Chapter 561: Marriage Traditions and Teasing Ties ( 561 )

Garius tapped a finger against his desk thoughtfully. The air in the room turned heavier as his gaze sharpened, the candlelight flickering against his stern expression.

“And Alf?”

“Yes, my lord?” Alf stepped forward slightly, posture straight as ever.

“Any contact from Cedric and his team regarding the Beastkin Kingdom?”

Alf nodded. “Yes, my lord. According to the latest report received from King Lioness himself, Cedric and his team have successfully completed the purification protocol. The entire Beastkin Kingdom is now secure—the filth left behind by the celestial influence, the dark miasma, will no longer be able to corrupt the land.”

Garius leaned back, quietly absorbing Alf’s report. He tapped his finger gently on the desk, his eyes narrowed in contemplation.

“Excellent,” he finally said. “Lioness must be relieved. Cedric’s success means the beastkin can finally breathe freely again.”

Alf nodded. “Indeed, my lord. Cedric handled the task swiftly, and King Lioness expressed his sincere gratitude. It seems Cedric’s presence reassured them greatly.”

A soft chuckle came from Garius. “I’m sure Meira was quite energetic throughout the mission.”

Alf’s lips twitched slightly. “She was indeed. Though from the reports, Princess Zania was equally determined not to fall behind. Those two continue their rivalry, each striving desperately to prove their worth in front of Cedric.”

Garius shook his head gently, smiling with mild amusement. “Youthful passion. Still, their presence likely motivated Cedric further. It’s good to know they’re safe, and the Beastkin Kingdom is stabilized.”

He turned slowly towards Erinette, his expression growing serious once again. “Erinette, have our shadow units remain vigilant along the Beastkin border. With Edmund’s troops gathering, we must be ready to assist Lioness quickly if he requests it.”

“As you command, my lord,” Erinette bowed respectfully.

Meanwhile, in the Elven Kingdom.

Marcellus was leisurely strolling through the tranquil forest trails, the kind of serene beauty only the Elves could preserve. Beside him walked Lithia, his ever-shy yet sharp-tongued dark elf personal maid—and his future wife.

“Master Marcellus! Don’t hug me openly like this!” Lithia whispered, blushing furiously as she glanced around, worried that someone might see.

“What? We’re going to get married soon. Father knows. Mother knows,” Marcellus replied with an easy smile, casually wrapping an arm around her slender waist again.

“Yes… I know…” she mumbled, her face glowing crimson. “But Lord Garius and Lady Francesca still haven’t set the date.”

“So?” Marcellus smirked and leaned in, kissing her cheek before she could protest. “We’ll just elope~”

Slap!

“Yikes!!” Marcellus flinched and rubbed his arm dramatically. “Woo~ Fierce as ever. I like it.”

Lithia let out a small huff, a ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. “Now master Marcellus, let’s go. You promised to inspect the purification site, didn’t you?”

“Where?~” he teased, wagging his eyebrows. “Our honeymoon spot?”

She side-glared at him, lips curling into a sarcastic grin. “The only thing you can think of is that?”

“Hmm~ Ehe~ Of course. I’m a man~” he said, puffing out his chest with exaggerated pride.

Lithia sighed, but her smile lingered.

“I swear,” she muttered, “if you weren’t the future head of the Armand family, I’d have tied you to a tree and left you in the forest.”

“Oh, kinky,” Marcellus whispered, winking.

“Master!” she gasped, slapping his shoulder again.

“Lithia?”

Lithia turned at the sound of the familiar voice—and her heart nearly stopped.

“A-Ah!!” she stammered, eyes wide. “M-Mother!!”

Standing a short distance away, arms crossed, was a beautiful dark elf woman with long flowing black hair and the timeless elegance typical of elvenkind. Her eyes narrowed playfully as they zeroed in on the human hand currently resting casually on her daughter’s waist.

“Oho~ Bold~” her mother said with a smirk. “Lithia, you didn’t mention anything about bringing home a human… who’s already got his hands on you like that.”

“M-Mother!! I-I was going to tell you! I just… uh… u-umm…”

“My, my…It’s been so long since you came home. Only one letter a year, and now you suddenly appear with a human clinging to you? And you didn’t bring him to the house first?”

“Err… I-I didn’t plan it like that, really…”

Harny gave a warm, teasing smile as she reached for Marcellus’s hand. “Oh my… such a handsome human.”

“Good day, um… miss?”

“Just call me Harny,” she replied with a wink.

“M-Miss Harny,” Marcellus said politely, smiling despite the strange tension.

“No need for miss, sweetheart. Just Harny is fine,” she purred. “And if my daughter’s not enough for you, well… I’m also available.”

“M-MOTHER!!” Lithia squeaked, face bursting red. “Don’t joke about that!!”

“Hm? Who said I’m joking?” Harny said sweetly, feigning innocence. “After your father passed and you left, I’ve been so lonely, you know~?”

She leaned slightly closer to Marcellus.

“Just think about it, handsome human… marry her, and marry me too. One stone, two birds~ If she sulks, you can always come to me.”

Marcellus slowly turned his head toward Lithia. “Your mother… is very friendly.”

Lithia, now hiding her face in both hands, muttered, “I want to disappear…”

“Well, it’s our tradition,” Harny said with a straight face, folding her arms under her chest. “If a daughter marries a fine man, and her mother is still alone… the man should take care of both. Naturally, that includes marrying the mother too.”

“For real?” Marcellus blinked, nearly tripping on his own words. His eyes darted between Lithia and Harny—same silky black hair, same slim yet elegant figure, same sharp golden eyes. The only difference… was nothing. Absolutely nothing.

They were like mirror images.

Gulp.

“W-What kind of… tradition is this again…?” Marcellus asked, trying not to sound terrified.

“Ancient dark elf custom,” Harny replied smoothly, brushing her hair back. “Passed down from mothers to daughters for generations. It’s a noble duty~”

“M-Mother!!” Lithia squeaked again, completely red from the tips of her ears to her collarbone. “Stop lying! T-There’s no such thing!!”

“Is there not?” Harny tilted her head innocently. “Well, maybe I just invented it five seconds ago. But still—if you ever change your mind, handsome Marcellus, my room is always open~”

Marcellus let out a weak laugh, eyes slightly glassy. “R-Right… honored to be considered…”

Lithia groaned and clung to his arm, half to pull him away, half to shield him. “Let’s go, now, before she corrupts you more than you already are.”

“Aww, but you used to love my bedtime stories, Lithia,” Harny pouted. “Especially the ones with multiple love interests.”

“GOODBYE, MOTHER!!!”

( End Of Chapter )

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