"Grab your things. Were going to a party!"
Staring blankly at Lumine's excited face I forgot to question what the elven princess next to her was even doing so deep into human land.
Seeing my confused expression Alma asked "may we come in? It's awfully cold outside." A clump of snow fell onto the knights behind them and holding in my laughter I waved them in.
"What's the princess of the elven homeland doing in a cold place like this?" Alma opened her mouth to answer but was quickly stopped by a knight who answered for her
"The lady had matters to delegate as a witness and was sent to ensure fairness. Now that our business is concluded we are stopping to rest before heading to the portal system at the adventurers guild."
I already knew what they were doing this far north. Alma was acting as a mediator between Searig and Bandero so the two could come to a peaceful solution for peace and prevent war. Though judging by her expression and jagged edges of the knight's weapons they failed...
"Sounds problematic." Showing disinterest I motioned for them to follow "I'll take you to a waiting room and have the maids prepare rooms for you all. It's just me here currently so get comfortable."
my words must have sounded like orders as the knights showed obvious hostility to me but I let it slide. As we walked up the staircase a maid passed by and I told her what to do quickly running away.
Opening a door I looked into a reasonably sized lounge area. "This should do for the knights and ladies, right?" The knights walked in and searched the area before the two elves next to me could enter.
Lumine scratched the back of her head "sorry about them. They're on edge."
"Hmm? So don't play around is what you're telling me?." Lumine nodded and the knights gave the go for them to enter.
Once the two elves got comfy I asked the foremost question on my mind "so what are you doing with the princess, Lumine? Did you join them on their expedition up north?" Leaning atop the back of a sofa I asked nonchalantly facing them.
The knights were about to point their weapons at me but Alma raised her hand stopping them "how do you know about the peace talks?"
"The elven king isn't the only one who knows how to place mouths on birdies." The knights wanted a straight answer but kept silent seeing the interest on Alma's face "you still haven't answered my question."
"Ah sorry." Lumine was acting more nervous than usual "we met on the road after they were heading back home a few days ago. I was riding with a merchant's caravan after doing a job and was then invited to join them. Though they tried to refuse me at first." She grumbled the last part making it obvious the knights are still wary of her.
"Alright, I won't ask any further then." Some boundaries have to be respected. If I start asking about the peace talks things could get complicated considering her status.
With perfect timing, the maids came in and placed down snacks bringing spare clothes for the two girls and offering the knights a chance to let loose. The knights tried to refuse but after years of dealing with my mother, they were masters of persuasion.
They managed to take off the knight's armor and were now giving them back massages "miss Elgrave. Princess Inayarus. Rooms with warm baths have been prepared for your stay. Please follow me." The head maid was old but a very likable person with a cheery personality.
Even Thorn lets her look after him from time to time.
"T-thank you." Alma was caught off guard but quickly followed her alongside Lumine.
"I still haven't asked about that party have I?" After seeing the two girls leave my eyes went to the two knights currently in a relaxed stupor. Walking over being sure to not obstruct the maids' work freshening the room I stood looking down at the knights "what was the party Lumine spoke about?"
"The princesses birthday is coming. It's also her debut as the heir to the elven throne after successfully helping Searig and Bandero cease hostilities." The knights spoke with little hesitation. These maids certainly know their stuff.
The peace talks succeeded? Then why are they so wary? The only other person who has rights to the Elven throne is Alma's little brother who's 10 now. Is it espionage? Did someone try and assassinate Alma on her way back?
I nodded at the maids massaging them gratefully and left the room.
If it is like that it's best I go with them so I can protect Lumine. I've been bored lately as well since all I've done is order a few things from the black market and improve my Wyvern coat after testing its efficiency against Arthur
"I wonder if Lumine decided to invite me of her own volition or not?"
***
Lumine POV:
A little later after I finally had a bath and put on fresh clothes I was walking down the hall heading back to the waiting room we left the knights in "anyone here?"
Opening the door I noticed how the room appeared more grandiose and royal than before with the snacks on display with the two knights looking completely defeated as they played chess together. Cayde was sitting on a chair reading a white-covered book looking bored.
His eyes looked up at me from his book "your hair is still dripping."
"I know. It's part of my process with my beauty routine." With a sigh, Cayde stood up vanishing his book
"Come here. I'll dry it for you." A towel materialized in his hands and he began rubbing my head drying my pink hair. I didn't fight him nor did I want to push him away. It's not easy to have good-looking hair like him after all so I just stood there twirling my fingers about.
Our faces were quite close but he didn't seem to mind it. I must be like a child to him right now. He then pulled the towel off my head and my hair was no longer wet
"there. You look much better now." Cayde sat back down next to the despaired knights noticing my annoyed gaze avoiding eye contact "so~ going to tell me when we're leaving for the party?" The knight's dark mood suddenly makes sense.
"Did the knights tell you?"
"Pretty easily." Chuckling at Cayde's playful tone I fell back sitting on his lap like when we were kids "what-? L-Lumine what are you?" Looking behind me I saw that Cayde's eyes were seeing me as a woman and not just a child.
"Is this seat taken?" My face was indignant not asking for his opinion as I turned back around and rested my back on his large but slender chest.
Cayde sighed in a defeated manner "you weren't even asking for my opinion." He wrapped his arms around me holding me tightly "you should be careful when you stay at a boy's house. Some are wild beasts." The way he acted was playful but the words were soaked in concern.
Sensing worry in his words I began to sweat. Did he realize we were attacked on the way here? His arms tightened around me. He didn't want to sound bad asking me to stop fighting but was getting torn apart seeing the danger I get in without him about.
