The accident caused Fiona to almost fall, but she held onto a rope. From there she could not only see the statues, but also the Slavic Realm.
Cossette: Fiona…
Fiona: Ghh.
Fiona climbed up the rope.
Cossette: Fiona… my goodness… I was so scared.
Cossette held the rope. She held it at first, but it kept getting weaker as the fastening loosened, so she quickly went to secure the rope more tightly and tried her best.
Cossette: Fiona, I cannot hold it any longer.
Fiona: Okay.
She made it up.
Fiona: Ugh… that was close.
Cossette: Fiona…
Fiona: Are you okay?
Cossette: Yes.
She stood up.
Flight attendant: Ugh… my goodness… are you alright?
Fiona: Yes, it is already settled.
She threw him the tickets.
Fiona: Our tickets.
She walked past him, Cossette holding Fiona's hand.
Fiona: Hahhh… I hate it when there are so many people.
Cossette: Really? Why?
Fiona: I just cannot stand it.
Cossette: I noticed that you like other people, but somehow also not.
Fiona: Hmmm.
They walked on.
Cossette: How long will it take until we reach the Slavic Realm?
Fiona: About two hours. Rest until then.
Cossette: Hmm.
They went into room number 40.
Cossette: Huh.
Fiona: Our room.
She went inside and lay down on the bed.
Cossette: Hahhh… I have to say, I am a bit tired, even though I have not been awake for that long.
Fiona: That could be because of the heavy air. Since we are so high up, there are two cloud layers, the purple one you already know, and the white one. The white one is somewhat above the sea, which is why Moby Dick can swim. But this makes the air denser, so it is clear that you get tired more easily. Come here. Lie down.
Cossette: Hmm… okay.
Cossette lay down on Fiona.
Fiona: Huh… I meant on the bed.
Cossette: Oh.
Fiona: It is fine… stay.
Cossette: Okay.
She gently stroked Cossette's head.
Cossette: Hahhh…
Fiona: Since you are seven, you have to learn more now, Cossette.
Cossette: Naomi always taught me reading and writing when you were at work. Why is she not coming with us?
Fiona: Hmm… I wanted to give her a break.
Meanwhile
Naomi: Hahhh…
She stood up.
Gerrard: What is wrong, can you not sleep?
Naomi: Oh… you are awake too.
She went to the kitchen and made coffee. She was wearing her sleeping clothes.
Gerrard: You seem irritated.
Naomi: I only recently found out that Fiona and Cossette left without me.
Gerrard: They probably wanted to give you some rest. Hey… did you not have fun with me?
Naomi: Hah? Listen… what we did in the evenings stays between us, okay.
Gerrard: Yes, yes.
Naomi: If I hear that you told Fiona, I will not talk to you anymore.
Gerrard: But it is fine. I am sure Fiona would be happy for you.
Naomi: While I am here, Fiona is still working hard… very hard.
Gerrard: Hmmm… it probably does not bother her.
Naomi: Well… as long as everything goes well.
Gerrard: And what about us?
Naomi: What? Our relationship? Hehehe… I am glad you are here, no question.
Gerrard: Turns red. But it is strange… I am clearly older than you. You are 24, right?
Naomi: Yes… still, you are only eight years older, so it is fine.
Gerrard: Hmm.
Naomi: Does the Dark Bride know about it?
Gerrard: She knows that we are together, nothing more.
Naomi: Hahhh… I have to say, I miss Cossette.
Gerrard: Hmm… you are like a mother, you know that? You take care of her very often.
Naomi: Hmmm… hehehe… I used to be an actress and model known for my shamelessness… now I take care of a child.
Gerrard: People change.
Naomi: Hmm.
She looked toward the window.
Naomi: Still… I think it is better this way too. One should not just show their body… only to the person it is meant for… like you, for example.
Gerrard: I see… then I guess I am the lucky one.
Naomi: Hehehe… I guess I am.
Gerrard was wearing his black clothes.
Gerrard: Hmm… may I come again tomorrow?
Naomi: Hm? Sure… I will wait for you, my dear.
