Alysia Flora's POV
"Dear!!"
I was deeply immersed in my books, but when I heard that voice, I gently set the book aside and rushed towards the source of the sound.
"MAMA!!"
"Come, come, commmeee.....gotcha!!!"
"hehehehe" My mother giggled as she enfolded me in her soft arms.
I snuggled into her embrace, smiling with contentment.
Lifting my head, I gazed upon a breathtaking sight: a beautiful silver-haired woman with long, elegant ears adorned with glistening diamond jewellery. Her face had a delicate, diamond-shaped structure, and her silvery eyes sparkled like bright stars. She was dressed in a pristine white robe that added to her ethereal appearance.
Observing my admiring expression, my mother asked playfully,
"What is it, Dear?"
"Mama is beautiful!!" I responded with unfiltered honesty.
Upon hearing my words, she gazed at me for a moment before breaking into a heartwarming giggle and showering me with affectionate kisses on my face.
'chu'
"MAMA!!"
'chu'
"Mama!"
'chu'
"Ma...."
'chu'
"..."
'chu'
'chu'
I couldn't resist my mother's affectionate onslaught of kisses.
After the flurry of kisses, My mother gazed at my face and said lovingly, "My dear Alysia Flora is the most beautiful girl in the world, 'chu'" as my mother planted a kiss on my forehead, causing me to blush.
Her teasing only intensified upon seeing my flustered face, and she chuckled, saying,
"Hehehe... My daughter has beautiful silver hair just like me, and gorgeous green eyes just like your father, a cute nose, chubby cheeks... heheh... I'm sure my daughter is going to break lots of young boys' hearts... heheheh."
The more I heard, the more my face reddened, and I protested, "Mama!" I pouted in response to her playful antics and turned away.
Observing my reaction, my mother lifted me and carried me towards the mirror.
As of now, I am 10 years old.
"Look" she said as she held me in front of the mirror.
"...Mama is more beautiful" I remarked, my eyes captivated by her beauty, even though I closely resembled her except for a slight difference in our eyes....I couldn't compare myself to her radiant appearance.
In response to my comment, my mother smiled and kissed my forehead, saying, "Yes, I am more beautiful... " as her eyes looked at my green eyes, "...but, my dear, you will surpass me in due time".
Her words, full of unconditional love, made my cheeks burn even brighter.
Having had her fun teasing me, my mother changed the subject, saying, "Well, it's time to eat, dear"
"Hmm" I nodded as I hugged her neck and kissed her cheek.
"..." My mother blinked for a few seconds as my face turned red even more.
"hahahahaha....My dear is cuter!! than me"
A heartfelt laugh filled our small wooden house, consisting of a small bedroom with a dining table and washroom. We didn't have a kitchen, as we ate directly from nature without altering the food processing.
After some chattering, everyone lowered their heads in respect to my mother, their reverence akin to a grand forest bowing in unison.
My mother simply smiled and nodded before walking away, her white robe blending seamlessly with the ethereal surroundings, the embodiment of Elven grace.
Yet, they didn't raise their heads to show their respect.
A certain pride swelled inside my heart as a smug smile crept onto my face, which didn't go unnoticed by my mother.
She didn't say anything, though, and simply continued to walk, her hand brushing lightly over the leaves and vines that adorned the ancient branches.
...
"Mother, I'm going hunting" I declared, gazing at my mother, who wore a pouting expression, disapproving of my decision.
"Sigh, Mother" I murmured as I approached her, my voice filled with affection, but her exasperated sigh pushed me away.
"...."
"...."
"....Mama-"
"My dear, you've grown up 'sniff, sniff' " she sniffled, faking tears and hugging me tightly. "She's not calling me 'Mama' anymore... 'sob', 'sob'".
"Mama... I'm now 55 years old" I pointed out, though I had matured somewhat, resembling a 12-year-old human.
"So? To me, you'll always be a child, even when you're a thousand years old" she replied, continuing to feign tears.
"Mama, that's a bit old, don't you think?" I raised an eyebrow and made a quirky expression.
She chuckled and kissed my forehead, her words still filled with warmth and motherly affection, "You will always be My little child, My dear Aly"
My mother loves me too much...
"I'm heading out then" I said, slipping away from her embrace.
"Huh?" She looked startled, her attempt at emotional manipulation thwarted.
'Does she think that technique is going to work every time?' I wondered as I walked out of our home.
"Ha, Princess Alysia?"
"Princess Alysia?"
"Princess, are you going hunting?"
"Do you mind if my son joins you?"
"Wait, Your waste son?.....Ignore him, Princess, My son is the best at hunting beasts, he can help you, Princess?"
"Bastard, when did you have a son?"
"Huh?... right?"
Chatter filled the air as others discussed the surprising development. I simply smiled and said, "Sorry, but I need to train my skills" before slipping away from their insistent conversations.
With a swift motion, I escaped their nagging and walked alone, enjoying the beauty of our forest home.
'It never fails to amaze me' I thought as I reached the exit wall.
"Oh, Princess?"
"Princess?"
The guards stationed at the exit all bowed down.
"Thank you for protecting" I acknowledged as I exited the wall.
"It's our honour to receive praise from Your Highness" they replied in unison.
Our houses were constructed around the World Tree, and a massive wall encircled our settlement, making it challenging for other creatures to enter.
Here, we sought to coexist with nature and avoid conflict with the beasts, maintaining an ecosystem where they could thrive without entering our territory and vice versa.
Our approach extended to the other demi-human races, like Dwarfs, Cattians, and Rabbitians, who had their own territories, all united under the rule of the Elven Queen... MY MOTHER.
This was how we preserved our way of life in the Flora Continent.