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Chapter 70: (Case Two—End) Who is the Strange Foreign Man? (2)
しおりを挟む
Aurelia collapsed to the ground. Her radiant white robe vanished, replaced once more by the weathered burial gown. The glow of her Fairy Godmother power was gone—truly gone.
Fairy Greatmother and Vesmyra rushed to her side, panic etched across their faces.
“Aurelia! Are you alright?” they both cried, voices trembling.
Aurelia’s eyes were heavy with exhaustion, dimming as if the light within her was fading.
She whispered. “I guess… this is it… it seems that I am about to die… again…”
Ryo stepped forward, concerned. “What’s happening?”
“Aurelia is about to die!” Fairy Greatmother shouted, panic and desperation bleeding from her voice. She turned her gaze to Aurelia, her hands trembling. “Please… think of Cinderella. You’ve just come back after nineteen years, my dear… don’t leave her alone again!”
Aurelia gave a faint, fragile smile, her lips quivering. “It’s alright… my daughter already… has a mother… and sisters from that manor… she should be fine.”
Turning her gaze to Ryo, she whispered, voice full of gratitude and exhaustion.
“Thank you… for everything… Ryo… I couldn’t have shut that gate without… your help… destroying that compass.”
Her voice faltered, each word heavy with finality. “Ms… Roselia, please… take my daughter home… to the manor… and I can finally… ascend to heaven… knowing that… my daughter… is safe.”
Slowly, her eyes closed.
Fairy Greatmother and Vesmyra cried out in unison, their voices raw and broken. “NO!!”
Once again, Aurelia passed away.
The world seemed to still around them, the weight of her absence pressing down. Tears streamed freely, the village square caught in a hush of sorrow.
The three that had witnessed her courage, her sacrifice, felt the sharp sting of loss.
Vesmyra’s wings drooped, powerless yet furious, and Fairy Greatmother’s eyes glimmered with unshed tears, mourning the light that had just faded from their world.
It was a moment of pure heartbreak, of love and sacrifice woven together.
The cost of salvation painfully clear…
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Ryo deadpanned at Aurelia, his expression flat. Without a word, he reached into his bag, pulled out a bottle of water, opened it, and poured it over Aurelia’s face.
“BLRGH!” Aurelia sputtered, coughing violently.
Fairy Greatmother’s eyes widened in shock. “Eh?!”
Aurelia quickly sat up, wheezing and coughing, then shot Ryo a glare. “Why did you do that, Ryo?!!!”
Ryo, arms crossed, kept his deadpan tone. “Ooooooh, look at you, madam. After such a tearful, dramatic, heartbreaking dying speech… here you are, sitting up, lungs full of water, more alive than a frog in spring. Honestly, I didn’t know my detective work included resurrections AND water therapy.”
Aurelia’s cheeks flamed red as she flailed and covered her face. “UUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!! You didn’t have to call me out like that…”
Vesmyra and Fairy Greatmother rushed forward, hugging her tightly. Vesmyra whispered with relief, “You’re really… alive… thank the stars!” Fairy Greatmother added, her voice soft but firm, “I was so worried… but now I see you’re safe. Truly safe.”
Aurelia, still confused, asked weakly, “But earlier… I felt my hea—” Her vision blurred, and she clutched her head, wobbling backward. Panic returned to Vesmyra and Fairy Greatmother.
Ryo immediately kneeled beside her, catching her back with a steady hand. He gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, madam. You’re just exhausted. That spell you unleashed to close the gate… it must’ve taken everything out of you.”
He helped her sit up straight, then took off his trench coat. “Here, wear this. That weathered burial gown looked like it could tear any second.”
Aurelia’s cheeks deepened in color as she looked down, feeling the exposed areas of her body. Ryo carefully helped her slip into the trench coat, giving her privacy.
Turning his back with a sly grin, he said. “I’ll give you a piggyback to the manor.”
Aurelia’s heart pounded at his thoughtfulness, her gaze softening. She gently climbed onto his back, resting against him. Ryo stood tall, steady and reliable as ever, ready to carry her safely to the manor.
Vesmyra gently healed Ryo’s wounds after noticing a few spots of blood.
Cinderella and her animal companions, who had been waiting nervously at the grove, were summoned back to the village square by Fairy Greatmother now that everything was settled and safe.
Cinderella rushed to her mother, who was still perched on Ryo’s back, her voice trembling. “Mama, are you alright?”
Aurelia smiled warmly, squeezing her daughter’s hand gently. “Yes, sweetheart, I’m alright.”
Relief washed over Cinderella, and with that reassurance, the group set off toward the Ravenswood Manor.
The villagers, who had been waiting in the fields outside the village, saw that the chaos and destruction had ended and began returning home. They were upset and furious to find their homes damaged—fortunately, not too severely—but the sight still left a bitter taste in their hearts.
As Ryo’s group traveled, Cinderella’s brow furrowed, worry lingering in her chest. “But… what if the stepfamily still doesn’t accept me? I… I still feel unsure.”
Ryo glanced at her, calm and confident. “You’ll be welcomed home with open arms, no problem. And don’t worry—you’re not alone. If anything goes wrong with the stepfamily, I’ll handle it.”
Cinderella’s cheeks flushed, her heart skipping a beat. Ryo’s reliability and quiet strength made her feel safe, and undeniably… impressed.
Aurelia, watching the exchange, felt a spark of jealousy she didn’t want to admit—but she also liked the detective. Without her daughter noticing, she leaned close to Ryo and murmured sultrily in his ear.
“You’d make a good father to Cinderella.”
Ryo’s face darkening in horror.
Vesmyra, who had been following closely, had also witnessed the moment. A flush of jealousy colored her cheeks, and she quickly leaned in beside Ryo, whispering sultrily, “You’d make a great husband for me… and I want five children with you.”
Cinderella, overhearing, gasped and declared loudly. “Then… I’ll become an even better bride for him!”
Suddenly, all three women were competing for Ryo’s attention, their voices overlapping, begging, coaxing, and teasing. Ryo let out a long, weary sigh, his shoulders sagging under the weight of another harem chaos.
Fairy Greatmother, trailing quietly behind, muttered under her breath, eyes wide with disbelief.
“Oh dear… Mr. Detective is about to become Cinderella’s husband and father, Aurelia’s husband, and my daughter’s husband all at once…”
The time in Evendelle was now 5 AM.
The sun had risen, its golden light spilling across the land. Birds began their morning songs, roosters crowed from the distant farms, and the cool breeze carried the scent of dew and fresh earth.
Ryo’s group had finally arrived at the Ravenswood Manor.
They stood some distance away.
This was it for Cinderella—the moment she would face her stepfamily after a while. She wasn’t sure if she was ready. The memories of their cruelty still weighed heavy on her chest, the pain they caused after Edmund entered their lives. But Ryo had told her the truth—that Edmund’s cursed shards twisted them.
Now she wondered—had her stepfamily returned to the people they once were, when they had been loving to her?
For Aurelia, it had been 19 years since she last stood before this place. Here was where she entrusted her infant daughter into Madam Rosalind’s care. To stand here again, alive instead of dead, felt surreal. She wondered how Rosalind would react—seeing her alive, whole, and unchanged.
Cinderella wanted to step forward, wanting to knock on the door, but her legs trembled. She hesitated.
Aurelia gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “You’ll be alright, my child. Go on—greet your other family.”
Though nervous, Cinderella took a deep breath, exhaled, and nodded and stepped forward. She raised her hand and knocked.
Knock! Knock!
She quickly stepped back, her heart pounding.
Then… footsteps echoed from inside.
The door creaked open. And there, standing in the doorway, were Seraphine… and Clarisse.
The stepsisters froze, their eyes widening at the sight of Cinderella—the sister they had not seen for so long.
Cinderella’s voice trembled as she spoke, clutching her skirt. “Good morning, Sister Seraphine… and Clarisse… I’m… home.”
The stepsisters didn’t answer immediately. Their minds struggled to accept what their eyes saw. Was this really their beloved Cinderella?
Seraphine slowly lifted her hand, gently taking hold of Cinderella’s. Her voice quivered. “Cinderella… is that… really you?”
Clarisse whispered as she held Cinderella’s other hand. “Are you truly… our dear… sister, Cinderella?”
They did not call her stepsister—only sister. As though she were their true blood.
Cinderella’s tears spilled. Her voice shook. “Yes… it’s me… your sister.”
Clarisse and Seraphine’s tears flowed as well. “CINDERELLA!” they cried, throwing their arms around her. They clung to her tightly, sobbing uncontrollably, calling her name over and over. They told her how much they had missed her, how empty life had been without her, how nothing felt right in her absence, and how overjoyed they were that she was safe after being kidnapped.
This warmth—this love—Cinderella hadn’t felt in four long years. The embrace of her sisters, the care she once longed for. She sobbed and hugged them back, crying her heart out, finally home.
Then… another figure appeared behind them.
Her voice trembled. “Cinderella? My… child?” Madam Rosalind whispered.
Cinderella gently pulled away from her sisters, her face still wet with tears.
She whispered back. “Mother… Rosalind.”
“JUST CALL ME MOTHER!” Rosalind cried, her voice breaking, and pulled Cinderella into her arms. She wept openly, overjoyed to hold her daughter—not stepdaughter, but daughter—alive, safe, rescued.
And Cinderella hugged her back, sobbing again, glad to be home in her mother’s arms.
While still holding Cinderella, Rosalind’s gaze lifted—and fell upon Aurelia, still resting on Ryo’s back.
Rosalind stepped forward, disbelief in her eyes.
Her voice trembled. “Madam… Aurelia? You look… so young. But I remember arranging your funeral…”
Her voice faltered. “How…?”
Aurelia flushed, smiling sheepishly. “It’s… um… quite the long story, ahaha…”
Ryo sighed. “Alright, you’ve had enough rest on my back, real mama. Time to get down.” He gently lowered her, then nudged her forward. “Now go on—hug Cinderella’s adoptive mama.”
Madam Rosalind didn’t hesitate. She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Aurelia, sobbing.
“AURELIA!!! Stay with us! You and Cinderella—you have nowhere else to go! Come live here, be part of our family with your daughter, who is also mine! I wanted to find you, to help you, nineteen years ago… but now you’re alive, you’re safe! Don’t even think of leaving—you must stay with us! You must become part of my family!!”
Aurelia’s eyes widened. She hesitated. “Are you truly… sure? I won’t… be intruding?”
“NO!” Rosalind cried. “Cinderella needs her real mother too! Don’t you dare leave her again!”
Aurelia broke down in tears, hugging Rosalind back. “In that case… thank you. I shall stay.”
Cinderella and her sisters quickly joined, wrapping Aurelia in their embrace as well. They welcomed her openly, without a hint of hesitation.
And Aurelia, holding them close, knew with all her heart she had not been wrong nineteen years ago to entrust her daughter to the Ravenswood family.
They were indeed a family of love.
And so… the Ravenswood gained a new family member.
Sophie and Elise also appeared from the door, looking happy that Cinderella was safe. Cinderella hugged them both in return, thanking them for taking care of the Ravenswood family while she had been away.
Suddenly, from a distance, Gerda appeared. She froze in disbelief at the sight before her.
“AURELIA!” she cried, rushing forward.
Aurelia gasped at the familiar face. “GERDA!”
Gerda wrapped her arms around her. “Oh, thank the heavens! You’re safe!” Then she pulled back, staring in shock. “Aurelia… I thought you were dead. And you look as young as the day I last saw you, nineteen years ago…”
“I already mentioned this to Rosalind,” Aurelia said with a sheepish smile, “but… it’s quite the long story”
Then suddenly, Jaymez Boom (dog size form) and Titania appeared from the distance, calling out and waving. Ryo quickly asked what had happened back at the castle, especially concerning the possessed guests.
Jaymez Boom and Titania explained that Titania had summoned her father, Nuada, to come from Lunaveth to Evendelle. Nuada had already performed the ritual himself, extracting the shards from the possessed guests.
Ryo then asked if any monsters had appeared after the extraction. Titania and Jaymez Boom confirmed yes—but they appeared ghostly, like Vrakuls made of spirit-mist. Yet with Nuada’s overwhelming power, he obliterated them all with ease.
Fairy Greatmother looked proud at hearing this. Her husband Nuada was indeed as strong as she remembered.
All the possessed guests had then awoken, not remembering anything of what had happened, and returned home to their villages and kingdoms.
The moment Ryo heard “ghostly, like Vrakuls made of spirit-mist,” it reminded him of the ones they had dealt with earlier.
Ryo then asked Rosalind if the others could rest at the manor. Rosalind said yes—there were plenty of rooms. Ryo told them there were things he wanted to discuss with Gerda and Cinderella later, but for now everyone should rest. It had been an exhausting, endless night. Everyone agreed. It truly had been one heck of a long night. Ryo said he would begin questioning Gerda and Cinderella tomorrow.
Cinderella and Gerda nodded.
Then everyone entered the manor.
They were assigned to their rooms. Rosalind told Cinderella she no longer needed to stay in the attic—she could return to the comfortable room downstairs she had once stayed in before.
Cinderella was moved, almost emotional at hearing this. Rosalind then told Aurelia she could stay with her daughter in the same room, which had two beds. Aurelia was very thankful.
Ryo casually said that he would return to his room in the attic. Cinderella was shocked to hear that, asking why he would choose to stay there. She explained how she had suffered in that attic for four years.
Ryo replied that the attic was like a treasure, a museum—her legendary, iconic attic.
Seraphine and Clarisse said he didn’t need to stay there, especially since the door was still damaged. But Ryo didn’t care, insisting that the legendary attic was one hundred times more comfortable than any other room.
Cinderella was baffled that Ryo actually wanted to stay in the attic when she had such bad memories of it.
After that, Ryo made his way to the attic. To Cinderella’s shock, her animal companions followed him loyally, as though he were their commander. Rosalind then told Ryo that breakfast would be ready within an hour, prepared by Sophie and Elise. Ryo simply gave her a thumbs up.
Vesmyra then boldly told Ryo she wanted to sleep beside him in the attic, and even welcomed him to do naughty things to her—by force, if he wished.
Not wanting to be outdone, Titania also declared she wanted to sleep with him in the attic, and invited him to ravage her as roughly as he pleased.
Ryo stared at them both in sheer horror before bolting to the attic immediately, running as though chased by two overly obsessed waifus.
Cinderella then told Madam Rosalind she wanted to help prepare breakfast as well. Rosalind gently told her to rest instead, but Cinderella insisted. Rosalind eventually gave in and allowed her to do as she wished.
After an hour, breakfast was served, and they all ate together. Afterwards, they all slept deeply, well into the afternoon.
The time in Evendelle was now 5 PM.
As dinner was being prepared, Titania asked Ryo to dance with her in the garden of the manor. Ryo asked why. Titania explained that he had not danced with her during the castle’s ballroom gathering, and she had felt left out—it wasn’t fair.
Ryo sighed but agreed. And so, under the sunset, the two of them waltzed in the garden while the others watched.
Cinderella looked jealous, wishing she could dance with Ryo as well. To settle it quickly, Ryo had no choice but to waltz with her too. Vesmyra and the stepsisters grew jealous in turn, demanding their dances as well, even though they had already danced with him in the ballroom yesterday. Ryo rolled his eyes and danced with them all.
Even Aurelia, unable to hide her jealousy, requested a dance. And so Ryo danced with her too.
The time in Evendelle was now 7 PM.
They all had dinner. Afterwards, they gathered in the parlor room. Ryo had brought UNO cards from the attic in his bag and asked if anyone wanted to play. Everyone looked confused, unfamiliar with the foreign word.
Ryo told them it was the best game ever from the “Rodents’ Cheddar Kingdom,” and explained the rules. Within five minutes, everyone had learned.
They began playing UNO, and to Ryo’s surprise, Jaymez Boom kept winning—almost as though he had beginner’s luck.
Afterwards, they all talked together, sharing stories of life and mundane things.
In these peaceful, casual moments, Cinderella felt happy. It had been so long since she experienced such warmth. Unlike the days of suffering in the castle and the floating tower prison, here she finally felt at peace.
Cinderella thanked Ryo and Fairy Greatmother for rescuing her. Ryo told her to thank Fairy Greatmother instead—for she was the one who had hired him. Without her, Cinderella would never have been found.
Wanting to properly reward him, Fairy Greatmother told Ryo she would pay him for his detective services. Ryo, of course, expected payment, but he wondered how she could possibly pay him. This was the Fairytale World, after all—not like she had Earth’s currency or could transfer money digitally.
Fairy Greatmother then asked Ryo to show her what Earth’s money looked like. Ryo pulled out his wallet and showed her Japanese yen.
With a flick of her wand, Fairy Greatmother summoned a massive stack of genuine Japanese bills and handed it to Ryo. He nearly fainted at the sight—it was equivalent to the same enormous amount he had once received in his first case in Al-Munira. Far too much.
Fairy Greatmother then summoned a large bag to hold the money.
Ryo sighed, resigned, promising himself he would deposit it all at the bank once he returned to Earth, as if his life depended on it.
The stepfamily handed Cinderella a small trinket—the wing of a dove. Her eyes widened as recognition hit her. She remembered the trinket clearly; it had been given to her on her tenth birthday.
She remembered how cruelly Edmund had snatched it away from her just before she was kidnapped. And now, here it was again, back in her hands. A rush of warmth and nostalgia flooded her chest, making her heart ache and swell all at once.
That moment reminded Ryo of something. He reached into his bag and presented Cinderella with a small locket. Inside was a painting of her with her animal companions. Seeing it, Cinderella felt a surge of emotions. She wanted to cry again, even after shedding so many tears. But now, they were tears of gratitude, of relief, and of joy. This painting, this memory, was the proof that she had never been truly alone.
She recalled painting it herself, her animal companions standing faithfully by her side, even while she lived in the attic. Without them, the crushing loneliness would have overwhelmed her. They had given her the strength to endure every cruel day and to keep moving forward when it seemed impossible.
