<Episode 1>
Do not feed the fairies.
If Edith Hamilton were asked what she would say to her past self, she would unhesitatingly choose that one sentence.
***
Around December, as the year comes to an end.
To prepare for the social season, nobles moved to their townhouses in the capital.
The Hamilton baron family was no exception. The baron and baroness were more enthusiastic than usual.
And understandably so…
“We should start looking for a suitable gentleman for you.”
They had decided to seriously begin searching for a marriage partner for their daughter, who had debuted last year.
As a result, poor Edith had to endure constant pressure from her parents.
She rubbed her temple as she saw her mother laying out numerous dresses on the bed early in the morning.
“Mother, I told you before. I’d rather—”
“Art again, is it?”
Her mother gently cut her off with a kind smile.
“Yes, if you want to do it, you should. I’m sure there’s a gentleman who will understand your hobby.”
I don’t want it to remain just a hobby.
She swallowed the words that rose to her throat and kept her mouth shut.
The label of being from a merchant background didn’t come off easily. Along with it came subtle discrimination and negative views toward women with careers.
She understood her parents’ desire for their daughter to marry a proper nobleman and live an ordinary life. Under such circumstances, she couldn’t afford to reveal her ambition for painting any further…
But is it right to become someone’s wife and give up on my dream?
She couldn’t forget the sense of fulfillment she felt when filling up a blank canvas or the satisfaction after completing a painting.
Sensing her daughter’s dilemma, the baroness spoke again in a soothing tone.
“We’ll talk about it later. For now, please just attend today’s New Year’s ball, alright?”
“…Alright.”
Unable to refuse her mother’s earnest request, Edith ended up quietly attending the party.
Unlike other balls hosted by nobles, the New Year’s ball was held annually in the emperor’s name.
It was prestigious enough that even those who usually didn’t enjoy such social gatherings would attend.
Perhaps because of that—
A rare face appeared.
“It’s been a while since the Duke made an appearance at an event like this.”
Edith, sipping her champagne, stole a glance at the man who had become the subject of everyone’s conversation.
Eurik Glassheart.
Head of the prestigious Glassheart duchy and the emperor’s nephew. He was known for having all the virtues of a perfect gentleman…
But was also widely reputed to be a rather indifferent man.
Edith had heard more than enough stories about him. Though it was her first time actually seeing him.
He was indeed handsome…
Polite, but with an expressionless face and neatly swept-back hair.
…Somehow gave off an unapproachable vibe?
She had vaguely imagined him as a gentle-looking man, but in person, he had a lean yet firm build, a strong jawline—an undeniably handsome man.
“Fell for him?”
Edith frowned at the rude poke to her side. The culprit was her mischievously grinning older brother, Everett Hamilton.
“Stop it. People are watching.”
She slapped his hand in annoyance, and Everett exaggeratedly pretended to be in pain.
“Oh, such cruelty.”
At his cheeky display, Edith’s eyes turned cold.
“What’s the big deal? Everyone’s attention is elsewhere. Isn’t it the same for you? You totally fell for him, didn’t you?”
“Fall for him? Please. I was just curious who the famous Duke Glassheart was. I’ve never seen him before.”
At her denial, Everett chuckled.
“Sure, sure. My dear little sister. But let me say this as your older brother—the duke is a no-go.”
“What?”
“You’re not cut out for him. You like kind people, don’t you?”
That was true.
Her ideal type was someone warm and kind.
“I said I didn’t fall for him.”
To Edith, who had no real interest in Duke Glassheart to begin with, his claim was absurd.
She had merely looked out of curiosity. Yet being treated as though she harbored some grand affection made her sigh.
Regardless of her feelings, Everett continued with a somewhat pitying expression.
“Personality aside, there’s also, well… a difference in background.”
He trailed off vaguely, and Edith gave him a disapproving look and shook her head.
She already knew.
That the Hamilton family, who had bought their barony with money, was fundamentally different from the Glassheart family.
“Still, the duke is good-looking. No wonder poor Edith got swept away. Yep, that must be it.”
“What are you even talking about? Can you just listen for once?”
“But you know, right? First loves never come true.”
He was teasing her even though he knew it wasn’t true. As she stood speechless, Everett messed up her hair.
“Pwahaha.”
Laughing at his handiwork, he quickly ran off elsewhere.
“So annoying.”
Now that her carefully styled hair was a mess, she was thoroughly irritated and walked away.
Useless older brother. She kept her eyes on the floor as she walked, so others wouldn’t see her disheveled state.
She headed toward the ladies’ lounge, but it was already full.
“Oh my! Your hairstyle is so original today. I guess the New Year’s trend has changed without me knowing?”
