"Welcome to Alfévia! Realm of fairies and culture!" announced Joshua as they entered a vast forest. The landscape before them was magnificent. On the ground, a small river meandered through plants, rocks, and exotic flowers, all surrounded by cliffs. The two cliffs were connected by a large bridge a little further ahead. Perched on the cliffs were magnificent buildings, all made of wood or natural-colored stones. A stone staircase leading up the cliff presented itself to their right, and they could also catch a glimpse of a welcome arch at the top of the stairs.

Little fairies fluttered here and there, among several white magic elves and other adventurers or tourists, much like them. They had left their mounts in a stable at the edge of the forest in a small village since they couldn't take them with them into the forest.

"So, you believe we'll find the second stone here?" Sillia asked her brother. "In this magical village that looks like it's straight out of a fairy tale?"

"Firstly, we're literally in a fairy village. And yes, I'm certain it's here. I spent about a year here helping the village of Kui, a bit further north. Rumors say that the queen protects a family relic, the same one that grants her powers. So, our first stop will be to introduce ourselves to the queen," Joshua replied.

"Okay... And how do you plan to meet this queen?" Nightcry asked, crossing his arms and stopping in front of them, prompting them to pause and figure out their game plan.

"At the masquerade ball," Joshua simply answered, pointing to a poster hanging on one of the poles of the welcome arch. "Tonight at 9 PM," he finished with a big smile.

"Oh, a ball!" Hirana exclaimed, who had been silent since the beginning. "Do you know what that means, 'Llia?" She asked, jumping with excitement.

"Afternoon dress-up session!" Sillia exclaimed, jumping with her, sharing in her enthusiasm.

The boys chuckled slightly at their excitement, and then they decided to find a motel to stay for a few days before splitting into two groups to find appropriate outfits for the event.

After just a few minutes of walking, chatting, and admiring the scenery, they came across a beautiful inn offering communal or single rooms up in the trees. The design of these little rooms was simply enchanting. They were placed all around a giant tree, small fairy-like houses with doors and windows decorating the area.

The houses were round from the outside and seemed to offer comfort and relaxation to anyone who rented one of these spaces.

"We're staying here!" Sillia exclaimed, turning towards her brother with puppy eyes.

"I think everyone agrees," Zirar approved as he saw all of them carefully examining the place. "Let's go then," he said, approaching the reception desk, with them following close behind.

They inquired about the availability of rooms, hoping to get five single rooms. Unfortunately, they were informed that only one single room was available, but there were several double rooms available since the group rooms were already fully booked. Consequently, they decided to take two double rooms and one single room.

"I propose that the two girls stay together, and Zirar and Night share a room. I'll take the single room," Sillia suggested.

"But I wanted to be alone!" Zirar exclaimed, crossing his arms and displaying a pout on his face.

"Well, then take the single room. I thought you'd enjoy spending time with your best friend, but I guess not," Night teased him.

"That's not what I meant!"

"I know, I'm just teasing you. It'll be at the next inn!" Night announced, patting Zirar on the back, comforting him.

With a unanimous decision and after paying for the rooms, they decided to go and drop their luggage in their respective rooms. Afterward, each group went their own way to buy outfits for the evening.

"So, where do you want to go first, Sillia?" Hirana asked her as they arrived at a path lined with shops.

"Well, we have the whole afternoon ahead of us, so we can take our time and try all sorts of outfits! Let's start with this one!" Sillia suggested, pointing to a boutique.

Their day of trying on clothes went wonderfully. They spent the day trying on dresses, going from magnificent to quirky styles.

Hirana settled on a royal blue dress that faded into a beautiful turquoise. Several layers of petticoats made the dress more voluminous. The corset was adorned with lace and leaf patterns, adding intricate details from the waist to the bottom of the dress. She paired it with high heels and delicate gloves that reached her elbows, both matching the dress's color, and a golden crown with some royal blue pearls in leaf patterns.

As for Sillia, after much hesitation, she opted for a slim-strapped rose quartz dress. Like Hirana's, several petticoats added volume to the dress. The corset and skirt were adorned with lots of sparkles, larger ones near the waist, descending towards the bottom and mingling with smaller ones. What she loved about this dress were the pockets included in the skirt. She paired the dress with a rose quartz tiara and high heels of the same color.

