The Last Step Chapter 95: The Mother Of Fairies

16/7/2017 — The moonlight seeped through the mist, silvering the forest floor.

Lucas stood in the haze, a rare smile softening his face. His chest swelled with quiet pride. At last, he had saved his family. At last, he had conquered the System—reaching its highest level.

I’ve done everything I can, he thought. I’ve saved them. I can rest easy now.

He patted his little sister’s head. She looked up at him, eyes bright, her small hands clinging tightly to his.

Then the familiar, tallic voice of the System broke through.「 The illusion has been deleted. Deploying new divine protection. 」

Another voice—not the System’s—echoed in his head.

Uhh... bro?

「 Anti-False Reality Divine Protection activated. 」

The System’s tone shifted, almost smug. 「 Wake up, ninja. That was a dream. 」

The perfect image of his family dissolved like smoke in wind. The forest returned, cold and real.

「 Those illusions were... hard to crack, not gonna lie. Felt like breaking down so Trojan virus. But I’m the best defender there is 😎 」

Lucas sighed, the ache in his chest deepening. Slowly, he lifted his gaze—and there, through the thinning mist, Kaiser stood in the distance, silent and unmoving.

I guess it was too good to be true. His steps felt heavier than before as he started toward him.

God... I wish it was true.

A little bit away from ... Stood Celia.

Celia’s arms were wrapped tightly around Kaiser, her cheek pressed to the warmth of his chest. She could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, and for a fleeting mont, it felt like the entire forest had vanished.

"Hey, Kaiser... do you love ?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, Celia. I love you so much," he answered without hesitation.

"How much?" I tilted my head, watching his face closely.

"As long as the stars exist in the universe, I’ll always love you."

"Is that so?" I murmured, pulling back just enough to et his deep blue eyes. The mist caught in his gaze almost made forget the question I was about to ask.

"Do you rember my birthday?"

"It’s in two days, isn’t it? July the eighteenth."

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips, my hand still resting on his chest. I didn’t want to let go—not yet.

After a quiet pause, I breathed out, "Hey, Kaiser... answer this honestly."

He nodded. "Ask away."

"What do you think is more beautiful—my white hair... or my red eyes?"

His gaze drifted over , first to the strands of my hair, then to my eyes. "Why pick one? Both are far more beautiful than anything—"

The sentence was cut short as my chain shot forward, piercing clean through his chest.

Blood welled in his mouth as he staggered. "Why...?" he choked out.

I stepped back, letting my sigh escape. My eyes stayed on him, cold yet aching. "You’re a big liar, aren’t you?"

He dropped to his knees, but the chain pulled back, impaling him again and forcing him upright.

"My Kaiser would never say that," I whispered, placing my hand against my own chest where my heart beat for him was. "Because I know his answer."

My voice trembled—not with sorrow, but with certainty. "He would call my heart the most beautiful."

I drew a breath, eyes narrowing. "Ascend, Crownless."

From the black pool of my shadow, Crownless erged—demonic, grotesque, and perfect. His form twisted like a nightmare wearing a crown of absence.

"Cut this illusion into a thousand pieces."

"As you wish... my queen," Crownless rumbled, claws flexing in anticipation.

In an instant, the false Kaiser’s body was ripped apart into threads of mist, the illusion shattering around us. The forest bled back into its true, dark form.

Through the thinning fog, I caught sight of two figures in the distance—Lucas... and the real Kaiser.

A smile broke over my lips before I could stop it. Without another word, I ran toward him.

Kaiser’s Perspective:

Mhm... now what am I supposed to do with this pile of Sylaris?

They were all unconscious, their delicate little wings twitching here and there like half-broken fans. A minute ago, they’d been prancing around in my head, spinning illusions. Now, they looked like soone unplugged their fairy lights.

Lucas, of course, arrived just in ti to act like he’d been here all along. Out of nowhere—literally nowhere—he pulled a rope from his pocket. A rope. A long one. I didn’t even ask. We tied them up.

"Yo, man, why so many here?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

"If your genius mind hasn’t pieced it together yet... they were playing illusions on us."

"Ohhh. Good thing my anti-virus blocked them." He smirked down at the fairies like a kid proud of being the man of the match.

...I’m done questioning him.

"Kaiser!!!"

I turned at the sound of that voice—soft yet sohow capable of giving a breather. Celia.

Next thing I knew, she was airborne—straight into my arms, and by "into my arms" I an she tackled hard enough to send crashing to the ground.

"—Ow. Back pain."

"Yo, system, clip that," Lucas muttered from sowhere nearby, the traitor.

Celia clung to like the forest itself was about to swallow us.

"Uh... Celia, you’re suffocating ."

"Then happily be suffocated. I don’t care."

What sinful cri did I commit to deserve both spinal damage and oxygen deprivation?

Five very long minutes later, she finally released . I dragged myself upright. Lucas, in his infinite ninja wisdom, handed a glass of water and a tablet.

"Yo man, it’s for back pain."

Thin air. Again. He just... pulled it from the void like it was pocket lint.

