Part 1
Velosa felt a crushing sense of helplessness.This was something far beyond her control.But one thing she could still demand—was Lilia's safety.
"Princess Lilia!" Velosa's voice trembled."Harold's home can never be seen by human eyes. Don't you understand? Harold isn't some cute woodland creature you think he is."
Lilia tilted her head. "Wait… Harold isn't a deer?"
Velosa sighed heavily."Listen… Harold is a being humans can neither see nor speak with. Five years ago, he looked like a fawn because he was still an infant. But now? No one knows his form. After that incident in the forest, he has never revealed himself to the outside world again. You can't possibly find him alone."
"I'll go with you. It's the only way."
Lilia's eyes lit up."Velosa, thank you! Then let's go right now!"
But Velosa shook her head firmly."No. You'll need preparation. To reach his world, we'll need the help of a spirit. Perhaps… that golden lark that always circles near you could guide us."
"A golden lark?" Lilia frowned. "I've never seen one."
Velosa pursed her lips and let out a sharp whistle.She had never summoned such a creature before, but she pictured it in her mind and whistled again.
To Lilia's astonishment, a golden lark swooped down as though it had been waiting all along, landing gracefully on her head.
"Really, Lilia," the lark chirped in an irritated tone, "you act more like a warrior than a princess. Sometimes I wonder if you're secretly a boy."
Lilia's mouth fell open. "Whoa! A talking bird! And you're so… shiny. You look expensive."
"Excuse me?!" the lark puffed up indignantly."I am not just any bird you can price at a market!"
"Then what are you?" Lilia asked innocently. "Are you… like Harold? Something that looks like one thing, but is really something else?"
"That's none of your business."
"Then tell me your name."
"I refuse. My job is simply to observe you, nothing more."
Lilia smirked. "So you do have a name. Is it ugly? Embarrassing?"
"Ha! I am a noble and mysterious being. I will not be tied down by a child like—"
But before the bird could finish, Lilia's quick hands darted upward and seized its tiny legs.The lark squawked in outrage, flapping its wings furiously—but her grip was iron.
"Let go! You don't know what you're doing!"Panic filled its golden eyes."If I speak my name, I'll be bound to you! We'll be tied by fate forever!"
"Then tell me." Lilia squeezed tighter, and the lark screeched.
"Aaah—fine! It's… Eliora!"
Lilia laughed in triumph. "Eliora. I love it."
The bird went limp with despair. "Tch…"
"Nice to meet you, Eliora. I feel like I just got richer."
"Unbelievable… you're far too greedy for a ten-year-old."But as Eliora looked at her bright smile, the lark's tiny heart thudded wildly. Bound or not, resisting this girl seemed impossible.