As they relished their meals, a few minutes slipped by, filled with laughter and delightful conversation. Rya took a bite of the roasted pig, its savory flavor exploding in her mouth, and she couldn’t stifle a soft moan of delight. The rich, smoky goodness was simply irresistible, drawing her deeper into the moment and making her forget all else.

"Mmhm. Delicious!" Rya exclaimed, savoring a sip of water that seemed to dance on her tongue. The past week had elevated her senses, sharpening her taste buds as her cravings for rich meats and sweet treats surged unexpectedly. She chuckled at the thought, attributing it to the rigorous training sessions with her mage—a whirlwind of spells and incantations. Plus, those late-night escapades with Quinus had surely been burning off her energy; it was only natural for her appetite to grow. Just some innocent hunger, she assured herself, nothing more.

"I'm delighted you're enjoying the meal," Quinus replied with a warm smile. "It’s one of my favorites, though I have to admit, it doesn’t quite match the taste of the wild boars we used to hunt in the woods." His eyes sparkled with nostalgia as he spoke, reminiscing about the past adventures they had shared.

"I found it a bit gamey and tough compared to this. I prefer the pork," Rya hummed. She leaned in and rested her elbows on the table, the warmth from the meal radiating through her body.

"Huh? Well, I find it to be quite the opposite. It has more of a rich and smoky flavor that is more robust and hearty," Quinus retorted, raising his eyebrows.

"No way. Pork is so much more succulent and tender. It just melts in your mouth," Rya fired back, her gaze narrowing playfully. She didn't understand why eating this food was making her feel so feisty, but she couldn't deny the thrill of bantering with her partner.

"Pork, eh? Well, you do have a point. The taste is more refined, though, so I suppose there's no right answer," Quinus conceded.

Rya felt a little bad for teasing her partner. She just loved the taste of pork and couldn't resist the desire to eat more of it. But she swallowed her pride and apologized. "That's fine... We all have our own opinions, Quin... Speaking of opinionated people... Where's Dalia and Yuliana? I was expecting them to join us," Rya asked as she looked around the room.

Percy grimaced, "My Dalia seems to be tired from our long trip and is still resting in our room... I was going to bring a plate of food to her before she wakes up."

"I see... It looks like the early days of her pregnancy are really catching up to her," Rya remarked, a playful smirk dancing on her lips as she glanced at Percy. "I've heard that during the first trimester, human women tend to feel exhausted, but don’t worry—things change after that. Once those hormones start kicking in during the next three months, they often find themselves bursting with energy!" she added, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Percy met her gaze, a flicker of panic flashing across his face.

"M-More energy? B-But, she's already been rather... frisky..." Percy whispered to Rya.

"Yes, and I wouldn't be surprised if you start sleeping with one eye open at night within a month or two... I know what you are in for, Percy," Rya teased and winked at the young ranger.

"But I already do that... She is rather active and... well... She likes to be on top... a lot," Percy muttered as his face turned red.

"Huh? But I thought you kept getting the upper hand on her and would make her cry out in ecstasy all night," Quinus teased.

"W-Well, uhm... Yes, but... I've been letting her win on purpose," Percy admitted.

Rya looked at the ranger and smirked, "You're a sweety, Percy."

"W-What? I'm not being sweet... I just... I want to make her happy," Percy protested, his face turning an even brighter shade of crimson.

"Well, who am I to say anything? But that is sweet of you... It means you care," Rya said, and Quinus agreed with her.

"Yeah, Percy, you are a good man," Quinus stated, and Percy blushed a bit.

"I need to figure out her ring size, but I haven't had a chance to do it yet," Percy said, and Rya smiled and looked at the young ranger.

"I'll see what I can do," Rya whispered.

Percy's eyes sparkled with excitement as a broad grin spread across his face, and he gave Rya an enthusiastic nod of agreement.

"Speaking of, where's Yuliana? Is she not joining us?" Quinus inquired.