Gerrard: Oh… stop that, it is embarrassing for me.
Naomi: Are you leaving already?
Gerrard: Yes.
Naomi: Then take care of yourself.
She went to him and kissed his cheek.
Naomi: I will wait here, okay?
Gerrard: Okay.
He climbed out of the window.
Naomi: Hahhh…
She slowly drank her coffee.
Naomi: Cossette… Fiona… take care of yourselves. I hope you come back safe and sound.
A few minutes later
On Moby Dick's ship
Cossette: Hahhh…
Fiona: Hmm.
She was reading a book about plants.
Fiona: Hmm… a plant that ensures better sleep… is there also one for less sweating?
Cossette: Hahhh… drools.
Fiona: Cossette… great… drool on my chest… thank you very much.
She stroked Cossette's head while continuing to read.
Fiona: Oh here… vervain is not only good for hunting, but also for the skin… ensures that you sweat less… warning… not before romantic relations… oh… why actually? Oh… because it causes burning if someone has weak skin… I see… hahhh… Cossette is still drooling and it is now reaching my shoulder and neck… great… next time I will get a scarf or something… a towel.
She chuckled softly and continued stroking Cossette, this time on her back.
Fiona: But she is really cute when she lies like this… I have to say I like it… only the drool is not great… sniff… did she fart? Well, whatever… shows a healthy body… I just hope she did not trust that fart too much.
Cossette: drooling… mmm… Fiona… mmm… you are so warm… hmmmmm…
Fiona: Hmm? Cossette, are you awake?
Cossette: snores.
Fiona: Mumbling in her sleep… she really has a wild sleep… reminds me of Mona… I should visit her grave sometime… Parzival's and Noelle's graves as well… for that I have to go back to Dehl… that was a really long time ago… about eight months… oh… that reminds me… today I turned 21 years old.
Cossette: Huh? Huh! You turned 21, it is your birthday!
Fiona: Sweating… you were awake the whole time? I hope not… otherwise there will be trouble because of the drool and the fart earlier.
Cossette: No, I was asleep… and besides, I do not fart.
Fiona: Then why does it stink here?
Cossette: Oh…
Fiona: Hahhh… Finrow?
Finrow: Hello.
Fiona: You stupid rabbit, it was you.
Finrow: Sorry… hehehe.
Fiona: Do it before you leave.
Cossette: Hmm, Finrow, since when are you even here?
Finrow: For a little while.
Fiona: Ughhh.
Cossette: Oh.
She stood up.
Cossette: Hmm?
Fiona: Get ready.
It was time. They could see the Slavic Realm. They were in Van Petersburg, one of the largest cities of the Slavic Realm. The Slavic Realm is very large and consists of several levels: the Prussia level where Cossette and Fiona currently are, then the second level Dnipol, the third level Titia, and the fourth Eger Brünn. These are the four levels. In Prussia it is damn cold, while Titia is actually known for its pleasant weather and nature. Dnipol lies more in the middle. Eger Brünn even lies in the water. In any case, the Slavic Realm is huge. Only Buguslovia is larger. Buguslovia is the largest realm in Grimmhoth, but no one dares to go there because it is very strict. Even the Dark Umbrella has no business there.
Cossette: Hmm… cold.
Fiona: Let us go there. We will buy better jackets for you and me.
They bought something in a shop.
Saleswoman: Priviet.
Fiona: Priviet.
Cossette: Huh?
Saleswoman: Oh, you are not from here. Can you speak Prussian?
Fiona: Lish' nemnogo, only a little.
Saleswoman: Do you want jackets?
Fiona: Gladly. One for me and one for the little one, please.
Saleswoman: Ohhh… nu, malyshka?
Cossette: Huh?
Cossette looked at her. Suddenly the saleswoman's behavior changed.
Saleswoman: Oh… Vesnushki, fu. Isporchennyye semena.
Fiona: Hmm?
Cossette: Prostite menya.
Fiona: Ugh.
Saleswoman: Huh… oh… I am sorry.
