Vol.4 Ch.228 What is Up With Everyone?


    <span ss="editText">Nieren, Rya''s Lady-in-Waiting and older sister, was positioned on the ground in front of Quinus and Rya''s bedroom door. She had long, flowing blonde hair spread across the floor and was dressed in the Fiafyrian female retainer uniform. Ever since their mother, Yuliana, had adopted <span ss="editText">Rya as her new daughter just a week ago, Nieren embraced her new role with warmth and affection, eager to protect and support her newfound sister in their enchanting world filled<span ss="aiText"> with magical creatures<span ss="editText"> and danger.


    <span ss="editText">“Augh? Ow... Zzzzz...<span ss="editText">” The weary female wood elf groaned, seemingly unfazed by he<span ss="editText">r tumble as she slipped right back into a peaceful slumber, lost in her dreams.


    <span ss="editText">Rya let out an exasperated sigh, roll<span ss="editText">ing her eyes <span ss="editText">at the sight while Quinus stood there, caught between amusement and concern. His heart wa<span ss="editText">rmed <span ss="editText">at how endearingly adorable his future sister-inw <span ss="editText">appeared, sprawled on the ground in a s<span ss="editText">tate of utter exhaust<span ss="editText">ion from their <span ss="editText">long journey back to the capital.<span ss="editText"> He couldn''t help but smile, yet a pang of sympathy tugged at him—she had certainly earned her rest.


    "<span ss="editText">Nieren! I told you t<span ss="editText">o find a room to sleep in. You didn''t need to stand guard all night<span ss="aiText">." Rya sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.


    <span ss="aiText">Nieren stirred and <span ss="editText">opened her eyes and saw Rya standing above her with her arms crossed<span ss="aiText"> and a slightly annoyed look on her face.


    "Huh? <span ss="editText">S-Sis?..."<span ss="aiText"> Nieren muttered as she rubbed her eyes.


    "<span ss="editText">Nieren?" Rya repeated and tapped he<span ss="editText">r foo<span ss="editText">t<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"Ahhh!<span ss="editText">"Sorry... I-I wanted to protect you and the Prince,<span ss="aiText">" Nieren eximed and sat up, looking around the room. She saw that the door to the Prince''s bedroom was wide open.<span ss="editText"> She was dumbfounded<span ss="aiText"> at first, then quickly jumped up to her feet and acted like nothing happen<span ss="editText">ed<span ss="aiText">.


    "<span ss="editText">That''s s<span ss="editText">wee<span ss="editText">t of you, but you need to take care of yourself. You have been up for nearly 24 hours,"<span ss="aiText"> Rya stated and sighed.


    <span ss="editText">Nieren''s retainer uniform was looking a bit messy, and her hair was all tousled. She had some dark circles under her eyes from staying upte to "guard her adopted sister," though she had a few other reasons for staying up as well. She''s be ustomed to hearing Rya and Quinus''<span ss="aiText"> activities, especially their sexual escapades.<span ss="editText"> And the voice she was more attracted to was Quin''s<span ss="aiText">.<span ss="editText"> Every grunt, moan<span ss="aiText">, and groan of his turned her on and made her <span ss="editText">feel funny. Nieren convinced herself that her actions were all about shielding her new sister and the Prince, but deep down, she was grappling with a blossoming crush on him. It was a truth she was too blind to acknowledge, lost in her own delusions.


    <span ss="aiText">"O-Of course. I-I''m fine. Haah..." Nieren yawned, unable to conceal her exhaustion.


    "<span ss="editText">Nieren... Go get some <span ss="editText">sleep and fix<span ss="aiText"> yourself up. I''ll call youter, and you cane back."


    <span ss="aiText">"What!? No, I''m fine. Besides, I<span ss="editText"> need to make sure that you''re safe. It''s a new ce, and every few people realize that a dark elf is in the Pce."


    <span ss="editText">Rya gave her older sister a skeptical look, "<span ss="userText">Nieren... You can protect me just fine when you are fully rested. Come on, let''s find you a room so you can<span ss="aiText"> get some sleep. Then you cane back and do your job."


