Prelude

At this moment, Aella-san fell into my arms, deeply, completely. She poured out all her pain, regret, and guilt. Her sobs echoed through this room, accompanied by sunlight seeping through the cracks of the window, as if wanting to comfort Aella-san in her sorrow and grief.

I couldn't say anything. What could I possibly say to Aella-san as she drowned in her anguish? All I could do was softly embrace her trembling body, stroking and patting her back gently. Just like my mother used to do to me. Hoping that I could provide warmth to her frozen heart and relief to her labored breaths.

At that moment, time seemed to stop. As if even it wanted to share in Aella-san's sorrow and tears.

---

A long time has passed...

Or at least, that's how it felt to me.

Aella-san was now sitting upright beside my body, which lay on the bed. She had managed to calm herself. The tears had stopped falling, no longer wetting her beautiful face. Now, that fair, lovely face of hers was adorned with a rosy blush on her cheeks.

Ah... perhaps as a mature woman, Aella-san felt embarrassed about losing control and crying in my arms. So, Aella-san has such a cute side to her after all. Even if you don't realize it, forgive me, Aella-san, but I find you utterly adorable right now.

"Um... Elena... ah... I'm sorry! I got carried away earlier and ended up crying in your embrace."

Lady Aella spoke while lowering her face to hide her embarrassment from me.

"No... no... Aella-san doesn't need to apologize to me. In fact... I should be the one apologizing to you. For embracing you without your permission."

Hearing my words, Aella-san puffed up her cheeks while glaring at me in irritation. Then she said,

"Yes, that's right! Why did you suddenly hug me like that? It would look so strange if anyone else saw us, you know! Or perhaps you enjoy hugging random pretty onee-sans around you?"

"W-What are you talking about, Aella-san?! I'm not some weirdo! I-It's also your fault for bringing up such a sad topic all of a sudden. And then you looked so distressed afterward. So, it was only natural for me to hug you to ease the sadness on your face..."

"Besides... what about you, Aella-san? Suddenly patting my stomach while I was lying here. Are you the type of mature woman who enjoys targeting innocent, inexperienced girls like me?"

Before I realized it, I fired back at Aella-san with such disrespectful words. What am I doing? This is terribly impolite! Forgive me, Aella-san! But I needed to defend myself too. So, once again, please forgive me.

"You insolent girl!"

Suddenly, Aella-san pinched my left cheek hard with her fingers.

"Ouch... ouch! That hurts, Aella-san... please stop... Aella-san! Please stop pulling my cheek!"

"This is your punishment for being such a rude girl. This time, you're taking it as a lesson!"

"Ouch... it hurts, Aella-san! Yes, yes... I'm sorry! So please stop pulling my cheek! Wait... Aella-san, pause for a second... look... please look at the door, Aella-san! Look over there!"

I shouted while pointing toward the door.

"What's at the door...? Ehh... Stella, since when have you been standing there, my dear?"

At the doorway, the little girl who had earlier called me "Snow White" was standing silently, watching us. Her expression was difficult for me to interpret as she observed us.

"Ne... Mom... is 'Snow White' oneesan your girlfriend?"

Ah... no... no, that's not true, adorable girl! Not at all!

I screamed internally at the girl's words. This is your fault, Aella-san, so please explain everything to your daughter. I'm begging you!

"Eh... no... no... what are you saying, Stella? Why would you think this big sister is my girlfriend?"

"Because Mom was crying in her arms for so long."

Ah... so she's been watching us since then. How careless of me! This is also your fault, Aella-san!

"E-Eh... that's not it, sweetheart! To Mom, this big sister..."

Aella-san stared at me for a while. She seemed to be searching for the right reason to explain our situation. But...

Suddenly, she pulled me into her embrace. What are you doing, Aella-san?!

And Aella-san began speaking to her daughter.

"Yes... this big sister is like my eldest daughter. Just like that. And this 'Snow White' oneesan sees me as her mother. Isn't that right, Elena?"

Aella-san gave me a threatening glance that seemed to say, 'Just go along with what I'm saying, foolish girl.'

I forced an awkward smile on my lips and said to the little girl,

"Hahaha... that's right, Stella. I consider Aella-san like my own mother. So I love her just like you love Aella-san."

Suddenly, a cheerful smile appeared on Stella's face as she said,

"That means 'Snow White'-san is my older sister?"

What? No... no, Stella, it's not like that! Aella-san, please explain to your daughter. But... Aella-san's response was far from what I expected. Upon hearing her daughter's words, she spontaneously clapped her hands with joy and said,

"Ah... yes, that's absolutely right! This beautiful big sister is Stella's older sister!"

What are you saying, Aella-san?!

Without hesitation, the little girl named Stella ran over and hugged me tightly.

" 'Snow White'-san is my big sister!"

Stella repeated her words while hugging me tightly and laughing cheerfully. And then... in the end, Aella-san joined in, hugging me along with her daughter while laughing joyfully.

What should I do now?! Aella-san... why are you hugging me too? Can you act more like a mature woman in situations like this?

I simply sat there silently, enduring their embrace. I gave up.

After all that, now...

Stella was sitting peacefully beside me, leaning against me. Meanwhile, I sat propped up against the headboard of my bed. Aella-san watched us with a happy smile on her face.

"So... now I'll start my story about my friend, Estella."

Stella and I gazed at Aella-san with hopeful eyes.

"Our meeting began when I was stranded on the Southern Continent. The land of the cruel Demon Race."

As she spoke, Aella-san's eyes seemed to stare into the distance, as if she were reminiscing about her past. Back to the time of her first encounter with her friend, Estella Lightheart.

And thus began the story of Estella Lightheart...

†************†

"Haa...

I'm the worst. I've typed too much again and once more skipped over Estella Lightheart's story. So once again, I apologize.

Since this chapter serves as the opening to Estella Lightheart's tale, I've chosen the title 'Prelude' for this filler chapter.

The next episode will be a story told from Aella Mead's POV, narrating her life after meeting Estella, and her journey as the leader of the Scathlan Kingdom's Mage Corps under General Estella Lightheart's command. Titled, 'Daughter of the Crown, Commander of the Realm.' Please look forward to it."

Matakatra

(Author)