"I wouldn't stop you if you came with her."
"…If Lady Mia ends up going to Muria for her education… perhaps I'll be allowed to accompany her then."
"You're dodging the real question. And you know that's not what I meant."
The fairy king's tone turned mildly annoyed. Leca smiled faintly; for a moment, he was reminded of Mithys in the way the young king held himself.
Was this the "moment" Father told me to wait for? Or… was it still yet to come?
"If Lady Mia wishes to remain in Muria, then I will serve her there."
King Torfel laughed heartily and pulled up his beige hood.
"Funny how you left out the part where you're allowed to live freely—if your master permits it."
"..."
"She didn't strike me as the controlling type. But no matter. I'll take my leave for now."
Leca bowed low.
"Safe travels, Your Majesty. The roads are treacherous."
"Ha! Kind of you to care."
With his sea-blue eyes gleaming, the fairy king vanished from sight.. As the last of it faded, Leca found himself remembering the warmth in Mia's eyes. His chest tightened again.
Lady Mia… please wait a little longer. I'll come for you. Just hold on…
Mia stirred as the setting sun filtered through the window.
She remembered burning with fever, tossing and turning. She'd dreamed, too—though the details were hazy. In the dream, Leca had been cold. You didn't believe me, he had said, even when I begged you. And he had walked away.
Even awake, the dream's ache lingered. She groaned and sat up, pressing a hand to her forehead. That's when—
"Oh! You're awake!"
The cabin door creaked open, and in waddled the oddest little creature. It was tiny—even smaller than Mia—and wore a pointy red cap, arms full of herbs and grasses.
"W-who are you?!"
"I'm a gnome, an earth spirit," he said solemnly, doffing his cap and giving a small bow.
"I've been tasked by Lord Julius to care for you."
"Ah…"
"You must be low on energy. I've prepared a meal—right over there."
Mia followed his gesture and spotted a tray set on a round wooden table. It didn't look particularly appetizing, but she was too hungry to care. She pulled out a chair and started eating greedily.
By the time she finished, she felt noticeably stronger. Her fever had nearly broken.
"Did you… heal me, by any chance?"
Mia asked, and the gnome puffed up with pride.
"Indeed I did. But to fully recover, you'll need to drink one more dose of medicine. I'll prepare it for you now!"
He dumped his bundle of herbs into a large bowl, fetched some kitchen tools from the corner, and began pounding them with intense focus. Mia ran over and tried to take over.
"No, really—it's my medicine. I'll make it."
"No, no. That would only get in the way. Resting is the best way to help."
There was nothing more to say after that. Mia stepped back and watched the gnome work. He moved with surprising agility. Soon, the medicine was ready.
He poured the murky green liquid into a small wooden bowl and handed it to her.
"Drink."
It smelled horrible—bitter and earthy in a way she'd never encountered. Mia pinched her nose and gulped it down in one go. The nausea that followed was almost unbearable.
"You should feel much better shortly."
Sure enough, within minutes the lingering fever faded. The fatigue vanished too, replaced by a lightness that filled her entire body. Whoa. That stuff works!
And now—there was only one thing left to do.
"Um… I have a favor to ask."
"Of course. Whatever you need, just say the word."
The gnome smiled kindly. There was something about him that made Mia feel at ease. At least, He felt far kinder and more trustworthy than Julius.
"Could you tell me the way back to the palace in Sibareth?"
"Oh, that's not difficult. However…"
The spirit scratched his pointy ear, looking troubled. It was obvious he was debating whether he should really let Mia leave.
"Did Julius order you to keep me here?"
"No, not quite. He only told me to look after you."
"Then it's not disobeying him if you let me go."
"Well, true… But it's already dark outside. Monsters roam at night. The road to the palace is dangerous."
"Is it far?"
"Sort of? Oh! I've got it!"
The gnome tilted his head, then snapped his fingers as if struck by inspiration.
"I'll ask my friend Roc for help. He's a giant bird—so big and fierce that no monster would dare attack. Would you like to ride him?"
"That would be amazing. Thank you!"
"Then I shall summon him right away."
He whistled a strange, spiraling melody. Not long after, a piercing shriek echoed from outside, followed by a tremor that shook the ground.
"Roc is here!"
Mia ran outside to find an enormous bird—larger than a dragon—its feathers shimmering with rainbow hues and its eyes glowing crimson. The gnome muttered something in an unfamiliar tongue, then turned to Mia.
"Hop on. He'll take you straight to the palace courtyard."
"Thank you. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
"Think nothing of it."
The gnome vanished like a puff of smoke. Roc crouched low, offering his back. Mia clung to a handful of feathers and clambered onto him. With a mighty cry, the great bird unfurled its wings and took flight.
They reached the palace in the blink of an eye.
Unfortunately, Roc landed directly in the courtyard outside the chamber where the king and elders were holding council. A few of the elders caught sight of her dismounting the massive bird.
"W-what is that?!"
Their gasps drew the others to the window. They stared in astonishment as Roc screeched and flapped his wings.
"Ahem, what is all this commotion?" the king coughed.
"Your Majesty," one elder replied, "the human girl has returned. She rode in… on Roc."
"What did you say?!"
The king and all the elders rushed to the window. Mia finally realized every eye was on her. Flustered, she froze as the king called out in a loud, clear voice:
"Maiden of the human realm, we welcome your return. Come before us now."
"Ah… y-yes, Your Majesty."
Mia stepped inside the chamber. The room fell into stunned silence. Everyone had expected a sickly, bedraggled girl—but instead, Mia looked perfectly healthy. In fact, she seemed even more confident than before.
Jakiel's eyes narrowed like a hawk's as he studied her.
"You have returned unharmed."
Mia bowed her head.
"I'm sorry for leaving the palace without permission."
"What was your reason? Where did you go? What did you do?"
Mia swallowed hard. How much should I say? She couldn't mention Leca's father. Talking about Julius didn't feel right either.
"I just… wanted to see the world beyond the palace."
"Is that all?"
The ruby on the king's brow glowed faintly crimson. Uh-oh. He knows something. Mia scrambled to add more.
"Palace life felt suffocating. I had a small disagreement with Leca over it."
"Then was it you who summoned the phoenix?"
Mia flinched. There was no way she could mention Mithys here—she'd end up exposing the whole arranged marriage scam.
"N-no, Your Majesty."
"Then who did? Was it someone you know?"
After a brief pause, Mia answered.
"No. I don't know."
"You didn't see the phoenix?"
"I arrived just in time to see it flying away while speaking with Leca. I honestly don't know anything more."
Lying so calmly made her break out in a cold sweat. With their powers, can't they tell I'm lying? Oh god… Mithys, you better be paying me at least a billion dollar for this!
The king was silent. Jakiel looked like he was about to speak, but the king raised a hand to stop him. He also silenced the elders. An uncomfortable silence stretched on.
At last, the king's deep voice broke through the stillness.
"I believe it is time. Let this maiden be named queen."
"W-what?! Your Majesty, what are you saying?!"
Jakiel's voice rang through the chamber.
"Hasn't she passed the rite of passage? She ran away from the palace and returned safe and sound."
The king's voice was clearer and more resolute than expected. His health seemed slightly improved.
"With respect, sire. Someone may have hidden her. She could've stayed with commoners. There's no proof she survived anything dangerous."
Jakiel spoke smoothly, but his fury was barely contained.
"Then let's say that is her skill. The fact that she found shelter in a household that cherishes fairies, here in Sibareth, speaks for itself."
"Still, she has yet to demonstrate any magical ability. Though Your Majesty's words hold reason, I do not believe such a decision should be made so hastily."