After Margherita's matter was settled, it was time to deal with the issue of the flying castle. Melina would help Cossette and Fiona, since she was more or less safe in Lilly Moon.
Cossette: "Woow… it's so beautiful."Melina: "Huh…"Fiona: "That's the hotel."Cossette: "Hehehe…"
(Meanwhile, in the castle where Margherita was)
(Pump!… Pump!… Pump!)
Margherita: "…hehehe… hahahahahahahaha… hahahahahahahaha… hahahahahaha…"
A flower appeared, and from the flower Margherita emerged in good condition… and young.
Margherita: "…hahahah… it worked… the Flower of Rumpelstiltskin… it truly is fantastic…"
The Lete Flower. This flower belongs to Rumpelstiltskin, Rudolf Rudeus. If that is confusing, Rudeus the dead is called Rudeus and his last name is also Rudeus. Rudeus, Rudeus… anyway. The Lete Flower is a red flower. It is said that if one drinks its water every day, it ensures resurrection. This flower is powerful, and not only that, it works every time as long as one drinks from it daily. That means if Margherita uses it again, she could die but also be resurrected. The only way is to imprison the person for at least five days until the Lete sap leaves the organism. Only then can a person who used the Lete Flower truly be killed.
Margherita: "Hahhh… I thought it was just a legend… but it works… I'm beautiful again."
She looked at herself in the mirror. Long blonde hair and red eyes.
Margherita: "Hahhh… this is beautiful… Fiona… she thought she killed me… hehehe… or rather Milena thought she killed me… but thanks to the judgment of death… I am young again…"
Margherita called her toy named Willi. It can speak and is a bear.
Margherita: "Willi… we finally see each other again."Willi: "Do you want revenge?"Margherita: "Huh?… what, no?… why would I… hehehe… I finally want to be a new person… no longer the evil Margherita, but the kind Margherita…"Willi: "Hmm…"Margherita: "Anyway… Fiona… I still want to kill her…"
(Meanwhile)
They were already in the hotel. Sleeping time, but before that Fiona wanted to do something with Melina.
Melina: "Hmm…"Fiona: "Come with me… we're going to shower…"Melina: "Huh?"Fiona: "I have to wash you… I don't want to be mean, but… could it be that Margherita didn't want you to shower?"Melina: "I… was only allowed once… a month…"Fiona: "Ugh… what… I see… yeah… that must have been it… then come… I'll wash you…"Melina: "No… wait… please…"Fiona: "Hmm?"
She hid herself.
Melina: "Mmm…"Fiona: "Is something wrong?"Cossette: "Huh?"Melina: "…Hmm…"Fiona: "Hmm… hahhh… let me guess… are they wounds?"Melina: "Huh?"
Fiona took off her jacket and showed Melina her shoulder and stomach. There were many wounds.
Fiona: "No reason to be ashamed… I have them too…"Melina: "Ughh…"Fiona: "Even if not… Melina… I will take care of you… just like Cossette… showering… eating… sleeping… money… drinking… you're allowed to…"Melina: "Ughh… huhh…"
She looked at her with full hope.
Melina: "…does that mean… I don't have to… go days without eating anymore?… or eat leftovers?"Fiona: "No."Melina: "I… can sleep… when I'm tired?"Fiona: "Yes."Melina: "I can drink clean water… or even something sweet?"Fiona: "Yes."Melina: "…hhhhh…"Fiona: "Come now… I want to wash you…"
She came out.
Fiona: "Cossette, stay here… I think it's a bit embarrassing for her…"Cossette: "No problem…"
She closed the door.
Fiona: "Show me your wounds."Melina: "Mmmm…"Fiona: "Either way you have to undress…"
She took off her maid outfit. She only had an undershirt on. Fiona looked at her in shock.
Fiona: "…damn… shit…"
Melina had many burn wounds on her chest, hands, and legs.
Fiona: "…no… this is even worse than… mine… was that Margherita?"
Melina nodded with sad eyes.
Fiona: "Tsss… hey…"
She went to her and put her hand on her shoulder.
Melina: "Mm…"Fiona: "You don't need to be afraid… okay…"Melina: "Hmmm…"Fiona: "Hmm…"
She saw Fiona reaching her hand toward her. Melina became scared, trembled, and closed her eyes, but she only felt how Fiona gently placed her hand on her head and softly stroked it.
