As we step through the grand gates, a wave of golden light washes over us.
Scarlette blinks, momentarily overwhelmed. The Light Kingdom seems even more dazzling than she imagines—almost too dazzling.
Wait… why am I looking at her?
Floating lanterns drift lazily in the air, their soft glow illuminating pristine streets paved with shimmering stone. Delicate vines of luminescent flowers curl around ivory pillars, their petals opening and closing as if breathing. The air carries a faint scent of jasmine and honey—thick and sweet, almost cloying—far too inviting.
I can't help but let out a low whistle. "Well, isn't this just paradise?" I muse, amusement flickering in my tone.
Yes, I do get amused.
Scarlette, however, seems to start feeling uneasy. I notice her gaze flickering skeptically around, and I can't blame her. Everything here feels too perfect, like a polished mask barely concealing the darker truths lurking beneath.
Her hesitation isn't unfounded. To me, it's all too clean, too controlled—a place where every shadow seems carefully banished. A place like this doesn't exist without a cost. There's always a price for perfection.
"Why is it so bright in here?" she asks, shielding her eyes.
"Yeah, isn't it supposed to be night?" I ask, glancing up at the unnatural brightness that seems to stretch on forever.
Lumera smiles. "Night doesn't happen here. But you can rest at my place—there's a spare room, and yes, a washroom," she adds, glancing at Scarlette with a knowing smirk.
After a short walk from the gates, we step onto gleaming pavements made of gold. The streets hum with an energy I can't place—like everything is just a little too alive, a little too perfect. Around us, Light Fairies drift gracefully through the air, their white and yellow robes billowing like sunlit clouds. Their glowing wings shimmer, just like Lumera's, as they laugh and twirl effortlessly in the air, basking in the endless sunshine. It's as if they have no cares at all—a world of pure, unending light.
At the end of the road stands a small house painted a striking shade of yellow. Though modest in size, with only two rooms and a cozy living area, it radiates warmth.
The air smells like fresh peppermint and tangerine—overly clean, like a place built to be admired, not lived in. Every piece of furniture is either yellow or white, giving the place a sterile, almost artificial feel. Nothing here looks like it's meant to withstand time. Everything has the sheen of something brand new, meant for display rather than comfort.
"This is my humble abode," Lumera says with a smile.
Not exactly my taste, but what choice do I have? It's probably safer here to rest, for now, even if the overabundance of sunshine starts to give me a headache.
"Don't you need to pee?" I ask Scarlette, the words smooth, almost too casual.
Lies need follow-through, or they fall apart too easily.
"I don't actually need to pee," she whispers.
"Go anyway," I whisper back, annoyed. The less time we spend talking about it, the better.
"Everything okay?" Lumera asks, turning to us with an ever-present, welcoming smile.
"Charlotte needs the washroom," I remind her, my voice sweet as syrup.
Scarlette gives me a half-hearted glare but pouts and goes inside.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Lumera," I say, my smile as fake as the polished gold around us.
"You are most welcome, Ravos," she replies, her voice dripping with warmth.
As Scarlette returns, Lumera greets her like an old friend. Light Fairy hospitality. It's a bit much, but I retain my smile, remembering that I'm now Ravos the Love Fairy, not Veravos the Dark Fairy.
"Would you like some dinner? Perhaps an herb stew?" Lumera offers warmly, her voice as soft as the glowing lanterns outside.
Herb stew? That's what they eat? Bunch of pungent leaves from questionable sources in boiling water and they call this dinner? No thank you.
"It's alright, Lumera. We already ate," Scarlette says, her tone genuinely appreciative but with a hint of underlying tension.
"Drinks, then? A rose tea, maybe?" Lumera asks, pouring the fragrant red liquid into delicate cups and handing them to us.
I watch Scarlette take a sip, still unsure how I feel about everything. Lumera's kindness—too much of it—feels like a trap, but it's hard to pinpoint exactly where.
Lumera studies Scarlette with almost hesitant curiosity. "You know, you're really the kindest Dark Fairy I've ever met… To think you actually saved me," she murmurs, still processing what we've done for her.
I smirk, resisting the urge to make some sarcastic remark. Instead, I speak first.
"Don't mind us, Lumera," I say smoothly, the lie slipping easily from my lips. "But after some rest, we'd love to see the town."
Her gaze flickers for a moment, and for a heartbeat, I wonder if she's catching onto something. But then she smiles again, the mask slipping back into place.
"Rest! Of course, it's been a long day—even for me," Lumera muses, as if contemplating some deep, cosmic fatigue. "I'd be happy to show you around once you've had some time to recover."
I give her a gracious nod. "It's alright, Lumera. We wouldn't want to trouble you—we can explore the town ourselves if that's possible. It's our first time traveling together."
"Oh! A couple's trip!" Lumera claps her hands excitedly, her expression too bright, too… rehearsed.
I can't help but feel the edges of that smile twist uncomfortably in my chest. Such hypocrisy. Or maybe it's excitement—who could say?
"Not at all," Lumera shakes her head firmly, her smile never wavering. "But you'll need to be really careful. Stay vigilant. Some strange things have been happening in the Light Fairy Kingdom lately."
"Wait… what strange things?" Scarlette asks, her curiosity piqued.
"People are going missing," Lumera replies with a casual shrug, as though it's a minor inconvenience. "Just a few rumours, but I'm sure they'll be found soon. It's better to stay vigilant, though. Low crime doesn't mean no crime. Am I right?" Her smile is almost too practiced.
That isn't their slogan. Strange. Does it have to do with the Dark Fairies?
Is Judorah behind this?
Also, where is the Light Guardian that we're supposed to look for?
I need answers.