"Percy, Lady Dalia. Good to see you both." Prince Quinus said as he nodded his head.

"Sorry, it took us so long to return, my Lord," Percy said, bowing his head respectfully to the prince.

Quinus shook his head, "No need to apologize. I have confidence there was justification for you two to go and run off on your own."

"Yes, Beta. There was. I caught the scent of the one that betrayed you and Alpha back in the Tomb of the Horde," Dalia said as she bowed her head to the prince.

"Oh? Is this so? I'm assuming that he wasn't on the battlefield," Prince Quinus said as he narrowed his gaze at the woods in the distance.

Percy nodded, "Yes. He was hiding in the woods close by. We had to move quickly before he disappeared again."

Quinus smiled as he looked at the two of them. "Lady Dalia. Percy. You two have become quite a formidable team. Thank you. And Lady Dalia, I would like to make you an official member of the Royal Guard. If you're interested that is?"

Dalia looked up at Percy. Then back at the prince. "Will I have to be away from Alpha?"

"No. It will give you more authority within the kingdom. I want you to become Rya's personal retainer," Quinus said with a smile.

Dalia nodded her head, "But I already have a life debt to Alpha. Why go through all that trouble?"

"Because I don't wish for some noble or knight to push you around because they use their statue on you. When it comes to life in the capital, it's not who is the strongest warrior. It's about the court of nobles, positioning themselves to curry favor with the King. And if you're a Royal Guard you only have to answer to me and Rya. I need someone I can trust to be by her side. And you are that person," Quinus said as he smiled at Dalia.

Dalia blushed, 'Beta, is really good with his words. Alpha, needs to fully claim him.'

"I'm honored, Beta. I'll become a Royal Guard," Dalia said as she bowed her head once more to the prince.

Sir George and Percy smiled once they heard Dalia accept the offer.

"So, we finally have a new member added to our merry band. Glad to hear, Lady Dalia," Sir George said as he gave a slight bow.

"How many are in the Royal Guard?" Dalia asked as she looked at Percy.

"A little over 100," Percy replied as he thought about it for a moment. "Maybe 150."

"That seems like too many. I guess there are some important people here then," Dalia said as she smiled at Percy.

"Well, we are the Prince's personal Guard. And there are only five of us. We lost a few when we went after the labyrinth," Percy said.

Rya was surprised that Dalia became her personal retainer. She wasn't used to having this type of authority placed on her.

'So, now Dalia is my bodyguard? I mean it's flattering and all, but I don't want to put her in danger.'

Dalia noticed Rya's discomfort. She turned towards the dark elf and spoke softly, "Is something wrong, Alpha?"

Rya sighed as she shook her head, "I just have a lot on my mind... Thanks, Dalia," Rya said.

Nieren chimed in, "Rya has been feeling guilty about how many men died. Because of being enslaved by the Black Roses."

Dalia looked confused, "Alpha, come with me. We need some girl talk."

'Huh? G-Girl time? But Dalia knows I was a man. I'm not sure if I know what to do.'

"Oh, can I come too?" Nieren asked with a smile.

"You want to tag along, Woody? Okay, why not! Hey! We'll be back in a few!" Dalia said as she grabbed Rya's hand and dragged her away from Quinus and the other men.

"D-Dalia! You don't have to pull me so hard!" Rya complained while being led away.

Quinus started laughing, "I hope Lady Dalia can help Rya. I feel helpless right now."

"What do you mean, my Lord? We've said everything the needs to Lady Rya. It's post-battle jitters. It will pass." Sir George replied.

Quinus glanced at Sir George before watching the girls walk off.

'No George. She's an earthling like me. We are not used to having people die for our mistakes. Fuck! I wish I knew what to do... I just need to let her have her space. Be patient, Quin. She's safe and that is what matters.'

***

After being led away by Dalia, Rya was taken to an unoccupied tent that was set up by the Ironside Army.

