Ryo was now completely unsettled.
He had thought Edmund, the manor's stepfather, was the prime suspect — the one who triggered Cinderella's mistreatment and likely her disappearance.
But now… new information pointed to other suspects.
Two individuals wearing strange, unsettling masks. And that flying boy in black — who might be a Vrakul in human form, just like Malakar, the maniacal villain Ryo had once battled and defeated in Al-Munira.
On top of that, Fairy Greatmother had mentioned something about 'Dark beings from another realm.' The word—Vrakul—echoed in Ryo's mind.
The Vrakuls are dark, malevolent spirits from another realm. Ryo had witnessed that realm firsthand while inside the black pyramid—when Malakar opened the Gate of Malevolent Spirits using an ancient artifact called the Celestial Compass. This occurred as Ryo, with Aladdin's help, was rescuing Sultan Malik's royal attendant, Amina.
He had also heard from the Ancient Jinn—who was, in fact, a Grim Reaper and whom Ryo had nicknamed Mr. Grim—that he had once fought a war against the Vrakuls in another realm, alongside his fellow reapers.
And now, here in this Fairytale world, Ryo had heard a similar story from Fairy Greatmother, that fifteen years ago, Fairy Warriors fought dark beings from another realm. Ryo now suspected those dark beings were also Vrakuls.
Fairy Greatmother, her face lined with concern, gently placed a hand on Ryo's shoulder.
"Mr. Detective, are you alright now? Here, have some more water."
She refilled Ryo's glass from a jug of water.
Ryo rubbed his face, took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and drank.
"Thank you, ma'am," he said with a faint smile.
Fairy Greatmother's voice softened.
"Is something wrong? You've been moving around the village looking tense—almost terrified. If there's something bothering you, please, tell me what's on your mind."
Ryo crossed his arms, deep in thought. He decided it was time to tell Fairy Greatmother everything—about the Vrakuls, the very beings he encountered in his previous case, and how they matched the description of the 'dark beings from another realm' she mentioned earlier at the village square.
But first, he needed to confirm something.
"Sure, ma'am, I'll tell you. But before I do, can you explain what those dark beings look like?"
Fairy Greatmother's breath hitched. The memory of that war still unsettled her deeply — especially the loss of her granddaughter.
She nodded, gathering her strength.
"They are… ghostly, dark figures," she said slowly, "shrouded in black miasma, with a demonic, sizzling presence. Grotesque, terrifying."
The words struck Ryo like a punch to the gut.
They perfectly matched the Vrakuls — creatures that not only crossed realms to invade Earth, but also sought to conquer other worlds, just as Mr. Grim had said.
With a clear understanding, Ryo began to share everything he knew.
Fairy Greatmother gasped softly. The truths Ryo spoke pulled her back to that horrifying time, fifteen years ago, when those dark beings ravaged the Fairy Kingdom.
Her voice barely above a whisper, trembling. "Mr. Detective… is that… true?"
Ryo noticed the fear in her eyes. He slowly nodded and sighed.
With three new suspects linked to the mysterious clues surrounding Cinderella's disappearance and one possibly connected to the Vrakuls, Fairy Greatmother's worry only deepened.
Her expression shadowed with unease as she faced the detective.
"Mr. Detective… what… should we… do…?"
Ryo could see it clearly in her eyes—she was growing desperate.
Desperate to find Cinderella before it was too late. And the flying boy in black… it weighed on her like a nightmare that never truly ended.
If he truly was a Vrakul in human form, then the darkness that once plagued her kingdom had returned.
Ryo stood from his seat, his face serious.
"We need to keep investigating, ma'am. But I think it's pointless to question any more villagers. Everyone's saying the same thing about that flying boy in black."
His eyes narrowed with resolve. "Let's go to Cinderella's late mother's grave."
Fairy Greatmother blinked in surprise.
"Madam Aurelia's grave? Do you believe we'll find something there?"
