Kissing the Fae

Chapter 58

“So, there’s a lot of places here to explore. A day is not enough, huh.”

I have been showing him around and I didn’t feel even a little bit of tiredness. It was actually satisfying and also, grateful for I got to remember every corners. And he was right... The Acres Kingdom is too big and wide for us to stroll for only a day. It will need a lot of time to see everything, even those little places that were almost forgotten by many.

Sighing, I smiled at myself. Everything is fresh in my mind. It has been so long since the last time I did this. Me and the guys, with Julianna before, exploring is something we considered as hanging out.

But then, we seemed to forgot that it was part of us. That we didn’t remember to do this again after she passed away. Nikolas just helped me to remember that. And yes, I have tried to buried it with her. It caused me a pang of pain, yes, for it made me realized how good life was when she was still here. It made me remember those memories which is now a bittersweet.

“You know what... Because of you, I got to refresh my mind. I felt like I was away from all the responsibilities for a moment.”

“I’m your responsibility, though... Well, it felt like you made me your obligation. I’m not requiring you to frequently do this, Rasha. You can trust me that I won’t do something stupid.”

“It’s not like I don’t trust you,” I uttered. “I am interested with humans so, I am here with you hoping that I will get a bit background of your world and well, you gave me that. For that, thank you for feeding my curious mind.”

We were now heading back to the Enchanted Forest. As we walked, my mind is working on its way thinking of what shall we do tomorrow? Or should I go to see the Queen Mother and let the Little Fairies look after him? Ugh.

Why am I putting so much effort on it? I hated it.

“Did I?”

“Yup... And also, it was fun being with you, though. You are so talkative, and I find it so unusual because men doesn’t usually tell stories about other people, huh. Unlike you, who almost tell me even the life of your neighbor in the human world.”

It was fun, indeed. I just listened to them and talk if he have a query, or to fill his mind, too. I do the same, too. But then, I put some boundaries so his attention won’t be diverted from telling stories about him to asking about me.

I just don’t find the need to introduce myself to people who will eventually leave. I find it so tiring and I deem not to let anyone know me... My inner self will always be kept as private. So I can prevent people from using it against me.

“Well, I guess... It was also fun not hearing a thing from you.”

I laughed sarcastically. This man... I have never been too comfortable before until now... until he arrived. Honestly, I like his company. I feel better... Perhaps because he made me feel like I am just an ordinary one who does not have to be perfect.

Too early to say? Yes. But that’s just how I see it. I don’t have to pretend or even filter everything I’d say and act because who is he, anyway? I can be my true self around him without worrying about it because he has no say in our world. So whatever he’d notice, it does not matter to everyone because no one will believe in him anyway.

But then, it’s more than that. These days, it’s so rare to find someone whom you can be comfortable with. So for this, I am beyond grateful.

“There’s nothing interesting with how the way I live my life, Nikolas. It is also not my thing to disclose the life of others unlike you,” I rolled my eyes, chuckling remembering all those stories.

He almost cursed them. Even badmouthed his neighbors and I guess it was all valid knowing the reasons behind his anger towards them.

“So boring...” he complained, even has that look agreeing that yes, nothing is really interesting about my life.

“Yeah... But it seems like you still don’t run out of stories. Save it for next time and I will think of something interesting to tell you,” I said, emphasizing the word interesting.

I just want to entertain him, too. Because it seems like he was the one who is entertaining me. Well, I laughed at his non-stop stories, something I didn’t think I would. Uh, when was the last time I laughed again?

I don’t remember. I barely laugh at things now and Nikolas — this human was the one who made me chuckle so genuinely the first time since immemorial.

His wit... He was like a walking comedy and I hope everyone got to witness that side of him when they were still with him in the human world. It was such a waste for them. It’s their lose if they didn’t give him the laughs in exchange.

“I still have a lot of stories to tell and if ever I run out, I’d think and make up one so we would still have to talk about.”

“Sweet...” I whispered unconsciously.

“That’s how I entertain women, Rasha. Through my stories, through the use of my mind...”

“You want me to be impressed?”

“Are you?”

Slowly, I shook my head. “Nope... It takes more than that for me to be impressed.”

Of course, I lied. I am impressed even at the idea of him — accepting his fate that easily. It was as if he just vented out to let out everything then an hour later, when he recovered, he just forgot that he acted out and now, even if he had no choice — he just accepted that this is how his life will end.

