Chapter 479: Alvara Freydis Teraquin SS [2]


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    "You worry too much, Kleines," Rhys sighed, as he lowered himself onto the plush sofa in the grand discussion room of the Teraquin Royal Pce.


    "And you''re far toox, Rhys," Kleines replied, shaking his head as he settled onto the sofa across from his friend.


    Rhys chuckled softly. A maid approached, carrying a silver tray with delicate porcin cups. Rhys epted his tea with a gracious nod, his long, tapered fingers brushing briefly against the cup''s ornate handle. The maid then turned to Kleines, who took his cup with a polite smile.


    "I must say, Kleines," Rhys began, reclining slightly and crossing one leg over the other. His emerald-green eyes sparkled with amusement. "You surprise me. You''re Human, not even a High Human. I thought you''d be the first to defend my aspirations for Vanadias'' future. Isn''t that what Humans are known for? Supporting grand ideals?"


    "You really shouldn''t underestimate Humans so much," Kleines countered with a heartyugh. "Ourck of natural advantages makes us more... adaptable. Unpredictable, even." Rhys tilted his head, interested. "So is that why you''re uneasy about my n to open our borders to Humans and other races in need?"


    "It''s not the n itself," Kleines admitted, setting his teacup down on the carved table between them. "I know your heart is in the right ce. Honestly, it''s not even surprising. You''ve always been absurdly altruistic for a damn Elf." He smirked, his tone half-teasing. "And yet, you''re still worried." Rhys mirrored the smirk.


    Kleines exhaled. "Not all Humans are good people, Rhys-just as not all Halves or Elves are. It''s true that Humans have faced discrimination and deserve better, but that''s exactly why you should tread carefully. Opening the gates too wide invites trouble. I''m not saying reject them, but you need a n that''s stricter. Stronger. Screen them thoroughly. Use as many resources as you need, but don''t let just anyone walk into your kingdom."


    Rhys raised a brow, impressed despite himself. "You''ve put some thought into this. I assume you''re applying the same principles in Pas?"


    Kleines chuckled, leaning back slightly. "Of course. Alea and I aren''t as naive as you, Rhys. We''ve got our own safeguards in ce."


    "Did you hear that, Rhys?"


    A sharp, feminine voice interrupted, dripping with amusement.


    Both men turned to see Tanya entering the room.


    "Tanya," Kleines greeted warmly, rising briefly in respect. "It''s been too long. I swear, I''m envious of you Elves. Always youthful, even as the mother of three." His words were apanied by a teasing grin.


    Tanya''s green eyes narrowed, her expression shifting to one of icy annoyance. "Do you want to die, Kleines? And ttery won''t get you anywhere. I''m sure your wife would love to hear about your fondness for another woman-especially me."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Kleines paled visibly, his bravado dissolving in an instant. "I-I apologize! Please, don''t say anything to Alea. I beg you!" He leaned forward, hands sped together in desperation.


    Rhys couldn''t suppress hisughter, though his gaze hardened slightly. "Yes, Kleines. I''d suggest you refrain from flirting with my wife."


    Kleines, regaining some of hisposure, leaned back with a sly smile. "Which one, Rhys?" He asked meaningfully, his words carrying the weight of a subtle jab.


    The air froze instantly.


    "Rhys?" Tanya''s voice was filled with kindness, but her smile didn''t quite reach her eyes.


    "N-No! Of course not! I haven''t been with anyone else I swear!" Rhys stuttered, a sheen of sweat beading on his brow. His words tumbled out in a rush. "Kleines, say you''re joking!" He shot a re at Kleines, who seemed far too amused for his liking.


    "Who knows?" Kleines replied, his tone nonchnt as he leaned back with a smirk. "Not my concern-I''m faithful to Alea, after all."


    "Faithful?" Rhys scoffed. "You''re just scared she''ll kill you if you so much as nce at another woman."


    Kleines grimaced but didn''t retort. The truth in Rhys''s words stung. Alea''s possessive streak was legendary, and her fiery temper even more so. The thought of her wrath was enough to silence him. Though truthfully Alea wouldn''t be angry if he asked her knowing Kleines'' status but Kleines didn''t.


    Or rather he wouldn''t.


    They had just ''lost'' Amael and he would never make further lonely his wife by taking another in this situation where his wife needed him the most.


    "Hmph. How is she, anyway?" Tanya asked casually, though her indifferent tone didn''t fool


    anyone.


    Kleines nearly chuckled, amused by Tanya''s transparent attempt at nonchnce.


    Alea and Tanya had once been inseparable. Despite their differences-one an Elf, the other a High Human-they''d always foundmon ground. But their rtionship had frayed over the years, strained by time and circumstances.


    The real rift, however, hade a few years ago. Alea had withdrawn into herself after the devastating ''loss'' of her youngest son.


    "She''s... managing," Kleines said atst, his voice softer. "Though I think she misses you." Tanya scoffed, crossing her arms. "As if."


    Rhys couldn''t suppress a chuckle at his wife''s reaction.


    Before the conversation could continue, a small voice called out.


    "Father!"


    A blur of movement rushed through the doorway, and Rhys''s face lit up as a young girl dashed into the room. Without hesitation, he stood and swept her into his arms, twirling her around as herughter filled the air.


    "How''s my little Freydis?" He asked grinning widely.


    "I''m fine, Father! Look-I brought you something!" The girl held out a small bouquet of lilies, her tiny hands trembling with excitement.


