Edle's Refusal

Between the conversion of the three Elven Princess and the Prince of Reilaea, Edle, who continues to gently move his hand on top of Aura, A gentle, kind voice of an adult man speaks to Edle.

"It looks like you are doing pretty well, Edle."

A pure blonde medium long hair, an Elven King's Leaf Crown made of silver, adorned with the glittering colors of green stones placed at every angle, especially at the center where a single green stone can be seen to be bigger than the others. And a face of a sincere, kind looking man giving a smile as Edle turns around to face him.

"King Athlante...!"

Seemingly caught by surprise, Edle immediately takes a stand in front of Athlante and showed his reverence towards the King of the Elven country, Meleia.

"W-welcome to the capital city of Reilaea. I'm very grateful that you took your time to attend at this ocassion."

"Of course, I can't just miss the celebration of my friend's son. Apart from that, there's something that I really want to discuss together with your Mother. Something that is really important."

"However, I never thought that it would come to this."

Edle looks at him with a baffled look, thinking what kind of discussion he wants to have with his Mother. But just then, Athlante turns to the direction where he can see two occupied seats, one is where Elena is sitting while the other visitors are approaching and sharing their greetings towards the Queen, and on the other is where King Castile is, seemingly doing the same the Queen does with the visitors.

"With this current situation, I don't think it's safe to talk about it right now. I wish it was your late Father who were sitting in that throne together with the Queen."

With a heavy heart, Edle responded with:

"I never thought I'd hear it from someone other than me, but I do wish it was him."

For some time, they gaze upon the sight of the two throne seats where Elena and Edle's Father should be together. Until Edle finally asked what kind of discussion does the King of Meleia wanted to have with his Mother.

In that instant, Athlante gave a reply.

"I apologize, Edle, but it's still to early to put your mind into something important. However..."

Athalante's voice suddenly changes into a serious tone as he continued.

"...The right time will come, the day where you'll be able to understand everything and take a big responsibility of what's to come, just like your Father."

"A big responsibility, huh...?"

Inside his mind, Edle is asking himself, "What could that responsibility be? Perhaps it was me taking the throne as the next King and a Ruler of Reilaea."

But then, he also thought to himself, if that matter is related to what he has in his thoughts, wouldn't Athlante be better off talking about it to Edle instead of keeping it only to Elena. It baffles him, that's why he still wants to ask Athlante. However, before he could even move his mouth to speak, the Queen of Meleia is the first one to talk.

"For now, you should keep yourself away from the issues of the adults and focus of enjoying your youth. Oh, speaking of youth, you're now at the age where your heart and body are looking for someone to become one, isn't that right?"

Queen Dina said so casually that the only words that could come out of Edle while looking at her is:

"W-what...?"

Dina puts her palms onto each other while giving Edle a lovely and cute expression on her face.

"I know! If you haven't found anyone yet, my three daughters are here for you to choose. Oh, but just bear in mind that if you pick Aura, you'll have to wait for her to hit the perfect age to do any kind of hot action~!"

Not much to everyone's surprise, the three elven Princesses have different answers. Obviously, Atalante is showing that she is all ready and set for Edle to pick her.

"I like Mother's idea, but if you were going to choose between us three, I think you're better off picking me. I, your big sister can teach you a lot of things, you know!"

"I'm not planning on becoming someone's lover, so I will be pleased if you leave me out of this, Edle."

Edle seem to be so worked up that he could not say a word towards Pina's on the spot rejection without even letting him choose.

"I don't know what's going on but, if it's a battle to who you're picking, then I'll gladly give you the opportunity to choose me, Big bro Edle."

"Aura...?"

Inch closer and closer, the two princesses began swaying Edle to choose one of the two elven Princess. Who is he interested in? Who is he going to pick? A young, innocent little elf girl, or a big sister elf who seem to be head over heels on him?

Out of the two options, Edle decided by composing himself, clearing his throat, and gave Atalante and Aura a clear word of refusal.

"I'm sorry, you two. But the thought of me being in a kind of relationship is not what I have in mind yet."

"Eh...?"

"I see..."

Aura seem to at least understand that Edle doesn't want to do the picking. On the other hand, Atalante is giving edle the expression that she's doubtful about the words that are coming out of the Prince.

Seeing that doubtful eyes staring at his, Edle continues to speak.

"But what Queen Dina said is right, I should try and enjoy my youthful days while I can. I should do some things that I like while my hands are still free from the adult work."

"Eh... You're saying that becoming lovers is not yet of your concern, but it seems like you have already found that someone who you want to be with together until your last breath, isn't that right?"

"Huh?! Someone who I want to be with together?!"

That startled voice echoed around the banquet hall. Everyone in the banquet hall did not say a word, or perhaps they were all left in shock.

"The Prince found someone to be with together?"

"So does Prince Edle already have a lover?"

"Is it a Princess from another country?"

These questions spreads fast, as if it was a plague, everyone inside the banquet hall are in question as their eyes are on Edle, even Queen Elena and King Castile seem to have grown curious to whoever this girl is.

"Why don't you answer me? I am right, aren't I? I can literally see through your eyes. Those eyes that seemed to be more alive and more sparkling than usual, as if it was having its own celebration."

Edle finds himself in a pinch as everyone inside this huge banquet hall are awaiting his answer - the name of the girl who caught his heart.

The Prince doesn't know what to do. Everyone's eyes are on him, the voices he could only hear continuously inside his head is of a same feminine voice, and the vision of the girl in red dress and red eyes is what he sees in front of him, as if he was dreaming.

"I..."

But just then...

"Hey, what is this? Why are you guys talking about Edle's girl without me?"