Side Story – Tifa Part: 3

*After Tifa was brought back with Evan and she accepted Elizabeth as her mother*

*Tifa POV*

I remained in my mother's arms for I don't know how long. We both didn’t let go of each other, rather, we didn’t want to let go of each other. It was only when our arms were starting to hurt that we let go.

I wiped away the tears in my eyes as my Mother did the same. It’s hard to believe that I went decades without a mother only to find out that she had been with me every step along the way. No matter what happened, I would always see her or meet her almost every other day. She had taken the place of a mother whom I desired so much. And yet I left her alone when I found her... It was so stupid of me.

It was only when I had let go of my mother that I noticed Sarah was in the room with us. "Sarah!" I yelled out happily but Sarah was worried. It was no wonder either; I hurt her just some time ago as well.

"I'm so sorry for what I did, please forgive me, I didn’t mean to-" I didn’t say that much when she kneeled down to my height and hugged me.

"Shhh, I know. I know you didn’t mean it, don’t worry. I forgive you."

I couldn’t help it; tears started welling up in my eyes again as I started to cry again. We spent quite some time just like this, forgiving each other, being in each other's arms. There wasn’t much of anything in this room beside some chairs and a table, so we sat down on the ground next to the wall, sitting side by side.

Tania the Dryad was also in the room with us, but apparently Evan was punishing her by making her stand in the corner and making sure she didn’t talk.

After all three of us were comfortable, my mother started telling me about her story and why she had to keep everything a secret. She told me everything that Evan had already speculated. Keeping me with herself was a lot more harmful to me than keeping me in an orphanage. If she had kept me close to her, raised me as one of her own, then it was only a matter of time before someone would’ve kidnapped me and sold me off as a slave. Mother and all her trusted people are busy most of the time, so it was something that was bound to happen.

It was one of the saddest moments in my mother’s life because not only had her husband passed on, but she had to let go of her child because it was the safest thing for me.

She had to make sure that she wasn’t giving me preferential treatment in the eyes of other elves, which killed her from the inside. So she had tasked Sarah for that job. Actually, it was something Sarah volunteered for herself because she was perfect for the job. She looked young and was the sworn sister of Mother.

Sarah had always been with mother, and was there when she secretly married a human. She had always been hiding her age from me as well, and while I thought she was older than me by 20 or 30 years, I didn’t think the difference would be in triple digits. Sarah had always been my aunt, but it was hard calling her that. Thankfully, Sarah insisted not to call her that.

"So what did Evan say that brought you back to me?" My mother suddenly asked, making me blush from shame.

“He…” It was hard to tell her what he actually said to me, but I don’t know what was wrong with me, I didn’t want to lie and save him some face. “He told me that you committed suicide.”

“He did WHAT!?” Sarah was the first one to lose herself.

While Sarah was screaming out her anger for Evan, my mother was only a bit shocked as she said, “Oh my.”

My mother didn’t thought much about it but Sarah was greatly offended as she lashed out, “I swear I’m gonna give him the beating of a century when comes back!”

I don’t know why but I had to save him some face, “Sarah please, I-I was too… confused that time, I didn’t know what to do about anything, He was the only one who brought be back to my sense, Yes he used an unorthodox method, but… He’s really good, and he had already analysed everything mother did which made me come back here, And… And… Anyway! He’s not a bad person is what I’m trying to say! He acts weird but he’s a good person at heart!”

I fumbled around with my words, even I don’t know why I talked so much about him when even a simple, he’s not that bad. Would have sufficed.

Both Sarah and mother were looking at me weirdly and I couldn’t help but blush and feel shy for some reason, “W-What’s wrong?”

Mother smiled in a playful manner as if she figured something out, “Tifa, do you like Evan?”

“Huh?” My words came out before my thoughts could.

Ehhh!?

“W-What! No!!! I-Its Ju-Just Be-Because he Helsps me a L-Lot That I Like Him as a Fr-Friend!” I tried my best to reject but my words kept fumbling, my face kept getting hotter that I hid my face behind my hands. Denying to even look at my family.

“…No way.” I heard Sarah’s words first, followed by my Mother’s.

“Why not? I fully trust him, He’s a hero, has saved my daughter, and the only one I can fully agree to being my daughter’s partner.”

“P-Partner!?” I screamed out trying to control the shame hidden by my hands.

“Sure, Evan is a bit weird, But I’m sure he’ll improve once you have him around your finger.” My mother kept saying things I could not believe.

“A-A-Around my finger!?!”

“Y-Your Highness…” Sarah sounded flabbergasted while my mother hugged me excitedly.

