It's been a week since we had a meeting together with Dad and my brothers. But, my Dad has yet to call for another meeting. Asher said that they're searching for important files about the Western Dukedom. I think the papers that Ziel moved in the basement were those files.
I stared at the ceiling as I wait for Asher to arrive. Is he not going to visit me tonight? These past few days, we've only been talking about the Dragon. Also, he warned me specifically not to mention the dragon's name. He said that the name is made with dark magic that uttering that word or hearing it can have an effect to me.
Curious...how come I am the only one affected by its name?
It seems like that name was not its real name, because why else would Asher warn me about it? And how could it give me such pain in my chest just by hearing that name? The demon king really is a powerful entity, huh?
Hmm, it looks like the demon king can also control it by its name. As much as I want to say its name, I'm afraid it'll make me anemic as it may cause me to cough up blood again.
Like its aura, its name is also powerful.
I closed my eyes as I yawn. I'm already sleepy.
It looks like Asher won't come here, huh?
Alright...let's just talk to him tomorrow.
***
"Wake up ~" hmm? That voice, it sounds so cute...and I feel like someone's poking my cheek veeeery lightly. But the voice is unfamiliar!
"Wake up, Your Highness. The Astra is displeased by your lateness," What? Who's this and how come she knew Asher?
"Let her sleep, fairy. And I am not displease," that was Asher? I still feel sleepy, but who is this person he's calling fairy?
"But, I can't wait to have a name now," Huh? A name? What does your name have to do with me?
I slowly opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling of room. But, something blocked my vision.
"Good morning, you're finally awake!" I blinked for a few couple of times before I could react.
"Ahhhh!" I was startled that I immediately lift my body, but my forehead hits the small thing that blocked my view and it flew off!
"Waaaah--oopss!" I catch for my breath as I look at the thing that is now flying beside Asher. What---what's that? A tiny human with wings!? She's only the size of Asher's head!
"Wow, my master is barbaric," I am not!
"S-sorry...but, who are you?" She's so cute. Is this the fairy that Asher called earlir? Indeed, she is a fairy. A fairy wearing a cute tiny clothes as if it's made of a flower petal. Her hair is platinum silver, and her eyes are---similar to mine...with the odilia pattern! Who is this fairy!? Her appearance is the same as mine with the silver hair and golden eyes!
"I apologize, but I can't introduce myself yet, Your Highness. I am waiting for you to give me a name before I can do that," So this fairy doesn't have a name?
"Why should I name you? What are you? Is she your friend Asher? Why did she called me her master? Is she a divine beast?" There are many questions in my mind right now. But the two of them are just staring at me as if I am someone so ignorant. Well, that's because even though I already spent two years here, these things don't exist in my previous world! It's natural that I will act like this as it is not normal in my previous world!
"This is the mana guardian we've been waiting for. She called you Master because I fed her your mana in order for the flower to bloom,", What? I thought you've been feeding her 'your' mana?
"My mana? It isn't yours?" I asked, and he shook his head.
"If I did that, she'll recognize me as her master, not you," Ohh, but how did he do that?
"All the overflowing mana from you went to the holy flower," Ahh, I see. He used those mana that are overflowing from my body.
"Did I answered all your question? Now, how about you name her?" Name...?
I can't think of a name.
"Hehe, I'm excited ~" the little fairy giggled and then fly towards me. She started circling around my head while humming.
What should I name this little fairy?
I can't think of a name. Hmm, let me see. She's a cute little fairy that wears a strange piece of clothing as if it's made of a flower petal, the color is the same as the odilia petals too. And her eye pattern are the same as mine.
This is my guardian. This little fairy is my guardian...she looks like a Goddess. A small Goddess? She's so cute. So, this is my mana guardian...will she stay with me forever even after I am able to control my mana?
"My guardian..." I mumbled, which caused the little fairy to stop in front of my face and peek on me.
"That's right! I am your mana guardian, dear Princess!" She then flew to my cheeks and hugged my head. She's so sweet! And adorable!
"How adorable...then, I shall name you Eri!" She pulled away from me and then stayed in front of my face.
She smiled, and I was surprised when she started glowing! Literally! What's happening now? I only gave her a name, right?
Wait, suddenly I feel light.
