"......" = talking
'......' = telepathic
.......... = timeskip
Ariana's pov
"Your highness, you have a visitor. It is the second prince of faunus. He said he want to talk privatly with princess ariana."
'What did the second prince want from you?'
Athy asked when I was about to go.
'I'll tell you when I'm back.'
I answered and go to where the second prince is.
"Please keep what you saw that day a secret, princess."
He first talks the moment we are alone. But why did he want to hide? Isn't it better to tell everyone because he can have a chance to get the throne. Well, what he does isn't my business.
"What will I get in return if I do as you say?"
The second prince seems to be surprised at my question. But what I said isn't wrong. If you want something,you need to give something.
"What do you want, princess?"
At his words, I smile boardly and said.
"Please borrow me your spirit for a moment."
"Here?"
He asked back while looking around.
"No need to worry. There is no one here expect from us."
"........is that so?"
Then, his hair slowly turns green and a cat appears in front of me at his whisper of something.
"Hello! Won't you run away today?"
The cat who run away whenever I saw it is unexpectly just looking sliently at me today.
"There is a favor I want to ask from you, human."
Unexpect words come out of the cat's mouth. Is spirits usually ask help from human? I thought but looking at the second prince's surprised face, that doesn't seem to be the case.
"What help?"
I know there is a spirit in front of me but I just speak informally since they are the one who asked for help.
"We need your help to heal my king's friend."
"Please explain all the details."
The cat seems to be a little hesitate. So I asked (forcely) again.
"I won't help if you don't explain me properly. When you say king, do you mean the spirit's king? And who is your king's friend?"
Then the cat answers with a sign.
"You are right. My king is the spirit's king. And his friend is the fairy king. The fairy king has been illed over a hundred years but we can't heal him. We have been looking for someone who can heal and we decide to let you try."
"Is that so? Then where do I have to go?"
"To the fairy forest."
I was a little amazed to his words. Fairy forest? I thought it only exists in fairytales but to think I'd get the chance to go there and even meet with fairy king.
"But didn't fairy forest not allowed to enter human?"
I state a fact I once read in fairytales. But the cat answers calmly.
"You can enter with the king's permission."
"So when will I go?"
"The sooner, the better."
"Then, let's go now."
At my words, the cat jumps.
"Why? Didn't you say the sooner the better?"
Yes, I should go quickly when I have the chance. What if they change their mind if I hesitate.
"Hey! What about me?"
The second prince suddenly asked after being silence for a long time.
"You aren't allowed to come along, master. Then, please excuse us."
Suddenly, my vision turns white and before I notice, I was already out of the palace. Sunshine passing through the tree makes the surrounding unrealistically beautiful. And little creatures with wings and sharp ear come out behind the tree.
"Wow! Is this a human?"
"What is a human doing in the forest?"
"Look at this human!"
"She has a pleasant scent."
"You are right!"
The little creatures chatter among themselves. While I was staring at the adroble creature, the cat I didn't notice beside me talk.
"She is the fairy king's guest. Lead the way."
"Then, she is that one!"
"The guest that fairy king invited."
"Here! Come!"
Then, the creature moves and lead the way in front of me.
"What are they?"
I asked the cat beside me as I couldn't control my curiousity anymore.
"They are the fairies."
Wow! Fairy! Before my surprise fade away, I reach my destination.
"We are here."
In front of me, there is a gaint white creature sleeping in the center of the forest under the shining sunlight. It looks like a wolf but also look like a gaint dog. The crature may seem like sleeping peacefully in their eyes but in my eyes it seems like struggling.
"What is this?"
I mutter under my breath and take a step closer to it. There is some black aura surronding the creature. Is this black magic?
"How long has the king been like this?" I asked.
"More than a hundred years in human terms."
Just how long has it been suffering? But I can't carelessly purify the dark magic. What if things that happened with jennette happen again.
When I was hesitating, the fairy king slowly open its eyes and reavel a beautiful pair of emerald eyes like a forest. Then it slowly parts its mouth and let out a faint voice.
"It's ok. I know you'll be able to do it."
And the fairy king closed its eyes again. After that, I gather a little courage and let a little of my mana enter the creature's body. Slowly by slowly, the black aura surrounding it fade away and completely disappears.
When everything is over, the fairy king wakes up and said,
"It's been a long time since I feel this refreshing. Thank you, hum....."
Then, he stops talking midways and look at me closely.
"When did you become human?"
"What do you mean? I've always been human since I was born."
Not being able to understand what the fairy king said, I asked back. Then, the king looks like he has understand everthing and said,
"You don't remember. I guess I won't be able to tell you either."
"What...."
"Thank you for saving me again."
He interrupt my words as a meaning to say not to ask anymore. I was upset at his actions so I decide to be a little sarcastic.
"So where is my payment?"
At my words, the fairy king brusts out laughing and said,
"Of course, I have to pay back. So what do you want?"
I thought deeply what to ask and answer a moment later.
"Please be my friend. When I need help, please give me a hand and when you need help, I'll help you back. Isn't that good?"
Then, the fairy king gives me a meaningful smile which I didn't understand.
"You hasn't change even a bit. It's ok. I promise to be by your side whenever you need me. And I'll give this as a sign of our friendship."
Something round and white like an egg appears in my hand and I dumpfoundly look at it.
"To cook and eat?"
When I asked, the fairy king laughs again.
"No, it is a fairy egg. You have to give it your mana regularly. And a creature will be born that is like you and will support you. It'll stay by your side whenever you need it."
It is like a child. I'm sorry for saying to eat you. I apologize while patting the egg.
"Now, it is time to go back, until next time, Ariana!"
Suddenly, my vision turns white again. But how did the fairy king know my name? I didn't tell him. I was going to ask him but before I was already in my bedroom wearing a nightgown sitting on the bed.
Was it a dream? For a moment, I thought I was dreaming but when I saw the egg in my hand, I realize it wasn't.