Elowyn sat on the bed, her blue eyes glimmering with gratitude as she looked at Ashan.
"I don't feel dizzy anymore. Thank you so much."
Ashan smiled gently, patting her head.
"You don't need to thank me. I just did what I was supposed to do. But now, we have a little problem to solve."
Elowyn tilted her head in curiosity.
"What problem?"
Ashan raised an eyebrow.
"Isn't it obvious? How are you going to return to your home?"
Elowyn's expression turned thoughtful, and she looked down, fidgeting with her hands.
"I... I didn't think about it. All I wanted was to leave the hidden place. But after everything that happened, I don't know how to find my way back."
"So, you're lost," Ashan concluded.
Elowyn nodded hesitantly, her gaze lifting to meet his.
"But you know about the spirit forest, don't you? You even know about world trees. Could you help me get back?"
Ashan shook his head.
"It's not that simple. The spirit forest is far from here, and even though I know where it is, it's a dangerous journey. Besides..."
"Besides?"
"Besides, we're kids," Ashan explained, his tone matter-of-fact. "I'm only eleven, and you're ten. Do you think my parents would let me wander off to a dangerous place at this age?"
Elowyn's shoulders slumped as she sighed.
"You're right. I wasn't thinking clearly. I'm sorry for being selfish."
"It's okay," Ashan said kindly. "But I do have an idea—though it's not an easy one."
"What is it?" Elowyn asked, a glimmer of hope returning to her eyes.
"You'll have to stay here for a few years, at least until we're old enough to do something about it."
"Stay here?" Elowyn's voice rose slightly, her tone a mix of surprise and anxiety. "But how can I stay in your home? Will your parents even accept me?"
"They will," Ashan assured her. "My parents are kindhearted, and they'll understand. But we need a story to explain things."
Elowyn leaned forward, intrigued.
"What kind of story?"
"Here's the plan: You'll pretend you came to my room in the morning, not at night. You transformed into your human form but fainted right after. I helped you and laid you on the bed. That's the story I'll tell my parents. When they come to check on you, act scared at first but let them comfort you. Answer their questions honestly—trust me, you can rely on them. Just remember: you didn't see me clearly until you woke up in front of them. Got it?"
Elowyn nodded, determination replacing her earlier fear.
"Got it."
"Good. Now, stay here. I'll go get them."
As Ashan left the room, Elowyn lay back on his bed, her mind racing.
Who is he? she wondered. Even though he's my age, he feels so much older—like someone who's lived through a lot. And how does he know so much about my kind?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. She quickly closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.
...
Leone and Maria stood in front of Ashan's room, their faces a mixture of disbelief and concern.
"Son, you're not joking, are you?" Leone asked. "A white peacock transformed into a girl in your room this morning?"
"I know it sounds unbelievable, but it's true," Ashan replied firmly. "She's sleeping on my bed. You'll see for yourself."
Maria clutched Leone's arm.
"Open the door carefully, Leone. We don't know what we're dealing with."
Leone nodded and slowly pushed the door open. The three stepped inside, their eyes immediately falling on the silver-haired girl sleeping on Ashan's bed.
Maria gasped softly, her hand covering her mouth.
"It's true... she's just a child."
Leone's brows furrowed.
"A demi-human... but I've never heard of a tribe that can transform into peacocks. This is beyond strange."
As they approached the bed, Maria noticed Elowyn's pale face and gently touched her forehead.
The moment Maria's hand brushed her skin, Elowyn's eyes shot open, and she scrambled to the corner of the bed, trembling.
"Leone, she's scared," Maria whispered. "We need to reassure her."
Maria slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, her voice warm and soothing.
"Child, can you understand us?"
Elowyn hesitated before nodding.
"It's okay," Maria continued. "You don't have to be afraid. We won't hurt you. We want to help."
Elowyn glanced at Ashan, who subtly nodded, encouraging her through telepathy. She relaxed slightly, allowing Maria to gently take her hand.
"See? It's alright," Maria said with a kind smile, pulling Elowyn into a comforting hug.
Leone watched the scene with a soft expression.
"Maria, stay with her for a while. She needs comfort."
…
After explaining her story to Leone and Maria as planned, Elowyn wiped a tear from her cheek.
"So your name is Elowyn, and you're a princess from a hidden demi-human tribe?" Leone summarized.
Elowyn nodded.
"Yes. My people have lived in secret for centuries, thanks to the Archmage Arcane. But because of my carelessness, I was captured and brought here."
Maria squeezed Elowyn's hand.
"And why did you follow my son?"
Elowyn glanced at Ashan briefly before answering.
"I don't know why, but I felt... safe when I saw him."
Leone chuckled softly, ruffling Ashan's hair.
"Looks like animals and people alike find comfort in you, son."
Turning back to Elowyn, Leone's tone grew serious but kind.
"You don't remember how to find your home?"
Elowyn shook her head.
"All I know is that it's inside the spirit forest. Without help, I'll never find it again."
Leone knelt before her, his voice gentle but firm.
"Then stay with us until we can figure out a way to help you. You're safe here, Elowyn. For now, think of us as your family."
Elowyn's eyes filled with tears as she whispered,
"Can I really stay here?"
Maria hugged her tightly.
"Why not? The boy you followed is my son, and you're both around the same age. You're like a daughter to us. Until you find your family, we would be honored to welcome you into ours."
Ashan watched silently, a satisfied smile on his face.
As expected from my parents. Their kindness is unmatched. Now, I can protect Elowyn and fulfill my duty.
To be continued…