I never expected that my sister and Ace would arrive with Custard so soon. In fact, I did not even expect them to arrive until the next day. They arrived in the middle of the night, with my sister holding on tightly to me after their arrival. Custard must have given her a brief explanation of what had happened. 
I guess Custard told her more because she is being hysterical right now, and I am glad for Ace’s presence to calm his wife.
“Rose, I don’t think that I can go on with my explanation if you keep hugging me like this.” I try to break free from my sister’s death grip, but when that did not work. I look to Ace for some assistance.
“Honey, give her space and allow her to explain. Come on.” Ace pulls my sister away from me. He gently pries her hands away from me, wiping tears off her cheeks. I can’t help but feel a mixture of happiness and sadness when I see him caring for Rose. It just means that my sister chose a good man who can take care of her when I am not around. Seeing their display of affection before used to make me cringe, but now it gives me a sense of comfort.
“Stella…” Rose can barely speak any words right now, but I understand what she wants to say even when she just says my name.
“I’m sorry.” I tell her, giving her a casual smile. “But if you allow me to explain, it would make sense why I did what I did.”
Looking at Kellar, Chace, Rose, Ace, Javi, and Custard before me, I started to tell them about what Serena told me about the history of the Enchanted Forest. Serena has come in the middle of my explanation and added a few stories on how the guardians have the ability to replenish and harness the magic of the forest. They are from generations of tamers, and although I am not part of the tamer race, I still share a fraction of their blood.
Serena managed to add that my abnormal magical power as a winter fairy is also proof that I am this generation’s guardian, given the fact that my last outburst of magical power managed to clear and replenish the magic of the forest for a little bit.
“As you guys have heard, it’s inevitable that I will become the guardian one way or another.” My gaze lingers on Kellar, who seems to be shrouded with guilt even before we started to explain to them about my newly appointed role. When he just continues to sit there in silence, I start to grow a little worried. “Kellar?”
I did not mean to draw any attention to him, but the others have begun to follow my gaze. Now, Kellar is at the center of our attention.
“I know that you are trying to imply that this isn’t my fault, but I just—I still can’t help but feel like it is.” His hair covers his eyes as he further angles his head down. “If I hadn’t done that, then you wouldn’t have had to become the guardian at a much earlier date.”
I understand how serious the atmosphere is in the cave, but I cannot help myself when I start to snicker. Heads begin to turn toward me, probably wondering why I’m laughing.
“I’m sorry, but come on. I already told you that it is inevitable. Perhaps I feel like the events happened for a reason.” I turn to gesture to my sister. “Take my sister, for example. She helped out an old woman and ended up in this realm, where she met her husband and helped restore a race that was thought to be extinct.”
“Yeah.” Serena pops out to agree. “She also managed to reel in that serial killer over there.” She points at Ace, whose expression begins to darken.
“You know, I don’t think I have ever killed a nymph before. Do you want to be the first one to volunteer?” Ace menacingly says, which ended up with my sister having to pull his ear for such harsh words.
“Don’t you dare.” Rose chides him. 
The scene made Serene chuckle. She looks at me and humbly points to the couple with her thumb. “See what I mean?” She refers to Rose. “Your sister is the ultimate beast tamer.”
“Let me ask this again.” Chace, who has been rather quiet this whole time, finally decides to speak up. “Does this mean that Stella is going to live here? In this forest? Forever?”
“Kid, get with the program and listen.” Serena points a glance at him and presses her hands on her hips like a grandmother scolding her grandchild for not listening. “Stella is now the guardian, which means this will be her new home.” As Serena says the last part, I notice how her tone and expression have fallen, but she quickly shakes it off with a quick shake of her head. “B-Besides, Stella won’t be alone. My sisters and I would be there to provide everything for her. It’s not just us, but also the spirits living here.”
I feel myself smiling at her. It’s not everyday that I get to see Serena expressing her true feelings like this. It somehow eases my anxiety a little bit. 
“Stella can’t leave the forest at all?” Rose questions. I can see that she is trying her best to control her anguish when she asks the question. “She…she will no longer be able to visit the kingdom?”
Serena shakes her head apologetically. “I’m sorry, but her life is now tied to the forest. One cannot live without the other anymore. If Stella leaves, it might have a significant effect on her…body. I would rather not think about the worst thing that could happen if she does, nor do I want to risk it. The same goes for the enchanted forest.”
Silence befalls us, and I take it upon myself to break the deafening silence. I plaster on a brave face and hope that my voice won’t shake as I say the next words.
“Come on, guys. It’s not like we can’t see each other after this.” I try to sound enthusiastic, but I hear my voice faltering at the end sentence. “Listen, I may not be able to leave, but that does not mean that you guys cannot visit, am I right?”
Custard, Rose’s wolf familiar, leaves my sister’s side and goes over to rub his head affectionately on my hip. Even without words, I know that Custard is trying to comfort me. I reach down and scratch the back of his ear, when I notice that my vision is getting blurry. That’s when I realized that I was crying.
“Damn it.” I wipe away my tears. “I’m just tired. It’s been a long day. Really. I’m not lonely. I will be alright.”
I catch sight of Kellar, Chace, Rose, and Ace exchanging glances. Then they get up and come over to me one by one. Rose is the first one to embrace me, while Kellar, Chace, and Ace remain to stand in front of me, only giving me small smiles and encouraging nods.
“Don’t worry. I will visit as often as I can. I will even bring the kids with me next time.” My sister promises. 
