Sweet Home

After Vita left Lu's side, Butter came flying around her, pleasantly surprising her. 

"Butter! So you didn't leave me ahahaha!"

The butterfly fluttered its wings around Vita as if answering her, making her smile more. 

After finishing eating her Iced Fruits, or to be specific, her Iced Berries, Vita whispered to Butter. 

"Butter, do you remember the place where we went today? Do you think you can take me there again?"

Although she was warned by her brother, Vita did not want to give up on her friends. She went there and came back alive, she surely could do it again. 

The people around her believed in Nature, but Vita believed in Fate more. 

What happened today seemed like a fate for her. 

Even though it was painful, she was expecting the best. She thought about how her friends would come to life eventually, and was unable to abandon that idea. 

Even if she got hurt, she did not care. 

For her question, Butter seemed to think about it deeply then fluttered its wings slowly as 'yes'.

Vita extended her hand, signaling Butter to rest on her palm, which the latter did obediently. 

"Not today, though."

Looking at the environment around her, Vita realized that it was already sunset. 

The vibrant village was now coated with the mesmerizing shades of golden, yellow, orange and red. While the horizon was mixed with some cool purplish hue, creating a breathtaking scene. 

The Elves and Dark Elves were calling back for their children, telling them that night had come and they should return. 

Vita smiled while seeing that and looked at Butter again, "It's nighttime, we good kiddos don't leave home at night with no perms."

Skipping towards her home, Vita heard a familiar face that made her run faster. 

"Vii! Come back, it's nighttime!"

Rian called out from the door while waiting for Vita to arrive. When she saw her, she smiled gently, "Come now, I made the food ready."

Vita nodded and ran towards her Nanny, gave her a soft hug before jumping inside, "Papa~! Vii is back, you here~?"

"Ah, my precious daughter is back already?"

The Chief called to her kindly before picking her up and letting her sit on his lap. 

"I heard my little Vii played around so much today that she got so hurt?"

'Oops… Rian Nanny must've told papa.'

He softly patted her head while asking, making Vita sweatdrop before forcing a smile. 

"Yeah! Me went around playing with Butter, my new friend! Lookie!"

Butter heard its name and landed on top of Vita's head, displaying its beautiful wings. 

"See? So pretty!"

The Chief's eyes turned sharp for a moment after glancing at Butter before they went back to normal. 

"She is so pretty indeed, I am glad you made a new friend."

"Yes papa! Now me go and wash my hands so we can eat!"

"Yes Vii, go. Your brother should arrive soon as well." Rian chimmed in and helped Vita to stand up. 

Vita nodded happily and went to wash her hands, leaving the Chief and Rian alone. 

"That butterfly is dead."

The Chief suddenly announced in a low voice, alerting Rian who turned to him with confusion, "Huh?"

"That butterfly is clearly a creature that had been brought back to life. Its features could be distinguished easily."

He noticed earlier that the butterfly had some of Vita's aura, and whenever it moved, it produced a faint golden dust. 

In addition, its wings had some golden threads in between. A clear proof that it had been brought back to life by Vita. 

"Vita's power is strong, but it's inevitable to leave traces of it."

Rian brought her finger to her mouth and started nibbling her nail, 'He noticed it fast as well.'

Sensing something different about the butterfly is what made her inform him, thinking she had brought some important news to him. 

But unfortunately for her, he was already deeply aware of the situation, even being able to notice things she could not. 

Rian could still feel her arm hurting despite trying to heal it. Remembering the original pain gave her a headache and her heart was again filled with hatred. 

The Chief was too busy with his own thoughts to notice her, he instead was thinking about how the situation was not that bad with Vita. 

'She is still a mere hatchling.'

He sighed with relief, feeling his chest lighter since Vita did not awaken her full potential. 

'Even if someone discovered her, she is too attached to our village. In addition, she would not be able to help them with her full power.'

The two people in the room had far yet similar thoughts in a way or another, while Vita was innocently washing her hands. 

"I'm back, Dad."

Lu kicked the door open with a loud bang and then waved to the Chief, completely ignoring Rian. 

Rian put on her neutral smile, trying her best to not scoff at his obvious attitude while thinking, 'Brats are surely the bane of my existence.'

"Welcome back, son."

Lu nodded and quickly followed behind Vita, surprising her teasingly and making her yelp. 

Both of the children started bickering like always, making Rian sigh while the Chief hummed silently. 

Both of them had the same idea, 'The usual.'

After that, they gathered around dinner and ate. The Chief also did not forget to ask Lu and Vita about their day. 

"Nothing much, I came back and teased the living shit out of our adorable Vita and bought some snacks for her before going around aimlessly, ya know, the usual."

Vita sweatdropped at that explanation before confirming it and also mentioning some bits of her adventure today, trying to be as vague as possible. 

Eventually, the meal had ended. The Chief stood up and patted Vita's head and Lu's shoulder. 

"Be good, I have some more work to do tonight. So I'll say goodnight in advance."

Lu nodded nonchalantly while Vita showed a sad expression before hugging him, "Okies papa! Me gonna be good girl for tonight~"

"Just tonight?" The Chief repeated, clearly teasing her. 

"Muuu! Me always good!"

Rian and the Chief laughed at her, and even Lu chuckled softly.