Melina: "Huh?"Fiona: "…you don't need to pretend to be happy anymore like when we first met… with me, you're allowed to cry… I can't promise that I'll react well… I'm sorry… I'm not good with emotions…"
Fiona wanted to pull her hand away, but Melina held it and placed it back on her own head.
Fiona: "Huch…"Melina: "Please… more…"Fiona: "…hmm…"
She continued stroking her. Melina giggled.
Melina: "Hehehe…"Fiona: "…does that make you happy?"Melina: "Yes… your hand is warm…"Fiona: "Really?… probably because I was wearing gloves… alright… I'll wash you now…"
(Meanwhile)
Cossette continued waiting and humming.
Cossette: "Hmm…"
(Splash!)
Fiona: "Huch…"Melina: "It's warm…"Fiona: "Warm water…"Cossette: "They seem to be having fun… hehehe… why… do I feel scared… I like Melina… and I think it's good that she's with us… but… but… what if Fiona only takes care of her… she's cute… pretty… and quiet…"
(A few minutes later)
Fiona: "Alright… done. I'll dry your hair now."Melina: "Hmm…"
Melina wore an undershirt. Another one that Fiona happened to have, originally for Cossette, but it still fit Melina since she wasn't even 150 cm tall. It was still a bit small, but it worked. Fiona dried her hair.
Melina: "Mmm…"Fiona: "There…"Melina: "Huh?"Fiona: "Finished."Melina: "…tha… thank you… very…"Fiona: "Mhm… so… I'd say we sleep now…"Melina: "Okay…"
They returned to Cossette.
Cossette: "Ohh… Melina… you look great."Melina: "You think so?… hehehe…"Fiona: "Alright… you two lie down on the bed, I'll be right back…"Melina: "…wait, miss…"Fiona: "Fiona… just say Fiona."Melina: "…Fi… Fi… Fiona… if… it bothers you… that we sleep in one bed… I can sleep on the floor… I'm used to it…"Fiona: "It's damn cold… Melina… no problem… come lie down…"Melina: "Huh…"Fiona: "Then I'll carry you…"
She carried her.
Melina: "What… Fi… Fi… Fiona…"
She laid her on the bed very gently.
Fiona: "There…"Melina: "Huh…"Fiona: "Feels good."
Melina touched the bed.
Melina: "Mhm…"Fiona: "I'll be right back… I still need to get my hat… or rather hang it… oh… that reminds me… Melina… you need to see my contract spirits… Mr. Herold… Crane… and Bob, come out… you too, Finrow…"
They appeared.
Melina: "Huh…"Fiona: "This rabbit here is Mr. Herold…"Mr. Herold: "Good day, young lady… my name is Herold Hasemeier…"Fiona: "You're allowed to laugh at his last name…"Mr. Herold: "Sweating…"Finrow: "I'm Finrow… I'm his brother…"Mr. Herold: "No, I don't know him…"Finrow: "Hey!"Crane: "I'm Crane, the crow… Fiona's right hand… hehe… pleased to meet you…"Fiona: "This is Bob… since he's an empty armor, he barely talks… shy or something… alright… you four… Melina belongs to us… be nice to her… Finrow… don't harass her or I'll turn you into rabbit soup…"Mr. Herold: "…ugh… why wait for the risk… cook him now!"Finrow: "Such an asshole…"Fiona: "And you, Mr. Herold… don't scare Melina or I'll cook you…"Mr. Herold: "Sweating…"Finrow: "I bet I taste better than you…"Mr. Herold: "Hmph… you do realize that's not a good thing… ah forget it, I'll go shoot myself in the knee…"
He went back into the hat.
(Bang)
Mr. Herold: "Ughh… that wasn't the knee…"
(Bang)
Mr. Herold: "Urkk… I accidentally pulled the trigger again…"
Finrow: "Sweating…"Fiona: "Finrow, please go back to him before he kills himself…"Finrow: "Sigh…"
He went back in.
Finrow: "Herold…"
(Bang)
Finrow: "Ow… you pig… you shot me… it's me…"Mr. Herold: "I know… otherwise I wouldn't have shot."Finrow: "Ughh!"
Fiona: "Sweating… Crane, go back in too so I can close the hat…"Crane: "Okay…"
He went back in. She closed the hat and hung it up.
Fiona: "Bob… you can go."
He went through her coat.
Melina: "Huhh…"Fiona: "Alright, now we can sleep…"
She took off her jacket and put it on the table. Melina looked at her in confusion.
Melina: "Ughh…"Fiona: "Hmm?"
