Ovelia’s POV
I had already eaten so much, but the thought of dessert still tempted . The buffet table was a colorful array of sweets, each one more enticing than the last. The scent of sugar and baked goods wafted through the air, making my mouth water.
"Ann, I’m going to get so dessert. Do you want to co?" I asked, glancing at her.
Ann nodded, swallowing the last bite of her steak. "Sure, Lady Ovelia," she said, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
We stood and made our way to the dessert area, where we found Chief Gareth inspecting the spread.
"Ovelia, Ann, are you enjoying the food?" Chief Gareth asked, his voice warm and welcoming.
"Yes, Chief," Ann replied with a smile. "It’s so delicious that we can’t stop eating."
"There are so many dishes here that I’ve never tried before, and they’re all amazing," I added, my eyes scanning the desserts.
Chief Gareth chuckled, his chest puffing with pride. "I’m glad you like them. linda was the one who suggested all the dishes for tonight."
"No wonder everything tastes so good," I said, smiling. "By the way, chief, where is Mrs. linda?"
"It’s already midnight, and she was tired, so she went upstairs to sleep," Chief Gareth explained. "I’m just checking on Ace and the others. Let know if you need anything, okay?"
Ann and I nodded, and Chief Gareth gave us a friendly wave before heading toward Ace’s table.
I glanced in Ace’s direction and saw him laughing with Ray, Colt, Philip, and Kai. The atmosphere around them was lively, filled with the kind of camaraderie that only cos after a long day of shared challenges. Ace caught my eye and smiled, his expression softening for a mont before returning to the conversation.
I couldn’t help but smile back, my heart fluttering.
"You have such a radiant smile, Lady Ovelia. It’s different when love strikes, isn’t it?" Ann teased, her voice teasing yet knowing.
"Ann!" I said, my cheeks flushing as I instinctively covered my face with my hands.
Ann laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with amusent. Just then, I felt a slight movent in my pocket.
The fairy peeked out, his tiny voice barely audible. "Please get more dessert. I love sweets."
Ann and I froze, glancing around to ensure no one had noticed. Thankfully, the crowd was too absorbed in their own conversations to pay us any attention.
"What are you doing? What if soone sees you?" Ann whispered, her voice tense.
The fairy fluttered his wings dismissively. "Don’t worry," the fairy replied, his tone light and carefree, "I’ve regenerated enough magic thanks to Ovelia’s spiritual aura. I’ve also put up a barrier to myself so only the two of you can see . If anyone looks this way, they’ll just think you’re talking to yourselves."
Ann crossed her arms, her expression turning stern. "I’m starting to dislike you. You’re absorbing too much of Ovelia’s spiritual aura."
The fairy smirked, his tiny hands on his hips. "Oh, that’s fine. I never liked you anyway."
I sighed, feeling caught in the middle of their bickering. To diffuse the tension, I turned my attention to the dessert table. "Wow, they even have pan de coco here," I said, forcing a cheerful tone.
Ann glanced at the table, her expression softening. "Pan de coco is your new favorite, isn’t it, Lady Ovelia?"
I nodded, grabbing a plate and piling it with desserts—pan de coco, slices of cake, brownies, chocolates, and more.
The fairy groaned, his tiny voice whining. "I’m so hungry. Hurry up!"
Ann shot him a glare, "Just be patient, okay?" She said.
The fairy rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but smile.
We returned to our table and began enjoying the desserts. The fairy perched on the edge of my plate, nibbling on a crumb of cake.
"Hey, fairy, you’re eating so fast. You might choke," Ann said, her tone laced with sarcasm.
The fairy rolled his eyes. "The food I took from the villagers wasn’t enough to fill up. I only regain a small amount of energy from eating." the fairy replied with an indignant tone, her mouth whole.
"Are you saying it’s not a ghost taking the vendors’ lost goods? It was you all along?" I asked, a mix of confusion and curiosity etched across my face.
"Yes!" The fairy declared proudly, his shimring wings fluttering as he spoke.
"If it’s you, you didn’t ask for them; you stole them!" Ann interjected, her brow furrowed, irritation bubbling just beneath the surface.
"I asked for it! They just didn’t hear !" the fairy insisted, his eyes wide.
Ann’s frustration was evident. I urged her to relax. She took a deep breath and offered a reluctant smile.
The fairy, anwhile, continued eating. His face suddenly reddens as he begins to choke on his cupcake. "Welp! Ehem! Ehem!" he gasped, clutching her tiny throat.
I quickly grabbed a glass of water and held it up. With a quick flap of his delicate wings, he zood over to gulp it down. I breathed a sigh of relief as I watched him finally swallow.
"You deserved that," Ann said, smirking.
The fairy stuck out his tongue at Ann.
"Fairy, are you Wind?" I inquired, intrigued by her presence.
The fairy paused mid-bite, cupcake crumbs dusting his cheek. "I’ll introduce myself properly once we’re with the two princes and out of this village. I’d rather not repeat my story," he said, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.
"So, you don’t plan on staying away from Lady Ovelia?" Ann pressed.
"Of course not! By the way, I know you have many questions for , but I won’t spill any secrets just yet. Wait until I introduce myself!" he grinned, crossing his arms in mock defiance.
As he spoke, a wave of nostalgia washed over , recalling Wind’s voice, always lodic.
Ann crossed her arms, clearly annoyed. "A mysterious fairy, huh."
Just then, Ann’s stomach growled loudly, and the fairy and I laughed.
Ann shot the fairy a pointed glare, her brow furrowed. Then, with a playful pout, she turned to . "Sorry, Lady Ovelia, but I need to hit the restroom," she said, her eyes narrowing at the fairy. "Don’t you dare do anything bad to Lady Ovelia. If you do, I’ll bite you," she warned her voice firm yet laced with affection.
The fairy opened his mouth to retort, but Ann was already striding away, her boots clicking on the floor.
"Ovelia," the fairy called, and I turned my gaze back to him. "I sensed a thin veil of dark magic enshrouding your maid’s aura. Soone has cursed her." Her voice was a wary whisper as if the truth itself could shatter the fragile air.
A curse? But Ann seed perfectly normal...
Before I could respond, I felt soone approach. Turning, I saw Philip standing nearby, his cheeks slightly flushed.
"Ovelia," he said, his tone light, but I noticed a slight slur in his speech.
"What’s wrong, Philip? Is there a problem?" I asked, concern creeping into my voice.
He chuckled a warm but slightly tipsy sound. "No, not at all. I just wanted to talk to you."
"Sure!" I replied, offering him a smile, my curiosity piqued.
"I’d like us to have a mont, just the two of us. I know a place where we can chat. Would you co with ?" His eyes glead with mischief, but uncertainty nagged at . He seed a bit tipsy, and while I wanted to converse, the idea of being alone with him raised alarms in my head.
"Don’t worry," the fairy said, his wings shimring as he hovered closer. "If he tries anything, I’ll protect you."
His words reassured , and I nodded. "Sure, Philip," I said, smiling.
He began to walk, and I stood from my seat, following him. The fairy fluttered, settling into my pocket, her tiny presence a comforting weight.
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