The stepfamily looked even more guilty now. They apologized to Cinderella over and over, their voices heavy with remorse. But Cinderella shook her head gently. It wasn’t their fault. It had always been Edmund—his cursed shard had forced their hands, manipulating them into cruelty.
This reminded Ryo of something. He asked Jaymez Boom and Titania about Edmund’s dead body in the ballroom. Jaymez Boom explained that Titania had incinerated it completely. Titania, her face still flushed with anger at the thought of Edmund’s manipulation, simply HMPHED! Ryo chuckled nervously, trying to mask the tension in the air.
Fairy Greatmother then joined the conversation. She confirmed that the cursed perfume Ryo had given her earlier had been destroyed. It was crucial that it no longer existed, to prevent any other evil hands from using it.
Ryo then turned his attention to Vesmyra. He asked about Carabosse, formerly known as Thalirea. He remembered Vesmyra screaming that she was disowning Thalirea during their battle in the village square.
Vesmyra, her expression softening but still heavy with emotion, said that she wanted to let go of Thalirea. The way evil Thalirea had acted felt genuine, not the result of brainwashing or possession. Vesmyra didn’t know what had truly happened to Thalirea when she was dragged into the Vrakuls’ void fifteen years ago. But she remembered how distant Thalirea had been toward her and Fairy Greatmother even before the war in Lunaveth, before being dragged into the void.
This raised countless questions for Ryo. He began suspecting that Thalirea had intentionally lost during that war, allowing herself to be dragged into the void to accomplish some hidden goal—possibly a grand conquest of kingdoms, just as Carabosse had mentioned at the ballroom yesterday.
Ryo asked about the glass coffin. He remembered it had been left at the grove before they were teleported to the village square. Fairy Greatmother explained that she had returned to the grove earlier, retrieved it, and sent it to Lunaveth for further study with her family later, since the phenomenon behind the glass coffin was far too mysterious.
Ryo’s thoughts then wandered to the original Pinocchio story, in which the Fairy with Turquoise Hair had adopted Pinocchio. Since Vesmyra was the Fairy with Turquoise Hair herself, Ryo couldn’t resist asking if she had ever adopted Pinocchio before taking in Thalirea.
Vesmyra looked puzzled. “Pinocchio? Who’s that?”
Ryo’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Hold up… you don’t know the kid? Never met him?”
Vesmyra shook her head. “Not really. But do explain who this child is.”
Ryo raised a hand, a small laugh escaping him. “It’s nothing. Nevermind. Forget about it.”
Now Ryo had new information. In this fairytale world, Vesmyra had never once adopted Pinocchio and had never even met him. This was an unexpected deviation from the original story. Ryo figured that perhaps Vesmyra would meet Pinocchio in the future—or maybe, she never would at all.
Ryo then asked about the king and queen, since they had been involved in Cinderella’s kidnapping. He remembered seeing them run away after his revelation. Titania reassured him not to worry. While Nuada was returning to Lunaveth, on his way back, he saw the king and queen fleeing toward Evendelle’s entrance gate, only to be intercepted by a group of constables. The constables were immediately suspicious—why would the rulers of Evendelle leave the kingdom without protection? Normally, they traveled in a carriage flanked by knights, not wandering unguarded.
Nuada explained everything, since Titania had already informed him of the king and queen’s crimes regarding Cinderella’s kidnapping. This was before the Vrakul’s attacked the village, which Ryo had already told Titania about. The constables decided to investigate the castle and found numerous staff and guards unconscious. When they checked the dungeon, they were horrified to discover several dead bodies among the castle staff. The king and queen were arrested and placed in a separate dungeon beneath the constables’ guardhouse.
With the kingdom now without rulers or heirs—Prince Vaelric having also died—Ryo couldn’t help but ask if appointing a new leader was still possible. Fairy Greatmother explained that, in this situation, a republic could be formed, where leaders are elected rather than born into power, allowing citizens to vote for the next ruler.
Earlier today, Fairy Greatmother had visited the village to magically repair the damage caused by the Vrakuls, as many villagers were bitter and crying over their destroyed homes. She even witnessed a protest demanding the execution of the king and queen for their involvement in Cinderella’s kidnapping. Fairy Greatmother had also repaired the king and queen’s statue in the village square’s fountain, but the villagers tore it down immediately in disgust. Some villagers even suggested holding an election to ensure a fair, uncorrupted ruler. Nothing had been decided yet, but it remained a real possibility.
Ryo then wondered if the villagers had recognized Fairy Greatmother, known to them as Ms. Roselia, a schoolteacher. After Ryo revealed Cinderella’s location, Fairy Greatmother had magically transformed her outfit in front of everyone at the ballroom. News of it might have spread like wildfire. Fairy Greatmother reassured him not to worry—she had magically erased everyone’s memory of her transformation when she visited the village earlier. Her fairy identity remained hidden, though Cinderella’s stepfamily was an exception.
Jaymez Boom chuckled. “Bro, this reminds me of that alien movie you told me about—remember? ‘Gentlemen in Black Suits’? That memory-wiping scene with the glowing crayon.”
Ryo shrugged, sarcasm dripping. “Oh yeah, you’re right. Definitely with a glowing crayon. Totally not with some other flashlight-like writing tool that flashes like a torch.”
Ryo then remembered the floating prison and the rocky land beneath it. He asked about it. Fairy Greatmother explained that just glancing at the terrain, she could feel magic. It appeared to be from another world, with powerful magic cast to make it float while supporting the tower prison above.
Ryo groaned under his breath. “Great… more ‘another world’ nonsense. What’s next? Am I going to get sucked into even more of these worlds, like this fairytale one?”
Then he recalled the crushed rock minerals from the cursed perfume, which had also originated from a terrain of an entirely different world. Could the two be connected?
And with that, the day ended.
The next morning arrived.
The time in Evendelle was now 7 AM.
After breakfast, the stepfamily had already left for work in the village, having departed three hours earlier. Fairy Greatmother too had left, returning to her teaching duties as the village schoolteacher. It had been some time since she last taught her little students, her heart too burdened with worry for Cinderella. But now, with Cinderella safe and home again, she could finally return to her work in peace.
In the manor’s garden, Ryo sat with Cinderella and Gerda, choosing the crisp autumn air and the warm gold of falling leaves as the backdrop for his questioning. Aurelia joined them as well, eager to listen and curious about what her daughter and Gerda might reveal.
Nearby, Jaymez Boom and the other animal agents gathered for a small ceremony. Captain Nutso awarded each of them medals shaped like flowers, recognition for their bravery and their part in rescuing Cinderella. The garden filled with cheers and the proud chatter of animals.
Ryo’s thoughts turned serious again. He was curious why Cinderella knew of Schneewittchen—better known as Snow White, since her German name was such a tongue twister. Cinderella had claimed she knew her, and Ryo wanted to know more about that.
But then there was Gerda.
Why had she suddenly appeared in the castle’s dungeon?
How did she know that Cinderella was held captive in the skies?
The mystery around her was just as pressing.
It was time for answers.
Ryo asked Gerda to begin her story first.
Gerda nodded and began…
21 years ago, before Kaj renamed himself as Edmund, before he turned evil.
Back then, Gerda believed Kaj had truly fallen in love with Aurelia. She remembered attending their wedding in the kingdom of Glacindor, inside the castle.
Before the ceremony began, Gerda had helped Aurelia prepare her wedding dress and makeup. She even spoke to Aurelia about how baffling it was that Kaj seemed so obsessed with her. Aurelia admitted she found him annoying at first, but said Kaj eventually showed his devotion. Gerda smiled and resigned herself, hoping for the best for the two of them.
When the wedding began, there were no guests from Aurelia’s side. At the time, she had no family, having been exiled from her old kingdom. Kaj, however, did have a guest—though not family, friend, or relative. It was a boy dressed in black. Gerda noticed him sitting at the very back, cheering quietly for Kaj and Aurelia’s happiness.
That detail struck Ryo. A boy in black sounded too familiar. Gerda explained that Ryo already knew him—it was Petyr Pann, the same boy they had seen yesterday at the ballroom. The boy looked exactly the same as he did 21 years ago.
A chill ran down Ryo’s spine. He remembered the old tales of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up and stayed young for centuries. But why had Petyr Pann been present at Glacindor during Aurelia and Kaj’s wedding? He pressed for more details.
Gerda continued. After the wedding, Kaj was deeply affectionate, treating Aurelia like a princess. Aurelia agreed, saying Kaj had once been that way. But Gerda revealed that behind the scenes, Kaj often looked disappointed. Aurelia was stunned and asked why. Gerda said she once confronted him, but Kaj gave only vague answers, rambling about wanting to be a better ruler. To Aurelia, that made no sense—Kaj had been a wonderful ruler before his betrayal. Gerda recalled Kaj sighing and walking away without explaining further.
Two years later, 19 years ago, everything began to change.
After Cinderella was born, Gerda often played with the baby, even taking her on walks, feeling like a loving aunt. But soon, Petyr Pann began visiting the castle frequently. Ryo asked why, but Gerda wasn’t sure—only that he often spent time with Kaj, even sharing meals. Aurelia admitted she didn’t remember ever seeing Petyr Pann after the wedding. On the wedding day itself, she hadn’t even seen his face clearly because of the wide hat he wore. Gerda, however, had seen his face up close, as she sat not too far from him.
Ryo urged Gerda to continue from that time.
Gerda said she had once seen Kaj speaking privately with Petyr Pann in the castle hallway. From around a corner, she overheard everything. Petyr Pann asked Kaj if he wanted to become a ‘Spirit Host.’ To her horror, Kaj smiled sinisterly and said yes. He declared that he wanted to rule Glacindor, even if it meant killing Aurelia and his own child, Cinderella. He needed that power to make it happen.
Aurelia and Cinderella gasped, desperate for more details.
Gerda’s face darkened. She confessed that after hearing those words, she had tried to warn Aurelia, but Kaj and Petyr Pann heard her running steps and discovered her presence. Petyr Pann flew at her, knocking her to the ground and pinning her down. Kaj approached with a smug, evil smile. Both threatened to kill her if she told Aurelia. Remembering their childhood friendship, Kaj spared her life, though Petyr Pann argued she should die. Kaj warned her that if she revealed anything, not only would she be killed, but her family as well. Terrified, Gerda promised silence. Kaj ordered her never to visit the castle again.
Aurelia remembered that time—how suddenly Gerda had stopped visiting. Her days had grown lonely, and baby Cinderella often cried when her aunt never returned.
Gerda looked at Cinderella now, apologizing for abandoning her. Cinderella reassured her, saying Gerda’s survival mattered most. Gerda was moved to tears and embraced her.
When Ryo asked what happened next, Gerda spoke of the tragic day Aurelia was murdered. She heard of the death, and that baby Cinderella had disappeared. She never knew the child had been taken in by the Ravenswood.
Sneaking back into Glacindor, she witnessed Kaj raging when the Frostreaver citizens refused to listen him. His plan to rule after Aurelia’s death had failed. She heard him scream that it was because baby Cinderella still lived. Unless she was killed, he said, the throne could one day be hers.
Cinderella was shocked and said she had never desired to rule Glacindor. She had been just a baby when she was later adopted into the Ravenswood family, where she loved her simple life. Ryo told her that Kaj had been spiraling into madness, driven by delusions and his own nonsensical assumptions. She need not worry—Kaj was dead, assassinated by Schneewittchen, whose part in all of this Ryo would ask Cinderella about later.
Gerda pressed on. She swore to find baby Cinderella, no matter how many kingdoms she had to search. Nineteen years later, in Evendelle, she learned that Prince Vaelric was engaged to Cinderella. But by then, Cinderella had already gone missing. Determined to find her, Gerda infiltrated the castle during lockdown—only to be captured by Vaelric and Kaj. She was horrified to discover Kaj inside the castle of Evendelle and realized he had connections with the royal family.
Ryo already knew this, as Kaj—Edmund—had been one of the culprits behind Cinderella’s disappearance. Gerda acknowledged this, saying Ryo’s revelation in the ballroom confirmed everything.
Gerda explained how she knew Cinderella had been imprisoned in the skies. Kaj himself had locked her in the castle dungeon and taunted her, certain that she would rot there forever, never able to reveal Cinderella’s location. Helpless and trapped, Gerda remained imprisoned—until just the other day, when Jaymez Boom, Barkzilla, and Whiskers came to her rescue.
And that… was Gerda’s story.
Even after hearing it, Ryo’s mind circled back to the words “Spirit Host.” Was it the same as a Vrakul possession, a human becoming a vessel? Edmund had emitted black miasma, just like the Vrakuls. Prince Vaelric had too.
Could both have been Vrakul hosts?
Questions lingered. But for now, it was Cinderella’s turn to speak—her story of how she met Schneewittchen. Aurelia leaned in, eager to hear it, since she had once seen Schneewittchen as her own daughter, even if only a stepchild.
Ryo told Cinderella to begin.
She nodded and began…
It was last year, when Cinderella’s stepfamily was still cruel towards her—back when she didn’t know they were possessed by the cursed shards.
She said she often cried at the riverbank, her only place of comfort.
But then… one afternoon, as she wept by the water’s edge, she heard footsteps behind her.
Turning slowly, she saw them—seven knights, each only half her size, standing in formation. At their center stood a hooded girl who kept her eyes hidden beneath the shadow of her cloak.
Cinderella froze, uneasy. She asked quietly. “Ummm… who are you?”
The girl reached up, trembling, and drew back her hood. Her skin was pale as snow, her lips blood-red.
Her voice quivered, barely above a whisper. “My name… is Schneewittchen. I’m your stepsister. Don’t you remember me?”
Cinderella’s eyes widened. “Stepsister? But… Seraphine and Clarisse are my stepsisters. How do you… even know me?”
Suddenly, Schneewittchen lunged forward and threw her arms around her, embracing desperately as tears streamed down her face.
“I’M SO GLAD I FOUND YOU! YOU’RE MY SISTER! I DON’T CARE IF YOU’RE NOT RELATED TO ME BY FLESH AND BLOOD!”
Pulling back gently, her voice broke with emotion. “Cinderella… my sister… you must have suffered so much. Living with the Ravenswoods must be so hard. You’ve gone through a lot. So please… come with me. Live with me. My seven sworn guardian knights and I will protect you—no matter what.”
Cinderella stood stunned. “But… I don’t even know you…”
“Mama Aurelia…” Schneewittchen whispered. “Your real mother. She’s also my stepmother. She adopted me when I was a baby. I was about to be killed by the people of my homeland, Aplynstalk… because of a certain liar.”
Her voice grew bitter, then soft again. “If Mama Aurelia hadn’t taken me in 19 years ago, I would have died. Even now, I’m still being pursued.”
Cinderella’s heart ached. “Oh… I… I’m so sorry to hear that, Schneewittchen. But… you said you knew my real mother. She died 19 years ago too. So how could she have adopted you then? Will you tell me?”
“Of course, sister,” Schneewittchen said faintly, forcing a small smile. “Shall we sit down?”
They sat together by the river, side by side.
Schneewittchen began. “Before Mama Aurelia took me in, I was adopted by another queen. But she was so disgusted by my beauty that she mocked me, saying: ‘My mirror has bad taste! Calling this pale little baby the fairest of them all? Hah! I should just throw her away, because I’m the most beautiful, the fairest woman in Aplynstalk.’” She let out a soft, self-deprecating laugh. “Silly, right?”
Then her expression softened. “Afterwards, Mama Aurelia adopted me. And from that day on, she became my true mother.”
Cinderella tilted her head. “But… how could you remember me? We were still babies then.”
Schneewittchen’s eyes shimmered with nostalgia. “Ever since I was born, I’ve had a strong memory. I even remember my real parents’ faces. I remember everything—even the days when I called you ‘Chindy.’ We played together often, even as babies. I saw you as my true sister back then.”
Her voice lowered, trembling. “Even now… even if we are only stepsisters… I don’t believe it. You are my real sister—whether or not we share the same blood.”
Schneewittchen took Cinderella’s hand tenderly. “My dear sister… if you are suffering in the Ravenswood family… please, come with me. My knights and I will protect you with our lives.”
One of the dwarf knights stepped forward, kneeling with a fist pressed to the grass.
“Cinderella, my lady. Please come with us. You need not suffer in that manor any longer. We will protect you.”
The second knight bowed low. “We shall keep you safe from all harm.”
The third declared firmly. “We swear our loyalty to you, my lady.”
The fourth added, his voice steady. “Our blades are yours to command.”
The fifth bowed his head. “We would give our lives to shield you.”
The sixth raised his hand to his chest. “Please, allow us to serve you.”
And the seventh. “We only wish for your happiness.”
Cinderella’s gaze dropped to the ground. Slowly, she pulled her hand away.
“I’m sorry, everyone. Thank you. But no matter how much I suffer under the Ravenswood… I still love them.”
She lifted her head, smiling through her sorrow. “They once loved me. They once saw me as their own daughter and sister. I can never leave them behind.”
Her voice softened into a sigh. “Hopefully… one day… they’ll be kind and loving again, like the old days. That’s why… I cannot go with you.”
Schneewittchen’s lips trembled. She wanted to cry, to beg her to come with her—but in the end, she let it go.
“I’m truly sorry… for trying to force you,” she whispered. Rising to her feet, she offered her hand and gently pulled Cinderella up.
Her voice cracked as she smiled brokenly. “My dear sister… I’ll be staying around Evendelle for a while. One day… I hope we can live together as a real family.”
Then she turned and whispered. “Edmund killed Mama Aurelia… I swear in my heart I shall avenge her.”
Her knights bowed deeply to Cinderella before following Schneewittchen into the distance.
Cinderella stretched out a hand helplessly, wanting to call out… but no words came.
Yet something stirred inside her. A deep connection. As though her soul itself remembered Schneewittchen.
Maybe it was something buried from her earliest memories. Something she couldn’t quite grasp.
But she knew one thing for certain—after meeting that pale-skinned girl, she could no longer deny the bond they once shared.
And that… was Cinderella’s story.
Her encounter with Schneewittchen.
Ryo thought in realization. “Ahh… so that’s how Cinderella knew Snow White was plotting to assassinate Edmund.”
