Chapter 1

Lila was humming a lighthearted tune as she methodically chopped the freshly harvested vegetables taken from their garden. She had spent the morning collecting them, relishing the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze. She had a fondness for living in the tranquil cottage with her mother far from the clatter and clutter of the city. She liked the connection with nature and self that she felt.

Lila tossed the fresh veggies into a boiling pot of water, adding some salt and pepper. She stirred the stew, inhaling the flavorful fragrance. She smiled softly, contemplating the joy her mother would derive from it. Her mother was an educator at the local school where she had to conceal her otherworldly origins utilizing a magical enchantment. Lila was eager to make her mother's life less difficult.

Lila was abruptly disrupted from her cooking session when she heard the door open and close. Soon after, her mom spoke, stating "Lila, I've returned. What is that delightful scent?"

Lila swiftly shut off the stove before washing her hands using an apron. She walked into the living room, where her mother had just hung her coat on a hook, offering a welcoming smile. Lila responded with a delighted hug and the explanation that " I've made vegetable soup for lunch. I hope you're hungry."

When Lila's mother responded with a hug and an affectionate smooch to her cheek, she beamed proudly. She then carried the filled bowls to the kitchen counter where she set them side-by-side with some bread and butter. They both perched on either side of the table, where Lila started using the spoon to take her first bite of the yummy soup.

The mother took a gulp of the nourishing soup, savoring the flavorful experience. Following that, she spoke, saying "Indeed, this is truly scrumptious, Lila. How did you end up cooking this delectable recipe?"

In response, Lila made an indifferent response, stating "This recipe was from a cookbook, and I merely followed the instructions. All one needs is fresh ingredients and the proper spices."

Her mother's adoration was visible as she gazed at her daughter with admiration. She then provided an unexpected idea, suggesting that "If it wasn't for our circumstance of remaining hidden, you would be a successful chef. You possessed the capacity for establishing your own eatery or working in a renowned luxury lodging facility."

The blush that crossed Lila's cheeks expressed her nervousness at the thought of pursuing that occupation. The desire was always there, but uncertainty about her talent and the stress and competition that came with it caused her to balk at the possibility. Though her passion for cooking had always been there, the idea of becoming a chef seemed unattainable. Especially since her fairy status prevented her from fully experiencing the exterior human world. Lila's self-doubts surfaced as she believed she would be consumed instead of cooking the food.

She pondered about how her life would have been if she was not born a fairy, given she relishes cooking but prefers to avoid the crowds. Her imagination portrayed her as being the meal on the menu rather than the cook during a busy service.

Lila was not convinced, insisting on remaining skeptical of her capabilities. She expressed this hesitance with the words "But I'm unsure. I enjoy cooking for you, but I do not think I possess the sufficient skills necessary to cook for a broader audience. I'm lacking the talent to succeed in that arena."

Her mother quickly refuted this with a persuasive reminder of her capabilities and ability to thrive if she follows her passion. She expressed this assurance by stating, "Don't underestimate yourself,my little angel."

As Lila processed this moment with her mother, she experienced a myriad of emotions coursing through her. She held great affection and gratitude for her mom's presence in her life, however, the mixture of sentiments also encompassed trepidation and uncertainty. Lila's goals of earning her mother's approval while striving to live life in a contented and content manner overwhelmed her. She was torn between competing desires, unable to arrive on a resolution.

Lila glanced at her bowl and noticed, with her own eyes, a slight spill had occurred upon the fabric of her clothing due to her untimely carelessness with the spoon. In a quick response, she caught sight of a napkin and quickly snatched it to remedy the stain. However, her panic and swift movement only contributed to the situation's aggravation as the spillage escalated to a larger area.

Her mother was not pleased at witnessing the stain's spread over the fabric of Lila's clothing. Expressing a look of displeasure and disappointment, she spoke "Lila, cease at once. You are ruining your attire with your attempts at cleansing it. Go change into something more suitable."

As per her mother's directive, Lila nodded and swiftly evacuated the table area. She proceeded to leave the kitchen and enter her personal bedroom, where she shut the doorway behind her. Leaning against the wall, she felt tears welling up in her eyes, expressing her sadness and sorrow. She longed to be like other women, exuding confidence and achieving success. She yearned to be just herself without the restrictions of hiding and living in secrecy.

After a moment of reflection, Lila decided that she would take a bath to cleanse herself and rid her body of the mess. Following that, she planned to dress in a pristine attire that was comfortable.

She ended up wearing a flowing dress designed from soft fabrics in muted tones and bearing small adornments, possibly made out of small petals of wildflowers and various small flowers, would be likely. The outfit is designed with a loose fit to allow for freedom of body movement, allowing her to experience unrestricted ease during the performance of natural, delicate actions.

After completing her bathing routine, Lila made her way down the stairs to re engage with her mother. As she continued to dine, she resolved to request her mother's permission to venture out into the close vicinity. However, her mother's expression displayed a sign of disapprobation as she proclaimed leaving no room for argument "No, you are not permitted to walk to that specific location."