Theo’s mind was still blank. She was still inhumanly beautiful, but it was very different from when she had been standing at the border between a male and a female. If the previous Ellenoa was like a fresh leaf, the Ellenoa before him now was a blossoming flower. He could scent the acacia that seemed to waft from her body.
He couldn’t even muster a single word.
He wasn’t the only one. Everyone around Ellenoa had yet to start breathing, no matter who they were. Her beauty was that incandescent, naturally stealing everyone’s breath. If Paragranum hadn’t poked him, Theo would’ve continued staring blankly at Ellenoa.
“Ah! It is lovely to see you after so long, Ellenoa. I didn’t know that you would be coming,” Theo greeted hurriedly.
“Huhu, I didn’t expect Theo to greet me.” Ellenoa smiled gently at his embarrassed words.
Theo didn’t know what, but there seemed to be something behind her smile. He couldn’t stop his eyes from moving across her softly curved lips, the white teeth between them, and the slender fingers near her lips… It wasn’t just the curves of the body which had changed. There was also newfound femininity in her behavior.
Her eyes were also staring straight into his, filled with uncomfortably deep trust and goodwill.
Theo barely managed to escape her gaze as he addressed the delegation, “… If everyone’s here, we’ll start moving. Please tell me if you feel uncomfortable.”
“Of course, Benefactor! Please look after us.” 𝘰𝑣𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
“I will gratefully accept this favor.”
The two guardians bowed and naturally stood behind Ellenoa. If their purpose was to escort her, they would stand on either side of her. However, Theo didn’t know what they were doing.
Why are both of them standing behind her?
It was as if they were purposely leaving a space for someone…
Ellenoa’s face flushed red as she approached Theo’s side. She almost seemed like a nervous adolescent girl. Her white fingers moved awkwardly before she took a deep breath and held out her right hand. It was a motion like she wanted to shake hands, but the meaning was different.
“Please look after me, Theo.”
“Ah, yes.”
It was an act of courage for Ellenoa, but Theo took her hand without much thought.
Ellenoa gasped, “Ah…!”
Her hand, which had grown smaller, was being held by Theo. She could feel Theo’s rough palm and heat. It seemed to travel from the tips of her fingers to her ears. She had never felt like this before, and Ellenoa’s white face flushed completely red.
Theo saw it and urgently pulled his hand back. “Ellenoa? Are you in pain?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. I’m okay.”
“Your face is red…”
“T-This isn’t because I’m in pain…!” Ellenoa couldn’t say it was because he held her hand tightly, so she just looked away. However, Theo nodded and didn’t ask any more. He thought she was tired from the trip between Elvenheim and Meltor.
So, he said, “I understand. I was too inconsiderate. I will move as quickly as possible so that Ellenoa can rest.”
Ellenoa blinked. “Yes, yes?”
Theo turned away from Ellenoa and commanded, “Quattro, guards! Open the path!”
He was a Prime magician who would become the next Tower Master, as well as an honorary marquis. There was no one in Manavil who would disobey the commands of the hero of the kingdom.
The guards, William, and the others recovered from Ellenoa’s dreamy beauty and began moving. They were truly the elites of Manavil.
“Open the path! The direction is the royal palace!”
“Clear the road as quickly as possible!”
“This is the command given by Sir Theo!”
Spectators gathered again, but Para timed her construction magic exquisitely.
“Create Wall.”
It was a simple 2nd Circle spell that created a stone wall. However, it was elevated to a different realm when Paragranum cast it. Two polished granite walls grew from the north gate all the way to the palace entrance, rising to a height of three meters and half a meter in thickness. If she had invested a bit more time and magic power, she could even build a wall for a small or medium-sized manor.
Kukukung…!
The walls formed a clear path between them that was free of gazes. Para had even calculated how much space the delegation and Quattro needed.
While the guardians admired the feat, Theo looked at Ellenoa again. “We will head to the royal palace now. His Majesty doesn’t like any unnecessary formalities, so Ellenoa can rest soon.”
“T-Thank you…”
Theo smiled. “It’s nothing. Let’s go.”
Ellenoa unintentionally deceived him about her condition and followed him with a small smile. Theo helped Ellenoa into the carriage, but he could feel her hand trembling in his.
… What?
Theo was puzzled. Where was this ticklish feeling at his neck and wrists coming from? However, he didn’t find any problems. Meanwhile, Sylvia had been watching their encounter with deep and cool eyes since the beginning.
***
“I sincerely welcome you to Meltor, forest neighbors! I hope you will have a comfortable stay.” Kurt III rose from his throne as he spoke, revealing his joy.
