A Star

It was precisely ten months ago after Esther reincarnated as the sixth Prince of Fallenrose.

And coincidentally, his name was the same as his previous one when he was still a fairy.

He still remembered his previous life as a fairy. Living in a supportive and loving herd. And the Queen, Zephirine, was the kindest and strongest fairy that had ever existed. Esther remembered fighting alongside Zephirine against humans thousands of years ago and meeting the first ever human who was just as kind as the Queen, Florence.

After the war ended, Queen Zephirine ordered all mythical creatures to leave the mortal land to prevent any more altercations between humans and Phantoms, the beasts that turned into merciless monsters who would attack anyone that moved, especially humans. And so, Esther went with her and the other three remaining fairies that survived the war to the Land Of Tomorrow, a haven of mythical creatures.

Queen Zephirine told everyone that nobody could step back into the mortal realm, and they all obediently followed her orders. And after some time had passed, Queen Zephirine asked Esther, her most trusted fairy, to check on the miserable, corrupted beasts that resided in the mortal realm because she believed that fairies had the power to help them.

And so, Esther returned to see the beasts left behind in the outlands.

However, while passing through the portal to the mortal world, the portal was sabotaged by none other but his most trusted Queen, Zephirine.

He didn't understand why she did what she did, but the betrayal ruined Esther figuratively and literally.

The small body of a fairy couldn't contain extreme emotions. And because of Zephirine's actions, the magic within Esther's body vanished, and he exploded into a speck of glittery dust.

'What did I do wrong for the queen to banish me to the mortal world?'

Esther asked that question every single day after he was reincarnated.

And so, Esther decided to find the answers himself. And the only way to reach Queen Zephirine is to go to the outlands, where the portal to The Land Of Tomorrow is located.

But going there would be pretty difficult.

First of all, he was a prince. He was born into a doting, overprotective family who wouldn't even let him hold a rattle toy because they worried he would accidentally drop it on his face. It'd be impossible to ask them to take him to the outlands of all places.

Second of all, he wasn't a fairy anymore. Well, he wasn't sure about that yet. He would have to wait until he could speak to see if he could still use his magic.

And if he did have his magic power, it might cause quite a stir. And his plan to go to the outlands with magic would be ruined.

Thirdly, going to the outlands must be done in secret. But he had to go through Executors, the elite soldiers guarding the border.

And if Esther didn't have any magical powers, he would have to join the Llene Academy, the first institution to focus on training cadets to properly and effectively conduct their duties as future Executors to defeat the world's deadliest hazard—Phantoms.

'How troublesome,' Esther thought tiredly, staring at the ceiling.

He missed his home.

He had predicted that the journey home would be quite long.

'I guess this is my new home now,'

Esther yawned and closed his eyes, as it was already nighttime, and babies were supposed to sleep eleven hours a day anyway.

[Click]

[Creaaak]

Someone walked inside the room. And Esther opened his eyes again, eyebrows furrowed in irritation. Who dared interrupt his plan on sleeping like a log?

"You're still awake,"

The Empress!

Esther blinked, looking up at the beautiful woman that gave birth to him.

"Bu?"

Empress Oriana Wintherope Fallenrose. Her blue eyes sparkled like crystals under the dimly light room. Her pale and slender hands slipped inside the crib to pick Esther up and carry him in her arms.

"My sweet little fairy, why are you still awake? Let's get some fresh air before bed," Oriana hummed, walked toward the ornate windows, and went to the balcony.

The night breeze gave a roll of shivers down Esther's spine. The baby sniffled and breathed softly, taking a lungful of the fresh wind.

"Your father is the one who decided your name,"

Oriana suddenly spoke after a small pause. She was looking directly at the moon, and Esther glanced to look at her.

"He thought that after having Violet, we would have another daughter. So he named you Esther. It would be funny to know how he would react knowing that I gave birth to an adorable little boy instead," Oriana smiled softly. Her eyes were laced with longing.

"Do you know what Esther means?"

"Akyu?" Esther babbled questioningly.

"A star,"

'Zephirine told me I came from a star...'

Esther looked upward, counting the sparkling stars blanketing the night sky.

"Hm. I wonder if you did came from a star,"

Oriana whispered thoughtfully, staring onto Esther's face.

'Did she read my mind?'

Esther blinked innocently.

Oriana suddenly leaned in to kiss Esther's forehead. "My baby, don't grow up too fast. I'm afraid people will kidnap you for being too cute,"

'Ha?'

"I was wondering if I should dress you with plastic fairy wings on your first birthday. But I'm sure it'll amplify your cuteness, and increase the possibility of people wanting to snatch you away from me. So I must refrain myself, for your own safety,"

Esther facepalmed.

'Now I know where my siblings get their protective and possessive nature from. It's hereditary...'

"It's getting late. Let's head back inside,"

"Kuu..."

The Empress gently placed Esther inside the crib. She closed the curtains, locked the balcony door, and sauntered over to the door. Before she walked away, she stopped and looked at Esther from over her shoulders.

"Good night, my little fairy,"

"Kya!"

And then the door was closed.

Esther sighed.

He rarely spent much time alone with the Empress. And after hearing the Empress' words, Esther felt his heart stir with nostalgia. A familiar warmth surged through his limbs.

Family's love.

Esther remembered his family. The fairies that stayed by his side, watching them perish one by one during the war, returned with the other three last fairies who helped him deal with post-war trauma.

His new family resembled them a lot.

Esther smiled, eyes fluttering close.