Elizabeth wandered along the winding paths of Iorlainn, surrounded by its stunning beauty. The labyrinthine trails, dense groves, and vibrant gardens were nothing short of mesmerising. But she walked with caution, fearing to lose her way in this intricate maze. Still, the extraordinary flora and fauna fascinated her, making it impossible to resist their appeal.

An impressive variety of flowers adorned the verdant landscape. Some were familiar to Elizabeth, while others were unlike any she had ever seen. A few emitted a gentle glow, and others appeared delicate, resembling the finest glass.

As twilight approached, the scene became even more magical. Fireflies of various colours filled the air, flickering like tiny stars in the gathering darkness. Spellbound by the captivating sight, Elizabeth followed one of these insects glowing with a bluish hue. It led her further into the secret parts of Iorlainn.

The firefly went up and down, darting so quickly that Elizabeth almost ran to keep up, then floating as if waiting for her. She tried to capture it in her palm, but the tiny creature only grazed her skin before flying off again.

In front of a tree, the firefly paused, prompting Elizabeth to approach. Delicate branches formed curtains around the tree trunk as they fell to the ground. The insect easily passed through them, and Elizabeth followed, drawing the branches away with her hand. There, she stopped at an unexpected scene: a young fairy couple holding each other in a tender embrace, their lips touching in a sweet kiss.

Embarrassed by her unintentional intrusion, Elizabeth quickly apologised and retreated. She rushed off, leaving behind the gentle echo of fairies' laughter, a harmonious mix of male and female voices.

Everything around her was a celebration of joy and love. Outside Iorlainn, her days, especially nights, had been fraught with danger, making safety her primary concern. Now, however, she craved something more. Memories of her first kiss with Dan on the secluded path in the park, and the sensations it evoked, came flooding back.

They used to have passionate, lingering exchanges, their faces flushed with desire, their eyes glowing with longing. The memory, poignant and vivid, made her heart ache for those moments they had shared in the past.

As she looked at the sky, painted in the soft pink hues of sunset, a gentle breeze caressed her face, carrying with it something she couldn't quite discern. An inexplicable longing settled in her heart. She had so much love to give, but it constantly shattered against Dan's cold indifference and bitter sarcasm. It was as if he had become a stranger to her, or perhaps she had simply failed to see his true nature from the start.

But still, she desperately wanted to love and be loved. Her thoughts shifted to William, and a sigh escaped her lips. She recalled the way he had looked at her during the game of hide-and-seek, her heart fluttering once more—a strange sensation. There, by the pond, his eyes had held an unmistakable interest. Just as quickly, she dismissed the thought, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Why had her thoughts drifted to William of all people? Maybe it was just the captivating fragrance of the flowers that made her associate him with such gentle emotions. After all, he seemed distant and uninterested in matters of the heart. Yet despite her efforts, thoughts of William kept returning.

And then there was his age. How old was he? It was hard to tell, but perhaps forty or more. He could be nearly twice her age—almost as old as her father. She had never considered older men as romantic partners. They were too mature, settled, or already committed. She had always been interested in her younger peers. Despite this, Elizabeth often attracted the attention of older men, but she pretended not to notice, cutting their advances short and feigning ignorance of their intentions.

Perhaps it was simply that she didn't like those suitors. But William—he was different. Deep down, she was certain things could work with him. Though she had thought the same about Dan... Still, maybe this time it was worth reconsidering her stance. After all, if two people are truly compatible, an age difference is just a minor obstacle, not an insurmountable one.

But what if William was married? Engaged? She knew absolutely nothing about him, yet the thought had crossed her mind, sparking her curiosity. And yes, at one point, she had even stolen a glance at his hands, scanning them for a wedding ring, but there was none! She found it strangely gratifying, yet she scolded herself for letting her thoughts wander in that direction.

Why should she meddle in his personal affairs? Yet at the same time, the absence of a ring meant nothing. He could have lost it, or it might no longer fit. Or perhaps, in this world, it wasn't customary to wear wedding rings. Despite her best efforts, Elizabeth couldn't resist the urge to uncover the secrets of this mysterious man.

Flustered, she deliberately turned her attention to other subjects to calm the chaos in her mind. At that moment, a melodious, silvery voice interrupted her tumultuous thoughts.

"Enjoying your walk, Elizabeth?" Niamh stood before her, a warm smile on her face. The girl couldn't help but smile back.

"What do you think of Iorlainn?" asked the fairy princess.

"When William said he was taking us to a safe place, I never thought it would be this beautiful!" Elizabeth's face shone with genuine wonder and admiration.

"William made the right choice bringing you here. I know my father is not pleased, but my kingdom is the safest, unlike the Outer World," Niamh said, her expression turning sombre. "You're lucky to have met William and not someone else. The Outer World can be a merciless place."

Elizabeth wondered what would have happened if they hadn't followed William and stayed in the village instead. The terrifying encounter with the bloodfiend and the ominous black snake now seemed like a distant memory in the fairy realm. For a while, she had pushed them to the back of her mind. Even memories of her own world started to fade, growing fuzzy around the edges. Her home now felt like a long-forgotten dream. Sometimes she doubted if it was real at all.

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A/N:

The picture of the roses above is exactly how I imagined it, in every detail, even the hue and the way the light falls! I was shocked to see such an accurate reflection of the image from my mind!💖 

Unfortunately, I can't draw, but I only use pictures that are very close to how I imagine everything. If I could, I'd turn this story into a film! 😄🍿🎥✮⋆˙

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