Chapter 672: A House Full of Surprises ( 672 )

When they arrived, the place was alive with movement.

Dozens of elves were decorating the courtyard with flowing silken cloth, petals of glowing flowers, and intricate wooden carvings that shimmered with faint enchantments.

Some were carrying baskets of fruits and sweets, while others were aligning elegant chairs around a beautifully adorned altar platform. The scent of fresh blossoms and wood polish filled the air.

Liana blinked.

The entire place was bustling. Too bustling.

Then a loud voice rang from across the yard.

"Mom! It’s Liana!!"

She turned quickly and spotted him—Giullis, her fourth sibling. Tall, sharp-featured, wearing a half-buttoned shirt, sleeves rolled up, and clearly in the middle of helping with setup. He waved wildly with both arms.

"Where!? Where is she!?" came a more refined, commanding voice.

From the entry archway of the house emerged a tall, graceful elven woman dressed in layers of elegant silks—her mother, Viessa Arasne Naeqen. Her hair was tied up in a formal braid, and her expression mixed grace and barely-contained frustration. Her eyes scanned the area.

Until she spotted the two massive Pekkos.

And seated atop one of them.

Her daughter.

"Liana!!! Come here right this instant!!" the woman’s sharp voice cut through the courtyard like a blade.

Liana flinched on instinct.

She slowly climbed down from Pikko with an awkward smile. Gloria, ever-composed, dismounted beside her without a word.

"You didn’t send a letter! You didn’t reply to mine!! Do you know how worried I was!?" her mother began nagging immediately, walking over with her arms crossed.

"And now you just show up like nothing happened! You—!"

Liana winced, trying to squeeze out a calm smile. "Mother... I just arrived..."

"You just arrived?! That’s not an excuse, young lady!"

Gloria took a polite step back, suppressing her laugh as she watched Liana helplessly endure her mother’s dramatic scolding.

Smack!

The sharp sound of a folding fan meeting a forehead echoed through the courtyard.

Liana winced, her hand flying up to rub the spot on her head.

Viessa, her mother—young in appearance, elegant in posture, but terrifying in presence—stood firm, fan in hand, eyes narrowed.

"If I didn’t send those letters and ask your aunt Mylezra where you vanished off to, do you think you’d even know your sister is getting married!?"

Liana pouted, still holding her head. "But mom..."

Smack!!

"No buts!" Viessa snapped. "Now go inside and help your sister! Or better yet, help around! Look how busy everyone is!"

"But I just arrived..." Liana grumbled.

Smack!!

"Don’t you dare talk back to me, young lady!"

Gloria was already covering her mouth, hiding her smirk.

Then Viessa’s sharp gaze turned toward her.

"And who is she?"

Liana quickly answered, still massaging her sore head. "The groom’s little sister."

Viessa’s entire demeanor changed in an instant.

"Oh~! Welcome, welcome~!" she said with a sweet, elegant voice, smiling brightly. "Please, come inside, dear. You must be tired from the trip. Have a drink first~!"

Gloria bowed politely. "Thank you, Lady Viessa. You’re very kind."

"Of course, of course~ Please make yourself at home." Viessa turned with a graceful swirl of her robes.

Liana watched her mother walk away with narrowed eyes.

"...Unfair."

Gloria whispered beside her, "That was amazing. She changed personalities faster than a royal actor."

Liana groaned. "I told you she’s scary..."

"Liaaanaa!!!"

Three voices rang out in unison.

From across the courtyard, the future bride—Azariah, tall and radiant in a light ceremonial robe—charged forward like a missile, flanked by their second sister Qamara, graceful and smiling, and their fifth sister Enania, bouncing with excitement.

Liana barely had time to brace herself.

"Waaait—!!"

The three surrounded her in a flash, wrapping her in a whirlwind group hug. But Azariah wasn’t done.

With a mischievous grin, she locked Liana’s neck in a playful headlock and rubbed her knuckle hard on the top of her head.

"Aghh—ow ow ow! Sister!!" Liana flailed.

Azariah laughed heartily. "Hah! That’s for running away all those years ago and making us worry!"

"Y-you’re gonna ruin my hair!!"

"Still the same crybaby," Qamara said with a warm smile, watching the chaos unfold.

Enania giggled, clinging to Liana’s side. "You got even prettier, Liana. But your expression is still the same when you’re bullied!"

Gloria, standing off to the side, raised a brow. "...So this is the Sylvaris family."

"Welcome to my pain," Liana groaned, still in a headlock.

Azariah just laughed louder. "You should’ve sent letters more often, you brat!"

Liana rubbed her sore head, still pouting. "I wonder why your elder brother, Edwyrd, wanted this boyish girl."

Azariah froze for a second, then spun on her heel with a huff.

"Hey! That’s my husband you’re talking about, Liana!"

Qamara and Enania both stifled a laugh as Azariah dramatically twirled in place, showing off the soft sway of her elegant dress. Her tomboyish energy was completely overshadowed by the graceful, almost ethereal way she moved.

"He chose me," Azariah declared proudly, flicking her hair with a confident smile, "because I’m girlish, beautiful, and refined. Look at this—"

She struck a pose—one hand on her waist, the other lifted like she was presenting herself to a crowd.

"Gentle! Graceful! Just like the perfect elven bride!"

Liana deadpanned. "You were just giving me a headlock ten seconds ago."

Azariah paused, blinked... then grinned wide.

"Balance is important in a marriage."

"Unbelievable..." Liana muttered, shaking her head with a tiny smile.

Gloria, watching the whole thing unfold with folded arms and an amused expression, leaned toward Liana.

"I think I like your sisters."

"Ahhh!! My sister-in-law!!" Azariah squealed and launched herself at Gloria with sparkling eyes.

She wrapped her arms around her in a tight, overexcited hug.

"Your brother is soooo gentle! Handsome! And aww~ romantic! His deep voice—ahn~ it gives me chills!"

Liana covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.

Gloria chuckled softly, her expression composed, but her inner thoughts drifted with amusement.

Deep voice? Romantic?

If only you knew how childish he is when no one’s watching...

Always asking her to tie his sash, pouting when dinner was late, pretending to act cool only to trip over his own cloak...

But Gloria didn’t say any of that. She just smiled politely, gently patting Azariah’s back.

"I’m glad he makes you happy."

Azariah pulled away with a dreamy sigh.

"He does~! Oh, I can’t wait to become part of your family!"

Gloria’s smile remained calm, though a flicker of mischief sparkled behind her glasses.

You already did, Azariah. You just don’t know how much of a handful you’re getting into.

( End Of Chapter )