Earl and Alea cuddled together under the starry sky. Occasionally, a few stray spirits would come circle around them before flying away.
"When we go back, our engagement will become official." Alea softly said.
"I'm a lucky man."
"...Yeah." She answered after a long pause. A few words were caught at the tip of her tongue, which she could not speak.
But Earl was receptive to the changes in her emotions. "What's on your mind?"
"Nothing."
"I see. Then... tell me when you're ready."
Alea did not answer. She was afraid. She was fearful at the thought of losing Earl. Her fingers curled at the thoughts of confronting him to leave his other women behind. Yes, that was what she wanted. What would he say? How would she react? She trembled... and then a sudden warmth enveloped her.
It was Earl. He was hugging her tightly, conveying his affection to her.
'I'm such a stupid woman.' She thought. 'I love him so much.'
Suddenly, her discontent disappeared.
"There are a hundred reasons why I'm with you. Please don't think of me as just a horny girl."
"I've always seen you as a wonderful girl. The princess who doesn't act like a princess. She is a willful, stubborn girl who always wants things her way with her uncontrollable sharp tongue. She, who demands many things from me and she, who is also very reliable. The ever so reliable elven princess who I can depend on. She is very charming to me..."
"You're not a sweet talker at all..." Alea lightly punched Earl's chest and stuffed her face against it. She didn't move for a long time. The quiet sobs of Alea were the only sound that could be heard in this serene space.
For what reason she was crying, it was impossible to tell.
Inside the banquet hall.
"Eh? Where's Alea?" Abelis asked Saryll after looking around.
Saryll was playing with her wine glass with a smile on her face. "She left with Earl a while ago."
"What? Everyone is dying for a chance to form a connection with her, and you're just letting her leave?"
As a father, Abelis always wished for things that would benefit his daughter. However, he was quickly shut down by Saryll, who had other thoughts in mind.
"Humph. They can talk to her at other events. She can do what she wants today."
"If you say so..."
"Also, send more spies into the Ofrain Kingdom. I want to know what they're up to."
"Yes, Your Majesty! Also, Your Majesty..."
"Yes?"
"Did I do anything wrong?"
"No. Why?"
"Well, I just thought that you've been treating me-"
Saryll coldly cut him off. "I'm treating you like how you're supposed to be treated."
The banquet eventually came to an end, and it was time to return to Venroris. Despite Alea leaving earlier than planned, the invited guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly. After all, it was not very often that they would get to interact with others of the same status.
The colourful mist known as the Spirit Mist that came with the festival left as mysteriously as it arrived. No trace of it remained, and it was as though the whole experience was a dream. One fact that remained, however, was the laughs and joys that were made during these short few days.
A teleportation circle appeared in front of Ari's Magic Castle the next day.
"We're home!" Lily exclaimed as she hopped up in joy with Earl.
In front of them was the familiar Magic Castle. The place they could call home has suffered minor wounds from the passage of time. Tastefully designed with big, french windows, well-sculpted structures, and an abundance of bushes and flowers. It was a beautiful place.
"They're so energetic." Ari sighed with a happy smile.
"They're on the same wavelength." Aria tacitly agreed.
"Shall we go in?"
Entering the house, Lily and Aria immediately went into their routine of preparing the place. While the two maids were doing their job, Ari and Earl went into their bedroom and engaged in many rounds of copulation.
Soon, dinner came.
"Before we get started, I have an announcement." Ari started at the dinner table. "Soon, we will have a new member in the family. You see, I'm pregnant." She fondly said.
As expected, excitement immediately filled the room.
"That's amazing news!"
"Is it a he or a she?"
"Have you guys decided on any names!?"
Lily and Aria excitedly took turns asking questions. Their eyes practically sparkled. They didn't even bother asking who the father was because there was no option other than Earl.
"Haha, you guys calm down. We haven't decided on anything yet." Earl calmly interjected.
In this world, it was only possible to tell the gender of a child at birth. The anatomy of people in this world had the addition of mana which made them vastly different.
"Aw."
"Anyways, this calls for a celebration!" Earl clapped enthusiastically.
"A celebration!"
"We will cook up something amazing today."
Lily and Aria followed Earl's enthusiasm and happily walked behind the kitchen counter.
Soon, the delicious smell of cooking filled the air as well as the warmth that came with it.
Ari fondly smiled at this scene and gently laid her hand on her stomach. Earl, who saw this, took it to heart and vowed.
"Nothing will break the peace in this household."