CHAPTER 116: CHAPTER 116: ELLORY WITH HER FRIENDS

After saying goodbye to her brother and leaving the study room, Ellory returned to her bedroom. The maids were already waiting with a fresh dress, and they helped her change quickly.

Her hair was brushed neatly, her shoes were clean and shiny, and her dress was light blue with small white flowers sewn into the skirt. When they were done, Ellory turned to the mirror, smiled brightly, then rushed out of the room with excitement in her steps.

She ran down the hallways, passed by the staircase, and stepped into the warm sunlight of the garden. The flowers were in full bloom, birds were chirping in the trees, and near the fountain, four girls stood waiting with smiles on their faces.

"Ellory! Finally!" one of them shouted, waving her hand with energy.

It was Marriane, a tall girl with curly brown hair and a strong voice. Next to her stood Clarisse, calm and graceful, her long dark hair tied in a braid. Hannah was sitting on the edge of the fountain, swinging her legs, while Hestia—who was the shortest—stood with both hands behind her back, smiling shyly.

Ellory laughed and ran to them, hugging each one. "I missed you all so much!" she said, nearly jumping with joy.

"We missed you too!" Hannah said. "Do you know how many letters we sent? Ten! And every time, you said you were too busy studying!"

Hestia nodded, puffing her cheeks. "We thought you were avoiding us."

"No, I wasn’t!" Ellory said quickly. "I just... I was really busy. I’m sorry. Brother and I were learning many things. And Owen was teaching us too. I didn’t mean to ignore you."

Clarisse smiled softly. "It’s okay. We understand. We just wanted to see you again, even just for a day."

Marriane placed her hands on her hips. "Well, you’re not allowed to study today. We’re going to spend the whole afternoon together!"

Ellory nodded excitedly. "Yes! I’m all yours today. I promise!"

The five girls sat in the garden, under the shade of the big apple tree. The maids brought out sweet drinks and cookies for them. Laughter filled the air as they talked about the things they had been doing the past few months. Marriane had joined a painting class.

Clarisse learned how to play the harp. Hannah had gone on a short trip to the sea with her family. Hestia stayed home but read many books and even wrote her first poem.

Ellory listened to them with sparkling eyes. She felt warm and happy, like her heart had been missing this part of her life. For five whole months, she had locked herself in her studies, chasing her brother’s steps, building things she never thought she could understand.

It had been fun, and she didn’t regret it—but now, sitting with her friends, she realized how much she missed being just a girl, laughing and talking about silly things under the sun.

She looked at each of them and said softly, "Thank you for still coming to see me. I really love you all."

"We love you too," Hestia said with a soft smile.

After enjoying cookies and laughter with her friends in the garden, Ellory suddenly remembered something important she wanted to show them. Her eyes lit up with excitement, and she turned to the nearby maid who was arranging the empty teacups on the tray.

"Excuse me, where’s my toy car?" Ellory asked with a small bounce in her step.

The maid bowed slightly and replied, "Yes, young lady. I kept it safe. I’ll bring it here right away."

A few moments later, the maid returned with the small but carefully crafted wooden and metal toy car. It had round wheels, painted lines, and a smooth surface. Ellory took it in her arms and turned back to her friends, who were now staring at the object with curiosity written all over their faces.

"This is what I’ve been doing all this time," Ellory said proudly, hugging the toy for a moment before kneeling down and setting it carefully on the clean stone path near the garden’s edge.

"A... box?" Marriane tilted her head.

"It has wheels..." Hannah said, leaning closer.

Clarisse blinked. "Is it... a carriage for dolls?"

"No, no!" Ellory giggled. "It’s called a car—well, that’s what brother and I call it. It’s like a carriage, yes, but this one can move without beasts. It doesn’t need beasts to pull it or Air to push it ."

Hestia’s eyes widened. "Move? How?"

Ellory smiled wide and pulled a small wooden box with buttons and a tiny lever from her pocket. "With this! We call it a remote control. Watch this!"

She stood up and stepped back, holding the control steady in her hands. With a small press of her thumb, the toy car suddenly made a soft buzzing sound. Then, slowly but surely, it started to roll forward on its own.

The four girls gasped all at once.

"Wha—? It’s moving!" Clarisse stood up from the bench.

"By itself!" Hannah shouted, clapping her hands.

Marriane ran beside the car, watching it move along the stone path. "This is amazing! It really doesn’t need anything to pull it? or Air to push it?"

"Nope!" Ellory said proudly, walking beside it with the remote in her hand. "It runs with mana energy. It’s stored inside. Brother and I worked very hard to make it move like this. We failed a hundred times. But now it works!"

"That’s so cool!" Hestia said, kneeling next to it as it stopped. "Can it go fast?"

Ellory nodded. "It can! But this one’s only a toy. Someday, Brother will make a real one—big enough for people to ride in."

Marriane placed her hands on her hips, grinning. "I didn’t understand half of what you said, but it sounds incredible!"

"I want one," Hannah said quickly, laughing.

Ellory smiled brightly at all of them. "I’ll ask Brother if we can make one for each of you."

Clarisse walked beside her and gave her a small side hug. "You’ve really changed, Ellory. You were always smart, but now you sound like a scholar!"

Ellory giggled and hugged her back. "I still like flowers and dresses and sweets. But building things with Brother Axel... it made me happy too."

The toy car gently stopped near Ellory’s feet, and her friends were all crouched down in a small circle around it, their eyes wide with amazement and fingers itching to touch it.

"Can we try it? Please?" Hestia asked, bouncing a little on her toes.

"Yes, let us try it, Ellory!" Hannah added, nearly tugging at her sleeve.

Ellory smiled, but then held up one finger and looked at them seriously. "Okay, but come closer."