Nieren followed close behind Dalia.

"Okay, we're along now. So, what's bothering you, Alpha?"

Rya sighed as she sat down on the floor of the tent.

"It's hard to explain..." Rya said.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Don't worry about explaining anything right now. Just take your time and tell us what's going on inside that pretty head." Dalia said as she sat next to her friend.

Rya closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again.

'God, Dalia is persistent. But she is one person I trust not to judge me. Hopefully, Nieren is similar.' Rya thought before she decided to talk.

"I-I can't stop replaying the events of my enslavement. I can't stop myself from playing the what-if game. If I didn't go to the brothel then I wouldn't have gotten over a hundred men killed... It-It's my fault and I wish I could fix it. Even though I know I can't." Rya said with tears rolling down her face.

'God, I need to get my emotions in check. How can I turn this around?'

"Hmm. I think you're looking at this all wrong, Alpha." Dalia said as she put her arm around Rya's shoulder.

"Huh? How should I be looking at it?" Rya asked confused by Dalia's statement.

Dalia nodded her head as she spoke, "Alpha... What happened after you got enslaved?"

"Um... Quin and all of you came to rescue me." Rya responded with a confused look on her face.

Dalia smiled, "Not only that but Beta raised an army to save you within hours. Humans and dwarves came to rescue an enslaved dark elf. I've never heard of anything like that before."

Nieren became dumbfounded by the wolf-kin's logic. "S-She is right! It's like a fairy tale! Other races don't come to the aid of other races and the world sees dark elves as evil. But you have a human that's a crown prince coming to free you from your slave collar? My people would say I'm insane if I ever dreamed of such a story." Nieren paused for a moment as she realized how crazy it sounded.

Rya sat there taking in what Dalia and Nieren were saying. 'Huh? I know I've been on Tertius for almost three weeks. But I've never seen or heard about halfbreeds. Does this world's races not like to intermingle?' Rya thought to herself as she looked back at her friends. "You guys really think so?"

The two girls nodded their heads together. "Alpha, I would have never trusted humans or elves if it wasn't for you. And if I had a male raise an army to save me. I would give him so many life debts that he would be stuck with me even in the afterlife." Dalia said with a warm smile.

Nieren tilted her head slightly, "I can't argue with the wolf. Because I never would have trusted a beast-kin before or saved a dark elf. And for a human male. His Highness is surprisingly attractive... Hey, why did you go to a brothel in the first place?"

Rya panicked, 'Crap! What do I say?'

"I-I... Um..." Rya was struggling to find the words she needed. Until Dalia came in to assist her.

"Woody, how good are you at keeping secrets?" Dalia asked as the wolf-kin turned to the wood elf and gave her a serious look.

"I-I'm very good at keeping secrets. Honest!" Nieren replayed with a nervous tone.

Dalia raised an eyebrow as if she doesn't believe her.

Rya was sitting there waiting to see what Nieren was going to say.

'Damn. When did Dalia become so quick-witted? I'm glad she's my friend.' Rya thought as she tried to think of a plan.

"Okay. I can tell you two secrets about me. Will that work? And please try not to repeat them anywhere else." Nieren pleaded to Dalia and Rya.

Dalia smiled, "Sure! But don't expect me to keep a secret forever."

"O-Okay... Well, my mother and I are the last surviving Royalty of the Wood Elven dynasty on the Agon continent. And almost all my people have been murdered or enslaved by the Kingdom of Marn. And I lack the strength to save them." Nieren explained nervously.

'Nieren? God, now I feel like a asshole. I should help her at some-' Rya's thoughts were interrupted when she noticed Dalia smirking at her.

"What," Rya asked.

"Were you thinking about saving Nieren's people?" Dalia asked with a smirk.

'Wow! Is she a mind reader? Or am I that obvious? Whatever.'

"Yeah, I was thinking about helping her save them. But I don't know where to start." Rya admitted.

