The Deep Forest

Chamomile Tea and Maya

Lili slowly sipped a cup of chamomile tea served by Maya. she suddenly remembered how much she loved the taste of the tea made by the beautiful elf in front of her. A warm feeling ran through her heart. Maya stared closely at Lili who was concentrating on her tea. There was not a look of hatred that she showed but an impression of longing that was printed in her eyes

"You're still not changing 17 years Lili, I'm glad you still like my tea," said Maya with a smile. Lili put her cup in confusion to respond to Maya's sudden words. Her pretty face looked worried, she sighed

"I want to start this conversation with apologies for missing and neglecting my duties as a porta—"

"No need. You don't need to apologize, ”Maya said. Somehow her forced smile cut Lili's heart. She lowered her head while taking a deep breath

"Why are you making all this difficult? Why don't you just hate me after all that happened? " said Lili. Her voice sounded calm in a demanding tone. Maya seemed to be trying her best to maintain the remaining smile. Lili still can't stop thinking about her behavior

"You must have a reason Lili, I can understand" Maya's words made Lili grit her teeth. Maya paused for a moment before continuing her words

“I know you, and you are not the one who will harm others even for your own sake Lili. I know that, ”said Maya. She took the cup in front of her and brewed slowly. There was a look on her tired face as she lowered her head

"So ... just get to the point. If you want Alice to go to Naftalie I can't allow her even if I have to fight to the death, "said Lili. She was already panicked the moment Alice disappeared. She blindly walked through the gates and searched every information to every port she knew. She spent an enormous amount of magic just to find traces of Alice. However, all did not bring results and instead made her faint because there was no energy left

There is only one who can disguise the traces,  the elves of royal descent, and knowing this fact makes Lili overwhelmed with great fear, the image of Alice being carried away haunts her mind. Whatever she will do to save her only daughter. Hearing Lili's response made Maya's gaze sad

"Why haven't you told me all this time?" Maya said.

"You don't need to know - All of your clan"

Hearing Lili Maya's response raised her voice “at least you can tell me!. Why is it so difficult? " Maya said. Tears lingered on her eyelids.

"You are the last person I hope to understand Alice's existence," Lili said softly. the fact that Alice was of royal descent made their relationship even further apart. Maya still doesn't understand why Lili doesn't believe her so much.

“You know, when I found out about Alice's whereabouts the day she was trying to be kidn*pped by a black Elf, it hurt my feelings. What if Dylan was just a little late? What if I don't come to treat the poison? And the moment when I found out what you have done to that girl's body since she was little made me cry at the thought of the suffering she endured for a long time. You ... why do you hate us so much? " Maya said. Tears escaped down her smooth cheeks. It was darker as if it was going to a storm. The strength of an elf queen influenced nature through her feelings and moods. Maya is out of control

Lili understood that there were many things that Maya wanted to talk about considering that they had not seen each other for seventeen years. It would only become natural when she took her anger out on Lili

"I thank you because you helped Alice from danger, I also don't think what will happen if Dylan isn't there - but, you said you understand if I have a reason," said Lili confirming her last sentence.

“I have never been disappointed when you neglect your duties as Porta, I don't care! the position can be replaced by someone else. But why didn't you ever tell Alice? sealing magic and memory will only hurt her” Maya looked at Lili like someone who has lost her mind

"Why do you care?" said Lili

“Because she's part of the royal family! She is also my daughter! "

Maya's words made Lili speechless, she seemed to ignore this fact and chose to become a deaf person. She had prepared herself to talk about it but still, she felt she could no longer look at her friend

Lili gets to know Maya during her first assignment as a porta in Wyoming. At that time she was so happy to accept the fact that she was carrying out a noble duty as a human. And Maya is one of the elves who often talks to her and teaches her forbidden magic while spending time in the forest. It's not uncommon for her to also help Lili when dealing with elves who try to bully her

They are so close that they share all kinds of things about their different world until Lili meets Arthur Avery. The man who was able to change all her obsessions with magic and her duties as a porta, the reason why Alice was born from the love she thought was momentary

Feelings of guilt creep up Lili, how this complicated relationship is created because her stupidity is eaten by such a beautiful elf. However, Alice's presence is something that makes her survive in this world'

"I'm sorry," said Lili softly.

Maya stood up and walked towards the wide-open window. She tried to control her emotions and with all her strength got rid of the black clouds that had appeared due to her overflowing emotions. Her power to control nature cannot be underestimated

Slowly the roll of clouds faded and the sky became clear again, but the fog that covered the surrounding forest grew thicker. Maya took a deep breath and turned towards Lili who was sitting on the chair

“I'm not taking her to Naftalie, not now. In exchange, let me meet Alice. ”

***