It's been almost a week since Nina's fight with Veyron. I've devoted my afternoons to roaming streets of Avalon with Ilina, and sometimes Nina. My mornings have been spent on magic research with Alto, supervising sparring matches between Zara and either Nina or Klaus, dropping Alto, Zara, and sometimes Nina off for random Elmesia guild jobs to improve their rankings, and hot spring trips with Nina.
Zara defeats Klaus routinely in sparring matches now, despite Klaus having a few times more magic power and experience. Zara's growth as a swordsman is truly impressive. When Nina matches her strength and abilities to Zara, Zara is usually the winner in their sparring matches, much to Nina's annoyance.
Alto's education has advanced some, but she's stuck trying to learn my invisibility spell. While she has a good grasp on atoms, molecules, and chemical bonds, that spell requires learning about photon and wave theories of radiation.
That's been…challenging…for her. Something that doesn't take up space but still exists, and the whole idea of waves and wavelengths, is unintuitive to Alto. So, teaching her to manipulate non-matter with her magic is an ongoing effort.
Alto and Zara have both advanced to B-rank over the course of the week, the old-fashioned way, and they have developed a name for themselves at the guild. They've been asking me to drop them off in Elmesia to take guild jobs alone, and Gerard has been all too grateful for their help.
Naturally, they've both been approached by several adventuring parties for recruitment. I told them they were welcome to join, even freelance, but they seem uninterested in trusting other humans at random.
So, that's been my week! This morning, Elira and Dargo have requested a meeting with me and my party. We're currently on our way to the palace conference room that has become the standard location for such things.
When we arrive, Elira, Dargo, and Ilina are already seated on the couches, and Klaus and the other royal guard are seated behind them. The maid, apparently the same one that's always here, is pouring tea for everyone. The elves rise to greet my party and I, and everyone seems to be in good spirits. I give a light bow to the elven royalty with my greeting.
"Queen Elira, King Dargo, First Princess Ilina, we are humbled by the invitation this morning. What can we and Lady Nedonera do for you?" (Mizuki)
Elira rolls her eyes at my greeting.
"Mizuki, can we dispense with your formal nonsense? If you and my daughter are serious about getting married, regardless of how it turns out, that would make you my son-in-law. Just call me Elira when we're in private like this." (Elira)
Why did she just say that in front of the maid and guards!? I glance between everyone nervously. Ilina gives me an amused smile and a reassuring nod. Dargo piles on.
"Yes, Mizuk, I agree with Elira. Please call me Dargo when it's this level of privacy." (Dargo)
I stare at Klaus pleadingly, but he just smirks and shrugs at me. That traitor. I let out a huge sigh.
"Very well, I'll defer to your better judgement for this. I'll call you Elira and Dargo for such occasions. I'm sure Ilina is quite pleased that I won't be using her formal title anymore. Was this your doing, Ilina?" (Mizuki)
I narrow my eyes suspiciously at her as I ask. She puts on a very innocent expression.
"What? I'm sure I don't know what you're implying, Mizuki!" (Ilina)
Guilty…she's totally guilty, and she's not even trying that hard to hide it. However, my bigger concern is the help. I glance nervously between the guards and the maid.
"Uhm…Elira, not to sound too doubtful of you, but I'm surprised that you're fine casually discussing Ilina's and I's relationship with present company. My observation has been that your people don't even want me present in this country, much less romantically involved with their future queen. I know the palace employees are discreet, but are you not concerned about this at all?" (Mizuki)
Elira shakes her head.
"No, Mizuki. As I tried to explain to you before you kicked them out of our meeting after Ilina's and Alara's duel, Cayla and my personal guards would never repeat anything they hear. I trust this completely, and I'd even let them hear everything you've told me to date if you'd condone it. This trust is the reason you never see any other maids or guards around me for private meetings." (Elira)
That's a bold claim. I glance at Ilina to see what she thinks.
"I agree Mizuki, and I even recommend including them in future meetings with the elven royal family. Anything that my mother and father can hear, I think it's fine for them to hear as well. If you're not sure, ask them." (Ilina)
Oh? I glance at Elira, and she nods her agreement. I turn my gaze towards the maid, apparently her name is Cayla, and she smiles politely and nods her agreement.
"Okay, that's fine then. Cayla, was it? Thank you for your help this morning, as always. If you're fine with me asking you questions, could you tell me your honest opinion of Lady Nedonera?" (Mizuki)
I'm not too concerned whether she likes us, but it'd be nice if I could get a gauge of her character. Will she lie? Is she good at it, if so? Understanding some of what guides her decisions is all I'm after. Cayla looks confused by the question, but eyes Nina cautiously.
"Yes, Sir Mizuki, my name is Cayla. It's a pleasure to properly meet you. I'm not sure what consequence my opinion could be, but I suppose I'm…scared…of Lady Nedonera. I don't understand her actions or motivations, which is scary for someone so powerful. However, I heard that it's thanks to all of you, Lady Nedonera included, that we know Veyron and the demons are no longer a threat to us elves. So, she also has my respect and gratitude, of course." (Cayla)
Hmm…a relatively straightforward answer. Nothing concerning or surprising.