Otherwise, you can find another savior.

"I'm afraid of damaging this sea of ​​flowers," Jian said anxiously. "Even if I take just one step, some flowers will fall down."

This very simple and pure reason made Xi Jian, who was a little worried that it might not suit her taste, suddenly understand and smiled.

"That's the reason, actually. How should I put it...it's very typical of you."

"Really? I'm seriously worried about this." Jian slowly squatted down and reached out to touch a nearby flower. "This is the first time in my life that I've seen such a beautiful sea of ​​flowers."

"Really? So that's how it is." Shiomi's voice suddenly became long.

He suddenly understood why Morgan asked him if he could create an endless sea of ​​flowers.

Although he had never tried it, he was sure he could do it.

Morgan was very satisfied with the answer at that time, and now he understands it a little bit.

When spring arrived in Orkney, it was hard to find even flowers in this somewhat barren country.

Besides, he originally just wanted to make Jian happy, but now he found that it was not that simple.

What seemed natural to him might be something that Jian had never seen in his fifteen years of growth.

It was an era where even he couldn't help but feel lonely.

"These flowers are definitely not just a temporary illusion, right?" Ash asked happily.

"Of course, it's just that Orkney rains a lot. If it rains for half a month or a month straight, these flowers will die," Shiomi said. "But if I come over regularly to check on them and take care of them, and if Ash can help design the barrier, perhaps these flowers will still bloom in winter."

"Wow... You always see the opportunity to ask me difficult questions, teacher?" Jian said jokingly.

"I can't teach you anything. All your understandings come from your heart." Xi Jian's brows furrowed slightly. "So, please don't call me teacher."

"But you were clearly teaching me how to fight." Jian pouted.

She really wanted to call Xijian "teacher", after all, no one would call him that.

"Even so, there's no need." Xi Jian looked at her tenderly, "It would make it seem like our relationship is not quite equal."

“…Eh…” Jian’s heart clenched.

She originally thought that he had some grudge, but the answer turned out to be even more disconcerting.

The title of sage is just a decoration to deal with other fairies.

He was just a human being, a human being who wanted to walk hand in hand with her.

"Well, forget it then." Jian suppressed his laughter and gave up the idea of ​​continuing to call him teacher.

Xijian nodded slightly, leaned over and held out his hand to her.

Looking at this hand, Jian didn't quite understand, but he still reached out his hand and held it like flowing water.

Since when did holding his hand become an everyday act, but the warmth of their palms made her reluctant to let go.

Gently led by Xijian, Jian stood up from the flowers.

"Can you dance?"

"We do know the clan's ceremonial dance," Jian said, "but I guess that's not the kind of dance Tianxi is talking about."

"Well, it doesn't matter if you don't know how to do it. I'll teach you."

He guided her to put her other hand on his shoulder, then gently put his arm around her soft lower back.

The unique posture makes them get closer to each other.

The wind blew over their bodies, making their hair messy. She looked at the face so close to her in a trance, following his footsteps and dancing among the flowers.

Even though it was her first time learning, and she kept making mistakes in the dance steps and stepped on his feet more than once, she didn't feel embarrassed at all. Instead, she gradually found the feeling and was able to coordinate with his steps.

Many, many years later, when she became the Queen of Winter and walked onto her own throne, she would always recall this day.

There is no music, no audience, only the subtle sound of the spring breeze blowing through the sea of ​​flowers, which serves as a quiet chorus for this duet dance.

Awkward dance steps, awkward limbs, and random thoughts that are always focused on one person.

"You won't step on your feet anymore," he said in her ear.

"Even if he's a fool, he should be able to imitate after being taught so patiently." Jian looked at him proudly, with an expression full of boasting.

"Then it's your turn to dance alone next?"

"...I'd rather not. I can only spin in circles by myself." Ash said shyly, "Wait until I become more proficient?"

"Obviously, I'm already skilled enough." Xijian responded cheerfully.

Jian stared into his eyes and said, "You keep complimenting me but I don't return the compliments."

"Your smile is the most sufficient reward."

His words made the fairy girl smile.

Chapter 14 Her Dream, Her Heart

Jian lay in the soft flowers, stretching her limbs. The flowers that were taller than her ankles surrounded her, and the refreshing fragrance surrounded her body. Jian felt that she was becoming light, and the tiredness of the duet dance gradually dissipated. She was merging into one with this sea of ​​flowers.

She finally realized that even if she stepped on the flowers, she would not damage them.

These flowers seem to have their own consciousness, and even if they are crushed, they will stand up again.

"I already... don't know how to tell you this." Ash said to Xijian, who was sitting next to him, with some distress. "We've only known each other for such a short time, and you've done so much for me. Even everyone in the clan has benefited from your kindness."

"No need to thank me, I did this just because I wanted to. I'm glad it didn't make you feel uncomfortable." Shiomi said, holding her hat.

"Um……"

Jian lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, and suddenly stood up from the flowers.

The witch hat in Shiomi's hand was decorated with a woven wreath on the tip.

"I decorated it a little bit on my own initiative." He handed the hat back to her.

Taking the hat and looking at the beautiful wreath, Ash said in a steady voice, "Do you remember, before the disaster struck the clan, I mentioned my mission?"

"The end of Britain?" asked Shiomi.

"I'm not entirely sure why, but this fairy island seems to carry some sin, causing it to be constantly tormented by disasters," Ash said. "Ever since I can remember, I've understood why I drifted from Paradise to Britain."