Cossette became sad, made a sad face, and hid her face with her hat. Fiona looked at the saleswoman.
Saleswoman: It… it is sorry… I did not know that she… speaks Prussian.
Fiona: Oh really? So it is fine as long as she does not understand it? You know what… I do not need your jackets at all.
Salesman: Hmm, what is going on here?
A salesman suddenly appeared.
Saleswoman: Ughh.
Fiona: Hmmm.
Salesman: Hmmm?
Cossette looked at him slightly, then hid again.
Salesman: My daughter, did I not tell you to stop insulting other girls with freckles? I am sorry. As compensation, I will give the little one the jacket with a discount. I will give you this jacket, very cute. It usually costs 700 coins, but because of my daughter's behavior, I will give it to you for only 300 coins.
Fiona: Thank you.
Salesman: And for you, I have this here.
He spoke with an accent, strongly rolling the R.
Salesman: How about this one?
It was a winter jacket, still not too tight, and it also had a hoodie.
Salesman: Also 700 coins. I will give it to you for 400 coins because my daughter insulted your child.
Fiona: She is not my daughter. I just take care of her.
Salesman: Oh… hahaha… no problem. Still 400 coins.
She gave him 1100 coins and then left.
Cossette: Hmm.
Fiona: I did not know that you speak Prussian.
Cossette: I can. Jean Valjean and I were there once. Their tribe originally comes from Demari. Some regions there also speak Prussian.
Fiona: Okay, I understand.
They walked on.
Cossette: Hmm.
Fiona: Do not listen to her. I think you look cute.
Cossette: It is not the first time someone called me that because of my freckles. Corrupted seed, that is what they called me when I was younger. Even though I do not have many, just some on my cheeks… and a bit on my nose.
Patch, patch, patch.
Fiona: Ugh, huh?
A girl slowly walked toward them. She had purple hair, looked cute, and wore a maid headdress. She stumbled, but Fiona caught her.
Fiona: Ugh… hey.
Maid: Please… please let me go… hahh… they are after me.
Fiona: Huh?
Some people came. They were people with clubs.
Thug: Hehehe… hahaha… come on… what is it, Milena?
Milena: Hh…
Fiona: May I know what exactly you intend to do with her?
Thug: She owes us money… hehehehe.
Milena: Mmm… trembling.
Fiona: She owes you nothing. Watch out, I am an officer. Get lost.
Thug: Ugh… hehehe… if that is so…
Fiona: Hahhh…
He attacked her, but at that moment Bob appeared and slashed his hand.
Splash.
Thug: Urkkk.
Fiona: If you use your hand to hit children, then you have no right to it.
Female thug: What… ghhhhhh.
They quickly ran away.
Milena: Thank you… thank you very much.
Fiona: Are you okay?
Milena: Yes… I am… I am fine.
She had short hair and purple eyes, about 150 cm tall, at most 15 years old.
Fiona: What did they want from you?
Milena: I… I accidentally bumped into someone. I apologized, but… that was not enough. I was on my way to meet someone.
Fiona: And who exactly?
Milena: A certain woman who works for the Dark Umbrella. I think her name was… Lady Mystery… Fiona Househould.
Fiona: Oh… that is me.
Milena: Ugh… really?
Fiona: Yes, I am Fiona Househould.
Milena: Oh dear… that is embarrassing… I am sorry.
Fiona: Can you stand?
Milena: Yes. The Dark Umbrella… invited my mistress to welcome you warmly. I also work with my mistress in the Dark Umbrella. The group is called Lady Margerita.
Fiona: Oh… okay.
Milena: My name is Milena Irina Iwanow. I am 13 years old. It is very nice to meet you, and thank you for earlier, and sorry for the trouble. I… I arrived only recently. My instructor is Lady Margerita, and because I am so clumsy… she wanted me to join the Lily Moon.
Fiona: Oh…
Milena: Unless you are against it.
Fiona: She is damn cute.
Cossette: You are damn cute.
Fiona: Hmm?
Milena: Ugh… what did you say?
Cossette: You are so cute, Milena. You are really adorable.
