Vol.3 Ch.209 I Can Adopt You?


    <span ss="aiText">They stayed like that for a few minutes before Rya broke the hug<span ss="userText">and wiped away her tears as best as she could.


    "T-Thank you, Lady Yuliana.I didn''t mean to let myselfgo like that," Rya saidas she sniffled.


    <span ss="aiText">Yuliana gave her a<span ss="editText">handkerchief<span ss="aiText">and smiled at her.


    <span ss="aiText">"Don''t be. I''m d you are able to let your emotions out. Sometimes you just need a hug," Yuliana replied.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes. I guess you''re right," Rya said.


    Yuliana looked at Rya and wondered how someone so young had this level of maturity. She thought the Dark Elf was younger than her daughter but she didn''t know her exact age.


    <span ss="aiText">"Rya, how old are you?" Yuliana asked.


    <span ss="aiText">Rya didn''t have a problem answering that question, "I''m<span ss="editText">27<span ss="aiText">."


    "T-Twenty-seven!? You''re only twenty-seven years old?... You are nowhere near being an adult!..." Yuliana eximed as she examined Rya and thought for a moment.


    Quinus did a double take and mumbled quietly, "And here I thought I was the only one who couldn''t tell an elf''s age."


    The Older Wood Elf heard him and red but then she had a eureka moment and smiled at Rya, " I know! If you want, I can adopt you as my daughter!" she<span ss="aiText">proimed.


    <span ss="userText">Everyone was caught off guard by her statement.


    <span ss="aiText">"W-What!?" Rya yelled.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Yes, I know people will give me looks for adopting a Dark Elf, but they can go to one of theyers of hell for<span ss="aiText"> all I care... I want you to be a part of the family," Yuliana said.


    <span ss="aiText">Rya looked confused and turned to Quinus for help, but he was too stunned to reply.<span ss="userText">Then she turned to Nieren<span ss="aiText"> who was just<span ss="userText">as bbergasted by her mother''s<span ss="aiText">words.


    <span ss="aiText">"B-But mother! You''re getting a little ahead of yourself. Besides, Lady Rya probably has a family of her own!" Nieren eximed.


    "Nonsense... She has done everything for us and having her be a part of a Royal Family should make things easier for the Fiafyrian Nobles to ept her as their future queen," Yuliana said with a confident smile, "Plus, I remember you bugging me for a younger sibling, Nieren... So this is the best of both worlds for us. I have a new daughter and you have a little sister. You two are the future of the elven race. We win, everyone wins."


    ''What the hell is going on?... I mean... It would be nice to have a mother figure. And if I was adopted, it could help me avoid some political problems. But...I don''t want to make things weird with Nieren. If she doesn''t want this then—''


    Rya''s thoughts were interrupted when Nieren''s eyes lit up with excitement.


    <span ss="userText">"I can have a little sister<span ss="aiText">?!... Uh, I mean... I suppose having a little sister would be fun," Nieren said, "I''ve always wanted a little sister. And the fact that<span ss="userText">I saved my little sister once already<span ss="aiText"><span ss="userText">just shows you how good of<span ss="aiText">a sister I could be. I could teach her how to use a bow, and<span ss="editText">—<span ss="aiText">"


    <span ss="userText">Nieren started rambling on and on about what she and her new little sister would do together. Rya, Quin, Percy, Johan, and Tayna all witnessed<span ss="aiText"> the princess''s enthusiasm for her new little sister.<span ss="userText"> It almost creeped them<span ss="aiText"> out how excited the princess was.<span ss="userText"> Rya couldn''t believe how<span ss="aiText"> fast Nieren went from being unsure to excited.


    <span ss="userText">''Okay?... So Nieren is <em>WAY</em> more up for this than I<span ss="aiText">expected. I didn''t even get a say in this. Not like it''s a bad thing, though. Maybe things will get better.'' Rya thought as she started to consider the idea.


    <span ss="userText">"Um, Mother... Is Lady Rya really going to be my step-sister?" Nieren asked with big <span ss="editText">starry <span ss="aiText">eyes.


