"Actually, father didn't like humans either. They were stubborn, arrogant, and selfish. But that's no different with elves. They were the same."
"Father didn't like elves either. Just because a child was born to a concubine, they always looked at him with contempt. There was no warmth, no recognition."
"Unable to stand such treatment, father left the elven kingdom. Ah, the elven kingdom still exists because the elders there possess special magic that can conceal the entire kingdom. But because of the war long ago, the population has dwindled, and many live scattered and in hiding. Despite that, their heads are still held high."
"Traveling alone sometimes makes father feel lonely. But it's still better than being treated unfairly. Then that day, father met your mother."
"By coincidence, at that time, your mother almost fell from a high cliff. The tree branch she was holding on to nearly broke, and fortunately, when she actually fell, father was able to catch her."
"But after helping her, father was confused. Why did I help her? She's human, right? Considering the humans I've met so far, I thought she might be just as annoying."
"But that thought quickly vanished. Your mother was a very kind person. Even though we shared the same fate, she wasn't like me, choosing to leave. Your mother stayed with her family even though they hated her."
"When I asked her why, she answered with a smile. Because I loved them. Even if they hated me, it didn't matter. Because I simply loved them."
"A love I couldn't understand at the time."
"As time went on, we grew closer and decided to live together."
"And then you were born."
"Mother and father were very happy at that time. But unfortunately, your mother's health deteriorated."
"Father had made many medicines, but for some reason, none of them could cure her."
"Do you know the rumor that elf blood can heal even those near death?"
"Yes, I know."
"That's true. But there's something people don't know."
"In exchange for saving a life with blood, the elf who gave it will die."
"Actually, it's like an exchange of lives."
"When I was about to give my blood, your mother refused. I asked why?"
"Death is destiny. If regaining my life means taking another, then I'd rather live my destiny as I should... And also, human life is short. Even if I live, I don't know how long I'll be with our daughter."
"That's what your mother said, with such a gentle smile on her face."
Hearing this, the girl burst into tears. Her father began coughing up blood and his body slowly grew cold.
"The reason I wanted us to live side by side with humans was because maybe we could meet someone as good as your mother. But now it's like this. I'm sorry."
The girl shook her head, there was no need to apologize.
"I'm also sorry I never took you to your mother's grave. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to ease your sadness."
His trembling eyes reflected the image of her crying daughter. Her father patted her head gently.
"Even though it's hard for you, don't hate everything too much. Someday you'll understand."
"No... I- I don't w-want to understand... I... I don't want father to go..."
"Don't go... Don't..."
The girl said through sobs.
Her father's voice faded.
His breathing slowed.
His heartbeat began to slow.
Her father stared at his daughter's face for a long time.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be with you growing up."
In his eyes, his daughter slowly began to fade.
"Father loves you."
Her father's blue eyes were now tightly closed.
His breath was no longer flowing.
His heart was no longer beating.
Inside the silent house, the girl tightly hugged her father's bleeding body.
Only the sound of her crying could be heard. As the sun rise and the light began to shine, the girl was now alone.
And now, the girl still lived alone in that house. It had been a long time since she last spoke to anyone. She didn't know if the old woman was a good person or not. She wanted to believe that she was truly kind to her.
But the fear inside her was something she couldn't blame.
She went about her daily activities as usual. The old woman didn't come to her house. Inside, she felt a little relieved, but at the same time, she felt sad.
A week passed. One afternoon, someone knocked on her door. The girl was surprised and peeked quietly through the window.
It was the old woman she had helped earlier. She was initially hesitant to open the door. After taking a deep breath, she finally did.
"How are you?" the old woman said with a smile.
"I-I'm fine." The girl still stuttered.
"Sorry, I can't visit every day. My old body gets tired quickly from even light work and walking. Oh, by the way, these are for you."
The old woman handed her a box full of cookies.
"T-thank you. Y-you don't have to bother."
The girl accepted. The old woman smiled.
"It's okay. In fact, I'd like to visit every day."
Hearing this, the girl tilted her head, her face questioning.
"Doesn't it feel lonely living alone?" The old woman said as if she knew what she was thinking.
"Even though I live in the village, I also live alone in the house. Even though the house is busy outside, it's quiet and a little boring inside. But at least there are people I can talk to to ease the loneliness."
The old woman smiled at the girl.
"That's why I came to you."
Although the girl didn't quite understand what the old woman meant, for some reason, she felt a little happy.
"Someone to talk to." Those words rang in her heart.
As it was almost evening, the old woman returned home.
"Visit the village, at least once." the old woman said before leaving.
That night, in her room, the girl recalled the old woman's words.
"Visit the village..."
The events of the past still haunted her. A sadness and fear she never wanted to feel again.
"Can I do it?"
Remembering her father's words, the girl wanted to try.
It rained heavily that night. She fell asleep with the sound of the rain accompanying her.
Morning came. The still-damp leaves dripped with the collected rainwater. The scent of rain wafted from the damp grass. As she had expected, the old woman didn't come that day.
A week later, the old woman returned with a box full of cookies. Despite their brief conversation, the awkwardness between them slowly faded. The old woman would come at least once a week. For three months, this continued.
Then that week, the old woman didn't come. Even the week after that, and the week after that.
At first, she thought perhaps the old woman had grown tired of seeing her. And perhaps didn't want to see her again.
A month passed after that. The old woman didn't come.
"Is she really tired of it?" She didn't know.
If it was really because of that, she probably didn't need to worry, but a thought occurred to her.
"What if she's sick or maybe she's already passed away?"
The girl didn't know. She pondered whether she should visit her or not.
"I should at least thank her properly."
The girl steeled herself. She prepared some of the medicines she had made to give to the old woman.