    <span ss="editText">No! I''m fine, sis! This tiredness will pass," Nierenined as she pushed away Rya''s hand.


    <span ss="editText">"You are being stubborn," Rya replied with a sigh.


    <span ss="editText">"I''m sorry, Sis. But I am not going to leave your side until I know that the pce is safe for you<span ss="aiText">."


    Rya <span ss="editText">let out a weary sigh as she watched Nieren struggle to keep her footing. It pained her to see her friend so worn out, and the reason be<span ss="editText">hin<span ss="editText">d her own clinginess puzzled her.


    <span ss="editText">“Dammit! She can barely stand<span ss="editText">,” Rya thought, frustration bubbling inside her. It was utterly absurd how stubborn she was being. ncing over <span ss="editText">at Quinus<span ss="editText">, she sought a silent plea for assistance. Picking up on her distress, Quin strode over to the wood elf, ready to lend a hand.<span ss="userText"> He smiled brightly at the Wood Elf, who did a double-take<span ss="aiText">, suddenly aware of his presence.


    "<span ss="editText">Nieren... I admire your bravery in protecting the woman I love," Quinus said as he grabbed her hand<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">Nieren''s eyes w<span ss="editText">idened in surprise, a delicate shade of rose creeping across her cheeks as the dashing prince gently sped her hand. Her heart raced, a wild drumbeat echoing in her chest, while her palms grew mmy with a surge of nerves<span ss="aiText">. She <span ss="editText">gaz<span ss="aiText">ed up at him<span ss="editText">, a mix of wonder and confusion dancing in her expression, captivated by the maic charm that radiated from him<span ss="aiText">.


    "<span ss="editText">But Rya makes a valid point. You really need to take a break," Quinus urged gently, his voiceced with concern. "It would truly be an honor if you chose to stay in my room. We have an extra bed just waiting for you." He stepped forward, guiding her toward the cozy, inviting space that was connected to Rya''s and Quin''s room that was off to the<span ss="aiText"> side.


    <span ss="aiText">Nieren didn''t know what to do or say. She felt butterflies in her stomach. But she didn''t understand why.


    "<span ss="editText">Uhh? M-My prince?" Nieren murmured, locking her gaze with his. A rush of emotion surged through her, her heart fluttering like a captive bird. Confusion clouded her thoughts, and the weight of her exhaustion pressed heavily upon her, amplifying the whirlwind of feelings coursing through her.


    <span ss="editText">Nieren couldn’t shake the peculiar sensation overwhelming her. ''Why does my heart race like this? What’s happening to me?'' A flutter of confusion swept through her thoughts. ''Could Rya be onto something? Maybe hearing all that... passion is finally getting to me.'' She took a deep breath, trying to steady her frenzied pulse as she trailed behind the captivating human. Under different circumstances, she might have pushed back against this unexpected attraction, but exhaustion weighed heavily on her, and curiosity tugged at her like an irresistible force.


    <span ss="userText">Quinus gently guided her over to the empty bed and helped her sit down. Rya watched all of this with a dumbfounded look. How was it that Nieren was so stubborn with her, and yet Quinus'' simple touch and smile made Nieren meek andpliant?


    <span ss="userText">"I can <span ss="editText">see the concern etched on your fac<span ss="userText">e <span ss="editText">f<span ss="userText">or my fianc<span ss="editText">é<span ss="userText">e, and <span ss="editText">it’s entirely understandable. Believe me, her safety is my top priority as<span ss="userText"> w<span ss="editText">e<span ss="userText">ll<span ss="editText">," Quinus said softly, kneeling before the weary Wood Elf. Nieren, fatigue weighing heavily o<span ss="userText">n he<span ss="editText">r, let out a long, unguarded yawn, revealing just how deeply this journey was taking its toll on her. "But please, don’t sacrifice yourself in the process," he added, his voice filled with genuine care<span ss="userText">.


