Rya had been sleeping in her bed as best she could while recovering from drinking too much Dwarven Ale after Hajdah's challenge.

She woke up to the jarring sound of heavy knocking at the door as if someone were relentlessly hammering it with tremendous force. With her keen, elven ears, the noise seemed utterly overwhelming as the door swung open. But in reality, the knocking was barely more than a polite tap to a human's ear.

"Owww! God damn, my head," Rya grumbled, squinting her eyes to make out who was disturbing her. She battled against a brutal hangover from only a single ale. This would have been humiliating if her head didn't feel like it was about to burst.

"Alpha? Are you okay?" Dalia asked nervously as she peeked her head into Rya's room.

"I'm fine... Ugh... I just had a little too much. Ah, what time is it?" Rya replied, trying to ignore her aching head as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"You've been sleeping for about four hours. Do you need anything?... Like food or something?" Dalia asked as she walked through the doorway.

"Food sounds good. Ow... And water. Thanks," Rya answered while rubbing her temples. The Dark Elf closed her eyes and leaned on her back, letting out a long sigh.

The wolfkin nodded her head and wagged her tail before turning around and heading toward the kitchen.

After a few minutes, Dalia came back to the room with Percy's help. Dalia had a tall glass of water while Percy was struggling to navigate into Rya's room with a large platter of various cooked meats with a side of vegetables.

Rya's eyelids slowly fluttered open as a tantalizing scent wafted into her nostrils, awakening her senses. The aroma of sizzling meat made her stomach emit a low, rumbling growl, reminding her of her intense hunger. Her mouth began to water uncontrollably. She cast a glance over at the two figures nearby and couldn't help but stifle a chuckle at the sight of Dalia treating Percy like a makeshift pack animal. However, hunger overpowered her amusement, so she promptly sat upright, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the much-needed meal.

'She's going to lose her mate if she keeps using him like that. It's kinda cute, though,' Rya thought as she slowly sat up in her bed.

"Ugh! H-Here you go, Lady Rya. We have wild boar and root vegetables for you," Percy grunted as he bumped against the doorframe and regained his balance.

"And I brought you water, Alpha!" Dalia chimed in with her usual chipper attitude. The Wolfkin outstretched her arm, holding the glass for Rya to take.

The Dark Elf drank half of the glass before putting it down on the nightstand next to her bed. She sighed a bit as the cold water went down her throat. Percy was able to gently place the platter on a tray table near the bed and let out a sigh of relief. He wasn't hurt, but he did have a few close calls.

"Thanks, Dalia, and thank you, Percy," Rya said, picking up a piece of boar. She took a small bite and savored the flavor. She had to admit these dwarves knew how to cook meat.

"Is there anything else you need, Alpha?" Dalia asked.

"Yeah... You shouldn't treated Percy like that. You'll lose him if you keep doing that, you know," Rya stated with a straight face.

Dalia's expression turned into a blank slate as if her mind was struggling to make sense of the information.

"But, Alpha?... Gamma took the large platter from me, and he insisted he'd do it... He said it had something to do with being 'gentlemanly.' I told him that he was annoying, but he really seemed like he wanted to do it. I don't think he's going anywhere," the Wolfkin replied with a puzzled expression.

Rya shot a quick glance at Percy, who appeared slightly embarrassed, before looking back at the puzzled Dalia. It was no secret that the wolfkin wasn't known for her sharp wit, but Rya attributed it to cultural differences. Despite wanting to burst into laughter, the Dark Elf contained herself, letting out a small chuckle and shaking her head in a dismissive manner.

"Anyway, is there anything else you need, Alpha?" Dalia asked again.

"Yeah, you two can help me with eating all this meat... It's a little too much for me," Rya answered.

The dark elf forked another piece of meat and tore into it. Her teeth shredded through the meat, exposing the juicy insides. Her mouth watered as the rich flavor flooded her tongue. It was cooked to perfection, and the meat melted in her mouth. It was already helping Rya's headache as she began to forget her hangover.

Dalia and Percy looked at each other and grinned. They both picked up a slice of meat and began to eat along with the Dark Elf.

The air was thick with anticipation as they savored each bite of the mouthwatering meat and crisp, flavorful vegetables. Once they had cleaned their plates, Rya's gaze drifted to the window, where she noticed the sun hidden behind heavy clouds. In the distance, the majestic mountain range loomed, adding an intriguing backdrop to their quiet moment.

"It seems like it's gonna rain," Rya said.

Dalia looked out the window and sniffed the air.

*Sniff! Sniff!* "Hmm? Well, I do smell more moistness in the air than normal," Dalia replied.

"Maybe it's a storm coming in?" Percy asked.

"That's if the wind is blowing the clouds towards us... I hope it rains. I like the sound of it from time to time... Haah... Well, I'm feeling better, thanks, guys," Rya said as she stretched her arms over her head.

"Well, it's the least we can do. And you did well with Hajdah's challenge, Lady Rya. I was a little worried when the Mage's Guild surrounded us," Percy admitted as he winced at the thought of fighting the mages.

