“Well, they arrived much sooner than expected.” [Glen]

Sitting on his golden throne, Glen, the king of Troyas, commented softly inside the audience hall. At his side was his wife, his son and his daughter.

“Did you not predict this, my king?” [Louise]

“Why yes I did, though I thought it would take a bit more time before a delegate arrives.” [Glen]

He answered Louise’s question and addressed his son who had a perfect smile plastered on his face, but he could tell that his mood wasn’t the best.

“I see you’ve been following my orders, Dreck.” [Glen]

“Of course, father. For more than seven days. Anything for the sake of the country.” [Dreck]

It had been a week since the ball at the castle. Dreck had reported how the window of Ava’s room had suddenly been broken and had asked for it to be investigated. However, no clue turned up. There was no other incident, nothing was stolen and nothing significant actually happened, so the investigation was put to a close. But, the main reason was that the castle had received word that some rare guests would be arriving soon.

“If you truly believed that, then you wouldn’t have attempted anything of the sort from the beginning.” [Louise]

Hearing his mother indirectly bring up a certain topic to rebuke him, Dreck did his best to keep a frown from appearing. At the same time that he reported about the broken glass to his family, his father, ever sharp, despite his obsession for his wife’s thighs, managed to see through him. He succeeded in getting him to let slip his attempt at embracing Ava and wrestled a confession out of him. Evidently, his parents were less than pleased about it.

The prince, the one to inherit the throne, was planning on marrying a half-elf and had tried to pursue a physical relationship in the spur-of-the-moment. However, it was mainly the steadfast queen who chastised him for his thoughtless acts that could jeopardize their bloodline and rule. His sister found it romantic, but didn’t actively defend him to avoid attracting their mother’s ire. As for his father, he was more concerned about something else.

“Listen to your mother, Dreck. Although I do not doubt you and wholeheartedly believe in my son, but you did no other attempt since that night?” [Glen]

Glen did not want his son to lay a hand on Ava. He did not explicitly tell him why, but Dreck could guess the reason. As such, he grudgingly put a halt to his plan of attacking the black-haired half-elf’s heart and making her fall for him.

“Yes, father. Please, being questioned every time is becoming rather tedious.” [Dreck]

“Dreckory Rivald Troyas.” [Louise]

His mother calmly and sternly called out his full name, one rarely used, one that she brought up mostly before a lecture.

“Apologies, mother, that was a slip of the tongue.” [Dreck]

Meanwhile, Lisa cunningly stayed quiet to avoid any trouble. As always, she was a little sister that he could be proud of, but he truly wished that she would help her big brother sometimes.

“PRESENTING!” [???]

As the royal family was quietly talking among themselves, a loud voice heralded the beginning of the audience. The spear-holding knights that were lined up on both sides stood a bit more vigilantly. The man in charge of announcing the arrival of the guests spoke loudly, yet tensely.

“REPRESENTATIVES OF FAYWOOD KINGDOM! ENTERING!” [Announcer]

Entering from the large double door were two people that stood out like a sore thumb. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on them because their kind was a rare sight, because they came from a country that preferred to avoid any diplomatic contact, and because they were incredibly good-looking.

“(I see. So this is the difference between an elf and a half-elf. You were not exaggerating, Ava. Jealousy from other races must be common to them.)” [Dreck]

Dreck quietly thought as he did his best to keep his smile from breaking. His sister let out a small sigh in admiration, his mother raised an eyebrow while his father’s expression stayed still like a statue. The king might be secretly pleased that two elves had visited his land, ones representing Faywood at that, but Dreck wasn’t too excited about their presence. After all, their visit was related to Ava.

“(Nevertheless, they arrived awfully quickly, even if father purposely let some information about Ava slip out of the castle. Did they force their horses to run until exhaustion and change for new ones at every town they arrived at, traveling without rest? Or do they have some unknown method through their magic?)” [Dreck]

As the prince wondered about the secret behind their quick arrival to his capital, the two elves, having walked towards the thrones, stopped at a distance and bowed. They were beautiful. Both of them were men, but they were simply beautiful. Every one of their actions was beautiful. If the noble ladies that often tried to curry his favor were here, they would undoubtedly blush and fall for them.

The two of them had flawless, fair skin, slim figures and such gorgeous looks that it wasn’t hard to wonder why their kind was so popular. One man, who appeared to be in his twenties, had short, green hair while his companion seemed younger, possibly in his late teens, and had slightly longer blonde hair. Both of their eyes were of a striking blue that others would liken to precious gems.

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“Good day, Your Majesty. I am Jonik Pafiel, a servant of Omarel, one of the seven great clans of my home country, and a loyal subject of our king. Next to me is Elyon Sylphyra, also a fellow servant chosen by the clans. Thank you for accepting our request on such short notice.” [Jonik]

The green-haired elf spoke first, his voice pleasant to the ears, formal, but devoid of any true reverence for the royal family.

“Of course, it’s not every day we get guests from Faywood.” [Glen]

Glen noticed it, but paid it no heed. It was within his expectations.

“Please, tell me, what reason brought about this pleasant surprise?” [Glen]

“… You do not know?” [Jonik]

“Unfortunately not. Does Faywood need something of Troyas?” [Glen]

Jonik asked, trying to probe behind the king’s façade, but he could not see through him.

