The girl tilted her head and opened the wrapper, but her eyes lit up when she saw the candy.

“What is this? It’s so beautiful ….and iridescent. It’s like a jewel.”

Alana explained to the girl, who held it up to the sky, “The candy was called the stone of the wise Emperor Lorenzo.”

Then the girl muttered, “It’s a waste to eat,” and ate the candy. ”It’s so sweet and delicious. That’s right. I’ll bring you some of Serrat’s candy later. I’m going to milk a cow for the first time. My brother was against it because he thought it was a farmer’s job, but milking cows is my dream. I’m very excited. I’ll see you later.”

//She’s too adorable TT.

The girl’s golden hair swayed in the breeze. It glistened in the sun. After Alana and the others arrived at the castle, the girl who had delivered the fried sweets and milk as promised gently told Alana, “I’m the princess of Serrat. Are you surprised? Did I scare you? Please don’t tell anyone I’m here, okay? My brother told me not to go too far into Armenia. If he finds out, he’ll be furious. But I’d like to be friends with you. So, what’s your name? How old are you? Anything is fine, so tell me about you.”

 

”My name is Lupe, and I’m twelve years old.”

“We’re the same age then. Let’s be friends, shall we? Lupe, please.”

This was how Alana met her first and last friend, Mileia.

♔♔♔

In Serrat, Alana stayed in a mansion within the castle grounds. It was a modest room, as it was not prepared for a nobleman. In spite of this, the princess, Mileia, often came to stay with her, saying that she was a friend. She stayed so long that she sometimes slept with him at night. The fact that she was dressed as a servant suggested that she was there for a reason.

Mileia was a person who laughed a lot. She cried a lot.

Alana did not understand why she cried while laughing. She did not know why she was pouting and angry. Because Alana had never laughed or cried since she could remember, nor had she ever been angry. Even when she was abused by her half-brother and driven to the brink of death, she had never cried a single tear. She was sure there was no one more boring than the emotionless Alana, but Mileia seemed to be genuinely enjoying herself. She said that she had never met anyone she felt so comfortable with. That was strange to Alana.

“Is it okay to come here?”

“Yes, it’s fine. Since the arrival of your king and prince, there has been a lot of drinking going on in the castle. Thanks to them, no one is paying attention to me. My servants are also helping me. Hey, tell me more than that? I like the story of that fairy.”

Mileia was quick to ask about fairy tales from around the world, especially the fairy Aetu who appeared in the strange tale. She would listen to the stories, sympathise with the characters, get angry or sad with them, and immerse herself in the story. It seemed to be the most enjoyable thing. It was a feeling that Alana did not understand.

”After all, my brother looks like a fairy. Fairy Aetu is just like my older brother.” Mileia proudly lifted her nose. ”My brother was very beautiful and nice. I think Lupe will be surprised. My brother has the same silver hair as the fairy Aetu, and his eyes are the same violet as mine…I don’t know why he’s engaged to that evil Flavia… I hate her.”

After wrinkling her brow, Mileia stuck to Alana.

“I know I said I hate her, but I don’t usually say things like that. Don’t misunderstand me, okay? I love Lupe, and I don’t want you to think I’m a swearer.”

Alana tried to speak but stopped when Mileia pushed her finger on the tip of her nose.

“You have a lot of secrets, don’t you? My mum said that was “mysterious”. Why is Lupe dressed as a boy?”

Her eyes, which pierced through her, seemed to see through Alana.

“Sorry. I hug you every day, don’t I? I know you have breasts.”

//omg, she’s so direct lol