Love.
When someone falls in love, they forget everything else.
Love doesn't really have a clear definition.
But if there is one… perhaps it means that a lover can sacrifice anything for the one they love.
Even their own love.
Love is not something that can be forced.
It is not something that someone has to do.
Love simply… happens.
And once true love is born, it never ends.
It only grows stronger.
If a love does not grow like that, then it is not pure love.
It is mixed with attachment, jealousy, benefits, or even physical desire.
But my love…
In a quiet room—
Pretty sat on a chair beside the window.
Both of her legs were folded on the chair.
Her head rested on her knees, and her arms wrapped around them.
A cold yet gentle breeze flowed through the window.
Slowly…
Pretty opened her eyes.
Pretty (thinking):
"My love… is pure."
"The one I loved… is the only one I love."
"And it is a love that will never end."
"Eye… Eye… Eye…"
After whispering those words, Pretty slowly closed her eyes again.
She began softly repeating a name.
Pretty:
"Eye… Eye… Eye…"
Suddenly—
A voice answered her.
Precious:
"You called… and I came."
"Ice…"
Pretty's eyes widened.
Standing beside her was Precious, with a small slime resting on his face.
Pretty quickly stood up from the chair.
Pretty:
"You came…"
Precious:
"Yes."
"Let's go."
Pretty nodded.
Pretty:
"Mm."
Suddenly—
Both of them jumped out of the window.
At that exact moment—
A dragon appeared in the air and caught them.
Pretty and Precious landed on the dragon's back as it began flying high into the sky.
Pretty looked around with sparkling eyes.
Pretty:
"Wow…!"
The dragon soared through the sky.
Pretty sat in the front while Precious sat behind her.
She excitedly pointed downward.
Pretty:
"Wow! Look!"
"There's our school!"
"And that's the palace!"
The dragon flew past the school and palace, heading toward the distant mountains.
Both of them looked extremely happy.
Then—
Precious gently placed his hand around Pretty's waist.
Pretty froze for a moment.
Pretty:
"…!"
Precious stayed silent.
Pretty also didn't say anything.
Suddenly—
The dragon entered a layer of thick clouds.
When it came out from the other side, both Pretty and Precious had their faces covered with bits of cloud mist.
They looked at each other.
Then burst into laughter.
Pretty & Precious:
"Hahaha!"
The dragon continued flying.
After a while, they reached above a deep ravine.
Suddenly—
The clouds around them turned dark.
Thunder flashed across the sky.
BOOM!
The loud sound startled the dragon.
Its body shook violently.
Because of that—
Precious lost his balance and began falling from the dragon.
Pretty:
"Eye…!!"
Precious:
"Ice…!!"
Pretty immediately tried to move the dragon toward him at full speed.
But Precious kept falling deeper.
He disappeared into the ravine.
Pretty's voice trembled.
Pretty:
"Eye…!!"
From the darkness below—
Precious's voice echoed.
Precious:
"Ice…!"
Suddenly—
Another voice echoed loudly.
"Pretty… Pretty… Pretty…"
At first the voice was soft.
But then it became louder.
"PRETTY!! PRETTY!!"
Pretty suddenly opened her eyes.
She was still sitting on the chair in her room.
Beside her stood her mother, Kuku.
Pretty's face was wet with tears.
Her body trembled slightly.
Pretty (thinking):
"I… it was a dream…"
Kuku sighed.
Kuku:
"Pretty."
"If you wanted to sleep, you should have slept on the bed."
"Why are you sleeping on a chair?"
Pretty hesitated.
Pretty:
"Um… Mommy…"
Kuku waved her hand.
Kuku:
"Leave that."
"Your grandfather has returned."
"The work he had in Naco Country is finished."
"And he also brought a gift for you."
Pretty slowly stood up.
Pretty:
"A gift?"
"What kind of gift, Mommy?"
Kuku shrugged.
Kuku:
"I don't know."
"He said he will give it to you himself."
"Come, he's waiting."
Pretty suddenly became cheerful.
Pretty:
"Okay~!"
She happily ran out of the room.
Meanwhile—
In the hall, Pintu and Kaji were sitting on the sofa.
Khan was also sitting nearby.
Pretty and Kuku came down the stairs.
Pretty immediately ran forward.
Pretty:
"Grandfather!"
She hugged Kaji tightly.
Kaji laughed warmly.
Kaji:
"Oh, oh, oh!"
"My little goddess!"
Khan watched silently.
Khan (thinking):
"Grandfather has always spoiled Pretty a lot."
"He loves her very much."
Pretty stepped back proudly.
Pretty:
"Hmph!"
"Your little goddess has grown up now."
"So call me Big Goddess!"
Kaji burst out laughing.
Kaji:
"Hahaha!"
"Okay, okay."
"Big Goddess."
Pretty giggled.
Pretty:
"Hehe!"
"Oh! I also have a surprise to tell you!"
Kaji raised an eyebrow.
Kaji:
"Oh?"
"What is it?"
Pretty crossed her arms.
Pretty:
"No!"
"First you tell me your gift."
"Then I will tell mine."
Kaji smiled mysteriously.
Kaji:
"You're going to be very surprised by this gift."
Pintu looked curious.
Pintu:
"What kind of gift is it, father?"
Kaji spoke calmly.
Kaji:
"I have arranged the marriage of Khan and Pretty."
Everyone froze.
Then Kaji continued.
Kaji:
"And their partner will be the child of the Chief Minister of Naco Country."
He smiled proudly.
Kaji:
"Isn't it a wonderful gift?"
Pintu, Kuku, Khan, and Pretty were completely shocked.
Everyone:
"…!!"
Pretty's face turned pale.
Her body began trembling.
Her eyes filled with fear.
At that moment—
The memory of her dream returned.
A scene appeared in her mind.
Precious falling into the deep ravine.
Disappearing into darkness—
While Pretty could do nothing except watch from the dragon's back.
The image froze in her mind.