Ryo gave a small nod, then looked at Fairy Greatmother.
"Cinderella mentioned something in her diary," he said quietly. "She wrote that her glass slippers once appeared at the branches of the hazel tree growing over her mother's grave."
He paused, then added, "And Madam Rosalind told me the grave is in a grove where wildflowers grow. It's about three kilometers south from the village, near the wheat fields."
Fairy Greatmother's eyes widened slightly. Then, with renewed purpose, she stood.
"Very well, Mr. Detective. I know exactly where that grove is. Follow me."
The group left the bakery and stepped into the light of morning. As they approached the entrance of the village, they were met by the same old constable from the day before.
The old man straightened slightly and greeted them with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Madame Roselia." Then his gaze turned to Ryo, and he grinned.
"And good morning to you too, young man! Mr. Jokester, hahahaha! I was still laughing yesterday evening about that joke you told me—my wife thought I'd gone mad from all the cackling! Hahahaha!"
Ryo gave a quiet chuckle. "Glad you liked it, sir."
Fairy Greatmother turned toward the constable and asked gently.
"Have you heard anything about the boy in black… the one flying through the sky?"
The old constable rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm… I didn't see him myself, Madame Roselia, but some of my colleagues did. They said it was like watching a ghost laughing in the sky…"
That sent an uncomfortable chill through Ryo's chest.
He muttered under his breath. "…Ghost, huh? Great…"
But there wasn't much more the constable could add. The flying boy in black was too mysterious. Hardly anyone had seen him clearly, only the purple sparkles and black smoke trailing behind him, and the boy's unsettling laughter.
The boy remained nothing more than a whisper lost in the fog.
Rather than linger on the unknown, Ryo tightened his coat and looked ahead.
It was time to return to the investigation—Cinderella's trail was still warm.
It was now 10 am in Evendelle.
Fairy Greatmother led Ryo and the animals down an old dirt path just outside the village. The cobblestone roads inside the village changed to soft dirt trails lined with fences made of woven twigs and clusters of wild marigold flowers.
The morning sun shone through the sparse trees, creating warm patches of light on the path. The air smelled fresh with the scent of autumn leaves, and with every step farther from the village, the world around them grew quieter and more peaceful.
They followed the trail to the southeast, passing a small apple orchard where red apples sparkled with morning dew. Soon, the trees became fewer, and they could hear the quiet sound of flowing water.
The path led to a wide riverbank, shaded by tall willow trees with long, hanging branches that swayed gently in the breeze.
Ryo paused, eyes scanning the familiar setting. He had read about this place in the story.
This was the riverbank where Cinderella once cried to herself in solitude.
He wanted to geek out at the thought—like the fairytale fan he secretly was—but he pushed the feeling aside. There were more important things to worry about now: the strange boy in black, the new suspects, the possibility of a Vrakul in human form, and finding the main protagonist—the princess.
Ryo turned to Fairy Greatmother. "So why are we at the riverbank first, ma'am?"
Fairy Greatmother smiled and gestured toward the group of animals following behind.
"Walking to the grove will take some time, Mr. Detective. So I have a little trick up my sleeves."
The animals blinked in confusion.
Ryo raised a brow. "What are you going to do to them, ma'am?"
Fairy Greatmother stepped forward and gently called.
"Barkzilla, Whiskers, come here."
The dog and the kitten trotted forward, standing side by side.
"Now, you two, stay apart. Just a little distance."
She stepped back, lifted her wand, and gave it a delicate flick. Golden sparkles flew from the crescent-shaped tip, wrapping Barkzilla and Whiskers in spirals of shimmering light.
In moments, their tiny forms glowed and stretched, and before them stood two proud brown horses. They neighed in unison, their manes catching the breeze.
Ryo's eye twitched. "Ma'am…" He pointed at his two transformed agents. "You said these two pulled the apple-shaped carriage and brought Cinderella to the royal ball, right?"
