Elisia von Sakura.
The cherished jewel of the Sakura Noble Household and the sole daughter of Earl Qherucra von Sakura and Lililya von Sakura.
A half-elven girl, born from the union of a human woman and a dark elf. Since her birth , she has been afflicted by an extraordinary yet peculiar syndrome that enables her to perceive the emotions of those around her. While this ability is a remarkable gift, it also serves as a sorrowful curse that has deeply impacted her life, frequently leaving her inundated by the chaotic yet unsettling emotions of those around her.
As a result, she tends to be shy and struggles to communicate with anyone outside her immediate family, which includes her parents and grandmother.
...
As Elisia wandered through the lush garden, she was accompanied by Vasileia, the head maid. Despite the tranquil surroundings, Elisia frequently felt a sense of unease. She could perceive Vasileia's true emotions, which, while not overtly negative, still weighed heavily on her conscience.
To mask her discomfort, she feigned interest in the vibrant colors of the rainbow eucalyptus tree. However, she was soon astonished as she began to detect two new wavelengths of emotions that were unlike anything she had ever felt before.
One of these wavelengths felt strikingly familiar, almost as if the emotions she was sensing were her own rather than those of another person.
The other wavelength was paradoxical, evoking a sensation as sweet as honey itself, which took her by surprise. Until this moment, whenever she had sensed the emotions of others—whether it was her mother, father, or beloved grandmother—she always felt at least a twinge of discomfort. Despite their positive feelings toward her, she recognized that the emotions she perceived were not her own. It was only natural for her to feel even the slightest contradiction in such situations.
But this intoxicating feeling..... Curious, she turned around and looked toward the source of the two wavelengths of emotion.
In the distance, she spotted two kids her own age, gazing back at her with equal curiosity. First, she focused on the white-haired girl, who was the one giving her a natural yet self-experienced feeling.
Then, she shifted her attention to the boy with pitch-black hair, who emanated an opposite yet serenely sweet sensation.
As Elisia's peach-pink eyes met Aeuu's dark grey ones, the world seemed to froze for both of them.
For what felt like an eternity, Elisia and Aeuu found themselves completely absorbed in each other's gaze, an unknown sensation flowing through their subconscious. In this fleeting yet everlasting moment, nothing else mattered for them; the existential world around them dissolved, unveiling a glimpse of their fragmented bond in a mesmerizing realm filled with enigmatic shades of bright pink and dark pink.
Meanwhile, Vasileia, noticing Elisia's unusual reaction, also turned around. However, when she caught sight of her run-away young master and young miss, her expression became enraged
"Hehe. Young master, young miss. Did you have fun outside?" she asked with a forced smile.
At her words, Celestia flinched. She glanced at the irritated head maid and replied cautiously, "Vasileia, why do you seem angry?"
"Oh my, how could that be! Stop joking, young miss. I am not worthy of being angry at you," Vasileia said with the same irritated smile.
"Is that so? Then you wouldn't mention this to Mommy, right?" Celestia continued with a pleading expression.
"Why would I, young miss!" the head maid responded in the same tone. "After all, doesn't the mistress already know about this?"
"I see..." Celestia sighed in relief at first, but upon hearing the next part, she yelped in surprise, "Oh no!!!"
Her yelp jolted the dazed Aeuu and Elisia back to reality. The moment Elisia emerged from her trance, her half-elven ears and cheeks flushed a deep pink. She lowered her head in bewilderment..
Celestia quickly grabbed her brother's arm, her voice laced with anxiety. "Onii-chan, didn't you say that Mommy went to meet a friend and wouldn't be back until evening?"
Aeuu responded with a neutral expression, "Well, at least that's what I heard? But it seems her plans changed midway." He cast a glance at the pink-haired girl.
"Ara, aren't you quite perceptive, boy!" a mature female voice called out from the dusky evening sky.
Startled, both Aeuu and Celestia looked up, spotting two women soaring toward them. Moments later, Jenia and Lililya gracefully landed beneath the sprawling branches of the rainbow eucalyptus tree.
Aeuu regarded the two women and remarked in a matter-of-fact tone, "I guess that's it for us? It was quite fun while it lasted, though." He shrugged nonchalantly.
"Hey! Don't shrug off your responsibility so easily," Celestia shot back, glaring at him indignantly.
"What responsibility? You're the one who begged me to take you out into the city. Blame yourself!" Aeuu retorted.
"You...." Celestia glared at her shameless brother. "It's clearly your fault that we are in this situation."
"How is it my fault? Was it because I listened to the request of my cute twin sister and was persuaded to sneak out?" Aeuu tilted his head innocently.
"Huh?" Celestia's face turned beet red. She pouted cutely, "You... you're playing unfair again!!"
Meanwhile, Jenia and the others watched their quarrel with amusement. Lililya suddenly laughed, "Hahaha. This takes me back! They remind me of you and Yami, Jenia."