They continued to stroll through the streets of the small town, having fun trying out a myriad of outfits while restraining themselves from buying everything to avoid carrying too much during their long journey. Later in the afternoon, they met up with the boys after everyone had chosen their attire for the masquerade ball. The only thing left was to find masks.

"I saw an interesting little shop for our masks!" Night announced, leading the way towards the said boutique.

After several minutes and streets, they arrived at a small shop that truly looked enchanting. The door frames were made of intertwining branches, and the windows were crafted in the same fashion. They entered and admired the countless masks displayed in the boutique.

"Oh! Well, good day to you, my young ones! What brings you to my shop on the eve of the ball?" greeted an old lady from behind her small counter in a corner of the store.

"We are travelers, exploring the country, and we'd love to attend the masquerade ball. However, without masks, I don't think we can get in. We hope to find some in your boutique," Sillia explained, approaching the counter.

"You've come to the right place, my children! However, your masks are not in my shop. They have not been created yet," she replied.

"What do you mean by that?" Zirar asked, standing behind Sillia.

The old lady smiled at them, then closed her eyes and placed her hands together before gently pulling them apart, creating a glow between her palms.

A magnificent mask, transitioning from white to rose quartz, now rested in her hands. It was adorned with numerous beads, diamonds, and white feathers. She placed it on the counter and repeated the process, and this time, a mask almost identical in design, transitioning from midnight blue to gold, appeared.

She also created a simpler yet equally stunning mask transitioning from gold to navy blue and turquoise, a gray and white mask adorned with discreet lace and a feather, and finally, a green and turquoise mask embellished with several diamonds and emeralds.

"This is what I meant. Welcome to the Creation Boutique! My gift is to create anything within the realm of possibility. My shop changes themes for each event. Right now, I'm focused on creating masks. Here are yours; I imagine you've already guessed which one belongs to each of you," she explained.

"How did you do it? Mine compliments my outfit perfectly!" Hirana exclaimed, admiring her mask from every angle.

"Ah, that's a secret!" She winked at them. "I hope you like them; they're free for you!"

"But we can't accept all these masks for free! How much do they cost?" Joshua insisted as the kind lady kept insisting on giving them to them. "Come on, at least half the price for all five."

After several minutes of negotiating, they finally agreed on a price, and they headed back to the inn. The sun was already setting behind the mountain range.

"We should hurry; the ball starts at sunset!" Sillia announced as they parted ways to get ready. They had agreed to meet directly at the palace, just a few minutes' walk from the inn. While Hirana finished getting ready, Sillia started reading the small brochure announcing the important guests of the ball. The Fairy Queen was, of course, the main guest, followed by the King of the Vampire Kingdom, the King of the Wolf Kingdom, the Queen of the Mermaid Kingdom, and the Queen of the Elf Kingdom. A smile formed on her lips as she saw her mother's name. The list ended with the name of the Queen of the Human Kingdom.

"I'm so excited to see my mother tonight!" Hirana announced, coming to stand next to Sillia, now fully ready and looking stunning. "If I'm not mistaken - and if I understood correctly - your mother will be here too, and she'll be so happy to see her son!"

"Indeed, these reunions promise to be emotional. I'm also looking forward to seeing my mother; I've rarely been away from her for so long," Joshua replied, knowing it would be an emotional moment.

After finalizing their outfits, they set off towards the palace. On the way, they saw many fairies and travelers, all dressed elegantly for the event. Upon arriving at the entrance, they were informed that, once at the ballroom, a guard would announce their arrival to the already-present guests.

"Here arrives Princess Hirana Alexandra Océanid of the Mermaid Kingdom and Princess Sillia Bertha Myo Collins of the Elf Kingdom!" the guard announced before allowing them to enter.

They curtsied and descended a few steps separating them from the other guests. Joshua immediately noticed a tall young man with white hair whom he knew all too well. Zirar was dressed in an entirely white and gray outfit, with a cape that was shorter on his right shoulder and longer on the left, with several silver details.

