As Mum moves to answer the door, I fly to my room to hide.While I would like to be able to see our visitors if they come inside, I no longer feel comfortable standing on the ground to peek out while giants roam the house.Thus, I fly to the top of my doorway, carefully flip myself over till I’m facing headfirst towards the ground, then grab hold of a tiny outcropping in the wooden doorframe.Good, as I expected, it seems that I can quite easily hold myself in this position and need only slip down a little to peer into the common room without fearing that someone may open my door.Being able to effortlessly carry my entire weight on my arms has its benefits.

  “Miep.”

  Of course, my blue shadow decides to join me with a grin the moment she understands what I’m doing.

  By the time I’m ready, Mum has already opened the door, so when I slowly move to peer under the doorframe, I’m met with the sight of some familiar faces.The middle aged man with the dark brown hair and short, well-kept beard is Mr. Marson, commonly referred to as Sir Marson by most.While not precisely rotund, he’s certainly well fed.Alongside him stands the imp Sinora and, surprisingly, Emira as well.The entire family has come to visit.Which is odd, as I don’t believe they have ever all come at once.No, I’m certain of it, as Emira hasn’t visited us before now.Moreover, it’s rather strange that she is here without their butler.I’ve never seen her go outside their mansion without him.

  Mum quietly but courteously invites them inside, and after a simple greeting, Marson quickly gets to the point of their visit.

  “I assume that you’ve heard about what happened to Sinora two days past?”

  Once my mum nods her head, he continues.

  “There have always been odd stories amongst the woodcutters in this forest. An axe seemingly disappearing on its own, a straight path taking a traveler in a circle, trees growing denser at night. Most of which are readily expined by theft, inattentiveness, or drunkenness. Yet a few days ago, strange occurrences began to be reported by my foremen, whom I trust. Dim lights in the woods when returning home at dusk, a tree supposedly cut during the evening found whole again the next morning, new axe heads suddenly loosening themselves from their handles. And most incredulous of all, just this morning, my lead foreman left the west gate shortly before dawn, as is his custom, and arrived at the logging site at his typical time. However, the one he arrived at was our site to the north. And everyone is well aware that man is no drunkard.”

  Apparently, for whatever reason, it would seem that the fairies have begun harassing the woodcutters.Though I’m unsure whether I was simply the first true victim or if these pranks began because of me in some way.Mum simply remains silent and lets him speak.Between her silence and her unusually disheartened expression, if I didn’t know better, I’d say she was a grieving mother.

  “My apologies. I’ll attempt to keep things brief, as I’m certain you’re not interested in the details of my troubles at this time. Suffice it to say, what occurred within my mansion is not an isoted event. Whether Sinora’s assumption about the intruding magic is true or not remains to be seen, but I promise that I will get to the bottom of this mystery, and if it discovered that it is in some way responsible for what happened to Akari, I will inform you. I’ve already sent for a magic investigator to be dispatched from the capital, who hopefully will arrive shortly, and in the meantime, I’ve also posted a notice in the town hall for any errant adventurer who may possess the appropriate skills.”

  Considering Sinora’s words from our st encounter, this wasn’t entirely unexpected.However, a typical journey to Regia takes about a week, and it will take some time even for a single rider pushing their horse to its limit.I should be able to prepare before this investigator arrives.Although, as of yet, I’m uncertain as to what I’m going to do in that regard.As for the fairies in the woods, I’m much more worried for the people who encounter them than for the bastards in the gde.

  Marson continues.

  “Now with that said, for Sinora’s piece of mind, I’m afraid that I must ask. Do you happen to know anything about these lights that may help us? Anything at all? Perhaps something unusual that Akari spoke about?”

  I see Sinora spoke to him.At least he didn’t accuse Talia of anything as she did.While he may be far too x with his daughter, Marson isn’t stupid.He knows she doesn’t like us, and the chances of Talia having anything to do with the situation is quite slim.It wouldn’t be good for his public reputation to be acting with no proof.

  Mum merely shakes her head at his words.Apparently, she’s decided to not tell him anything about me.

  “I thought not… Is Talia here?”

  “She’s currently just outside.”

  “Sinora, would you please call her in? And Fiona, it would be for the best if you take a seat.”

  What’s happening here?Suddenly, the atmosphere feels incredibly somber.Did I speak too soon?Talia isn’t about to get in trouble for what she said to Sinora yesterday, is she?

