CHAPTER III
The hills rolled softly beneath the sky, covered in golden meadows and dotted with bright, dancing sunflowers. Rivers glittered in the distance, winding their way through peaceful valleys, while flocks of colorful birds soared above with joyful songs. Beautiful animals, gentle and curious, wandered freely — deer with eyes like honey, rabbits with silk-soft fur, and butterflies that shimmered in every shade of light.
I had never seen anything like this in my life.
Back home, my mother — Queen Elyon — rarely allowed me to leave the palace, let alone explore the outer realms. She said it was dangerous, that a future queen had no business wandering outside where risk lurked behind every flower. But this… this was the kind of danger I didn't mind. This place didn't feel like danger at all — it felt like a dream.
And this dream was real.
"This Fairyland ritual is actually… really wonderful," I whispered, almost to myself. "To spend a day living like humans do — without powers, without duties — just peace."
The magic of this place completely enchanted me. Every step I took across the soft grass felt like stepping into a painting. I turned to Olivia, wide-eyed and overwhelmed with joy.
"Olivia," I asked curiously, "where are we? What is this place?"
She smiled gently, her wings fluttering with a soft hum of warmth. "This is Sunflower Land — home to the Yellow Fairies," she said. "Everyone here adores yellow, sunshine, and — of course — sunflowers. Even their clothing is made in shades of gold and light."
I looked around at the fairies fluttering by, all of them smiling, wearing gowns the color of sunlight and laughter. I'd heard stories of such lands in old bedtime tales, but never had I imagined they were real. Never had I imagined I would stand here one day, barefoot on golden grass, breathing in this kind of freedom.
Still, curiosity tugged at me.
"How many fairylands are there, Olivia?" I asked. "I only ever knew about two — Black Fairyland, and Frosthevan… our home."
Before Olivia could answer, Flash the parrot — still flying in circles above us like he was on patrol — squawked proudly, "There are seven Fairylands! And ours, Lunaria Noir, is by far the best!"
I rolled my eyes and snapped back, "Oh, hush! No one asked you."
Then, with genuine interest, I turned to Olivia. "Could you tell me more?"
She nodded with the kind of calm elegance only a fairy princess could carry. "Of course, Celeste. I'd love to."
She lifted her hand, tracing soft lines in the air as if drawing a map only she could see.
"There are Seven Fairylands," she began.
1. Frosthevan — the White Fairyland, your home.
2. Blushing Beauty Land — my land, the Pink Fairyland.
3. Sunflower Land — the land of sunshine and joy, where we are now.
4. Crimson Cove — the Red Fairyland, known for its passion and protection.
5. Sky Land — a Blue Fairyland that floats above the clouds.
6. Ice Land — the realm of the Mother Fairy, cold and sacred.
7. Lunaria Noir — the Black Fairyland, mysterious and often misunderstood."
She looked around, lowering her voice just a little.
"Each Fairyland has a hidden meaning behind its name — ancient meanings that only the Queen and King of each land are told. Even we princesses don't know everything. What we're taught as children… well, let's just say our parents don't always tell us the full truth."
I blinked at her, my head spinning from the knowledge.
"Then… how do you know all this?" I asked in awe.
Olivia's eyes sparkled like a secret about to be told.
"Because I've loved royal culture and history since I was a child," she said, almost shyly. "My grandfather was once a great ruler of Blushing Beauty Land. He taught me many things — legends, truths, and even the things we're not supposed to talk about. I always listened. Always remembered."
I smiled at her, admiring her quiet wisdom.
But something inside me was stirring — an excitement I hadn't felt in a long time. This world was bigger than I'd ever known. It wasn't just white and black. It was gold, red, blue, and pink. It was stories and secrets and journeys waiting to be lived.
I turned to Olivia, eyes wide with wonder. "Would you show me more of Sunflower Land? Please? I want to see everything."
She laughed softly. "Of course, Princess. This may be the only moment we have to explore before things get serious again. Let's enjoy it."
Just as we were about to head off, Flash interrupted with his usual dramatic flair.
"But what about Cael?" he asked, flapping above us like a stormy cloud of guilt. "We still haven't found him!"
I couldn't help myself — I smirked and said teasingly, "Then you go find him."
But before Flash could squawk another complaint, Olivia stepped in with a voice like honey and peace.
"Mr. Flash," she said kindly, "don't worry. We will help you find Cael. You have my word."
Flash perked up instantly, chest puffed with hope.
And just like that, our odd little group — a pink princess, a white fairy, a black-clad monkey, a bossy parrot, and one magical flying rug — set off to explore the golden fields of Sunflower Land.
We didn't know what the path ahead would bring.
But for now… we had sunlight, freedom, and the start of something that felt a lot like friendship.