Aurelia began sobbing—crying that she had died too early, that she had become nothing more than a ghost. She wished she could have stayed alive longer, to look after Schneewittchen, to protect her always… even forever. Her heart ached with the weight of that regret.
Now that Aurelia was revived, she was determined to search for Schneewittchen soon. Cinderella told her mother that she wished to join the search as well. Deep in her heart, Schneewittchen truly felt like a sister to her, though she didn’t know why. Cinderella wanted Schneewittchen to live with her and her mother in this manor—as family—even if she hadn’t gotten to know her well yet.
Ryo stared at Aurelia, giving her a smug grin.
Aurelia noticed and asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Ryo said playfully. “I just remember you almost crying in front of me at the grove as a ghost, begging for my help and saying—‘If you ever run into Schneewittchen again… and she needs help. Please… help her. She may not be my flesh and blood… but to me… she’s like a real daughter.’”
Then he burst out laughing. “HAHAHAHAHAHA!”
Aurelia’s face went red. “Oh! That’s um… um…” She quickly covered her face with both hands, groaning in embarrassment. “Uuuuuuugggggggggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!! You’re so mean!!!”
Gerda chuckled warmly. “Aurelia darling, you always look adorable when you’re embarrassed—just like the good old days.”
Aurelia’s groan only grew louder as she flailed. “UUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!”
Then Gerda asked how Aurelia was revived. Cinderella explained that her mother had returned because of the so-called “Revival trope” that Ryo often mentioned, and to their shock—it really worked. Ryo even boasted that the world must have flipped their tables in outrage. Gerda looked utterly confused at the explanation.
After hearing Cinderella’s story, Ryo internally facepalmed. He had pieced it together already—Snow White had first been taken in by the Evil Queen. He remembered from the old tale that the Queen had adopted Snow White and despised her beauty, plotting her death with a poisoned apple. But here, in this fairytale world nineteen years ago, the Queen had instead passed Snow White to Aurelia as a baby, simply because she felt disgusted by the child’s beauty. To Ryo, that was an absurd and ridiculous reason.
And the craziest part? Ryo had already met this Evil Queen—briefly—during his revelation moment at the ballroom. She had a name: Odessa Nightfall.
Yet something didn’t add up. Even as a baby, Snow White had still been passed on again. Aurelia had arranged for her to be raised by the dwarfs. That meant something had gone wrong even before Aurelia’s betrayal by Kaj. After all, Schneewittchen herself had said she had been pursued constantly, from nineteen years ago until just last year… or even now.
So Ryo asked. “Madam Aurelia, did anything happen nineteen years ago that made you pass Schneewittchen to the dwarfs? And was this before Kaj betrayed you?”
Aurelia answered yes. She explained that baby Schneewittchen had been given to her by Queen Odessa’s servant two months after Cinderella was born, along with a letter that read: “Take care of this worthless baby. I am the fairest of them all. Her beauty is in the way.”
Ryo’s eyes narrowed in disbelief at such absurdity.
Aurelia went on. She had cared for Schneewittchen for a month and a half, until one day she saw pursuers near Glacindor crying out: “Look for Schneewittchen! She must die!” Panic had gripped her heart. She knew she had to get the baby to safety before she was murdered.
Then, a few days later, the Seven Sworn Guardian Knights appeared before her castle, requesting that they take the child into their care. Aurelia couldn’t trust them at first, but they were stubborn, insisting they were destined to protect Schneewittchen.
They even gave Aurelia a letter from Schneewittchen’s real parents. It was written specifically for the dwarfs: “We might not live another day, but please take care of our child.”
The dwarfs explained that they had received the letter after Schneewittchen’s real parents learned she had been passed to another mother figure, and they feared for her safety. The dwarfs respected Aurelia deeply for looking after the baby, but for Schneewittchen’s safety—and for the future of Aplynstalk—they insisted that the baby should go with them.
Aurelia had no choice. With pursuers drawing near, she passed Schneewittchen into their arms. She would never forget how the baby cried desperately, reaching out with tiny arms and wailing “Mama!” over and over. It broke her heart, but she had no other way to protect her.
That’s when Ryo figured something must have happened in Aplynstalk nineteen years ago. He assumed Schneewittchen’s parents were pursued and eventually killed.
But why had Schneewittchen herself been marked for death as well?
Now that Aurelia had been revived, she told Ryo he didn’t need to be involved in the search for Schneewittchen. She and Cinderella would look for her soon and bring her home, to become a family again—just like nineteen years ago.
Ryo only shrugged and said okay...
But in the back of his mind, he had a dreaded feeling. What if the Evil Queen herself appeared in his office on Earth one day, bringing him a case involving Snow White? After all, she had already said in the ballroom: “I am in search of Schneewittchen.”
And he handed her his business card.
Of course, he couldn’t be sure. Maybe the next case wouldn’t involve her at all.
Still, he prayed. Prayed that Queen Odessa Nightfall would never appear in his office with such a case. Ryo preferred normal jobs, not fantasy ones. Yet fate had already pulled him in twice—first into Al-Munira, the Arabian fantasy kingdom, a hidden land on Earth, and now into this fairytale isekai with finding Cinderella, the world-famous protagonist. He had completed both cases, but they had drained him more than he cared to admit.
All thanks to that damn talking cat, who granted his wish for more clients… and twisted it into fantasy nonsense.
And with that, Ryo thanked everyone for their answers.
The questioning was concluded.
The time in Evendelle was now 9 AM.
Ryo decided to visit the village to take a breather and do some snack shopping. Cinderella and Aurelia chose to join him. When Ryo asked why, Cinderella explained that she wanted to visit the bakery she once worked at and try to get rehired. That instantly reminded Ryo of the time he told her to work at the bakery again when he was rescuing her in the floating tower prison.
Ryo agreed and said she could come along, then turned to Aurelia and asked why she was following as well. Aurelia answered that she wanted to explore the village and see for herself what her daughter’s old workplace looked like.
Without warning, Aurelia linked her arm to Ryo’s left arm. Ryo blushed and asked why she did that. Aurelia gave him a sultry look and told him that even though she was in her forties, she had revived looking like she was in her early twenties. She still had her gorgeous youthful looks—technically younger than Ryo now—and teased that she would make a great wife. Ryo’s jaw dropped, completely stunned.
Cinderella looked baffled, then quickly clung to Ryo’s other arm and declared that she wanted to be his wife instead. Aurelia smirked and said Ryo could be her father instead, but Cinderella insisted she would rather be his bride.
Ryo sighed at the whole situation and just kept walking, letting the two of them bicker endlessly about who would make the better wife.
When they reached the village, the villagers were shocked to see Cinderella—the princess who had once gone missing. In an instant, people swarmed her, and even Ryo and Aurelia, overjoyed that their beloved princess was safe at last.
Cinderella told everyone she was no longer a princess, just a commoner now. She asked them to call her by her own name and treat her like any normal person.
The villagers cheered with tears in their eyes and shouted, “Welcome home, Angel of Evendelle!” The words struck her heart. Cinderella remembered being called that in the past, and she bowed deeply, thanking everyone for welcoming her return.
One villager, staring at Aurelia, was stunned by how much she looked like an older version of Cinderella. They asked if Aurelia was Cinderella’s older sister. Aurelia immediately straightened her back in pride and happily declared herself Cinderella’s older sister—because nothing beat being mistaken for young instead of old. Cinderella panicked, waving her hands frantically, and corrected the crowd, blurting out that Aurelia was her mother. The entire village nearly fell over from shock at the bombshell, muttering and gasping until half of them nearly tripped over themselves.
After the commotion, they visited the bakery where Cinderella once worked. The moment they arrived, the bakery owner spotted Cinderella, burst into tears, and ran straight to her, hugging her tightly in relief that she was alive. Cinderella broke into tears as well, hugging her back.
It had been so long since she worked here, and the owner, still crying, stubbornly demanded that Cinderella return to work. Without hesitation, Cinderella said yes. The bakery erupted in cheers from the staff and customers alike.
The owner reminded Cinderella that she once confessed she wanted to open her own bakery someday. But the owner shook her head and said Cinderella didn’t need to. She told her that one day, when she retired, Cinderella should take over this bakery entirely.
Cinderella’s eyes widened, her lips trembled, and she hugged the owner tightly, thanking her with all her heart for granting her this future opportunity—making her lifelong dream come true, even in this precious establishment that’s so dear to her.
Cinderella then asked Ryo and Aurelia to take a seat. Ryo raised an eyebrow and asked if Cinderella was really starting work right away. Cinderella nodded eagerly, saying she had missed this bakery so much that resigning before had been painful for her. As thanks for rescuing her, she wanted to serve Ryo her best creations, and she also wanted her mother to enjoy them too. Aurelia’s expression softened with pride, practically glowing with excitement to taste her daughter’s cooking.
Cinderella rushed to the kitchen, tied her apron, and began preparing her favorite dishes. Soon, she returned with a warm, golden soufflé.
Ryo and Aurelia were both impressed at the sight. Cinderella urged them to try it, and when they did, both were awed by the taste.
Noticing how much Ryo enjoyed it, Aurelia suddenly leaned forward, took his spoon, and scooped a piece of soufflé. With a smile as sweet as it was mischievous, she fed it to him like a doting girlfriend. Ryo’s face went bright red, completely stunned by her bold move.
Cinderella saw everything. Without hesitation, she snatched the spoon from her mother, scooped another piece, and fed it to Ryo herself.
The entire bakery froze. All the male guests clenched their fists, visibly jealous of the strange foreign man’s harem moment.
Cinderella continued bringing out more of her creations, one after another, until both Ryo and Aurelia’s stomachs were full.
After that, Ryo wanted to check out Fairy Greatmother’s school. He had always been curious about how she handled her students. Cinderella, unfortunately, couldn’t come along because she needed to continue working at the bakery. Still, she gave Ryo directions to the school, since she used to accompany her nephew there.
Aurelia said she wanted to tag along with Ryo, and he said sure, no problem. Of course, Ryo had no idea that Aurelia only wanted to be with him alone, treating it like a date. Cinderella’s eye twitched—she immediately knew what her mother was up to.
And so, Ryo and Aurelia departed for the school. When they arrived, they saw Fairy Greatmother standing at the other side of the gate. Ryo called out to her, and she perked up, greeting the two warmly and welcoming them inside. She began showing them around the school like a tour guide, with other teachers smiling and greeting them along the way.
Ryo noticed many children running around, most looking younger than eleven. He figured this must be an elementary school. Aurelia, meanwhile, thought the kids were adorable. She imagined how much fun it would have been if she could have watched Cinderella grow up at that age—something she had missed out on, having died when Cinderella was still a baby.
Now that she was alive again, Aurelia quietly hoped to have another child, to finally watch one grow up. She glanced at Ryo, her cheeks blushing, secretly dreaming of marrying him, making a baby together, and giving Cinderella real flesh-and-blood siblings. Of course, Ryo had no idea about her thoughts.
Eventually, Fairy Greatmother guided them to the playground and announced that it was break time. Some of the children spotted Ryo, immediately recognizing him from the field as Mr. Jokester. They cheered, rushed toward him, and begged him to show them another magic trick.
Unable to escape their persistence, Ryo gave in and decided to perform the ‘Pen Vanishing Trick.’ He pulled a ballpoint pen from his pocket, leaving the cap loose. Pretending to remove it, he secretly hid it in his fist, holding it as though it were still there. With a mock-dramatic voice, he spoke the magic words:
"Case Closed — Vanisho!"
Then he opened his hand to reveal that the cap had vanished.
The kids gasped in awe. "WOOOOOAAAAAAH!!! MR. JOKESTER IS A WIZARD AGAIN!" they shouted, clapping and demanding more tricks. Looking tired, Ryo told them he needed to be somewhere. The kids groaned in disappointment.
Just then, one boy spotted Aurelia and, mistaking her, called out "Cinderella!" Aurelia chuckled and gently corrected him, saying that her name wasn’t Cinderella—she was Cinderella’s mother. The boy froze in shock. Then, nervously, he told Aurelia he wanted to apologize to “Aunty Cinderella” for calling her “Ash Aunty.” He admitted he felt ashamed of it ever since, and he still thought Aunty Cinderella was missing.
"Aunty Cinderella?" Ryo thought.
That made him remember the day of his first subtle interrogation with the stepfamily. Edmund had shown up at the last moment and claimed that this boy’s mother was his sister. Edmund was dead now, assassinated. Ryo wondered how the boy felt about his uncle’s death, and whether the boy knew that Edmund had been among the criminals who kidnapped Cinderella.
Fairy Greatmother quickly cut in, clarifying that the boy’s mother was actually Rosalind’s real sister. Edmund had simply liked to call the boy’s mother his “sister.”
Ryo knelt down in front of the boy and told him that Aunty Cinderella had already been saved, and that she was currently working at the bakery again. The boy gasped, bowed gratefully, and ran straight out of the school gate. He sprinted all the way to the bakery.
When he arrived, he burst inside and apologized to Aunty Cinderella over and over. Cinderella, touched, smiled and told him it was okay. She hugged him warmly, appreciating the boy’s courage to apologize after all this time.
Fairy Greatmother looked on with pride, seeing her student slowly grow up before her eyes.
After that, Ryo said he was going to check out Madam Rosalind’s store next. Aurelia eagerly insisted she still wanted to continue the journey with him.
They waved goodbye to Fairy Greatmother and her students, then made their way to Rosalind’s store.
After arriving at Rosalind’s store, it was just like usual—the cosmetic establishment buzzed with noblewomen as Ryo and Aurelia entered. Ryo noticed Rosalind and her employees busy attending to the customers. Then his eyes caught Seraphine and Clarisse at the back, talking with other customers. That was odd—shouldn’t they be at their own workplaces?
Ryo and Aurelia decided to approach them after the sisters finished their conversations.
The moment Seraphine and Clarisse spotted Ryo, their eyes sparkled. Both cried out, “DARLING~!!!!” and lunged at him.
Ryo panicked as the two sisters wrapped themselves around his neck, spinning around him like a helicopter rotor.
Seraphine purred daringly. “Ahh~ my dear husband, the Inn! The Inn! Let’s leave immediately so we can finally make fifty children together!”
Clarisse grinned boldly, her voice dripping mischief. “Honey~ let’s skip arranging the wedding—no! Let’s get married right here in mother’s store! We can start making out in front of everyone! I’ll have the employees bring in a huge bed to the center—we’ll go all out with everyone watching~”
Ryo flailed, panicking. “THIS ISN’T ‘THAT’ TYPE OF STORY, YOU TWO!!!”
They finally stopped spinning and landed gracefully.
Aurelia pouted, jealousy flickering across her face. She tugged at Ryo’s coat, cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Don’t leave me out, okay~?” she said, placing both hands on her face. “And… um… I don’t mind people watching either.” She sounded shy, but there was a daring edge in her voice, a hint that she was ready to go all out if needed.
Ryo groaned, exasperated. “OH COME ON! I did not sign up for this kind of content!”
He exhaled, already exhausted from the harem chaos.
Trying to regain focus, Ryo asked the stepsisters why they were here. Seraphine and Clarisse explained that their own shops were still out of stock after the chaos of the second royal ball, so they decided to help their mother while they were off. Ryo recalled the buying frenzy that had emptied many stores. The sisters added that restocking could take a few more days, but Rosalind’s store was already fully stocked. When Ryo asked how, they explained that their mother had connections to high-end suppliers, which impressed him—just how influential was Rosalind compared to her stepmother character from the original Cinderella tale?
Rosalind noticed Ryo and Aurelia and stepped forward to greet them warmly. During their conversation, she unexpectedly offered Aurelia a job at the store. Aurelia’s eyes widened in surprise. Rosalind explained that she had noticed Aurelia’s concern when she talked to her daughter earlier at the manor and remembered Aurelia mentioning wanting to find work in the village. She wanted to offer Aurelia a long-term position for financial stability.
Ryo thought the offer was perfect. After all, many women had extensive knowledge of cosmetics.
Aurelia almost cried at the generosity. She said yes immediately. Rosalind gently embraced her, telling her that as a mother, she should make her daughter proud. Even though Rosalind was Cinderella’s stepmother, in her heart she was truly a mother.
Aurelia promised to do her very best as one of Rosalind’s employees. Then, suddenly, she declared that she wanted to start training and working immediately. She told Ryo she couldn’t join him anymore and needed to get started as soon as possible.
Ryo was speechless. He had assumed she only wanted to walk around the village with him when she tagged along, but seeing her ambition, he simply smiled and let her be. Seraphine and Clarisse also returned to their work.
With that, Ryo left the store alone and glanced up at the sky of Evendelle. Walking through the village, he felt a mix of nostalgia and emotion. The hardships of his detective work here—the good and bad times—suddenly felt precious, knowing they had all contributed to a better outcome. This would be the last time he’d spend in this kingdom.
The case of finding “Cinderella, the Missing Princess” was finally solved. Ryo knew he couldn’t linger any longer. Other clients and cases awaited him back on Earth, and he needed to return to his tiny Tokyo office, ready to help them. He silently hoped the next cases would be normal.
With a final glance around the village, Ryo returned to the manor.
That evening, as everyone gathered back at the manor, Ryo announced that he would be leaving soon. Some were shocked, some cried, begging him not to go, while others were understanding. Eventually, everyone came to terms with his departure and decided to hold a farewell party in the manor’s back garden.
Ryo, though touched, forced a smile and accepted the farewell gifts graciously. Beneath his composed exterior, he felt a quiet ache in his heart, a blend of gratitude and the sadness of leaving behind people who had grown so dear to him.
He decided to rest in Evendelle for two more days before leaving.
Now, with the two days passed, the morning of his departure had finally come.
Everyone gathered in front of the manor.
Elise and Sophie brought out four plates and placed them on the ground, each with different food: a banana, a fried egg, a jam sandwich, and a glass of orange juice.
Fairy Greatmother flicked her wand at each item, and they all transformed into Ryo’s usual banana-carriage breakfast crew.