  Marson guides my mum to one of the chairs at our table.A quick gnce and a raised eyebrow is all the attention he gives the colored cloth, choosing to stay silent for the time being.A short time ter, Sinora returns with my sister, who after quickly putting aside her things and washing the messy feathers from her hands, sits beside my mum.After taking a few moments to gather himself, Marson speaks once more.

  “I’m certain you’re both already well aware of this, but Akari has been missing in the woods for nearly a week now, with neither person nor animal discovering a single trace of her, past her initial, unusually interrupted, trail. Everyone who has gone searching has already returned without any further news, other than that the woods no longer seem to be as safe as before. I’m also certain that I don't have to expin what that means.”

  Oh, shit!I’ve heard this tone of his before!Not along with these exact words, but…

  “After speaking to the other members of the vilge council, as the appointed leader, I took it upon myself to deliver this message… According to Koreso customs regarding missing persons outside of a settlement, Akari, daughter of Ciro, age sixteen, has been decred deceased… You have my condolences.”

  Well, it’s official.I’m dead.

  Never would I have thought that I’d hear this particur message.I must say, it’s quite an odd feeling, especially considering it’s partly true.Yeah, sure, I’m somewhat tempted to rush out and tell them that they’re wrong, but I can’t see anything but trouble coming from that.My reasons for keeping my status a secret are still valid, after all.And what better way is there to accomplish this than for me to not officially exist?

  Mum pulls Talia to her chest before burying her face in my sister’s hair.From the muffled sounds, I can’t quite tell if they’re truly choking back sobs or if at least one of them is simply attempting to hide her ughter.Perhaps some of both.It was quite the unpleasant reminder of pa’s passing, after all.And, well, I didn’t return unchanged.

  After a few moments, Sinora and her sister offer their condolences as well.

  “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  Hah, liar!I must give her credit, Sinora is an excellent actor when she wishes to be.She almost sounded truly sorry that I was gone.

  “I-I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Fiona.”

  As for Emira, she seemed a little uncertain.Perhaps because she doesn’t know us very well or simply because she’s so young?

  At least now I know why the entire family is here.Unlike pa, I’m no military officer, nor is my family on the level of patricians.Hence, there will be no vish funeral.Without a body, there won’t even be a pyre.Word will spread from the official notice in the town hall, and people will simply offer whatever aid and soothing they are willing to give.Not that my family is very influential.Although, I’m surprised Emira would be expected to do this at her age.I suppose training for unpleasant tasks begins young for a prospective dy.

  After a short time, Marson speaks again.

  “I am truly sorry, Fiona. If you ever have need of something, merely ask. For now, we will be going, unless you desire otherwise?”

  When mum doesn’t reply, the three of them begin moving towards the door.However, before they leave, Emira seemingly braces herself before asking a question.

  “Father, may I stay for a moment? I-I wish to help.”

  *Sigh*“If they wish to be alone, we-”

  “It’s okay… She can stay.”

  Oh?What is Mum pnning?Perhaps she wants to speak to Emira alone?

  Marson appears a bit confused at her words.

  “Are you certain?”

  Mum nods.

  “…Very well. I’ll inform Seloras to continue waiting near the street for a time.”

  Ah, that’s where their butler is.

  With that, he and Sinora exit our home, leaving Emira behind.As soon as the door shuts, Emira walks over to my mum and tries to hug both her and Talia.Then she begins speaking in a loud whisper.

  “Mrs. Fiona, Talia, I-I asked to come along today because there is something that I must tell you.”

  Well, that expins why a child accompanied the bearer of such news.Though couldn’t she have come at a different time?

  “It’s about Akari. But, i-it’s a secret.”

  Wait, a secret about me?Yet, before she says anything further, I hear muffled words from Talia.

  “Mum, you’re going to suffocate me.”

  “Oh, sorry.”

  Mum finally releases her allowing me to clearly see their faces.As I expected, neither of them seem terribly saddened by my decred demise.Some damp eyes, but thankfully, no freely streaming tears.

  After a moment, Mum addresses Emira.

  “Don’t worry, we can keep a secret. You said that you know something about Akari? What is it?”

  “U-um, sh-she said not to tell anyone…but you must know! Akari isn’t gone! I think she became a fairy! I saw her!”