Mia gasped as she jolted awake.
"...!"
She was soaked in sweat. Shivering from a cold, clammy sensation, she stumbled out of bed. She needed a glass of cold water—fast.
—So, how was it?
Welcoming her back was that tiny fairy again.
"You...!"
She was still here. That so-called fairy.
Smiling gently, she looked right at Mia. Mia had been sure it was all a dream—but there she was, exactly as she had appeared before.
—So? How was my world? It had to be better than here, right?
"No? I nearly died in an earthquake."
Mia muttered as she walked to the fridge, still trying to calm her pounding heart.
"Earthquake...?"
The fairy tilted her head thoughtfully, then snapped her fingers as if something occurred to her.
—Oh, that? That wasn't an earthquake. Sometimes trolls dance, and the ground shakes when they do. Must've been one of those times.
The fairy floated beside Mia as she gulped down water. The sound of her wings buzzed annoyingly in Mia's ear, and her mind was spinning.
What the hell did I just experience? Who—or what—is this fairy?
The idea that a fairy could invade her dreams felt completely unreal. Not that any of this made sense to begin with—she'd just polished a gemstone ring, and then this creature had appeared.
Where should she even begin questioning? Mia fiddled anxiously with her water glass, trying to collect herself. But the fairy didn't seem to care. Instead, she cheerfully pressed forward with her own agenda.
—All right, let's get down to the contract now, shall we?
"...What contract?"
—Well, think about it. That place you went to in your dream—did you like it or not?
Mia paused. It was strange and surreal, sure, but if she had to choose between yes or no... then yeah, she guessed she had liked it.
The clear blue skies, the delicious food... Sure, the sky had literally collapsed at the end—but even with that, it had felt more peaceful, more hopeful than her current reality.
She still didn't understand why she was being asked this, but after some hesitation, she answered.
"...Yeah. I liked it."
—Then? Want to go live there for a bit?
That phrasing made her stomach drop. Live there? She hadn't considered that.
"Live there...? For how long?"
—Relax. I'm not asking you to stay forever. Just six months. How about it?
"Six months is kinda long… and it's not like I've got anything to do there…"
Noticing her startled reaction, the fairy winked. Normally, Mia would've dismissed such nonsense outright and gone back to sleep. But... her mouth still remembered the taste of all that tempting food she didn't get to eat.
Sensing the shift in her mood, the fairy's voice took on an innocent, persuasive tone.
—You'll be paid an enormous amount when you're back. Enough to live comfortably for the rest of your life.
Before she could stop herself, Mia blurted out words she never thought she'd say.
"...Are you serious?"
—Of course! Fairies don't lie, unlike humans.
The fairy's large golden eyes sparkled, her smile as warm as sunlight. Her sweet, sincere face began to wear down Mia's defenses.
Seizing the moment, the fairy continued.
"My full name is Mithys Nel Suberios! I'm a candidate to be the next queen of the Crystal Kingdom, Sibareth. By tradition, the king of Sibareth can only marry someone from the same bloodline. And somehow... I ended up being the candidate. But I have absolutely no interest in getting married. And being queen sounds like a total nightmare."
"...So?"
"So! I want to switch with you. I'll make it so I'm officially 'missing' for six months, and in the meantime, you can act as the queen candidate in my place. What do you say?"
"You think that makes sense? I'm not even a fairy like you."
"You don't need to change your appearance. You can go as you are."
"That's not even possible—"
Mia started to protest, but Mithys cut her off firmly.
—I'll figure it out. So? Are you in or out?
Mia hesitated. It sounded insane—but... there was something tempting about it.
She was 22, currently on leave from university. Working at a company by day, at a part-time job by night. Her only day off was Sunday. And even so, all her money disappeared into living expenses, making it nearly impossible to save for tuition.
Every day was a struggle. And lately, the exhaustion had started to feel dangerous—like she might just collapse from burnout.
"...Fine. Okay."
—Then congratulations, Mia. You're now a candidate for Queen of Sibareth.
And just like that, Mia missed three red flags.