The footman opened the carriage door. The coachman and footman helped place Ryo’s luggage inside.
The footman bowed and gestured toward the carriage interior. “Your ride back home awaits, good sir detective.”
“Thanks, Juice,” Ryo said with a nod. Then he turned to the group. “Well, guys… guess this is it.”
Elise smiled and said. “It’s been an honor to serve you, Sir Holmes. Thank you for treating me like a normal girl.”
Sophie chimed in. “Yes! You made these past few days truly special for us. I’ll never forget it.”
Cinderella folded her hands. “It’s really hard to see you go, strange foreign man. Will we see you again?”
Ryo shrugged. “Not sure… but hey, if I get a case here again, maybe we’ll meet again.” Inside, he silently hoped not to—he was so done with magical cases and being isekai’d. Normal cases were all he wanted.
Titania, almost emotional but smiling, said. “Strange foreign man, that’s a relief to hear. I do hope we meet again… and eventually get married.”
“Me too!” Vesmyra added, giggling. “You’ll make a wonderful husband for me!”
The stepsisters, never wanting to be outdone, spoke up boldly.
Seraphine purred, “Oh darling, don’t forget me! I’ll be the wife who keeps you on your toes every single day~.”
Clarisse grinned daringly. “And I’ll be the one who makes your heart race in ways you never imagined—every hour, every minute!”
Ryo sighed, utterly exhausted, even though he had only woken up a few hours ago.
Fairy Greatmother spoke warmly, her voice carrying deep gratitude. “Mr. Detective, thanks to your help, I was able to find dear Cinderella. Without you, she would have remained in grave danger for much longer.”
Ryo rubbed the back of his head with a small smile. “It’s nothing, ma’am. Just doing my detective work… though the fantasy stuff was definitely unexpected.” He wasn’t about to admit he’d only accepted the case out of curiosity about that evil Petyr Pann kid.
To his surprise, a legendary guest was there to see him off too.
“Didn’t expect to see you here, King Nuada,” Ryo said.
Nuada crossed his arms. “Well now, young man, I was busy with the restoration of Lunaveth after that Vrakul Grootslang incident. But the moment my wife told me you were leaving, I couldn’t stay behind without seeing you off properly.”
Nuada stepped forward, raised his palm, and summoned an item—a necklace with a silver diamond at the center.
Ryo stared. “What’s this, Your Majesty?”
“This is called the ‘Medallion of the Whispering Silver,’” Nuada replied. “It’s a type of artifact you can use to sense subtle traces of magic. It suits you well for this… so-called detective work of yours.”
Ryo groaned, his mind dripping with sarcasm.
“Great… another magical item. First a relic, the Arabian dagger, and now this—an artifact from some legendary big-shot who just happens to be Ma’am’s husband. A medallion that can sense subtle traces of magic. Of course he assumes I’ll get dragged into another fantasy case. Yeah, makes perfect sense… not at all ridiculous.”
He continued in his head. “And still… artifacts, again?”
Gripping the medallion, Ryo tucked it into his coat pocket. “Thanks for the gift… hopefully it’s never used.”
Nuada laughed, tapping Ryo on the shoulder. “HAHAHA! you are too funny, young man. But trust me… the likelihood of you using it is high.”
Ryo rubbed a hand down his face. “Pleaaaaase don’t foreshadow my future events…”
Turning to Cinderella and Aurelia, he asked. “So, when are you two planning on finding Snow whi—I mean Schneewittchen?”
Aurelia replied calmly. “Me and my daughter will start soon, but not right away. I want to adapt to Evendelle’s environment while I work at Rosalind’s store.”
“That’s right,” Cinderella added. “Once we’re ready, we’ll search for my other stepsister.”
Rosalind chuckled and placed a hand on Aurelia’s shoulder. “Oh, my dear Aurelia, despite being in your 40s, you still look like you’re in your early 20s—like an older version of Cinderella. Sometimes I even mistake you for her. It’s like I have a twin daughter.”
Aurelia flushed. “EH! You never see me as my own age?”
Rosalind teased, “You can call me mother, my child.”
Aurelia covered her face in embarrassment. “UUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!”
Ryo asked. “How about you, Ms. Gerda?”
“I shall also stay at this manor,” Gerda replied. “Rosalind insisted I rest here a bit before heading home. I have much to catch up on with Aurelia—it’s been 19 years since we last met.”
“I see,” Ryo muttered.
Cinderella stepped forward, grabbing Ryo’s hand. “Strange foreign man… I don’t know why, but I have a feeling we’ll meet again. Somewhere else… not in this kingdom.”
Ryo gently removed his hand, smiling. “Okay, okay… enough with the foreshadowing. This strange foreign detective would rather solve normal cases in the Rodent’s Cheddar Kingdom—Japanese branch edition.”
“I would like to thank you for the movie knowledge, bro. They were enjoyable to hear from you,” Jaymez Boom said. “Also, thanks to you, I no longer bear any hatred toward humans. Just like you said… it depends on the person.”
Ryo clicked his fingers and winked. “Correct. And yeah, it was fun bestowing all that blockbuster knowledge to you—it’s like we’re in a school movie club.”
Turning to the animal agents, Ryo said. “You guys take good care of your girl, alright? Don’t lose her again.”
The animal agents, teary-eyed, stepped forward. Ryo crouched as they hugged their commander, each speaking in their animal voices. He didn’t understand the words, but he felt the emotions clearly.
Whispering softly, he said, “Yeah… I’ll miss you guys too.” The bond between them was deep.
Standing up, Ryo grinned at Cinderella. “Protagonist… can you sing for me? Just like in your musical.”
Cinderella pouted. “Can you please stop calling me ‘protagonist’? And… what are these musicals you keep mentioning?” She sighed, resigned, then smiled. “But very well… I do know how to sing, since I often sing to my fuzzy friends.”
Placing a hand on her heart and closing her eyes, she began to sing, solely for Ryo, titled: ‘When Stars Guide You Home.’
“The wind will carry you beyond the skies,
Where silver moonlight dances and never dies.
Though our paths may part beneath this gentle glow,
The seeds of hope will bloom wherever you go.
Fly, dear detective, where sunlight gleams,
Beyond the hills, beyond your dreams.
Though I must stay, my heart will know,
The stars… the stars… will guide you home.
Remember me in whispers of the trees,
In sparkling streams and the quiet breeze.
Through shadowed nights or stormy seas,
Magic lives in hearts that believe.
Fly, dear detective, where sunlight gleams,
Beyond the hills, beyond your dreams.
Though I must stay, my heart will know,
The stars… the stars… will guide you home.
Every tear that falls like silver rain
Will turn to light and ease your pain.
Carry love in all you do,
And know my wishes follow you.
Fly, dear detective, where sunlight gleams,
Beyond the hills, beyond your dreams.
Though I must stay, my heart will know,
The stars… the stars… will guide you home…”
Ryo clapped dramatically, clearly amazed and proud. “BRAVO! Absolutely spectacular! A musical from the real-life Cinderella herself! That suspiciously cheerful rat? Yeah… he’s totally losing his mind right now, drowning in jealousy.”
And with that, Ryo turned toward the carriage. Before stepping in, he glanced back at everyone.
“Take care, you all.”
Everyone waved, calling out their well-wishes and safe travels.
Ryo climbed into the carriage. The footman closed the door behind him and took his place at the front next to the coachman. The coachman cracked the reins. The unicorn neighed and began trotting forward, carrying them out toward the fields outside the kingdom—the portal to the moon.
The moment the carriage passed through the portal, they were back on the moon. The Earth hung in the sky, serene and distant.
Before launching back to Earth, Ryo sank into deep thought. He wondered how Petyr Pann had come into possession of the Celestial Compass. He recalled how Amina had thrown the compass into the Gate of Malevolent Spirits, and how Malakar had been sealed there by Aladdin. The gate had been closed and dragged beneath the sand along with the black pyramid by Mr. Grim—so how had Petyr Pann managed to get hold of that cursed artifact?
Fortunately, Ryo had destroyed the compass after defeating Petyr Pann. The haunting gate above Evendelle had vanished with it, inflicting pain on the giant Vrakul, while Aurelia’s Fairy Godmother magic helped pull back the monster and seal the gate completely.
Questions kept piling in Ryo’s mind.
What was Carabosse’s connection to Petyr Pann?
Why did they both want him dead?
Was it because the giant horned Vrakul had ordered them to? Ryo wasn’t sure, but he had a feeling there was more to it.
And the thought that still haunted him: Gerda had said Petyr Pann offered Edmund the chance to become a “Spirit Host” 19 years ago. Prince Vaelric had likely received the same power months before Cinderella was kidnapped. The only spirit-related creatures Ryo knew of were the Vrakuls—but why were they in the Fairytale world?
It was all too strange… too dangerous… too scary.
Ryo exhaled, rubbing his temples. “I really hope I don’t have to deal with them again…”
He straightened, trying to steel himself. “Yeah… that’s right. If another strange magical client steps into my office again, I’m gonna reject their case with all my might. I’m a NORMAL detective, for crying out loud—not some fantasy hero. Fantasy cases are way too much for a TOTALLY NORMAL detective!”
The footman glanced back. “Good sir detective, your flight meal is located in the pocket in front of you. Please enjoy it before we launch back to Earth.”
Ryo reached into the pocket and pulled out a bento box.
He opened it and smiled. “Ahh… nothing beats the good old wholesome Japanese meal—Omurice.”
A boxed orange juice was also included. He dug in, savoring every bite.
After finishing, the breakfast crew and the banana carriage began rising higher into the moon’s sky. A gentle shimmer began to envelop the entire carriage, the air around them sparkling with magic.
Then—BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!
The carriage surged forward, making a near light-speed journey back to Earth…
Back to Japan.
Back home.
Back at the Manor…
Cinderella had already left for work.
Fairy Greatmother was about to head to the school to teach her students, while Vesmyra, Titania, and Nuada prepared to return to Lunaveth. Jaymez Boom prepared alongside them, though only to accompany them as far as the cottage that led to Lunaveth—his duty was to stand guard there.
Before they left, Aurelia told Fairy Greatmother that she wanted to check on her kingdom of Glacindor. It would be a short trip, and she would return immediately. She recalled that Fairy Greatmother had once mentioned a rogue faction of her people, the Frosreavers, who had invaded a realm beyond this one and frozen the time of that kingdom.
Aurelia wanted to see the situation for herself, so she asked Fairy Greatmother to cast a flight spell to reach Glacindor more quickly.
Fairy Greatmother agreed and cast the spell. Aurelia began to float, waving at Fairy Greatmother, who waved back and called out for her to return safely.
And with that, Aurelia flew toward her kingdom.
30 minutes later…
The journey had been fast. Snowy mountains came into view, a blizzard hiding the kingdom of Glacindor, which revealed glimpses of the realm in the distance. Aurelia felt a pang of nostalgia—it had been so long since she had returned.
As she entered the blizzard, she froze, gasping. She quickly landed on the snow-covered ground and looked around frantically. To her shock, the kingdom she had built with her ice magic was gone. Everything was just snow.
Her people—the Frosreavers—were nowhere in sight. They were gone.
Aurelia called out, her voice echoing through the blizzard. “MY PEOPLE! WHERE ARE YOU!”
No answer. Silence. Only the roaring wind.
Then… from the distance where her icy castle once stood, something caught her eye.
An icy sword was pierced into a snow-covered stone.
Aurelia approached, knelt, and leaned in.
On the blade, faint, almost invisible words could be seen.
She squinted, trying to read. “Ex…cali—”
CRACK!
The icy sword SHATTERED before she could finish.
Startled, Aurelia stumbled back, falling onto the snow. Her eyes widened in horror, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Trembling, she whispered. “What… happened here?”
Somewhere in Rosenthorn…
Above its enchanted woods…
Carabosse, looking furious, flew through the air while carrying the unconscious Petyr Pann by the ankle, his body swaying like a flag. She wondered how long the little boy would remain passed out.
They soon reached a lake, and with a flick of her wrist, Carabosse threw him in. SPLASH! Petyr sank beneath the water, gasping as he struggled to breathe. Frantically, he swam to the surface and inhaled sharply.
Feeling relieved, he sputtered, “WHA—! What… what happened? Where am I?” He looked around, utterly confused.
Floating above, Carabosse gazed down at him with a deathly glare. “Are you fully awake now, little boy?” she whispered.
Petyr flinched, horrified. “Oh! Oh! Yes, Your Grace! This little boy is truly awake!”
“Swim to land… or I shall smack my wand onto your backside, little boy,” she threatened.
Fearing for his life, Petyr scrambled to shore. Once on land, he clutched his pirate hat and tried to dry his clothes in the gentle wind.
And wiped his… {Black Ring}
Carabosse landed nearby and shouted. “CURSE THAT SO-CALLED SHERLOCK HOLMES!”
Petyr jumped, nervous. “Y-y-your Grace… please cal—”
“DON’T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN, LITTLE BOY!” Carabosse roared. “How dare that strange foreign man destroy the compass and ruin my plan to rule Evendelle and other kingdoms!” Her eyes widened, bloodshot. “I swear… the next time I see him, I shall make him suffer beyond imagination!”
Petyr sat cross-legged, resting a fist against his cheek. “Maaan… and I got beaten by a normal detective while he called out the cliché I unknowingly did,” he groaned. “Guess I really should watch more cliché battle shounens for homework.”
Carabosse rubbed her temple in frustration. “I must find a way to craft another Celestial Compass!”
Suddenly, a pigeon made of cards flapped down from the sky. Its card-like talons carried a letter, which it dropped onto Petyr’s palm before scattering into the ground like fallen playing cards.
“What did you receive from that card-like pigeon, little boy?” Carabosse asked, still fuming.
Petyr opened the letter and read it. “Looks like that clown-faced Queen needs me for court duty again…” He slowly facepalmed. “Ughh… now I gotta fly all the way to Vietnam from that portal… burning more pixie grain again… what a waste.”
Carabosse smirked, eyes shadowed with a sinister smile. “Is that so… then allow me to join you.”
“EH?!” Petyr exclaimed. “But why, 8th Fairy? The Queen of Hearts only needs me!”
Carabosse glared at him, deadlier than before. “Let me ask you this… why do you sometimes call me the 8th Fairy?”
Petyr flinched, horrified. “Oh… I forgot! It’s just… on Earth, in their fairytales, that’s your title,” he laughed nervously. “Aha… aha… haha…”
Then she smiled sweetly—but her words dripped with malice. “I see, little boy. In that case… how about I torture you mercilessly right here if you don’t come with me to that portal in my kingdom?”
Trembling, Petyr quickly stood and bowed. “YES, YOUR GRACE!”
Carabosse whispered furiously. “I shall find a way to craft another Celestial Compass no matter where I have to go… even if it means that underground kingdom on Earth. I shall find clues, blueprints, anything… to have it built.” She turned and walked off. “Come, little boy. We’re off to Wonderland now!”
“AT YOUR SERVICE!” Petyr saluted and followed her.
And with that, they made their way to the portal…
Leading to Earth…
… And to Wonderland.
A few hours after Ryo left…
In the village of Evendelle…
Cinderella was busy at the bakery, smiling as she served customers. The villagers were overjoyed to see their “Angel of Evendelle” back, bustling behind the counter and handing out freshly baked bread. The bakery owner and staff couldn’t hide their delight either—Cinderella’s presence had already sent the bakery’s sales soaring, just like before.
Then Fairy Greatmother stepped into the bakery, greeting softly. “Good morning, Cinderella.”
Cinderella perked up and chuckled. “We were at the manor not too long ago, Ms. Roselia.”
Fairy Greatmother’s eyes softened as she watched Cinderella doing what she loved. It was a relief to see her so bright and happy again. Since it was break time at the village school, she decided to stop by the bakery before resuming teaching—the children were on break, after all.
Not too far from the bakery…
In the village square…
Children ran around, laughter filling the crisp autumn air. An elderly couple fed doves, while nearby, musicians played, blending their melodies into the calm yet lively atmosphere.
Suddenly… two children, both eight years old, came running into the square. One wore a blue cloak, the other a red, their faces shadowed beneath their hoods.
The boy in blue panted. “Sister, wait for me!”
The girl in red was already ahead, looking back. “Brother, you’re too slow! Hurry! We need to get to the bakery!”
They weaved past other children, nearly tripping a few times, until they finally reached the bakery, exhausted and gasping.
Fairy Greatmother and Cinderella perked up at the sight of them, and approached with gentle curiosity.
Fairy Greatmother smiled warmly. “Oh, such sweet little ones. You look tired. Would you like me to get something for you, my dears?”
“I’ll give you some meat and dessert for free,” Cinderella added generously, gesturing toward a table. “Pick any table you like.”
The boy panicked, flailing slightly. “Oh, you don’t need to do that, we’re jus—”
Before he could finish, the girl hopped adorably, full of excitement. “YAAAAAAY! Free food!” She pointed to the best table. “Let’s go to that big table, brother!”
Cinderella chuckled. “That table’s reserved, but you can join Ms. Roselia.”
“Come along, you two,” Fairy Greatmother added kindly. “Follow me.”
The children’s faces lit up as they hurried to the table. They sat side by side, with Fairy Greatmother opposite them.
Cinderella placed trays of sweet baguettes and roasted chicken before them.
“Here you go, enjoy, you two,” she said warmly.
The children’s eyes sparkled in awe. “WOOOOAAAAH!!”
They began munching hungrily, brimming with excitement.
Cinderella, tray held to her chest, leaned forward with curiosity. “You two don’t look like you’re from around here… especially those clothes and cloaks.”
“Indeed,” Fairy Greatmother agreed. “So, what brings you both to Evendelle?” She smiled gently. “And what are your names, my dears?”
The children swallowed their food, sipped their drinks, and wiped their mouths.
The boy pulled back his hood. “My name is Sun.”
The girl also pulled back her hood. “I am Moon.”
Fairy Greatmother and Cinderella blinked in astonishment. The twins were impossibly adorable.
Then, leaning forward, they asked in unison.