Next, Joshua spotted his brother wearing a forest green suit with a contrasting pastel green shirt. The outfit was adorned with several small gold and emerald details. And finally, Nightcry was a bit further, dressed in a simpler ensemble of midnight blue with a sky-blue shirt. The jacket had small golden details and a gold chain. Of course, all three of them had their matching masks.

Zirar approached the bottom of the steps as Hirana and Joshua reached the bottom, and he offered his arm to Sillia, inviting her to join him in descending the rest of the steps together. Slightly embarrassed, she took his arm, and finally, they stood at the bottom of the grand hall.

"Hello again, Princess. You are more than enchanting tonight." He kissed the back of her right hand while bowing at the same time.

"You are equally charming, dear prince. This outfit suits you perfectly." She replied with a slight smile, which probably betrayed the shyness she felt.

"Dear guests, it is now time for the arrival of the main guests of this magical evening. Presenting here is King Arthur Gaston the Sixth of the Human Kingdom, Queen Sophia Maria Myo of the Elf Kingdom, Queen Corale Rosalia Océanid of the Mermaid Kingdom, King Vincent David Malenfant of the Vampire Kingdom, and King Harold Olivier Crysons of the Wolf Kingdom." The host announced, and the guests welcomed the royal figures with respect and admiration.

As each name was announced, the respective person curtsied and gracefully descended the steps.

"Of course, we have kept the main guest for whom this ball is organized, Queen Alina Garden of the Fairy Kingdom."

A magnificent woman dressed in yellow appeared, elegantly waving her hand and smiling brightly. She descended the steps and requested silence before delivering a brief speech.

"Firstly, I would like to welcome and thank everyone present for joining us here. This ball is very important to me as we celebrate not only the 50th anniversary of the kingdom but also my birthday. I also see that we have the honor of hosting several future leaders, I hope, of our kingdoms. Welcome to all of you, and let the festivities begin!"

Everyone applauded, and some headed towards the massive buffet, while others greeted acquaintances.

"Sillia, my dear!" a voice came from behind Sillia, and as she turned around, she saw her mother.

She leaped into her mother's arms, their embrace lasting for several seconds, too short for her liking, but then she heard Zirar clearing his throat.

"Don't you introduce us, Princess?" he asked, and Sillia blushed slightly, her mother looking at her with mischief at the nickname he gave her.

"Oh, yes, of course! So, Mom, you already know Night. Now, let me introduce my new friends, Zirar and Hirana!"

"Pleased to meet you both. I hope you're taking good care of my daughter! If I hear that you've hurt her, I will ban you from seeing her for the rest of your lives!" she said with a playful glint in her eyes, and they all chuckled nervously, promising to take good care of each other.

The two concerned friends nodded vigorously as Sillia's mother burst into laughter at their reactions, reassuring them that she wasn't that strict. Behind her, Sillia noticed her brother, Joshua, with tears in his eyes, looking at their mother with a wide smile.

"Oh, I almost forgot, Mom, I have a surprise for you," Sillia said. Her mother looked at him curiously, as she gestured for her to turn around, which she did with caution.

Once facing Joshua, she froze, bringing her hands to her mouth, trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall down her cheeks. Joshua opened his arms and invited her into a hug, which she gladly accepted.

"Oh, my son, I never stopped thinking about you. I'm so happy to see you well. I never thought he would do that," she said, referring to their absent father.

"I'm happy to see you too, Mom. I've never stopped thinking about you and 'Llia since I left. I'm sorry for leaving you without any news for all this time,"Joshua replied, and they hugged before he wiped away the few tears that had escaped down her cheeks. "Don't cry; let's have a good evening. And of course, for now, we need to keep our reunion a secret."

She promised, and they all headed towards the buffet, each of them grabbing a drink and some appetizers. They chatted about everything and nothing, with their mother and Joshua catching up on lost time.

Suddenly, the quintessential ballroom song started playing, and a hand appeared in front of her. She turned to see the owner of the hand and, unsurprisingly, found Zirar with a charming smile on his lips.