I stared at him for a second, then decided my sanity was worth more than questioning whatever black magic he practiced. I swallowed the tablet.

The pain faded almost imdiately... but so did my alertness. My eyelids felt like soone had poured cent on them.

"Wait... hold on—"

"Uh... yo, man..." Lucas rubbed the back of his neck. "I gave you hypnotics by mistake—uh, sleeping ds—"

"You ninj—" I didn’t get to finish. The darkness took before I could strangle him.

...Never trusting that guy again.

After what felt like an eternity, my vision ca back.

I blinked against the light—except... the light was blocked. No, not blocked. Smothered.

When I finally got my eyes to cooperate, I realized why.

...Oh. I was lying on soone’s lap.

"Aww, Kai, you’re awake now." Celia’s voice. Soft. Sweet.

"Uhh... would putting sowhere that isn’t your lap be considered a punishnt?"

She pouted instantly. "What’s wrong with my lap?"

"I dunno," I said, pretending to think, "maybe because I’m not used to waking up with my head in a place where—" I tilted my head slightly, "—if you sneeze, I might get a concussion."

She stuck her tongue out at . A perfect opening.

"Oh? That’s cute. Do it again."

Her eyes narrowed. "Stop it."

"Co on, one more ti. You’re like a dangerous kitten."

"Y-you’re ridiculous..." she muttered, but her face was already starting to warm up.

"Y-you can’t just... say things like that," she mumbled, fumbling with the hem of her sleeve, eyes darting anywhere but him.

"I can’t?" His voice was teasing, deliberate.

Her shoulders tensed. "No... it’s unfair. You say it like it’s—like it’s nothing, and now I..." She bit her lip, trying to keep the sentence from running away from her. "Now I can’t think straight."

I humd as it was precisely the result I wanted.

"You’re doing it again," she blurted.

"Doing what?"

"That... that thing where you act like you’re just talking, but you know exactly what you’re doing to ."

"Maybe I just like seeing you flustered."

"You shouldn’t," she muttered. "It’s an."

"an? You’re smiling."

"I’m not—" She stopped herself, realizing she was. "That doesn’t count. It’s not my fault."

"Oh? Then whose fault is it?"

She exhaled, her voice shrinking a little. "Yours! Always yours!"

"And you don’t mind?"

She hesitated, then in the smallest, softest voice—"...No."

"And you’re adorable when you pretend you’re not blushing. Honestly, Celia, it’s unfair. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to make fall in love."

She glanced away, flustered. "Y-you talk too much."

Finally, I managed to lift myself off her lap, and of course, she pouted like it was a personal offense against the universe. Too adorable for her own good—honestly, it was criminal how much charm she packed in such a tiny fra.

I ruffled her hair gently. "Thanks for taking care of while I was asleep."

She tilted her head, that little smirk of hers curving just so. "Welco."

I scanned the room, trying to shake off the drowsiness. "So... where exactly are we?"

The space itself was... otherworldly. We were deep within the forest, in the secret lands of the Sylaris. The fairies’ domain wasn’t just hidden—it was layered in illusions, magical runes, and soft, shimring light that bent and shifted, painting the walls with movent rather than stillness. Small glowing orbs floated lazily along the ceiling, casting shadows that danced like living creatures. The air slled faintly of wildflowers, like nature had been distilled and trapped inside a perfect bubble.

And , apparently, lying on a bed. Wait—she had put my head on her lap while there was a bed? You have to be kidding .

I looked around the room. Fairy paintings adorned every wall: luminous wings stretching into impossible perspectives, forests within forests, sparkling streams bending around impossible angles. Celia’s eyes shone as she noticed noticing.

"Oh, Lucas managed to talk to one of the fairies, and we crossed through this huge underground thingy. And yeah!" she said, bouncing slightly with her words.

"Yeah?" I asked, my tone calm but my mind racing.

"We’re here now! It was like a maze, but the fairies led us here to safety!"

I froze. Did she just say... maze? A labyrinth? Sylaris? Wait, hold up. We are in their labyrinth?

I looked at her, smiling innocently as if she hadn’t just announced our permanent residence in fairy land. She had no clue. Absolutely none.

And Lucas sohow talked to them. The fairies didn’t just communicate like humans—they resonated through emotions, through subtle shifts in aura. Did that ninja really just waltz in, completely unprepared, and sohow negotiate with creatures that literally asured feelings like currency? I had a headache forming, and my internal monologue was screaming.

Too many questions. Too many inconsistencies. Too much issue.

I let my head fall back into her lap. "I’m tired," I muttered, turning to the side.

Her eyes practically lit up, sparkling with delight. "Okie! Rest a little more," she said, her voice a soft lody against the subtle hum of the magical room.

I let myself sink into the comfort, a small, sarcastic smirk tugging at my lips despite myself. Yep. Trapped in fairy land, totally at the rcy of the cutest trap in existence. Fantastic.

But at least, for now, her lap was soft, and she was smiling. And that was... tolerable. Maybe even pleasant.

Ga is ga.

For about thirty seconds before the chaos returned.