“Umm… can you please tell us about the strange foreign man?”
Fairy Greatmother and Vesmyra rushed to her side, panic etched across their faces.
“Aurelia! Are you alright?” they both cried, voices trembling.
Aurelia’s eyes were heavy with exhaustion, dimming as if the light within her was fading.
She whispered. “I guess… this is it… it seems that I am about to die… again…”
Ryo stepped forward, concerned. “What’s happening?”
“Aurelia is about to die!” Fairy Greatmother shouted, panic and desperation bleeding from her voice. She turned her gaze to Aurelia, her hands trembling. “Please… think of Cinderella. You’ve just come back after nineteen years, my dear… don’t leave her alone again!”
Aurelia gave a faint, fragile smile, her lips quivering. “It’s alright… my daughter already… has a mother… and sisters from that manor… she should be fine.”
Turning her gaze to Ryo, she whispered, voice full of gratitude and exhaustion.
“Thank you… for everything… Ryo… I couldn’t have shut that gate without… your help… destroying that compass.”
Her voice faltered, each word heavy with finality. “Ms… Roselia, please… take my daughter home… to the manor… and I can finally… ascend to heaven… knowing that… my daughter… is safe.”
Slowly, her eyes closed.
Fairy Greatmother and Vesmyra cried out in unison, their voices raw and broken. “NO!!”
Once again, Aurelia passed away.
The world seemed to still around them, the weight of her absence pressing down. Tears streamed freely, the village square caught in a hush of sorrow.
The three that had witnessed her courage, her sacrifice, felt the sharp sting of loss.
Vesmyra’s wings drooped, powerless yet furious, and Fairy Greatmother’s eyes glimmered with unshed tears, mourning the light that had just faded from their world.
It was a moment of pure heartbreak, of love and sacrifice woven together.
The cost of salvation painfully clear…
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Ryo deadpanned at Aurelia, his expression flat. Without a word, he reached into his bag, pulled out a bottle of water, opened it, and poured it over Aurelia’s face.
“BLRGH!” Aurelia sputtered, coughing violently.
Fairy Greatmother’s eyes widened in shock. “Eh?!”
Aurelia quickly sat up, wheezing and coughing, then shot Ryo a glare. “Why did you do that, Ryo?!!!”
Ryo, arms crossed, kept his deadpan tone. “Ooooooh, look at you, madam. After such a tearful, dramatic, heartbreaking dying speech… here you are, sitting up, lungs full of water, more alive than a frog in spring. Honestly, I didn’t know my detective work included resurrections AND water therapy.”
Aurelia’s cheeks flamed red as she flailed and covered her face. “UUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!! You didn’t have to call me out like that…”
Vesmyra and Fairy Greatmother rushed forward, hugging her tightly. Vesmyra whispered with relief, “You’re really… alive… thank the stars!” Fairy Greatmother added, her voice soft but firm, “I was so worried… but now I see you’re safe. Truly safe.”
Aurelia, still confused, asked weakly, “But earlier… I felt my hea—” Her vision blurred, and she clutched her head, wobbling backward. Panic returned to Vesmyra and Fairy Greatmother.
Ryo immediately kneeled beside her, catching her back with a steady hand. He gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, madam. You’re just exhausted. That spell you unleashed to close the gate… it must’ve taken everything out of you.”
He helped her sit up straight, then took off his trench coat. “Here, wear this. That weathered burial gown looked like it could tear any second.”
Aurelia’s cheeks deepened in color as she looked down, feeling the exposed areas of her body. Ryo carefully helped her slip into the trench coat, giving her privacy.
Turning his back with a sly grin, he said. “I’ll give you a piggyback to the manor.”
Aurelia’s heart pounded at his thoughtfulness, her gaze softening. She gently climbed onto his back, resting against him. Ryo stood tall, steady and reliable as ever, ready to carry her safely to the manor.
Vesmyra gently healed Ryo’s wounds after noticing a few spots of blood.
Cinderella and her animal companions, who had been waiting nervously at the grove, were summoned back to the village square by Fairy Greatmother now that everything was settled and safe.
Cinderella rushed to her mother, who was still perched on Ryo’s back, her voice trembling. “Mama, are you alright?”
Aurelia smiled warmly, squeezing her daughter’s hand gently. “Yes, sweetheart, I’m alright.”
Relief washed over Cinderella, and with that reassurance, the group set off toward the Ravenswood Manor.
The villagers, who had been waiting in the fields outside the village, saw that the chaos and destruction had ended and began returning home. They were upset and furious to find their homes damaged—fortunately, not too severely—but the sight still left a bitter taste in their hearts.
As Ryo’s group traveled, Cinderella’s brow furrowed, worry lingering in her chest. “But… what if the stepfamily still doesn’t accept me? I… I still feel unsure.”
Ryo glanced at her, calm and confident. “You’ll be welcomed home with open arms, no problem. And don’t worry—you’re not alone. If anything goes wrong with the stepfamily, I’ll handle it.”
Cinderella’s cheeks flushed, her heart skipping a beat. Ryo’s reliability and quiet strength made her feel safe, and undeniably… impressed.
Aurelia, watching the exchange, felt a spark of jealousy she didn’t want to admit—but she also liked the detective. Without her daughter noticing, she leaned close to Ryo and murmured sultrily in his ear.
“You’d make a good father to Cinderella.”
Ryo’s face darkening in horror.
Vesmyra, who had been following closely, had also witnessed the moment. A flush of jealousy colored her cheeks, and she quickly leaned in beside Ryo, whispering sultrily, “You’d make a great husband for me… and I want five children with you.”
Cinderella, overhearing, gasped and declared loudly. “Then… I’ll become an even better bride for him!”
Suddenly, all three women were competing for Ryo’s attention, their voices overlapping, begging, coaxing, and teasing. Ryo let out a long, weary sigh, his shoulders sagging under the weight of another harem chaos.
Fairy Greatmother, trailing quietly behind, muttered under her breath, eyes wide with disbelief.
“Oh dear… Mr. Detective is about to become Cinderella’s husband and father, Aurelia’s husband, and my daughter’s husband all at once…”
The time in Evendelle was now 5 AM.
The sun had risen, its golden light spilling across the land. Birds began their morning songs, roosters crowed from the distant farms, and the cool breeze carried the scent of dew and fresh earth.
Ryo’s group had finally arrived at the Ravenswood Manor.
They stood some distance away.
This was it for Cinderella—the moment she would face her stepfamily after a while. She wasn’t sure if she was ready. The memories of their cruelty still weighed heavy on her chest, the pain they caused after Edmund entered their lives. But Ryo had told her the truth—that Edmund’s cursed shards twisted them.
Now she wondered—had her stepfamily returned to the people they once were, when they had been loving to her?
For Aurelia, it had been 19 years since she last stood before this place. Here was where she entrusted her infant daughter into Madam Rosalind’s care. To stand here again, alive instead of dead, felt surreal. She wondered how Rosalind would react—seeing her alive, whole, and unchanged.
Cinderella wanted to step forward, wanting to knock on the door, but her legs trembled. She hesitated.
Aurelia gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “You’ll be alright, my child. Go on—greet your other family.”
Though nervous, Cinderella took a deep breath, exhaled, and nodded and stepped forward. She raised her hand and knocked.
Knock! Knock!
She quickly stepped back, her heart pounding.
Then… footsteps echoed from inside.
The door creaked open. And there, standing in the doorway, were Seraphine… and Clarisse.
The stepsisters froze, their eyes widening at the sight of Cinderella—the sister they had not seen for so long.
Cinderella’s voice trembled as she spoke, clutching her skirt. “Good morning, Sister Seraphine… and Clarisse… I’m… home.”
The stepsisters didn’t answer immediately. Their minds struggled to accept what their eyes saw. Was this really their beloved Cinderella?
Seraphine slowly lifted her hand, gently taking hold of Cinderella’s. Her voice quivered. “Cinderella… is that… really you?”
Clarisse whispered as she held Cinderella’s other hand. “Are you truly… our dear… sister, Cinderella?”
They did not call her stepsister—only sister. As though she were their true blood.
Cinderella’s tears spilled. Her voice shook. “Yes… it’s me… your sister.”
Clarisse and Seraphine’s tears flowed as well. “CINDERELLA!” they cried, throwing their arms around her. They clung to her tightly, sobbing uncontrollably, calling her name over and over. They told her how much they had missed her, how empty life had been without her, how nothing felt right in her absence, and how overjoyed they were that she was safe after being kidnapped.
This warmth—this love—Cinderella hadn’t felt in four long years. The embrace of her sisters, the care she once longed for. She sobbed and hugged them back, crying her heart out, finally home.
Then… another figure appeared behind them.
Her voice trembled. “Cinderella? My… child?” Madam Rosalind whispered.
Cinderella gently pulled away from her sisters, her face still wet with tears.
She whispered back. “Mother… Rosalind.”
“JUST CALL ME MOTHER!” Rosalind cried, her voice breaking, and pulled Cinderella into her arms. She wept openly, overjoyed to hold her daughter—not stepdaughter, but daughter—alive, safe, rescued.
And Cinderella hugged her back, sobbing again, glad to be home in her mother’s arms.
While still holding Cinderella, Rosalind’s gaze lifted—and fell upon Aurelia, still resting on Ryo’s back.
Rosalind stepped forward, disbelief in her eyes.
Her voice trembled. “Madam… Aurelia? You look… so young. But I remember arranging your funeral…”
Her voice faltered. “How…?”
Aurelia flushed, smiling sheepishly. “It’s… um… quite the long story, ahaha…”
Ryo sighed. “Alright, you’ve had enough rest on my back, real mama. Time to get down.” He gently lowered her, then nudged her forward. “Now go on—hug Cinderella’s adoptive mama.”
Madam Rosalind didn’t hesitate. She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Aurelia, sobbing.
“AURELIA!!! Stay with us! You and Cinderella—you have nowhere else to go! Come live here, be part of our family with your daughter, who is also mine! I wanted to find you, to help you, nineteen years ago… but now you’re alive, you’re safe! Don’t even think of leaving—you must stay with us! You must become part of my family!!”
Aurelia’s eyes widened. She hesitated. “Are you truly… sure? I won’t… be intruding?”
“NO!” Rosalind cried. “Cinderella needs her real mother too! Don’t you dare leave her again!”
Aurelia broke down in tears, hugging Rosalind back. “In that case… thank you. I shall stay.”
Cinderella and her sisters quickly joined, wrapping Aurelia in their embrace as well. They welcomed her openly, without a hint of hesitation.
And Aurelia, holding them close, knew with all her heart she had not been wrong nineteen years ago to entrust her daughter to the Ravenswood family.
They were indeed a family of love.
And so… the Ravenswood gained a new family member.
Sophie and Elise also appeared from the door, looking happy that Cinderella was safe. Cinderella hugged them both in return, thanking them for taking care of the Ravenswood family while she had been away.
Suddenly, from a distance, Gerda appeared. She froze in disbelief at the sight before her.
“AURELIA!” she cried, rushing forward.
Aurelia gasped at the familiar face. “GERDA!”
Gerda wrapped her arms around her. “Oh, thank the heavens! You’re safe!” Then she pulled back, staring in shock. “Aurelia… I thought you were dead. And you look as young as the day I last saw you, nineteen years ago…”
“I already mentioned this to Rosalind,” Aurelia said with a sheepish smile, “but… it’s quite the long story”
Then suddenly, Jaymez Boom (dog size form) and Titania appeared from the distance, calling out and waving. Ryo quickly asked what had happened back at the castle, especially concerning the possessed guests.
Jaymez Boom and Titania explained that Titania had summoned her father, Nuada, to come from Lunaveth to Evendelle. Nuada had already performed the ritual himself, extracting the shards from the possessed guests.
Ryo then asked if any monsters had appeared after the extraction. Titania and Jaymez Boom confirmed yes—but they appeared ghostly, like Vrakuls made of spirit-mist. Yet with Nuada’s overwhelming power, he obliterated them all with ease.
Fairy Greatmother looked proud at hearing this. Her husband Nuada was indeed as strong as she remembered.
All the possessed guests had then awoken, not remembering anything of what had happened, and returned home to their villages and kingdoms.
The moment Ryo heard “ghostly, like Vrakuls made of spirit-mist,” it reminded him of the ones they had dealt with earlier.
Ryo then asked Rosalind if the others could rest at the manor. Rosalind said yes—there were plenty of rooms. Ryo told them there were things he wanted to discuss with Gerda and Cinderella later, but for now everyone should rest. It had been an exhausting, endless night. Everyone agreed. It truly had been one heck of a long night. Ryo said he would begin questioning Gerda and Cinderella tomorrow.
Cinderella and Gerda nodded.
Then everyone entered the manor.
They were assigned to their rooms. Rosalind told Cinderella she no longer needed to stay in the attic—she could return to the comfortable room downstairs she had once stayed in before.
Cinderella was moved, almost emotional at hearing this. Rosalind then told Aurelia she could stay with her daughter in the same room, which had two beds. Aurelia was very thankful.
Ryo casually said that he would return to his room in the attic. Cinderella was shocked to hear that, asking why he would choose to stay there. She explained how she had suffered in that attic for four years.
Ryo replied that the attic was like a treasure, a museum—her legendary, iconic attic.
Seraphine and Clarisse said he didn’t need to stay there, especially since the door was still damaged. But Ryo didn’t care, insisting that the legendary attic was one hundred times more comfortable than any other room.
Cinderella was baffled that Ryo actually wanted to stay in the attic when she had such bad memories of it.
After that, Ryo made his way to the attic. To Cinderella’s shock, her animal companions followed him loyally, as though he were their commander. Rosalind then told Ryo that breakfast would be ready within an hour, prepared by Sophie and Elise. Ryo simply gave her a thumbs up.
Vesmyra then boldly told Ryo she wanted to sleep beside him in the attic, and even welcomed him to do naughty things to her—by force, if he wished.
Not wanting to be outdone, Titania also declared she wanted to sleep with him in the attic, and invited him to ravage her as roughly as he pleased.
Ryo stared at them both in sheer horror before bolting to the attic immediately, running as though chased by two overly obsessed waifus.
Cinderella then told Madam Rosalind she wanted to help prepare breakfast as well. Rosalind gently told her to rest instead, but Cinderella insisted. Rosalind eventually gave in and allowed her to do as she wished.
After an hour, breakfast was served, and they all ate together. Afterwards, they all slept deeply, well into the afternoon.
The time in Evendelle was now 5 PM.
As dinner was being prepared, Titania asked Ryo to dance with her in the garden of the manor. Ryo asked why. Titania explained that he had not danced with her during the castle’s ballroom gathering, and she had felt left out—it wasn’t fair.
Ryo sighed but agreed. And so, under the sunset, the two of them waltzed in the garden while the others watched.
Cinderella looked jealous, wishing she could dance with Ryo as well. To settle it quickly, Ryo had no choice but to waltz with her too. Vesmyra and the stepsisters grew jealous in turn, demanding their dances as well, even though they had already danced with him in the ballroom yesterday. Ryo rolled his eyes and danced with them all.
Even Aurelia, unable to hide her jealousy, requested a dance. And so Ryo danced with her too.
The time in Evendelle was now 7 PM.
They all had dinner. Afterwards, they gathered in the parlor room. Ryo had brought UNO cards from the attic in his bag and asked if anyone wanted to play. Everyone looked confused, unfamiliar with the foreign word.
Ryo told them it was the best game ever from the “Rodents’ Cheddar Kingdom,” and explained the rules. Within five minutes, everyone had learned.
They began playing UNO, and to Ryo’s surprise, Jaymez Boom kept winning—almost as though he had beginner’s luck.
Afterwards, they all talked together, sharing stories of life and mundane things.
In these peaceful, casual moments, Cinderella felt happy. It had been so long since she experienced such warmth. Unlike the days of suffering in the castle and the floating tower prison, here she finally felt at peace.
Cinderella thanked Ryo and Fairy Greatmother for rescuing her. Ryo told her to thank Fairy Greatmother instead—for she was the one who had hired him. Without her, Cinderella would never have been found.
Wanting to properly reward him, Fairy Greatmother told Ryo she would pay him for his detective services. Ryo, of course, expected payment, but he wondered how she could possibly pay him. This was the Fairytale World, after all—not like she had Earth’s currency or could transfer money digitally.
Fairy Greatmother then asked Ryo to show her what Earth’s money looked like. Ryo pulled out his wallet and showed her Japanese yen.
With a flick of her wand, Fairy Greatmother summoned a massive stack of genuine Japanese bills and handed it to Ryo. He nearly fainted at the sight—it was equivalent to the same enormous amount he had once received in his first case in Al-Munira. Far too much.
Fairy Greatmother then summoned a large bag to hold the money.
Ryo sighed, resigned, promising himself he would deposit it all at the bank once he returned to Earth, as if his life depended on it.
The stepfamily handed Cinderella a small trinket—the wing of a dove. Her eyes widened as recognition hit her. She remembered the trinket clearly; it had been given to her on her tenth birthday.
She remembered how cruelly Edmund had snatched it away from her just before she was kidnapped. And now, here it was again, back in her hands. A rush of warmth and nostalgia flooded her chest, making her heart ache and swell all at once.
That moment reminded Ryo of something. He reached into his bag and presented Cinderella with a small locket. Inside was a painting of her with her animal companions. Seeing it, Cinderella felt a surge of emotions. She wanted to cry again, even after shedding so many tears. But now, they were tears of gratitude, of relief, and of joy. This painting, this memory, was the proof that she had never been truly alone.
She recalled painting it herself, her animal companions standing faithfully by her side, even while she lived in the attic. Without them, the crushing loneliness would have overwhelmed her. They had given her the strength to endure every cruel day and to keep moving forward when it seemed impossible.
The stepfamily looked even more guilty now. They apologized to Cinderella over and over, their voices heavy with remorse. But Cinderella shook her head gently. It wasn’t their fault. It had always been Edmund—his cursed shard had forced their hands, manipulating them into cruelty.