"By giving me a name, I can finally do my duty to guard your mana. I, the mana guardian Eri, recognizes Alina Devi de Ciera as my Master. Let's get along well, Master!" I blinked for a couple of times as I stayed quiet. I feel like something heavy has been removed from my body. I feel so much lighter now. The feeling I get everytime Asher visits me before going to sleep!
"Welcome, Eri..." Then she went to hug my cheek again as we giggle together.
I wonder how I am going to introduce this little fairy to my family? Hehe ~
"Eri, what a great name. Then, I'll trust Eri to stay by her Master's side," Asher spoke. Wait, now that I have a mana guardian, Asher and Ziel can start with their investigation!
"I will not break your trust, Your Divine Highness," and then Eri bow down to him. Wait, Your Divine Highness? Does she also know that I sometimes tease Asher by addressing him like that?
"The Divine Prince really cared for Her Highness!" Divine Prince?
I turned to Asher, what Divine Prince? Oh, is it because he's an incarnation of a God? Well, that makes sense, huh?
"I only do this because I need to, not because I want to," stop being so stingy and accept the fact that you care for this little princess!
"Ignore him, Eri. By the way, I should introduce you to my family!"
"Really? Then, let's go!"
Oh wait, I need to ask Asher about something.
"By the way, Asher...why does Eri have the same hair and eyes as me? She even have the Odilia eyes pattern," I am curious about it as well.
"Like I said, we fed her your overflowing mana. The pattern of the Odilia's eyes is developed from having too much mana. Having too much mana can create unique traits. For instance, the red eyes of Ciera is due to their excessive mana as well. As for Odilia, it's the unique patterns on their eyes. Eri got those eyes for receiving the mana that are overflowing from you," Wait, so my mana...even now, Eri is receiving my mana, that's why she got the same eyes as me?
"Eh? But Asher don't have any?" Asher smirked.
"It will slander my beauty, so I hid it. But, if the Princess wishes to see it..."
*Swoosh*
All of a sudden, there are win surrounding Asher, and his long hair are floating too. There are gold particles around him as well, and out of the blue, a unique pattern that I haven't seen before appeared on his forehead.
It's a four-leaf clover?
And when he opened his eyes--it has another unique patter too! A four-pointed star this time. What the heck, he got two? Just how powerful is this guy?
"T-that looks so cool!" I reacted. Because who wouldn't find that cool!?
"Well, I hate the fact of having this. Even my twins hid theirs. Since Ashley's were already placed somewhere hidden, only Abel and I hid ours," Dang, this is the first time that I've heard of this!
"Where does Sir Abel's is located?"
"Here," Asher said, pointing at the side of his neck.
"The other one is on his wrist," On his wrist, huh? I've never seen it. Well, it is hidden after all, you're an idiot, Alina.
"I see. Well, now I can explain why Eri got the same eyes as ours!"
"Yeah, be careful on your way,"
"Thanks, Asher!"
But, there's no way I will walk around the palace wearingjust nightgown, so I should ask Themis and Ryna to dress me properly.
Hehe, I'm so excited.
***
"Brother Aeli, are you there?" Since Brother Aeli's lab is at the second floor of the Albireo Palace, I decided to check him here first. And alas!
"Come in, Ali!" He's here!
I opened the door and found Brother Aeli wearing lab gown, gloves, mask, and...goggles? You're missing hair net, bro.
"Ohh? My dear sister looks happy today as usual," He spoke, putting down the beaker and Erlenmeyer flask. He then removed his gloves and washed his hand on the nearby sink. He also took off his mask and gloves.
My brother looks like a professional scientist. Well, he is.
"There's someone I want to introduce to you, Big Brother!" He tilt his head and creased his forehead.
"Meet my mana guardian, Eri!" I spoke, and right after that, Eri appeared beside me.
She placed her right hand across her chest and her left arm behind her.
"Greetings, Your Highness The Second Prince. I am Eri, I will be with the Princess from now on," Eri greeted as she smile brightly at my brother. Brother Aeli stayed silent as he stare at the little fairy. He looks really surprised.
"S-so cute...she even have the same hair and eyes as our baby princess. But, how...?" Brother Aeli asked, confused. But, he's blushing, maybe because he found Eri cute.
"Asher said that it's because she received my overflowing mana in order to develop. That's why she inherited my eye pattern and hair color as well!" I explained. Brother Aeli smiled as he bow down to Eri.