Jenia smiled wryly, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. In an instant, she vanished from her spot and reappeared right in front of the two bickering twins, making them take a few startled steps back.
Suddenly, Celestia's bright cyan eyes sparkled with fake tears as she rushed into her mother's warm embrace. "Mommy, he's trying to bully me!" she cried out, her voice trembling with distress.
Aeuu shot a disdainful glance at his sister, clearly unimpressed by her dramatics. As if that would actually help her out.
Jenia smiled warmly, stroking her daughter's pure-white hair. "Don't worry, sweetheart. Both of you will be equally punished for making me worry," she caringly smiled.
Aeuu smirked in schadenfreude, while Celestia groaned in protest, "Noooooo..."
"Stop scaring them, Jenia," Lililya interjected, shaking her head as she approached with her own daughter.
Lililya knelt down to Celestia's level and patted her gently on the back. "So, this is your daughter? Truly a stunning girl! She will definitely grow into a world-shaking beauty," she remarked with admiration.
"Thank you, A-u-n," Celestia said, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Unsure of how to address her mother's friend, she stole a glance at her mother for guidance.
Jenia noticed her daughter's furtive glance, she was about to speak, but Lililya beat her to it, introducing herself with a warm smile. "I am Lililya von Sakura, your mother's best friend from her academic days. It's such a pleasure to finally meet the children of my dear friend!"
"Likewise, Aunt Lililya," Celestia replied gracefully, performing a slight courtesy as she introduced herself. "I am Celestia Eve Luminous."
"What a polite young lady!" Lililya exclaimed, playfully pinching Celestia's cheeks. She then turned her attention to the quiet Aeuu. "And what about you?"
"Aunt Lililya, can I ask you something first?" Aeuu inquired.
"Of course, little boy," Lililya responded with a gentle nod. Jenia, intrigued, waited to hear what he had to say.
"Am I correct in guessing that you hail from the Sakura lands, Aunt Lililya?" Aeuu queried with a strange expression.
"That's right! Little boy, I am indeed from the eastern Sakura lands. How did you figure that out?" Lililya responded, a hint of confusion in her voice.
"I see..." Aeuu lightly sighed. He glanced at his sister with a deadpan expression. (Didn't I tell you that you are somehow jinxing it by bringing up the Sakura lands?)
Celestia, understanding his implication, shot him an embarrassed glare. (How was I supposed to know it would lead to this!?)
Aeuu dismissed her protest. (Just admit your fault!)
"Mama, he's bullying me..." Celestia's eyes shimmered with tears as she looked up at her mother, trying to appear pitiful.
Jenia glanced between the two, speechless. "What on earth did you two discuss?" Aside from them and Elisia, no one else knew the details of their silent communication.
"Is this what they call an undeniable connection between twins?" Lililya commented faintly.
"Sorry for the delay, Aunt Lililya. I am Aeuu Eve Luminous," Aeuu introduced himself, bowing slightly.
Lililya stepped closer to Aeuu and affectionately ran her fingers through his pitch-black hair. "This hair truly reminds me of someone special," she uttered, her tone laced with nostalgia.
"Haa... Lililya, about that?" Jenia interjected, her expression tense and stiff.
"What is it?" Lililya asked, question marks hovering over her head .
Jenia let out a resigned sigh. "I know you're going to get furious again if I kept this from you... So..."
"I can't stand suspense; just tell me already," Lililya insisted, her impatience evident.
"This isn't the right place for this conversation. Why don't we find somewhere more private?" Jenia proposed, gesturing as she ascended into the sky.
Reluctantly, Lililya followed her.
.....
Aeuu watched thoughtfully as their figures gradually faded into the distance.
Meanwhile, on the side, Celestia approached Elisia, her face lighting up with excitement as she gently cupped the girl's hands. "Hello! Are you Aunt Lililya's daughter? It's so nice to meet you!"
Aeuu snapped back to reality and turned his attention to Elisia, unable to resist admiring her sweet yet exquisite features.
Elisia had beautiful pink hair and soft peach-pink eyes, which added to her shy and endearing demeanor.
""Hmm..." Elisia stammered, feeling flustered as she averted her gaze. However, summoning her courage, she timidly spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I... am... Elisia... von... Sakura..."
"Can we be friends, Elisia?" Celestia pressed nervously.
"Huh? Friends?" Elisia absent mindedly uttered, taken aback.
To Elisia, the notion of 'friends' felt entirely alien. Due to her unique condition— emotional reading syndrome—she had always found herself isolated. Even her family members maintained their distance, fearing that their own flaws would be exposed in her presence. The idea of forming friendships seemed like a distant dream. Moreover, she often preferred solitude, as it shielded her from the discomfort of sensing the darker emotions that lurked within humanity.