This reminded Ryo of something. He asked Jaymez Boom and Titania about Edmund’s dead body in the ballroom. Jaymez Boom explained that Titania had incinerated it completely. Titania, her face still flushed with anger at the thought of Edmund’s manipulation, simply HMPHED! Ryo chuckled nervously, trying to mask the tension in the air.
Fairy Greatmother then joined the conversation. She confirmed that the cursed perfume Ryo had given her earlier had been destroyed. It was crucial that it no longer existed, to prevent any other evil hands from using it.
Ryo then turned his attention to Vesmyra. He asked about Carabosse, formerly known as Thalirea. He remembered Vesmyra screaming that she was disowning Thalirea during their battle in the village square.
Vesmyra, her expression softening but still heavy with emotion, said that she wanted to let go of Thalirea. The way evil Thalirea had acted felt genuine, not the result of brainwashing or possession. Vesmyra didn’t know what had truly happened to Thalirea when she was dragged into the Vrakuls’ void fifteen years ago. But she remembered how distant Thalirea had been toward her and Fairy Greatmother even before the war in Lunaveth, before being dragged into the void.
This raised countless questions for Ryo. He began suspecting that Thalirea had intentionally lost during that war, allowing herself to be dragged into the void to accomplish some hidden goal—possibly a grand conquest of kingdoms, just as Carabosse had mentioned at the ballroom yesterday.
Ryo asked about the glass coffin. He remembered it had been left at the grove before they were teleported to the village square. Fairy Greatmother explained that she had returned to the grove earlier, retrieved it, and sent it to Lunaveth for further study with her family later, since the phenomenon behind the glass coffin was far too mysterious.
Ryo’s thoughts then wandered to the original Pinocchio story, in which the Fairy with Turquoise Hair had adopted Pinocchio. Since Vesmyra was the Fairy with Turquoise Hair herself, Ryo couldn’t resist asking if she had ever adopted Pinocchio before taking in Thalirea.
Vesmyra looked puzzled. “Pinocchio? Who’s that?”
Ryo’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Hold up… you don’t know the kid? Never met him?”
Vesmyra shook her head. “Not really. But do explain who this child is.”
Ryo raised a hand, a small laugh escaping him. “It’s nothing. Nevermind. Forget about it.”
Now Ryo had new information. In this fairytale world, Vesmyra had never once adopted Pinocchio and had never even met him. This was an unexpected deviation from the original story. Ryo figured that perhaps Vesmyra would meet Pinocchio in the future—or maybe, she never would at all.
Ryo then asked about the king and queen, since they had been involved in Cinderella’s kidnapping. He remembered seeing them run away after his revelation. Titania reassured him not to worry. While Nuada was returning to Lunaveth, on his way back, he saw the king and queen fleeing toward Evendelle’s entrance gate, only to be intercepted by a group of constables. The constables were immediately suspicious—why would the rulers of Evendelle leave the kingdom without protection? Normally, they traveled in a carriage flanked by knights, not wandering unguarded.
Nuada explained everything, since Titania had already informed him of the king and queen’s crimes regarding Cinderella’s kidnapping. This was before the Vrakul’s attacked the village, which Ryo had already told Titania about. The constables decided to investigate the castle and found numerous staff and guards unconscious. When they checked the dungeon, they were horrified to discover several dead bodies among the castle staff. The king and queen were arrested and placed in a separate dungeon beneath the constables’ guardhouse.
With the kingdom now without rulers or heirs—Prince Vaelric having also died—Ryo couldn’t help but ask if appointing a new leader was still possible. Fairy Greatmother explained that, in this situation, a republic could be formed, where leaders are elected rather than born into power, allowing citizens to vote for the next ruler.
Earlier today, Fairy Greatmother had visited the village to magically repair the damage caused by the Vrakuls, as many villagers were bitter and crying over their destroyed homes. She even witnessed a protest demanding the execution of the king and queen for their involvement in Cinderella’s kidnapping. Fairy Greatmother had also repaired the king and queen’s statue in the village square’s fountain, but the villagers tore it down immediately in disgust. Some villagers even suggested holding an election to ensure a fair, uncorrupted ruler. Nothing had been decided yet, but it remained a real possibility.
Ryo then wondered if the villagers had recognized Fairy Greatmother, known to them as Ms. Roselia, a schoolteacher. After Ryo revealed Cinderella’s location, Fairy Greatmother had magically transformed her outfit in front of everyone at the ballroom. News of it might have spread like wildfire. Fairy Greatmother reassured him not to worry—she had magically erased everyone’s memory of her transformation when she visited the village earlier. Her fairy identity remained hidden, though Cinderella’s stepfamily was an exception.
Jaymez Boom chuckled. “Bro, this reminds me of that alien movie you told me about—remember? ‘Gentlemen in Black Suits’? That memory-wiping scene with the glowing crayon.”
Ryo shrugged, sarcasm dripping. “Oh yeah, you’re right. Definitely with a glowing crayon. Totally not with some other flashlight-like writing tool that flashes like a torch.”
Ryo then remembered the floating prison and the rocky land beneath it. He asked about it. Fairy Greatmother explained that just glancing at the terrain, she could feel magic. It appeared to be from another world, with powerful magic cast to make it float while supporting the tower prison above.
Ryo groaned under his breath. “Great… more ‘another world’ nonsense. What’s next? Am I going to get sucked into even more of these worlds, like this fairytale one?”
Then he recalled the crushed rock minerals from the cursed perfume, which had also originated from a terrain of an entirely different world. Could the two be connected?
And with that, the day ended.
The next morning arrived.
The time in Evendelle was now 7 AM.
After breakfast, the stepfamily had already left for work in the village, having departed three hours earlier. Fairy Greatmother too had left, returning to her teaching duties as the village schoolteacher. It had been some time since she last taught her little students, her heart too burdened with worry for Cinderella. But now, with Cinderella safe and home again, she could finally return to her work in peace.
In the manor’s garden, Ryo sat with Cinderella and Gerda, choosing the crisp autumn air and the warm gold of falling leaves as the backdrop for his questioning. Aurelia joined them as well, eager to listen and curious about what her daughter and Gerda might reveal.
Nearby, Jaymez Boom and the other animal agents gathered for a small ceremony. Captain Nutso awarded each of them medals shaped like flowers, recognition for their bravery and their part in rescuing Cinderella. The garden filled with cheers and the proud chatter of animals.
Ryo’s thoughts turned serious again. He was curious why Cinderella knew of Schneewittchen—better known as Snow White, since her German name was such a tongue twister. Cinderella had claimed she knew her, and Ryo wanted to know more about that.
But then there was Gerda.
Why had she suddenly appeared in the castle’s dungeon?
How did she know that Cinderella was held captive in the skies?
The mystery around her was just as pressing.
It was time for answers.
Ryo asked Gerda to begin her story first.
Gerda nodded and began…
21 years ago, before Kaj renamed himself as Edmund, before he turned evil.
Back then, Gerda believed Kaj had truly fallen in love with Aurelia. She remembered attending their wedding in the kingdom of Glacindor, inside the castle.
Before the ceremony began, Gerda had helped Aurelia prepare her wedding dress and makeup. She even spoke to Aurelia about how baffling it was that Kaj seemed so obsessed with her. Aurelia admitted she found him annoying at first, but said Kaj eventually showed his devotion. Gerda smiled and resigned herself, hoping for the best for the two of them.
When the wedding began, there were no guests from Aurelia’s side. At the time, she had no family, having been exiled from her old kingdom. Kaj, however, did have a guest—though not family, friend, or relative. It was a boy dressed in black. Gerda noticed him sitting at the very back, cheering quietly for Kaj and Aurelia’s happiness.
That detail struck Ryo. A boy in black sounded too familiar. Gerda explained that Ryo already knew him—it was Petyr Pann, the same boy they had seen yesterday at the ballroom. The boy looked exactly the same as he did 21 years ago.
A chill ran down Ryo’s spine. He remembered the old tales of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up and stayed young for centuries. But why had Petyr Pann been present at Glacindor during Aurelia and Kaj’s wedding? He pressed for more details.
Gerda continued. After the wedding, Kaj was deeply affectionate, treating Aurelia like a princess. Aurelia agreed, saying Kaj had once been that way. But Gerda revealed that behind the scenes, Kaj often looked disappointed. Aurelia was stunned and asked why. Gerda said she once confronted him, but Kaj gave only vague answers, rambling about wanting to be a better ruler. To Aurelia, that made no sense—Kaj had been a wonderful ruler before his betrayal. Gerda recalled Kaj sighing and walking away without explaining further.
Two years later, 19 years ago, everything began to change.
After Cinderella was born, Gerda often played with the baby, even taking her on walks, feeling like a loving aunt. But soon, Petyr Pann began visiting the castle frequently. Ryo asked why, but Gerda wasn’t sure—only that he often spent time with Kaj, even sharing meals. Aurelia admitted she didn’t remember ever seeing Petyr Pann after the wedding. On the wedding day itself, she hadn’t even seen his face clearly because of the wide hat he wore. Gerda, however, had seen his face up close, as she sat not too far from him.
Ryo urged Gerda to continue from that time.
Gerda said she had once seen Kaj speaking privately with Petyr Pann in the castle hallway. From around a corner, she overheard everything. Petyr Pann asked Kaj if he wanted to become a ‘Spirit Host.’ To her horror, Kaj smiled sinisterly and said yes. He declared that he wanted to rule Glacindor, even if it meant killing Aurelia and his own child, Cinderella. He needed that power to make it happen.
Aurelia and Cinderella gasped, desperate for more details.
Gerda’s face darkened. She confessed that after hearing those words, she had tried to warn Aurelia, but Kaj and Petyr Pann heard her running steps and discovered her presence. Petyr Pann flew at her, knocking her to the ground and pinning her down. Kaj approached with a smug, evil smile. Both threatened to kill her if she told Aurelia. Remembering their childhood friendship, Kaj spared her life, though Petyr Pann argued she should die. Kaj warned her that if she revealed anything, not only would she be killed, but her family as well. Terrified, Gerda promised silence. Kaj ordered her never to visit the castle again.
Aurelia remembered that time—how suddenly Gerda had stopped visiting. Her days had grown lonely, and baby Cinderella often cried when her aunt never returned.
Gerda looked at Cinderella now, apologizing for abandoning her. Cinderella reassured her, saying Gerda’s survival mattered most. Gerda was moved to tears and embraced her.
When Ryo asked what happened next, Gerda spoke of the tragic day Aurelia was murdered. She heard of the death, and that baby Cinderella had disappeared. She never knew the child had been taken in by the Ravenswood.
Sneaking back into Glacindor, she witnessed Kaj raging when the Frostreaver citizens refused to listen him. His plan to rule after Aurelia’s death had failed. She heard him scream that it was because baby Cinderella still lived. Unless she was killed, he said, the throne could one day be hers.
Cinderella was shocked and said she had never desired to rule Glacindor. She had been just a baby when she was later adopted into the Ravenswood family, where she loved her simple life. Ryo told her that Kaj had been spiraling into madness, driven by delusions and his own nonsensical assumptions. She need not worry—Kaj was dead, assassinated by Schneewittchen, whose part in all of this Ryo would ask Cinderella about later.
Gerda pressed on. She swore to find baby Cinderella, no matter how many kingdoms she had to search. Nineteen years later, in Evendelle, she learned that Prince Vaelric was engaged to Cinderella. But by then, Cinderella had already gone missing. Determined to find her, Gerda infiltrated the castle during lockdown—only to be captured by Vaelric and Kaj. She was horrified to discover Kaj inside the castle of Evendelle and realized he had connections with the royal family.
Ryo already knew this, as Kaj—Edmund—had been one of the culprits behind Cinderella’s disappearance. Gerda acknowledged this, saying Ryo’s revelation in the ballroom confirmed everything.
Gerda explained how she knew Cinderella had been imprisoned in the skies. Kaj himself had locked her in the castle dungeon and taunted her, certain that she would rot there forever, never able to reveal Cinderella’s location. Helpless and trapped, Gerda remained imprisoned—until just the other day, when Jaymez Boom, Barkzilla, and Whiskers came to her rescue.
And that… was Gerda’s story.
Even after hearing it, Ryo’s mind circled back to the words “Spirit Host.” Was it the same as a Vrakul possession, a human becoming a vessel? Edmund had emitted black miasma, just like the Vrakuls. Prince Vaelric had too.
Could both have been Vrakul hosts?
Questions lingered. But for now, it was Cinderella’s turn to speak—her story of how she met Schneewittchen. Aurelia leaned in, eager to hear it, since she had once seen Schneewittchen as her own daughter, even if only a stepchild.
Ryo told Cinderella to begin.
She nodded and began…
It was last year, when Cinderella’s stepfamily was still cruel towards her—back when she didn’t know they were possessed by the cursed shards.
She said she often cried at the riverbank, her only place of comfort.
But then… one afternoon, as she wept by the water’s edge, she heard footsteps behind her.
Turning slowly, she saw them—seven knights, each only half her size, standing in formation. At their center stood a hooded girl who kept her eyes hidden beneath the shadow of her cloak.
Cinderella froze, uneasy. She asked quietly. “Ummm… who are you?”
The girl reached up, trembling, and drew back her hood. Her skin was pale as snow, her lips blood-red.
Her voice quivered, barely above a whisper. “My name… is Schneewittchen. I’m your stepsister. Don’t you remember me?”
Cinderella’s eyes widened. “Stepsister? But… Seraphine and Clarisse are my stepsisters. How do you… even know me?”
Suddenly, Schneewittchen lunged forward and threw her arms around her, embracing desperately as tears streamed down her face.
“I’M SO GLAD I FOUND YOU! YOU’RE MY SISTER! I DON’T CARE IF YOU’RE NOT RELATED TO ME BY FLESH AND BLOOD!”
Pulling back gently, her voice broke with emotion. “Cinderella… my sister… you must have suffered so much. Living with the Ravenswoods must be so hard. You’ve gone through a lot. So please… come with me. Live with me. My seven sworn guardian knights and I will protect you—no matter what.”
Cinderella stood stunned. “But… I don’t even know you…”
“Mama Aurelia…” Schneewittchen whispered. “Your real mother. She’s also my stepmother. She adopted me when I was a baby. I was about to be killed by the people of my homeland, Aplynstalk… because of a certain liar.”
Her voice grew bitter, then soft again. “If Mama Aurelia hadn’t taken me in 19 years ago, I would have died. Even now, I’m still being pursued.”
Cinderella’s heart ached. “Oh… I… I’m so sorry to hear that, Schneewittchen. But… you said you knew my real mother. She died 19 years ago too. So how could she have adopted you then? Will you tell me?”
“Of course, sister,” Schneewittchen said faintly, forcing a small smile. “Shall we sit down?”
They sat together by the river, side by side.
Schneewittchen began. “Before Mama Aurelia took me in, I was adopted by another queen. But she was so disgusted by my beauty that she mocked me, saying: ‘My mirror has bad taste! Calling this pale little baby the fairest of them all? Hah! I should just throw her away, because I’m the most beautiful, the fairest woman in Aplynstalk.’” She let out a soft, self-deprecating laugh. “Silly, right?”
Then her expression softened. “Afterwards, Mama Aurelia adopted me. And from that day on, she became my true mother.”
Cinderella tilted her head. “But… how could you remember me? We were still babies then.”
Schneewittchen’s eyes shimmered with nostalgia. “Ever since I was born, I’ve had a strong memory. I even remember my real parents’ faces. I remember everything—even the days when I called you ‘Chindy.’ We played together often, even as babies. I saw you as my true sister back then.”
Her voice lowered, trembling. “Even now… even if we are only stepsisters… I don’t believe it. You are my real sister—whether or not we share the same blood.”
Schneewittchen took Cinderella’s hand tenderly. “My dear sister… if you are suffering in the Ravenswood family… please, come with me. My knights and I will protect you with our lives.”
One of the dwarf knights stepped forward, kneeling with a fist pressed to the grass.
“Cinderella, my lady. Please come with us. You need not suffer in that manor any longer. We will protect you.”
The second knight bowed low. “We shall keep you safe from all harm.”
The third declared firmly. “We swear our loyalty to you, my lady.”
The fourth added, his voice steady. “Our blades are yours to command.”
The fifth bowed his head. “We would give our lives to shield you.”
The sixth raised his hand to his chest. “Please, allow us to serve you.”
And the seventh. “We only wish for your happiness.”
Cinderella’s gaze dropped to the ground. Slowly, she pulled her hand away.
“I’m sorry, everyone. Thank you. But no matter how much I suffer under the Ravenswood… I still love them.”
She lifted her head, smiling through her sorrow. “They once loved me. They once saw me as their own daughter and sister. I can never leave them behind.”
Her voice softened into a sigh. “Hopefully… one day… they’ll be kind and loving again, like the old days. That’s why… I cannot go with you.”
Schneewittchen’s lips trembled. She wanted to cry, to beg her to come with her—but in the end, she let it go.
“I’m truly sorry… for trying to force you,” she whispered. Rising to her feet, she offered her hand and gently pulled Cinderella up.
Her voice cracked as she smiled brokenly. “My dear sister… I’ll be staying around Evendelle for a while. One day… I hope we can live together as a real family.”
Then she turned and whispered. “Edmund killed Mama Aurelia… I swear in my heart I shall avenge her.”
Her knights bowed deeply to Cinderella before following Schneewittchen into the distance.
Cinderella stretched out a hand helplessly, wanting to call out… but no words came.
Yet something stirred inside her. A deep connection. As though her soul itself remembered Schneewittchen.
Maybe it was something buried from her earliest memories. Something she couldn’t quite grasp.
But she knew one thing for certain—after meeting that pale-skinned girl, she could no longer deny the bond they once shared.
And that… was Cinderella’s story.
Her encounter with Schneewittchen.
Ryo thought in realization. “Ahh… so that’s how Cinderella knew Snow White was plotting to assassinate Edmund.”
Aurelia began sobbing—crying that she had died too early, that she had become nothing more than a ghost. She wished she could have stayed alive longer, to look after Schneewittchen, to protect her always… even forever. Her heart ached with the weight of that regret.