    <span ss="aiText">"Of course, why would it be anything else<span ss="editText">? And she will get her own Elder Tree sapling. It''s tradition for Elven Royalty to have<span ss="aiText">a house in the forest for them to retreat to," Yuliana said, "And you can call me ''Mom'' from now on, Rya."


    <span ss="aiText">Rya<span ss="userText">noticed Johan and Tayna<span ss="aiText">were smiling.


    ''Okay?... So those two don''t have a problem with this. But what does Quin think?''


    Then Rya looked at the Crown Prince, "Hey?... What''s your thoughts, Quin?"


    "Umm... Idon''t see it as an issue. It''s up to you ifyou want to be adopted by her or not, Rya," Quinussaid.


    <span ss="aiText">''<span ss="userText">Haah... I-I guess I don''t<span ss="aiText">have a<span ss="editText">reason to say no<span ss="aiText">,'' Rya thought, ''Maybe it won''t be so bad... Besides, I<span ss="editText">could use having an elven mother<span ss="aiText">.<span ss="editText"> There are things I still don''t know about being an elven female... <span ss="aiText">It should be fine... Right?''


    <span ss="userText">The Dark Elf closed her eyes and took a deep<span ss="aiText"> breath. Then she opened her eyes and looked at Yuliana.


    <span ss="userText">"O-Okay... Mom," Rya said, which made Yuliana''s smile widen to a point that gave Rya a worrisome<span ss="aiText"> feeling.<span ss="userText"> It was the same smile Yuliana gave Nieren right before she smothered her with her massive breasts.


    <span ss="userText">''Ah, shit...'' Rya thought as the Wood Elf''s chest came straight<span ss="aiText"> for her.


    <span ss="aiText">"W-Wait! N-No!<span ss="editText"> YULIANA!<span ss="aiText"> M-MOM! NO! NOT THE<span ss="editText">-MMMMH!!! MAAMMH!<span ss="aiText">" Rya yelled out in shock and surprise as Yuliana <span ss="userText">buried Rya''s face<span ss="aiText"> in her bosom.


    <span ss="userText">But the poor Dark Elf''s pleas fell<span ss="aiText"> on deaf ears. Yuliana was happy to have a second daughter. She was so ecstatic she began squeezing Rya tighter.


    <span ss="aiText">''H-How does this woman have this much strength in her chest?''


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">I promise I will love you like my own flesh and blood.<span ss="aiText">We''ll wear matching dresses, I''ll make special wood elf jewelry and everything! I''ll show you how wonderful it is being a part of the Wood Elf family," Yuliana cheered.


    <span ss="userText">Rya thought she was finally able to break free from Yuliana''s grip until Nieren came in from behind and hugged the Dark Elf which forced<span ss="aiText"> Rya''s head even deeper into Yuliana''s chest.


    <span ss="userText">"Don''t forget about me! We''re going to be sisters, and I''ll always protect you. We''ll have so much fun, Rya!" Nieren added.


    <span ss="aiText">''I-I<span ss="editText">made a mistake<span ss="aiText">!<span ss="editText"> Someone! Anyone!<span ss="aiText">Save me!''


    <span ss="userText">Rya''s hands started to push Yuliana back, but she had a steel grip on her head as the Dark Elf was desperately<span ss="aiText"> trying to get some air.


    ''I-I can''t breathe! They''re so soft!... A-And if I was still a guy, I would have died happily!... But I want to live, dammit!'' Rya thought.


    <span ss="userText">"Ahem!?" Quinuscleared his throat trying to get Yuliana''s and Nieren''s attention. He didn''t know what else to do to help Rya<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">Yuliana and Nieren were so overjoyed that they had a hard time hearing him.


    <span ss="aiText">"Ahem!" Quinus coughed a bit louder, "AHEM!"


    <span ss="aiText">Yuliana and Nieren finally noticed and turned to see Quinus and the rest of the group giving them a weird look.


    <span ss="userText">"Huh?" Yuliana was confused about<span ss="aiText"> what the group was staring at.<span ss="userText"> She let up just enough<span ss="aiText"> for Rya to <span ss="userText">move her head.


    <span ss="aiText">"M-Mom... I-I can''t breathe," Rya gasped.