"Huh? They were a part of the Mage's Guild? I thought I felt something radiating from them. Was that their mana? I have never experienced that kind of sensation before..." Rya wondered out loud as she recalled the sensation she felt when the guild members surrounded them.

"Well, that's what mages say, at least. If someone is born with the ability to become a mage, then mages can sense other mages' mana. They say it feels different from everyone else's mana. But it feels all the same to me... Anyway, don't worry about it. Only the mages can sense your mana. They are the only ones in the city who can tell that you are different from everyone else," Percy explained.

"Hmm? So, are there multiple mages practicing their magical arts in this city? That's quite intriguing... I wonder if they possess different spellbooks or mystical tomes that can expand my understanding of magic. Maybe there are some secrets that I haven't come across yet," Rya muttered under her breath as her mind raced with new possibilities.

"If you're looking for books on the subject, I think you'll be disappointed. Most of their books are made by other kingdoms from millennia ago, and we are unable to reproduce them ourselves unless there's a magical scribe in the city. On top of that, they are impossible to read because they are written in dead languages from what I've been told," Percy answered.

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'I wonder if those stupid Goddesses gave me the ability to read dead languages? It's the least those assholes could do! Who am I kidding? They would take away abilities if it amused them,' Rya thought to herself with a grimace.

The Dark Elf emerged from her thoughts and glanced around, only to realize that Quin and Sir George were nowhere to be found.

"Hey? Where is Quin? Where's he gone to?" Rya asked her friends.

"Yeah, Beta came back from an errand earlier and was watching over you like a sick puppy! But the Baron asked him about sending a message to someone or something... I didn't care to remember. Anyway, he should be back soon... I think," Dalia replied.

'Why would the Baron want to send a message? Maybe it's a message for his parents? Whatever, it's probably not important for me to worry about,' Rya thought to herself.

"So, is there a desk around here, or is this it?" Rya asked as she looked around this bedroom, which was nice but had little to offer besides the craftsmanship in the furniture and walls.

Dalia pointed to the door. Rya exited her bed, walked over to the door, and opened it to see a lavish office with a large desk made from exotic wood and a matching chair. There were shelves lined with books, scrolls, and other knickknacks. The desk had a quill, inkwell, and paper. There was a large round table in the middle of the room. Six chairs surrounded it, but none of them were made of wood. All were made from steel and cushioned with black leather. On the wall were two paintings of the late King Burell Meredydd and his wife. This room was designed for the Royal Family whenever they visited Ironside.

'Jeez, this stuff looks expensive!' Rya thought to herself while taking in all the gold accents around the room.

"Wow... I feel like I shouldn't touch anything... Oh? That's a big window," the Dark Elf exclaimed while admiring the view of the office. She sauntered gracefully to the window and gazed pensively outside, her eyes tracing the patterns of the busy streets below. As she peered downward, her gaze was drawn to a solitary figure seated at a secluded table in the corner of the palace courtyard. Recognition dawned on her as she realized that it was the same dwarven mage who challenged her when they found out that she was a Dark Elf after entering the palace grounds. It was Archmage Hajdah, The Fire Mage of Ironside, Headmaster of the Mage's Guild, and an elder dwarf.

"Uh... He looks familiar, but I can't remember his name... Who is that?" Rya asked Dalia as her head started to hurt from her hangover.

"That's the dwarf from the Mage Guild. He's been hanging around after you were in bed. I thought he was going to go home. I guess he isn't," Dalia replied in an annoyed tone.

"Well, someone's finally awake. I hope your head is feeling better," asked the familiar voice that belonged to Quinus.

Rya spun around, heart racing, only to find the Crown Prince standing before her, a warm smile lighting up his face.

As Quin laid eyes on Rya's stunning face, he misinterpreted her expression as one of panic or fear. In response, he awkwardly raised his hand to scratch the back of his head. "I'm sorry, Rya. I didn't mean to startle you."

Rya let out a sigh and shook her head. "It's okay, really. I'm sorry for being such a mess after getting drunk again."

Quin smiled and nodded, "Don't worry about it. It's not your fault. Hajdah was hell-bent on proving that you were using me. He was an idiot for trying to start drama between us. Don't listen to him."

Rya frowned and placed her hand on Quin's chest. "Does he not trust me because I'm a Dark Elf? Or what?"

Quin took Rya's hand into his own. "Yeah. The weird thing is Hajdah has been alive for 120 years, and you're the first Dark Elf he's run into? It seems like most of the continent hasn't run into the Dark Elves except the Alliance of the Divine Three?"

'Huh? Are Dark Elves a rare species? I thought they-I meant "we" were a pretty standard race in this world. I guess I assumed wrong. Then again, I am in a city of the Dwarves. Wait, what did Quin just say? He said that Dwarf was 120 years old?... Damn!? Well, he's aged well. I wonder what the average lifespan for a dwarf is?' Rya pondered.

