Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva-Chapter 1669: Interlude: Slanting Light in the Forest_2

"Is it beautiful?"

"Beautiful~" The silver-haired elf girl turned her head, revealing an innocent and happy expression, like a newborn life.

"Let's keep going. The house where Evelyn lives is deeper in the mountains."

"Okay." Ores lightly leapt down from the plank and stood beside Tilan. Seemingly remembering something, she jogged to the grass beside the pavilion and picked up the white spider lilies she held earlier once again.

The two continued along the mountain path, but this time, there was no stream. Instead, there were sporadic stone-joined steps. Rather than calling this a man-made path, it seemed more like traces left by occasional passersby, often hidden by newly grown tender branches and shrubs, requiring one to push them aside with their hands to see the road ahead.

All the way, Tilan walked in front, occasionally lifting branches or picking the blue and red berries Ores liked before continuing forward.

After a long journey, the two finally arrived in front of a house deep in the mountains. It leaned against the mountainside, constructed from stones covered in moss and wood, simple and plain. The only thing striking was the tall pine tree beside the house, its lush branches spreading towards the house, shading most of the building below, its mottled, gnarled branches particularly quaint.

Ascending the steps, Tilan led Ores to the door, knocking gently. The knocking sounded particularly clear in the mountains.

Before long, the wooden door creaked open, revealing a beautiful elf. Her eyes were covered with a white cloth, seeming unable to see, while one side of her golden hair was braided and fell over her chest.

Her fingers reached forward slightly, touching Tilan's palm, then relaxing and letting go.

"Is that Tilan?" The pleasant voice was still melodious, carrying a hint of apology and unease.

"It's me, and Ores too."

Hearing the girl's introduction, the blindfolded golden-haired lady turned towards Tilan's side, and although unable to see, she could hear Ores's breathing.

"Hello, Evelyn." Ores responded, afraid that Evelyn wouldn't know where she was.

"Hello~" Evelyn replied with delight, then hurriedly walked into the house.

"Come in and have a seat. I'll prepare some tea for you." She said, lightly touching the table surface to find cups and a teapot. Although she was familiar with her home's environment, she still needed some touching to fully determine the position of objects.

"No rush." Tilan and Ores entered the house, sitting by the wooden table in the center of the hall.

Half of the house was the hall, while the back was divided into four small rooms, including a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and storage room.

Three sides of the hall had low windows, allowing the forest's gentle breeze to pass through without being too strong. Along the walls were many drying racks with various dried flowers, leaves, and a small number of mushrooms.

While living here, Evelyn would cultivate some flowers and plants herself, making them into floral teas and sachets to exchange for necessities with the residents of the mountain foot. As for mushrooms, she might use them as ingredients for her own soup.

Due to past traumas, this blind elf feared touching any electronic devices, living alone in the little-known deep mountains, leading a secluded life.

Few people came here, probably only an aunt from the foot of the mountain visiting monthly. Besides, only Tilan knew her place of residence.

As the two sat around, their eyes glanced around the home environment, and although there were quite a few wooden racks and jars, they were all neatly placed, with the air carrying a subtle scent of floral medicine.

On one side of the hall, Evelyn skillfully placed firewood into a small triangular stove and lit it to boil the tea. While waiting, she went back inside, bringing out a small box of homemade pastries to entertain Tilan and Ores. Judging by the neatly arranged pastries inside, she probably was reluctant to eat them normally.

Ores took a small piece to taste first, followed by Tilan lightly biting into a piece. Upon the first chew, it felt a bit dense, but as it dissolved, a subtle sweet fragrance unveiled, not overly sweet.

It was likely made from glutinous rice flour with added sugar and petals, Tilan analyzed while observing the pastry crumbs split at her fingertips.

"Is it good?" Evelyn placed her hands on her knees, seemingly worried that what she prepared was too simple, considering both in front were prominent figures, surely accustomed to luxurious cuisine.

