After having changed and warmed up with Nora's special soup. And your ears were still running from the ultimate lecture that you had to rub it a few times to confirm its existence. After that Diana and you chatted about your life. Diana had lots of stories as she travels a lot. Since her Mother gets summoned by many kings and emperors of different continents.

"And there was this king who had drunk so much that he ended up throwing all over Mother. I swear Mother looked like she'd smack the man across his face."

But not all experiences were good. You grimaced in disgust. Look at this one for example.

"Meow!" Apparently, Ether agreed since it let out a disgusted hiss.

Diana looked at him like she wanted to cuddle him but Ether seem to have touch phobia because he didn't let anyone touch him except you.

If someone tries he utterly destroys their face. Poor Pierce had tried and ended up with horrific scars.

"He certainly would've deserved that. If you can't handle your liquor you shouldn't drink. Tch, on that he was a king. A king!" You snarled in disgust. Though you did want to laugh at her Mother's poor luck. But refrained. You didn't want to upset Diana.

You felt Ether snuggle against you harder as Diana tried to pet it. He turned its head the other way when she made a puppy face with an adorable pout.

You snorted. God, your cat was such a jerk. How could he resist her beautiful, pretty and utterly cute face? He must be a sage or something. That made you snigger more.

"I should go now. Mother must be waiting for me." Diana suddenly declared.

Eh? Are you upset that Ether didn't let you touch him? Don't mind the jerk!!

"Huh? Do you have to go? Can't you stay a little longer?"

"No. It's quite late and it'll be dinner time. It's our tradition to eat food together. I don't want to break that and upset Mother." Diana said with a sad smile.

You frowned but nodded. You didn't want her Mother to think you were a bad influence by forcing her to stay and break the tradition.

"Alright..."

Diana waved to you as she walked away with Iseka by her side since she too was retiring for the day. She was unusually pale and quiet.

"Don't worry. You'll meet her tomorrow!" Nora smiled at you. sweetly seeing your disheartened face.

"But she will be gone first thing in the morning!" You grumbled feeling disappointed that you had to say farewell so soon to your new friend.

"Then wake up early and say goodbye to her," Nora suggested. "Come on, let's do the dishes and go to bed early so you could wake up early."

You complied helping her with the dishes and cleaning the kitchen. It's taken hours since Nora's a clean freak. Obsessing at the slightest stain.

By the time it was done you were tired and exhausted from all the excitement of the day.

Just as Nora tucked you into bed there was a knock on the door. You tiredly looked at your Mom as she made her way to the door, confused and tensed.

You couldn't see from the bed who was it. Hearing a few murmurs you finally distinguished the familiar voice. Your heart picked up in excitement.

"Hello, Miss. Can I sleep here for the night?"

"Of course, dear. Come in, come in. It's quite cold outside!" Nora nudged the girl inside before locking the door.

"Diana. You're back!" You happily jumped on your feet hugging her.

She giggled just as happy to return the hug. "Mother said I could stay with you for the night! Isn't she nice?!"

No. Definitely not. What kind of mother lets their daughter sleep at a stranger's house? But you didn't want to judge her Mother before even you met her. She must have had her reasons. The one you didn't understand.

"Yeah!" You shrugged off the odd feeling and beamed at your friend.

Nora with her hands on her hips looked at both of you and smiled. "Now, now, it's enough chatting for the day. It's bedtime. Let's tuck you in bed!"

"Okay!" You both agreed. You both were tired after all. Just having her stay the night by your side was enough to cheer you.

You both quickly climbed onto the bed with you in the middle and Diana and Nora on the sides. Nora was on the edge to make sure none of you fell out and injured yourselves.

"Momma, tell us a story!" You said. You felt drunk at how happy you were. It almost as if you turned a child. A literal one.

Diana brightens up. "Oh, A story. I want to hear a story too!"

Nora looked amused. "No lullaby?"

You giggled shaking your head. "Maybe after the story...?"

Nora smiled before adjusting her position so she could lie properly. The bed was small but you all managed somehow.

Nora hummed in thought before starting. You and Diana stared wide eyes with eager smiles.

"Once upon a time there was a small happy family. They all were happy and content with their life. But one day the elder son among the three children embarked on a journey despite his family's protests."

What a scumbag!

"He travelled long and hard. Saw breathtaking scenery. Beautiful people. Cultural heritage and activities. Everything the world had to offer. But he wasn't satisfied. For him, this all was normal and mundane. He wanted something different, something extraordinary. One day he heard a rumour that an elf lived in the forest where no brave man dare to walk. Intrigued by this, the son was eager to feel something extraordinary. So he travelled in the forest. He was strong and he was smart. Most of the time he defeated the dangerous creatures that dwelled within the forest and outwitted the ones he couldn't defeat. Until he reached the centre of the forest to find a clear clearing with a beautiful lake and middle of it a sparkling tree. There on the root of the tree sat a beautiful and out worldly woman. He was ensnared at one. Falling in love with her."