Melina looked at her own body and then at Fiona's.
Melina: "Ohhh… chest!"Fiona: "Sweating… huh?"Melina: "You have a beautiful figure…"Fiona: "Oh really… I think it's normal…"Cossette: "Sweating… Naomi better not see that…"Fiona: "Sweating… yep… she's got melons…"Melina: "Huh…"
She looked at herself.
Melina: "…I have nothing…"Fiona: "Sweating… you're also thirteen… that's normal… it'll come…"Cossette: "Mhm."
They lay down on the bed. Cossette on the right, Melina on the left.
Fiona: "Alright… sleep now… tomorrow is a long day…"
It was a quiet night. Melina briefly opened her eyes.
Melina: "Huh… hmm…"Fiona: "Hahhh… zzz…"Melina: "Hmm…"Fiona: "Hahh…"
Fiona placed her hand on Melina's head.
Melina: "Huh?"Fiona: "What's wrong… can't you sleep?"Melina: "Oh… um… I'm not used to… sleeping on a bed…"Fiona: "Is that so…"Melina: "Hmm…"Fiona: "Huh… lift your head for a moment…"Melina: "Huh…"
She did so. Fiona tapped her chest.
Melina: "Huh?"Fiona: "Sleep here…"
Melina: "But… that bothers you…"Fiona: "It doesn't… it's a bit harder than a pillow… but if it's better for you…"Melina: "Hmm…"
Melina was shy. Fiona pulled her closer.
Melina: "Huh…"Fiona: "Hahhh… yawn… that's good… sleep peacefully… you're warmer than the blanket…"Melina: "Huh?… did she do that because of that?… no… I don't think so… but… she's so warm…"
Melina held onto Fiona tighter, her face resting on Fiona's chest between chest and neck.
Melina: "Hmm… warm… and smells so nice…"
She fell asleep. Fiona opened her eyes.
Fiona: "…what am I doing here… why am I now taking care of another child… is it because I wished someone had been there for me… Melina suffered almost as much as I did… at least when it comes to Margherita… maybe it's because I couldn't stand watching a child experience the same things I did… being abused by adults… or at least by Margherita…"
Fiona looked at Melina again. Her head was close to her eyes, her lilac hair shining, her eyes closed. Fiona gently kissed her forehead.
(Smack)
Fiona: "Whatever… I will help her and take care of her… and train her to become a good detective…"
(The next day)
Cossette: "Mmmm…"Fiona: "Snoring lightly… hmm?"
She smelled something… food.
Fiona: "…what?… ugh…"Melina: "Good even morning… Fi… Fiona…"Fiona: "Ugh… Melina?"Melina: "I made this food… for you…"Fiona: "Huh?"Cossette: "Huh?"
Cossette woke up.
Cossette: "Huh… oh… what… food?"Fiona: "Are those… mussels?"Melina: "Mhm… mussels and mushrooms… I didn't know if you like them cooked or raw… so I left some raw and cooked some…"Fiona: "Ugh… Melina…"Melina: "That… was… necessary… right?… you surely want me to do something for you…"
She handed her a stick.
Melina: "…hehehe…"Fiona: "…Melina…"
She tried the food.
Fiona: "…it's not really good… but not really awful either… it even tastes… a bit…"
Melina: "Hmm?"Fiona: "Melina… come here please… give me the stick…"Melina: "Ugh… yes…"
She gave her the stick. Melina closed her eyes.
Cossette: "Fiona?!"Melina: "Mmmm…"
(Crack)
Melina: "Huh…"
Fiona broke it.
Melina: "Huh… Fiona?"Fiona: "Melina…"
She placed her hand on her shoulder.
Melina: "Ugh…"Fiona: "That cute face… cannot be hurt…"
She placed her hand on her cheek.
Melina: "Fiona?"Fiona: "Hmm… the food is okay… really…"Melina: "Huh…"
Fiona knelt down so Melina could see her properly, since Melina was much smaller.
Melina: "Ugh…"Fiona: "I told you… you're with me now… with our group… Lilly Moon… I know this is new for you because you're used to things being different because of Margherita… but I wouldn't…"
She hugged Melina.
Melina: "Ughh…"Fiona: "Good girl… I can hear your heartbeat… it's strong… you're scared… that's understandable…"
She put the food on the table and went to Melina.