Yet, as Elisia gazed at Celestia's pure and innocent smile, her eyes briefly flickered to Aeuu standing on the side. Unlike anyone she had encountered before, the emotions radiating from these twins offered her a strange but comforting solace. Perhaps, if its them...
After a moment of internal conflict, Elisia's expression shifted to one of determination. She lifted her head and nodded, albeit a bit flustered.
"Yay!" Celestia exclaimed with delight. "Thank you, Elisia! You know, you are my very first friend!!"
"M-me too..." Elisia replied, her voice tinged with a hint of elation.
"Is that really true? Hehe," Celestia grinned, her excitement palpable.
"Hey, Elisia, are you truly from the Sakura lands?" Celestia initiated a friendly conversation, eager to learn more.
"Y-yes..." Elisia responded, her nerves evident.
"Could you tell us about the cherry blossoms that bloom in your homeland?" Celestia asked, her anticipation growing.
"Young miss, please be mindful of her personal space. Miss Elisia tends feels uncomfortable around unfamiliar people," Vasileia, who was standing nearby, gently advised.
"Is that so?" Celestia asked, taking a step back apologetically. "I'm sorry; I've heard so much about the beautiful spring scenery of the Sakura lands, and I got a bit too excited."
"No!!," Elisia hurriedly waved her hands in a panic.
She looked at Celestia with a mix of anxiety and hope. "I tend to be quite reserved around people... But if it's you two..." She hesitated, casting a subtlglance at Aeuu. "I-I wouldn't mind!"
After saying this, she timidly lowered her head, It took a lot of courage for her to express her sincere feelings.
"Alright, if you say so!" Celestia relaxed, her face lighting up with elation. "Isn't that right, onii-chan?"
"Huh? Am I included too?" Aeuu replied in feigned puzzlement.
"Stop acting silly!" Celestia playfully chided. "Can't you see that Elisia wants to be friends with both of us? She was even explicitly glancing at you."
"Ahhhhh... Th-that!" Elisia stammered, her face turning beet red as she realized her subtle glances had been noticed.
"Is that true?" Aeuu asked, looking at Elisia and tilting his head teasingly.
"I-I-I..." Elisia's embarrassment reached new heights as her peach-pink eyes spun in circles.
"Onii-chan, stop teasing her!" Celestia rolled her eyes.
"*Cough* *cough*," Aeuu coughed slightly. At the same time, He then approached Elisia and said in his usual monotone, "If that's what you genuinely want, I can accept being your friend..."
"Really..."
Elisia shyly lowered her head, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. This was the first time in her life that she experienced the joy of making friends.
Additionally, due to the close proximity between her and Aeuu, she could more vividly feel the contrasting yet mystically intoxicating sensation that brought her a serene peace like never before.
She couldn't help but wonder why that was?
"Elisia, could you now please tell us about your home?" Celestia urged eagerly, interpreting her musing.
"Alright..."
.....
From a specific part of the sky, shrouded in a inconspicuous barrier, two women appeared, causing the barrier to dissipate.
Lililya murmured absentmindedly, "I see, no wonder..."
As she and Jenia made their way toward the children, Lililya continued to process the surprising revelations she had learned within the barrier.
She still couldn't believe that not only Jenia but also Yami had secretly had a child. Most frustrating of all, they hadn't even bothered to inform her anything about it.
Meanwhile, Jenia wore an awkward smile as she trailed behind Lililya, keeping her distance for safety's sake.
When they reached the vibrant rainbow eucalyptus tree, Lililya's annoyance faded, replaced by a look of astonishment. She watched as her daughter, Elisia, engaged joyfully with the twins, showing no signs of the discomfort that usually caused her enigmatic syndrome.
Lililya was well aware of Elisia's unique gift for sensing emotions, so witnessing her daughter interact so freely with the twins was a delightful surprise.
"Ara, how unexpected! Sweetheart, it looks like you've finally made some friends!" Lililya exclaimed, landing gracefully on the ground beside them.
"Mama...I..." Elisia exclaimed. She wrapped her arms around her mother, burying her face in her mother's dress, flustered and struggling to express her feelings.
Lililya tenderly brushed her daughter's pink hair, a wave of warmth washing over her as she softly murmured, "its fine. I'm glad for you, sweetheart."
Then, turning her attention to Aeuu, she approached him with a mix of curiosity and affection. Kneeling down, she gently stroked his cheek and inquired, "Are you her... Hah..."
With a soft sigh escaping her lips, Lililya felt a whirlwind of emotions churning within her.
Taking a moment to collect herself, she abruptly gazed into his enigmatic gray eyes and playfully asked, "What are your thoughts on betrothing my daughter?"
"Huhhhhhh?....."
Everyone became stunned .
Elisia and Celestia elicited a cry of disbelief.
Simultaneously, Elisia's petite body flushed a deep shade of pinkish red.