"Greetings to the mana guardian. This is my first time seeing one," I'm glad. Brother Aeli seems to like Eri!
"It's also an honor to meet my Master's brother," Eri replied. She's really polite and adorable!
"I apologize, but I won't be able to converse with you two properly right now as I am busy with experiments," I nod my head and tapped my shoulder as a gesture for Eri and take a seat on my shoulder. She understood it right away and sits on my shoulder. She's so cuttteee!
"It's fine, brother! We'll see each other again in the meeting after all! Oh, and have you seen Brother Dae?" I tried looking for him in the training ground but he wasn't there. Did he changed his schedules?
"Oh, Zain and Brother Heli are with Dad. They are probably talking about the recommendation letter for Kalea to enter the Magic Tower," What? Big Sis Kae is planning to enter the Magic Tower?
"Thank you, Brother Aeli! We'll be going first! And good luck to your experiments!" I said, waving my hand to him with a big smile on my face.
Right now Asher didn't come with me. He said that having Eri by my side is enough, and now he can do whatever he wants.
Good for him.
***
"Dad, it's Ali..." I called after I knocked three times.
"You may come in, Ali," and right after Dad said those words, the door has opened and I saw Brother Dae.
"Hello, Ali! Did you missed us---" his words stopped, and he's staring at my left shoulder with a surprised expression.
"T-that...what is that?" Brother Dae asked, pointing at my shoulder. I giggled and gently pat Eri's head.
"How about your introduce yourself?" Eri nod her head then she flap her wings and float in front of me.
"Blessings upon the Ciera Empire. Greetings to the Emperor and His Highnesses. I am a mana guardian born from the holy flower, developed by receiving my Master's mana. My name is Eri. It's an honor to meet you," Like Brother Aeli's reaction, they were silent. And then---
"Ahem, s-she's quite adorable like my sister," Brother Dae reacted, he even faked a cough. And is he blushing? Well, Eri really is adorable! But, she's so tiny as well!
"It looks like the mana guardian has finally been born, this means we can proceed with the plan sooner or later," Dad is still thinking about the plan even at this meaningful day! At least compliment my beloved guardian!
"But, how is it that she's got your hair and eyes, Ali?" Brother Heli asked.
Hehe, having Eri with the same eyes and hair as I am, it feels as if she's my daughter.
"Asher said that she was created through my overflowing mana, so she got both my eyes and hair!" I answered. Brother Heli slowly nod his head. All of them looks happy that I finally got a mana guardian!
"Hmm, this is our first time seeing such holy being. However, due to busy schedules we cannot spend time with you two today," Oh right, Brother Aeli mentioned that they are sighing a recommendation letter.
"What are you doing, Dad?" I asked, walking towards his desk. Eri was about to follow me but she was snatched by my third brother.
"M-Master..."
'My brother mean no harm. He's a sweet brother to me. I'm pretty sure he sees Eri as a little tiny sister now too!' Eri's smile widens as she start talking to my third brother. I'm glad they are getting along well.
"A recommendation letter of Kalea to enter the Magic Tower. No matter how influential their family is, entering the tower is not an easy fit. One must go through a long process, and writing a recommendation letter is just the first step," I see. I heard that a recommendation letter should not be written by someone in the family, as it may impose biases.
"Big Sis Kae wants to be a magician?" I asked, and Brother Dae suddenly appeared beside me, nodding his head...with Eri sitting on top of it. She looks like she's enjoying it.
"I don't know, but she sometimes say things like it's her duty or something," Brother Dae spoke. What duty? It's her duty to enter the Magic Tower?
Ahh, that's right. For me, Big Sis Kae is a bit suspicious as well. Even though I knew her from the novel, I can't remember much information about her. The same goes with Morias. Morias, whom I haven't seen even once after living in this palace for two years. Which is really strange.
"I see. Then, we shall go now! It seems that we've bothered Dad and brothers for too long, hehe ~" I spoke, spreading my palm in front of me and Eri flying towards it.
"You're never a bother to us, Ali," Dad said, sprrading his arms. I chuckled and run towards him, giving him a hug and peck on his cheek.
I want to spend time with Eri today! Let me see...
Maybe we should have picnic in my garden? Oh, I should invite Ziel too and introduce Eri to him!
Hehe ~
***