    Rhys''s heart melted. "Alvara, you''re the sweetest," he said, hugging her tightly prompting a giggle from her. "I have a gift for you as well. Look," Rhys added with a smile, his hand reaching into the void. With a subtle flick of his wrist, he pulled out an exquisitely adorned golden umbre.


    Alvara''s eyes widened in delight, her face lighting up. "Oh! It''s beautiful! Thank you, Father!" She eximed as she reached for the umbre.


    Rhys chuckled warmly as he handed it to her. "Of course, I wouldn''t let anyone or anything -harm you, not even the sun itself!"


    As this tender scene unfolded, the door opened again, revealing two neers.


    "Lord Falkrona," Kendel said, bowing respectfully as he stepped inside.


    "It''s an honor to meet you, Lord Falkrona," Leena added with a polite smile.


    "Oh, Kendel, it''s been quite a while. You''ve grown a lot since Ist saw you." His eyes shifted to the girl at Kendel''s side. "And who might this be? She looks about my daughter''s age. Don''t tell me you''ve already found a girlfriend? Like father, like son, I suppose."


    The jab earned him a sharp re from Tanya, but Kendel only scratched his head, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.


    Leena chuckled softly, but it was the little girl who caught Kleines''s attention. Her green eyes, wide with curiosity, peeked from behind Leena.


    "You must be Bryelle," Kleines said gently, crouching to her eye level. "Your father has told me a lot about you. Aren''t you a little cutie as well?" He reached out, ruffling her hair


    affectionately.


    Bryelle smiled, though she still clung to Leena''s leg for security.


    For a moment, Kleines'' expression turned gloomy.


    Her face and shyness ovepped with Amael''s.


    On the other hand, Tanya, watching from the side, gave the girl a long,plicated look. She


    said nothing, but her expression betrayed an internal conflict.


    "Freydis, we have an important guest," Rhys said, raised a brow and gesturing toward


    Kleines. "Shouldn''t you greet him properly first?"


    "Oh, yes!" Alvara nodded quickly as her father set her down.


    Straightening her dress with a small, graceful motion, Alvara stepped toward Kleines. She


    pinched the hem of her skirt and dipped into a curtsey, her movements meticulous and


    practiced.


    "It''s an honor to meet the esteemed Lord Falkrona," she said, her voice carrying the perfect blend of politeness and confidence. A radiant noble smile graced her lips, the picture of high


    nobility.


    Kleines''s lips twitched into a smile as he crouched to her level, his eyes studying her. "Oh,


    you''re the same child I saw back then, aren''t you? You''ve grown quite a lot since then. My,


    aren''t you sharp for your age."


    "Thank you!" Alvara beamed, unable to hide her delight at beingplimented by one of the most revered figures in Sancta Vedelia.


    As Kleines continued observing her, his gaze sharpened for a moment, catching a faint trace of unusual unique mana radiating from the girl. "Well, it''s clear you''re going to grow into an extraordinary woman. Say, how about bing my daughter-inw?"


    "Kleines!" Tanya''s voice cut through the room as she erupted in shock. Rhys, standing beside her, grimaced, his expression caught somewhere between amusement and exasperation. "Daughter-inw?" Alvara echoed, her young mind working to piece together the meaning though she suspected the implications.


    "That''s right." Kleines grinned, ignoring Tanya''s re. "My wife would absolutely adore


    you. You''re intelligent, strong, and exactly the kind of youngdy my house needs. What do


    you think?"


    Alvara hesitated, her expression thoughtful before replying with all the honesty of a child. "Um, I think Father and Mother will decide my future."


    Kleines chuckled, nodding. "Fair enough. But what if you meet your little prince someday?"


    "My prince?" Alvara tilted her head, confused by his words.


    "Yes," Kleines continued, his tone softening. "Someone who will protect you, care for you, and love you more than anyone else even more than your father and mother." Alvara''s eyes widened, the very thought a revtion to her. "More than Father and Mother?"


    "That''s enough!" Tanya interrupted, stepping between Kleines and her daughter as she ced a protective hand on Alvara''s shoulder. "She''s ten! Don''t go filling her head with


    strange ideas! Besides, your son is already engaged to Reis Aqu, I won''t let Alvara be a


    second wife!"


    Kleines leaned back, raising his hands in surrender, though his grin only widened. "What? I''m


    just preparing her for the future. And I wasn''t thinking about this one..."


    "What?" "Rx, Tanya. When ites to my Christina, I''ll give her all the freedom in the world to


    choose her path."


    "What if she chooses the wrong one?" Rhys asked.


    Kleines leaned back slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Well, as a parent,


    your role would be to guide her," he replied. "If she stumbles, you help her find her footing. Or, you could always take the traditional route-choose someone yourself and consult your daughter afterward." He ended with a smirk, knowing how Tanya would react.


    "Nonsense," Tanya retorted, her arms crossing as her gaze hardened. "Alvara is destined for greatness. I don''t think anyone from Sancta Vedelia would evene close to being suitable. We''ll likely have to look toward Edenis Raphiel to find someone worthy of her." "Now, now," Rhys intervened gently, cing a soothing hand on Tanya''s arm. "There''s


    plenty of time to think about thister." He looked down at Alvara, who was watching the exchange with wide eyes, and gave her a warm smile. "But I, for one, will trust Freydis''s opinion. I know she''ll find her Love when the timees."


    Alvara blinked, processing her father''s words. After a moment, a shy smile crept across her


    lips.