Elven Nation.
Royal Palace.
Genevieve dramatically swooned, pressing the back of her hand to her forehead as she let out an exaggerated sob. She stumbled backward, catching herself against a nearby chair before sliding down to the floor in a theatrical display of despair.
"Ah~ Sob, sob... my only daughter... my only daughter... who was supposed to inherit my human traits, has now turned into an elf... because she hates me~"
Gloria exhaled, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Mother..."
"No!" Genevieve turned her head away, covering her lips with her handkerchief as she pretended to sob even louder.
"Donât talk to me! Oh~ My only daughter... sob, sob... all my sons inherited their fatherâs traits and turned into elegant elves, every single one of them! I was so happy when you were born, my little Gloria, my only child who inherited all my human features! And now... now youâre so embarrassed to be human that youâve changed your appearance to look like an elf! Ah~ The betrayal!"
Gloria pinched the bridge of her nose even harder, her brow twitching. "Mother... this is a disguise. Iâm on a mission."
"Ah! I donât believe you!" Genevieve wailed, clutching her handkerchief to her chest. "You always favored your fatherâs elven heritage! And now youâve even changed your appearance to look fully elven! Youâve abandoned me! Oh~ My poor, fragile human heart!"
"Mother..." Gloria said in a low voice, kneeling beside her and trying to comfort her. But Genevieve dramatically recoiled, pushing Gloriaâs hand away.
"No~ Donât touch me~ I know you hate me~"
She glanced up and noticed her husband, Sythaeryn, walking toward her. Genevieve rushed up, running into his arms and clinging to him.
"Oh, my lovely husband~ Our daughter has betrayed me~ Sheâs changed her appearance to look like an elf because she hates my human heritage~"
Sythaeryn smiled warmly, hugging her tightly. His hand slid down her back and settled on her butt, squeezing gently as he comforted her.
"Oh, my love," he said, his voice smooth and teasing. "That is truly heartbreaking. How shall we ever recover from such a betrayal?"
Genevieve sniffled dramatically, tilting her head up to look at him with flirtatious eyes. She reached up, tracing her fingers along his cheek before leaning in close.
"Oh, my dear husband... since our daughter has betrayed me, perhaps we should make more children for us~ A new little one who will surely inherit my human traits and love me unconditionally~"
She puckered her lips, leaning up for a kiss, her hand still resting on his cheek.
Sythaeryn smile softly, leaning down to kiss her deeply, his hands roaming over her body as they stood there, completely ignoring Gloriaâs presence.
Gloriaâs brow twitched in annoyance as she watched her parents embrace, completely lost in their own world.
"Ugh... these two never change."
She sighed, shaking her head.
My father and mother truly donât care about their surroundings. They express their love so openly, as if no one else exists.
"Our parents never change, huh?"
Gloria turned and glanced toward the voice, seeing her eldest brother, Edwyrd, leaning against the doorway with a warm smile.
"Ah... Brother."
"Howâs my little sister? Looks like youâve decided to embrace your elven heritage after all~" He teased, gesturing toward her pointed ears.
"No... I love my human appearance, and I wonât change it permanently. This is just for a mission, and I believe you already know that."
Edwyrd let out a soft laugh. "I know."
Gloria smiled and began walking alongside Edwyrd, leaving their parents still lost in their own world, completely oblivious to their departure.
"Howâs your life with Lianaâs sister, Azariah?"
Edwyrd chuckled. "Sheâs my wife and your sister-in-law too, and you know that."
"I heard sheâs expecting a second child now." Gloria glanced at him with a knowing smile. "Howâs my first niece?"
"Ah... Erlan? Heâs at home. That boy is starting to learn to walk now." Edwyrdâs face softened with pride. "Heâs growing so fast."
Gloria smiled softly, a hint of warmth in her eyes. "Still canât believe how fast time flies."
"Yeah..." Edwyrd smiled, his gaze warm. "And yet you still havenât brought your future husband to meet our parents properly."
Gloria chuckled softly, nudging her glasses up. "Everyone has already met him, I believe. During your wedding with Azariah years ago."
"Oh... the one whoâs currently at the Elven northern border town?"
"Yes. He is."
Edwyrd shook his head and smiled. "I still canât believe a noble son is now a prince."
"Mm..." Gloria smiled softly.
"So how long are you going to stay here?"
Gloria gave Edwyrd a narrow side glance. "Iâve been here for two days already, when Liana and I were supposed to be with our Young Master, checking on the mission and supporting him from the shadows. But because Lianaâs siblings insisted she stay for another day, who knows how long this will drag on... and Mother also insisted I stay as long as Liana is around. I had no choice, and you know that."
Edwyrd smiled. "Well... how about we all hang out like last time?"
Gloria smirked. "Yeah? And then you all gang up and bully me again? No thanks~"
Edwyrd let out a soft laugh, giving Gloria a side glance. "But at least we could eat together, right?"
"Yeah... sure. I donât mind."
Edwyrd smiled, tapping the mana radio talkie clipped to his waist. "Iâve already contacted our brothers, Nevarth, Ivasaar, Kesefeon, Halamar, and Wyrran. Thanks to Armand supplying us with these mana radio talkies, communication isnât a problem for us anymore."
Gloria smiled, pointing toward the mana talkie on Edwyrdâs waist before gesturing to the smaller, earpiece-style mana talkie in her own ear. "Yeah. All of Armandâs allies have the same magic tech now. Just a slight difference in design."
"Well," Edwyrd continued, "even with slight differences, the function is a huge help. Communication is faster, coordination between our forces is smoother, and information flows without delay. Itâs made managing the kingdom much easier."
"Mm... all thanks to our aunt marrying the Armand king," Gloria said with a soft smile. "That alliance opened so many doors."
"Yeah." Edwyrd nodded, his expression thoughtful. "And with the open trade between all Armand allies, our Elven economy has flourished. Goods flow freely between our nations, and our people have access to things they never had before. Travel between Elven, Beastkin, and Armand territories is also less restricted now, thanks to the trust and agreements between all sides. Itâs made everything... easier."
( End Of Chapter )