Our Quirky Fairytale

Twelve Years Earlier

After venturing deeper into the dark forest, far beyond where any human dared to tread, the two children came to a halt before the largest tree in the woods. Its massive trunk loomed over them, ancient and imposing, its thick branches stretching high into the sky.

Asher pointed to an opening nestled between the limbs, several meters above the ground.

"This is my shelter!"

Luci arched a skeptical brow.

"Oh? And I assume you've built a staircase, right?"

Puffing out his chest with pride, Asher grinned.

"Luci is heavy, but I've carried heavier! I can do it!"

He moved behind the prince with determination.

Luci crossed his arms, offended.

"Excuse me?!"

Before he could protest further, Asher slid his arms under Luci's shoulders. The prince tensed immediately, his cheeks flushing as confusion flickered in his golden eyes. Hesitating, Asher then uncoiled his tail and wrapped it around Luci's waist.

A shiver ran down Luci's spine.

"…Ahhh… Ash?! What are you doing?! You're not trying to eat me, are you?!"

Asher rolled his eyes.

"Luci says stupid things… Humans don't have wings, so you need my help to fly up."

Luci froze.

"…Fly? Up? Wait… there's a ladder… riiiiight?"

But Asher spread his wings wide before him, their dark membranes catching the soft glow of fireflies. His silhouette suddenly grew larger, more majestic, like a bird preparing for flight.

"Why a ladder when I have wings?"

Before Luci could argue, Asher flapped his wings forcefully.

The moment Luci felt the ground vanish beneath his feet, he screamed.

"HAAAHH!!"

Panicking, he latched onto Asher's neck, clinging with all his might, nearly choking the poor boy in the process. Asher groaned under the strain, struggling to ascend the three meters separating them from the shelter.

The landing was rough.

A loud thud echoed as Luci tumbled onto Asher at the entrance of the hollowed-out tree. Still shaken, he didn't immediately let go.

"Are you okay?" Asher panted, catching his breath.

Luci finally pulled away, his face burning.

"Ahhh! You… You can't just do that without warning me!"

Asher tilted his head.

"Wait… is Luci afraid of flying?"

Luci scowled.

"I'm not afraid! I… I—oh, wow."

His voice trailed off as he finally took in his surroundings.

Beneath the woven canopy of branches, a breathtaking sight unfolded before him.

The floor was hollowed-out wood, smooth and sturdy beneath his hands. The walls were formed by interwoven branches, creating a natural cocoon. Fireflies drifted lazily in the air, casting a golden glow over everything, like a sky filled with tiny stars.

Luci's eyes widened.

"Oh… wow."

Under this enchanting light, the shelter revealed itself as a miniature home. A small corner served as a bed, cushioned with feathers and moss. Another area was set up with stones and crude tools, forming a makeshift kitchen. Scattered around were tiny objects—carved from wood, stone, and rope—each one appearing handcrafted or carefully collected.

The prince was stunned.

"I know it's not much, but…" Asher rubbed the back of his neck, looking a little shy. "Welcome to my home?"

Luci turned to him, still in disbelief.

"You… built all this?"

Asher shrugged.

"Ah… I just gathered some things. The tree was already like this, and the fireflies were here before me. I didn't really do much… I just decided to sleep here."

Luci opened his mouth to reply, but before he could speak, a loud growl interrupted him.

His stomach.

Asher perked up.

"Oh! That's right, food!"

He attempted to crawl forward, careful not to put pressure on his injured foot.

Luci sighed.

"Wait, let me help you."

A pang of guilt hit him as he watched Asher struggle.

Seeing him move like that makes me feel awful…

Asher hesitated, then nodded.

"…Alright! Let's do it together!"

They got to work, with Asher directing Luci toward the supplies.

The demon pointed to a large metal pot.

"I'll stay seated, so you have to do the rest. Bring me the water from up there."

Luci blinked.

Did… Did he just give him an order?

No one ever gave Luci orders. He didn't like it. But… hmm…

He crossed his arms.

"You could at least say please, you know."

Asher tilted his head, confused.

"…Did I say something wrong? Do you not want to help me anymore?"

Luci scoffed.

"Tsss… No, it's nothing."

Grumbling to himself, he grabbed a large water jug from a wooden ledge and nearly lost his balance under its weight.

"oh god, this is heavy! Do you do this all the time?"

Asher nodded without hesitation.

"Of course! Papa did it, so Luci can do it too, right?"

Luci frowned slightly at the implication but said nothing.

Asher, oblivious, continued.

"I make all my own tools too! Just like Papa taught me. I carve them from stone and wood. Has Luci never made his own tools?"

Luci stiffened.

"Make my own tools? Of course not. Why would I ever need to do that?"

Asher blinked at him.

"So… Luci doesn't know how to do anything?"

Luci nearly choked.

"P-Pardon?!"

Asher thought aloud.

"Maybe you're younger than I thought, and your papa didn't have time to teach you yet…?"

Luci's face turned red.

"Bbgh… Bbgh… That's ridiculous! I know plenty of things!! A prince doesn't need to make his own tools! People love making them for me!"

Asher stared at him, puzzled.

"So you really don't know how to make anything?"

Luci, defensive:

"And you?! Don't tell me you made that metal pot too!"

Asher's expression turned sheepish.

"Ahm… uh… I… exchanged it! EXCHANGED IT!"

Luci arched a brow.

"Exchanged… how?"

Asher shrank slightly.

"At night… when the humans were sleeping… But I left payment! Good food! Good medicine! It wasn't stealing! It was exchanging! I'm a good demon, I don't steal! I just… exchange…"

Luci stared at him, then sighed.

So that explains the legends of forest trolls leaving food and herbs in villages overnight…

He muttered under his breath.

"Sure… if that's how you want to see it."

Then, with exaggerated grandeur, he poured the water into the pot.

"Alright, Chef Asher! What's next?"

Asher beamed.

"Now we need to boil the water!"

Luci snapped his fingers.

"So, you need fire?"

"F-FIRE?! AH! No no no! Please, no fire—!"

Asher jolted back, wings flaring in alarm.

Luci froze, completely caught off guard.

"…What's wrong ?"