"Well, we're invited to have dinner with the Baron tonight. Would you like to join us?" Quin asked.

"Sure, why not? I've never met the baron before, and I don't want to be rude," Rya replied.

"Just try not to drink too much ale tonight. You don't need another hangover," Quin said sarcastically.

Rya laughed and nodded. "I think I had enough for one day. But I have to say that stuff is too good!"

"You know I don't care if you get drunk as long as you behave yourself," Quin said.

Rya flashed a mischievous grin.

"Oh yeah! There's a festival for the Goddess happening tomorrow. It should be nice just to relax a bit," Quin mentioned.

"Well, I wouldn't mind checking it out," Rya replied.

Dalia and Percy were excited about the idea of attending the festival.

"Yeah, I'd like to watch the animal show if anyone is interested," Percy asked out loud.

"Hmm? A human, dwarf festival? I'd see the main attraction, but I don't really like to see animals in captivity. They are used mostly for fighting or performing, and it wouldn't give me any pleasure. But if it were humans that were fighting in an arena, then I would be interested," Dalia said with a wag of her tail.

Percy's heart raced as he suddenly realized that he had promised to take Dalia, a former Battle Arena Slave, to see caged animals, mirroring her own past captivity. Uncertain of how she would react, he scrambled to make amends.

"Ah!... Did I say that!? What I really meant to say was, let's go to the game stalls, exciting rides, and get some delicious food. We'll steer clear of the animal fights, Lady Dalia. Which are nowhere near as fun as those other things; ha ha," Percy hastily corrected himself. He prayed to the Goddess that he didn't offend the woman that he loved.

"Good, that's why you're the best little wolf in the world," Dalia said with a wink and a giggle.

Percy blushed and nodded, not knowing how to respond.

'Oof! That was almost a disaster, Percy... Good recovery, though. But she's gonna eat you alive if you keep making mistakes like that. Well, I better enjoy the show. Haha,' Rya thought to herself as she stifled a chuckle. After she was done laughing at her own jokes, an idea popped into her head that might help the two of them grow their relationship.

"You know, Dalia?... It's like you're going on a date with Percy?" Rya said with a grin, trying to tease the Wolfkin. But her ulterior motive was to push the couple together.

Dalia's tail perked up, and she quickly turned her head towards Rya. She had a puzzled look on her face.

"But it's not a date, Alpha. It's just a simple trip to a festival. And it's with everyone. So, there's no way it's a date, right?" the wolfkin asked, which made Percy look disappointed.

"Hmm... But didn't you want to know what a date is like with your mate? That's a shame," Rya replied, shrugging her shoulders and putting a sad look on her face.

Dalia tilted her head. She thought to herself about what Rya had said. "I'm not afraid of some 'date.' I've been through so many opponents that these dates that humans go on will be nothing to me."

'Hehe! You better thank me for this, Percy, 'cause I'm about to set you up with the girl of your dreams!' Rya thought to herself. She couldn't contain the evil grin that was growing on her face.

"Heh... Putting up a brave front, huh? Well, dating is one of the toughest battles that you can fight against," Rya said, her voice filled with confidence.

"A battle? It's just a human tradition. And humans are weak. So, their dates shouldn't be difficult to overcome," Dalia said, sounding sure of herself.

Percy's eyes widened with excitement, but he kept quiet, not wanting to ruin the moment.

Rya's grin widened. She could almost hear the young man's heartbeat.

"Well, you see, it's like a fight. But instead of fighting physically, you are fighting with your heart and mind. You have to use your words in ways to win over favors and gain your opponent's trust. Then, you will slowly open up and allow them to get close. This process can take a lot of time, and some people may not be patient enough to stick it out until the end... Can a Wolfkin handle such pressure? That's the real question."

The wolfkin's ears twitched. Her tail stopped wagging as she took in Rya's explanation. Then, her eyes filled with fiery determination. "Fighting with words and opening your heart, huh? I am not afraid, Alpha! If it's a challenge, then I'll be ready for whatever it brings. Right, little wolf?"

Rya beamed with approval as she glanced at Dalia. Then she turned to Percy, who seemed eager to descend to the Dark Elf's feet and shower them with kisses for devising such a brilliant plan. Quinus observed the scene with amusement and held his tongue, not wanting to spoil the moment.

"So you aren't afraid then?... Good... Because you will be... You will be," Rya said ominously, raising her hand and pointing directly at Dalia's heart.

"Hmph. Just point that finger somewhere else. Because I will win," the wolfkin said, puffing out her chest.

"Heh, very well, Dalia," Rya said, lowering her finger as the Wolfkin didn't realize what she had just gotten herself into.

Quinus finally chimed in after the amusing display. "Enough joking around everyone, let's go meet the Baron," he announced.

Rya looked at Quin and nodded. "Sounds good."

With a confident stride, Quinus approached the door and swung it open. Gesturing with a sweeping motion of his hand, he signaled for everyone to make their exit. The group then made their way to the dining hall, where the grand banquet was already in full swing.