    <span ss="userText">Nieren tried onest time to protest<span ss="aiText">, her words heavy with reluctance, "But... But,<span ss="editText"> My<span ss="aiText"> Prince—"


    <span ss="aiText">Quinus <span ss="editText">let out a warm chuckle, hisughter filling the room and cutting through her words. "Just c<span ss="aiText">all me Quin. <span ss="editText">That’s what a<span ss="aiText">ll my friends do<span ss="editText">," he said, a yful glint in his golden eyes. With a gentle touch, he nudg<span ss="aiText">ed her to<span ss="editText">ward<span ss="aiText"> the bed. <span ss="editText">"Now, get some rest, Nieren. You deserve it." The wood elf met his gaze, her heart fluttering slightly, and after a moment of hesitation, she nodded and settled onto the bed,forted by his presence<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="userText">''Warm...'' Was all <span ss="editText">Nieren could<span ss="aiText"> think as she nestled into the silken sheets, letting her eyes drift closed. Sleep imed her in moments, and before long, she was lost in her dreams.


    <span ss="aiText">"Phew. She finally went to sleep<span ss="editText">," Quinus <span ss="editText">sighed, gently tucking the nkets <span ss="editText">around the wood elf<span ss="editText"> as she settled into a deep sleep. With a sense of relief, he rose and made his way toward th<span ss="editText">e perplexed Dark Elf<span ss="editText">, whose eyes looked at her older sister with more questions than answers<span ss="aiText">.


    "What <span ss="editText">the hell? I was trying to do all the same things you just did, and she wouldn''t listen to me<span ss="aiText">," Rya whispered in astonishment.


    "<span ss="editText">Hmm? Well, she might have the big sisterplex...<span ss="aiText"> I''ve seen that happen before. Sometimes, the <span ss="editText">old<span ss="aiText">er siblings want to be the ones to protect the younger siblings," Quinus whispered, leaning in close. <span ss="userText">"And maybe she needed to hear the same thing from someone else<span ss="aiText">."


    <span ss="editText">''Really? It looked like he was hypnotizing her. What the fuck is going on with you, Nieren?... Even since I''ve healed your mana vein, you''ve been acting stranger than usual. But it could just be the fatigue andck of sleep...'' Rya thought as she sighed.


    <span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText">"<span ss="undoDeletionText">Hmph. Well, whatever it was, I''m d she finally went to sleep," Rya grumbled.<span ss="editText"> "Maybe I will ask her about it after she gets some rest<span ss="aiText">."


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">Least not worry about her<span ss="aiText"> for now, babe," Quinus whispered and gave her a gentle peck on the lips. "She''s <span ss="editText">safe here," Quinus said while offering Rya his arm again.


    <span ss="userText">"Yes, let''s," Rya replied <span ss="editText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">as she <span ss="userText">loope<span ss="editText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">d <span ss="userText">her arm around his and smile<span ss="editText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">d a<span ss="userText">t him.


    <span ss="editText">As the two <span ss="editText">strolled out, they were met with a startled servant whose eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of both the prince and the enchanting Dark Elf by his side.


    <span ss="editText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">“I... I... I had no idea His Highness was back!” the servant eximed, her voice trembling with excitement. “Please forgive me for not noticing sooner! I’ll get right to cleaning your chambers!”


    <span ss="editText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">With a hasty bow, she hurried off, her footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway, eager to atte<span ss="editText">nd to their <span ss="editText">needs.


    <span ss="userText">"Hold on!..." Quinus called out, halting<span ss="aiText"> the servant in her tracks.


    <span ss="userText">"Yes, Your Highness?"<span ss="editText"> the servant<span ss="aiText"> replied, turning to face the pair.<span ss="editText"> She was trying her best not to stare at Rya<span ss="aiText"> and focus on the Prince.


    <span ss="aiText">"I have a favor to ask," Quinus said.


    <span ss="aiText">"Of course, my prince. What is it?" the servant replied.


    <span ss="editText">There''s another guest sleeping in my chamber. You cane back to clean my room in the afternoon—unless that goes against your schedule,"<span ss="aiText"> Quinus exined.


    "<span ss="editText">U-Umm. Well, yes. But it''s fine. I can adjust to amodate His Highness," the servant <span ss="editText">answered and bowed<span ss="editText"> her head again.


    <span ss="editText">"That''s alright, just wait until the afternoon. Oh, and I''ll send for another servant to assist you."


