Alpheus regained consciousness. His mind couldn’t fully register anything yet, but once he went past the initial phase of grogginess, he finally noticed the headache he was having. Suffice it to say, his head felt like it was splitting in half.

  While he fought against the pain and massaged his forehead, he heard a voice ahead nearby.

  “Wow, so you hunted all of this in your current state? And you even prepared them all already. That’s impressive, Miss!” Alpheus recognized this voice. It belonged to the fairy that saved him.

  “Thank you for the compliment, but this isn’t much.” Relief washed over him when he heard Marianne talk, but he was slightly surprised. Her voice carried a subtle... coldness that he wasn’t used to.

  It seems like she just arrived. For some reason, Alpheus tried his best not to move and pretend like he was still sleeping.

  “Alpheus, I know you’re awake.”

  He flinched. It seems like nothing went past her.

  He opened his eyes and saw her in the middle of roasting pieces of meat by a fireplace. The sight brought him an odd feeling of comfort.

  As soon as his eyes opened, she was already by his sight, covering his eyes with her hand.

  “Take it easy, dear. Let the headache pass first.” Instinctively, he leaned into the touch.

  She patiently sat by her side, unmoving.

  “Uhm, I think I’m better now.” Alpheus said so with hesitation, but he was confident that the worst was over.

  “You think?” She asked so with a very stern voice.

  “I... mean, yes, I’m better now.”

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  “Good.” She said it so simply, yet her voice made him feel warm and fuzzy inside.

  Once he lifted himself upward and sat comfortably on the ground, she passed him a water bowl.

  “Begin with small sips. But make sure to drink all of it.”

  “Ok,” Was all he said.

  It was a repeat of last night, but the familiar motion felt calming to him.

  Silently, she passed him a meat skewer, and he took it into his hand after a moment of hesitation.

  He looked at the meat with apprehension but steadied himself.

  “Thank you for the food.” He took a deep breath and dug in. Just like that, the hunger he didn’t notice until now overtook his body, and he ate without any sign of slowing down.

  As the young boy ate his meal without a care in the world, Marianne sat down, finally feeling like she could relax. She didn’t notice how exhausted her body was, but every muscle was sore.

  This feeling of weakness reminded her of what transpired that day. She looked at her missing arm.

  “Just what... am I?”

  She could not wrap her head around a lot, the nature of her body most of all.

  She was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice the little creature casually landing on her head until he addressed her directly.

  “He’s actually eating meat now... he’s quite obedient with you.” The fairy named Arclan spoke with the voice of a younger boy. She finds that irregular voice uncomfortable.

  “I wouldn’t say it like that. He wishes to live, so he eats. And he does so out of his own volition. It is that simple.”

  “Hmmm, is that so? Well, so long as he starts caring for his body, I’m happy!” Their innocent tone grows along with the shrillness of their ever-changing voice.

  “Indeed. Also...” Her tone of voice was suddenly... severe. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t use my head as a resting place, little one.” She said so, sitting calmly without even trying to push him off her head, despite how easy it should be.

  “Oh, come on, I barely weigh anything! Surely, it shouldn’t be a big deal.” And just like that, their voice turned adolescent.

  She didn’t bother to give a response.

  “Alright, alright, but just so you know, most humans would kill for the honor of having a fairy use them as furniture! At least, I think they would...”

  “Is that so? In that case, I’m very honored.”

  “So does that mean...“ The hopeful tone of their voice turned a lot more girlish.

  “Regrettably, I don’t think I’m worthy of this...” She said so with a bit more amusement.

  “Fear not, human, for I have deemed you most deserving of this. In any case, I...” Once again, he attempted to land on her head but was stopped by the expression on her face.

  “Please. Don’t bother, little one!”

  In the end, he gave up and rested on a nearby log of wood.

  “Meanie! Well, I know when to quit, but there will not be a second time.”

  "I think I will be able to live with that." That was all she had to say in response.

  It seemed like somewhere in the middle of their banter, Alpheus was already done with his meal and spoke up. It seemed he was struggling to find the right moment to intervene. “Excuse me, Mister Fairy! Or... Mister Arclan...? You can rest on me if you don’t mind...”

  “Oh, what a sweet boy you are! You are most definitely deserving of this, so... don’t mind if I do!” Without even a hint of hesitation, he flew over Alpheus to claim his newly acquired spot and relaxed. “Also, I already told you. Feel free to call me just Arclan.”

  “Ok...uhm... Arclan.” He fidgeted restlessly.

  “Now then! I’m sure the two of you have many questions! Don’t worry; I have taken it upon myself to answer them all! Well... to the extent I'm capable of, anyway...” He declared this most dramatically while still lazily lying on top of Alpheus.

  “In that case, I will take you up on your generosity. There’s been something that was bothering me for a while now.” Marianne didn’t miss a beat while raising her hand.

  “Of course, ask away!”

  “What is the matter with your voice?”

  A moment of uncomfortable silence ensued.

  “You’re pretty rude, you know that?”