"The mission we are born with is heavy." Shiomi expressed his understanding.

In some ways, he is similar to Jian.

Chosen by Mooncell, these humans have been burdened with a certain destiny from the very beginning.

The only thing to be thankful for was that when he knew these facts, he already had the mental strength to bear and digest them.

"No, I don't actually feel it's a burden, and I understand this mission." Ash looked at his hat. "Unlike humans, all of us elves were born into this world, almost as if suddenly, from nowhere. 'The purpose of birth' is something we possess from the very beginning, and therefore, we receive names that correspond to it."

She thought Xi Jian might already know, but she still wanted to tell him in person through her current self:

"You know, Ash is the name my mother gave me. As a fairy from Paradise, I already had a name before I came here," Ash whispered to Shiomi. "My original name... Morgan Le Fay. That's the name I originally held as a fairy from Paradise."

"Yeah." Xijian didn't say much, just nodded solemnly.

"Purpose and name are the strength of the fairy's existence itself. The two are closely linked. Once the purpose is lost for some reason, the fairy will only face the end of its existence." She continued.

Xijian understood why Jian said this.

Unlike humans, she has no objections to the "purpose" given to her, nor does she feel burdened as she grows up like humans do.

The fairies in paradise exist for this very reason.

"But..." Ash frowned slightly, his eyes softening. "Even if there are mistakes on the British Isles, and I need to end them, my father, my mother, Vivian, and everyone in the clan have all gently protected me and made me who I am today."

"So you want to change your goal. Instead of bringing Britain to an end, you want to find other ways to correct Britain's mistakes?" Xijian asked.

Jian was quite surprised: "How could you guess that? Do you also have demon eyes?"

"No, it's just pure experience," Shiomi said. "So even without special eyes, humans can still discover many things. Understanding the hearts of those close to us is only part of it."

"Close...?" Ash was very happy. "So I want to start from scratch, to save the fairies tormented by sin and disaster, and build an 'ideal country' where all fairies will never suffer again. I know it's difficult, but if... but if..."

She knew better than anyone how difficult this dream was, but if Xi Jian was by her side.

His heart, his wisdom, his strength, his everything...

This idea is very greedy, and Jian knows it very well.

But she does have such a "desire" now.

"That's great, isn't it? Whether it's conviction or redemption, as long as there's a way and we keep searching, there will always be a way out." Xijian agreed gently, "If you're willing, I'd also like to stay by your side and explore with you."

Regardless of whether he will end up like the Knight King, regardless of whether that devastating future can be avoided.

At this moment, he still wanted to be stubborn and walk hand in hand with Ash... and Morgan.

"Tianxi..." Jian called his name.

But this time it sounded especially gentle, like crying and laughing at the same time, it was her fallen heart trembling.

"I'm here." Shiomi agreed.

Jian picked up the hat decorated with a garland and put it on his head. The combination that matched his clothes was a bit out of place, and he couldn't help but smile.

The soft and gentle spring breeze blew across the two people in the sea of ​​flowers. Her long golden hair swayed in the wind, and her blue eyes were as clear as the sea water washed by sunlight, brighter and more moving than ever before.

She stood up and crawled towards him like a kitten, nervously and confidently confirming his expression.

This was the first time she was so close to a member of the opposite sex, a human being completely different from herself as a fairy.

Jian didn't quite understand how humans expressed their feelings to each other, but looking at the humans in the clan and the other fairies, she felt that she didn't need anyone to tell her, as she already understood.

The fairy girl opened her arms and hugged Shiomi's neck.

There was only a little distance left between the two of them.

She looked into his eyes frantically and seriously, hoping to get a definite response.

A pair of firm, steady hands embraced her body, a more reassuring hug than any before.

Because that contained the answer she wanted.

Ash's face slowly approached Shiomi, and when they were already able to count each other's eyelashes, she could hardly get any closer because her movements were inexplicably stiff as if they were under a restraint spell.

She saw Xijian close his eyes, and the last bit of detail was erased, and a smooth and soft touch came from his lips.

A taste I have never known, a warmth I have never known.

The feeling of being unable to breathe was like drowning.

But this time, the lake water came from the sky, full of spring vitality, just like the fields of Orkney at this moment, where an endless sea of ​​flowers suddenly bloomed.

"do you like me?"

"I like you more than anything else in this world."

"……Um."

Chapter 15: Talking about Love

Holding Xijian's hand, walking through the forest, Jian couldn't tell for a moment which side was more exciting.

The only thing she was sure of was that something crucial was changing between her and Shiomi.

She knew what it was, but couldn't quite describe it.

There is a hint of sourness mixed in with the sweetness, a feeling that cannot be fully described by the word "beautiful".

When they went out together like this, she was no longer used to walking without holding hands.

That kiss, for her and for him, was not just a simple kiss.

It's like exchanging vows.

This does not mean that kissing itself has become a heavy thing. The feeling of the first kiss will linger in my heart even after more than half a month.

Then, you will involuntarily ask him for it, or wait for him to ask you for it.

Just like now.

She was clearly just taking a stroll in the forest to relax and observe the ecology there, but she suddenly stopped and hugged Xijian unconsciously, then stood on tiptoe to kiss him, and then stood firm under his guidance, waiting for him to lean over and love her.

The leaves in the forest are swaying, and the light and shadows are mottled.