The sun rose gently over Aetheria.
Light filtered through ancient trees, turning dew into tiny rainbows on leaves. The forest wind carried a sweet smell from blooming spirit flowers, like honey and frost melting together. Dragons, elves and spirits moved around peacefully, as if this place had always existed.
But it had been born only a month ago.
Airi stood on the balcony of her small wooden house, staring at this new world that called her Princess.
Her new home.
Her kingdom.
She felt the warmth of the sun on her cheeks and whispered to herself,
"Good morning… Aetheria."
Birds chirped back as if answering her.
Her heart fluttered. She tiptoed back into the house with a determined expression.
Today was special.
Today she would cook breakfast…
for Haruto.
Kitchen Disaster of The Eternal Princess
Airi stood in the kitchen with an apron that was clearly too big for her, sleeves almost covering her hands.
She puffed her cheeks.
Today I will do it perfectly.
She grabbed a frying pan much larger than her face. Then she eyed the shelf where the eggs were placed.
Too high.
She tried jumping.
Jump.
Jump.
Jump.
Still no success.
A little spirit floated beside her and tried pushing her from behind, but all that did was make her fall onto the counter with a soft thud.
"Itai…"
The spirit, flustered, tried to help again by picking up a spice jar with its tiny hands.
Airi shook her head.
"No no, not that one, it is—"
The spirit tripped midair.
Spices exploded like fireworks.
POOF.
Red, yellow and green powder coated the entire stove.
Airi coughed and waved her hands.
"It is spicy! Help help!"
To fix it, she added water.
Too much water.
The pan overflowed.
The mixture made a sound like it was alive.
BLORP.
The pot shook.
Airi stared.
"…that cannot be normal."
The pot violently erupted.
BAAAAAM.
Smoke filled the room.
Footsteps rushed in.
Haruto kicked the door open and instantly scanned the danger like a trained soldier entering a battlefield.
"Airi. Step away from that pot."
With a gentle but quick movement, he lifted her by the waist and set her behind him.
Airi grabbed his sleeve.
"I wanted to make breakfast for you…"
Haruto looked at the smoking pot.
"…you almost summoned a demon with this omelet."
Airi puffed her red cheeks.
"It was a special omelet."
He picked her up and placed her on the counter, brushing ash off her hair.
"You are banned from the stove until further notice."
"That is unfair."
Haruto leaned closer and wiped a smear of flour from her cheek using his thumb.
"You burned water."
Airi froze.
"That is not possible."
"It happened. I watched it."
Airi hid her face behind her hands.
The little spirit peeked from behind Haruto and squeaked an apology.
Haruto sighed softly, then ruffled Airi's hair.
"Next time… let me cook with you."
Airi's heart skipped a beat.
"Together?"
"Together."
She smiled.
Marketplace of Aetheria
Airi pulled Haruto by the sleeve the moment breakfast was done.
"Onii Chan, marketplace. Marketplace. Marketplace."
"I get the feeling I do not have a choice."
"You really do not."
He allowed her to drag him through the streets.
Aetheria was alive.
Dark elves set up simple wooden stalls, spirits helped carry baskets and dragons in human form used magic to move heavy stones. Every race worked in harmony.
Spirits flew around like sparkling lights.
Dark elf kids chased the spirits, giggling.
A tall dark elf woman bowed.
"Good morning, Princess Airi… Prince Haruto."
Haruto corrected her immediately.
"We are not royals. Just call us by name."
The elves exchanged looks.
"Of course… Prince Haruto."
He sighed.
Airi burst into laughter.
They walked past a stall selling healing potions.
Airi's eyes sparkled at tiny crystal potion bottles shaped like teardrops.
"They are cute."
Haruto stood behind her, arms crossed.
"You do not need any potions. You heal naturally."
"But they are cute."
"That is not a valid reason to purchase medical supplies."
Airi picked up a bottle, hugging it.
"It is cute."
Haruto lost.
"Fine."
The stall owner leaned in and whispered loudly to another elf.
"They look like a married couple."
Airi choked on her own breath and turned bright red.
Haruto remained completely unaware.
