Audrey had never heard the term ‘girlfriend’ before, but when Jon looked into her eyes and said, "I want you to be my girlfriend," she didn’t hesitate. "Okay," she responded, even if she didn't quite understand what it meant. The fairy realm didn’t have such a term, and when she heard it, she simply assumed it meant he wanted her to be his female friend. She found it strange to specify gender but shrugged it off. There was a lot of things she didn’t quite understand about the mortal realm. “I suppose it’s only natural. We’re not quite strangers anymore after all.” They had traveled around quite a bit by now and she had spent most her time with Jon when she could.

Jon smiled, gently pushing a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered, and for a brief moment, Audrey thought he might kiss her. But he paused, noticing the slight point in her ear. "You have a pointed ear," he noted, examining it. “I have one too.” He added, turning his head to point at his left ear which ended at a point.

Audrey grinned and showed off her other ear, “Both of mine are pointy.”

They both shared a laugh and Jon seemed to lean in again, but their moment had been interrupted by Luca, who appeared, calling out, “Jon, the cars are ready!”

Jon’s smile faded, clearly irritated as he tore his gaze away from Audrey, “Poor timing.” He said to Luca as he began walking toward him. They had just landed from their trip and had Luca set up their rides home.

Later that evening, Audrey rushed home, eager to tell Zelda what had happened. She proudly showed off the pendant Jon had given her—a large, shining piece that glittered like a star.

Zelda, ever watchful, raised an eyebrow. "Where did you get that?"

"It was a gift from a boy," Audrey replied, almost casually.

Zelda’s mind raced. She's good at acquiring artifacts, she thought. But aloud, she asked, "And your story?"

"It's only getting better," Audrey said with a grin.

Just then, Luca passed by. "Talking to your mom?" he teased, eyeing the pendant. "Is that the one Jon gave you?"

Audrey nodded, but before she could answer, Luca added, "Can you believe we’re going to Japan next month? To an anime convention, no less!"

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"Anime? What’s that?" Audrey asked.

"It’s a whole costume thing. Jon’s going as Tuxedo Mask," Luca explained. "I can show you pictures on my phone. You don’t have to go all out—maybe just something simple, like a fairy."

"A fairy can only be a fairy," she retorted, laughing. "You can’t just ‘dress up’ as one!" With that, she darted off.

Luca sighed. "I'll find you a costume."

The convention in Japan was unlike anything Audrey had ever imagined. Characters from all walks of life, dressed in the most bizarre costumes, filled the halls. Jon, dressed as Tuxedo Mask, seemed to fit right in, and Audrey found herself intrigued by it all. Amid the excitement, Jon handed Audrey a couple of jello shots, unaware of the high alcohol content. They both indulged, and soon, the world around them became a blur. As the alcohol took effect, Audrey grew bold. She leaned closer to Jon and whispered, "One day, I'm going to kidnap you and take you to my family."

Jon laughed, not fully grasping her meaning.

"Would you live with me, Jon, if I had to be with you?" Audrey continued.

"You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to," he responded with a lazy smile.

"Look at me," she urged. "What am I?" With that, she took to the air, flying just above the ground in the secluded Japanese garden where they were sitting. Jon, his vision blurry, gazed up at her.

"It almost looks like you're floating... or flying," he murmured before passing out.

Audrey, now fully aware of the situation, called for their security guard, a tall man who was hired by Jon after the tennis incident. He went by Theo, and normally had been resolute and vigilant in his duty, but he, too, had succumbed to the jello shots, Jon having had ordered him to relax and take part in the fun. Sighing, she hoisted Jon onto her back and carried him to the car, her wings fluttering under the strain.

Luca stirred as they reached the vehicle, his voice slurred. "I’d live with you forever," he mumbled, his hand gently squeezing hers.

Audrey smiled and kissed his cheek. "You will now," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she spoke in her fairy tongue.

At the hotel, two men helped carry Jon to his room. Audrey, feeling the effects alcohol herself, took a room across from him. Once settled, she called Zelda.

"I need a guest room prepared," she announced, her words tinged with excitement. "Everything must be perfect when I return."

Zelda was speechless, her thoughts racing. A mortal? In Fairyland? It was unheard of. Zelda’s heart pounded in her chest as she hung up the phone. This was bad—very bad. No one brought mortals to Fairyland. No one. Yet here was Audrey, the princess of the forest, doing exactly that. The king and queen had already been furious when Audrey missed her curfew. They nearly fired Zelda, the only fairy trusted with one of the royal daughters, for letting Audrey venture into the human realm alone. If not for the written agreement—Audrey’s birthday wish to explore the human world by herself—she might have lost her job. Now, bringing a mortal home? It was unimaginable.

Zelda sat down, her mind racing. She had six months to prepare. Six months to create the perfect cover story and guest room. It would have to be flawless, for if the truth got out, it could be her head on the line.