“No matter what happens! I’ll be rooting for you, my sweet oblivious child.”

“M-MOTHER PLEASE STOP SAYING SUCH EMBARESSING THINGS!”

“Fu Fu! Now that I have you all to myself, You’re a slave to my demands!”

I could never imagine the Queen of all elves acting like a clingy and excited mother, it had ruined all her image as a cool and loved Queen. But it did create a new image of her, One that was my Mothers.

It felt weird… A good weird.

Some time later Evan came back to us telling us about meeting Queen daisy of the Human’s kingdom where I first met Evan. He said he had a plan to get rid of the hate Elves had for the non-elves.It was also the time when Evan told her about my life span and I had not seen my Mother so depressed before.

Side Story – Liza Visits

*Liza’s POV*

I let out a sigh as I made my way towards Evan’s house that he said he had built in the middle of the wilderness. I was geared up, with a small backpack filled with paperwork and some self-defense items like shurikens and throwing daggers. A silver sword hung down from my waist, and my short red hair bopped up and down as the horse trotted on the grass. What a pain. Well, at least I got a little break from the guild. Good thing I had Lark replace my position for a while. He’s not the best, but he can take care of himself.

A lot of historical moments had been happening one after the other, and I had gotten no time for rest. I knew that I was going to Evan’s house for work, but it’s not wrong to use it as a breather too, is it?

Minutes passed by until I saw a large mansion in the distance, and my jaw dropped. This… Has this always been here?

The design of the mansion was intricate, with a large triangle rooftop in the middle and two smaller triangle rooftops complementing the middle. There was a large circular window in the middle and various simple yet complex designs all around the building. How long has Evan lived here? The mansion looks like it has a history to tell, but I know Evan and his kind had to move recently due to the cultists.

A normal adventurer could not even afford to rent this place, and Evan had just recently become an adventurer. Though, Evan was not a normal adventurer. The Queen of our kingdom had even agreed to make him a Master Adventurer, which isn’t a surprise considering his achievements. If he accepts the title, it would make him have an equal standing with the Guild master.

Once I got close, the towering building made me feel intimidated, and I gulped in a breath of dry air. I was here for inspection, but I felt like a mouse in front of a cat. I could not enter without permission. "Oh, hello." Somebody suddenly called me, and I snapped back to reality and turned towards my caller. "My name is Jeff." He did a slight bow as he said it. "Do you perhaps have some business with Evan?"

The person who called himself Jeff was a human. I don't have a good history with them, so I felt a bit awkward, but if he knew Evan, then I shouldn't show him any disrespect as it will affect my work as well. I quickly got off my horse. "Apologies for bothering you. I am Liza. I was supposed to do a house regulation check according to the guild guidelines today. Evan himself asked me for it and should be expecting me."

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"Ah, I see. Please come inside." Jeff guided me inside, and the house was completely furnished. There were potted plants, paintings, statues, and many more decorations scattered around in an organized manner, which made this place look better than how a noble would do his. I was guided into a room which I presumed to be the guest’s room. Jeff told me to wait here, so I sat down on a sofa that was so soft that I practically melted inside. I made a weird face in that sensation as it felt better than sleeping on a warm night. If I could work with chairs like these, I would never be tired at the guild.

The whole room was beautifully decorated, with a fireplace keeping the space warm and various flowers in different colours blooming on shelves, complementing the room nicely. There was a large table in the middle, but I felt blissful on the sofa and couldn’t pay attention to anything else. Just as I almost fell asleep, I heard Evan’s voice: “Hey Liza! Long time no see.”

Hearing his words did not wake me from the coma I had fallen into, but my professionalism kicked in, etched deep in my soul. I pried myself away from sleeping, but instantly got a headache and my eyes started to hurt. “H-Hello Evan! I’m here at your request for a house regulation check.”

“House regulation check? I remember only asking to register the house on your database.”

“This is necessary so that other adventurers don’t raid your house and so that we can make roads from our kingdom to your house here.”

Evan put his hand on his chin, contemplating, “Will I have to pay for the roads?”

“No. Considering your achievements, the guild master will pay for the entire thing.”

He then suddenly gave me a thumbs up and told me to do whatever I needed to do. I took out some paperwork and a pencil to write down anything that was wrong or not. There was no way anything would be wrong since it was only a formality to check if the owner was using the house for illegal activities, but it was a job that needed to be done.

Evan guided me from room to room, explaining everything that I questioned him about. My jaw almost dropped when I found out he had a personal Dryad, which meant the entire forest would be his territory. I made a note to ensure that nobody messes around with this place if they care about their lives.