The door creaked open, and in floated an adorable fairy, barely half the size of an adult human—more like a ten-year-old child in stature. Her wings glimred softly, yellow as morning sunlight, delicate yet alive with subtle energy.

Behind her strode Lucas, the ninja who had nearly knocked out with "sleeping ds," casually stepping into the room.

"Yo, bro, you awake?" he called cheerfully, a mischievous sparkle in his eye.

"You—" I started, but he cut off with a grin.

"I’ve got news. I arranged a eting with the mother of all Sylaris. Their queen."

Celia blinked, eyes wide. "Mother of Sylaris?" she asked, tilting her head in wonder.

Lucas smirked as he advanced, eyebrow raised. "Wait a second... why are you on her lap?!"

I heaved myself up, dragging my tired face into awareness. "That doesn’t matter. Why did you arrange this?"

He gestured grandly, as if unveiling the cosmos. "You see, Kaiser, this forest is... roughly twelve kiloters across. If we walked to Sylvaris on foot, it would take four days—four. But if the Sylaris use their teleportation mana capsules, we can get there instantly."

Celia clapped, practically bouncing. "Genius, Lucas!"

I blinked, incredulous. Oh, sweet girl, trusting a random fairy and the ninja who confuses sleeping pills with painkillers? Seriously?

"And what do they want in return?" I asked, suspicion lining my voice.

Lucas shrugged, a carefree grin plastered on his face. "Don’t know yet. They haven’t said."

"You’ve got to be kidding ."

"No joke," he replied cheerfully.

We all fell into a brief, awkward silence.

I sighed, conceding a little. "Better than walking for four days straight, I suppose."

Lucas pointed to the tiny fairy hovering near the floor, wings fluttering nervously. "She’ll be our guide. This is Lily."

Lily’s yellow wings glimred faintly. The color wasn’t just aesthetic—it was a statent: gentle, approachable, and willing to negotiate.

"Hi... hi, um... my na is... L-L-Lily... N-n-n-nice to et... y-you..." Her voice trembled, stuttering like a shy heartbeat.

"Hey, no need to be shy, Lily," Lucas said smoothly, his tone reassuring, almost playful.

He turned to both Celia and , a smirk crossing his face. "The mother of the fairies... Sylaphine Blossom."

I nodded, letting a faint smirk tug at my lips. Even though they were a race I’d never faced before, my instincts didn’t waver.

I would win. I always did.

Everyone operates under a philosophy, I reminded myself. Temperant guides behavior. Rationalist or empiricist, tender-minded or tough-minded, idealist or realist—philosophy defines the lens through which they perceive the world.

Once I read these Sylaris, understood their thinking, I would see every weakness, every blind spot.

I cast my gaze out the window, taking in the dark yet luminescent expanse of Sylaris territory. The mist of magic and light shimred across the treetops, casting long, sinuous shadows over their hidden realm.

Once I’ve read you all like a book...

Your race won’t be safe.

Celia’s Perspective:

Oh my god, it was... breathtaking.

I couldn’t stop staring. The fairies—they were everywhere, flitting around like sparks of light caught in so invisible current, their wings glimring with soft, colorful hues. I’d never seen anything so delicate, so... alive.

My chest felt tight with excitent, and yet a small, gnawing part of whispered, don’t let him get lost in this beauty.

Lucas’s voice broke through my thoughts. "Wow, look at this place! Who knew fairies lived like this underground?"

I smiled brightly, trying to sound cheerful, "It’s amazing... everything glows just a little, but not in a harsh way. It’s soft, but I always imagined fairies to be living by forests."

Kaiser glanced around, eyes sharp. "They’ve built this well. It’s safe... yet elegant. No wasted space, no unnecessary clutter. Very beautiful indeed."

I humd in agreent, though my mind was drifting. Intentional... huh. But what about him? What if one of these fairies catches his attention?

Lily floated closer, small wings quivering as she tried to look confident. "W-welco... this... this is our city. It’s... it’s built underground so that humans and other races cannot find us. We live in unity... we love flowers, nature... and our houses, well... they are shaped with magic. Only our mother can truly cast real magic. The rest of us... we mostly use illusions."

I clapped my hands softly, fascinated. "It’s so... perfect. It feels alive and welcoming. Like everything here is breathing with you!"

Lucas raised a brow. "Alive, huh? You an it doesn’t feel... dangerous?"

Lily shook her head quickly. "We... we are peaceful. No fighting. No violence. We live together, all types of Sylaris. All ages, all kinds... everyone contributes."

I nodded, smiling, though I noticed Kaiser’s gaze lingering on Lily just a little too long. My chest tightened. No. He’s looking, but not at her in the way she might hope. He’s... he’s observing her behavior. Always observing.

Then Lily said sothing that made blink. "Ah... fairies... we may look young. Youthful. Small. But... we are... older than humans often think. I... I may look ten... or very young... but I am twenty-three."

Lucas let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "Twenty-three?! You’re joking, right?"

Kaiser’s mouth went slightly slack, just a hint. That was... rare.