Like Theo, he had predicted the arrival of the guardians. However, a high elf, the pillar of Elvenheim, visiting Meltor personally? This was clear proof that Elvenheim was committed to their alliance and was willing to join them against Andras. The court was all smiles as they came to the same conclusion.
However, that wasn’t the only reason for their excitement.
She has become more beautiful after changing to a woman. Are all high elves like her?
It was inevitable that Kurt III’s eyes would be drawn to Ellenoa. She still had an unearthly beauty, but her charm had grown by leaps and bounds. According to Theo’s last report, Ellenoa had been neutral a year ago. What had caused this feminization?
Kurt’s eyes narrowed for a moment. He had presumed the flush on her face was because of the attention, but what if it wasn’t? What if her face changed due to the person who accompanied her on the carriage? Kurt hid his wily grin and pretended not to know anything.
“Lady Ellenoa.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You must be tired from coming a long way, so why don’t we start the discussion tomorrow? I have organized a place where you can relax.”
“Your Majesty, thank you for your concern.”
As the dialogue flowed smoothly, he struck. “Additionally, it seems only appropriate to have Quattro escort you whenever you want to see Manavil. Are you comfortable with that?”
“By Quattro, do you mean…”
“I mean Sir Theo’s division, who brought you here.”
Ellenoa’s eyes flicked to Theo’s, studying his profile for a moment as she unconsciously bit her lip. Kurt III didn’t miss that brief look. It was only slight, but it was clear that Ellenoa favored Theo.
Unsurprisingly, she accepted the idea. “I am happy to follow Your Majesty’s will, but what does Benefactor think?”
“I see. What does Sir Theo think?”
“I will gladly accompany Ellenoa.”
“Ah…”
When Theo replied without hesitation, a small smile appeared on Ellenoa’s face. No matter how many years she had lived, she had only recently become a woman. Only Kurt had an inkling why, and he smiled.
One of Elvenheim’s pillars and the kingdom’s hero… If a relationship blossomed between them, it would serve as a strong political tie. A small deception was all that was needed to push it along. A young man with a strong heart and a girl blooming like a flower… It was obvious that a fire would light up if given a chance.
The conversation quickly ended after that, and Ellenoa and the two guardians were guided to their residence. Only Theo remained in the room.
“Well done, Quattro’s captain. You’ve exceeded my expectations.”
“You’re overpraising me, Your Highness.”
“No, if it wasn’t for you, this situation wouldn’t have happened. I have one more request.” Kurt fiddled with the armrest and spoke to Theo whose head was bowed, “This evening, there will be a banquet announcing the alliance with Elvenheim. I would like you to ask the delegates, including Ellenoa, to participate in the ball.”
“This is politics.”
“That’s right. It may be hard for the guests who came from a distant place, but we have to make the most of this opportunity. I want them to enjoy the banquet as much as possible.” Kurt III’s voice rose as he ordered Theo, “You will escort Ellenoa to the banquet. I hope you don’t refuse. Take care of her so that she has a good time in Meltor.”
“As Your Majesty commands!”
“Oh, I also have a present for you.”
“……?” Theo looked puzzled.
Kurt gestured toward the door and whispered with a smile, “Do you remember that I gave your father, Earl Dennis, an estate near Manavil?”
“Yes, I am thankful for Your Majesty’s generosity.”
“I wasn’t aiming for your thanks. I know you’ve been busy and haven’t had the chance to go home. So, I sent an invitation and carriage so that your family can attend tonight’s banquet. They arrived an hour ago and are waiting for you.”
Theo’s eyes widened at the words. As Kurt said, Theo had been busy. In fact, Theo hadn’t simply been busy. He had gone on a long journey and struggled with a sword master. He had often thought of his family when he had been homesick. Their faces flashed before his eyes again.
Theo was touched by the king’s meticulous care and remained silent. He wanted to speak words of appreciation but was worried he would make an embarrassing noise if he tried to speak.
Kurt III rose from the throne like he sensed Theo’s mood. Then he said, “Please go back now. I still have a lot of work to do, and there is nothing left to tell you. Understood?”
“… Yes, Your Majesty,” Theo replied in a heavily subdued voice and exited the room quickly.
His father, mother, and brother… His brother was still young, so he might not be present. However, it would be more than enough to see the faces of his parents. There was only one place where people would be waiting in Meltor’s palace.
Theo knew the palace well, so he didn’t get lost as he made his way to the waiting room. As he drew closer, he could hear his father’s bass tones and his mother’s cheerful voice clearly.
Clink.?
The door opened with only a slight noise. The faces of his parents he hadn’t seen for ages, the sight that Theo had been anxiously anticipating…
“Eh? You came sooner than I expected, kid.”
“Theo, you’re here!”
Red and silver… Two beauties were chatting with his parents.