Mahina had remained in a decorous silence since dinner began, quietly listening because she did not understand the customs of Elves and Fairies. However, as Orino’s outgoing personality livened up the atmosphere, her tense nerves finally relaxed, allowing her to join the conversation naturally.
“Do you need to replenish your Magic Power periodically?”
Orino shook her head, her braids swaying with the movement. “Not while in the Fairy Forest. In the outside world, as long as there is a member of the Royal Family nearby, I don’t need to. This is because Fairies outside feed by absorbing the Magic Vibrations of the Elven Royal Family!”
Mahina wiped the corner of her mouth after finishing dinner. “Vibrations?”
“Just like a heartbeat, the Elven Royal Family naturally radiates Magic Vibrations that Fairies like, and Fairies naturally absorb them. As long as I am near the two members of the Royal Family, I can maintain this form indefinitely.”
“Oh.”
Ophelia looked at Orino. “Anyway… let me fill you up first.” As she spoke, Ophelia extended a slender finger and lightly tapped Orino’s forehead. A soft light flashed and vanished.
“Thank you, Your Highness Ophelia.”
Ophelia withdrew her hand, her tone gentle. “You don’t need to be so formal. Usually, only the two of us, mother and daughter, live here. Just treat us like family.”
“I understand.”
“And about the bed…” Ophelia looked around the cozy yet cramped Little Log Cabin with some difficulty, her gaze finally resting on the only large bed in the room. “Orino, where are you going to stay tonight? This is neither a palace nor a mansion… Hmm.”
If they were to squeeze in one more person, it would be a bit tight.
“Orino will just change back into a little fairy.”
Ophelia nodded in satisfaction. ‘Perhaps Philia was being quite thoughtful by sending a Fairy.’
Buying another bed or moving would be a hassle, so this was much more convenient. ‘Wait… it isn’t Philia’s jealousy, is it? It’s not that she hates having another Elf under the same roof as me, right?’
At that moment, Little Merlin, who had been staring at Orino, finally spoke. Her large, inquisitive eyes blinked as she asked the question on her mind. “Are you a water fairy or an Ice Fairy?”
Since she was sent by that Queen she had never met, she should be a Fairy related to her own attribute.
“An Ice Fairy!”
“Then why is your hair orange?”
“Because on the day the Head Maid picked me up, the Elven Head Maid gave me sweet, orange-flavored ice cream. I can never forget that taste. That day, I made up my mind—I was going to evolve into an Orange Ice Cream Ice Fairy!”
Mahina was speechless. ‘I… I have no words for Fairies. Is the evolution path of a Fairy… really that random? Is it just because of gluttony?’
“Hmph! Don’t doubt Orino!”
A chill instantly filled the air. Under everyone’s gaze, several crystal-clear ice bowls manifested out of thin air. Immediately after, orange ice cream, emitting a rich citrus aroma, poured out and quickly condensed into perfect spheres within the bowls.
“Take it as a dessert after the meal!”
Little Merlin’s eyes lit up instantly. She took a spoon, scooped a large mouthful, and put it into her mouth. The cold, velvety texture exploded on the tip of her tongue, and the perfectly balanced sweet and sour orange flavor made her feel joyful. Little Merlin happily raised her hands and cheered, “Wow! It’s delicious! Orino is amazing!”
Ophelia murmured to herself. ‘I haven’t had much contact with Great Fairies during my years away. Has the evolution direction of Fairies really become like this? Whatever, as long as the baby is happy.’ She didn’t expect the Fairy to have any combat strength; the key was for her to notify Ophelia in times of crisis and take care of the child.
“Furthermore, Orino plans to develop the strongest orange-flavored ice cream and make all the ice cream in the world orange-flavored.”
“Yay! Long live orange flavor!” Little Merlin clapped enthusiastically, following the mood.
Ophelia just looked at the rowdy newcomer. “Well… let’s not do that.”
Orino ate the ice cream with a satisfied expression. Ophelia watched the Fairy who was about to become Little Merlin’s maid. In a sense, whether it was for that dull and clumsy Adult Merlin or this innocent and romantic Little Merlin, this noisy fellow might be a perfect fit. She possessed a special kind of infectious energy; just being near her lifted one’s spirits. Ophelia could imagine that in the future, with her by Merlin’s side, this cabin would surely be filled with laughter.
Mahina looked at Orino. “Do Fairies still need to eat?”
“No… because Fairies are a Pure Magic Body. We can’t survive in the outside world without a member of the Royal Family acting as a medium.”
“I see…”
“But we can still experience taste! That’s why Orino decided to become the strongest ice cream Fairy on that day!”
“It truly is delicious.” Mahina took a bite and was also amazed by the pure flavor.
“Right? Orino is the strongest ice cream Fairy!”
Ophelia looked at the excited Fairy. “So, besides ice cream, what other functions do you have?”
“Orino isn’t weak at combat either! After all, I am a Great Fairy. The only reason Orino could come to Zelion was because of the Empress’s recommendation.”
Ophelia was a bit puzzled. Even if a Fairy were to be sent, wouldn’t any Fairy be more or less the same? A recommendation? ‘Well… whatever, it doesn’t matter.’
The others at the table looked at each other.
“Orino will take care of cleaning the dishes too.” Without giving the others a chance to intervene, Orino nimbly cleared the table. Accompanied by the light clinking of stacked plates, she swept into the kitchen like a whirlwind.
“Please enjoy, this is green tea to help with digestion. And this cup…” She gently placed a cup of steaming white milk in front of Little Merlin with a smile. “This is specially prepared warm milk for the growing Her Highness Merlinlia.”
It seemed she had already familiarized herself with the layout and items in the house. Mahina took a slow sip, the fragrance of the tea lingering between her lips and teeth, neutralizing the sweetness of the ice cream and bringing an unprecedented peace to her state of mind.
She set down her teacup, her gaze lingering greedily on Little Merlin for a final few seconds. Then, reluctantly, she stood up, smoothed her skirt, and waved gently to Little Merlin.
“Well then, I’ll be heading back. See you tomorrow.”
Little Merlin put down her milk cup, her hands placed politely on her knees, and nodded. “See you tomorrow.”
Suddenly, Orino, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, remembered something.
“Ah… the Empress also told me that a Saintess Candidate is coming to Zelion as an exchange student recently!”
Mahina paused.
***