I imdiately pressed closer to him. My voice was soft, almost sweet, but my mind was a storm.

They aren’t just cute, innocent-looking fairies... so of them are centuries-old. They have centuries of thought, of experience... of seduction if they chose. But he’s mine. Mine. If any of them even try... I’ll rip their wings apart.

As we moved deeper into the city, toward the underground palace of the queen, my pulse quickened. The tunnels glimred faintly with a soft, iridescent light, and everywhere I looked, fairies flitted about, so busy tending glowing gardens, others weaving illusions that shaped the architecture.

Everything felt alive, but I couldn’t shake the thought gnawing at . What if one of these fairies... one of them steals him? No. Impossible.

Even Lucas, always casual, was whispering to Lily as they navigated, but I barely noticed him.

I smiled up at him, my hand brushing his side, letting him feel my insistence without a word. Mine. Only mine.

I took a few deep breaths, forcing myself to calm down. I couldn’t let my emotions run wild—not here, not in their domain.

Every step we took along the soil-like streets of the underground city made feel like we were walking through so impossible dream. Small blooms of soft, golden light hovered above us—fireflies, hundreds of them, glowing like tiny lanterns suspended in the dark.

My chest tightened with awe.

My god... I want to hold one. Please, just one...

I reached out hesitantly, but they didn’t co closer. Not one of them. They hovered around, dancing in the air, but never near . One landed delicately on Lily’s shoulder, like it had chosen her on its own.

I moved my hand toward them again, hope curling in my chest, but still—nothing. Not near . Not near Lucas. Not near Kaiser. The three of us exchanged glances, silently acknowledging it, and moved along.

My shoulders slumped a little, disappointnt tugging at .

I just... wanted one to land on . Is that too much?

We wandered further, the soft lights above us casting faint shadows on the buildings shaped from pure illusion and delicate magic. Soon, we ca across a small park, almost like a clearing in the underground city.

Three fairies were playing tag, their laughter ringing like bells. Two of them, a blue-winged and a green-winged one, darted about with unmatchable speed, while the smaller pink-winged fairy struggled to keep up.

"Oh no! I can’t... I can’t catch you!" the pink one squeaked, stumbling over a tiny root, her wings fluttering frantically.

"Aww, seems like you lost again," the green one teased, circling around her with a mischievous grin.

"Co on, at least give us so chase," the blue one added, laughing as she zipped past.

The pink fairy dropped to her knees, shoulders shaking as tears welled up in her eyes. "It’s unfair! I’m all alone..."

Suddenly, Kaiser shifted direction, moving purposefully toward the clearing where the three fairies were playing.

"Wait—that’s the wrong way!" Lily’s tiny voice called after him, her wings fluttering anxiously.

"I’ll just take a minute," Kaiser cut her off.

I felt the instinct to follow him rise imdiately, but I stopped myself.

No... I shouldn’t bother him. Not here, not now. My hands clenched slightly at my sides, the faint twinge of jealousy bubbling up again.

And maybe I was still a little upset that the fireflies hadn’t co near .

Why do they get all affection? Why not ...? My chest tightened, a little twist of possessiveness settling in. I had to remind myself: I couldn’t act rashly. Not while we were in their domain.

One wrong move here, and we’d be at the rcy of these Sylaris.

So I forced myself to take a deep breath, calming the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind, and followed at a distance, letting him have this "minute." Even though a small part of wished I could be right beside him, keeping him mine... fully mine.

Kaiser knelt down gracefully, careful not to startle her. "Hello there," he said softly, offering his hand. "My na is Kaiser. Can I play with you?"

The pink fairy froze, blinking up at him, her tiny hands pressed to her chest. "I... I... I’m... L-Linne," she stuttered, voice barely above a whisper. Slowly, hesitantly, she placed her small hand in his and let him help her up.

Kaiser’s gaze lifted, scanning the other two. "And what are their nas?" he asked, voice gentle but curious.

Linne’s lips curved shyly as she glanced at them. "This... this is Valem, and that’s Zephyri," she said, pointing to the blue and green fairies.

A small smile spread across Kaiser’s face. "Alright, then. Linne, let’s team up to win," he said, crouching slightly so he was level with her.

Linne nodded, still shy, her cheeks dusted pink, and didn’t question him. She stayed close to his side, hand still in his.

I watched Kaiser gently guide her, already showing the patience and charm that made him... him.

"Ah, I see," Kaiser said, eyes glinting with playful intent. "They made you the seeker... you’ve been playing against two all by yourselves?"

Zephyri tilted his head, approaching Kaiser. "Yes, because its our ga. But... you can’t play. It’s not fair."

Valem chid in, "He’s... not one of us. He doesn’t know the rules."

Kaiser’s grin widened. "That wouldn’t be fair, would it?"

"What do you an?" Zephyri asked, brows furrowed.

"Well," Kaiser said, leaning closer with that calm, charismatic drawl, "you two made the rules, yes? But shouldn’t Linne get to add a rule of her own? Or... are you two scared of her?"

Zephyri’s chest puffed, "We’re not scared!"

