Chapter 78
In the cramped corner of the spacious elevator, our breaths mingled.
“Move aside.”
Alferen didn’t withdraw his touch. Instead, he looked down at me as if he couldn’t comprehend my reaction.
My heart pounded from the closeness. He kept caressing my face, refusing to let go.
“We’re not so distant that you can’t even answer a simple question.”
“…”
“Are you really not going to speak to me at all, Delly?”
His voice carried a lonely edge that softened my resolve. It was only natural for him to feel that way.
I had unilaterally ended our fake relationship and then avoided him—of course he’d feel hurt.
Guilt crept in, and my voice came out gentler than before.
“Of course not. It was nothing serious, that’s all.”
“Nothing serious.”
“Yeah. I just cried because I read a sad novel.”
“…I see.”
His eyes showed no belief, but he accepted the answer meekly.
Still trapped in his arms, I gently pushed against him.
“Weren’t you about to leave?”
“Right. I should go.”
Alferen gave a faint smile and pressed his lips to the hand he still held.
“See you again, Delly.”
The heat in his gaze was overwhelming; I looked away instinctively.
The doors opened, and he stepped back quietly.
Only then did the tension drain from my body. I slid down the elevator wall and collapsed against it.
“Haa.”
I was grateful he hadn’t pressed further, but that parting line felt somehow ominous.
“See you again? As if we’re definitely meeting soon.”
He wasn’t the type to say empty words, which made the aftertaste even more unsettling.
Dwelling on it would only make me anxious, so I hurried toward the hideout.
There was something far more important right now.
I entered the hideout with a tense expression.
Fortunately, it was empty.
‘I need to hurry before Lottie arrives.’
I had deliberately asked Lottie to fetch an ice pack so I could check something in secret.
Between Jessica and Alferen, I had completely forgotten about the Fairy Bloom.
I made a beeline for it.
The Fairy Bloom that Sierra had brought was well cared for; its leaves were vibrantly fresh.
The bud, swollen from absorbing mana, seemed to radiate a strange energy.
Gulp.
My throat tightened with nerves as the moment approached.
“It’s you.”
The leaves spread across the floor like dandelion fluff, with a tall stem rising proudly.
At the tip was the bud—exactly as Sierra had described, open just enough to fit something small.
With no one around, it was the perfect chance to check.
I quickly slipped the beast tamer’s stone I’d been carrying into the opening.
Hoping desperately for some reaction.
In that instant, the Fairy Bloom shimmered with iridescent light, and the flower burst fully open.
“Wow.”
The dazzling radiance blinded me; I couldn’t see clearly.
I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for the light to fade.
A moment later.
—Did you awaken this sovereign?
A refreshing aura swept through, as if I had stepped deep into an ancient forest.
The voice—calm and flowing like a gentle stream—was not human.
It resonated directly in my mind, startling me into opening my eyes.
“Gasp!”
I clapped a hand over my mouth at the sight of the tiny fairy perched atop the flower.
With butterfly wings, the fairy was as small and adorable as Tinker Bell from Peter Pan.
Its form leaned masculine, crowned with a delicate circlet.
“Little fairy?”
—Little? How rude. This sovereign is the king of the fairies, ruler of water and forest, commander of flowers, trees, and insects. A mere mortal should show proper respect.
Despite the dignified tone, those fluttering wings looked so small and precious.
‘So, so cute.’
I barely swallowed the squeal threatening to escape and performed a respectful curtsy.
Only then did the fairy’s expression soften noticeably.
—I had heard of the human realm, but I did not expect it to be inhabited by such bizarre giants.
I’m not a giant—you’re just tiny.
I swallowed the retort and asked politely.
“Is this your first time in the human world?”
—Ahem! Do not belittle me just because I have only recently ascended the throne. I could still bind you in tree roots and play with you like kindling.
My words had apparently sounded like mockery; the fairy’s face darkened.
The air around us grew chillingly cold—perhaps not an empty threat.
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention. Please forgive me?”
When I lowered my stance, the corners of the fairy’s mouth twitched.
He seemed oddly pleased, and it was so endearing that I pinched my thigh to keep from showing it—he’d get angry if I did.
The fairy rose and fluttered toward me.
—In any case, your affinity with nature is remarkable. No wonder you awakened me.
“Are you perhaps the Fairy King?”
I pointed to the crown, and he lifted his chin proudly.
—Something like that. This sovereign governs plants. The other kings each command their own domains.
If the fairy spoke true, there might be hope for saving Lord Deven.
I earnestly pleaded with the fairy now occupying my palm.
“Could you perhaps melt the glacier of an ice dragon? Someone has been afflicted by a glacier tainted with demonic energy.”
My heart raced for reasons I couldn’t explain.
I waited anxiously for the Fairy King’s reply.
Finally, he snorted and declared boastfully.
—Hmph! Do you truly believe a mere ice dragon could stand against this sovereign? You have been exceedingly rude from the start. Such a task could be done with my eyes closed.
“Really? For real?”
At my repeated confirmation, sparks flashed in the Fairy King’s eyes.
—Do you dare doubt this sovereign’s word?
The ground trembled violently, as if an earthquake were imminent. I hurriedly spoke.
“No, no! I believe you! I was just so happy—please forgive me!”
The shaking stopped instantly. The fairy rubbed his nose and said,
—Ahem! Since you are the first human to summon me, I shall grant special mercy.
For someone so quick-tempered, he calmed down remarkably fast.
His lack of regal dignity and somewhat careless demeanor suggested his claim of recent ascension was true.
He seemed lenient because I was his first summoner.
‘Anyway, he says he can melt the glacier.’
Then I absolutely had to form a contract with the Fairy King.
Beast tamers and magical creatures bound themselves through a “soul pledge.”
The beast tamer’s stone reacting to the Fairy Bloom likely meant I had met the awakening conditions.
‘But what do I do next?’
I had succeeded in summoning, but I didn’t know exactly what a soul pledge entailed.
With no beast tamer around to ask, I blinked in confusion.
—Why are you silent? Do you perhaps not wish to contract with this sovereign?
The Fairy King’s face flushed blue with grave misunderstanding. I quickly clarified.
“That’s not it at all. It’s my first time contracting, so I don’t know how to perform a soul pledge.”
Unfortunately, that only provoked him further.
—Your first time? Then this sovereign was summoned by a complete novice?!
The Fairy King’s eyes shook wildly. Seeing what looked like embarrassment, I cleverly praised him.
“No! It’s because you’re the Fairy King that you were specially summoned! You’re the only fairy currently in the human realm.”
At the word “only,” the Fairy King calmed again.
—The soul pledge is simple. With mutual consent, we reveal our names to one another and etch them upon our souls. Do you desire a contract with this sovereign, human?
“Yes. I do.”
—Very well. Even if you are a novice, with natural affinity like yours, a soul pledge with me is worth attempting.
The moment his permission was granted, the surroundings fell utterly still, as if time itself had frozen.
Then the petals of the Fairy Bloom encircled us.
I was mesmerized by the breathtakingly beautiful sight.
