Kelup, wiping his hands with a nod as if nothing unusual had happened, said, “Well then. Shall we go see what the lady wants to eat today?”

Meiana replied, “She said she wants a sandwich with caramel and chicken.”

Instantly, Kelup turned to Meiana with a strange expression, as if he had just chewed on a bitter herb.

“Caramel?”

“She said you invented it. You should ask the person who invented it.”

Kelup, still shaking his head, went to Arianthe, who was busy explaining something enthusiastically to the chef, standing at a distance with nothing to do. So, she watched from afar, observing Arianthe’s enthusiastic explanation to Chef Kelup.

Then, something happened.

Meiana couldn’t exactly pinpoint what made her feel that emotion for a very long time, but at that moment, seeing Arianthe standing on tiptoes towards the high cooking table, passionately explaining something to Chef Kelup, and realizing how much the child had grown compared to the first time they met…

Tears streamed down Meiana’s eyes.

And she understood. She would never be able to return to her original life again. She had been living in this strange and new life, thinking she had fully adapted, but in reality, she had been secretly hoping for some miracle to happen.

The fact hit Meiana’s chest, beating, fluttering, and breaking it.

If she opened her eyes, she would see her familiar room, with glow-in-the-dark stars playfully stuck to the ceiling, tiny doll clothes neatly lined up on the work table waiting to be completed. Her pet dog, Needle, would be the first to notice her waking up, rushing over, licking her face, pulling at her hair…

After that, she expected to hear the sound of birds, the smell of the morning in the countryside seeping through the window crack. She hoped she could say something like this while hugging her puppy. Needle, listen to me. I had a really long and strange dream…

‘It couldn’t be.’

Meiana covered her face with both hands. She didn’t sob out loud, but her shoulders shook like waves.

Such things do not happen. Never, forever. The Meiana from that place had already disappeared, and in everyone’s hearts, a large stain of sorrow must have settled a long time ago. She was here now, in this strange place. This was her life.

Where Arianthe was.

This life, where a seven-year-old lady who couldn’t be without her, was the life Meiana had to live now.

“Meiana, what’s wrong? Meiana!”
Arianthe’s newly-refreshed voice echoed. Clearly surprised, she rushed to Meiana without even considering the promise with Chef Kelup to not run in the kitchen.

“Meiana, are you crying? Why are you crying? What’s wrong? Huh? Why?”

“It’s nothing, milady.”

Meiana, having swallowed her tears, burst into laughter while sitting down. As they aligned eye levels, Arianthe’s blue eyes became even more visible.

She suddenly remembered how beautiful she thought these eyes were when she first met Arianthe, who opened her eyes pretending to be asleep that day. She had briefly thought that the fairy swimming around underwater had momentarily transformed into a child…

“Even though it’s nothing, why are you crying? Does it hurt? If it hurts, you can go lie down. You can go for a walk with Swan and Ash.”

Arianthe’s small hand touched Meiana’s forehead and then her cheek. However, when tears didn’t stop flowing from Meiana’s eyes, Arianthe sighed and hugged Meiana tightly.

“Let’s call the doctor.”

Meiana closed her eyes. The child’s body temperature was warm. There was a pleasant scent.

A child she washed, combed their hair, touched their cheeks, and put to bed, wishing for only sweet dreams. At first, she had only heard about the child’s mischiefs, gathering enough material to weave a tapestry, but this child had never done anything wrong.

Lovely Arianthe, my lovely lady.

“I’m not hurt, milady.”

“But you keep crying.”

Arianthe sniffled. Meiana comforted Arianthe’s small back, pressing her face against the soft cheek.

“It’s okay. I’m not crying because I’m hurt. I’m crying because I’m happy. Didn’t I tell you before? Tears come not only when you’re sad but also when you’re happy.”

“What’s there to be happy about? Me making caramel sandwiches?”

Meiana burst into laughter, hugging Arianthe even tighter.

“Yes, that’s right. I’m happy that milady invented something as wonderful as caramel sandwiches. I’m happy that milady has grown taller. I’m happy that you’ve lost baby teeth and are waiting to grow adult teeth. I’m happy seeing your hair grow. I’m happy that milady is healthy and happy. I’m so happy that tears came.”