Valem scoffed, "Not at all."

"Good," Kaiser said, voice soft but commanding. "Then let play as her teammate in this tag."

Zephyri and Valem exchanged glances, then nodded reluctantly. "Fine... but one rule,"

Zephyri said firmly, "only one tag per person."

Kaiser chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Ah, but by adding a rule, you’ve just given us a chance to make our own rule, haven’t you? That wouldn’t be fair now, would it?"

Zephyri stuttered, cheeks coloring slightly, "I... I guess... but..."

Valem waved his hand, laughing, "It’s fine. Let’s see what happens."

Kaiser’s grin widened further. "Then, let’s add one more. Anything we pick up in this playground is ours to use—imagination and creativity included. That should make it engaging, right?"

Both fairies laughed, the tension easing. "Sure, sure!"

Kaiser stood, offering Linne his hand again. "Ready?" he whispered, leaning close to her ear.

Linne’s pink cheeks burned brighter, eyes downcast. "O-Okie," she whispered back, voice small and shy, but her grip tightened on his hand.

Kaiser glanced back at Zephyri and Valem, a playful glint in his eyes. "Rember, keep it fair... or I might have to teach you a new way to play."

Zephyri and Valem snorted, but there was no hiding their excitent. "Bring it on, human," Valem said, smirking.

Then it began. Both the two fairies—Zephyri and Valem—took off, their tiny wings beating furiously as they counted down.

"3... 2... 1... go!"

A sudden chill ran through . My heart felt like it had been caught in ice.

Kaiser dashed forward, his blue eyes blazing, leaving a trail of light. Even from here, I could see the sheer speed and precision in every movent.

Valem and Zephyri faltered, terror flickering across their faces.

"Wh-what?!" Valem scread as Kaiser aid directly for him.

He slid under the playground’s archway—so wooden structure, I barely had ti to comprehend it—and just as Valem shot upward with his wings, Kaiser backflipped gracefully, eting him mid-air.

A single tag, and Valem went down, despair and shock etched across his tiny face.

"That’s Kaiser for you," Lucas said beside .

I wanted to agree. I should have agreed.

The ga wasn’t over yet. The rules they added ant Kaiser was "out" for tagging only one person—but Linne, the pink fairy, was painfully slow. She could never catch Zephyri.

Zephyri’s voice rang out, defiant. "It’s not over yet!"

Linne struggled behind him, flapping her tiny wings, trying to catch up.

"Just thirty more seconds!" Zephyri cried, darting between tree trunks.

"Yeah, Kaiser can’t win this," I muttered under my breath.

And then—he dashed toward Linne.

My breath caught. He scooped her up into his chest, arms wrapping around her as he sprinted toward Zephyri.

No. No. No. Why would he do that? My hands twitched involuntarily. My teeth clenched. He never hugged like that. Never held against him. She isn’t supposed to be here. Not her. She—she shouldn’t exist in this mont!

A flare of heat rose to my cheeks. I wanted to rip the world apart. The unfairness, the audacity—it was unbearable. My fingers curled, itching to grab, to push, to make this stop.

I hate her. I hate every fairy that dares co near him. I hate him... for being so kind, so perfect.

Zephyri shouted, "Cheating!" as he ascended, flapping wildly to regain distance.

"Everything’s fair, especially our rules," Kaiser called, his voice calm, teasing even, as he leapt onto a rock, then onto a wall, using acrobatics to navigate effortlessly.

He climbed a tree, holding Linne securely, and with a smooth, impossible motion, launched himself toward Zephyri in the air. Throwing Linne in the sky, tagging him with a squeak of effort.

But then she fell. "Aaaaaaaaaaaa!"

I froze.

My heart lurched. He caught her, flawlessly, bridal style. My stomach twisted violently. My fists tightened.

He can’t be serious... Why would he do that? That should be . Only .

I could feel the storm rising inside . My breaths ca shallow, rapid. My hands trembled as though they had a life of their own. My teeth gritted against the furious, destructive thoughts flooding .

I hate her. I hate all fairies. I hate anyone who looks at him the way I do. Why... why did he have to catch her or help her... why...?

I was struggling to control myself, to mask the overwhelming swirl of jealousy and obsession.

Linne’s blush flared fiercely as Kaiser gently set her down. She buried her small face in her hands, hiding entirely from the world.

"You’re blushing," Kaiser teased, that trademark smirk of his curling across his face.

"I-I... I am, s-sorry," Linne stuttered in a high, timid voice, each word trembling.

Kaiser patted her reassuringly. "It’s okay to be shy. After all, you’re cute. Your cuteness led us to victory."

She still hid her face, stamring as she tried to protest, "N-no... it’s y-you who made win... thank... thank you, K-Kaiser."

"Your welco, adorable Linne," he said lightly, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Adorable...? I exhaled sharply through my nose, trying to calm the chaos roaring inside .

Kaiser, how adorable would you find her if I hung her upside down from a tree and ripped her wings off? The thought was vicious, violent, but it barely scratched the surface of what I felt.