"She's bugging General Douglas for potted plants to plant in her room. She wants to start training her daughter in the ways of the Green Word. So, I doubt she'll be joining us anytime soon," Sir George shared with a hint of amusement, as he was sure that Douglas was getting driven nuts by the Wood Elf's demands.

"Green Word?... Well, she did jump the gun at Eldermyst City. All those townsfolk couldn't stop staring at her," Quinus commented.

"Well, her green hair and overall figure make her stand out from a crowd," Sir George said, and Rya narrowed her eyes at the knight.

The Dark Elf raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "You've been gazing at Yuliana quite a bit lately, George. Care to share what’s brewing in that curious mind of yours?" The question hung in the air, and Sir George found himself caught off guard, his thoughts scrambling as he froze in place.

"I-Intentions?... Well... I've been trying to find a suitable partner for her... At first, I thought about getting Sir Richard, lieutenant of the Royal Knights, but... He has a thing about Wolfkins. But then, I had a second thought, and maybe I should be the one to... W-Well, I... I'm just looking out for her," Sir George explained.

"George," Rya warned, "Don't lie to me. I know she is not blood-related to me, but she adopted me, and I care for her as my mother."

Sir George cleared his throat, "O-Of course... I wouldn't dare think of doing such a thing."

"Good... Now, let's talk about how you plan on finding the perfect partner for Yuliana," Rya continued, her voice taking a playful tone that made Sir George sweat nervously.

Quinus couldn't help but smirk; his curiosity piqued as he opened his mouth to question whether Rya had a list of her own brewing in that clever mind of hers. Just as the words were about to escape, the door swung open, and a member of the Royal Council strode in, shattering the moment and commanding their attention with an air of authority.

"Your Highness!? Thank the Goddess that you've returned unharmed," Lord Gawain said as he bowed before his prince.

Lord Gawain stood as a pillar of wisdom and strength within the royal court, holding the esteemed position of the second-highest member of the King's Council. For over forty years, he had devoted his life to serving the royal family, earning the respect and admiration of all around him. A devoted husband and father of two, Gawain balanced his family life with the demands of his role, always striving to maintain harmony both at home and in the kingdom. As the right-hand man to Lord Brice, he navigated the intricate affairs of the council with a steady hand, ensuring peace and order reigned whenever the king or queen was away. His presence was not just influential; it was essential to the very fabric of the realm.

"Lord Gawain... Shouldn't you be running around with Lord Brice? Surely, there can’t be anything so pressing that it demands my attention right now?" Quinus asked with a bit of annoyance.

"Your Highness, there is an~" Lord Gawain paused when he lifted his head and noticed the beautiful tan woman sitting next to the Prince.

'S-She's the Dark Elf!?... I didn't notice with that shawl covering her ears... It seems our prince has similar tastes to our King... Like Father, like son,' Lord Gawain thought as he quickly regained his composure and bowed to the prince and the lovely lady.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Ahem... Your Highness... There is an emergency. The Prime Minister called for an urgent meeting. But since the King is away. The meeting can't start until the King shows up or if four days have passed," Lord Gawain explained.

Quinus, Rya, Percy, and George exchanged worried glances, each wearing a deep frown that spoke volumes about their shared concern.

"Urgent? What's wrong, Lord Gawain?" Quinus asked, now getting a bit more serious.

Lord Gawain glanced over to Rya briefly and then back to Quinus.

"The Prime Minister wishes to ban... your fiancee... from entering the capital... He doesn't know you've returned so far, but the meeting won't be able to start until the King is here, and Lord Brice has left this morning to head to the city of Lumor to inform him... He believes that your father will stay in Lumor until the deadline," Lord Gawain informed.

Quinus ground his teeth, the tension visible on his face. Rya gently rested a hand on his leg, a soothing gesture meant to ease his growing frustration.

"Very well... What are our options to stop this?" Quinus asked.

"I'm waiting to get a messenger bird by noon... But, I can tell you that we have one option on the table and that's to have... I-I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your lovely fiancee's name," Lord Gawain stated.

"It's Rya. You may call me Rya," she said, and the lord nodded and bowed.