Fiona: Cough… alright… but why does no one know about this?
Milena: Oh… that is because I only arrived today. Mr Meliodas was probably informed not long ago, or he forgot.
Fiona: Wait a moment.
She went to the telephone booth.
Meliodas: Hello?
Fiona: Master, do you know a Milena Irina Iwanow?
Meliodas: Hmm? Is she so cute that you want to bite her cheeks?
Fiona: Well, she is cute, but biting a minor's cheeks… I do not know. Is it true that she is joining us?
Meliodas: Yes, yes. I called Margerita about it. She could become friends with Cossette, right? And besides, she does not deserve to keep living with that witch.
Fiona: Okay.
She hung up.
Fiona: Alright… agreed, Milena.
Milena: Huh?
Fiona: So… let me introduce myself. Fiona Househould, Fiona Philomela Househould, also known as Lady Mystery. Detective, focused on cases in the area of Nemesis and the Black Hole, and mysteries. I hope you know why I am here.
Milena: Uh… yes, because of the flying castle, right?
Fiona: Yes.
Milena: Hehehe… then I can help you. Lady Margerita is waiting for you, Lady Fiona.
Fiona: Lady?
Milena: Oh… I thought since you look so wonderfully beautiful and are dressed like that…
Fiona: Oh… thank you.
Milena: Then please follow me.
They followed her.
Fiona: You are 13, right?
Milena: I… I will soon be 14… on July 29.
Fiona: Ah, I see. That is soon.
Cossette: Hmm.
Fiona: Why are you dressed like a maid?
Milena: Hehehe… I am… a maid, so to speak. I mean… it gives me more trust… hehehe.
Fiona: And the chains?
Milena: Oh… for my curse.
Fiona: You are cursed?
Milena: Yes. I was cursed with the curse of Cinderella.
Fiona: Ugh… you must be really strong to endure a curse like that. It is the third strongest after Death, Rudeus, and Rumpelstiltskin. What exactly does your curse do?
Milena: Oh… it is not that bad. I just cannot control myself then, and my skin turns gray. I think it is called the Butterfly's Tear.
Fiona: I see.
Milena: Because of that I have a problem in my body.
Fiona: What do you mean?
She went to a corner and then showed her shoulder.
Milena: That there.
Fiona: Ugh.
Cossette: Huh?
Milena: Hehehe… no reason to be so shocked.
Her arm was completely blue. There was a butterfly on it.
Milena: I can barely use my left arm.
Fiona: Ugh… I see. That is why you pulled me with your right hand, but when I looked at you, you pulled me with both, only your left was much weaker.
Milena: Hehehe… Dytyna metelykiv, child of butterflies, that is what some call me. But mostly Charivnyk metelykiv, magician of butterflies.
Fiona: Wait… that is not Prussian, is it? Are you from Dnipol?
Milena: Hehehe… no, no. Well, my mother came from there, but I grew up in Eger Brünn. They speak Weimaric and Prussian there, often also East Slavic.
Fiona: I see. Tell me, Milena…
Milena: Yes?
Fiona: Can you speak Weimaric, or were you there? Actually, it is more accurately called Germanic.
Milena: Oh… here they say Weimaric. Okay… thank you for the information, hehe.
She smiled again. Fiona smiled back at her. She liked Milena. She was cute, respectful, nicely dressed, and had a very gentle voice.
Cossette: Hmmm…
Fiona: Hmm?
Cossette: Pouting.
Cossette is jealous.
Milena: Huh?
Cossette: You are cute… I have freckles.
Milena: Oh… hehehe… did someone make fun of you because of that? Oh come on, I do not think it is bad. Nobles are just like that.
Fiona: Are you a noble?
Milena: Me? Yes… I belonged to a noble family, but personally I do not understand why one should treat others badly because of that. For me it does not matter. Maybe I am naive.
Fiona: Kindness is often mistaken for naivety.
Fiona smiled softly.
Milena: Huh?
Fiona: I have to say, Milena, I like you.
Milena: Huh?
Cossette: I like you too… you are super cute.