Just like that, the whole thing quickly came to an end, and I just had to go back to the guild to register this mansion.

Yea, this isn’t a house. It really is a mansion.

“That’s because it is a mansion,” Evan said, who was next to me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I say that out loud?”

I was tired and had a huge headache from when my body really wanted sleep but I had to force myself to work.

“I don't really mind. So what do you want to do now? I mean, it will be dark pretty soon.”

“Oh, please don't mind me. If I hurry, I can still reach back by the end of the night, and I can take care of myself.”

“Oh, come on. You look like you’ll collapse any second now. Have a break. Stay here for the night. I don't mind.”

As much as I wanted to refuse, my tired and painful brain was enticed by the offer as I thought to myself. If I could sleep on the sofa downstairs, that would be enough for me.

“Then please excuse my stay here.”

His face beamed as he exclaimed, “Alright! Looks like we’re gonna party tonight!”

Was that his real aim?

…Probably not… hopefully.

After that, Evan introduced me to his family. The one called Luna was a bit suspicious of me for some reason, and the great Lucy and Oswald started staying here for training. They said they were going to be taught by Evan himself, which they were really excited about.

The one called Mia taught me various things about the house, such as the dresser, which used magic to give you any type of clothes you want. I tried it, and it was amazing. This is easily any girl's dream. I took out some comfortable and casual clothes which I had not worn for years, and it felt blissful.

Mia then told me about the shower, which I could use to have a bath anytime. I quickly used it in the hope of ridding the huge headache I had, but what I felt in the shower was similar to paradise. The water was at the perfect temperature and I could control whether I wanted it to be hotter or colder, with a near-infinite supply of water as well. If you didn't call this place paradise, then I don't know what you would call it.

I stayed in the shower for an embarrassingly long time, but Mia told me it was normal and that was how everyone's first expression of it led to. With really comfortable and casual clothes, I went down to where everyone was eating. It seemed that Evan and Mia had cooked a meal together today because I was around.

The aroma of the food was mouth-watering. It seemed to be a whole rabbit and chicken with various different spices to increase the flavour. There was also some soup and a vegetable salad. It was gone in a minute, and the taste was heavenly. This was better than Queen Daisy's personal chef's cooking, and I can say that since I have tasted his food.

When night finally hit, I went to the bed, and it was so soft, as if I melted into it. It felt better than the sofa I sat on downstairs in the guest room. Of course, I couldn't fight back and instantly went to sleep.

…This was one of my best days ever.

I woke up late with a permanent smile on my face. I had to pry myself off the soft marshmallow bed when I realized how late I woke up. It was the first time for me. When I went outside my room, there was a small fight going on between Evan's mother and father over who would use the bathroom first, which was honestly weird. Why would they fight over the bathroom?

I asked Evan, and he told me that it was a fight over who could use the shower first. I then realized that everyone could use the shower at any time they want since there was no cost. I finally concluded that this place was a real paradise in disguise.

I let go of any decency and shame I had as I kneeled down and hugged Evan's legs. "Woah! What the hell!" Evan screamed out as he tried to jump away, but I was strong, and there was no way he could get rid of me. "PLEASE LET ME LIVE HERE! I WILL PAY THE RENT AND EVERYTHING YOU ASK! JUST PLEASE LET ME LIVE HERE!"

"What do you think you're doing!?" Evan's sister, Luna, popped out from somewhere as she helped Evan get rid of me from his legs. I honestly never cared about anything else than my job. The pay was good, and the only thing I had to do was help people. But this place had changed that. This place had taught me the meaning of pleasure. I just can't go back to that hellhole again after experiencing all this bliss! I just can't!

"You don't have to beg for it! Jeez. You scared me, okay. Stand up first, and then let's talk." I let go of his leg and looked up to him like a dog that was abandoned before he continued, "Well, I didn't really want to rent this place to someone, but since you're my friend, I can give you one room as a rent."

"R-Really!?"

"Yeah, sure. Then considering the price… How about 50 silver coins per month?"

I made a resolute face as I stood up from the ground.

“I’ll do it!”

My monthly salary is 1 gold coin per month, and that's because I usually stay overnight at work because there isn't anything else to do at my house since I live alone. If I can live here, then I won't need anything else. And fortunately, my job pays enough for me to stay here.

YES!

MY UNKINDLED HEART IS BURNING AGAIN.

HAHAHA! I HAVEN'T FELT THIS GOOD IN YEARS!!!