"Lady Rya... Thank you for protecting the prince... We've received a letter from His Highness explaining the situation, but some council members aren't sure if it was an illusion or not," Lord Gawain informed her.

"Don't get sidetracked, Gawain... Tell me our one option," Quinus ordered.

"Right... We could use the Church of the Balance... It's a long shot, but if Lady Rya prays to Iyomelka's idol, and if it lights up at all. Then the Prime Minister loses his argument that Lady Rya is evil," Lord Gawain suggested.

"Huh? Why does it have to be me, and what's Iyomelka's Idol?" Rya asked, confused.

"You are the Dark Elf, right? Have you ever prayed to your gods and had them answer you?" Lord Gawain asked.

Rya felt a wave of disgust wash over her at the mere thought of facing her two insufferable Goddesses, Nils and Nebulus. These were the very beings who had yanked her from her world and brought her to Tertius against her will, weaving a web of lies along the way. If it were up to her, she'd never lay eyes on them again, not if she could help it. The idea of their presence made her skin crawl.

"Well... I've done something similar, I guess," Rya answered and took a drink from her cup.

"Good! So if you can get the Idol to react, then the Priestesses and Clerics will see this as a sign, and you will be under the protection of the church and can enter the city without the Prime Minister's opposition," Lord Gawain stated, and bowed.

Rya seemed pleased at first, but then she noticed the troubled looks on Percy's and George's faces, and Quinus narrowed his eyes at Gawain.

"That is our only option!? You've got to be kidding me. My fiancee has saved many lives, and she needs the mercy of the Church's protection!? Will Mother Astra even let us near that stupid statue?!" Quinus exclaimed.

"W-Well, Your Highness, you see, this is the only option we came up with on such short notice... I'm sure Lord Brice will have another solution by the time we meet," Lord Gawain suggested and bowed again.

Rya looked at everyone in confusion, "What's the problem with this idol thing?"

"The Idol is a religious artifact that the Goddess, Iyomelka, blessed... But the damn thing never lights up; even the High Priestess, Mother Astra, can't get it to respond. It's just something to buy us time and not much else," Quinus explained.

'Huh? It doesn't light up? Then this plan is pointless? What the hell.' Rya thought.

"On the contrary, Your Highness. The Idol did light up once in the last twenty-five years," Lord Gawain stated.

Rya shot him an exasperated glance, her brow furrowed in confusion. Quinus, shaking his head with a mix of disbelief and curiosity, leaned in closer and asked, “Then who did that light up for?”

"I-It was your mother... Queen Rianna, Your Highness. I was there that day, and it was a sight to behold. The idol's eye glowed only a little bit, and the High Priestess nearly made a backflip in the air," Lord Gawain explained.

Rya tilted her head, 'That's all they need to see to freak the fuck out over? If it takes that little to get the church on my side, I should probably try it. And maybe I can find a way to make it work with my Mana if praying doesn't work.'

"And my mother has been the only one in a century to get that Idol to react, correct?" Quinus asked.

"Th-that's correct, Your Highness. But this could be the chance we need," Lord Gawain insisted.

"Haah... We're in a tight spot now," Quinus sighed, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "It's a last-ditch effort, and honestly, I doubt anyone will buy into the idea that Rya can truly win the Goddess's Favor just because the Idol's eye is glowing ever so slightly. The nobles won't be easily convinced and will likely double down on their efforts to get her ousted."

"It's better than nothing. At least it can buy you two some more time, Your Highness," Lord Gawain suggested.

"I don't like~"

"Quin... It's okay... I'm sure there are other options. But for now, let's at least try it and see if the church is willing to give us an opportunity," Rya said, interrupting Quinus.

Quinus turned his gaze to Rya, captivated by the fierce determination blazing in her eyes. “Are you really sure about this?” he asked, a note of concern lacing his voice.

"I'm positive, my love. My eyes allow me to see how artifacts work... Maybe I'll notice something," she responded, and Quinus couldn't help but smile.

Lord Gawain couldn't shake off his astonishment as he witnessed Rya's remarkable ability to sway the prince's thoughts. It was as if she wielded magic, effortlessly transforming his stance with her insightful words.