Milena: Ugh… ugh… turns red. Please… stop… I… I am not cute… um… you should be careful of me… I am not only clumsy, but if I lose control over my curse, then I hurt innocent people.
Fiona: A question… does this curse stop you from aging?
Milena: Ugh? Yes… I do not age. I can die from wounds or illness, but not from age. Is it the same for you?
Fiona: Yes. With Cossette it is different. She just lives longer.
Milena: I see.
They walked on.
Milena: Soon you will meet Mrs Margerita. She will talk to you about the castle.
Fiona: What kind of castle is it?
Milena: Hm? The Peterhof.
Fiona: Excuse me?
Milena: In the year 1230, the Black Hole appeared here in the Slavic Realm, more precisely in the Prussian area. This caused some castles to simply disappear. But after more than 200 years, one of them returned. The Peterhof.
Fiona: Peterhof.
Milena: Yes.
She turned around.
Milena: It is so large… but only a part of it is back.
Fiona: I see.
Milena: Not only that. People without magic, or with little mana and magical power, completely forgot that such a castle ever existed. Even in books, it simply disappeared. Michealsburg, which was very famous, vanished. The photos, the books, everything. Not only castles were affected. In Eger Brünn, which was also affected by the Black Hole because it lies very close to the Prussian border, speaking animals were seen with two legs. Only 40 years ago they were given rights in Prussia and are now even allowed to vote and were classified as normal folk. This caused many nobles to become angry, but it was necessary. Many people had killed them for fun or even sold them, because back then they were only seen as animals. The people who did this were arrested, but only for a few days.
Fiona: I understand. You know a lot.
Milena: Hehehe… yes. My neighbor was a talking donkey. His name was Ivan Pushkin. He was a good neighbor.
She looked ahead.
Milena: We are here… at the castle, or rather the building of my mistress, Mrs Margerita.
Fiona: Hmm?
Cossette: Does she like pizza?
Fiona: Cossette, please do not ask that when we are inside. I do not feel like turning around to see how she knocks you out with one hit. That woman is dangerous.
Cossette: You know her?
Fiona: I met her once in the Dark Umbrella. People there fear her.
Milena: Ohhh… I see.
Dong, dong, dong.
The door opened. Milena stepped slightly aside.
Milena: Please enter.
Fiona: Hmmm.
Cossette: Uhhh.
They went inside. A woman with very long hair was waiting for them. Long red hair. It was Margerita. Fiona recognized her.
Margerita: Hello, Miss Fiona. It has been a long time.
Fiona: Not long enough.
Margerita: Hehehehe… you still seem to hate me. Perhaps because I took your dolls away when you were still a child? Or because I always hit your stomach when you ate sweets first?
Fiona: Ghhh… I am not here to discuss this. Do you have manners? One should not leave guests outside in such cold weather, witch.
Margerita: Ohhh…
Cossette: Uh…
Milena: Oh dear…
Margerita: Hehe… I assume you arrived later because of Milena?
Clap.
She slapped Milena hard across the face, so hard that she fell to the ground.
Cossette: Huh!
Fiona: Damn it… she is still a child. What are you doing?
Milena: Mmm…
She stood up.
Margerita: Tss… go inside now. And for you it is Ms Margerita, Fiona. I am still higher rank than you. And you, Milena, you stay outside in this cold weather.
Milena: Okay.
Fiona: Stop. I am not going in if you do not let Milena inside.
Margerita: Ugh… what did you say?
Fiona: I will not leave anyone in this cold. Look at her, she is trembling. Is that slap not enough? Either way, Meliodas informed me that you want Milena for our group, the Lily Moon. Should you not stop treating her like this then? How are we supposed to take her in if she is broken?
Margerita: Are you saying this because you pity her, or because you do not want a member to be injured?
Fiona: Pity? It is not wrong to feel pity for a child. Her mouth is bleeding because of your slap earlier. Have you ever heard that you do not hurt children?
Margerita: Go inside… hahhh… my goodness. You too, Milena.
Milena: Thank you very much.
They went inside.