As we stepped through the grand gates, a wave of golden light washed over us.

Scarlette blinked, momentarily overwhelmed. The Light Kingdom seemed even more dazzling than she had imagined—almost too dazzling.

Wait... why was I looking at her?

Floating lanterns drifted lazily in the air, their soft glow illuminating pristine streets paved with shimmering stone. Delicate vines of luminescent flowers curled around ivory pillars, their petals opening and closing as if breathing. The air carried a faint scent of jasmine and honey—thick and sweet, almost cloying—far too inviting.

I couldn't help but let out a low whistle. "Well, isn't this just paradise?" I mused, amusement flickering in my tone.

Yes, I do get amused.

Scarlette, however, seemed to be starting to feel uneasy. I noticed her gaze flickering skeptically around, and I couldn't blame her. Everything here felt too perfect, like a polished mask barely concealing the darker truths lurking beneath.

Her hesitation wasn't unfounded. To me, it was all too clean, too controlled—a place where every shadow seemed carefully banished. A place like this didn't exist without a cost. There was always a price for perfection.

"Why is it so bright in here?" she asked, shielding her eyes.

"Yeah, isn't it supposed to be night?" I asked, glancing up at the unnatural brightness that seemed to stretch on forever.

Lumera smiled. "Night doesn't happen here. But you can rest at my place—there's a spare room, and yes, a washroom," she added, glancing at Scarlette with a knowing smirk.

After a short walk from the gates, we stepped onto gleaming pavements made of gold. The streets hummed with an energy I couldn't place—like everything was just a little too alive, a little too perfect. Around us, Light Fairies drifted gracefully through the air, their white and yellow robes billowing like sunlit clouds. Their glowing wings shimmered, just like Lumera's, as they laughed and twirled effortlessly in the air, basking in the endless sunshine. It was as if they had no cares at all—a world of pure, unending light.

At the end of the road stood a small house painted a striking shade of yellow. Though modest in size, with only two rooms and a cozy living area, it radiated warmth.

The air smelled like fresh peppermint and tangerine—overly clean, like a place built to be admired, not lived in. Every piece of furniture was either yellow or white, giving the place a sterile, almost artificial feel. Nothing here looked like it was meant to withstand time. Everything had the sheen of something brand new, meant for display rather than comfort.

"This is my humble abode," Lumera said with a smile.

Not exactly my taste, but what choice do I have? It's probably safer here to rest, for now, even if the overabundance of sunshine is starting to give me a headache.

"Don't you need to pee?" I asked Scarlette, the words smooth, almost too casual.

Lies need follow-through, or they fall apart too easily.

"I don't actually need to pee," she whispered.

"Go anyway," I whispered back, annoyed. The less time we spent talking about it, the better.

"Everything okay?" Lumera asked, turning to us with an ever-present, welcoming smile.

"Charlotte needs the washroom," I reminded her, my voice sweet as syrup.

Scarlette gave me a half-hearted glare but pouted and went inside.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Lumera," I said, my smile as fake as the polished gold around us.

"You are most welcome, Ravos," she replied, her voice dripping with warmth.

As Scarlette returned, Lumera greeted her like an old friend. Light Fairy hospitality. It's a bit much, but I retained my smile, remembering that I was now Ravos the Love Fairy and not Veravos the Dark Fairy.

"Would you like some dinner? Perhaps an herb stew?" Lumera offered warmly, her voice as soft as the glowing lanterns outside.

Herb stew? That's what they eat? Bunch of pungent leaves from questionable sources in boiling water and they call this dinner? No thank you.

"It's alright, Lumera. We already ate," Scarlette said, her tone genuinely appreciative but with a hint of underlying tension.

"Drinks, then? A rose tea, maybe?" Lumera asked, pouring the fragrant red liquid into delicate cups and handing them to us.

I watched Scarlette take a sip, still unsure how I felt about everything. Lumera's kindness—too much of it—felt like a trap, but it was hard to pinpoint exactly where.

Lumera studied Scarlette with almost hesitant curiosity. "You know, you're really the kindest Dark Fairy I've ever met… To think you actually saved me," she murmured, still processing what we'd done for her.

I smirked, resisting the urge to make some sarcastic remark. Instead, I spoke first.

"Don't mind us, Lumera," I said smoothly, the lie slipping easily from my lips. "But after some rest, we'd love to see the town."

Her gaze flickered for a moment, and for a heartbeat, I wondered if she was catching onto something. But then she smiled again, the mask slipping back into place.

"Rest! Of course, it's been a long day—even for me," Lumera mused, as if contemplating some deep, cosmic fatigue. "I'd be happy to show you around once you've had some time to recover."

I gave her a gracious nod. "It's alright, Lumera. We wouldn't want to trouble you—we can explore the town ourselves if that's possible. It's our first time traveling together."

"Oh! A couple's trip!" Lumera clapped her hands excitedly, her expression too bright, too... rehearsed.

I couldn't help but feel the edges of that smile twist uncomfortably in my chest. Such hypocrisy. Or maybe it was excitement—who could say?

"Not at all," Lumera shook her head firmly, her smile never wavering. "But you'll need to be really careful. Stay vigilant. Some strange things have been happening in the Light Fairy Kingdom lately."

"Wait... what strange things?" Scarlette asked, her curiosity piqued.

"People are going missing," Lumera replied with a casual shrug, as though it were a minor inconvenience. "Just a few rumours but I'm sure they'll be found soon. It's better to stay vigilant, though. Low crime doesn't mean no crime. Am I right?" Her smile was almost too practiced.

That wasn't their slogan. Strange. Did it have to do with the Dark Fairies?

Was Judorah behind this?

Also where is the Light Guardian that we were supposed to look for?

I needed answers.