Fiona: "Come on… eat…"Melina: "But… it's the same food as yours…"Fiona: "So what… there's no hierarchy here… everyone eats what they want… come on… do you want me to feed you or will you eat yourself?"Melina: "Ugh… ughh… can you… please…"Fiona: "Ah… I understand, your hand hurts, right… how did you cook then?"Melina: "I… endured the pain…"
She put it into her mouth a bit… strongly.
Melina: "Mmm."Fiona: "Oh… sorry… Melina, are you okay?"Melina: "Mmm… yes…"Cossette: "Hehe… Melina, I warn you… Fiona doesn't know how to deal with others… so she might say things that sound weird… don't take it personally…"Melina: "Huh?"Fiona: "…hmm… sorry… tell me if I do something wrong…"Melina: "You put your head on my chest…"Fiona: "Ugh… you mean hugging…"Melina: "Why did you want to hear my heartbeat?"Fiona: "Hmm… why actually…"
(Fourteen years ago)
Fiona: "Huh…"Hogwarts: "Looks like the children couldn't endure the experiment…"Fiona: "Huh…"Hogwarts: "Except for the four…"Fiona: "…Ni… Nina?"
(Memory)
Nina: "If you place your head on the chest, you can hear the heartbeat… come on, try it, Fiona…"Fiona: "Huh…"Nina: "Hehehe… see…"
(Pump) (Pump)
Nina: "If it beats fast, it means fear or excitement… slow isn't good either, it means exhaustion… let me hear yours…"
(Pump) (Pump)
She placed her head on Fiona's chest.
Nina: "…it's slow, Fiona… are you not okay?"
Fiona had emotionless eyes and many scars and bandages.
Nina: "You don't look good…"Fiona: "What happens when the heart stops beating?"Nina: "Well… then you have cardiac arrest and you die…"Fiona: "Hmm…"Nina: "Why do you ask?"Fiona: "…I want it to stop… that pumping to stop… I hear it… I hear my own pumping every day… it shows that I'm alive… even though I don't want to live…"Nina: "Don't give up… one day… we will be free…"
(Memory)
Nina: "Ugh… Fiona… aaaaaaaargh…"Fiona: "Huh…"
Her eyes were covered… there was only black.
Nina: "…please… live on for me…"Fiona: "Huh!"
She opened her eyes.
Fiona: "Huh…"
(Ding… ding ding ding… bzzzz…)
Fiona: "Hahhh… what about Nina, where is she?"Hogwarts: "Hmm… she isn't coming back…"Fiona: "Huh?"Hogwarts: "Only Parzival, Noelle, Nolen, Eisenkorb and you survived…"Fiona: "Huh… Nina…"
(Memory)
Nina: "…please… live on for me…"
(Memory)
Nina: "Live… live… live… live for me…"
(Memory)
Nina: "You know… every heart has a sound… like an instrument… yours… is like a sad flute… calling for salvation… screaming for help… and seeking warmth… like a chick desperately seeking the warmth of its mother…"
(End of memory)
Milena: "Huh…"Cossette: "Fiona… why are you crying?"Fiona: "Huh?"
Tears came out. Fiona wiped them away.
Milena: "Did… did I do something wrong?"Cossette: "Huh?"Fiona: "No… no, it's just… something in my eye…"Cossette: "Huh…"Milena: "Huh?"Fiona: "You know, Milena… you asked why I wanted to hear your heartbeat… and that's because every heart has a sound… like an instrument… and yours… is sad… and searching for warmth…"Milena: "Huh?"Fiona: "Cossette's too… but yours is sadder…"Milena: "Really… um…"Fiona: "Yes… Cossette and I… we're here for you…"Milena: "Hmm…"Cossette: "Yes, Milena… no need to be afraid…"Milena: "Hehehe… thank you… very much…"Fiona: "Hehehe… there's your laugh…"Milena: "Hehehe… so… what are we doing today?"Fiona: "We're going to Petershof… but before that… I want to buy you clothes…"Milena: "What… but that's not necessary… I like my maid outfit…"Fiona: "Hmm?"Milena: "Well… the hat… of course… the maid hat…"Fiona: "Keep it… I'll buy you several outfits, including a maid outfit, okay?"Milena: "Huh… is that really okay?"Fiona: "Mhm…"Cossette: "Hehehe…"
(A few minutes later)
Shopkeeper: "Privet… privet… how can I help you?"Fiona: "I want five outfits for the girl with lilac hair… her name is Melina…"Shopkeeper: "Sure… no problem…"Fiona: "A maid outfit as well, please…"Shopkeeper: "Oh… oh…"Fiona: "Don't you have one?"Shopkeeper: "Yes… yes… wait a moment…"
He brought the five outfits.