Fairy Greatmother giggled, delighted.
"That's right!" She clasped her hands together. "Oh, seeing them like this again brings back such wonderful memories!"
Ryo crossed his arms. "Okay, but why turn them into horses now?"
Fairy Greatmother's face settled into a calm, determined look.
"The grove is three kilometers away, deep past the wheatfields. Walking would take too long. We'll ride."
Ryo paled slightly. "B-but… I've never ridden a horse before…"
With practiced grace, Fairy Greatmother mounted Barkzilla's back. The horse stepped in calm circles, and she held the reins with the elegance of a skilled equestrian.
She gestured to the second horse.
"Come now, Mr. Detective. Try climbing onto Whiskers. Don't worry—I'll teach you."
Ryo let out a long sigh, placed his foot in the stirrup, and tried to climb up. After five awkward attempts and some wobbling, he finally settled into the saddle.
Whiskers paced in slow circles. "Whoa—woah! W-WOAH!" Ryo flailed slightly, trying to regain balance.
Fairy Greatmother chuckled. "Straighten your back. Heels down. You're doing fine."
For the next fifteen minutes, she guided him patiently. Though Ryo nearly fell off twice, he gradually adjusted. By the end, he was riding steadily.
Ryo wiped the sweat off his brow. "Phew… finally used to this."
Fairy Greatmother smiled. "Are you ready, Mr. Detective?"
"Yeah," Ryo nodded. Then he turned to the rest of the group. "The rest of you—come on up."
Agent Barkface, the tiny pup, gave a sharp bark and leapt into Fairy Greatmother's arms. She cradled him and placed him on the front of her saddle. Captain Nutso the squirrel jumped onto Ryo's offered palm and scrambled up to perch confidently on his right shoulder.
McPecker and McDrama, the two white doves, shook their heads dramatically.
They would fly.
With reins in hand, Fairy Greatmother called. "Off we go, Mr. Detective!"
The two horses set off at a smooth trot.
They walked past golden meadows where butterflies flew among orange cosmos and yellow daisies. The path curved through a small valley with tall amber grass swaying in the wind.
Far away, sheep munched on grass quietly. Red leaves fell like confetti from the trees, carried by the breeze. A group of geese flew overhead in a V-shape, their calls filling the clear autumn sky.
The journey carried them past mossy stone walls, broken wells, and a lone windmill creaking gently in the breeze. A pair of deer watched quietly from the woods as they passed, unafraid.
Finally, the wheatfields appeared—tall golden stalks stretching wide like a sea of sunlight. The wind rolled through them like waves.
Beyond the fields, nestled between two gently sloping hills, lay the grove.
A quiet place where the wildflowers grew.
They had arrived.
But to their surprise, a group of armored knights was stationed just outside the grove.
They were short—barely half of Ryo's height—and every one of them had a long, white beard that brushed their breastplates. Each bore a sword at their side, and a neat pile of shields rested beside eight strong, sturdy horses.
Though small in stature, there was nothing playful about their presence. They stood in tight formation, eyes sharp beneath their helmets.
One of them, standing at the front, raised a gauntleted hand. His voice was low and commanding.
"Hold it right there! State your business!"
Immediately, the others rested their hands on the hilts of their swords, ready to draw at a moment's notice.
Ryo held both hands up in a surrendering motion.
"Woah, woah, woah! Easy, fellas."
Fairy Greatmother and Ryo dismounted, both of them keeping their hands visible.
A second knight stepped forward, his eyes narrowing.
"What are you two doing here?" he asked sternly. "You after our princess or something?"
Ryo blinked. "Princess?"
He groaned internally. "Great… more princesses. It's like I got dropped into that mousy fellow's enchanted musical franchises."
Knight 3 drew his blade with a sharp ring and took a few steps toward them.
"If you're here to harm her, I'll cut you both down where you stand!"
