After Isabelle laughed her fill, I decided to ask her...
Why the hell were everyone so small? Children?! Where are the adults?!
"Adults?" She tilted her head, so cute, as her violet eyes blinked in genuine confusion. "Could it be, Benjamin, that you truly think we are children?"
"Eh?! Ah, uhm..."
The way she asked that... I feel like I’ll seem like a fool if I simply just say yes.
My mouth opened, then closed again as nothing was coming out, then I felt the back of my neck and face heating up from embarrassnt.
Though, Isabelle was still looking at with that serene and polite expression, but now...
Was it ? Or were there so tiny spark of mischief dancing in those big green eyes. Like she already knew the answer and was just waiting for to dig my grave deeper.
I swallowed. "Uh..."
And she burst into another light giggle, soft and like a jingle, the sound carrying through the glowing air like wind chis.
"You’re funny... Benjamin. So, you really think I’m a human teenager?" She bounced once on her toes, the mischievous energy rippling through her petite fra, as her skirt fluttered just enough to tease another glimpse of her smooth thigh. Her dragonfly wings gave a quick, lively flutter.
"Huh? Uhm, you look like one," I replied while looking away quickly, before my gaze could linger on the way the mint fabric of her shirt clung to the mild curves beneath, or how the green tie rested perfectly between them.
"No wonder Her Majesty got peeved," Isabelle said, as she wiped a nonexistent tear from the corner of her eye with one delicate finger.
Her voice was convivial and increasingly tender, as she spoke. "Take note, Benjamin, Queen Titania has a complex about being ’weak’ and ’small.’ This is because she used to be a tall and powerful [Superior Spirit of Nature]. But due to her excessive infatuation with the mortal realm, she went and turned herself into... that adorable little thing, becoming the first fairy."
"What... What a lore," I muttered, wiping actual sweat from my brow. The fairy dust in the air was making everything feel mildly electric; with my skin tingling like I was walking through a field of static. "So she wasn’t lying about being as old as the world?"
"No, that was a lie," Isabelle said coldly, with her tone flat and nearly unemotional. "She lies a lot, that Queen. And she’s probably the most dishonest person you’ll ever et."
I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips.
As Isabelle made that statent about dishonesty, I rembered Tama, Akane, Ayaka... The three tsunderes I have t in this world. All of them had sharp tongues but with so hidden softness... and of course, endless denial of compassion.
If Titania fit right in with that club, I don’t mind at all. It makes her cuter, don’t you think?
"So you’re not actually a 15-year-old... I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions," I apologized, with my eyes wandering everywhere but her eyes. Actually, the rudeness hit too late. "I know a 90-year-old bunny who looks like a mustard seed, but is actually a sex-loving expert. I should have learned my lesson."
"Eh...?" Isabelle snapped her head toward in the middle of walking, as her green eyes widened placidly. We were walking along another massive root path now, with the bark warm and slightly springy under my boots. "Are you referring to Silver Shadow?"
Silver what now? Who’s that?
"I don’t know this Silver Shadow person," I responded, confused. "But she’s actually a very innocent and cute bunny girl when she’s not horny."
Isabelle looked like she was deep in thought for a mont, with her violet gaze drifting upward toward the glowing canopy.
Then she looked at again, with her expression softening into sothing nostalgic. "This person sounds like my junior in school then... Usagi of the Khanna Rabbit tribe, the granddaughter of Princess Lily."
...Huh?
My brain nearly fried for a second there.
Usagi?
The silver-haired innocent bunny from Shishi-no-su?
Isabelle truly knew her?
"She was five years below in school," Isabelle continued casually, as if discussing old classmates over tea. "And I had to beat her up every ti since she lived for mischief a lot."
Wait... how old is Isabelle?!
She smiled at my shocked face—small, genuine, lips curving in a way that made her look even more disarmingly cute—and bent forward slightly, closing the distance between us.
I flinched instinctively, heart jumping into my throat as her body ca within inches of mine. The faint scent of honeysuckle and fresh dew clung to her, mixing with the ever-present fairy dust.
I don’t want to lay my hands on this girl...
"So... How old do you think I am?" Her voice was like music—soft, teasing, laced with playful challenge. Her breath brushed my cheek.
"Uh, I hear it’s rude to talk about a girl’s age!" I responded, not knowing what to do as Isabelle had gotten very close to .
Her twin buns bobbed slightly, white blossoms swaying; the vine-tie between her breasts rose and fell with her steady breathing.
"Ahaha!" She laughed aloud, straightening up and covering her mouth with one hand. The sound echoed softly through the root-path, drawing curious glances from a few passing fairies. "If you don’t know, I’ll tell you, Benjamin Mark; you’re fun to tease."
Don’t admit it like that! I know I’m kinda reactive.
Then she gave a glance, and was it or was her smile getting less and less chanical and quite warr now?
The polite secretary is turning into a friendly buddy little by little; enough that she shows genuine amusent, maybe even a hint of true fondness.
"I’m actually one of the youngest fairies in Fairylynch..." She said, continuing to walk forward again, her steps light and graceful. Then she stole a glance back over her shoulder, her green eyes sparkling. "So don’t be scared to aim for , Benjamin~"
Her gesture was insanely cute; the slight tilt of her head, the way her wings gave a quick and flirtatious flutter, the playful lilt in her voice.
I wanted to cuddle her! Just scoop her up in my arms and bury my face in those soft green buns while she giggled and maybe whine and protest.
By the way, the youngest fairy in Fairylynch is 47 years old, and Isabelle is 200 older than them. So do the math.
Maybe I should assu everyone in Elyndor are long-lived?
The realization settled over slowly as we continued walking.
In Verdant Spire, Sara was over 1500, Lotus nearly 5600, Elara pushing 4200. In Shishi-no-su, Sakura and her sisters were around 12,000, Usagi was 90, and it seed like Silverøse was even older than Lotus....
And now Isabelle—who’s the youngest here—was already pushing two hundred fifty or more.
Age in Elyndor wasn’t linear the way it was on Earth, and bodies didn’t age the sa; things like power, magic, reincarnation cycles, and divine blood, it all warped ti sohow.
I glanced sideways at Isabelle.
She was humming softly now, a gentle lody that blended with the ambient chirps and rustles of the realm.
Her short skirt stretched with each step, flashing toned thigh and the mild outline of her pert curves under it.
Though, she caught looking, but she flashed another warm smile without judgnt. It made wonder if it was a discreet invitation.
Ugh, I’m getting conceited again.
***
Fairylynch stretched out around us: with colossal trees housing entire districts, their roots forming natural boulevards, and their vines serving as bridges and swings.
Fairies darted overhead while laughing and trading Titanian Coins at floating stalls, or practicing spells that made flowers bloom in midair or turned dew into tiny rainbows.
The bakeries exhaled clouds of honeyed steam; weapon forges rang with delicate hamr strikes on star-tal blades. Everything small in a way, yet grand and alive, and thriving.
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