"Would you grant me this dance, my dear?" he asked. As she felt her brother place his hand on her shoulder, Zirar winked at her when she turned to him.

She accepted, taking Zirar's hand as he led her to the center of the dance floor, where a large circle was forming. They stood facing each other, her left hand in his right hand, her right hand on his shoulder, and his left hand perfectly placed in the small of her back. He slid it down to her waist, and sensing her shyness, he took the lead, and she followed without a second thought.

Step by step, they moved across the dance floor, and after a few seconds, other pairs joined them. She surprised herself by completely relaxing and letting herself go to Zirar's lead. Next, a slow song started playing, and Zirar pulled her closer, his hands now in the small of her hips, hers on his shoulders. They continued to dance, much slower this time, surrounded by the other guests.

"This is the first time I've ever danced like this with someone," she admitted, admiring his gentle gaze through his mask.

"Well, I hope you're not traumatized by this experience; I'd regret it for life," he said with a small laugh, which she joined, assuring him that it was quite the opposite.

Zirar pulled Sillia closer, his hands now resting on the small of her hips, while her hands found their place on his shoulders. They continued to dance gracefully, moving in perfect harmony with the music, surrounded by the other guests on the dance floor.

Time seemed to slow down as they swayed to the romantic melody. Their eyes locked, and Sillia felt a warmth spreading through her body as she looked into Zirar's mesmerizing crimson eyes. She could sense the sincerity in his gaze, and a wave of emotions washed over her.

"I have to admit, I was nervous about attending this ball," Sillia confessed softly, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Zirar smiled warmly at her. "You don't need to be nervous, Princess. You're doing great, and you look stunning tonight," he replied, his voice gentle and reassuring.

As the song continued, they grew more comfortable in each other's presence. Zirar twirled Sillia gracefully, and she laughed, feeling like she was floating on air. Their connection felt effortless, and Sillia was grateful for the chance to experience this magical moment with him.

As the dance came to an end, Zirar leaned in slightly, his forehead resting against hers. "Thank you for this dance, Princess. I'm honored to be your dance partner tonight," he whispered.

Sillia smiled, her heart skipping a beat at the closeness of their embrace. "Thank you for making this evening so special, Zirar. I couldn't have asked for a better companion," she replied softly.

They stood like that for a moment, savoring the closeness, before reluctantly pulling away. They separated, and he bowed, kissing the back of her hand before guiding her towards the balcony to get some fresh air.

Once outside, they breathed in the fresh air; it had been quite warm with all those people in the same hall. Her gaze wandered to the sky, adorned with two full and radiant moons and thousands of sparkling stars.

"I've always loved this view, this magnificent sky, the intense black broken by thousands of tiny white points," the man next to her began. "And I'm glad to be looking at it with you tonight."

She responded, "I must admit, it's also the first time I've seen it from a place other than through my bedroom window. My father never let me go out at night, not even to see this beautiful sight. He was afraid I'd run away before the wedding."

"In the end, you did run away," he remarked. "But tell me, why do you resist this marriage so much? Maybe your betrothed is looking forward to meeting you?"

She pondered for a moment and replied, "I don't know. I've always believed that one day I would find the perfect person for me. So being forced to marry someone I haven't even met once in my life, I find it strange."

"You never know, perhaps you've already met him without realizing it. Do you know which kingdom he comes from? Maybe I know him?" Zirar asked, still gazing at the magnificent sky before them.

She turned to him, abandoning the beautiful landscape to get lost in his striking crimson eyes, shaking her head, and giving a negative response to his question.

"No idea, my father is incredibly manipulative about these things and never wanted to tell me where he comes from. So he remains my unknown future husband. The wedding is in just two weeks."

"I'll confess something, Princess," he said, glancing back at the room filled with guests. "I'm in the same situation as you, forced to marry someone in two weeks. However, unlike you, I know her a little, but not much. All I hope is that she'll be happy with me as her husband."

"I'm sure she will be," suddenly a voice said, Sillia being startled by it.

She turned around, discovering her mother, still as radiant as she was at the beginning of the evening, accompanied by the Fairy Queen. They made a slight curtsy before engaging in conversation with the two women, all the while still admiring the landscape. They were quickly joined by their other three companions.

