"Haaaaah, what a pain!" (Mizuki)
After my meeting with Lobe, I return back to the mansion and flop down on the couch in our family room. Though it was after midnight in the Empire, the sun is just starting to set here in the Elven Kingdom.
I ultimately decided that Lobe was my best bet for setting up a negotiation meeting with the Empire. After all, I don't even know who is in charge of the country now, much less have a way to peacefully get in contact with them. Meanwhile, Lobe was probably personally interrogated by them after my little stunt with Belmod, and he can probably get a message to them.
Unfortunately, not only did he seem traumatized and scared shitless of me, but he seemed quite hesitant to get on their radar once more. It wasn't hard to surmise from there that he probably feels like they're just waiting for a reason to kill him.
However, that also meant that all it took to convince him was a few promises of giving him a new life outside the Empire if he successfully arranged a meeting consistent with my demands. He'd already bore witness to our slaughter in Belmod's palace, and I revealed some of my magical abilities to him just to arrange our little chat, so he was already primed to fear ignoring my orders.
After my offer to get him out of the country safely, he was quick to oblige my request. He told me about the two military leaders and three Dukes that currently represent the major de facto leadership in the Empire. After hearing about them, I ultimately told him to pass along my request for them to meet with me two weeks from now to negotiate. I had him convey that all they needed to do was be present in the palace's throne room at noon, and I'd come to greet them.
I also impressed upon him the importance of keeping what he saw of my abilities to himself.
I'm not sure whether the Empire's leadership will do as I asked. However, I'm certain that someone will be waiting for me there, and that most if not all of those leaders will at least be nearby within the city. That should be a good enough starting point for me to take care of the rest.
I let out a deep, contented sigh as I sink into the plush couch, and I prop my feet up on the coffee table. After what feels like only a few seconds, I hear footsteps approaching me, and I look up to see Alto walking in with a curious smirk on her face.
"So, did he agree to arrange the meeting?" (Alto)
I let out a wry grin.
"Eventually...yeah. What about Alara...what did she say about Alyse joining us here in Eden? Also, where are Nina and Zara?" (Mizuki)
Alto nods her acknowledgement and walks over to take a seat on the couch next to me.
"Nina and Zara wanted to spar while you were gone, after all the 'boring talking' today. As for Alara, she was quite pleased with the news of Alyse joining us. I believe she intends for her to take Zara's place as her bodyguard and right hand." (Alto)
I nod approvingly as Alto settles into the couch beside me. Then, to my surprise, she turns her body to lay her legs over my lap, and leans in to hug me as she rests her head against my chest. She doesn't say a word, she just cuddles against me and lets out a small sigh.
I raise my eyebrows at her.
"Uhm...Alto, is everything okay?" (Mizuki)
She doesn't raise her head to meet my gaze. She just remains silent for several moments, then speaks quietly into my shirt.
"I just feel like everything's changing so fast, Mizuki. Putting you at the center of the elf-Empire conflict, revealing your nature as a Nephilim, publicizing your engagement to Ilina, and agreeing to build trains for all the nobles. If anything goes wrong with any of that, disastrous consequences lurk around every corner.
"I trust you and us to handle it, but the risk isn't all I'm worried about. I'm excited that we're finally making moves to improve the world I live in, and I know this is selfish, but...I fear that throwing you into the center of attention will destroy the new life I've already come to appreciate. How will our lives change once everyone is clamoring for your time and attention?
"I cherish the others in our group, Mizuki, but I also recognize that I'm somewhat apart from them. They all have people and things to focus on outside our group – Alara has Eden, Zara her tribe, and Ilina her rise to power. But all my old friends are dead, I cut ties with my parents before I even met you, and my only notable hobby is...research with you. Will you even have time for that anymore? I'm sure you'll struggle just to make time for your wives..." (Alto)
My eyes widen involuntarily as I'm taken aback by Alto's words. Their sincerity, their vulnerability...their truth. I hadn't considered before now how drastically my new public image among the elves may affect my free time, nor how Alto feels about it.
I instinctively wrap my arms around Alto as I pull her into the hug tighter. I expect her to chide me, to act embarrassed, or to otherwise resist the gesture, but she just buries her face deeper in my chest.
Does she think...I don't value our friendship? That I'd let my obligations push her to the back burner, or that she isn't as important to me as Nina and Ilina?
I purse my lips in disapproval at the thought.
"Alto, I'm sorry if I haven't made this clearer before, but...you're important to me. Yes, Nina is my first love, and Ilina is my fiancé that I'll one day rule this kingdom with, but you're my best friend. You being the third exception to Azazel's rules, right alongside Nina and Ilina...that's not a coincidence. I cherish having you in my life every single bit as much as I cherish them. Our relationship means enough to me that I asked you to give up your mortality so I never have to lose it.
"Believe me when I tell you...if I wasn't going to let something as grand as time or death separate us, I'm damn sure not going to let fame or some minor inconveniences do it. I give you my word, Alto, you will always have me, and I'll never abandon you. I will still make time for you and for our research. Because while it may not be in the same way, I love you every bit as much as I love Nina and Ilina." (Mizuki)
I let my words hang in the air between us, watching Alto as she just continues to cuddle me in silence. She neither meets my gaze, nor says a word. Instead, I suddenly feel her hands tighten around me, her fingers knotting the fabric of my shirt as her nails dig into the skin beneath it, but I don't say anything.
I move my hand to gently rub her back, and I feel her begin to tremble slightly against me. Before I know it, I also feel a cool, damp sensation against my chest that I can only assume is Alto's tears. Still, I don't comment on her reaction or say a word, I just keep rubbing her back reassuringly as her trembling becomes more severe.
For more minutes than I can count, we sit like that in each other's embraces, until her sobbing finally subsides. After several more moments in silence thereafter, she readjusts her head on my chest, and finally speaks softly.
"I love you, too, Mizuki..." (Alto)
I smile as I process her response, giving her an affectionate squeeze.