"Y-You would!" Nieren exclaimed.

Rya nodded, "Yeah, no one deserves to be enslaved. And I'll do what I can to stop it... Anyway, you told me your secrets so I'll tell you mine... I-I'm a summoned."

Nieren was dumbfounded, "A summoned? You mean that you're from another world?"

Rya nodded her head, "Yeah, the Goddess Nils brought me here to Tertius."

'And she brought me here against my will.' Rya thought to herself.

Dalia was giving Rya a look to continue.

"A-And I was a human male before coming here." Rya finished.

"Huh! Oh! So, that's why you went to the brothel. You're interested in females." Nieren asks, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Rya gave an awkward laugh, "Ha ha. Yeah, I was into females when I was a male."

"Huh? So, you're saying that you're interested in males instead?" Nieren asked curiously.

Rya blushed and shook her head, "I don't know! Maybe?"

Dalia shook her head and sighed, "Alpha, what's wrong with liking males? Is there some reason you shouldn't have feelings for one of them?"

Rya paused for a second, "Oh course there's nothing wrong with liking a guy, but if I do that means that Nils has won. She controls me, right?"

"Does she control you? Did she tell you to save a wolf-kin at deaths doorstep? Did she tell you to help Beta defeat the dungeon core? Did she tell you that I should try having a relationship with a human? Did she tell you to help Woody to free her people?" Dalia says with a serious expression.

"Uhh... N-No? I didn't talk to her at all about those things. Besides, they only told me to rebuild the dark elves empi-" Rya cut off mid-sentence.

"So how are they controlling you, Alpha? Besides changing you into a female dark elf." Dalia asks.

'Huh? I mean... I-I guess she's making a good point?' Rya thinks to herself.

"Well... Well, hmm..." Rya ponders to herself.

"Alpha, does it feel wrong to be beside Beta?" Dalia asks curiously.

Rya looked out the opened tent door and saw Quin in the distance. Her heart raced, she wiggled her hips to see how they felt. She felt an odd feeling between her legs. It wasn't painful or uncomfortable. In fact, it felt natural and it wanted attention.

"No, I don't think so!" Rya answers quickly.

"If you want him then claim him." Dalia said, her hand on her hip.

Rya blushed and smiled, "B-But how much does it hurt? I know wom- human females say it's unpleasant for their first time. That's not true though, is it?" Rya asked timidly.

Dalia grinned, "When it's with someone you care about, then it feels like the most wonderful thing ever. You might get swept away by passion and forget your pain."

'W-Well, I guess this is a way to know what a woman's body feels during sex. It could be good research. O-Okay if Quin will have me I'll give it a try! Yeah, it's for research! Now I need to ask Nieren one last thing.' Rya thought to herself.

Rya looked to Nieren, "I have something I need to know. How often do female elves have their periods?"

"Huh? What's a period? Wolf, do you know what she is talking about?" Nieren asked curious.

Dalia shook her head.

Rya sighed, "It's when a girl's body releases blood from her womb and uterus. When a girl is fertile, she can get pregnant. Do you guys have monthly cycles?"

"OH! You're talking about menses. I mean I get one about every ten years or so." Nieren answered.

"Oh, nice! So it's highly unlikely that I'll get pregnant right now! Okay, that one thing I don't need to worry about!" Rya said relieved.

Dalia wagged her tail, "So, are you going to go after him?"

Rya stood up and looked at Dalia, "Yes I am, but I'm taking my time. I want to make sure he wants me too."

"That's fine! Just leave it to us. We'll help you get ready for your first time if you want. It will be fun!" Dalia said excitedly.

"No, no. I'm good. I've done it with a woman... Before I became a woman so I'm good. As long as I know I can trust him that's all I need." Rya said as she walked out of the tent.

"Alright, well we should probably get some rest, it's been a stressful day," Nieren said.

Dalia nodded, "Yeah, I think I'll have fun with my mate when he comes along."