    "Oh! I''m sorry, Rya," Yuliana said as she finally let go of Rya''s head.


    <span ss="userText">*Gasp!*


    <span ss="userText">*Cough! Cough!*


    <span ss="aiText">''Fucking hell, I didn''t know boobs could suffocate a person!'' Rya thought as she tried to get air into her lungs.


    <span ss="aiText">"Rya<span ss="editText">,<span ss="aiText">are you okay?" Quinus asked<span ss="userText">as he took her hand<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="userText">"Yeah... Just give me a moment," Rya repliedbefore regaining herposure. She had her left hand on top of her chest as she was taking a few deep breaths<span ss="aiText">.


    "Sorry," Yuliana said, sheepishly.


    <span ss="aiText">"No need. Just give me a second to catch my breath," Rya said, then she started to cough.


    "I''m so happy," Nieren cheered as she went in for another hug.


    <span ss="aiText">"N-Nieren, give<span ss="editText">your sister<span ss="aiText">some room," Yuliana said.


    <span ss="aiText">"Oh right, sorry," Nieren replied as she scratched the back of her head.


    <span ss="userText">"Agh... I guess things aren''t going to be the same<span ss="aiText">after this,"<span ss="editText">Rya<span ss="aiText">sighed.


    <span ss="userText">Quinus smirked<span ss="aiText">and nodded in agreement, "That''s the understatement of the year."


    <span ss="userText">Rya couldn''t help butugh at the absurdity of everything<span ss="aiText"> that just happened.


    "Haah, hahaha! Hahaha... Okay... That was a lot," Rya said while chuckling, "I''m a little exhausted, but now that we got that sorted out... I need to finish what I started." Rya stated as she picked up the blood contract from off the floor of the carriage.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Huh? About what, Rya?" Yuliana asked<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="userText">"About the blood contracts and the weird seal on Nieren''s Mana Vein. You''re sure that no one made her sign<span ss="aiText">a contract<span ss="userText">?"<span ss="aiText">Rya asked.


    "No?... It''s something that isn''t easy to hide," Yuliana said, and then Nieren nodded in agreement.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Why do you think it was a blood contract that sealed my mana vein, sis?" Nieren<span ss="aiText">asked.


    <span ss="userText">''Wow... Nieren<span ss="aiText">really went all in on the sister thing. Oh well, that''s my new life now,'' Rya thought.


    <span ss="aiText">"Well,<span ss="userText">when those spies signed the contract, I saw the same seals<span ss="aiText">appear on their veins<span ss="userText">," Rya<span ss="aiText">said.


    "R-Really!? You saw the same seals on the spies!?"Nieren yelped in surprise.


    <span ss="userText">''Jeez, she''s loud,'' Rya thought as she used her pinky finger<span ss="aiText"> to pick her <span ss="editText">left <span ss="aiText">ear.


    <span ss="aiText">"Well<span ss="userText">... It was simr at first. But then the seal broke up into brown particles that started floating around their<span ss="aiText">bodies.<span ss="userText">Like what I saw in Johan''s body before I healed him," Rya said as she looked at<span ss="aiText">Johan<span ss="userText">.


    <span ss="userText">"Hold on!? My Johan was affected by<span ss="aiText">a Blood Contract!? Who did it!?" Tayna yelled<span ss="userText">as she looked at her husband.


    <span ss="aiText">"I-I<span ss="userText">had<span ss="aiText">no idea, my love! You know<span ss="editText">that my family doesn''t have any blood contracts<span ss="aiText">," Johan said, "Plus, I can''t remember signing any contract."


    <span ss="aiText">"Hmm..." Yuliana said, "Could someone have forced him to do so?"


    <span ss="userText">Quinus scratched his chin<span ss="aiText">, "That''s a good question.<span ss="userText">I''ve heard that it could be passed down to<span ss="aiText">a person<span ss="userText">if one of their parents<span ss="aiText">was affected by a blood contract."


    "You think Johan''s parents were affected by one, Your Highness?" Tayna asked.


    <span ss="aiText">"It''s possible. And if Johan was born with the seal, it would make sense why you never noticed it," Quinus said.