“Perhaps so. I would like to confirm the presence of a half-elf in the castle.” [Jonik]

“Half-elf?” [Glen]

“There are rumors that a half-elf with black hair is working here as a maid. She should have white and dark brown eyes.” [Jonik]

“Oh? Your visit is about a half-elf?” [Glen]

“… Correct.” [Jonik]

“I believe we do have one such hire. Does it cause any problem for your country since, if I recall, her kind isn’t quite welcomed?” [Glen]

“… No. We would merely like to confirm if the girl in question is the same as the one we are looking for. Could I trouble you with calling her here?” [Jonik]

“Very well. I’ll have someone fetch her at once.” [Glen]

Glen clapped his hands twice and a man in a butler outfit, who was staying in a corner of the room, ran off, leaving through a door.

“Still, to think Faywood would go out of its way to search for a half-elf. If you don’t mind me asking, is there something special about our maid, or has there been a change in your country’s policies?” [Glen]

“… Our home has always been merciful.” [Jonik]

“I see, I see. That is truly good to hear. We have been getting along with her for quite some time, so I feared it would have put us in quite a bind with Faywood.” [Glen]

“… Getting along?” [Jonik]

“That’s right. She is always helping my son as his personal maid, has tea parties with my daughter and my wife has been taking care of her, giving her lessons on manners and etiquette. Why, we even invited her to join us at a ball not too long ago.” [Glen]

“(So this is the part where you appeal to them that the royal family and Ava are on friendly terms.)” [Dreck]

Dreck thought as he watched his father at work. None of what he said had been a lie. The elves could confirm the veracity of his words by asking around if they wanted to. Of course, that had been because he had deliberately created those facts. Forcing Ava to attend a ball with them might have been for the meeting. As a result, the representatives from Faywood would think that the half-elf and the royal family were close.

Moreover, they had shown up on their own without invitation. If the purpose of their visit was to bring Ava back to their country, then they would be negotiating from a weaker standing. Also, adding on the fact that the half-elf they wanted was valued by the royal family of a kingdom that they barely had any contact with, then they would need to offer something substantial in exchange.

“(Was this why you let Ava work at the castle, father? To lure the elves of Faywood here and demand something from them?)” [Dreck]

Dreck wondered. He wasn’t too happy that the girl he loved was being used as a bargaining chip and he had no intention of giving her up. If necessary, depending on how the talks proceeded, he would intervene, but for the moment, he would let his father work. After all, the king had judged it beneficial for Troyas and Dreck, as the prince, would at least see what his goal was.

“Ah, here she is.” [Glen]

After a few more exchanges, the girl that they had been waiting for finally arrived. Ava walked into the audience room, wearing a black and white maid uniform.

“Good day.” [Ava]

She said with a bow. Dreck couldn’t help but think that, for the past week, she had been lacking her usual energy. Lisa also noticed it during their tea parties and even Louise, though initially pleased, had started to wonder if something was wrong with her.

“Ava, we have some guests today that would like to meet you. They are from Faywood.” [Glen]

After that short introduction, the two elves examined her.

“Is it the half-breed?” [Jovik]

Jovik quietly asked Elyon, who had spent some time keeping watch over her as her Observer.

“Yes.” [Elyon]

He whispered back, confirming his companion’s query, and addressed the target directly.

“… Ava, do you remember me?” [Elyon]

“Observer, it’s been a while.” [Ava]

She answered rather brazenly even though she should have been kidnapped. Yet, she was found working in the castle of another country and was apparently on close terms with human royalty. For Faywood, it was not the most ideal situation.

“… Ava, I’ve come to take you home.” [Elyon]

Elyon said, once again having difficulty calling her by her name out of revulsion for her kind.

“Home? Is Faywood home to our maid? Did you come all the way here to bring her home and not just to confirm her presence?” [Glen]

Glen suddenly questioned them, causing a small frown to appear on the elves’ faces for a moment.

“As I’ve said, Your Majesty, our home has always been merciful.” [Jonik]

“Representatives from one of the seven great clans coming here for a half-elf who has received Faywood’s mercy. Now that is quite honorable of you two.” [Glen]

It was incredibly obvious that the king knew of the half-breed’s value and was only dancing around the subject, which made conversing with him annoying.

“However, I would be greatly troubled if you were to suddenly take one of our maids.” [Glen]

“Your Majesty, are you saying you would prevent her from going home?” [Jovik]

“Of course not, but only if she herself desires it. Ava, you’ve been listening to our conversation. What do you want? Do you wish to return to Faywood or would you like to continue working here?” [Glen]

The king asked, fully confident that Ava would choose the latter. After all, she had nothing to gain from serving the elves that held her in disdain. At least, under his patronage, discrimination towards her would lessen and she could lead a comfortable life. Furthermore, he had already given her quite a bit of freedom and special treatment during her time in the castle. Anyone would know what the best choice was.

“…” [Ava]

However, the half-elf in question didn’t move or answer him.

“Ava?” [Glen]

As everyone’s focus was on her, Ava’s figure suddenly turned pitch black like a shadow. Then, just as abruptly, she disappeared like smoke.

“… What?!” [Dreck]

The first to react was Dreck who exclaimed and stood up from his throne. There was a commotion in the audience hall that followed the brief silence after her disappearance. Everyone was confused, surprised, shocked, especially the elves.

“… What is the meaning of this?!” [Jovik]

Jovik asked the human king accusingly, not understanding what he had just witnessed.

----------------------------------------

Meanwhile, away from the audience hall that was falling into disorder, far from the capital of Troyas…

“Achoo!” [Ava]

Ava, covered in a grey cloak, sneezed loudly and rubbed her nose.

“Oof, it’s getting cold.” [Ava]

Standing on a well-traveled trail, she looked up at the blue sky, feeling the cold wind on her skin.

“Don’t you agree, fellas?” [Ava]

The half-elf casually asked the seven armed men that were surrounding her.