I don't know what kind of trouble he gets in but I know he's strong. Much stronger than me and even has strong friends. It's easy to protect me with my aspect as it can serve as a universal eraser but I've never had the will to kill people and Cayde knows this.
My hands then reached for his and I could hear Caydes nose sniffing my hair as I leaned further into him. A demon and an elf. Two completely different people at opposing ends of the spectrum. Demons are stereotypical for evil and misdeed while elves are thought to be good and saintly when it's the opposite
"We're a mess aren't we?" Cayde's voice rang out behind me as if he heard my thoughts.
"We care for each other. I'd guess so." My hand touched his gloved left hand and looking at it I saw the edges of a tattoo creep out.
"Whats-" as my mouth opened the door opened and princess Alma came walking in looking at us surprised. Cayde freed one of his arms resting his chin atop my head and waved as I was still held down in his lap.
"My deepest apologies. I'll leave." Alma bowed and the two of us panicked
"It's not what it looks like!" We shouted out together making Alma stop bowing and look at us curiously. The knights still had dark faces as if they had lost interest in the world.
"Then what is it?"
My mouth opened to answer but no words came out. Fortunately, Cayde spoke for me "have you never seen childhood friends reminisce?" Joining Cayde I stared daggers into her as she sat onto a chair with a nervous expression
"Not with one sitting on the lap of the other, no."
Ignoring her words Cayde cuddled around me protectively like a turtle. "Then they weren't as close as we are."
That can be interpreted in two ways in this position, Cayde!
Trying to change the topic I coughed loudly "Cayde has agreed to come with us to your party princess Alma. We can leave tomorrow at sunrise for the adventurers association."
Cayde added, "I'm familiar with the guild master so I sent a letter ahead so we can move quickly."
"Thank you. That will make things easier. But what about your family? Surely they should be aware of this before you make a decision?"
I couldn't see them but I could tell Cayde's eyes looked insincere "they're used to it. Plus, I doubt you'd want to deal with four troublemakers and a madwoman before your birthday."
Alma chuckled then two voices could be heard down the corridor "who are you calling a trouble maker?"
Cayden's mother then burst through "and who are you calling a madwoman?!" His father Allen followed behind her with Cayde's sisters and Duke Nallos behind him. Sarah's eyes then sparkled as she stared at me sitting in Caydes lap with sparkling eyes "dear! He did it! He finally has a girlfriend!" She swooned and was quickly caught by Allen.
"You planned this?" I turned around seeing Cayde's face
"I wish. If I knew she was going to pass out I would have done this ages ago." Pouting at his words I pinched his leg making him scream out in pain "aaak!"
"Princess Alma Inayarus." Duke Nallos kneeled to her "It is my pleasure to welcome you to my home as a delegate to the Searigan king. Please forgive my rudeness. I was handling other matters in the city and your arrival was a surprise."
"It's perfectly fine Duke Nallos. Thanks to Cayde we have been well looked after." Alma stood up from her seat doing a court bow to the duke before sitting back down again.
Cayden sisters didn't even look at me as they stared in awe at Alma
"So you're a real princess?"
"Can we be princesses?"
Alma was immediately taken aback by their cuteness as her eyes filled with hearts and began talking with them.
"Bringing two girls home. You do take after your father." Cayden's dad spoke as he laid his unconscious mother on a couch "it's good to see you again Lumine. So what's this about a birthday party?"
The once quiet room filled with laughter and conversation as Cayde and I explained what was happening to his father. It was surprising but he quickly agreed to let Cayde go. We had dinner together, we played games together and even partied together.
At the end of the night, I was completely burnt out wanting to sleep, and slightly intoxicated by alcohol. I was walking through the corridors trying to find my room and thinking I found it I opened the door to see Cayde asleep in his bed with Lupra resting at the foot of his bed.
Taking the chance I peeked in seeing all manner of strange items on the walls. There was a cabinet with two artifacts behind glass and mannequins wearing clothes I couldn't see clearly. Looking up I spotted Thorn snoring from some sort of hammock.
Walking in I then closed the door behind me. It must have been the glass of wine I had but I was feeling extremely brave. I should sleep in his bed with him like in old times. I crawled into his bed making sure not to wake him coming face to face with him.
It was nerve-wracking. I shouldn't be doing this. Why am I here? Should I leave? My face kept getting hotter. Realizing my mistake I got up but then an alien voice entered my mind
[sleep] I couldn't resist the voice at all and immediately fell into the warm bed Cayde was in. [sweet dreams little poison.] a gentle hand combed through my hair and with strange ease of mind I slept.
***
Waking up my eyes darted open to see Cayde's face narrowly away from mine.
Oh my god! Did we?
Looking under the sheets I saw I was still in all my clothes from last night but had no socks on.
"Oh..." not knowing why I felt rather saddened.
Slowly I got out of the bed and tiptoed my way out of Cayde's room. Why did I do such a thing?! Opening the door a loud creak threatened to wake Cayde up but he just rolled over where I once was "phew."
Squeezing through the gap in the door I got through to the other side and closed the door behind me with a slight click. I immediately crouched down with my face in my hands "what have I done?!"
Hearing footsteps I looked down the corridor to see the head maid looking at me cheekily. She tapped her nose twice then disappeared down the stairwell. Knowing my fate rested in her hands my knees collapsed to the floor "oh no."
It was one thing to sit in his lap but it was completely different to sleep in the same bed as him! "Mother is going to kill me if she finds out."