Ji-hye continued to teach elaine magic, they talked and laughed. Her mother soon arrived to pickup elaine for her etiquette classes. She had been watching them having fun.
The Queen approached Ji-hye, her gaze calculating yet… oddly warm.
"You're the only one who has managed to impress my princess." The Queen remarked.
Ji-hye blinked.
"What? How so?"
"She is a very difficult girl. Nobody has been able to keep up with her."
"I see. I didn't realize that." Ji-hye admitted.
The Queen nodded.
"I'm surprised you managed to get her attention."
"It wasn't that hard." Ji-hye shrugged.
"Well, you're not lucky for sure, you have a talent."
"Why's that?"
The Queen sighed. "My daughter hasn't been very happy lately. She's always been fascinated with magic, but no teacher was able to teach her."
Ji-hye frowned.
"Really? Why?"
"I have no idea why she is. All I know is that she's not happy." The Queen admitted.
Ji-hye smiled softly.
"I see...…I'm glad she's happy right now"
The Queen smiled slightly. "Thank you for this."
Ji-hye waved a hand dismissively. "Its no problem. She's a great student. She's also really funny."
The Queen chuckled. "I'm glad."
Ji-hye calls out to elaine
"Elaine! I think that's all for today. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Awwww that's all??!?! Yes, teacher! Goodbye!" Elaine beamed.
Ji-hye waves goodbye to Elaine. Her mother looking at her daughter beaming with happiness gets a little emotional
"Thank you." she said, almost leading out a tear
"Your highness, please stop thanking me again." Ji-hye bowed lightly
Ji-hye watches as the queen takes her daughter away. she heads back to her room,
Ji-hye plopped onto her bed, deep in thought.
"I didn't realize that Elaine was unhappy." she murmured.
"Really?"
"Yes, it's strange. She seems so happy with me."
"I suppose she is."
Ji-hye sighed.
"That girl, she's too smart for her age."
"That's true." Kashigami agreed.
"Do you think she's unhappy because she doesn't have any friends?"
"That's possible. Or maybe she's not interested in making friends." Kashigami agreed.
"Maybe, but I doubt that. She seems like she'd be a fun friend." Ji-hye said thoughtfully.
"Who knows?" Kashigami shrugged.
"Maybe she's not happy with the life she's leading." Ji-hye guesses deep in thought.
"I suppose that's also a possibility."
"She doesn't seem to have any friends. Being the daughter of the kind and all" Ji-hye sighed. "She's lonely."
Kashigami smirked.
"And....We lost her...You think too much."
Ji-hye rolled her eyes. "it's important."
"Well, it's your decision."
"Anyway, I want to get some rest. GET OUT OF MY ROOM" Ji-hye stretched.
"Rest well..."
Ji-hye paused. "By the way, Kashigami."
"Hmmmm? "
Ji-hye narrowed her eyes. "Dont even think about teaching the princess fireball"
"...."
"You can't. It's dangerous, and I don't want you to burn the castle down. AND DON'T BARGE INTO MY ROOM."
"Alright."