"Well, there's one more thing I should inform you, Your Highness," Lord Gawain informed.

Quinus arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Well, don’t keep me in suspense. Go on," he urged.

"The Prime Minister has the Princess of the Divine Three in his mansion. And he wants to get the arranged marriage pushed through. He plans to show her off to the Major Noble Families at some point," Lord Gawain said and bowed.

This made Rya's blood boil, and her hands were trembling. She knew about her from Quinus, but now that the bitch was in the city, it pissed her off even more.

'So... I have to defend my position to keep my man. That's fine... I will not lose. And I never will,' Rya thought.

Quinus clenched his fist and narrowed his eyes, "Gawain... Make sure that bastard doesn't push through the marriage. You hear me?"

"I-I understand, Your Highness... If you wish, I believe the Prime Minister is in the West Wing of Parliament... Only half of the Major Nobles are in the capital, and he might be discussing his plan with them," Lord Gawain offered.

Quinus stood up, "Gawain, send word that I wish to speak with Duval this instant."

"But the law states~"

“Damn the law, Gawain! I will be the next king, and that meddling Prime Minister is overstepping his bounds. If he thinks he can defy me, then he can kiss his position goodbye. If he weren’t so consumed by his own agenda, we wouldn’t have to endure these ridiculous theatrics!” Quinus snapped, his voice echoing with fierce determination.

Rya felt a rush of heat rise to her cheeks. She rarely witnessed this fierce side of Quinus, and there was something undeniably captivating about it.

'Damn, this is so sexy... But he needs to calm down a little bit. Otherwise, I might attack him.' Rya thought and stood up, "We should get ready and head there."

"I-I would advise against having Lady Rya attend this meeting. She would be a liability, Your Highness," Lord Gawain suggested.

'Fuck him!' Rya screamed in her head.

“Rya is coming, Gawain,” Quinus declared, his eyes alight with ambition. “She’s destined to be our future Queen and will stand beside me on the throne someday.”

"I can't shake the worry that he might try to toss her into the dungeon," Lord Gawain confessed, a frown creasing his brow. "Though we both know those old stone walls wouldn't be able to contain an earth mage like her for long. But I still would feel more at ease if she were to hang back for now."

Quinus paused, his mind racing with the implications. The thought of Rya taking down the Marquess' guards sent a chill down his spine. Even if it were an act of self-defense, the consequences could tarnish her reputation. He knew the kind of scrutiny she would face, and the last thing he wanted was for her to be judged harshly for a situation beyond her control.

"He's right, Rya... I don't want the Prime Minister to use some stupid trick to get the Nobles to side with him. Just stay here and let me handle this. It won't take long. And I'll have Percy stay behind to keep you company," Quinus suggested.

Rya felt a surge of defiance bubbling inside her, ready to argue, but deep down, she understood the truth of his words. If she started taking out Duval's people, she'd not just become a target—she'd be declaring herself an enemy of the state. The thought sent a shiver down her spine; it wasn't a path that would lead to anything good for her.

"Alright, I’ll agree, but I expect something in return," Rya said, crossing her arms and pouting in a way that made it clear she meant business.

Quinus smiled, "Name it."

Rya smirked and whispered into his ear, "How about we use ropes tonight?~"

Quinus's face turned bright red, and the image popped into his mind, making him feel hot. Rya pulled away and winked at him before going back to her seat.

Quinus quickly calmed down and cleared his throat, "Percy, you stay here and keep Rya company. The rest of us will head out to deal with the Prime Minister."

"As you wish, Your Highness," Percy bowed and then moved next to Rya.

"I'll see you soon, Rya," Quinus said and gave her a peck on the lips before leaving the room.

"I can't wait," Rya responded with a seductive smile.

His heart was pounding as Quinus was leaving with Sir George and Lord Gawain. The idea of doing such a thing with Rya made him a little nervous, but he knew he could trust her. He knew this was just a way for her to distract him from his stress. And honestly, he was happy about it. He felt proud and honored that she wanted to do such a thing with him.