As expected, the noble ladies she bumped into all fluttered their fans with ambiguous smiles.
They were exactly the type of people she hated running into like this.
Those who envied the wealth of the Hamilton baron family but secretly looked down on her behind her back.
Being embarrassed at times like this only meant losing.
“Didn’t you know?”
At her composed reply, the ladies’ expressions twisted beautifully.
Thanks to a year of mingling in high society, such petty jabs didn’t faze her anymore. It felt refreshing, but…
Edith didn’t feel like pushing through that group.
“This is why parties are so tiring.”
She wanted to fix her hair—where could she go where no one was around? Sighing, she wandered aimlessly, when she noticed a faint light outside the window.
What is that? Something glowing like a firefly was fluttering in the air, radiating colorful light. Drawn in like she was under a spell, she followed the light toward the garden.
That’s when—
“…Help… me…”
A small voice reached her ears as she looked around the garden.
It was a child’s voice, weak and tired. Edith’s eyes widened slightly. No children should be attending tonight’s ball. As far as she knew, there were no young royals in the imperial family either.
There’s no reason a child would be here.
“….”
Still, she couldn’t ignore a child asking for help.
“Who are you? What’s wrong?”
“This way…”
She followed the voice.
“…No one?”
To her surprise, there was no one at the destination. Was she haunted? Goosebumps prickled along her arms as she rubbed them.
I should go back.
Maybe it was the alcohol. Her head was spinning slightly, and now she was hearing things.
“Look down…”
Before she could leave, the child’s voice rang out again. Reflexively, she looked down at her feet.
And what she saw was…
“W-What is this?”
A tiny child, barely the size of her hand? The size was unreal.
Most of all, the child fluttered translucent wings like a dragonfly on its back. With every flap, sparkling dust scattered around.
“…What?”
Edith rubbed her eyes repeatedly, then opened them slightly—but the image remained.
It looked just like a fairy from a storybook.
“I must’ve drunk too much… I’m seeing things.”
“I’m hungry…”
Whether it understood her confusion or not, the fairy reached out with pitiful eyes.
“….”
Seeing the tiny hand trembling, she rummaged through her clutch. All she had was a large round candy.
“This is all I’ve got right now.”
Bending down, Edith held out the candy to the fairy.
“It’s about the size of your face. Can you eat it?”
The fairy’s face lit up like it had found an oasis in the desert.
“Thank you! You’re such a kind human!”
Clutching the candy with its short arms, the fairy hummed happily.
“Kyaa!”
It even shook its wings and danced. Its tiny bottom wiggled side to side.
“So sweet!”
With a bright glow, the candy melted away like dust. Now energized, the fairy flew boldly toward Edith.
“I’ll grant you a wish in return!”
Blinking in wonder at the surreal situation, she thought—
Maybe this really is a dream. Maybe it’s all an illusion.
“A wish? You can really grant whatever I want?”
It was interesting enough, so she asked with a what-have-I-got-to-lose attitude.
“Umm… only what I can do with my powers!”
“Like what?”
“I can bless you so you never stub your toe on a door frame for the rest of your life! Or make your farts smell like flowers in front of people!”
…What an underwhelming ability.
A proper lady should never fart in front of others anyway. Her excitement cooled a little, but Edith laughed.
How much could you expect from a fairy this small and cute?
“Then I just wish for my family to live happily and healthily forever.”
“Ah, sorry. That’s beyond my power. But how about the fragrant fart?”
“No thanks.”
In her heart, she wished her family would accept her dream of becoming a painter. Aside from that, she didn’t really have a wish…
But that was something she wanted to achieve on her own—not through a tiny creature’s power. Any recognition gained that way would be meaningless.
“Take care.”
“W-Wait!”
Just as she stood up, having finished fixing her hair, the fairy hesitated and called out.
“I said I’m good. Anyway, I should go now. My family’s probably waiting.”
“But if someone receives help, they must be repaid! I didn’t plan to use my power like this, but… Fine!”
After much hesitation, the fairy shouted—
“What’s your ideal type?”
“Out of nowhere?”
Such a random question.
“I like kind and gentle men. And… I guess being handsome wouldn’t hurt?”
She didn’t understand, but answered honestly. A man who supported her dream would surely be kind and gentle. At her response, the fairy’s face lit up like a lamp.
“Got it. Then I’ll bless you so the most handsome man will treat you kindly!”
With those words, the fairy began to glow brightly, and Edith reflexively closed her eyes.
“May this wish bring you happiness!”
How much time had passed?
When she opened her eyes again, there was no sign of the fairy— not even an ant.
She really must’ve had too much to drink…
It all felt like a dream.