But before tensions could rise further, Fairy Greatmother gracefully lowered herself to her knees, hands folded and head bowed.
Knight 3 faltered mid-step. "Wait—lady, what are you do—"
Fairy Greatmother slowly lifted her gaze, her tone calm but heavy with emotion.
"We're here to visit the grave of my relative. She passed away nineteen years ago. It has been far too long since I last came to pay my respects."
Then she turned to Ryo. "And this man beside me is also a relative of the dearly departed."
It was a lie. A soft one, but a necessary one—to get them into the grove.
The knights relaxed slightly. Swords were sheathed, though their eyes remained watchful.
Knight 2 tilted his head. "You… you're relatives of Lady Aurelia?"
The name caught Ryo off guard.
So they knew Cinderella's mother?
He slowly lowered his hands. "Wait… you guys know Aurelia too?"
Knight 4 gave a respectful nod. "We do. She was a mother figure to our princess."
More pieces fell into place. Ryo's mind raced. From everything he'd learned about this world—and from the Cinderella tales—Aurelia had no children other than Cinderella.
And yet here were knights, half his size, guarding a princess who looked up to Aurelia like a mother. Whoever this mysterious princess was, she was clearly connected to Cinderella's past.
Ryo glanced toward the grove.
"So… what are you all doing here?" he asked. "Is there something inside you're guarding?"
Knight 3, arms folded, replied sharply.
"Exactly. Our princess is within the grove. She's mourning Lady Aurelia."
Fairy Greatmother stepped forward, hand over her heart.
"Please… allow us to enter. We only wish to mourn as well. She was dear to us."
Knight 5 still looked unconvinced. His hand hovered near his sword.
"Alright. But I'm going in with you. I don't trust strangers around our princess."
Fairy Greatmother bowed deeply. "That is fair. Please, lead the way."
Knight 5 gestured to the animals. "The animals stay. Only the two of you."
Ryo turned back to the group. "Alright, everyone. Stay put and behave."
The animals saluted in unison, except for Barkzilla and Whiskers—still in horse form—who gave a small, respectful bow by lowering their heads.
With that, Ryo and Fairy Greatmother followed Knight 5 past the grove's edge.
Knight 5 walked ahead of them, hand never straying far from his sword.
He didn't say a word.
But his eyes watched everything.
The grove welcomed them in a hush of golden light, a place untouched by time. Wildflowers carpeted the ground in hues of faded lavender and warm ochre.
Slender birch trees and tall oaks stood on both sides of the path, their amber leaves fluttering down like whispers from the past.
Birdsong was faint, distant, and respectful—as though even nature knew this was sacred ground.
And then they reached it.
Aurelia's grave.
Ryo stopped in his tracks, heart pounding. He was really here — the hidden chapter, the part of Cinderella's story every tale was too afraid to tell… until now. And standing solemnly above the grave was a hazel tree.
Its trunk was slender and silver-gray, branches stretching out like gentle arms. Its leaves shimmered faintly in the golden light, just like the tree he remembered from the old Grimm story he read as a child.
It was said the hazel tree had grown from the very tears of Cinderella herself. And now, it stood here, as if waiting.
But they were not alone.
A girl stood with her back turned, facing the grave. Cloaked in black velvet with red satin lining and white embroidery, she looked both mysterious and royal.
Her hood cast her face in shadow, but underneath, she wore a simple brown peasant gown. She held a white lily with both hands. Her presence was silent and still—an echo of mourning.
Knight 5 stepped forward, placing a palm on his chest with noble grace.
"My princess."
The girl turned slowly. "Oh, Korvin," she said softly, her voice tender with recognition.
Ryo's eyes widened. She looked young—around Cinderella's age. Pale skin glowed faintly beneath the edge of her hood, and her cheeks were streaked with tears. The lily in her hands trembled.
"What are you doing here?" she sniffled. "Aren't you supposed to stay on guard outside the grove?"