Shopkeeper: "Here you go…"Fiona: "May she try them on?"Shopkeeper: "Of course… gladly… over there, you can try them on, little one…"Cossette: "Hmm…"Melina: "Thank you… very…"
She went in. She tried the first outfit, a green undershirt.
Melina: "Hmm…"Fiona: "Good for summer…"
The next was a black jacket.
Melina: "Huh…"Fiona: "Good for winter…"
The third was an outfit with long sleeves, light but long sleeved.
Cossette: "Woow…"Fiona: "Good for spring…"
The fourth was a normal outfit, a Victorian style.
Cossette: "Uhhh…"Fiona: "Good…"
The fifth was a maid outfit.
Shopkeeper: "And?"Fiona: "What do you think, Melina?"Melina: "Um… we… we can just take one…"Fiona: "No, you can take as many as you want…"Melina: "Uh… okay… they… they are good…"Fiona: "Okay… price?"Shopkeeper: "Two thousand coins…"Fiona: "Okay…"
She gave him the coins.
Shopkeeper: "Many thanks… I wish you a very nice day…"Melina: "Blushing…"Fiona: "Hmm?"Melina: "Thank you… Fiona…"Fiona: "I did it so you won't freeze or get too hot… nothing more…"Cossette: "Hehe… Melina, get used to it… Fiona doesn't like showing her care and always looks for a way to hide it… don't take it personally…"Fiona: "Hmm?"Melina: "Okay…"
They now set out on their journey… to Kraskau.
(Swoosh)
Petershof Castle flew… and flew onward…
(A few hours later)
Cossette: "Huh… when are we there?"Fiona: "Soon…"Milena: "Look… there!"Fiona: "Hmm?"Cossette: "Huh?"
Petershof flew above them.
Cossette: "Is that the castle… wow…"Fiona: "Good… coachman, follow it…"Milena: "Hmm?"Coachman: "Okay…"
It went a bit faster.
(Ding)
Coachman: "Hmm…"
(Ding)
Milena: "Huh?"Fiona: "We should be there soon…"Coachman: "Huh?"
Suddenly the castle stopped… and fell.
Coachman: "Ugh…"Fiona: "Hold on…"Melina: "Huh?"Cossette: "Oh no…"
Fiona held the two and made sure they lay on the ground.
(Crash)
The castle landed.
(Dong)
Cossette: "Huh?"Fiona: "Hmm?"Melina: "Huh?"Coachman: "What… was that?"Fiona: "Coachman, we're getting out…"Melina: "Hmm?"Cossette: "Huh?"Coachman: "Okay…"
They got out. Fiona gave him the money.
Coachman: "Thank you very much…"Fiona: "And now get away quickly… I can't guarantee your safety… you'd just be in the way…"Coachman: "Okay…"
He drove away quickly.
(Dong)
Dong sounds kept coming from the castle, probably from the small bell on the door.
Cossette: "Are we there?"Fiona: "This is it… right?"Milena: "I think so… that's how it looked in the pictures…"
It was a large castle. Grey stones, but also roses and greenery.
Cossette: "The colors are strange…"Milena: "Hmm…"Fiona: "Come on, let's go in… stay close to me…"Cossette: "Okay…"Milena: "Okay…"
Fiona: "Hmm… how do we get in…?"
They stood in front of the door.
Milena: "I think… maybe you can just knock…"Fiona: "Hmm…"Cossette: "I don't know…"
Fiona knocked.
Fiona: "No answer…"
The door did not open… instead, it fell.
(Crash)
Cossette: "Hmm…"Melina: "Um…"Fiona: "I don't think that was supposed to happen, right?"Melina: "No, I don't think so…"Cossette: "Fiona broke the door…"Fiona: "Ngh… I just knocked…"Cossette: "Why did you think someone would open it anyway?"Fiona: "No, of course not… I just wanted to do it properly… maybe it's magic… maybe it opens like that…"Melina: "Hehehe… well… it's open now… should we go in?"Cossette: "Yes…"Melina: "Hmm…"Fiona: "Stay behind me…"
They were already behind her.
Cossette: "Okay…"Melina: "Okay…"Fiona: "Sweating… wow…"Cossette: "Hmm…"
(Meanwhile)
Zantanel: "Well then… Veronica… can you handle this and stop our guests?"Veronica: "Okay."