    <span ss="userText">"But I thought Blood Contracts'' effects wear off over time? At least that''s what I read in the Mages'' library back in Ironside,<span ss="aiText">" Rya said<span ss="userText">with a<span ss="aiText">tilted head.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">That''s the problem with blood contracts. The ones that some nobles have ess to are the more potent onespared to the<span ss="aiText">regr ones<span ss="userText">," Quinus<span ss="aiText">said.


    <span ss="aiText">"Wait,<span ss="userText">does someone know how to make regr contracts on this continent?"<span ss="aiText">Rya asked.


    <span ss="userText">"Some of the Mages'' Guilds up north do. But it''s not something they like to create. Mainly because ve cors do what a regr blood contract<span ss="aiText"> does<span ss="userText"> but faster and easier... It''s a pain in the butt to get someone to willingly sign<span ss="aiText"> a blood contract," Quinus exined<span ss="aiText">, "I''m sorry if you are getting confused, Rya."


    <span ss="aiText">"No, no. I''m fine<span ss="editText">. Maybe what I read was incorrect data,<span ss="aiText">" Rya replied.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Lady Rya? Can you take a look at my parents if you get the chance... I would like to know if one of them is inflicted<span ss="aiText">with a blood contract,"<span ss="editText">Johan<span ss="aiText">said.


    <span ss="aiText">"Sure,<span ss="userText">it will help me understand<span ss="aiText">it a bit more," Rya replied.


    <span ss="aiText">"Thank you, Rya," Tayna said.


    <span ss="userText">Quinus chimed in with a question, "So? I''m assuming that you have another idea of what was inflicting Nieren<span ss="aiText">''s mana vein?"


    "Maybe... The only thing I know is that Nieren''s seal was way more powerful than Johan''s... I had to use a lot more of my mana to rid it," Rya said.


    <span ss="userText">Yuliana looked like she had another<span ss="aiText">idea, "<span ss="userText">There''s one thing it could possibly be... Witchcraft<span ss="aiText">."


    <span ss="userText">Everyone looked at Yuliana<span ss="aiText"> and asked in unison, "What!?"


    <span ss="aiText">"Well, it''s been a long time since anyone has seen a Witch on our continent," Yuliana said.


    "Witchcraft?" Rya repeated Yuliana in disbelief.


    <span ss="aiText">''Don''t fucking tell me that this ce has Witches! And why haven''t Ie across this in the Mages'' Guild''s library?'' Rya thought.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, Witchcraft. It''s a very dangerous magic that most people think is a myth," Yuliana said, "My father told me that witches were mages who wished to gain power and they experiment on their own mana veins. But with that power, it corrupts the user and turns them into a monster. He told me that they fled from the Faeo continent because of the Witch Wars. That happened over five thousand years ago."


    <span ss="aiText">"If they have that kind of power, how is it that no one has heard of them?" Rya asked.


    "As quickly as they rose to power was as quick as they fell from it," Yuliana said, "The Demons didn''t like how hard they were to corrupt and bend to their will, so the demons overpowered them in the end to rid a threat to their rule... If there are any witch covens left. They must be hiding themselves really well."


    <span ss="aiText">"I see..." Rya said, "How much do you know about the Witch Wars?"


    "Not much. My father was always vague when I asked him," Yuliana answered, "All he would say to me is to stay away from it."


    <span ss="aiText">"If this is true, we may have a real problem... Maybe they''re witches working with the High Elves?..." Rya wondered out loud.


    <span ss="aiText">Johan looked over at Quinus.


    <span ss="aiText">"I don''t know about you, my Lord. But this is a little unsettling," Johan said.


    <span ss="aiText">"It is. We''ll keep an eye out and see what we can find. Maybe there''s a book or two on Witchcraft at the Mage''s Guild in the Capital," Quinus said.


    Rya looked over at the parchment that was sitting on top of herp. She picked it up and hoped her eyes could find something that would tell her how powerful this thing was like when she looked at an artifact. Maybe there was something she missed or overlooked. But she couldn''t find anything in the blood contract that could indicate what its potency might be.