    <span ss="editText">"T-That won''t be necessary," the servant objected.


    <span ss="editText">"It is because this ce could use a little more cleaning than—usual," Quinus countered.


    <span ss="userText">The servant''s eyes darted back and forth from the Prince to the Dark Elf. She knew that this would be a good time to impress her superiors.


    <span ss="userText">"Very well. If his Highness insists, thank you," the servant said as she bowed her head again before hurrying off. She kept ncing at Rya with fear in her eyes.


    <span ss="userText">''Haah... Here we go again... Everyone is scared of the big bad elf... I should grab something to cover my ears so <span ss="editText">everyone can<span ss="userText"> stop being so damn jumpy,'' Rya thought as she sighed.


    <span ss="userText">Quinus noticed<span ss="aiText"> the change in her mood and ced his hand on her shoulder.


    "Don''t worry<span ss="editText"> about them. They<span ss="editText"> will get used to you<span ss="editText">r presence soon enough," Quinus assured her.


    <span ss="userText">"I know. But I''ll grab a shawl or a hood<span ss="aiText"> so people aren''t star<span ss="editText">tled by<span ss="aiText"> me," Rya stated, her voice t and tired.<span ss="editText"> "Hang here, and I''llbe back in a moment."


    Rya <span ss="editText">sauntered over to the dresser<span ss="editText">, her eyes dancing over the array of essories until theynded on a luxurious ck silk shawl. It was the perfectpanion to her new dress. With a graceful motion, she swept the shawl over her head<span ss="editText">, a<span ss="editText">llowing it to cascade around her shoulders, elegantly concealing her long, pointed ears. She turned around a yful spark in her eyes. "So, what do you think? How do I look?"


    <span ss="userText">Quinus just stared at her with a brilliant smile, "Beautiful... as always."


    <span ss="editText">Rya shed him a yful smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she sent him a cheeky wink.


    "<span ss="editText">Shall we?" Quinus inquired, a yful glimmer in his eyes as he extended his arm to her for the third time, inviting her to join him.


    <span ss="editText">"Yes, let''s," Rya replied, wrapping her arm around his. Then, they went<span ss="editText"> on their way towards the private dining room.


    <span ss="userText">As they strode down the dimly lit hallway, the guards snapped to attention, their expressions impossibly stern. Rya felt a flicker of unease wash over her; there was something unnerving about the rigid formality that surrounded her. She''d thrived in theid-back atmosphere of Ironside, where the Dwarves weed her with open arms and heartyughter.


    <span ss="userText">Yet here, every detail seemed steeped in an archaic tradition she struggled to embrace. It was precisely this contrast that had drawn her to train under the formidable Fyre Coldforge, the revered Baroness Dowager of Ironside. Rya had immersed herself in the nuances of Fiafyrian noble etiquette, determined to adapt. Still, the echoes of her old Earth habits lingered, making it challenging to navigate the stifling expectations of her new world.


    <span ss="userText">Quinus and Rya <span ss="editText">stepped into the bustling dining hall, their senses immediately enchanted by the vibrant atmosphere. Laughter and chatter filled the air as<span ss="userText"> they s<span ss="editText">potted<span ss="userText"> Quin''s <span ss="editText">loyal <span ss="userText">retainers<span ss="editText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">—the young Ranger, Percy, and the ever-dutiful Sir George—gathered around a long, beautifully set table. A few servants darted between the guests, carrying tters of steaming dishes that promised a feast fit for royalty<span ss="userText">.


    <span ss="userText">"Your Highness," Percy greeted with a bow of his head.


    <span ss="userText">"Morning, Percy," Quinus greeted back.


    <span ss="userText">"Your Highness, I trust you and Lady Rya had a pleasant morning?" Percy inquired with a smirk<span ss="undoDeletionText">.


    <span ss="userText">"We did," Rya answered for Quinus<span ss="undoDeletionText">.


    <span ss="userText">Percy just raised an eyebrow at the Dark Elf.


    <span ss="userText">"Oh, stop, Percy... Like you are one that can judge. I had to change rooms because you and Dalia were howling at the moonsst night," Sir George stated with a re.