Korvin knelt, pressing a fist to the ground.
"These two are relatives of Lady Aurelia, my princess. They have come to mourn."
Her breath caught. "Is that true?"
She took quick steps forward, desperation breaking through her sorrow as she faced Fairy Greatmother.
"Please! Tell me more about Mum!"
Ryo blinked. "Mum?"
She truly saw Aurelia as her mother.
Fairy Greatmother, with a gentle smile, placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. Her voice was calm and full of warmth.
"Relax now, dear one. Before I can explain… may I ask, do you know Cinderella?"
The girl trembled.
"Cinderella…" she whispered, eyes falling to the ground. "She's my… stepsister."
Ryo's breath hitched. "Wait a minute… in this world, she's Cinderella's stepsister? But Cinderella already has stepsisters from her stepfamily. Just who is this girl?" he wondered.
He asked gently. "Young lady… could you tell us what your relationship is with Cinderella and Madam Aurelia?"
She turned to him, voice soft. "Ever since we were little, we're—"
"—My princess… no." Korvin raised his hand in between them, stopping the conversation.
"B-But…" she stammered.
Korvin turned to Ryo and the Fairy Greatmother.
"Apologies for my rudeness, but for the sake of our princess' safety… I cannot allow her to speak further."
"Korvin, please… I—" she pleaded.
But Korvin's gaze was steady. "I'm truly sorry, my princess… but it's time to go."
Ryo watched the exchange.
"These knights… just what are they protecting her from? What kind of past are they keeping hidden…?" He wondered.
The girl lowered her head, disappointment flickering in her posture. She turned quietly, walked back to the grave, and knelt. With great care, she laid the white lily upon the tombstone and gently touched the stone for just a moment.
She turned back to them and bowed her head.
"Forgive me… but I must go now, with my seven sworn guardian knights."
Korvin extended his hand. "Come, my princess."
She reached out, placing her palm in his. And together, they walked past Ryo and Fairy Greatmother, her cloak whispering behind them.
But just before she disappeared, Ryo asked...
"Wait… before you go. Please… can you at least tell us your name?"
Since this mysterious princess is connected to Cinderella and Aurelia, Ryo knows he must at least learn her name. He can't press for more—her knights are clearly overprotective for a reason. For now, just knowing her name will have to be enough.
They stopped.
The girl slowly turned.
Her gaze met Ryo's, and she offered a soft, sad smile. The wind stirred, lifting her cloak gently as her lips parted.
"My name… is Schneewittchen."
The name echoed softly through the grove, as if awakening something long forgotten.
Ryo blinked. "That name… why does it sound so familiar?" he thought, mind digging through memory.
Still wearing the sad smile, the girl looked down, then took one final glance at him, her voice as delicate as the wind whispering through the trees.
"Auf Wiedersehen (Farewell)… strange foreign man."
And with that, Schneewittchen and Korvin turned, their silhouettes slipping quietly out of the amber-lit grove.
Gone.
Only the whisper of leaves remained…
Ryo watched them disappear, blinking once, twice, three times—as if his brain was buffering.
Wiping a bead of sweat from his brow, he turned to Fairy Greatmother, voice shaky.
"Wait... did that girl just call me… strange foreign man?"
Fairy Greatmother let out a soft chuckle.
"Well now, it seems your little secret's out. Though I daresay it wasn't very well hidden. Still, you're lucky, dear. She chose to let it be."
Ryo let out a long, exaggerated sigh.
"Yeah, no surprise there. I mean, look at me—I'm dressed like I got kicked out of a sci-fi convention and crash-landed in a wand-waving wonderland. Totally normal," he said with a dramatic shrug, then shot her a mock-serious look. "Ten out of ten for subtlety, right?"
Fairy Greatmother furrowed her brow, clearly confused by Ryo's strange Earth-born sarcasm and odd expressions.