    <span ss="userText">''Dammit... I need to get a regr blood contract. So I canpare the two and see the difference. I guess I''ll have to shelve this one until<span ss="aiText">I have ess to the Mages'' Guild''s archives in the Capital. And maybe I should check <span ss="editText">and see if there is a ck market<span ss="aiText"> as well.''<span ss="userText"> Rya thought before putting the parchment away.


    <span ss="aiText">Rya''s train of thought was interrupted when Tayna asked a question.


    <span ss="aiText">"So... Were you able to find anything, Lady Rya?" Tayna asked.


    Rya shook her head, "Not yet... I''ll need topare the different kinds of contracts and their potency to make sure I know what we are dealing with... For all we know, the witches could have created a unique spell that mimics a blood contract, or blood contracts are supposed to mimic their... Spells?... Curses?... Whatever they use to mess with someone''s mana vein."


    <span ss="aiText">"Well, if that''s the case, then we are better off resting for now," Quinus said, "Plus, we have to prepare for meeting my mother in a day or two... I hope my mother doesn''t do anything drastic to test you, my love."


    <span ss="aiText">Percy and Johan both grimaced.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yeah, her reputation as the Queen is the only thing that has kept the nobility in line for so long," Percy said.


    <span ss="aiText">"Indeed. She can be very... Calcting... When she needs to be," Johan said, "If you can prove your loyalty to her, then she will probably back off and allow Quinus to marry you. If not... I don''t know."


    <span ss="aiText">Rya sighed while leaning back in her seat. She closed her eyes before she spoke, "It must be my lot in life, to meet someone new and have them think I am evil... All because of those stupid stories about Dark Elves. And now I might have to go through the same bullshit with Quinus'' mother..."


    <span ss="aiText">"Oh... Um... Well... It won''t be that bad, Ry... You won all of us over. Plus, I could put in a good word since you''re my daughter now," Yuliana said.


    <span ss="aiText">Nieren perked up, "That''s right, sis! If anyone gives you a hard time, we can just beat them up."


    Quinus red at Nieren making her heart jump.


    <span ss="aiText">"Umm... I mean... We won''t have to. I''ll just talk to her, my prince," Nieren said as her cheeks blushed.


    <span ss="userText">"Lady Nieren. I appreciate your friendship and loyalty. And I don''t want to banish you from the city, all because<span ss="aiText"> you decided to <span ss="userText">fight my mother... You''re my fiancee''s friend and I know she''ll be sad if you are forced to leave," Quinus said, "Besides. I can deal with my mother. And if she does give Rya a hard time, then we''ll cross that bridge when we get there, Lady Nieren... Is that understood?"


    <span ss="aiText">"Y-Yes, my prince," Nieren replied.


    <span ss="aiText">Quinus smiled at her which made the wood elf blush again.


    <span ss="aiText">''Gods! What are you doing Nieren!? He''s in love with Rya! I-I can''t get in the way of my Sister''s happiness!'' Nieren thought, ''I can''t let her find out either! If I''m going to keep being her sister, I have to find someone else... At some point.''


    Nieren turned and looked out the carriage window as the rainstorm seemed to be letting up a bit.


    ''Maybe when we get to the capital, I''ll meet someone. Hopefully, it''s an elf. I don''t want some silly human. They don''t live that long... So there''s no point in falling in love with them...'' Nieren thought but then she saw Quinus wrapping his arm around Rya''s shoulder. She wished she could feel his muscr arms wrap around her.


    ''Agh! N-No! Don''t think like that! That''s my little sister''s man! She doesn''t even know you''re in love with him!'' Nieren chastised herself, ''Wait!?... Did I say love!? I-I mean... No! I just... Agh! I can''t even say it in my thoughts. Okay, I have to find a way to make my feelings go away. And fast!'' She sighed and she turned away.


    ''Who am I kidding? It would be a miracle to find an Elf in a human kingdom... Maybe I should try dating a human guy... J-Just to upy my time before I find a real candidate. Yeah...'' Nieren thought.


    As the hours passed the storm finally let up before they made it to their destination, the city of Eldermyst, where Johan had to run cover for his friend, Prince Quinus, and Lady Rya. They stayed at Johan''s family estate so theMayor wouldn''t cause any problems for the young lovers.