    <span ss="userText">"And you''re just annoyed that your ''Love Sage''s advice still isn''t helping you pick up thedies," Percy taunted.


    <span ss="userText">Sir George''s face turned beet red, and he quickly looked away. <span ss="userText">"I-I''m getting better," <span ss="editText">he stammered, trying to defend himself.


    <span ss="userText">"Sure, you are," Rya teased with a chuckle.


    <span ss="userText">“Oh, I see how this morning is <span ss="editText">going to go<span ss="userText">,” Sir George eximed, throwing his hands up dramatically. “Just let’s all pile on poor old George, the world’s worst matchmaker. Why not kick a guy while he’s down? Well, I’ve had enough!” His eyes sparked with determination as he continued, “All your teasing and taunting has only steeled my resolve! I’m going to find the perfect girl… or perhaps a disciple! And mark my words, I will be renowned for my pirs of wisdom and courtship!”


    <span ss="userText">With fervor, he jabbed his fork in the air, first pointing at Rya, then Quinus, and finally, he turned to Percy, who could only grimace at George’s bold deration.


    <span ss="userText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">"Oh! A disciple, you say? Like young Percy? That sure helped him getbeled as a prevent, if my memory is correct," Rya asked, and Percy and Quinus looked at each other and smirked.


    <span ss="aiText">"Of course not!<span ss="userText"> He failed to understand my teachings<span ss="aiText">... <span ss="userText">But You! Lady Rya! You may have had the upper hand in getting Percy together with Dalia. And you might have helped fix Lord Johan''s rtionship with Lady Tayna... But I''ve been learning and taking notes on you and Prince Quinus'' methods. I''ve been holding this back until we''ve returned home, and I am here to tell you that I will master them and be a Love Sage that this world needs!"<span ss="userText">Sir George announced with his fist clenched.


    <span ss="userText">"So, what you are saying is that I''m a failure? And I''m here to tell you that I''m fine with that," Percy said, which caused the table tough.


    <span ss="aiText">"No! No, of course not, Percy. You were just the perfect test subject... Ahem! Sorry... What I meant to say was, you are a great example of what not to do, my dear friend," Sir George corrected himself, which only made everyoneugh even harder.


    <span ss="userText">"Jeez... What has gotten into you, George? Isn''t being a Royal Knight enough<span ss="aiText"> for you? Or are you going to take up the life of a Bard now?" Quinus joked, and Sir George <span ss="userText">paused momentarily as he looked like he was lost in thought. And after a few seconds, he shook his head vigorously.


    <span ss="editText">"Bah, this is nothing. I was just messing with Lady Rya," Sir George retorted, trying to save<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText"> face.


    <span ss="aiText">"Is that so? <span ss="userText">You weren''t thinking of something else now<span ss="aiText">, were you?" Rya asked.


    <span ss="aiText">"What?... No, no... Nothing at all," Sir George replied with a nervous smile.


    <span ss="aiText">"Oh? Is that so," Rya continued with a smirk.


    A sheen of sweat broke out across Sir George''s forehead, glistening under the sunlight that came through therge windows as tension mounted in the air.


    <span ss="aiText">"Y-Yes... It''s nothing," Sir George stammered.


    <span ss="aiText">"Oh, you were. Well, that''s a shame," Rya teased.


    <span ss="userText">Sir George tried to ignore<span ss="aiText"> the Dark Elf''s teasing, but his pride was making it difficult. He didn''t want to admit that he was getting older,<span ss="userText">and he didn''t know how much longer he had to<span ss="aiText"> find a wife and start a family. He felt his time was running out.


    <span ss="aiText">"A-Ahem. I-I don''t know what you are talking about," Sir George said, and the others at the table couldn''t help but chuckle at the knight''s denial.


    <span ss="userText">"Alright, I''ll let you off the hook this time, George... But I won''t be so merciful next time," Rya teased the old knight one more time<span ss="aiText">. "Let''s eat; I''m starving," Rya said as she grabbed her fork and knife.


    <span ss="editText">Everyone else followed suit as they enjoyed their meal<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">, chatting amongst themselves.