Now that Aurelia was revived, she was determined to search for Schneewittchen soon. Cinderella told her mother that she wished to join the search as well. Deep in her heart, Schneewittchen truly felt like a sister to her, though she didn’t know why. Cinderella wanted Schneewittchen to live with her and her mother in this manor—as family—even if she hadn’t gotten to know her well yet.
Ryo stared at Aurelia, giving her a smug grin.
Aurelia noticed and asked. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Ryo said playfully. “I just remember you almost crying in front of me at the grove as a ghost, begging for my help and saying—‘If you ever run into Schneewittchen again… and she needs help. Please… help her. She may not be my flesh and blood… but to me… she’s like a real daughter.’”
Then he burst out laughing. “HAHAHAHAHAHA!”
Aurelia’s face went red. “Oh! That’s um… um…” She quickly covered her face with both hands, groaning in embarrassment. “Uuuuuuugggggggggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!! You’re so mean!!!”
Gerda chuckled warmly. “Aurelia darling, you always look adorable when you’re embarrassed—just like the good old days.”
Aurelia’s groan only grew louder as she flailed. “UUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!”
Then Gerda asked how Aurelia was revived. Cinderella explained that her mother had returned because of the so-called “Revival trope” that Ryo often mentioned, and to their shock—it really worked. Ryo even boasted that the world must have flipped their tables in outrage. Gerda looked utterly confused at the explanation.
After hearing Cinderella’s story, Ryo internally facepalmed. He had pieced it together already—Snow White had first been taken in by the Evil Queen. He remembered from the old tale that the Queen had adopted Snow White and despised her beauty, plotting her death with a poisoned apple. But here, in this fairytale world nineteen years ago, the Queen had instead passed Snow White to Aurelia as a baby, simply because she felt disgusted by the child’s beauty. To Ryo, that was an absurd and ridiculous reason.
And the craziest part? Ryo had already met this Evil Queen—briefly—during his revelation moment at the ballroom. She had a name: Odessa Nightfall.
Yet something didn’t add up. Even as a baby, Snow White had still been passed on again. Aurelia had arranged for her to be raised by the dwarfs. That meant something had gone wrong even before Aurelia’s betrayal by Kaj. After all, Schneewittchen herself had said she had been pursued constantly, from nineteen years ago until just last year… or even now.
So Ryo asked. “Madam Aurelia, did anything happen nineteen years ago that made you pass Schneewittchen to the dwarfs? And was this before Kaj betrayed you?”
Aurelia answered yes. She explained that baby Schneewittchen had been given to her by Queen Odessa’s servant two months after Cinderella was born, along with a letter that read: “Take care of this worthless baby. I am the fairest of them all. Her beauty is in the way.”
Ryo’s eyes narrowed in disbelief at such absurdity.
Aurelia went on. She had cared for Schneewittchen for a month and a half, until one day she saw pursuers near Glacindor crying out: “Look for Schneewittchen! She must die!” Panic had gripped her heart. She knew she had to get the baby to safety before she was murdered.
Then, a few days later, the Seven Sworn Guardian Knights appeared before her castle, requesting that they take the child into their care. Aurelia couldn’t trust them at first, but they were stubborn, insisting they were destined to protect Schneewittchen.
They even gave Aurelia a letter from Schneewittchen’s real parents. It was written specifically for the dwarfs: “We might not live another day, but please take care of our child.”
The dwarfs explained that they had received the letter after Schneewittchen’s real parents learned she had been passed to another mother figure, and they feared for her safety. The dwarfs respected Aurelia deeply for looking after the baby, but for Schneewittchen’s safety—and for the future of Aplynstalk—they insisted that the baby should go with them.
Aurelia had no choice. With pursuers drawing near, she passed Schneewittchen into their arms. She would never forget how the baby cried desperately, reaching out with tiny arms and wailing “Mama!” over and over. It broke her heart, but she had no other way to protect her.
That’s when Ryo figured something must have happened in Aplynstalk nineteen years ago. He assumed Schneewittchen’s parents were pursued and eventually killed.
But why had Schneewittchen herself been marked for death as well?
Now that Aurelia had been revived, she told Ryo he didn’t need to be involved in the search for Schneewittchen. She and Cinderella would look for her soon and bring her home, to become a family again—just like nineteen years ago.
Ryo only shrugged and said okay...
But in the back of his mind, he had a dreaded feeling. What if the Evil Queen herself appeared in his office on Earth one day, bringing him a case involving Snow White? After all, she had already said in the ballroom: “I am in search of Schneewittchen.”
And he handed her his business card.
Of course, he couldn’t be sure. Maybe the next case wouldn’t involve her at all.
Still, he prayed. Prayed that Queen Odessa Nightfall would never appear in his office with such a case. Ryo preferred normal jobs, not fantasy ones. Yet fate had already pulled him in twice—first into Al-Munira, the Arabian fantasy kingdom, a hidden land on Earth, and now into this fairytale isekai with finding Cinderella, the world-famous protagonist. He had completed both cases, but they had drained him more than he cared to admit.
All thanks to that damn talking cat, who granted his wish for more clients… and twisted it into fantasy nonsense.
And with that, Ryo thanked everyone for their answers.
The questioning was concluded.
The time in Evendelle was now 9 AM.
Ryo decided to visit the village to take a breather and do some snack shopping. Cinderella and Aurelia chose to join him. When Ryo asked why, Cinderella explained that she wanted to visit the bakery she once worked at and try to get rehired. That instantly reminded Ryo of the time he told her to work at the bakery again when he was rescuing her in the floating tower prison.
Ryo agreed and said she could come along, then turned to Aurelia and asked why she was following as well. Aurelia answered that she wanted to explore the village and see for herself what her daughter’s old workplace looked like.
Without warning, Aurelia linked her arm to Ryo’s left arm. Ryo blushed and asked why she did that. Aurelia gave him a sultry look and told him that even though she was in her forties, she had revived looking like she was in her early twenties. She still had her gorgeous youthful looks—technically younger than Ryo now—and teased that she would make a great wife. Ryo’s jaw dropped, completely stunned.
Cinderella looked baffled, then quickly clung to Ryo’s other arm and declared that she wanted to be his wife instead. Aurelia smirked and said Ryo could be her father instead, but Cinderella insisted she would rather be his bride.
Ryo sighed at the whole situation and just kept walking, letting the two of them bicker endlessly about who would make the better wife.
When they reached the village, the villagers were shocked to see Cinderella—the princess who had once gone missing. In an instant, people swarmed her, and even Ryo and Aurelia, overjoyed that their beloved princess was safe at last.
Cinderella told everyone she was no longer a princess, just a commoner now. She asked them to call her by her own name and treat her like any normal person.
The villagers cheered with tears in their eyes and shouted, “Welcome home, Angel of Evendelle!” The words struck her heart. Cinderella remembered being called that in the past, and she bowed deeply, thanking everyone for welcoming her return.
One villager, staring at Aurelia, was stunned by how much she looked like an older version of Cinderella. They asked if Aurelia was Cinderella’s older sister. Aurelia immediately straightened her back in pride and happily declared herself Cinderella’s older sister—because nothing beat being mistaken for young instead of old. Cinderella panicked, waving her hands frantically, and corrected the crowd, blurting out that Aurelia was her mother. The entire village nearly fell over from shock at the bombshell, muttering and gasping until half of them nearly tripped over themselves.
After the commotion, they visited the bakery where Cinderella once worked. The moment they arrived, the bakery owner spotted Cinderella, burst into tears, and ran straight to her, hugging her tightly in relief that she was alive. Cinderella broke into tears as well, hugging her back.
It had been so long since she worked here, and the owner, still crying, stubbornly demanded that Cinderella return to work. Without hesitation, Cinderella said yes. The bakery erupted in cheers from the staff and customers alike.
The owner reminded Cinderella that she once confessed she wanted to open her own bakery someday. But the owner shook her head and said Cinderella didn’t need to. She told her that one day, when she retired, Cinderella should take over this bakery entirely.
Cinderella’s eyes widened, her lips trembled, and she hugged the owner tightly, thanking her with all her heart for granting her this future opportunity—making her lifelong dream come true, even in this precious establishment that’s so dear to her.
Cinderella then asked Ryo and Aurelia to take a seat. Ryo raised an eyebrow and asked if Cinderella was really starting work right away. Cinderella nodded eagerly, saying she had missed this bakery so much that resigning before had been painful for her. As thanks for rescuing her, she wanted to serve Ryo her best creations, and she also wanted her mother to enjoy them too. Aurelia’s expression softened with pride, practically glowing with excitement to taste her daughter’s cooking.
Cinderella rushed to the kitchen, tied her apron, and began preparing her favorite dishes. Soon, she returned with a warm, golden soufflé.
Ryo and Aurelia were both impressed at the sight. Cinderella urged them to try it, and when they did, both were awed by the taste.
Noticing how much Ryo enjoyed it, Aurelia suddenly leaned forward, took his spoon, and scooped a piece of soufflé. With a smile as sweet as it was mischievous, she fed it to him like a doting girlfriend. Ryo’s face went bright red, completely stunned by her bold move.
Cinderella saw everything. Without hesitation, she snatched the spoon from her mother, scooped another piece, and fed it to Ryo herself.
The entire bakery froze. All the male guests clenched their fists, visibly jealous of the strange foreign man’s harem moment.
Cinderella continued bringing out more of her creations, one after another, until both Ryo and Aurelia’s stomachs were full.
After that, Ryo wanted to check out Fairy Greatmother’s school. He had always been curious about how she handled her students. Cinderella, unfortunately, couldn’t come along because she needed to continue working at the bakery. Still, she gave Ryo directions to the school, since she used to accompany her nephew there.
Aurelia said she wanted to tag along with Ryo, and he said sure, no problem. Of course, Ryo had no idea that Aurelia only wanted to be with him alone, treating it like a date. Cinderella’s eye twitched—she immediately knew what her mother was up to.
And so, Ryo and Aurelia departed for the school. When they arrived, they saw Fairy Greatmother standing at the other side of the gate. Ryo called out to her, and she perked up, greeting the two warmly and welcoming them inside. She began showing them around the school like a tour guide, with other teachers smiling and greeting them along the way.
Ryo noticed many children running around, most looking younger than eleven. He figured this must be an elementary school. Aurelia, meanwhile, thought the kids were adorable. She imagined how much fun it would have been if she could have watched Cinderella grow up at that age—something she had missed out on, having died when Cinderella was still a baby.
Now that she was alive again, Aurelia quietly hoped to have another child, to finally watch one grow up. She glanced at Ryo, her cheeks blushing, secretly dreaming of marrying him, making a baby together, and giving Cinderella real flesh-and-blood siblings. Of course, Ryo had no idea about her thoughts.
Eventually, Fairy Greatmother guided them to the playground and announced that it was break time. Some of the children spotted Ryo, immediately recognizing him from the field as Mr. Jokester. They cheered, rushed toward him, and begged him to show them another magic trick.
Unable to escape their persistence, Ryo gave in and decided to perform the ‘Pen Vanishing Trick.’ He pulled a ballpoint pen from his pocket, leaving the cap loose. Pretending to remove it, he secretly hid it in his fist, holding it as though it were still there. With a mock-dramatic voice, he spoke the magic words:
"Case Closed — Vanisho!"
Then he opened his hand to reveal that the cap had vanished.
The kids gasped in awe. "WOOOOOAAAAAAH!!! MR. JOKESTER IS A WIZARD AGAIN!" they shouted, clapping and demanding more tricks. Looking tired, Ryo told them he needed to be somewhere. The kids groaned in disappointment.
Just then, one boy spotted Aurelia and, mistaking her, called out "Cinderella!" Aurelia chuckled and gently corrected him, saying that her name wasn’t Cinderella—she was Cinderella’s mother. The boy froze in shock. Then, nervously, he told Aurelia he wanted to apologize to “Aunty Cinderella” for calling her “Ash Aunty.” He admitted he felt ashamed of it ever since, and he still thought Aunty Cinderella was missing.
"Aunty Cinderella?" Ryo thought.
That made him remember the day of his first subtle interrogation with the stepfamily. Edmund had shown up at the last moment and claimed that this boy’s mother was his sister. Edmund was dead now, assassinated. Ryo wondered how the boy felt about his uncle’s death, and whether the boy knew that Edmund had been among the criminals who kidnapped Cinderella.
Fairy Greatmother quickly cut in, clarifying that the boy’s mother was actually Rosalind’s real sister. Edmund had simply liked to call the boy’s mother his “sister.”
Ryo knelt down in front of the boy and told him that Aunty Cinderella had already been saved, and that she was currently working at the bakery again. The boy gasped, bowed gratefully, and ran straight out of the school gate. He sprinted all the way to the bakery.
When he arrived, he burst inside and apologized to Aunty Cinderella over and over. Cinderella, touched, smiled and told him it was okay. She hugged him warmly, appreciating the boy’s courage to apologize after all this time.
Fairy Greatmother looked on with pride, seeing her student slowly grow up before her eyes.
After that, Ryo said he was going to check out Madam Rosalind’s store next. Aurelia eagerly insisted she still wanted to continue the journey with him.
They waved goodbye to Fairy Greatmother and her students, then made their way to Rosalind’s store.
After arriving at Rosalind’s store, it was just like usual—the cosmetic establishment buzzed with noblewomen as Ryo and Aurelia entered. Ryo noticed Rosalind and her employees busy attending to the customers. Then his eyes caught Seraphine and Clarisse at the back, talking with other customers. That was odd—shouldn’t they be at their own workplaces?
Ryo and Aurelia decided to approach them after the sisters finished their conversations.
The moment Seraphine and Clarisse spotted Ryo, their eyes sparkled. Both cried out, “DARLING~!!!!” and lunged at him.
Ryo panicked as the two sisters wrapped themselves around his neck, spinning around him like a helicopter rotor.
Seraphine purred daringly. “Ahh~ my dear husband, the Inn! The Inn! Let’s leave immediately so we can finally make fifty children together!”
Clarisse grinned boldly, her voice dripping mischief. “Honey~ let’s skip arranging the wedding—no! Let’s get married right here in mother’s store! We can start making out in front of everyone! I’ll have the employees bring in a huge bed to the center—we’ll go all out with everyone watching~”
Ryo flailed, panicking. “THIS ISN’T ‘THAT’ TYPE OF STORY, YOU TWO!!!”
They finally stopped spinning and landed gracefully.
Aurelia pouted, jealousy flickering across her face. She tugged at Ryo’s coat, cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Don’t leave me out, okay~?” she said, placing both hands on her face. “And… um… I don’t mind people watching either.” She sounded shy, but there was a daring edge in her voice, a hint that she was ready to go all out if needed.
Ryo groaned, exasperated. “OH COME ON! I did not sign up for this kind of content!”
He exhaled, already exhausted from the harem chaos.
Trying to regain focus, Ryo asked the stepsisters why they were here. Seraphine and Clarisse explained that their own shops were still out of stock after the chaos of the second royal ball, so they decided to help their mother while they were off. Ryo recalled the buying frenzy that had emptied many stores. The sisters added that restocking could take a few more days, but Rosalind’s store was already fully stocked. When Ryo asked how, they explained that their mother had connections to high-end suppliers, which impressed him—just how influential was Rosalind compared to her stepmother character from the original Cinderella tale?
Rosalind noticed Ryo and Aurelia and stepped forward to greet them warmly. During their conversation, she unexpectedly offered Aurelia a job at the store. Aurelia’s eyes widened in surprise. Rosalind explained that she had noticed Aurelia’s concern when she talked to her daughter earlier at the manor and remembered Aurelia mentioning wanting to find work in the village. She wanted to offer Aurelia a long-term position for financial stability.
Ryo thought the offer was perfect. After all, many women had extensive knowledge of cosmetics.
Aurelia almost cried at the generosity. She said yes immediately. Rosalind gently embraced her, telling her that as a mother, she should make her daughter proud. Even though Rosalind was Cinderella’s stepmother, in her heart she was truly a mother.
Aurelia promised to do her very best as one of Rosalind’s employees. Then, suddenly, she declared that she wanted to start training and working immediately. She told Ryo she couldn’t join him anymore and needed to get started as soon as possible.
Ryo was speechless. He had assumed she only wanted to walk around the village with him when she tagged along, but seeing her ambition, he simply smiled and let her be. Seraphine and Clarisse also returned to their work.
With that, Ryo left the store alone and glanced up at the sky of Evendelle. Walking through the village, he felt a mix of nostalgia and emotion. The hardships of his detective work here—the good and bad times—suddenly felt precious, knowing they had all contributed to a better outcome. This would be the last time he’d spend in this kingdom.
The case of finding “Cinderella, the Missing Princess” was finally solved. Ryo knew he couldn’t linger any longer. Other clients and cases awaited him back on Earth, and he needed to return to his tiny Tokyo office, ready to help them. He silently hoped the next cases would be normal.
With a final glance around the village, Ryo returned to the manor.
That evening, as everyone gathered back at the manor, Ryo announced that he would be leaving soon. Some were shocked, some cried, begging him not to go, while others were understanding. Eventually, everyone came to terms with his departure and decided to hold a farewell party in the manor’s back garden.
Ryo, though touched, forced a smile and accepted the farewell gifts graciously. Beneath his composed exterior, he felt a quiet ache in his heart, a blend of gratitude and the sadness of leaving behind people who had grown so dear to him.
He decided to rest in Evendelle for two more days before leaving.
Now, with the two days passed, the morning of his departure had finally come.
Everyone gathered in front of the manor.
Elise and Sophie brought out four plates and placed them on the ground, each with different food: a banana, a fried egg, a jam sandwich, and a glass of orange juice.
Fairy Greatmother flicked her wand at each item, and they all transformed into Ryo’s usual banana-carriage breakfast crew.
The footman opened the carriage door. The coachman and footman helped place Ryo’s luggage inside.
The footman bowed and gestured toward the carriage interior. “Your ride back home awaits, good sir detective.”