Ryo rubbed his temples, exhaling wearily. "Never mind, ma'am. Let's just check the grave…"
With a gentle smile, Fairy Greatmother nodded, and together they turned toward the resting place.
The tombstone was plain, weathered by time, its gently curved top worn smooth. No carvings or names were visible. Only the quiet presence of wildflowers, blooming freely beneath the hazel tree's ancient branches.
Both Ryo and Fairy Greatmother folded their hands respectfully, offering silent prayers to honor Aurelia's memory.
Once their respects were paid, Ryo began to inspect the area — running his fingers over the rough bark of the hazel tree, observing the soft earth and the scattered petals of nearby flowers.
Then something caught his eye — a sparkle, a flicker of light high among the branches, just out of easy reach.
Ryo pointed upward, voice filled with excitement, "Ma'am, look! There's something stuck up there!"
Fairy Greatmother squinted, tilting her head. "Ah yes, I see it now, dear."
A smile tugged at Ryo's lips as he stretched his arms. "Alright, I'm gonna climb up!"
Fairy Greatmother's eyes widened in concern as she looked at Ryo.
"Eh? But won't that be dangerous? What if you fall?"
Without hesitation, Ryo stepped closer to the tree and began his ascent.
Inside, his heart thundered with a mix of awe and disbelief.
"Oh my god… I'm actually climbing the hazel tree—the legendary heart of the Grimms' whole story. Let's see who else can say that!"
Since childhood, the hazel tree had been a symbol of wonder, a mysterious guardian of secrets in Cinderella's tale. Now, here he was, scaling its branches for himself.
Fairy Greatmother watched from below, voice soft but firm.
"Please be careful, Mr. Detective."
Near the top, Ryo's eyes locked onto the object — a glass slipper, nestled carefully in a crook of the branches.
His breath caught. "Woah... Is this the glass slipper Cinderella wore?"
The slipper shimmered with a warm amber-gold glow, undeniably magical and precious.
Yet something was strange. Only the right slipper remained, and it was cracked, worn by time or trouble.
Ryo looked down at Fairy Greatmother, voice filled with wonder.
"It's a glass slipper, ma'am."
Fairy Greatmother's hands clasped tightly over her chest, eyes wide in awe. "Oh my…"
Just as Ryo reached out to take it, a chilling voice pierced the air…
"WHO DARES TO TOUCH MY DAUGHTER'S SLIPPER?!"
Startled, Ryo jerked back. "What the—?!"
Fairy Greatmother's face went pale as she pointed toward something horrifying.
"Mr. Detective! Behind you!"
Ryo's head turned slowly, his heart pounding in his throat.
There—just inches from his face—floated a ghostly woman. Her piercing eyes blazed with fury, pale skin faintly glowing in the shadowy grove. Her stare burned with fierce anger, a silent scream frozen on her lips.
A cold shiver ran down Ryo's spine as breath caught in his throat.
Suddenly, the hazel tree shimmered as ethereal winds spiraled outward in a violent gust.
Ryo was swept off the branch, hurtling downward with a startled shout. "WOAH!!!"
Fairy Greatmother quickly summoned her wand, then with a graceful wave, created a swirling vortex of wind beneath him. The breeze cradled Ryo's fall, lowering him softly to the ground.
He stood, wide-eyed, awe-struck, as Fairy Greatmother lowered her wand, watching the ghostly figure descend silently until she hovered just above the tombstone.
Both stood frozen, eyes locked on the ghost, breaths shallow, fear thick in the air.
Her voice echoed, cold and heavy. "I am Aurelia de Cendrière…"
Ryo whispered, disbelief trembling on his lips. "No way… you're…"
Aurelia's face twisted in anger, voice thunderous and haunting.
"And how DARE YOU TRY TO STEAL MY DAUGHTER'S SLIPPER!!"
The ghost of Cinderella's mother had appeared — and her wrath was as fierce as the love that bound her still to this world.