"It's delicious." Tilan replied softly.

"Are there more?" Ores liked it very much, given her fondness for such pastries, occasionally pestering Tilan to make some, a habit nurtured on the Lost Planet.

"Yes, there's more." Evelyn went back inside, bringing out two more boxes of pastries, presumably the rest she had.

Tilan originally intended to politely decline, but seeing Evelyn's expectant and uneasy expression, she refrained from refusing.

At this moment, graciously accepting might be the best approach.

"Actually, I brought a gift for you, Evelyn." Tilan removed a sachet from her waist, which Evelyn had previously given her.

Opening the sachet, Tilan took out a small flower bud about the size of a thumb. The outer petals were pale green, with inner petals increasingly lighter toward white, with a slight blush at the central stamen.

The bud's base was threaded through with a fine string, resembling a necklace, and the bud serving as a pendant.

Gently placing it in Evelyn's palm, Tilan let her touch and perceive it, introducing: "This flower bud was picked from the World Tree and still retains its vitality even after leaving the trunk. With nurturing from the Natural Sequence magic power and occasional water immersion, it will remain vibrant." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The largest existing World Tree in the human world was located in the Twin Trees Star Domain, Evelyn's homeland.

Holding up the bud carefully, Evelyn sniffed the faint scent it exuded, her expression cautious yet treasured, then placed it in front of her, meticulously feeling the small, ungrown life.

Despite being unable to return to the Twin Trees Star Domain due to disappointing many and the war trauma in the Central Star Domain, in which she was a key participant, she feared facing those eyes and faces. Despite the war being a result of her being controlled, not her own autonomous decisions.

"Thank you, th...thank you, Tilan." Evelyn's voice was slightly choked, her unseen eyes seemingly shedding tears that dampened part of the white cloth.

"It's okay, it's all in the past." Tilan gently embraced the crying elf, her fingers slowly caressing through the golden long hair, feeling the trembling body.

Ores, standing nearby, didn't quite understand why Evelyn cried, but could vaguely perceive the emotions emanating from her, thus leaning over, opening her arms, and hugging the two.

After a while, Evelyn ceased her sobbing, slightly embarrassed as she released Tilan.

Seeing Evelyn regaining calm, Tilan felt relieved, before suggesting: "Would you like me to help you wear it now?"

"Yes, please." Evelyn nodded, seemingly realizing something and removing the wet blindfold from her head.

Though she never opened her eyes, this once-famous elf in the Milky Way remained extraordinarily beautiful, her vulnerable, fragile aura provoking tender affection.

Gathering her golden hair behind her head, Evelyn lowered her head, revealing her delicate neck.

With both hands, Tilan held the fine string and bud, gently putting it over Evelyn and tying it around her neck.

That fresh, small bud, adorned with golden threads, nestled at Evelyn's collar, perfectly complementing her simple white dress, serving as a stunning highlight.

"Beautiful~" Ores leaned closer, wanting to touch the gently swaying bud, but Tilan held her hand, shaking her head.

"This is a precious treasure for Evelyn, Ores. You can't just touch it."

"Oh?~" Ores felt a bit envious and jealous but quickly let go of those feelings.

Because Evelyn again shed faint tear tracks, the emotions within her flowing like golden amber, infinitely cherished.

Evelyn truly treasured this pendant, so I shouldn't touch it. Otherwise, she'd feel really upset, and that feeling isn't good.

Ores placed her hands behind her, merely gazing at the flower bud strung as a pendant.

"Do you want one too?" Tilan asked curiously.

"No, if I get one too, then the one Evelyn has wouldn't be unique." She answered earnestly.

"Ores, you've grown up." Tilan masked a smile.

"I'm actually older than Tilan, Tilan should call me elder sister." Ores spoke with a hint of pride, this demeanor reminding the girl of the once similar figure.

"Indeed…" Tilan felt an almost dreamlike sensation.

"We've all grown up..."

The youthful campus life, now a distant memory.