[81.5] Alora POV: Abandoning Vengeance for Love

I followed the Great Fairy as she started pointing out the strange-looking adobe. Each room faced the courtyard and was lined by a raised U-shape wooden walkway connecting each room. In the middle of the courtyard were a few trees and an outdoor table.

It was a very strange layout.

After showing me around, she motioned to the demons behind her, "Go on. Introduce yourself."

They all remained silent, standing still like wooden statues. Seeing how they were staring at me with distrust and fear, I knew we would never get along.

The Great Fairy repeated herself, "Go on. Let's not be rude."

A beautiful girl with long brown hair pulled into a braid stepped forth. Half of her face was covered by a dazzling scarf, giving her an allusive allure. I waited for her to speak, but she pulled out a chalkboard that was hanging on her waist and wrote: 'I Atta'

The Great Fairy noticed that and corrected, "It should say I'm Atta."

She nodded quickly, her braid swishing in the air. 

The Great Fairy pushed a small girl in front of her who looked to be around 8. She was very short and small, her face still having an innocent expression. Despite being younger, she looked to be an exact copy of Zephyr, even down to the same streak of silver in her hair. After being nudged, she spoke with a pout, "My name is Astra…"

Her blood-red eyes raised to glare at me, "I'm Zephyr's twin."

I quickly hid my surprise.

How can she be his twin? She's clearly years younger than him!

The tall man beside the Great Fairy was the last to introduce himself. His eyes were dark and vast as he spoke in an earthy tone, "Moni."

His name is…

Moni.

He spoke quickly and concisely, revealing just how little he wanted to speak with me. The Great Fairy seemed surprised by his response and turned to look at him. However, his dark expression was swapped for a warm smile before she could realize anything wrong.

Eventually, she decided not to pursue it any longer, "Lene is sleeping right now, she's nocturnal so you can meet her at dusk. For Rose, you'll meet her eventually. Recently we… We lost people who are very important to us."

I felt a rush of guilt.

That horrible scene on the mountain kept flashing through my mind, but I shoved it down and made sure my facial expression didn't change to reflect what I felt inside.

"I'm afraid you won't feel welcomed. Don't be offended, it's hard to deal with both grief and the sudden appearance of someone new. Since Rose hasn't left Koale's room since the incident, you can stay in her room until we can build you your own."

Zephyr suddenly shouted, "She can stay with me!"

The Great Fairy paused and quickly shook her head, "Absolutely not! Boys and girls must be kept separate unless married!!! ESPECIALLY you two!"

He looked at her innocently, "But we've already been hugging every night."

"You WHAT!?"

He giggled mischievously, "Don't worry! I took responsibility! We are married!"

As the Great Fairy started scolding him, I slowly turned my gaze to the one called Moni. His fierce gaze was upon me and if not for the Great Fairy beside me, I'm sure he would have spouted off cruel words towards me.

It was only when I recognized his obedient nature to the Great Fairy that the feeling I had earlier and the way he looked at me suddenly clicked.

My lips curved into a smile as I stared back at him who was seething in rage.

So I finally found the darling pup…

Once he saw my ominous smile, his expression turned sickly pale. His expression was made even worse thanks to the light grey hue of his skin.

Zephyr grabbed my hand and pulled me away, "Come on! I want to show you my room!"

My smile disappeared as if it had never existed. As I was pulled away, Astra looked up at her older brother in confusion but didn't ask him about why he was as pale as he was.

The Great Fairy shouted after us, "Zephyr!!! You better keep your door open or else I will beat your a** so hard it will turn red!!!"

He stuck out his tongue, "Yeah, yeah!"

As we walked into his room, I looked around in wonder. It was incredibly messy with clothes and toys strewn everywhere. I could barely walk as the floor was covered in miscellaneous items. He plopped down on his bed and watched me with sparkling red eyes, "Do you like it?"

 I hesitated before nodding. Walking carefully to avoid stepping on anything, I sat down beside him. My eyes glanced at the open door and then back to him. I whispered, "Zephyrus. Do you like that brother of yours?"

He flushed at the sound of his name and answered bashfully, "Yes. He's the best big brother in the world. He's also a really good cook and is always feeding me chicken."

"Hmmm." My eyes turned back to the doorway, "Guess I won't hurt him then."

"Ah? You want to hurt him?"

I shrugged, "Not really."

I used to, but…

If Zephyr likes him, I have no choice but to let him live.

Although if Zephyr ever changes his mind-

 "You can't hurt him anyway."

My mouth felt sour, "Why not?"

"The barrier will suppress you."

I turned to him and waited for an explanation.

He noticed my intense stare and continued, "Master made this barrier to protect us. Those with malicious intent can't enter, but if you do get in and want to hurt someone else, the barrier will suppress you. It used to cast you out, but after Rose got thrown out for fighting with Lene and started screaming until she fainted, Mama changed it. Now when it emerges, the barrier just suppresses you and makes you unable to move. Only when you get rid of any malicious intent do you get freed."

"Fascinating…"

The Great Fairy is so powerful.

I held my chest as a powerful admiration became routed inside of me.