"Married? We are—"
"—siblings!" Airi finished, waving her hands frantically.
The elves nodded politely but their eyes sparkled with we know the truth energy.
Dragons Whispering About Love
On a high balcony, the Dragon Queen stood with her arms folded.
Her long white-silver hair fluttered in the wind. Dragons in human form gathered around her, whispering.
"They look rather close…"
"Do you think the Prince favors her?"
"Queen, are you jealous?"
Dragon Queen's eyes narrowed.
"…burn."
Heat exploded behind her.
Dragons scrambled.
"Just curious, Your Majesty!"
She inhaled sharply.
Why does he smile only at her…?
She did not understand human emotions.
But she recognized something in her chest.
…annoyance?
…curiosity?
…envy?
Training Field — Haruto vs Dragon Queen
Later that afternoon, Haruto sharpened his sword near the training field.
Dragon Queen walked toward him gracefully.
"I want to test your strength."
Haruto rose without hesitation.
"Very well."
Airi, Frost and dozens of elves came to watch.
Haruto drew his sword.
Dragon Queen summoned swirling flames around her body.
The ground trembled beneath them.
Airi gulped.
"Haruto, do not go too far."
"I will not."
He swung his sword.
He did not use magic.
He did not infuse mana.
Just strength.
BOOOOOOOOM
The ground split from his slash.
A hundred meter crack.
Dragon Queen was blown backward, sliding across the ground.
The dragons watching dropped to their knees.
"Impossible…"
"He did not even use mana."
Frost puffed his chest.
"That is my Haruto."
Dragon Queen slowly stood up, stunned.
Her thoughts echoed like thunder.
Even I cannot cause that kind of destruction with a basic strike.
If he ever goes berserk… this world would split apart.
Haruto sheathed his blade.
"Good match."
Dragon Queen stared at her hand, trembling.
"I understand now… why spirits follow you two."
She bowed her head slightly.
"Aetheria… is in good hands."
Airi ran toward Haruto with glowing eyes.
"Onii Chan that was amazing!"
Haruto turned away.
"…it was not a big deal."
Frost smirked.
"If you do not marry Airi, someone else will steal her."
Haruto and Airi yelled together:
"WE ALREADY TOLD YOU WE ARE SIBLINGS!"
Dragons and elves burst into laughter.
Airi punched Frost's tail.
"Stop teasing."
Frost only grinned.
Night in Aetheria — Hidden Worries
That night, Aetheria glowed with lanterns.
Dragons told stories.
Elves sang.
Spirits danced above the lake like falling stars.
Haruto stood away from the crowd, staring into the forest.
Airi approached him, holding two steaming cups of cocoa.
"You are thinking again."
"I am always thinking."
"You are thinking… too much."
She handed him a cup.
He accepted it silently.
Airi leaned against him.
"You built something beautiful. And you still think you do not deserve happiness?"
Haruto froze.
"Airi…"
"You do not have to protect the world alone. I am here."
Haruto looked down at her small hands.
Even if she was tiny, her presence was the strongest wall around him.
"…thank you."
Airi smiled.
"Always."
HERO POV — Day 2 of The Journey
The scene cut sharply.
From warmth…
to misery.
The summoned heroes walked through mud, cursing under their breaths.
Hiroshi wiped sweat from his forehead.
"We were supposed to be heroes. Why does this place feel like a punishment?"
The priest guiding them spoke softly.
"The Great Forest is filled with an evil prophecy."
Hiroshi frowned.
"What prophecy?"
"The Prince of Death. A boy with a sword… powerful enough to shatter the world."
Hiroshi scoffed.
"A boy?"
The priest looked serious.
"If he awakens fully, the world ends."
Hiroshi gripped his sword.
"Then we will kill him first."
Back to Aetheria — Soft Night
Airi lay asleep on Haruto's shoulder.
He gently covered her with a blanket.
He looked outside.
Fireflies drifted through the air.
A peace he never had in the old world.
He whispered to himself.
"I will protect this place. No matter what."
Far away, the heroes marched closer…
toward destiny.
Toward Aetheria.
Toward war.
END OF CHAPTER 11