Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled streaks across the forest floor. On a clearing not far from the Sacred Tree, the elder, who had been sulking, now stood like a child, sniffling.
"Seriously, what on earth is going on..."
She recalled the afternoon's events, still vivid in her mind. The Unicorns of this region, as if summoned by a shared call, all surged toward the youth. He was merely a human, yet he had won the hearts of Unicorns and was cherished by the spirits. The elder's sobs grew uncontrollable at the thought.
"My apologies for interrupting your reflection... Is that truly the extent of the ritual?"
Riveria observed the Elves gathered in the clearing and inquired. Across the open space, they held hands, laughing heartily as they danced with abandon. The Spirits shimmered around them like colorful fireflies, dancing with the crowd.
"I don't know! Don't ask me!" The elder's heart was consumed by Envy and defeat, her petite frame trembling with sobs.
"..."
Riveria was momentarily speechless. Most Spirits existed in extremely pure forms; if compared to humans, they were like children. That this petite Elf had earned the affection of the Spirits and become the ceremony's elder surely had something to do with her personality.
"The unicorn said it really likes the elder," Bell murmured softly.
"...Don't lie to me here!"
The elder blinked, her words contrasting with the tears that had ceased.
"It's true. And the Spirits too—they're very fond of this ritual," Bell added with a smile.
"Really...?"
"Mhm."
"Really, really?"
"Mhm. How could a lie possibly deceive the elder?"
"..."
The elder stared at Bell's gentle smile, momentarily stunned. The next second, as if regaining her vitality, she spoke:
"You're right... Looking closely, you're actually quite decent."
"Then, elder, could you explain the ritual's details to me?" Bell crouched slightly, meeting the elder's eyes as he asked softly.
"Well, it's actually quite simple. Form a circle by holding hands and show your goodwill to the Spirits." The elder explained the matter with a smile, beckoning them toward an open space. Moonlight mingled with the Spirits' colorful glow, creating a natural stage.
"A circle... Do we have to dance holding hands?" Ryuu looked troubled.
"To stand on equal footing with Riveria-sama and hold hands... it feels terribly presumptuous..." Alicia was equally conflicted.
"Ugh, hold hands with Bell Cranel?! Absolutely... absolutely not!" Lefiya murmured softly, out of the boy's hearing.
Riveria gazed at the troubled elf maidens and spoke softly:
"I hear your worries. There is a perfect solution."
Amidst their puzzled stares, Riveria revealed her plan. What followed was an endless wave of skepticism and confusion.
"The three of us together, you and Cranel-san forming a circle...?" Ryu repeated in astonishment.
"Riveria-sama with a human? That absolutely cannot be... I understand! I'll support you, please put away your wand!" Alicia quickly changed her tune.
"Riveria-sama, if that permanently horny rabbit dares do anything strange to you, call me immediately! I'll use the fire magic you taught me to blast him into oblivion!" Fiery determination blazed in Lefiya's eyes.
"You two just take care of yourselves. Don't get into any trouble."
Riveria cautioned before turning toward the boy. Behind her, the girls' voices echoed.
"We'll accomplish this mission flawlessly!"
Ryuu-san? Why did you send Alicia flying?!"
"Sorry, reflex..."
"Alicia-san, we agreed to hold hands—where are you touching?!"
"Ah... I got used to it during the bathing trial last time. Sorry about that."
...
Riveria smiled as she approached the boy. "Bell Cranel, the discussion took a bit longer than expected. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No problem. So, did you guys come to a conclusion?"
As the sole human, Bell had left the decision to the others. Most elves suffer from extreme cleanliness issues; they aren't the type to casually hold hands.
"Aren't you worried? What if everyone refuses you?" Riveria asked.
"If that really happens, there's still that elder who looks and acts incredibly young. I can trick her into dancing with me." Bell replied with a light chuckle.
"To actually tell that child a lie—you really are something," Riveria understood that the words the youth had used to comfort the elder were all lies.
"It was just a friendly joke," Bell believed that for that elder, carefree innocence was the best state.
"With such a deceitful human around, it seems I must protect my kin."
Riveria set her wand aside and smoothed her jade-green hair. Under the moonlight, the elf princess slowly extended her right hand.
"Though only laughter and playfulness accompany us, Bell Cranel, would you dance with me?"
"With pleasure."
Before the words had fully left her lips, Bell had already taken her delicate hand. Moonlight reflected a beauty so exquisite it would make countless goddesses envious. Spirits flickered like applause.
"Riveria-san, what would you have done if I had refused?"
Bell held her right hand, his other arm gently encircling her slender waist. Riveria rested her hand on the youth's shoulder, smiling softly.
"Regrettably, you had no right to refuse. I would have insisted on taking your hand—after all, refusal would have been an affront to royal dignity."
Their steps intertwined like long-practiced dance partners, moving in perfect harmony.
"That sounds more like the princess's whim than a royal obligation, doesn't it?" Bell pointed out her hidden motive.
Hearing this, Riveria's emerald eyes froze for a moment. Their gazes locked and swayed, eventually blossoming into crescent-moon smiles.
"I didn't expect you to notice that." Riveria spoke slowly, "When I was young, learning etiquette like ballroom dancing, I always saw it as a duty I had to endure, forcing myself through tedious hours."
"Had I known this moment would come, I would have skipped and jumped with anticipation back then, working twice as hard."
Emerald-green hair danced in the breeze. From afar, the Elf maidens occasionally sent up shrieks and laughter. As the moonlight deepened, the Spirits shimmered with light, clustering around the pair. Fingers intertwined, the dance continued unceasingly. Beneath the fairy princess's gentle smile, who knew what lay hidden.