After a momentary daze, Faust immediately realized what was happening. He held his breath, focused his mind, and asked cautiously:
"Are you..."
This better not be another hallucination. I'm actually getting a bit scared.
[Human child, please calm the doubts in your heart. I am no hollow vanity; I am the Fairy with whom you have entered into a contract.]
As if to verify its accuracy, Faust felt the skin where the curse-seal resided grow increasingly hot. Accompanied by a wave of warmth brushing over his body, he gradually calmed down.
The Prince let out a long sigh of relief. "Your Excellency... forgive me for making a fool of myself."
Although he had inherited the seal from his "precious foster father," Faust hadn't actually held high expectations for it, viewing it more as a symbolic token of royal authority.
After all, the old King had only received a few revelations over several decades; that frequency was practically better than nothing. Even if he possessed the "talent to be favored by Fairies," Faust didn't want to pin too much hope on an ability he couldn't control himself.
However, he hadn't expected to establish contact with the Fairy so quickly. It seemed this "talent" of his was the real deal.
Faust composed himself and asked about what had just transpired: "What did you mean by 'enchantment' earlier? Was I hypnotized by her?"
His previous state was clearly abnormal. If the girl had some kind of "hypnosis app" in her hand, everything would make sense.
Great. Someone actually dared to use hypnosis on me!
Anger flared in the Prince's heart. While he had no means to deal with it himself, he was now in contact with a Fairy. No matter how treacherous the technique, surely a Fairy could solve it?
Faust immediately sought assistance:
"Your Excellency! Please help me. Being targeted by such an evil technique makes me incredibly uneasy!"
However, the Fairy's response left Faust stunned:
[A technique? Human child, you should know that it was no technique at all, but the workings of Destiny.]
"Destiny?"
Faust was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
He had expected the Fairy might not agree to his request so easily, but he didn't expect such a cryptic answer.
[In principle, I should not speak of such things to a Human child. But since you have awakened...]
After a moment of silence, the Fairy spoke softly into Faust's ear:
[Do you believe in Destiny?]
"Destiny"—the word wasn't obscure at all. People threw it around all the time. To Faust, it was usually just an excuse used for complaining or shirking responsibility. But hearing it mentioned by a Fairy now, he vaguely sensed something deeper, and his brow furrowed.
Without waiting for the Prince's reply, the Fairy continued:
[The Wheel of Destiny exists. It is the ultimate truth that governs all things, the underlying logic of the world's operation.]
"The Wheel of Destiny?"
[Using a concept a Human child can understand, the Wheel of Destiny is a 'script.' One must undergo hardships, trials, adventures, and twists within it to reap its rewards.]
Faust interjected immediately: "I know about that. In legends, Fairies bestow trials of destiny upon mortals, preparing all sorts of challenges and puzzles."
This was common knowledge. The tales created by these practitioners were known as [Heroic Epics], a staple of culture in any kingdom.
Even Faust's precious foster father, the founding monarch of the Kingdom of Qingxi, was the protagonist of such a [Heroic Epic]. Because of the Fairies' sovereign posture as arbiters of all things, mortals held these ancient beings in immense awe.
However, from the Fairy's mouth, the situation sounded entirely different:
[...Human child, you mortals always view us Fairies as high and mighty beings, gods who manipulate destiny. But that is not the case. There is no distinction of rank between us and you; we simply play different roles on the stage of destiny. Our duty is to provide guidance and blessings to those who walk their path.]
[Whether it be a Human child or we Fairies, beneath the surging tide of Destiny, we are all but humble servants.]
Faust remained silent, stroking his chin in deep thought. After a moment, he suddenly realized:
"I understand. Because of this, I was attracted to that girl and felt such fanatical love, right?"
[You accept things quickly. Most awakened sons of men find it difficult to believe in the Wheel of Destiny at first; they would rather believe their abnormality was caused by a technique.]
In the past, Faust would have been skeptical too, unwilling to accept the ethereal concept of "Destiny."
But... damn it, even Cinderella has shown up. He had no choice but to believe. A fairy tale world is just that fatalistic! The Prince must fall in love with Cinderella at first sight; otherwise, the "story" cannot proceed!
Faust took a deep breath. "So, I was chosen by you because I am the protagonist of the next stage of destiny?"
[The protagonist...]
The Fairy's tone turned slightly subtle as it replied:
[Regrettably, in the script of destiny currently being performed, the true protagonists are the Witches.]
"Witches?"
Faust froze. His first thought was "female casters," but he immediately dismissed it. A concept emphasized by a Fairy couldn't be that shallow.
Fortunately, this Fairy wasn't the type to play hard to get. It sang softly into the Prince's ear:
[To the one loved by a Witch, I say these words only to you.]
[Witches are destined to achieve happiness. They distort the boundaries between reality and illusion at will to fulfill their burning passions.]
[They do not allow their innocence and fervor to go to waste, and for that, they will not hesitate to overturn everything.]
[There is a hierarchy among the scripts of destiny. Most require the guidance and presiding of us Fairies. But only the destinies related to Witches are beyond our interference and cognition; we can only comply and observe.]
[To borrow a phrase from you sons of men, this type of destiny should be called the 'Witches' Feast.']
Faust blinked. "So you chose to enter a contract with me..."
[Though you are but a supporting character on the stage of destiny, I thought that by staying by your side, I might see something interesting. That is all.]
The Fairy's blunt words left Faust feeling deeply wounded. The proud Prince was truly unwilling to admit he was merely a supporting character—especially since the reason the Fairy favored him was just to provide entertainment.
But thinking about it carefully... a "Prince" in fairy tales really is the ultimate "tool" character. No name, no character development—the Prince exists solely to be the perfect partner for the heroine, the final prize awarded to them.
Man, I'm really being looked down upon!
What was more annoying was that he couldn't even argue back!
Faust sighed and shook his head repeatedly.
[Why such sorrow, Human child? That you were able to awaken within a Witch's destiny is a miracle unseen since ancient times. You may well take pride in it.]
Faust gave a bitter smile:
"I just find it troublesome. Suddenly learning these secrets makes achieving my ideals many times harder."
The Fairy asked curiously:
[What are your ideals?]
At the mention of this, the Prince replied without hesitation:
"That goes without saying. Naturally, it is to conquer the world and dominate all under heaven!"