Vol.1 Ch.44 What’s Next?


    <span ss="userText">When Dalia and Rya came out of their room<span ss="aiText">, the crew couldn''t help but stare at them. The two of them were so beautiful<span ss="editText"> wearing<span ss="aiText"> those elegant gowns. <span ss="editText">Rya thought she would hate<span ss="userText"> getting ogled<span ss="aiText"> like this, but she enjoyed it a lot more than she would have liked.


    <span ss="aiText">''<span ss="editText">W-Whatever! I''m too hungry to care that I''m stuck<span ss="aiText"> in a dress!'' Rya told herself.<span ss="editText"> She noticed Quinus'' golden eyes<span ss="aiText"> staring at her.


    <span ss="aiText">''What the hell is wrong with me!? I can''t stand being stared at by all these people, and I definitely can''t stand it when Quin is the one doing it!<span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText"> He makes me feel... Nervous? Why would I be nervous? Is it because of how he looks at me? Is it because I''m wearing this stupid dress?'' Rya thought to herself.


    "Whoa! Dark Elves are more dangerous than I thought. Especially in a dress!" Quinus said in a flirty tone.


    <span style="font-weight:400">''It''s because my body is practically spilling out of this stupid thing! I''ve already given up on trying to hide it,'' Rya thought.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Percy immediately went to check Dalia''s appearance.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Y-you look beautiful in that dress, Lady Dalia," Percy said sheepishly.


    <span ss="userText">"Oh? You still seem just as nervous as ever, young one," Dalia said<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText"> in a teasing tone, causing the young man''s face to turn red.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Ah... yes well, I guess so," Percy said awkwardly while he scratched the back of his head.


    <span ss="editText">Dalia sniffed the air and had an annoyed look written<span ss="aiText"> on her face.


    <span ss="aiText">"Is there something wrong?" Percy asked her.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">Yeah! Where''s the old one with the cooked meats?<span ss="aiText"> You know, the one with the <span ss="editText">gra<span ss="aiText">y hair?" Dalia growled.


    "You mean, Sir George? He took the food to the dining room after we saw you naked... I mean, you weren''t wearing clothes... Well, what I''m trying to say is... Oh, forget it," Percy stuttered.


    <span ss="aiText">"Oh yeah. We should eat now. It''s been a long time since I ate some good grub," Dalia said happily<span ss="editText"> as her tail<span ss="aiText"> wagged back and forth.


    <span ss="aiText">"Y-Yeah, let''s go," Percy said nervously.


    Rya and Quinus agreed with them, and Percy led the group to the dining room, where the servants had snacks out for them on arge table. Sir George was waiting for them in therge room. Dalia practically bolted towards the table with all the meat. The <span ss="editText">servants had a disgruntled look on their faces <span ss="editText">as they watch<span ss="editText">ed the Wolfkin running around the table.<span ss="userText"> They thought such a race<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText"> should be kept outside with the other animals.


    "I don''t know what his highness sees in these beasts. Either way, she has no manners," the butler muttered to the other servants.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"We''ll have to bear with it." whispered the servant.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Here you go, sir," the servant said as he handed Quinus a te of food.


    "Hmm," Quinus <span ss="editText">hummed as he grabbed a piece of <span ss="editText">food and <span ss="editText">observed it. He was making sure that the<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">food wasn''t poisoned or anything. When he decided the food was safe, he took a bite.


    <span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">"Hm. Not bad. But it could use a little bit more seasoning," Quinus said while he ate.


    <span ss="userText">With that out of the way<span ss="editText">,<span ss="userText"> the four of them found ces to sit and they all grabbed<span ss="aiText"> tes of food. Dalia and Rya were scarfing down the food like a pair of rabid dog<span ss="editText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">s, while Sir George stood guar<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText">d<span ss="undoDeletionText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"This is delicious!" Dalia said between bites<span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yeah, you''re right<span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">. Although, it could use a little bit more vor. Like salt, pepper, and other spices," Rya replied.


    "I mentioned it to the butler. Don''t worry, I''m sure they''ll improve the food quality next time," Quinus told them.


    Once Rya''s hunger pains started to fade, she had a few things on her mind. So she turned to Quinus and asked, "May I please ask a question?"