"Stop it, Celia... that won’t fix anything," I whispered to myself, gripping my hands so tightly my knuckles turned white.

But Kaiser... he leaned toward her on his own volition, brushing close enough to whisper sothing onto her earsa

No, no, no... he didn’t—he didn’t tell her he liked her, did he? He didn’t say he finds her beautiful... right?

My hands trembled, threatening to betray . My heart thumped violently against my ribs.

Then Linne’s tiny hands closed around Kaiser’s right hand, both of hers enveloping his. She closed her eyes completely, seeming to lt into his presence. They moved a short distance away, out of my line of sight.

No... why... why is he doing this? Rage and panic twisted in my chest.

Am I that boring? That uninteresting?

I clenched my teeth, trying to swallow the sting, the burning jealousy, and the aching possessiveness that made want to break everything around .

"Wow... Kaiser is really fast," Lily said quietly, breaking through my spiraling thoughts.

Lucas nodded, smirking slightly. "Truly."

"Linne... she might be shy at first," Lily continued, her voice calm and factual. "I’ve never seen her make contact with anyone so willingly, not even normal fairies. She’s... uncomfortable with physical closeness."

What? My eyes narrowed. And he made her... on her own will?

"She clearly trusts him," Lucas said with that casual ease of his.

"Natural charr, that one."

I looked down, my hands pressed against my chest, fighting the urge to move forward, to shake her away.

He probably does this with everyone... I’m nothing special. I thought... He... he only did affectionate things for ... I hate this so much...

I hate it.

Soon, Kaiser returned, waving at Linne, who still looked flustered, red-faced, her little wings trembling slightly.

I watched silently, my jaw tight.

I want to see her painted in her own blood... I want to make her regret being near him... But no matter how fierce the thought, I couldn’t bla her.

She was innocent. And Kaiser... he approached her first.

Why... why him? Why is it always him?

I pressed my hands against my legs, trying to steady my breathing, my mind a tangle of fury, hurt, and jealousy.

The laughter in my chest was dark, twisted. I wanted him, only him. And yet here he was, smiling, teasing, charming... and it wasn’t he was holding.

It hurts seeing this...

Finally, Kaiser returned to us. I didn’t turn to look at him, even though every fiber of ached to. My chest was tight, my heartbeat jagged.

"Good work helping the kids," Lucas said casually, patting Kaiser on the back.

Lily chid in softly, "Actually... they’re around the sa age as , and Linne... she’s the oldest."

Lucas blinked, utterly flabbergasted. Kaiser, however, remained calm, a gentle smile touching his lips.

His right hand was clenched into a fist, subtle but deliberate—but I didn’t dare look at him. Not his eyes, not his face.

Kaiser stepped closer. My stomach knotted, and instinctively, I turned my head away.

"What’s wrong, Celia? You’re not looking at ," he asked, voice low, careful.

"Don’t talk to ," I spat, my voice shaking slightly, my hands trembling.

I had never spoken to him like this before. Never.

He sighed, a faint, almost disappointed exhale. "Why is that?"

I swallowed hard, biting back the quiver in my voice. "I... I just don’t want to talk to you. Go away. It’s nothing."

His gaze lingered on , soft, patient, unyielding. Then he turned briefly toward Lily and Lucas. "You two, head inside. I’ll co in a second."

Before I could protest, he grabbed my right hand with his left and gently—but firmly—pulled toward the far left corner of the alleyway.

Lucas waved at us, smiling faintly as if he knew sothing I didn’t.

Kaiser’s grip was strong, unwavering. He walked with until we were tucked away, shielded from anyone else’s eyes. And then... I finally pulled my hand free.

"Why did you bring here?" I said, voice tight with anger and hurt.

"You’re upset with ," he said simply.

"No. I’m not," I insisted, though my voice cracked.

"Yes, you are," he countered, calm and certain.

"No... I am not," I muttered, looking down at the cobblestones beneath us.

"Kaiser..." I wanted to argue, to tell him he didn’t understand.

But he crouched slightly, closer, his blue eyes locked on . "Celia... talk to . Why are you like this?"

I shook my head, stubborn, furious, yet my voice trembled despite myself.

"I... I’m nothing. I’m not special. You... you do this with everyone, don’t you? You... you make them laugh, make them smile... make them feel special... and I... I... I’m just... ."

Kaiser’s eyes softened. "That’s not true."

I bit my lip, trying to stop the tears that threatened to spill, hiding my face. "You don’t see . You... you’re affectionate with everyone... I... I just... I’m not... I’m not the one you... you care about like that."

"I... I thought I was special," I whispered, the words tasting bitter. "I... I’m... I’m just... nothing. You... you’re so kind... with everyone... not just ... I... I thought it was just ."

My shoulders shook. But even as I turned away, even as I tried to blink back the tears that threatened to betray , I could feel his presence close, solid, patient.

I swallowed hard. My vision blurred. I couldn’t let him see crying.

I turned fully away, hiding my face against my arm, trying to steady my breaths. My chest hurt so much I thought it might shatter. And in that quiet, lonely mont, I hated everything... the fairies, the laughter, the monts... and the way Kaiser made feel powerless over my own heart.

