Chapter 26
Fey'ha was silent when he stepped back into the pixie realm with his guards.
"Prince! Look out!"
SLAP!
He barely had time to blink before something soft and fast smacked across his face.
"What the hell is this flying beast?!"
Gasps rippled through the realm.
All the pixies in the area instantly dropped, saluting as they knelt with their heads bowed and eyes pressed to the floor.
THUD!
"Your majesty?!" they cried out in respectful unison.
Fey'ha scowled, clutching the strange creature in his arms. "What the hell is this fly beast?!" he demanded, holding it up for inspection.
"Dowdo! What trouble did you make this time?!"
Two figures burst into view, chasing after it—Tammi and Soren. They froze the moment they saw who held their friend's life companion.
They both bowed low and saluted quickly.
"Apologies, Prince Fey'ha!" Soren said, flustered. "We didn't mean for our friend's companion to… attack you. It can be a bit—erm—" he rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed, "—difficult. Just like its owner."
Fey'ha blinked, brows furrowing. A strange scent clung to the carpet, thick and faint all at once. His chest tightened sharply. He rubbed it unconsciously, that ache gnawing at him again.
His eyes narrowed. "Whose friend?"
He held the carpet firmly now, though not unkindly.
Tammi swallowed and blurted, "The woman you took to your private chambers. You'na."
Fey'ha froze. His fingers stilled on the fabric. Slowly, almost reverently, he lifted Dowdo closer, pressing his nose into the threads. He inhaled deeply, easing that burning itch in his chest.
Then his head snapped toward them, golden eyes blazing.
"My You'na is your friend?!"
Realization flickered across his features. Oh… that explains a lot.
His hand finally dropped from his chest.
"Yes! She's our best friend!" Tammi said eagerly, his eyes darting around the courtyard. "Where did she go? I heard she was here!"
But when he saw no sign of her, his face fell. His breath hitched, panic rising as his body trembled.
Did I imagine it again?! Tammi thought wildly, stumbling.
Soren caught him quickly, steadying him with a firm hand. Concern etched into his face as he tightened his hold.
Fey'ha's voice cut through the moment, low and pained. "I took her back home. To the human realm."
Again his hand pressed to his chest, rubbing hard as though trying to calm an ache that wouldn't fade. The pain only grew sharper.
He sighed, voice breaking. I miss my gur'fid so much it hurts to breathe.
A whimper escaped before he could stop it, tears gathering until they spilled freely. He hugged Dowdo tighter, burying his face in the soft fabric.
Tammi's own tears blurred his vision. He clutched at Soren, laughing and crying at once. "She's alive! She's really alive!" He whispered it over and over, like a prayer.
Soren wrapped an arm around him, patting his head gently. His own throat tightened, but he only murmured, "I know."
When Tammi finally pulled away, ready to beg Fey'ha to take them to her—
SLAP! SLAP!
They both jumped.
Dowdo was at it again, smacking the prince across his face in defiance, thrashing wildly to escape.
"Dowdo! Stop it! That's the prince!" Soren scolded, horror in his tone. His heart pounded—if Fey'ha lost his temper, Dowdo would be destroyed in an instant.
But to their shock… Fey'ha didn't even flinch.
He sniffled, brushing a tear away with the back of his hand. "M-may I borrow this… for a few hours? I swear I'll bring him back unharmed."
He stroked the carpet's threads obsessively, cradling it against his chest like something sacred.
Tammi and Soren stared at him, wide-eyed. Their hearts raced as the truth settled like lightning.
They exchanged a glance.
Understanding flashed between them in silence.
You'na must be his gur'fid.
Were there really so many coincidences in the world?
Or was fate finally circling back around?
⸻
Back in the human realm, You'na rose from her bed and showered, steam washing away the heaviness clinging to her skin. Dressed and fresh, she walked side by side with her grandmother toward the main house.
They had already finished their earlier conversation, yet a tug remained in You'na's chest. She felt happy, but a strange loneliness gnawed at her soul—an ache she couldn't explain.
Sylvia noticed, of course. "It's a cruel novelty, isn't it?" she said gently, leaning on her cane as they walked. "This is the hardest period of all—after you find your first soulmate. The soul sickness comes. The bond aches because it wants more. The others will come to you soon enough, child. But for now, you'll feel that emptiness… until the circle completes."
You'na's lips pressed together, her fingers brushing the golden root bracelet at her ankle. "It feels like someone's missing. Like my spirit knows it should be whole, but it's not."
"Exactly." Sylvia nodded, sharp eyes softening. "It's the pull. Your soulmates will find their way to you—whether they want to or not."
The words lingered in her chest as they reached the main house. Servants along the polished hall bowed as they passed.
"Good morning, madam. Young lady," one greeted. "Please head to the dining room. Breakfast will be served soon. The rest of the young masters and sirs are waiting."
They followed the servants to the dining room, chatting on the way.
"What are your plans for today?" Sylvia asked casually, glancing at her granddaughter.
"Mm, I plan to get familiar with this life, memories, and check out this school and pop star business," You'na thought for a moment before answering with a shrug.
You'na planned to hunt down her list of grudges needing settling.
Hehe, she couldn't wait to get even ×100.
Though she wasn't afraid to state her intentions, she also didn't need to spell it out for her grandmother when she clearly knew she wasn't just going out for "checking anything."
Tsk.
Sylvia rolled her eyes, annoyed and amused at You'na's straight-faced lie.
"Plan to do anything exciting during these activities?" she asked dryly as her granddaughter played dumb.
"Mm, I plan to sightsee and even take a brisk walk and enjoy the world's beauty," You'na continued speaking nonsense confidently.
They had just entered the dining hall when Sylvia said this with a meaningful smile and look.
"Oh, I had no knowledge we lived so close to places with brisk-walk-like scenery. Mm, interesting."
Snickers were heard from the ones present, and You'na noticed some new faces.
"Yup, interesting indeed. You should spend more time walking around your neighborhood instead of staying inside."
You'na pointed this out while taking her seat and began serving herself, taking a large scoop from each plate.