Nia smiles at the villagers that provide her with warm clothes that should fit Tommy. He has quite a bit of clothes already, but somehow, he always manages to either irreparably destroy his jackets or pants. Nia can say confidently that the boy has gone through at least five pairs of pants and destroyed about three jackets in the past two weeks.

"No, we thank you," the woman smiles at Nia. "You saved my son's life from the skeletons. And the rest of the village. This is the least we can offer you."

Nia shakes her head. "That's not true. I was happy to help," she says. "Just the opportunity to use my abilities is enough for me."

"The boy these clothes are for is surely lucky to have you," the woman tells Nia.

The princess presses her lips together, trying to subside the proud grin that creeps onto her lips. Tommy has yet to appreciate her efforts to help him, but she's certain he's still holding back because of the Manburg war. She doesn't blame him for it. She's glad he considers her a friend at least. He's been betrayed one too many times for his age, and she wants him to trust her.

If she were in Tommy's position, she would, too, guard her heart with enormous walls of stone and metal, barbed wires on top and the sides. All of his friends abandoned him; betrayed him. He doesn't deserve to go through that again.

In many aspects, Tommy isn't much different from Technoblade. The piglin has, too, been betrayed quite a few times. Which always stings. It explains why Technoblade takes so long to trust people, and when he does — because he finds them worthy of his trust — he would do anything for them. His heart is also heavily guarded, and sometimes makes one feel like he doesn't care. But that's not the truth.

Every day, Nia can see that Technoblade begins to care for Tommy more and more. Even if he acts like the blonde boy is a nuisance and a pain in the ass, she can see the way Technoblade smiles whenever Tommy lights up about something. She notices, because she does it, too, after all.

"Thank you again," Nia smiles at the woman, who nods in response.

"Have a safe journey home, miss."

Nodding, the princess makes her way towards the Darkling, her horse. She puts all of the acquired items into the bags strapped to his saddle before swinging herself up on the horse.

As she makes her way toward Techno's cabin, she doesn't get far. Instead, Nia's met with a familiar face, her head cocked to the side as she watches him approach her on a horse of his own, from the direction of the cabin.

"Dream, what are you doing here?" she asks.

"Oh, Nia. How convenient running into you around here," he says, a hint of a smirk in his voice. She furrows her eyebrows at him, examining his posture. He's holding himself upwards as if trying to intimidate the princess. She merely rolls her eyes at him.

"You found me around here last time," she says in a monotone. "Is it really that surprising?"

"Well, I didn't expect to see you, so yes, it is."

Nia nods. "Alright, then." She keeps her gaze on the man. "What are you doing here, Dream?" she questions.

"I'm looking for Tommy," he answers honestly.

It dawns on Nia that Dream must've been at Technoblade's place and now he's coming back. But considering he's still looking for Tommy, Techno didn't give the boy away. A wave of relief washes over Nia, but she doesn't let it show. Her exterior remains calm and collected.

"Why?" she acts stupid, pretending not to know anything about Tommy and his situation. "Did he do something again?"

Dream shakes his head. "No, not again. He just ran away."

Nia arches an eyebrow at Dream. "He ran away? From where? Why would he run?"

Dream looks at Nia, examining her properly. She puts on a facade of a clueless princess, the one she so often used years ago, when she was but a pawn in her father's game of thrones. Now she's aware of being a pawn in Dream's game; she just doesn't know what exactly they're playing.

"Huh," he says after a while. "He was exiled, didn't you know?" Dream questions. Either he knows that Nia's pretending, or he genuinely fell for her act. Both are fine with Nia, as long as he plays along if it's the prior.

"For what?"

"He burned down George's house."

"Not really surprising," says Nia, shrugging. "Did you exile him from the Dream SMP, then?"

"No." Nia can hear the smirk in Dream's voice. "Tubbo exiled him from L'Manburg."

"And you had something to do with that," Nia claims. It's not a question, it's a fact. One that she would've easily deduced even if she didn't already know. Which Dream realizes, therefore, if he thinks that Nia doesn't know anything about the current happenings in L'Manburg, her act is still believable.

Dream shrugs cockily. "Maybe."