First, she agreed to a completely ridiculous proposal: going to another world to pose as a royal bride.
Second, she didn't notice how Mithys's eyes had gleamed strangely when she accepted.
And third, she didn't question how the fairy already knew her name.
—Oh, right! But before we go, I need some cherry tree sap.
Mia blinked. Just moments ago, Mithys had acted like they were heading straight for the kingdom—now she was making some random request?
"Cherry tree sap?"
—Yep. It's kind of like food for us fairies. Any trees like that nearby?
"There are some on the hillside behind my school… I guess."
Mia lived near her university, and there were plenty of cherry trees around campus and in the nearby woods.
She eyed Mithys skeptically.
She's not seriously going to follow me outside looking like that, is she...?
As if reading her mind, Mithys spun in the air—and transformed into a large butterfly with lime green wings.
—There. All better. You can safely take me outside now.
Mia flinched. Can this fairy read minds, too? No… that had to be a coincidence.
Either way, Mithys was fluttering impatiently, so Mia gave in and headed out with her.
The two entered the quiet woods behind campus, where no one else was around.
—Oh? What's that...
Suddenly, a large silver ring appeared in the air.
It slowly shifted to orange… and then whoooosh—it ignited in a blazing circle of flame.
Mia stood frozen, unable to even scream.
The heat of a midsummer night intensified as the fire blazed brighter and brighter. She squinted against the blinding light, shielding her eyes—
—Salamander...
A low, deep voice echoed.
—Shhh, Salamander. Come now. That's it...
The voice was soft, gentle—like someone calling a beloved pet.
Mia lowered her hand from her eyes.
Inside the ring of fire stood a burning lizard-like figure… and a man. It looked like fire had taken on a human form.
His shoulder-length hair was a blend of crimson and deep red, pulled into a half-tie with what looked like a bronze band. His hair glowed like actual flames.
His eyes—huge and black, like bottomless wells—blinked at her.
Mia shivered as they met her gaze. Something about him felt off. Maybe because he had literally come from fire?
—Oh, Leca. What are you doing here?
Mithys broke the silence.
The man dropped to one knee before her.
—I've come to escort you, Lady Mithys.
He rose slowly and extended his arm toward the lizard, as if inviting it forward. Strange black markings ran up his skin.
The lizard closed its eyes in contentment, as if someone were petting its head.
Then, with a soft whoosh, it vanished into the man's arm.
At the same time, the fiery ring extinguished. The silver outline shimmered briefly, then faded completely.
The man's appearance shifted as well. His Grecian black tunic had changed to a plain white shirt and black trousers. But the unsettling aura around him remained.
Without even glancing at Mia, he spoke to Mithys.
—It's time to return. Everyone is worried.
—I'm not going. I want to stay here.
—But I've been ordered to bring you back, Lady Mithys.
—This girl will go in my place.
Mia flinched. Mithys, still in her butterfly form, seemed to be giggling.
The man—who had completely ignored Mia until now—finally turned to look at her.
There was a strange weight in his gaze.
—She's going in your stead?
—Yup. So take good care of her.
The man tilted his head as he studied Mia. His obsidian eyes shimmered under the moonlight.
Mia scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
"Um… should I say… nice to meet you?"
The man looked her up and down but said nothing.
Then he turned back to Mithys.
—This prank has gone too far.
—Hmph. Whatever, Leca. Even if I do have to go back eventually… I'm not ready yet.
—What are you saying?
—I mean, I want to enjoy this world a bit longer! Kya-ha-ha!
With a twirl in the air, Mithys vanished—leaving only her laughter echoing through the empty forest.
Where the hell did she go?
To find cherry sap on her own?
Probably.
Now it was just Mia and the strange man called Leca, alone in the dark forest.
Before Mia could even say anything, Leca disappeared too—just like that.
No sound. No explanation.
Gone, both of them.
Like a dream on a summer night.
Mia stood there blankly for a moment before heading home. No one followed her. No trace of either remained.
I must really be exhausted lately... I should take something and get a full night's sleep.
That's what she thought.
But the moment she got home and opened the front door—
She froze.