The room was dreary, its brick walls half-collapsed.
A taxidermied crocodile hung from the ceiling, while strange, indecipherable symbols covered the walls. An old wooden bookcase emitted a musty scent, filled with thick, ancient tomes.
At the center of a circular magic circle drawn on the floor stood a mage cloaked in a brown robe. Only their eyes were visible, the rest of the face hidden.
Kneeling outside the circle was a tall woman, her head bowed. She spoke in a somber voice.
"But since we can't sense Mithys's mana anywhere... I believe she's dead."
"The fairies have secret sanctuaries passed down through generations. She may have retreated there," the mage replied, their voice sharp and metallic.
"Even so, her condition looked very poor. And with my attack on top of that, she won't be able to return."
The mage spun around. At their feet, a black cat meowed and rubbed against their leg. The mage scratched the cat's back with a gaunt, bony hand.
"Is that truly so?"
"If she does return, I'll find her. And this time—I'll make sure of it!"
"I understand. But a failed mission must still be punished."
The woman's eyes trembled.
"You didn't bring me Mithys's corpse."
A beam of light shot out from the mage's raised fingertip.
"Begone from my sight."
With a whoosh, the woman transformed into a large rat. The rat darted out the open window. But the mage only chuckled as he petted the cat again.
"Go, Basti! Feast to your heart's content tonight."
At those words, the black cat flicked its tongue and leapt out the window in pursuit. Moments later, a small animal's shriek echoed from afar.
Water trickled gently from a large fountain in the garden.
Fruit trees in full bloom and fragrant roses perfumed the air, while minstrels played cheerful music with relaxed smiles.
This was the favorite garden of Julius Viyola, eldest son of the ducal house Yusshargen, of the Peridot bloodline. Reclining lazily on a luxurious bench, eyes closed, Julius was immersed in the music.
"My home is the best, after all. I can't understand people who love traveling. Don't you agree, Mehmet?"
"Already weary from such a short trip, my lord?"
"A little. There were some amusing things, though."
A breeze stirred his unbound golden hair. Julius's pale green eyes twinkled at the memory of something entertaining.
"What amused you the most, if I may ask?"
"Well... the gift from that girl of another world?"
As he spoke, Julius pulled something from his coat. A canned cola. Mehmet widened his eyes at the unfamiliar object.
"What is that?"
"I believe they drink beverages from these. Isn't it a delightful little toy?"
Mehmet tilted his head in curiosity.
"It's certainly fascinating. But this isn't the first time a lady has given you a gift, my lord."
"No, but..."
Just then, the rustle of silk and the sudden waft of perfume made Julius's nose twitch. A familiar scent. It was her.
"Julius! You've finally returned!"
A woman dressed in an elegant violet gown wrapped her arms around his neck. Julius gently removed her hands and stood up with a sigh.
"Finally? Didn't we see each other last week?"
"But I heard you went somewhere dangerous. I was so worried."
"Ha! Dangerous, hardly."
The woman's violet eyes sparkled with joy. The amethyst embedded in her forehead glistened in the sun, rippling with light. She was clearly overjoyed. But the peridot gem in Julius's own forehead remained unchanged.
"So? How did the matchmaking go? What's your future bride like?"
"I didn't meet her."
"Oh my, really? Why not?"
"There were... circumstances."
At that, the woman leaned into his arms and whispered,
"I still can't believe you're going to marry that halfwit half-fairy."
"That's enough, Shamanaz. The engagement has already been decided."
Julius pulled her away. But Shamanaz's violet eyes still shone brightly.
"I've told you before—I'd be happy even as your mistress. I don't want your status. I want you."
Mia followed Leca into a massive hall.
At the center stood a three-tiered platform, atop which sat a grand throne. Upon it sat a man dressed in regal attire.
'Is this the king?'
He looked fairly old, but the red jewel embedded in his forehead was striking. That jewel seemed to pierce through everything like a third eye, and Mia instinctively shivered.
Leca knelt on one knee before the throne and bowed his head. Mia, unsure what to do, hesitated. Was she supposed to kneel too?
"You've arrived, Leca."
"My apologies for the delay, Your Majesty."
"And the girl beside you? What of Mithys?"
"I regret to inform you that Lady Mithys weakened during her molting and vanished. However, this young girl entered the water where a Mithys underwent molting —and inherited all her abilities. have brought her in her stead."
The room erupted into murmurs. Mia glanced around.
Flanking the king stood twelve elders in spotless white robes, six on each side. Each held a staff in one hand and bore a different gemstone on their foreheads, just like the king.
"What nonsense is this, High Commander?"
"Even if Lady Mithys is gone, how can this be!"
"That girl is just a human from another world! Are you saying we should make a human our queen?!"
The elders' voices rose in protest. Mia sighed internally. Of course. What on earth was Mithys thinking, sending her here? There was no way this would work!
The king raised a hand, and silence fell.
"Leca is a spirit. When given an order, he has no choice but to obey. He was told to bring a queen candidate, and if Mithys has disappeared, he likely believed fulfilling the order with a substitute was necessary."
"Still, this is preposterous...!"
"Indeed, it's absurd!"
The elders erupted again. The king bellowed.
"Enough! Quiet, all of you. Now then, what is your name, girl?"
"...Mia, Your Majesty."
She answered, her voice trembling slightly. The king looked back at Leca and asked.
"She entered the water where a fairy underwent molting and absorbed all of her abilities—is that what you're saying?"
"Yes. Though she has yet to master magic, the powers have indeed transferred."
"How did that come about?"
"Lady Mithys lived with Lady Mia in her world."
Leca answered everything on Mia's behalf. The king studied Mia from head to toe, then coughed harshly. The fit continued for a while. When it finally ended, he spoke with difficulty.
"We shall decide this matter through council. I must rest now, so all of you are dismissed. Leca, take care of the young lady for the time being."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Mia could feel the elders' burning gazes stabbing into the back of her head as she exited the chamber. Leca said nothing, simply leading the way until he knocked on a door. A stern-looking middle-aged woman appeared.
"Oh, High Commander. What brings you here?"
"This lady will be staying with us for a while. Please show her to her chambers and prepare a change of clothes."
The woman looked surprised as she examined Mia's foreign attire but then gave a small nod. Leca bowed to Mia.
"This is Mariam, the head handmaiden. Please follow her. I'll return later."
With that, Leca departed. Mia followed Mariam into a lavish room. Like the other women of the palace, Mariam dressed Mia in a white Grecian-style tunic. It felt strange.
"Please rest well. If you need anything, just pull that cord."
Once Mariam left, Mia let out a sigh. It had been an exhausting day, and her mind was in turmoil. The sun was already setting. Through the open window, golden light streamed in.
Mia collapsed onto the bed. Everything had happened so fast, her head was still spinning.
'Where is Mithys? There's no way to contact her...'
Lost in thought, Mia suddenly heard sweet music from somewhere. It seemed to ride the breeze through the window.
She leaned out, and the faint scent of roses reached her nose. Entranced, she felt the urge to take a walk and followed the fragrance and music.
'Back in the mole village, there was music too... maybe nearby...'
And then, as she stepped into a vast garden—
She locked eyes with a man pruning rose bushes. Mia froze in shock. He looked just as stunned.
"You're...!"
"...!"
It was him. The blond man from the club and the street! Mia was too shocked to speak.
"How are you here...? Did you follow Mithys?"
Just then, a brown-haired man burst into the garden. Pointing at Mia, he exclaimed to Julius,
"My lord! Lady Mithys has gone missing!"
"What? What do you mean?"
"I just heard. She's disappeared—and they've brought this woman to take her place as queen!"