do now to protect their lives, which was still a sad thing to think about. But she didn't shed any more tears.

They were still in a dark time. There was still a war going on. Orb was still in danger of being attacked. The world was still in turmoil. There were many hurdles she needed to overcome both at work and in private.

However, now she could see hope.

Along with other things she had not been able to, which seemed many indeed.

The thought reminded her of the lecture she had received lots of times: she tended to be single-minded, focusing too much on the matter at hand and overlooking other things.

Pursing her lips at the memories, she looked up at the man next to her, who was one of those that had reprimanded her about it.

"Hey, Kisaka." She waited until she had the man's full attention, firmly held his gaze, and said with sincerity, "Thank you for helping me."

It had just occurred to her that she had never properly thanked him even though he was always there supporting and protecting her.

She had not even realized how much support and protection she had been receiving until recently. She had been too used to someone looking after her without her asking them to, and taken it for granted. She had not been able to truly appreciate their help, both the help given because of love and the help given because of her family or her father. It seemed she had been such an ignorant child.

But now she was aware of her ignorance, which was a good thing. No one could know everything perfectly from the beginning, after all. When you came to realize what you had not known, though, you could try to learn and become more knowledgeable and mindful.

And the realization made her grateful that there were so many people who cared about her in her life, and proud that she had such an esteemed family name and a respected father. She was going to do her best to live up to them, to the faith people put in her and the support people gave her whatever the reason was. She was going to become a person they could be proud of having helped and supported, a person who deserved their trust and respect. Because she wanted to.

She straightened up further. There was so much on her back. The lives lost. The wishes they had entrusted her with. The flames that had burned Orb. Her duties and responsibilities. People's expectations for her. And their trust, support, and love.

Those were heavy loads hardly easy to bear, but they anchored her and urged her on. She wasn't by herself. She wasn't fighting for only herself. She had so many things, so many people to protect. So many she loved.

She felt powerful and fortunate once again.

Kisaka simply gave her a smile before tousling her hair as he sometimes had when she was younger, which made her both pout and smile.

She playfully swatted his arm before starting to walk toward a car waiting for them, looking over her shoulder at him. "Come on. Let's hurry. There are many things to deal with!"

As he began to follow her, he saluted with his lips quirked in a smile. "Yes, Chief Representative Athha."

Smiling at the title, she continued walking, her head held high, her steps confident, and her eyes looking forward.

She wasn't the daughter of the Chief Representative anymore. She wasn't just the daughter of the Lion of Orb anymore.

She was Cagalli Yula Athha, the daughter of Uzumi Narah Athha, the greatest man she had ever known and the greatest father in the universe.

She was the Chief Representative of Orb now. She was going to be the Lioness of Orb.

The End

A/N: I'm seriously wondering how come many fics of mine have managed to end up much longer than I expected it to be.

But anyway, the last part is actually closely related to "The Ring." I still tried to make it understandable without reading the fic, though Cagalli's (and Athrun's) sentiments on the ring may be still confusing.

You may have been confused as well about their kiss in GS. The scene in the remastered version is quite different from that in the original version, and this fic is based on the remastered version.

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I see Cagalli as a person who can be quite strong when she has her friends and loved ones around, or at least her allies and supporters, but can be quite weak when alone. My understanding is that she doesn't have much tolerance for isolation; it's one of the factors which caused her to give in to the demands of the Sarans.

After all, she has probably had a sheltered life, almost always surrounded by bodyguards and servants. She may not appear so with what she did in GS: rebelling against her father, leaving her home, and joining a resistance group. But even then, a bodyguard was by her side. She was still in the hands of her father, protected by him (and Kisaka, of course).

I think that's mostly why she is very trusting, which is her strength, and naive, which is her weakness. Her story in GSD seems to me to be mainly about trust.

That may also be partly why she is so open and adaptable. As stubborn as she is, she listens to others, learns from them, and is willing to change and grow. It's one of her strongest points, though it can be a weak point when she can't be stubborn enough.

She seems to be a quite fair person, too. Not to mention brave. She doesn't put the blame on only herself or only others, both of which are usually an unfair thing to do. For example, when she talked with Jona during the ZAFT attack on Orb, she acknowledged both herself and the Sarans were at fault. Blaming yourself and blaming others are both difficult in different ways. But it's important to accept both what you did wrong and what others did wrong (and what either of you did right as well) and learn from them if you really want to avoid the same thing happening again. And she faced up to the tough task instead of trying to escape from it. I admire and love her for it.

I hope I've depicted her like that in my fics.

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It's probably better to explain about Cagalli being called Princess. As far as I know, she isn't officially a princess; Princess is a very official nickname for her rather than a title.

I'm not sure why she is called that. There are several possibilities: because of her father having been the Chief Representative; because of her being an Athha; because of her being a member of one of the five noblest families.

I decided the first one was most likely, considering her dislike for the nickname especially in GSD. She asked Dullindal not to use the nickname. But she was doing her job as the Chief Representative then, and from what I've read, she is eligible for the position because she is an Athha, a member of one of the five noblest families. Then, her reaction doesn't seem to make much sense if the nickname comes from her family name or nobility.

Oh, and I also want to note this fic is somewhat influenced by Cagalli's songs: "Akatsuki no Kuruma (Wheel of Dawn)" and "Honoh no Tobira (Gate of Flames)."

Thank you very much for reading such a long fic and a long note. I also thank those who have written a review of my other fics.

*edited 09/01/17*