Javier kept listening as the little fairy went on and on about his father. The way her voice lifted with excitent, the way she twirled mid-air with every sentence.
A small chuckle escaped him.
She’s not just excited... she’s buzzing like Buddy after a feast.
Calla flew in circles above him, repeating parts of the story, mimicking the way Garius swung his blade, how dazzling his smile was, how brave he looked. Again and again, her tiny hands gestured wildly, her wings scattering faint glitter in the moonlight.
Javier leaned his head back against the tree, watching her with a faint smile.
"Heh... you really admire him, huh."
Calla stopped mid-spin, cheeks glowing faintly, then quickly crossed her arms and huffed.
"W-well of course! Who wouldn’t!?"
Javier lay sprawled on the grass, arms folded behind his head, watching Calla spin around in the air when another voice drifted in from the distance.
"Calla! What’s taking you so long? We still have—"
The voice cut off as another fairy appeared from the trees, her wings shimring as she floated closer.
The mont her eyes landed on Javier, she froze.
Her eyes went wide, and in an instant she let out a high-pitched squeal.
"Eeeekkkk!!! H-Human!!!"
Panicked, she darted behind Calla’s back, using her like a tiny shield.
"Hi... h-hiii... human!!!" the little fairy stamred, burying her face against Calla’s back, her tiny wings trembling.
Javier just chuckled softly, eyes half-closed as he watched the scene.
So every fairy’s different, huh... sa as humans, sa as any race.
His gaze lingered on Calla, still puffing her cheeks and standing proudly in front. Calla’s the type to act rude, even try to scare humans...
Then he shifted his eyes toward the one hiding.
And this one... terrified the mont she saw .
Then he noticed Buddy let out a sudden squawk.
"Buddy? What’s wrong?" Javier sat up slightly, watching the big bird tilt his head.
Buddy’s sharp eyes fixed on a certain direction, then shifted back to Javier.
"Cuquawked!"
"Oh..." Javier smirked faintly.
"They’re coming here, huh? Looks like they’re using Pikko and Peanut to track you down?"
"Cuquawked!" Buddy bobbed his head once in confirmation.
Javier stretched his arms above his head, letting out a long yawn.
"Alright, girls... I’m going. Anyway, nice eting you, Calla... and that..." he gave a small smirk toward the timid one peeking behind her friend, "...Miss Fairy."
The shy fairy squeaked and hid further, while Calla puffed her cheeks in annoyance. "M-Mou! Don’t call her that!"
But Javier was already brushing grass from his clothes, standing with that sa lazy air.
After Javier and Buddy left the grove, silence returned. The two small fairies hovered uneasily in place, until a presence stirred the air.
From between the trees, a larger figure appeared. She was unlike the smaller kin; her body was closer to human size, her form luminous yet solid, her steps never touching the ground. Her wings shimred faintly, casting a soft glow across the stream as she moved with serene grace.
"What is taking you both so long?" her voice was calm, graceful, yet carried authority.
"A–ah! My Queen!" Calla stiffened, her tiny hands fidgeting as she bowed mid-air.
The other fairy, who had hidden behind Calla earlier, darted out nervously to float at her side. Her eyes lowered, wings trembling as she too bowed in respect.
"Your Highness!!!" the timid fairy suddenly burst out, wings flapping fast. "Hii... hii... human!! A human was here just before, Your Highness!!"
The tall fairy’s serene expression shifted slightly, her eyes turning to Calla.
"Hmm? What is she talking about, Calla?"
"Ah... Your Highness, it’s..." Calla fidgeted, unsure of how to phrase it.
But before she could finish, the queen’s voice cut in, softer but edged with urgency.
"Was it Garius? Where is he? Did he co here? Did he wish to et ?"
"Ah... no, my Queen..." Calla lowered her gaze respectfully.
"It was not Lord Garius. It was his son. If I’m not mistaken... he said his na is—"
The queen let out a faint sigh, her glow dimming slightly.
"If it was Marcellus or Cedric, I have no interest."
Calla swallowed nervously, then bowed her head lower.
"Umm... no, Your Highness. He said his na is Javier."
The queen’s steps halted, her wings stilled. For a brief mont, her composed face betrayed surprise, her eyes flickering wide before narrowing in thought.
"...Javier..." she repeated softly.
"What does he want by coming here?" the queen asked, her voice smooth yet carrying weight. Her glowing eyes narrowed slightly.
"Did he co for the Life Fruit?"
"Umm... no, My Queen... it’s just—" Calla began, but before she could explain further, the queen raised a hand gracefully, silencing her.
"If he ca here for the Life Fruit," the queen said, her lips curving faintly into a serene smile.
"Then he cannot have it. Garius promised long ago... that if he ever sought that fruit, it would an he was ready to marry ~"
Her words flowed like silk, but the air carried a ripple of pressure that made the smaller fairies fidget nervously.
Calla’s eyes widened, her face flushing red.
"M-My Queen! It... it wasn’t like that! He didn’t ntion the Life Fruit at all!"
More fairies began to gather, their small wings shimring as they approached the grove. One by one, they slowed in flight, their eyes lifting toward the figure who stood before them. Their queen.
She floated above the stream, her form radiant, her expression calm yet carrying a depth that made every fairy present lower their heads in reverence. Her face, serene and elegant, carried love, gentle and unwavering.
"Garius already promised," she said softly, her voice flowing like wind over water.
"If he ever decided to eat the Life Fruit... if he ever sought it with his own hands... then he was, and should, marry . That was the vow he made."
Her gaze drifted upward, eyes distant, yet warm.
"Even if he tried to use his son, his family, or even Francesca herself... as long as he took that fruit, he should fulfill that promise."
She slowly raised her palm.
The great tree behind her stirred, its trunk glowing with a soft radiance. From the highest branches, luminous fruits began to take form.
Shaped long and smooth, their skin glowing with a pale yellow-white light that shimred like moonlight caught in glass. Dozens of them hung in silence, each one pulsing faintly as if alive.
Murmurs spread among the fairies.
"This fruit is special," the queen said, her serene voice carrying to all who gathered.
"Only we fairies can nurture it... only we can maintain the tree that bears it."
Her eyes softened, though her tone grew heavier.
"Anyone who eats it will extend their life. Their youth will be preserved for hundreds of years. It is a blessing few mortals ever touch."
Her smile curved, gentle but tinged with longing.
"And Garius... he used the excuse of being human. He said humans do not live long. That he would not bind to such a short span."
Her gaze lowered, wings stirring faintly as mory drifted through her.
"But I had already fallen for him, deeply. So I showed him this fruit. This tree that I planted here... the only one of its kind, growing on human soil. In Armand. I made it for him alone."
Her voice softened, carrying that faint trace of love. "And he told . If he ever took even one fruit... if he ever took one bite... he would marry ."
Her words fell into silence. Then she let out a long breath.
"...But that day never ca."
The queen’s eyes flickered, glancing toward the direction Javier had gone.
"So I wondered... perhaps today... he sent his son to claim the fruit in his place."
( End Of Chapter )
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