    <span ss="editText">Quinus put down his<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText"> fork and gave her a nod, "Sure. Go ahead."


    "So now that the Dungeon Core has been taken care of. What''s next?" Rya asked.


    "Well, I would like us to return to the capital, as soon as possible. So, I can tell my father the news about my cousin''s betrayal. Sadly, my uncle isn''t going to take this lying down. Marcus is his only son... And I believe his aim was to get Marcus on the throne. So he could be the next King of Fiafyr, by ridding me... ric is a smart man but he''s also a bitter man who thinks he deserved the throne over my father. I just hope that we can avoid any more conflict with him. But that''s a fool''s hope," Quinus exined.


    ''Oh-boy... The evil cousin and uncle trope... Haah... And here I thought I could rx in Quin''s castle and find a way home... I might be getting into political crap... Yay,'' Rya thought sarcastically.


    "Yeah, we leave here as soon as possible, your Highness," Sir George agreed.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"What about the ck Rose Merc?" Percy asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Hopefully we can deal with themter. For now, let''s focus on getting the kingdom back to normal." Quinus said.


    "Hmph! If I pick up his scent, I''ll hunt him down for what he did to my Alpha... and for Beta as well!" Dalia said proudly while pointing at her nose.


    "If you find his scent then count me in, Lady Dalia. He made me look like a fool. I won''t forgive him for that," Percy added with a sinister grin.


    "Oh? When did you be an assassin, Percy?" Quinus said and rolled his eyes. But then he remembered who his mother was and decided to keep his mouth shut.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"It''s part of my job as a ranger to deal with your enemies, my Lord," Percy exined.


    <span ss="editText">"Just don''t get yourself in trouble Percy. Otherwise, Sir George will have to look after you again," Quinus stated.


    <span ss="editText">"But the old one got knocked out cold in thebyrinth?" Dalia remarked as<span ss="aiText">she took a bite out of a chicken leg.


    <span ss="editText">"Hey! That was a one-time thing! No one can take on a cave troll alone and live to tell the tale<span ss="aiText">!" Sir George yelled in embarrassment.


    "<span ss="editText">He''s a lot stronger than he <span ss="editText">looks, Lady Dalia. That''s all I''m going to say on the matter." Percy defended<span ss="aiText"> his <span ss="editText">partner and former teach<span ss="aiText">er.


    <span ss="aiText">"Alright. Alright. <span ss="editText">I''ll take the young one''s<span ss="aiText"> word for it, old one," Dalia said as she waved her hand in a dismissive manner.


    <span ss="aiText">"I''m not old!" Sir George growled.


    <span ss="editText">Quinus just shook his head before he chimed in, <span ss="userText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">"Just don''t get yourself in trouble Percy."


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Ah! No worries my Lord. I never take any unnecessary risks." Percy smiled.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Erm... So, Quin, what about your engagement with that princess?" Rya asked Quinus with an eyebrow raised.


    <span style="font-weight:400">''Was it a bad sign that he cheated on his fiancee with me? Goddess, what was I thinking!?'' Rya thought with a frown.


    <span>Quinus sighed. "Well, I never met her before. It''s an arranged marriage set up by the Alliance through our Prime Minister. The Princess is from the third highest-ranking member of the Divine Three, Prince Dreyand Stoneworthh. All I know about her is her name, Hilda Stoneworthh... My parents weren''t happy with the idea. Especially since I have a Demi-god vein. But politics never goes as one hopes. I don''t know if I can love someone from the Divine Three," Quinus said with a pained expression on his face.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Oh... Then will aiding me cause a war with the Alliance?" Rya said awkwardly.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"No... They should worry about me starting a war with them. Especially if they keep up their Crusade of purging all the other races." Quinus answered tly.


    <span style="font-weight:400">''Holy shit, Quin! He would go to war for me? I''m not sure how I should respond?'' Rya thought while she blushed.


    <span ss="userText">"I-I appreciate<span ss="aiText">the sentiment<span ss="editText">,<span ss="aiText"> Quin. I''m ttered really, but <span ss="editText">the Divine Three are my problem. And I don''t like the idea of throwing your people into war on my<span ss="aiText"> behalf." Rya told him.


