"Hmm... Interesting. So art is where faeries thrive, huh?"

"Correct, Your Majesty. Faeries are creatures created off of imaginations after all."

Somehow, and for whatever reason, the Demon King is looking at my drawing. With such creepy, curious eyes at that.

"So that's why their appearance differ everytime someone caught sight of them. But then, why does this little one can be seen by everyone?"

"Im not quite sure about that, Your Majesty. Perhaps it is not truly a complete faerie, but a mix of some sort."

Bro, please stop calling me 'it'. I'm begging you.

"Interesting... Well? Does it have a name?"

Sighing, I pull on the King's cloak and say, "Yes, I do have a name. And I'm not an 'it'."

The King seems to be pleasantly taken aback by my tone. He smiles at me, but his smile is only of amusement.

"Do tell me then, little one."

"I..."

Wait.

Oh dear...

I forgot I don't even have a name. A name in this life at least.

I could always just take back my old name, 'Indah'. But... Somehow, it makes me feel guilty... Almost as if I'm breaking this universe's law by doing that.

After a long pause, the King raises his brow. Mr. Skull-Head also chime in out of curiosity.

Well, screw it. What's the worse that could happen? I've already died once anyways.

"Indah," I answers, while staring at the both of them.

"Indah... Hmm... Well, if you're not an 'it', what are you then? You need to prove yourself worthy of being taken as more than a mere object."

This Demon King is more of a douche than I thought.

But... He does have a point... somewhat. I don't even know fully about myself yet. I just know that I'm randomly reincarnated here by presumably some cult of faeries. Why did they chose me instead of the million other humans dying that particular day? Beats me.

But, I suppose since I don't have any parts down there, calling me an 'it' is kinda fitting... but it's incredibly degrading. Please, I'm a person, not an object or an animal or a plant.

"That's not for you to decide..." I answer him, clearly not wanting to take his words.

"Faerie-like creature, Indah. Don't you know who I am?"

I nonchalantly shake my head. The King is visibly shocked.

"Ehem... I'm the King of The Kingdom of Zagnair. And you are currently living in my Kingdom's territory as my property. Of course it is for me to decide."

Kingdom of Zagnair? Finally, some worldbuilding... What else? You're currently in a war with the religious human kingdom?

"Perhaps, you, Indah, don't understand. Or it's just me not understanding your kind's views. But..."

But..?

"Art is something that can achieve peace without bloodshed."

Huh?

"So if you want to be taken as a subject instead of an object. Then, prove to me that you're worthy of my time."

I guess in their eyes, I'm a thousand years-old sage or something.

"As a faerie, I'd like to see you create something. Something that can bring one's most important memory back to life."

My ears perk at those words.

"Impress me, then I'll gladly take you as my subject."

Then the King leaves without any other words.

What an idiot. If you want a commission, you should've paid upfront.

But... 'Something that can bring one's most important memory back to life'.

That seems like something only Da Vinci or Michelangelo could make.

How the heck am I suppose to imitate those two legends!? Or invoke something within people that they themselves don't remember!? Is that King just trying to show off his snobbiness!?

I wanted to be an artist because I liked and enjoyed creating something beautiful. I'm the type to never think about why I'm creating, I just wanted to create.

To be given these kinds of instructions and end goals... It's why I wanted to quit art altogether back in my previous life. The tailor work back then is freakin real, dude. One mistake in my stitching and the client goes away.

Besides, art is supposed to be personal. How am I supposed to know what make other's tick? Create a medieval group chat? Heck, I've never met a single person other than the ones I've met here in this rough little old cabin!

It's fine. I don't need to be acknowledged by some random demon king. I'll just live my new life how I want to, and I'll be set.

Besides, they said I'm a faerie, or at least something like it. Surely I'll get a pair of wings or two when I grow up. Useful when I want to flee this Kingdom whenever I see fit. A second pair of arms would be useful too. But I don't think I would be ready for that.

"You don't have to be hasty," Mr Skull-Head pats my head, "You've got plenty years to grow. And knowing His Majesty, he would forget about you soon enough."

That guy is a jerk alright. So much for making me think about the value of my dreams and existence.

But I got kinda curious when he said the worldbuilding part, that something about 'creating peace without blood' part. Is there a war going on or something?

"Mister, can you tell me about this kingdom?"

When I ask that, Mr. Skull-Head decides to stare at me for a second, then turns around and leave.

Fine then, I'll just find a book and read about it myself.