Bonus Chapter – Shower Power

*Mia POV*

I was cleaning the Mansion's second-floor bathrooms. The bathroom had all the normal things such as a toilet, sink, some cleaning tools, and the rest. What's weird is that this place also has a giant bowl with a faucet on top. The bowl is large enough to fit papa easily, and he's quite tall.

It was one of the many new things that Brother had made for the house, but not many of us understood its applications. I had to call Miss Emma again, which I felt bad about since I had been calling her a number of times whenever Brother would install something and not explain to us what it does.

Miss Emma, the nurse, followed me to the bathroom and explained everything about the new thing in the bathroom. "It's called a bathtub. You can use it to take a bath," she said and started teaching me about all its components and how it works.

… A bathing area inside a house. Brother is amazing to think of something like this. Normally, you would have to go to a nearby pond and take a bath there. In the castle, we used to do the same thing. Everyone would go to a lake at the same time every week and take a bath there. But with this, anyone can take a bath at any time!

I have to try it out. I locked the door, placed my clothes inside a basket, and got inside the bathtub. I turned on the shower, and water abruptly hit my unsuspecting naked body. "Ow! Cold!" I screamed out as I jumped out of the bathtub, slipped, and fell on my butt. "Owww…" I patted my butt to ease the pain.

I didn't know why such cold water came out, but Miss Emma said that I could control the water temperature with the two wheels it has. So, I spun the warm water wheel from outside the bathtub, checked the water temperature with my hand until it was warm enough to feel nice, and then got back inside.

It felt good standing there in the lukewarm water, but I wondered if I could turn the water hotter. I turned the warm water wheel more as the water temperature turned hotter and hotter until it felt blissful to stand in the tub. I no longer had the energy to stand and sat down on my bum in the tub. It felt like heaven, and I kept making weird faces that I would never show my family but I couldn’t stop myself.

It feels too good~

I don't know for how long I stayed in the tub, but it felt like only minutes had passed. The skin on my fingers was becoming wrinkly for staying in the water for too long, but I didn't care enough until someone knocked on the door.

I stammered but responded quickly, "Y-Yes!?"

"Mia, are you okay?" It was my sister, Luna. "You have been in there for about an hour now, and what is that weird noise?"

"Ah Yes! Everything is fine! And it's just the sound of water hitting the floor. I'll come out in a min."

"Alright, if anything happens, be sure to let us know!"

"Okay! I will!" I have to get out now. But it feels sooo good! But everyone will worry if I stay in here for long! Fine, you win this round, me. But I'll be back! I don't know why I thought like that; it was something my brother would definitely do.

{Author Note: Oh no, Evan’s personality is starting to rub off on his family.}

I sadly turned off the shower after cleaning myself with soap, and then I realized a terrible mistake I had made… I forgot to bring a towel for myself. I guess I'll have to call someone.

I walked next to the door and tried to scream out, "Umm, excuse me! Is anyone there?" There was no response, so I opened the door slightly and peeked out. No one was there. Okay, I have a towel in my dresser. So, I just have to go to my room.

I took the basket which had my clothes and used it to hide as much of my naked body as I could. I then peeked once more to make sure that no one was there and rushed to my room. However, when I opened the door, I found my brother lying on my bed reading a book.

What is my brother doing in my room!? It was only then that I realized that in my panic, I had gone to the wrong room. My room was the one beside my brother's room!

He noticed me and before I could do anything, he said, "Don't worry, I'm not into little girls."

"AAHHHHHHH!!!" I screamed out as I threw my basket at my brother out of instinct, hitting him in the face. I ran away to my room before I could see the aftermath.

I locked the door and just fell down right there next to the door. WHY! WHY DID THAT HAPPEN!? I kept screaming in my mind, otherwise, I would've died from shame.

After some time, I finally calmed down and went to my dresser, cleaned myself up, and put on some new grey clothes. I peeked out of my room from embarrassment to make sure nobody was there. When I confirmed that, I walked to my brother's room. The door was open, so I peeked inside and saw him reading a book with my basket of clothes right next to the door.

I took my basket and ran back to my room. My face was beet red as I thought I really would die from shame. The basket had all my clothes along with a note that wasn't there before. I opened the note and it said, "I'm sorry about what just happened and don't worry, I saw nothing since I was more focused on the book."

I sighed, thankful that he saw nothing but also because it was my fault to begin with. I put the basket down in my room and walked back into my brother's room to apologize.

"No worries. Seriously, I didn't see anything, I promise. So don't worry about it," he said.

I sighed in relief. It was still shameful, but at least he saw nothing.

… The Bathtub. I have to warn everyone about how good and bad it is.