And maybe… fate was blooming right alongside the sunflowers.
We were standing right at the border of Sunflower Land, the golden glow of the valley shimmering ahead of us like a field made of dreams. I could already see yellow fairies fluttering through the air like petals caught in the wind, their laughter soft and light, their gowns flowing like sunshine.
Before we could step even a toe inside, Olivia turned to us with a serious expression on her otherwise gentle face.
"Before we go in," she said, "we need to change our appearances. We have to blend in with the yellow fairies."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
She leaned in closer, whispering, "If they find out we're from other fairylands, especially Frosthevan or Lunaria Noir, they'll drop everything to welcome us. Huge feast. Gifts. A parade, maybe. And then — poof! There goes our freedom. We won't be able to explore anything in peace. We'll be surrounded."
I blinked, imagining myself stuck in a golden chair, sipping sunflower tea, while fairies braided my hair and asked what kind of cake I liked.
"Ugh. You're right, Olivia," I sighed dramatically. "We'd never get a moment to breathe."
Determined, I stepped forward and raised my hand, ready to summon my magic and transform my outfit. My shimmering white gown was far too regal for a casual visit. I needed something light… sunny… local.
Just as I was about to use my powers, Olivia reached out and grabbed my wrist in alarm.
"Celeste!" she gasped. "What are you doing?!"
I looked at her, confused. "Changing my getup?"
She gave me the look — you know, the one mom gives you when you're about to touch something expensive.
"Did you forget the rule?" she whispered urgently. "No magic. Not even a tiny spell!"
My hand flew to my forehead in embarrassment. "Ughhh! Cel, you idiot! You almost broke the rules again!"
I glanced at Olivia, guilt swirling in my chest. "I'm sorry. I completely forgot. But… now what? How are we supposed to change without magic?"
Olivia tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… wait here, Celeste. Let me check with Flash. Maybe he can help us."
She turned and walked over to where Flash — our ever-annoying, ever-chatty parrot — was perched on a low branch, preening his feathers like he owned the forest. Olivia leaned in and politely asked, "Mr. Flash, do you think you could help us change our appearance? We need to blend in."
Before he could answer, he flapped his wings and zoomed straight to my head — landing squarely on top of me like I was his personal throne.
"I can help," he said smugly, like a little king addressing his loyal subjects.
I swatted at him furiously. "Get off me, Blacky! Do not disrespect the soon-to-be Queen like this!"
But of course, Flash was immune to my royal commands. He flapped away for a moment — only to come right back and sit on my head again, his claws gently tangled in my hair. I swear I could feel him smirking.
Just the idea of him turning me — me — into a walking joke made my wings twitch with frustration.
"You've turned me into a hat, Flash!" I hissed. "You're enjoying this way too much!"
He ignored me completely and turned back to Olivia with all the flair of a storyteller.
"Relax," he said. "We have a solution. The carpet we've been riding? Her name is Rira. She's a magical female cpret. She can help."
Olivia's face lit up with relief. "Oh! Rira! Of course!"
She made her way to Rira — the enchanted carpet who had carried us this far — and gently patted its golden fabric. Rira uncurled herself from the ground like a sleepy cat and shimmered with a soft glow.
Before I could even move, Flash gave me a shove — a real shove! — and I stumbled forward with a shriek.
"Flash, you feathery menace!" I snapped.
But Rira had already awakened.
With a hum that sounded like wind chimes and velvet, Rira began to spin around us in wide, graceful circles. Slowly at first — and then faster. And faster. The air began to swirl, my hair whipped around my face, and I felt my balance start to falter.
"Whoa! I'm getting dizzy!" I cried.
"I think I'm going to fall!" Olivia laughed beside me, equally caught in the whirlwind.
Just when I thought I'd faint from spinning, Rira came to a halt — and everything went still.
I opened my eyes… and gasped.
Gone was my white gown. Gone was Olivia's petal pink dress. Instead, we were both wearing the most stunning golden silk gowns I had ever seen. The fabric glowed like morning sunlight, flowing around our bodies like liquid light. Tiny sunflower-shaped embroidery shimmered at the hem and neckline. We looked like we belonged — like true daughters of Sunflower Land.
My eyes sparkled with awe. "Rira… you absolute genius," I whispered.
Then, louder, "Thank you! You're amazing!"
Olivia clasped her hands together, twirling a little in her new outfit. "Thank you, Rira! You're wonderful!"
Rira gave a proud little flutter and settled back on the ground like a queen after a royal performance.
For the first time since we'd arrived, I felt ready.
Ready to explore. Ready to blend in. Ready to walk into a golden world of mystery, flowers, and sunshine — not as a princess of Frosthevan…
…but as just Celeste.
To be continued… 🌻✨