Should I be worried? Nope.

“Rani Letisha, how was it?” Rin asked me when morning came.

I looked at her through the mirror. She was trying my dress behind me, anticipating. Obviously, she was asking about yesterday. While Nikolas was in the Enchanted Forest, I left him with Zah and Tia to look after him while I, was outside the Forest where I actually live. It’s still inside the Faye region, of course. But the Enchanted Forest, it’s a haven I usually go to whenever I feel the need to withdraw myself from everyone else, and from everything around me.

“It went fine, Rin. Although I never expected that Nikolas could be that... talker. I am not complaining. I actually had fun yesterday strolling some places of the kingdom with him. It relieved the memories of the past.”

“That’s new, Rani Letisha. You usually hate people who can’t stop talking. I guess you really made all the exemptions for that human.”

I can even sense the bitterness in her voice. I shook my head in dismay. What’s with people nowadays, huh? Rin can’t still forgive Nikolas for what he did to her. I can’t really force her to. It’s her decision, anyway. But I do hope everyone will move on.

“I had no choice, Rin...” I told her slowly. “Besides, he’ll be only here for a short period of time. Everything will be back to normal after. And you should really forgive him. If I were in his position, I would also act violent.”

That’s the truth.

I would definitely do the same, too. Maybe more than slapping a fairy because of fear. And I’m sure Nikolas did not mean it. It was an involuntary movement, he unconsciously did it. But then again, it was not me he slapped so I can’t really say a thing about it. Or force Rin to just forget it.

Sighing, I looked at her. She’s done with my dress, so now she’s busy fixing my ginger hair. This is our usual morning. Rin is the one who took care of my looks every day, for the whole day... She has been doing this job since I was a kid.

And yes, it is normal for fairies to be hurt at small things. I mean, small things for me might be a big deal to them so I am not trying to invalidate their feelings. Besides, fairies can be so sensitive and emotional and since it’s me who can understand them more deeply, I just chose to listen to it instead of commanding them, or telling them their problems are nothing compares to me.

I am not doing that. Nope... That would make me a b itch. I care for them... I care for everyone’s opinion and feelings.

She tsked. “Are you going to show him around again? You’re not done exploring the whole Acres Kingdom, anyway. I bet you are going to be with him again.”

I nodded. “Yup... But I still have something to do. Besides, he’s not a kid anymore to be look after all the time, Rin. I want to give him privacy and time to think. It would be a bad idea to tail him twenty four seven, and I also don’t want it, by the way. Nikolas is a grown up man, he clearly don’t need someone to babysit him.”

“But you will meet him after?”

“Yes...” I simply answered. “Then, I will just leave him and let him explore on his own.”

Being there for him would be nice. Yet my duty doesn’t stopped when he arrived. Of course, I need to attend to some. Like seeing the Queen Mother to finally start my training for the betterment of the Acres Kingdom, to stop all the counselors from looking down on me.

I still have the spirit to prove them wrong. I have been doing it since I can remember but despite all my success, they still can’t bring themselves to believe in my capabilities.

Should it even matter? Yes.

No matter how many people told me that it should not, deep inside I know it should matter. For us to communicate well, to bring ourselves more closer to each other, to convince them and join me to reach our objectives for our kingdom. Because I admit, I won’t be able to do my future duties alone.

I will need their help. I want peace, not war. I don’t want to repeat the same history. I don’t want blood to shed in my kingdom... No.

“Are we allowed to go with you?”

I smiled at her slightly. “No, Rin. I will go alone. You guys can rest for today. Don’t worry about me.”

“But...” she was about to complain when I looked at her intently.

She sighed deeply, a hint of giving up was heard. I became very dependent with them being there with me ever since. It is not because I don’t want them in my today’s journey or in the following days, I just don’t feel the need to be accompanied towards the Queen Mother.

I can do it myself... Besides, I want to be alone for sometime. It’s so rare these days to be alone because all eyes are on me, waiting for me to commit a mistake they can used against me.

Once we were done, I went to the Enchanted Forest to see Nikolas, who was getting ready to leave. He stopped from walking when he saw me standing just outside the room.

“Oh, hey... Good morning, Rasha.”

“Good morning, Nikolas. Ready for today’s drill?”

He smirked, then nodded his head.

“I am, Rasha. I was born ready... So, are going now?”

“Yup... Then, you’ll have a chance to explore alone later,” I ventured.