    <span ss="editText">Quinus sighed, "I fear they are looking for a reason to invade<span ss="aiText"> us, and if not the Divine Three, then <span ss="editText">it''s the Kingdom of Marn to our north<span ss="aiText">. <span ss="editText">I<span ss="aiText"> want th<span ss="editText">ings to be peaceful<span ss="aiText">, but it seems the Gods are hell-bent on causing more strife and suffering."


    <span ss="aiText">"I''m sorry, Quin. I had no idea," Rya apologized.


    <span ss="aiText">"You shouldn''t apologize<span ss="editText">," Quinus said with a smirk before he looked up at the ceiling, "All things <span ss="userText">considered, I wish we could do things peacefully. But it seems most kingdoms respect those that are stronger than them. I find it tiring when people try to use me to further their own goals.<span ss="aiText"> I would much rather <span ss="editText">have a peaceful life, creat<span ss="userText">ing things to help my people, and raise some kids... Hopefully, they have a bit of dark elf<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText"> in them," he finished, as he looked back at Rya with a smile.


    <span ss="aiText">Rya blushed hard <span ss="userText">as she was speechless<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">. She didn''t know what to say, so she just kept quiet.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Quinus turned to her "My apologies for being so blunt with you, but I really don''t like the idea of dealing with politicians. I would rather be a simple engineer. Maybe then I won''t have to deal with politics and everything else." Quinus said sadly.


    <span style="font-weight:400">''Huh? An engineer? That''s unexpected. What kind of engineer?'' Rya thought.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"I never knew you wished to be an engineer my Lord?" Percy said surprised.


    <span>"Yeah, I liked building things back in--I meant when I was alone. But that''s not in the cards, for this life," Quinus replied with a sigh.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Uhh... So, what kind of engineering projects were you working on?" Rya asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Nothing of importance... Come now. I think we should call it for tonight." Quinus looks to the servants to take away the tes.


    <span>''I never knew all the troubles on Quin''s mind.'' Rya thought.


    <span>"Alright then, Rya... Would you like an escort to your room?" Quinus said as he got up from the table.


    <span>Quinus walks over to Rya, who''s sitting across from him. When he is next to her, he kneels down, so he can look into her eyes and takes her hand. <span style="font-weight:400">Quinus kisses her hand gently. "Thank you for saving me," he said with a smile.


    <span ss="userText">Rya''s heart raced. ''He makes it so hard to deny him! Fuck!'' Rya thought while trying to keep what<span ss="aiText"> littleposure she <span ss="editText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">could muster.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"It was nothing, really... I just...." Rya said quietly.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"You''re a hero to me, Rya," Quinus whispered.


    <span style="font-weight:400">''GODDESS! If I stay by him any longer, I''m going to fall for his charms.'' Rya thought.


    <span ss="editText">"I-I''m fine Quin. I can get back to my room myself. Thank you. I''ll see you tomorrow." Rya said politely as tried to pull her hand back<span ss="userText">, but she was having a<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText"> difficult time because Quinus had a firm grip on her.


    <span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">"Of course. You should get some rest," Quinus replied.


    <span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">When he released her hand, Rya stood up quickly, so he couldn''t pull her hand back to him.


    <span ss="userText">"Goodnight, Quinus," Rya stuttered as she tried to keep herposure. She needed to leave before her heart<span ss="aiText"> exploded.


    <span ss="aiText">"Goodnight, Rya<span ss="editText">,<span ss="aiText">" Quinus whispered.


    <span>Rya wanted to run out of the room as fast as she could, but she walked calmly to hide the blush on her face.


    <span>''Damn him! Damn, his handsome face! Why am I falling for him?! I''m a guy, Dammit!'' Rya thought angrily as her body heated up. She walked over to Dalia and grabbed her by the shoulder. The wolfkin had a satisfied smile from eating all this food and waspletely unaware of Rya''s internal struggles.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Whoa! Alpha, can''t I stay?" Dalia whined as Rya grabbed her by the arm.


    <span>"You need to clean up again. Your hands and face are covered in grease. The servants will have trouble cleaning up your mess. Besides that, I want to go to bed." Rya said with a fake smile.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Fine!" Dalia grumbles. "Good night, young one."


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Goodnight, Lady Dalia," Percy said with a bit of blush on his cheeks.


    <span>The five of them finished up before they left the dining hall and headed towards their bedrooms.