Why... why does it hurt so much?

Why... why does he have to be nice to everyone?

Why... why am I not enough...?

And yet... I couldn’t stop watching him, even from the corner of my eyes, even as my tears pooled silently, because I knew, deep down, no matter how much it hurt, I could never let him go.

I wiped my tears away gently, turning toward him.

Even if it hurt so much, I forgave him. I just needed to understand... why he could be so affectionate to everyone else, why not only .

Suddenly, he held both of my hands, pulling them together. My instinct tried to pull away, but he spoke—calm, cold, commanding in a way I had never heard from him before.

"Do not move."

My mind blanked, and I obeyed. My eyes squeezed shut.

He gently opened my palms, and I felt sothing delicate resting there. My chest tightened.

"Open your eyes," he said.

"I... I don’t want to," I stuttered, the remnants of my tears trembling on my lashes.

"Now." His tone brooked no argunt.

Hesitantly, I opened my eyes. And there, resting softly in my hand, was a firefly, glowing faintly in the dim light of the underground. My breath caught.

"Princess," he said, his voice low, intimate, "this firefly is for you."

It hovered gently over my palm, unafraid, trusting.

"I noticed how sad you looked when you reached for them earlier... and they all flew away," he said, his piercing blue eyes fixed on my own red ones. "You should’ve told you wanted one."

I bit my lip, unsure if I could speak.

"Well... never mind," he continued, softer now. "You don’t have to tell , Princess. I’ll bring it to you... on my own."

"You... got it for ?" I stamred, cheeks burning, tears still glimring on my lashes.

"Yes," he said, smiling at like I was the only thing that existed. "I asked Linne to teach how to earn the trust of the fireflies. At first, I had to make sure she trusted ... and once she did, I ca back... just for you."

I blinked, stunned. He had planned everything, had orchestrated Linne’s small victory, not for her, but so that I could have this. Just for .

"I see now... you played the ga... made her win... so she could help you get one for ," I whispered, my heart threatening to burst.

"I noticed the fireflies naturally trust fairies," he continued, his smile widening slightly.

"Earlier, one landed on Lily of its own will. But I couldn’t take that risk with just any fairy."

"Umm... why didn’t you ask Lily herself?" I murmured, still in awe.

"Lily was with the queen," he said gently, eyes never leaving mine. "That’s why she was sent with Lucas. I couldn’t risk asking her with my deductions, Princess. That’s why it took so ti."

"Enough ti to ask a stranger like Linne. To help ."

The firefly nestled closer in my palm, and a few more began to circle around us, drawn in by so invisible trust. He looked at , smiling—I smiled back.

"Anything for that smile, Princess," he said.

"I would do anything for it," he repeated, and this ti his words weren’t just for —they were a promise, solid and unwavering.

I could feel my chest tightening, my heart betraying with every beat. Stop... stop winning my heart so much... I thought bitterly, yet I couldn’t stop the soft, helpless smile creeping onto my face.

And even as the fireflies hovered around us, delicate and magical, I realized... my heart wasn’t mine anymore. It had already been claid, quietly, irrevocably, by him.

"You know... you didn’t have to do all that," I said softly, my voice almost trembling.

"Hmm?" he tilted his head, looking at curiously.

"You didn’t have to... bother," I admitted, unsure, my words faltering slightly.

"Why? Am I... annoying you—" he began, but I cut him off, cheeks burning.

"No—no... not that," I stuttered, fidgeting, suddenly shy. "Everything... everything is better with you. Everything has been better since... with you."

He watched , a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You make happy... in a way no one else can," I whispered, my voice soft.

Kaiser tilted his head, that faint smirk of his lighting up his eyes. "I’m glad I’m the only one. After all... you’re my heart, Celia. Don’t forget that."

I felt a warmth coil in my chest, a flutter that made look away.

"There will be tis... when I may not always be there with you," he continued gently, "but I will always be there for you. No matter the cost."

I bit my lip, blush creeping across my cheeks, watching the fireflies hover lazily around us.

"Sorry for being selfish, my princess," he murmured, leaning just slightly closer, eyes shining with sincerity.

I hesitated, shyly peeking at him, my mind spinning. "What do you... an?"

"No matter how much ti I spend with you," he said softly, voice almost a whisper, "I always end up wanting more."

I turned my head away, pouting, heart pounding in my chest.

"Hmph," I muttered under my breath. "Heart-stealer..."

He laughed, a soft, lodic sound that made my heart skip. "You make smile so easily," I said, a little flustered.

"Ahahah," he laughed again.

"Why are you laughing?!" I squeaked, even shyer now.

"It’s nothing... as long as I exist, you’ll be loved by , my princess." He winked, that effortless charm making fidget.

Finally, unable to resist, I turned my head just a little, shyly eting his gaze.

My heart whispered what my lips couldn’t fully say: eting you was the best part of my life. No matter how much I say I love you... I always love you more than that.

"I hope I got that smile back," he said softly, voice almost tender, eyes scanning mine.

