The next day, they had to climb to the top of a mountain.
Everyone got ready early in the morning and began their journey.
As usual, the two couples moved ahead together, lost in their own world. Arin was ahead of them, leading the way.
But Aaika was walking slowly behind.
After spending the night among humans, she hadn't rested properly.
She whispered to Wish,
"Humans… they smell so strange."
Wish giggled.
"That's not 'bad smell,' it's just… normal smell. It feels strange to you, just like your presence would feel strange to them."
Aaika nodded slightly.
"That's why Father gave me that perfume."
They were still talking when Arin noticed Aaika lagging behind.
He slowed down and stopped, pretending to take a break, letting the others move ahead.
When Aaika reached him, she asked,
"What happened? Why did you stop? Are you tired already?"
Arin smirked.
"No. I was waiting for you. You walk really slow."
Aaika crossed her arms.
"That's not true. I'm just saving my energy. The destination is still far. If you use all your strength now, you'll get tired later."
Arin laughed lightly.
"It's just three kilometers. But what more can we expect from a princess?"
Aaika frowned.
"What are you trying to say?"
"Nothing," Arin replied casually.
Aaika's eyes narrowed.
"Fine. I understand. Now I'll reach there before everyone."
Arin chuckled.
"Don't push yourself too much. If you get hurt, your father will blame me."
That irritated Aaika even more.
"That's not your concern."
Arin replied calmly,
"It is. You're my responsibility."
Aaika stepped forward confidently.
"Then prove it—try reaching before me."
Arin smiled.
"Alright."
Aaika suddenly increased her speed.
Not just fast—
unnaturally fast.
Within moments, she moved far ahead, leaving everyone behind.
Arin watched her, surprised.
Wish whispered nervously,
"Aaika… what are you doing? He'll get suspicious!"
But Aaika didn't stop.
She didn't want to lose.
Soon, she reached the top first and sat down, pretending to catch her breath.
When Arin finally arrived, he looked at her with curiosity.
"I didn't expect a palace-raised princess to climb like this."
Aaika smirked slightly.
"You don't know anything about me yet."
Arin raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing," Aaika replied quickly.
Just then, the two couples also reached the top.
Arin couldn't help but comment,
"If you were going to stick together like that, why even come here? You could've done your romance at home."
Hearing this, they awkwardly let go of each other's hands and came forward.
Arin added teasingly,
"You've been glued to each other since yesterday. We're here too, you know. Aaika must be feeling left out."
Aaika quietly whispered to Wish,
"I'm perfectly fine alone… better than being with them."
Wish laughed softly.
The others apologized.
One of the girls stepped forward.
"I'm Merry."
The other smiled.
"And I'm Rose."
Then the boys joined.
"I'm Robert."
"And I'm William."
Aaika nodded.
"Good… at least now you all remember I exist. I'm Aaika."
They all smiled, and the atmosphere became lighter.
As evening approached, Arin said,
"Alright, let's set up camp. We're staying here tonight."
Everyone got to work.
They set up tents, prepared food, and sat together under the open sky.
For the first time, they all talked freely—
Laughing, joking, sharing stories.
Aaika sat quietly at first… but slowly, something changed.
For the first time in her life—
She felt something unfamiliar.
Happiness.
A simple, human kind of happiness.
That night, as she looked around at everyone laughing together…
Aaika realized—
She had never laughed this much before.
To be continued…