“Thanks, Juice,” Ryo said with a nod. Then he turned to the group. “Well, guys… guess this is it.”
Elise smiled and said. “It’s been an honor to serve you, Sir Holmes. Thank you for treating me like a normal girl.”
Sophie chimed in. “Yes! You made these past few days truly special for us. I’ll never forget it.”
Cinderella folded her hands. “It’s really hard to see you go, strange foreign man. Will we see you again?”
Ryo shrugged. “Not sure… but hey, if I get a case here again, maybe we’ll meet again.” Inside, he silently hoped not to—he was so done with magical cases and being isekai’d. Normal cases were all he wanted.
Titania, almost emotional but smiling, said. “Strange foreign man, that’s a relief to hear. I do hope we meet again… and eventually get married.”
“Me too!” Vesmyra added, giggling. “You’ll make a wonderful husband for me!”
The stepsisters, never wanting to be outdone, spoke up boldly.
Seraphine purred, “Oh darling, don’t forget me! I’ll be the wife who keeps you on your toes every single day~.”
Clarisse grinned daringly. “And I’ll be the one who makes your heart race in ways you never imagined—every hour, every minute!”
Ryo sighed, utterly exhausted, even though he had only woken up a few hours ago.
Fairy Greatmother spoke warmly, her voice carrying deep gratitude. “Mr. Detective, thanks to your help, I was able to find dear Cinderella. Without you, she would have remained in grave danger for much longer.”
Ryo rubbed the back of his head with a small smile. “It’s nothing, ma’am. Just doing my detective work… though the fantasy stuff was definitely unexpected.” He wasn’t about to admit he’d only accepted the case out of curiosity about that evil Petyr Pann kid.
To his surprise, a legendary guest was there to see him off too.
“Didn’t expect to see you here, King Nuada,” Ryo said.
Nuada crossed his arms. “Well now, young man, I was busy with the restoration of Lunaveth after that Vrakul Grootslang incident. But the moment my wife told me you were leaving, I couldn’t stay behind without seeing you off properly.”
Nuada stepped forward, raised his palm, and summoned an item—a necklace with a silver diamond at the center.
Ryo stared. “What’s this, Your Majesty?”
“This is called the ‘Medallion of the Whispering Silver,’” Nuada replied. “It’s a type of artifact you can use to sense subtle traces of magic. It suits you well for this… so-called detective work of yours.”
Ryo groaned, his mind dripping with sarcasm.
“Great… another magical item. First a relic, the Arabian dagger, and now this—an artifact from some legendary big-shot who just happens to be Ma’am’s husband. A medallion that can sense subtle traces of magic. Of course he assumes I’ll get dragged into another fantasy case. Yeah, makes perfect sense… not at all ridiculous.”
He continued in his head. “And still… artifacts, again?”
Gripping the medallion, Ryo tucked it into his coat pocket. “Thanks for the gift… hopefully it’s never used.”
Nuada laughed, tapping Ryo on the shoulder. “HAHAHA! you are too funny, young man. But trust me… the likelihood of you using it is high.”
Ryo rubbed a hand down his face. “Pleaaaaase don’t foreshadow my future events…”
Turning to Cinderella and Aurelia, he asked. “So, when are you two planning on finding Snow whi—I mean Schneewittchen?”
Aurelia replied calmly. “Me and my daughter will start soon, but not right away. I want to adapt to Evendelle’s environment while I work at Rosalind’s store.”
“That’s right,” Cinderella added. “Once we’re ready, we’ll search for my other stepsister.”
Rosalind chuckled and placed a hand on Aurelia’s shoulder. “Oh, my dear Aurelia, despite being in your 40s, you still look like you’re in your early 20s—like an older version of Cinderella. Sometimes I even mistake you for her. It’s like I have a twin daughter.”
Aurelia flushed. “EH! You never see me as my own age?”
Rosalind teased, “You can call me mother, my child.”
Aurelia covered her face in embarrassment. “UUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!”
Ryo asked. “How about you, Ms. Gerda?”
“I shall also stay at this manor,” Gerda replied. “Rosalind insisted I rest here a bit before heading home. I have much to catch up on with Aurelia—it’s been 19 years since we last met.”
“I see,” Ryo muttered.
Cinderella stepped forward, grabbing Ryo’s hand. “Strange foreign man… I don’t know why, but I have a feeling we’ll meet again. Somewhere else… not in this kingdom.”
Ryo gently removed his hand, smiling. “Okay, okay… enough with the foreshadowing. This strange foreign detective would rather solve normal cases in the Rodent’s Cheddar Kingdom—Japanese branch edition.”
“I would like to thank you for the movie knowledge, bro. They were enjoyable to hear from you,” Jaymez Boom said. “Also, thanks to you, I no longer bear any hatred toward humans. Just like you said… it depends on the person.”
Ryo clicked his fingers and winked. “Correct. And yeah, it was fun bestowing all that blockbuster knowledge to you—it’s like we’re in a school movie club.”
Turning to the animal agents, Ryo said. “You guys take good care of your girl, alright? Don’t lose her again.”
The animal agents, teary-eyed, stepped forward. Ryo crouched as they hugged their commander, each speaking in their animal voices. He didn’t understand the words, but he felt the emotions clearly.
Whispering softly, he said, “Yeah… I’ll miss you guys too.” The bond between them was deep.
Standing up, Ryo grinned at Cinderella. “Protagonist… can you sing for me? Just like in your musical.”
Cinderella pouted. “Can you please stop calling me ‘protagonist’? And… what are these musicals you keep mentioning?” She sighed, resigned, then smiled. “But very well… I do know how to sing, since I often sing to my fuzzy friends.”
Placing a hand on her heart and closing her eyes, she began to sing, solely for Ryo, titled: ‘When Stars Guide You Home.’
“The wind will carry you beyond the skies,
Where silver moonlight dances and never dies.
Though our paths may part beneath this gentle glow,
The seeds of hope will bloom wherever you go.
Fly, dear detective, where sunlight gleams,
Beyond the hills, beyond your dreams.
Though I must stay, my heart will know,
The stars… the stars… will guide you home.
Remember me in whispers of the trees,
In sparkling streams and the quiet breeze.
Through shadowed nights or stormy seas,
Magic lives in hearts that believe.
Fly, dear detective, where sunlight gleams,
Beyond the hills, beyond your dreams.
Though I must stay, my heart will know,
The stars… the stars… will guide you home.
Every tear that falls like silver rain
Will turn to light and ease your pain.
Carry love in all you do,
And know my wishes follow you.
Fly, dear detective, where sunlight gleams,
Beyond the hills, beyond your dreams.
Though I must stay, my heart will know,
The stars… the stars… will guide you home…”
Ryo clapped dramatically, clearly amazed and proud. “BRAVO! Absolutely spectacular! A musical from the real-life Cinderella herself! That suspiciously cheerful rat? Yeah… he’s totally losing his mind right now, drowning in jealousy.”
And with that, Ryo turned toward the carriage. Before stepping in, he glanced back at everyone.
“Take care, you all.”
Everyone waved, calling out their well-wishes and safe travels.
Ryo climbed into the carriage. The footman closed the door behind him and took his place at the front next to the coachman. The coachman cracked the reins. The unicorn neighed and began trotting forward, carrying them out toward the fields outside the kingdom—the portal to the moon.
The moment the carriage passed through the portal, they were back on the moon. The Earth hung in the sky, serene and distant.
Before launching back to Earth, Ryo sank into deep thought. He wondered how Petyr Pann had come into possession of the Celestial Compass. He recalled how Amina had thrown the compass into the Gate of Malevolent Spirits, and how Malakar had been sealed there by Aladdin. The gate had been closed and dragged beneath the sand along with the black pyramid by Mr. Grim—so how had Petyr Pann managed to get hold of that cursed artifact?
Fortunately, Ryo had destroyed the compass after defeating Petyr Pann. The haunting gate above Evendelle had vanished with it, inflicting pain on the giant Vrakul, while Aurelia’s Fairy Godmother magic helped pull back the monster and seal the gate completely.
Questions kept piling in Ryo’s mind.
What was Carabosse’s connection to Petyr Pann?
Why did they both want him dead?
Was it because the giant horned Vrakul had ordered them to? Ryo wasn’t sure, but he had a feeling there was more to it.
And the thought that still haunted him: Gerda had said Petyr Pann offered Edmund the chance to become a “Spirit Host” 19 years ago. Prince Vaelric had likely received the same power months before Cinderella was kidnapped. The only spirit-related creatures Ryo knew of were the Vrakuls—but why were they in the Fairytale world?
It was all too strange… too dangerous… too scary.
Ryo exhaled, rubbing his temples. “I really hope I don’t have to deal with them again…”
He straightened, trying to steel himself. “Yeah… that’s right. If another strange magical client steps into my office again, I’m gonna reject their case with all my might. I’m a NORMAL detective, for crying out loud—not some fantasy hero. Fantasy cases are way too much for a TOTALLY NORMAL detective!”
The footman glanced back. “Good sir detective, your flight meal is located in the pocket in front of you. Please enjoy it before we launch back to Earth.”
Ryo reached into the pocket and pulled out a bento box.
He opened it and smiled. “Ahh… nothing beats the good old wholesome Japanese meal—Omurice.”
A boxed orange juice was also included. He dug in, savoring every bite.
After finishing, the breakfast crew and the banana carriage began rising higher into the moon’s sky. A gentle shimmer began to envelop the entire carriage, the air around them sparkling with magic.
Then—BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!
The carriage surged forward, making a near light-speed journey back to Earth…
Back to Japan.
Back home.
Back at the Manor…
Cinderella had already left for work.
Fairy Greatmother was about to head to the school to teach her students, while Vesmyra, Titania, and Nuada prepared to return to Lunaveth. Jaymez Boom prepared alongside them, though only to accompany them as far as the cottage that led to Lunaveth—his duty was to stand guard there.
Before they left, Aurelia told Fairy Greatmother that she wanted to check on her kingdom of Glacindor. It would be a short trip, and she would return immediately. She recalled that Fairy Greatmother had once mentioned a rogue faction of her people, the Frosreavers, who had invaded a realm beyond this one and frozen the time of that kingdom.
Aurelia wanted to see the situation for herself, so she asked Fairy Greatmother to cast a flight spell to reach Glacindor more quickly.
Fairy Greatmother agreed and cast the spell. Aurelia began to float, waving at Fairy Greatmother, who waved back and called out for her to return safely.
And with that, Aurelia flew toward her kingdom.
30 minutes later…
The journey had been fast. Snowy mountains came into view, a blizzard hiding the kingdom of Glacindor, which revealed glimpses of the realm in the distance. Aurelia felt a pang of nostalgia—it had been so long since she had returned.
As she entered the blizzard, she froze, gasping. She quickly landed on the snow-covered ground and looked around frantically. To her shock, the kingdom she had built with her ice magic was gone. Everything was just snow.
Her people—the Frosreavers—were nowhere in sight. They were gone.
Aurelia called out, her voice echoing through the blizzard. “MY PEOPLE! WHERE ARE YOU!”
No answer. Silence. Only the roaring wind.
Then… from the distance where her icy castle once stood, something caught her eye.
An icy sword was pierced into a snow-covered stone.
Aurelia approached, knelt, and leaned in.
On the blade, faint, almost invisible words could be seen.
She squinted, trying to read. “Ex…cali—”
CRACK!
The icy sword SHATTERED before she could finish.
Startled, Aurelia stumbled back, falling onto the snow. Her eyes widened in horror, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Trembling, she whispered. “What… happened here?”
Somewhere in Rosenthorn…
Above its enchanted woods…
Carabosse, looking furious, flew through the air while carrying the unconscious Petyr Pann by the ankle, his body swaying like a flag. She wondered how long the little boy would remain passed out.
They soon reached a lake, and with a flick of her wrist, Carabosse threw him in. SPLASH! Petyr sank beneath the water, gasping as he struggled to breathe. Frantically, he swam to the surface and inhaled sharply.
Feeling relieved, he sputtered, “WHA—! What… what happened? Where am I?” He looked around, utterly confused.
Floating above, Carabosse gazed down at him with a deathly glare. “Are you fully awake now, little boy?” she whispered.
Petyr flinched, horrified. “Oh! Oh! Yes, Your Grace! This little boy is truly awake!”
“Swim to land… or I shall smack my wand onto your backside, little boy,” she threatened.
Fearing for his life, Petyr scrambled to shore. Once on land, he clutched his pirate hat and tried to dry his clothes in the gentle wind.
And wiped his… {Black Ring}
Carabosse landed nearby and shouted. “CURSE THAT SO-CALLED SHERLOCK HOLMES!”
Petyr jumped, nervous. “Y-y-your Grace… please cal—”
“DON’T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN, LITTLE BOY!” Carabosse roared. “How dare that strange foreign man destroy the compass and ruin my plan to rule Evendelle and other kingdoms!” Her eyes widened, bloodshot. “I swear… the next time I see him, I shall make him suffer beyond imagination!”
Petyr sat cross-legged, resting a fist against his cheek. “Maaan… and I got beaten by a normal detective while he called out the cliché I unknowingly did,” he groaned. “Guess I really should watch more cliché battle shounens for homework.”
Carabosse rubbed her temple in frustration. “I must find a way to craft another Celestial Compass!”
Suddenly, a pigeon made of cards flapped down from the sky. Its card-like talons carried a letter, which it dropped onto Petyr’s palm before scattering into the ground like fallen playing cards.
“What did you receive from that card-like pigeon, little boy?” Carabosse asked, still fuming.
Petyr opened the letter and read it. “Looks like that clown-faced Queen needs me for court duty again…” He slowly facepalmed. “Ughh… now I gotta fly all the way to Vietnam from that portal… burning more pixie grain again… what a waste.”
Carabosse smirked, eyes shadowed with a sinister smile. “Is that so… then allow me to join you.”
“EH?!” Petyr exclaimed. “But why, 8th Fairy? The Queen of Hearts only needs me!”
Carabosse glared at him, deadlier than before. “Let me ask you this… why do you sometimes call me the 8th Fairy?”
Petyr flinched, horrified. “Oh… I forgot! It’s just… on Earth, in their fairytales, that’s your title,” he laughed nervously. “Aha… aha… haha…”
Then she smiled sweetly—but her words dripped with malice. “I see, little boy. In that case… how about I torture you mercilessly right here if you don’t come with me to that portal in my kingdom?”
Trembling, Petyr quickly stood and bowed. “YES, YOUR GRACE!”
Carabosse whispered furiously. “I shall find a way to craft another Celestial Compass no matter where I have to go… even if it means that underground kingdom on Earth. I shall find clues, blueprints, anything… to have it built.” She turned and walked off. “Come, little boy. We’re off to Wonderland now!”
“AT YOUR SERVICE!” Petyr saluted and followed her.
And with that, they made their way to the portal…
Leading to Earth…
… And to Wonderland.
A few hours after Ryo left…
In the village of Evendelle…
Cinderella was busy at the bakery, smiling as she served customers. The villagers were overjoyed to see their “Angel of Evendelle” back, bustling behind the counter and handing out freshly baked bread. The bakery owner and staff couldn’t hide their delight either—Cinderella’s presence had already sent the bakery’s sales soaring, just like before.
Then Fairy Greatmother stepped into the bakery, greeting softly. “Good morning, Cinderella.”
Cinderella perked up and chuckled. “We were at the manor not too long ago, Ms. Roselia.”
Fairy Greatmother’s eyes softened as she watched Cinderella doing what she loved. It was a relief to see her so bright and happy again. Since it was break time at the village school, she decided to stop by the bakery before resuming teaching—the children were on break, after all.
Not too far from the bakery…
In the village square…
Children ran around, laughter filling the crisp autumn air. An elderly couple fed doves, while nearby, musicians played, blending their melodies into the calm yet lively atmosphere.
Suddenly… two children, both eight years old, came running into the square. One wore a blue cloak, the other a red, their faces shadowed beneath their hoods.
The boy in blue panted. “Sister, wait for me!”
The girl in red was already ahead, looking back. “Brother, you’re too slow! Hurry! We need to get to the bakery!”
They weaved past other children, nearly tripping a few times, until they finally reached the bakery, exhausted and gasping.
Fairy Greatmother and Cinderella perked up at the sight of them, and approached with gentle curiosity.
Fairy Greatmother smiled warmly. “Oh, such sweet little ones. You look tired. Would you like me to get something for you, my dears?”
“I’ll give you some meat and dessert for free,” Cinderella added generously, gesturing toward a table. “Pick any table you like.”
The boy panicked, flailing slightly. “Oh, you don’t need to do that, we’re jus—”
Before he could finish, the girl hopped adorably, full of excitement. “YAAAAAAY! Free food!” She pointed to the best table. “Let’s go to that big table, brother!”
Cinderella chuckled. “That table’s reserved, but you can join Ms. Roselia.”
“Come along, you two,” Fairy Greatmother added kindly. “Follow me.”
The children’s faces lit up as they hurried to the table. They sat side by side, with Fairy Greatmother opposite them.
Cinderella placed trays of sweet baguettes and roasted chicken before them.
“Here you go, enjoy, you two,” she said warmly.
The children’s eyes sparkled in awe. “WOOOOAAAAH!!”
They began munching hungrily, brimming with excitement.
Cinderella, tray held to her chest, leaned forward with curiosity. “You two don’t look like you’re from around here… especially those clothes and cloaks.”
“Indeed,” Fairy Greatmother agreed. “So, what brings you both to Evendelle?” She smiled gently. “And what are your names, my dears?”
The children swallowed their food, sipped their drinks, and wiped their mouths.
The boy pulled back his hood. “My name is Sun.”
The girl also pulled back her hood. “I am Moon.”
Fairy Greatmother and Cinderella blinked in astonishment. The twins were impossibly adorable.
Then, leaning forward, they asked in unison.
“Umm… can you please tell us about the strange foreign man?”
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しかし、そのようなことが現実にあったかもしれません。
何故ならどんな人間も、悪魔や邪神や悪神に憑依された偽善者なのですから。
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実在の人物、団体等とは、一切関係がありません。
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