Kanushi brought an official announcement from King Rishab: the voyage to Tortonia would begin earlier than planned to attend a surprise birthday party for Queen Nagushiya of the Snake World. She was also staying in Tortonia for the grand celebration of Prince Makar Kweento’s achievements.
Upon hearing the news, Muffin became very excited. Mila, however, had never heard of such parties held on other planets and was both curious and confused.
Muffin asked Dombo to accompany him. Dombo, in turn, reminded Muffin about Ethan. Without hesitation, Muffin transformed Ethan’s capsule into a tiny cage, and shrunk Ethan into a miniature version of himself, allowing Dombo to carry him easily.
All of them drank a special potion to neutralize the effects of time variation between realms, and then teleported to Tortonia through the waterfall portal in Muffin’s magical garden.
Tortonia was a magnificent planet — nearly ten times larger than Saharsha — known for its breathtaking beauty and unique features.
Muffin and Mila entered the royal palace, where the party was about to begin. There, they met the elegant Queen Nagushiya of the Snake World and respectfully wished her. In return, Nagushiya blessed the children and thanked them warmly. She gifted a ring to Muffin, bangles to Mila, and other presents to Kanushi and Dombo.
Watching all of this, Ethan curiously asked Dombo about Queen Nagushiya. Dombo whispered,
“She knows everything in the cosmos. If you wish her sincerely, she might grant you a boon.”
Dombo then requested Muffin to change Ethan back into his original form, so he could enjoy the party too. In a cheerful mood, Muffin agreed and restored Ethan.
Ethan introduced himself politely as a former prisoner of Saharsha and wished Queen Nagushiya. Dombo encouraged him to ask for a boon. Gathering his courage, Ethan asked her,
“Can you tell me about my father?”
Nagushiya meditated for a few moments, then opened her eyes and gently said,
“I will take care of your father’s matters. For now, stay with me.”
Ethan, having no choice, obeyed her words. She also requested Kanushi to officially release him. As the guardian angel of Saharsha, Kanushi honored the request, moved by the queen’s kindness.
Mila still could not recognize Ethan. Strangely, Ethan no longer felt hurt — he accepted that she now lived a royal life, far different from her past as a cooking assistant on the ship.
Meanwhile, the playful kids began running around the party hall. Muffin mischievously snatched the bangles gifted to Mila by Queen Nagushiya and ran off. Mila chased after him in a hurry.
As an expert in magic, Muffin vanished just as he reached Prince Makar Kweento. Unaware of Muffin’s sudden disappearance, Mila accidentally crashed into Makar.
It was a sweet shock for the charming young prince. Within seconds, he became captivated by Mila’s beauty. Even Mila, for the first time, felt a strange sense of shyness, a fluttering in her heart she had never experienced before.
Just then, Muffin popped out from under a table, tickled Prince Makar, and ran away laughing.
Now, both Mila and Makar began to chase Muffin — but suddenly, they all heard a strange noise coming from inside the party hall…
To be continued…