Unsurprisingly, her brother wasted no time introducing himself and requested a private conversation. He briefly explained the situation, and the Fairy Queen agreed to meet him right there the following day at noon. She excused herself afterward, stating that she needed to meet the other guests. They thanked her for her time and returned indoors as well.

The evening passed quickly, and she received several more dance invitations, including ones from her brother and Night.

The time finally came to bid farewell to the enchanting celebration. As they made their way back to the inn, Sillia felt a mix of contentment and exhaustion. It had been a long night filled with emotions. They returned to their inn around midnight after witnessing a magnificent fireworks display.

Back at the inn, they all retired to their respective rooms, ready to rest after an eventful day. Sillia couldn't help but reflect on the wonderful time she had spent with her friends and her mother. The memory of dancing with Zirar lingered in her mind, filling her with a sense of joy and anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.

Unable to fall asleep, her mind kept going back to their meeting with the Queen, scheduled for later in the day. She rose quietly from her bed, so as not to wake Hirana, and made her way to the elevator. Pressing the button for the top floor, she patiently waited for the elevator to take her where she wanted to go.

The doors opened to a stunning view of the city. She was now above the building — or should she say, above the tree? — in an enormous room with glass walls and ceiling, providing an awe-inspiring view from every corner.

Suddenly, she heard the soft notes of a guitar playing behind her. Reluctant to disturb anyone, she curiously approached the sound and was astonished to find Zirar with a guitar in hand, dressed in simple attire that contrasted with his usual chic clothing.

A melancholic and sorrowful melody reached her ears. Unwilling to announce her presence, she sat down quietly not far from him and simply enjoyed the music. Hearing him sing surprised her even more than discovering his guitar skills. She never would have thought he sang so beautifully.

With closed eyes, she relished the present moment, setting aside the current problems and worries. She got lost in the moment, softly humming along with his lyrics. Eventually, she stood up, moving closer to him so that he noticed her presence. She sat beside him as they sang the rest of the song together in duet.

"Wow... I had no idea you sang so well," she said once the silence returned to the vast room.

He smiled but didn't respond immediately. His gaze was fixed on the landscape before them - an expansive forest, dotted with small lights here and there. The vegetation was lush, making the scenery green and magnificent. In the distance, they could see floating islands, each carrying a tree and a few buildings, all connected by wooden bridges. Even further behind them, the Queen's castle stood, surrounded by the main city, Arabella. Their hotel was located in the less populated part of the kingdom, which she appreciated. Having lived her whole life in a castle, she enjoyed seeing different landscapes and other realms.

After a moment of silence, she turned her head toward Zirar and noticed his tired features. A light five-o'clock shadow adorned his well-defined jawline. His eyes reflected a hint of regret and loneliness, momentarily making her feel sad.

Perhaps feeling her gaze, he sighed, lowering his head before eventually turning his gaze toward her. They remained motionless, staring at each other, eyes locked. She had never expected to see such emotions in his eyes. A true blend of several feelings, ranging from fear to solitude, then to anger, with a hint of love. Love? She must be mistaken.

"Is everything alright?" she asked him, concern evident on her face.

"Of course, why wouldn't it be?" he replied with a smile, letting out a slight laugh, as if her question were silly.

"I don't know. I must have imagined things, like how you played such a sad melody and your eyes reflected loneliness and sadness mixed with anger."

"You don't need to worry about me, Princess. You have enough to deal with as it is. I should be the least of your concerns..." Zirar replied, his voice tinged with a touch of melancholy.

"Well, that's just how I am... I worry about everyone, especially when I care about them... And it all becomes too much for me the more I think about it... I feel like I'll never be able to handle it all. Anyway, I see you're closed off and not in the mood to talk. Goodnight," the Princess said with a hint of sadness.

She got up, giving him a faint smile before heading back to her room, noticing that Zirar didn't move from his spot, looking even more withdrawn than before. His thoughts seemed to weigh heavily on him, and she couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something behind that guarded exterior. As she retreated to her room, she hoped that he would find the peace he needed, but the concern for him lingered in her heart.