"You did... dummy," I whispered, unable to keep the small smile from creeping onto my lips.

"Glad so... because that’s the only reason I worked so hard," he murmured, a quiet pride in his voice. "To ensure you keep smiling."

And in that mont, watching the fireflies drift between us, my heart felt both fragile and whole—captured entirely by him, as always.

Soon, we were walking back, side by side, the soft glow of fireflies drifting around us like tiny stars.

"He... Kai," I murmured, almost hesitantly.

"Mhm?" he replied, eyes glinting softly.

"W-why do... you call your... your princess?" I stuttered, cheeks heating as I struggled to form the words.

He smiled, tilting his head slightly, and said, "Because the world is brighter with you in it."

I blinked, my heart skipping a beat. "I... I’m... at... your heart?" I stuttered again, voice barely above a whisper as he teased with that faint, knowing smirk.

"Exactly," he said, teasing yet sincere, and I couldn’t help but giggle.

For a mont, all the hurt and jealousy I had felt lted away. He had done everything for ... only for . He had no other intentions. He was mine... and I was his.

I shuffled my feet, hands twisting nervously, words sticking in my throat. "I... I have to... s-say sothing..." I whispered, stopping mid-step.

He imdiately halted, his eyes locking onto mine.

"Th-thank you... for... for making feel... loved," I stamred, feeling a flush climb up my neck.

"I... I just... I don’t want... anything from you... j-just... everything with you," I admitted, my voice trembling slightly.

"If... if we hadn’t t..." I hesitated, glancing down for a second, "the best days of my life... wouldn’t exist... if you... hadn’t chosen ..."

"Celia..." he murmured, soft and low, like a caress to my heart.

I lifted my eyes to him, and he stepped closer, closing the small distance between us.

"If I could give you one thing in life," he said, voice lting from the inside out, "I would give you the ability to see yourself through my eyes. Only then... you’ll realize how special you are to ."

My breath caught, my chest tightening as I tried to hold back tears.

"I... I choose... you," he continued, stepping even closer, "and I’ll choose you... over and over. Without a pause, without a doubt... in a heartbeat, I’ll keep choosing you."

He reached out, brushing his fingers through my hair, and whispered softly,

"Always rember... you’re beautiful. And most importantly... I love your heart the most."

I blinked, voice shaking as I whispered back, "C-can we... please... last forever?"

He smiled, that quiet, unfaltering smile, and said, "Forever is too short for . I’ll stay with you... beyond that."

"Seeing you happy... ans the world to ."

And in that mont, walking together through the soft, glowing lights of the underground, I felt the world shrink until it existed only for us—just him and , heart to heart, soul to soul.

Him and I continued walking, side by side, though my mind refused to keep pace with my feet. My heart was still racing, replaying every word he had whispered.

Princess... he called princess. The word had lingered in my chest, warm and heavy, like it had been carved into . And... he’ll always choose ... over and over... just .

I could feel my cheeks heating all over again, my hands fidgeting as I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. Even his calm, teasing smile made flustered.

How... how can soone be so perfect? I shook my head lightly, trying to push away the images of him holding my hands, the fireflies circling around us. But every ti I closed my eyes for just a second, I saw it all again, and my chest thudded in a way I couldn’t control.

And then a pang of... jealousy struck . Jealous of anyone around him. Jealous of anyone talking to him... My fingers curled slightly as I clenched them at my sides. I never believed in love at first sight... but eting you... Kaiser... I dared to glance at him, my pulse skipping.

I can’t promise to allow anyone else near you... because you’re mine. I love you... I’ll love you until I die... and if there’s a life after that, I’ll love you more. My heart is so full of you... it hardly even feels like mine anymore.

We made our way through the palace of the queen, each step echoing softly against the crystal walls and the faint glow of magical lights embedded in the floor. The air slled faintly of flowers, like a forest rain in bloom, and the soft hum of Sylaris voices surrounded us.

I noticed Lucas and Lily standing ahead, waiting for us.

"Woah... what got her smiling like that?" Lucas asked, glancing at Kaiser.

Kaiser shrugged lightly, his signature calm smirk playing on his lips. "Nothing special, really. A few fireflies coincidentally flew around us."

Coincidentally? My chest tightened, and I could feel my ears heat up. "Coincidentally...? Aww, you’re so mine, Kai... you did that for ," I muttered under my breath, the words almost escaping as a breathy giggle.

Lily tilted her head, a little puzzled. "That’s odd... fireflies don’t really trust humans to get near them."

Kaiser’s smirk never faltered. "Like I said... an odd coincidence."

"Yeah... I suppose," Lily murmured, glancing at briefly before returning her attention to the surroundings.

Then... the air shifted. The presence hit imdiately, cold and overwhelming, yet commanding respect. Even I felt it, and my hands tightened unconsciously at my sides.

The mother of fairies had arrived.

We stepped into her throne room, the light shifting slightly as if bending to acknowledge her presence. My breath caught. In front of us, sitting with an elegance I could hardly comprehend, was...

Sylaphine Blossom—The Mother of Fairies.