"Now, how could Tommy possibly run away from exile? For all I know, as long as he's not in L'Manburg, he should be fine. So, if he's run away, have you considered looking there?"

Nia can feel the burning glare even through Dream's mask.

"I'm not stupid, Nia. Of course, the first place I went looking was L'Manburg." He inhales deeply, shaking his head indignantly. "Can you just drop the act?"

"What act, Dream?"

"That you don't know what I'm talking about," he says lowly. "I think you know exactly what I'm talking about, and I think that you also know exactly where Tommy is." Dream heels his horse forward to face Nia.

"What makes you think that, Dream?" Nia raises an eyebrow at him. "How do you know I'm not just pulling your leg? I could be pretending that I know what you're talking about, but also, I could be telling the truth and making it seem like I'm lying."

"That just proves you are lying."

Nia shrugs. "What makes you think I would tell you where Tommy is even if I knew?" she asks, staring at him challengingly. Dream reciprocates the scrutinizing gaze.

"The fact that I can offer you the Revival Book if you do."

Nia cackles loudly, making Dream flinch. She scoffs, her eyes set on the man in a green hoodie. "I thought you said you didn't know what the Revival Book was, Dream."

"Fine, I lied. Is it that surprising?" Dream questions, and Nia shakes her head.

"I knew you were lying," Nia laughs. "But—" she chuckles, unable to stop herself— "do you really think I believe you? Do you really think I trust you to keep your promise? That if I tell you where Tommy is, you'll give me the book? Because from what I can see right now, you want me to tell you where he is first. And if I did, I'd never hear from you again."

"Fair enough," Dream nods. "But I would keep my promise. I'd keep my promise to you." There is a sincerity to Dream's voice that Nia did not anticipate. She chokes on air, staring at him, discomfited.

"Why?"

"You're one of the few people who don't inherently hate me around here," says Dream truthfully.

"Why do you think that is, Dream?" Nia asks.

Dream chuckles. "Oh, I know why people hate me," he says proudly. "Everybody has their own reasons. But the thing is, you've seen a lot of what they've seen, and you don't hate me nevertheless. You care about me, which you said yourself. And I think it's because a part of you understands me. Despite everything . . . you get me."

Nia finds herself speechless, blankly staring at Dream. "So, let me say this again: I promise to give you the Book of Revival, if you tell me where Tommy is."

The princess scoffs. She shakes her head. If there is one thing she intends to keep, it's promises and her integrity. When she first came across Tommy with Techno, she told him that she was his friend. She also told him that friends didn't betray one another. Just as they don't give each other up for material things. And, sure, Nia is very capable of being a hypocrite. But this isn't one of those days.

"I think you underestimate my morals, Dream," says Nia, pressing her lips together. "And yeah, you are right. I care about you, but I also care about Tommy. I also think you underestimate my intellect, because I'm not as stupid as you think. I might not know the specific details of what happened in exile, but I know enough. I know that Tommy has been hurt enough by you, and I won't let you hurt him further."

Nia's expression is stern and commanding as she gazes at Dream, whose composure falters ever so slightly. He wants to say something, but the moment a single sound leaves his mouth, Nia puts her hand up. She shuts him up within seconds.

"I won't betray Tommy, Dream. Not even for the Revival Book." She shakes her head with a scoff. "I think there are other ways of getting the book off of you. And if anything, I'm pretty sure you'll keep it safe either way. So, instead of telling you where Tommy is in exchange for the Revival Book, I'll tell you this: Stay. Away. From. Tommy."

"Nia—"

"No, Dream, I wasn't done talking," Nia cuts him off again. "You are going to stay away from Tommy, and you will do so because I am asking you politely. For now, at least. He's a kid, and he's been through enough. So, if you come near him even with a six-feet-long stick, I'm not going to stand for it. I will hurt you, if I have to. Friend or not, Tommy should be allowed to live in peace."

Dream stares at Nia, dumbfounded. He attempts to say something a few times, but no words nor coherent sentences leave his mouth.

"This is the part where you leave, Dream," says Nia.

Coming back to reality, Dream shakes his head. He spurs his horse forward, throwing the princess one last glance.

"Your compassion will be your downfall."

"Then I'll die, knowing I was a good person."