Love at first sight..? Do that thing even exist? I always thought it was lust at first sight!

"So he eagerly called her and confessed his love every day, despite her ignoring him. The beautiful woman feeling nagged everyday, snapped one day at the man to leave her alone and that she couldn't love him. He persisted. Days turned to weeks. Weeks turned to months. And months turned to years. Still, the man persisted, never leaving her side. It melted the heart of the woman and she finally accepted his love. Soon, they had children of their own and lived happily."

Good for you man.

"But it didn't last as the other grew old but the women did not. Because she was an elf. First of her kind to ever reveal herself to a human and fall in love. The beautiful elf couldn't bear the thought of losing her family so she left without a word, without a warning. Leaving behind the confused husband and children."

You didn't know what to think. To outlive your loved ones sounds painfully tragic.

"Times passed and his husband, heartbroken neglected all his duties towards his children. The children left the man out of frustration and started their own life. More time passed the man was on his last breath and his dying wish was to see his wife. Taking pity on her, the elf granted his wish. She appeared in front of him. They both hands in hand left this world for the other. Together and forever."

"Oh. That's a beautiful story!" Diana said though not so much enthusiastically as she was drowsy.

"Yes it is, isn't it?" Nora said kissing your forehead and Diana's too whose cheeks flushed again as she smiled back shyly.

"Now go to sleep."

You nodded but questions swamped in your head.

What kind of tragic yet not tragic love story was this? An elf and a human.

Why did the elf decide to return? Wouldn't watching her love take his last breath be painful? But then again they did get together at last.

And what happened to their children? Did they die or formed their own family?

Urgh, you were getting worked up on some stupid, cheesy tale!

Your thoughts disappeared as slumber's warm hand engulfed you.

......

Morning arrived too soon for you as you stood in front of a road from where your friend will depart.

Ether made himself comfortable on your head. Purring now and then. You tried to get him down but that damn furball dug his claw into the scalp and hissed until you yelped in pain and gave up.

Diana sniffed as she looked at you with teary rose eyes. Her gorgeous mother waited patiently to the side talking to your Momma.

"I'll miss you.." She sniffed almost on the verge of tears.

"Hey don't cry or else I'll cry too, you know!" You sniffed too. You wanted to act like an adult but losing your friend in a world you don't know made you immensely sad. Even though it was just a farewell.

"We'll meet again. So don't cry!" Diana said through her tears.

"Say that to yourself!"

You both giggled before you nervously shuffled on your feet. You had a farewell gift for her but you were hesitant. What if she thought you were too pathetic? Or your gift is equivalent to garbage?

Your cat patted his tiny paw against your cheeks as if encouraging you. You appreciated him but his painful claws were still fresh in your mind.

"You're my first friend. I'll never forget you. You'll always be in my heart even when we are... Empire apart!"

Hearing those heartfelt words made you warm. Instantly your worries vanished as you beamed at her.

"I'll also never forget you. No matter how much distance we're apart. Or how much time flies I'll always remember you too. Because you're my precious friend!"

Diana looked like an angel with her teary eyes but a happy smile.

Maybe we're being cringey af but for the moment it felt right.

So you took a deep breath and extend your gift to her. "It's not too much. But this is my gift to you. Something to remember our good times."

Okay, you didn't want to say all that stuff but it seems your mouth has a life of its own. You cringed hard. That's so cheesy!

Diana looked at the red ribbon neatly folded on your small palm before looking at your anxious face. She turned around.

Your heart sank. You knew you shouldn't have expected too much. See her mere rejection of your gift stung like a dose of acid on your skin.

"Would you mind tying my hair with the ribbon?" Her soft voice snapped you out of your cursing spree.

It took a moment for your dumbfounded self to regain your thoughts.

"H-huh. O-okay." You hastily smoothed her hair before tying it in a ponytail with your ribbon. You made a bowtie-like style so it'll be visible from the front. Her eyes popped out with the red ribbon, contrasting with her blonde hair. She looked beautifully cute.

She turned and beamed at you. "Thank you! I should also give you something to remember me!"

As you try to protest she had already taken off her colourful bead bracelet and grasping your wrist tied it around your wrist.

"There now we've both something of each other! Like best friend!" She giggled happily.

You joined her too. "Best friend forever!"

As both hugged tears prickled again. But before you could burst out in tears, you felt someone else engulfing both of you in a warm embrace. And from the angry hiss Ether let out but he still sat on your head like a stubborn child.

"Now, now no need to cry. It's just a 'see you later', not a permanent goodbye. Down the road, you may end up meeting each other again. Life's strange like that."

Soon enough you were waving her bye with a happy grin as she walked away with other dancers which she returned just as giddily.

She looked like she's going back to her world. The one where beautiful women like her dwell. Like goddess.

Like a fairy from some beautiful fairytale.

Ether jumped from your head in your arms so suddenly you almost dropped him.

Meow!

He looked quietly at you. You chuckled before scratching his ears making let out delightful purrs.

You looked back at the road with a heavy yet hopeful heart.