“Nothing is going to change other than where you live.” Ace adds, in support of his wife. He comes to stand by her side, placing an arm over her shoulder. “Well, nothing is changing except the fact that the crown prince over there can no longer ask for your hand in marriage.” He smirkingly points a finger at Chace, who is flushed bright red in embarrassment.
“That’s…That’s not the only reason why I care for Stella, you know!” Chace starts stammering some other words before pointing at Kellar to divert the attention back to him. “Why are you guys only picking on me? What about him?!”
Kellar crosses his arms and stares at Chace in an unbothered manner. “I have no kingdom to rule. And, as a matter of fact, I’m currently residing in the enchanted forest, which means that I’ll be living together with Stella from now on.” He smirks victoriously at Chace, fully knowing that the male winter fairy can’t do the same as he has responsibilities to his kingdom.
“Hold that thought for a moment.” Ace interrupts them and addresses Kellar. “If you’re feeling better, I will need you to go back with us to Gija. There are a few rogues who are looking for you. Since the others could not get them to talk, we figure that you might be able to resolve whatever issues they have.”
Kellar looks taken aback. It seems like he wants to argue, but knowing that it’s Ace who he will be up against, he decides to just go along with the plan. “I don’t know if I can help, but I will give it a try.”
Speaking of responsibilities, I just remembered something. 
“Hey, Rose, will you hand the key to the human realm to Kellar?” My sister gives me a questioning look, which reminds me that I have to follow it up with an explanation. “You know how Kellar’s other half has a life in the human world? Well, I figure that he should deal with his duties there, as Leo. Otherwise, the people who knew him will begin to question his disappearance.”
“That’s a good suggestion. I’ll think about it.” When Rose lowers her gaze and places a finger to her chin, appearing like she is thinking about it, I already know that she has made up her mind. I know for a fact that she trusts Kellar enough to allow him access to the human realm. 
“I think that you guys have to go now. We don’t want you guys to return at the break of dawn, am I right? Arcie and Klaus might be worried.” I tell my sister. Just mentioning their children’s names is enough to remind them of their responsibilities not only as parents but also as the king and queen of Gija.
My sister kisses my forehead. “You need rest as well. Get some sleep, and we will visit you soon. Alright?”
“I’ll leave a crow nearby. If you want to send a message, just whistle, and it will come to you.” Ace ruffles my hair, hiding the fact that he is grinning. “Even if you just want us to bring you specific food, just send us a message.”
Our heads turn when we hear Kellar coming close. He looks at me before looking at Ace and Rose. “Do you guys mind if I talk to Stella for a bit? I want to thank her properly.”
Rose gives him a smile. “Of course. But make sure to follow us outside. We need you in Gija.”
“I will, teacher.” Hearing Kellar refer to my sister in this way brings back warm memories of when she served as an important mentor to him as he learned the ropes of taming. I guess my sister felt the nostalgia as well, because she grins and pinches his cheek the way that she did when he was a kid.
“You know the rule, right? Five minutes. Nothing more.” My sister jokingly tells him before beckoning Ace and Custard to follow her out.
Ace and Rose begin to leave. When they passed by Chace, Ace went and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and began to drag him along. “You’re coming with us. You’ve been very troublesome lately, both you and your mother.”
  “Wait, I want to talk to Stella too!” Chace tries to break free, but he has no such power against my brother-in-law's deathly grip. Serena, who has been listening to us, understands that Kellar wants some privacy and begins to lead herself and Javi out.
Once the room cleared, Kellar finally decided to look at me.
“I know how you hate hearing this from me, but I still want to apologize, not only for what happened today but also for what I did. I was being stupid and acting out. I should have talked to you and Chace. I shouldn’t have separated my soul.”
“Yes, you shouldn’t have.” I agreed. “I hope you won’t ever think about separating your soul again, because it was rather pointless, no? There’s not even an ounce of evil spec in your soul.”
My statement managed to bring a chuckle out of Kellar. “I suppose that you’re right, but I would not dismiss my actions as pointless. With my soul separated, it made me realize one important thing.”
“Is it so important that you risked asking permission from my sister and brother-in-law for some alone time with me?”
“Definitely.” He nods, trying to hide a laugh. “I realize that no matter how many pieces I separate my soul into, they will still care for one person.” My playful manner disappears, and I stand before Kellar with no words formulating in my mind on how to respond to him. “Stella, just like you told me that I wasn’t alone, you’re not alone either. I’ll be here for you when you need me to be.”
I hesitated with my next words because I feared that I might accidentally put a pressure on him. Kellar has to get out of the enchanted forest for a long time due to his responsibilities. As Leo, he’s going to meet new people out there. I want him to have the chance to enjoy the time he missed getting sick. 
I pinch his nose, chuckling when Kellar lets out a noise of protest. “Tell that to me after you finish what you need to do outside, Kellar. You still have homework to do, as far as I remember.”
Kellar’s expression becomes hesitant. It appears that he has a lot of things that he wants to say, but hearing my words has left him with no choice but to withhold them. He surprises me by drawing me into another strong embrace, burying his face in my hair. “I promise, I’ll visit so often that you’ll get sick of seeing my face.”
I blanked out of words to say, so I just nodded my head and agreed to what he was saying. His words sound so sweet and compelling that I almost agree with him, but I know better than to get my hopes up because time is our enemy and there’s no telling how long he'll keep his promise.