INVITATION

Meeting these elves, Zelenia finds an opportunity to be with beings who understand her concerns about being immortals and deities from another Universe. It is a struggle for someone like her, who has many secrets, to fit in with human beings, so this is her chance to have a peaceful talk with the Elven race, who have been here for thousands of years.

Zelenia went to the kitchen and took out the cake she planned to celebrate with tomorrow before returning to the city. It was a specially baked cake she ordered from Dee, the owner, and the baker herself of the shop the twins love to visit as they are in love with her sweets.

Zelenia brought the box outside and opened the cover. Everyone gasps and drools, watching the priestess slice the moist chocolate cake with caramel candies on top. After she cuts an equal size for everyone, the cake floats in the air, carefully placing each slice on the clean plates and serving each one, including the familiars.

Aisha and Janus sat outside on the sundeck, enjoying the cake with their familiars. Sora enjoys the tea while it tempts Lionel to have a full bite of his cake. Instead, he fought the urge and put a small portion of the cake in his big mouth. His face glowed with the happiness he felt. After several years of remaining hidden inside his master's body, he finally has a taste of this blissful food!

The elves cannot contain the happiness they feel after the heavenly sweets melt in their mouths. "This is the best cake I have ever tasted!" Prince Argus complimented.

It gratified Zelenia to see the elf prince enjoying the sweets she offered.

"Tell me, milady. Who baked this cake?" Prince Argus asked the priestess.

"Ah, it was a friend who owns a bakeshop. She's the one who made those cupcakes and this cake. She has a variety of flavors and candies and chocolate cookies."

The Prince's eyes sparkle hearing about these mouthwatering desserts. "Can I kidnap this human? I need her to bake for me every day."

"No!" Janus and Aisha loudly responded.

Zelenia giggles at how her twins reacted. She guesses the elf prince and her children will become wonderful friends.

"Ah. It seems I should leave that human alone," he mumbles.

"You cannot steal Dee from us!" Janus frowned at the elf prince. He isn't afraid of him at all, even if he hasn't learned about his hidden power and the familiars to help him fight with him.

"Oh. I won't. But maybe she'll come with me? Can I ask her, at least?"

"No. You cannot." Janus stands firm to his words.

"Ah…" Prince Argus went speechless. He glanced at the priestess giggling from these man-to-man conversations… or if it was a conversation instead of a disagreement. "All right. I won't do anything then."

Janus raises a thumb, and the Prince smiles. He turned his attention to Zelenia as it intrigued him where she came from and the power that they possessed. She mentioned nothing about her husband. He desires to ask the priestess about him, but asking about sensitive and personal things is awkward.

"Milady, you mentioned earlier that you came here to train your children. Does this mean you will often come to Lake Aurora?" the Prince asked. He hopes to meet them again, or more to say, to talk with the priestess once more.

"Definitely. I was looking for a lodge for sale, and it would be better if we owned one instead."

Hearing what their mother said, Janus and Aisha ran toward her.

"Is that true, mommy?" asked Janus. He loved this idea! He would have more time riding and fishing with Lionel.

"Yes, honey. I will look on the internet and try to find what is available for sale in the neighborhood," she told the twin.

"That's awesome, mommy!" Aisha exclaimed, almost jumping.

Zelenia was delighted to know how much her children liked the idea. The city stressed them, and they needed to experience more fun things than sticking to that gadget thingy. Though her children follow her condition, there are more fun things to do while they are young.

"I'm hoping we won't bother the Etherea kingdom with our presence each time we visit this place," Selena told the Prince. She has to get their permission now that the Elves think their power threatens them.

"Actually, that is great news. We will become a neighborhood! Now, I would like to invite you to visit our kingdom." The Prince's invitation, to which Duane sent an opposing stare at Argus. It was like saying, 'are you out of your mind, Prince? Inviting strangers?' but the Prince ignores her as well. The other two male elves agree with the idea.

Prince Argus believes that it's better to know this priestess and to invite her to meet his father, the king of this land.

"It's my pleasure..." Zelenia accepted the invitation. She has a purpose of knowing this elf race; it is her chance to request the Elves.

"Well, then… we will expect you for a banquet tonight?" the Prince asked as he stood up.

"Um, instead, Prince Argus. Could I visit alone before dinner to meet the king? I hope you will not mind if I refuse your invitation to the banquet. How about our next visit? I would love to bring the kids to meet the Elven race, and this is their first meeting with other beings besides humans."

"Hmm. Meeting my father then," Prince Argus agreed. The priestess possibly wishes to protect her children from strange beings like his race. This is their first meeting. Argus thought. "All right! Thank you for the courtesy of offering us tea and splendid sweets!" the Prince bowed. He then turned to the kids and smiled, "see you around, kiddos!" He tries to sound like a human who makes Aisha giggle, but Janus keeps looking at him thoughtfully. The Prince smiled awkwardly and nodded elegantly.

The elves are now left to carry on, patrolling their lands. Zelenia opened a door again, and the elves exited the magic barrier. Prince Argus glances at the lodge one more time before resuming running with his company. They met strange aliens that fascinated him.

"Are you interested in their mother, your highness?" It was Fili who teased the Prince.

"What do you mean interested, Fili?" the Prince blushed. "She's a mom!" totally dodging the question.

Fili and Karas looked at each other with smirks on their faces. They grew up together with this Prince, and they know if the Prince is interested in something or someone.

"It looks like she has no husband," Karas added.

"What are you both talking about? Let's hurry! I have to report to my father, king!" the Prince proclaimed. He ran, leaving his company, who laughed afterward.

Duane shook her head and glared at the teasing male elves. She followed the Prince and tried to keep up with the Prince's speed.

* * *

(Before the Elves entered the magic barrier…)

"Lionel, it's better to transform into your mortal body."

"No problem, milady." Lionel agreed, and his body was surrounded and glowed with golden light.

"Lioooonel!!!" Luna screamed and kicked him after transforming into a human form.

"Aaaaahh!"

Lionel once again threw in the lake.

Everything happens too fast, Janus and Aisha do not see much of his transformation when Luna suddenly kicks him hard, and Sora quickly blocks the view.

Lionel emerged, his head on the surface of the lake, laughing.

"Haha, hahaha! Forgive me, Priestess Zelenia. I forget I turned naked every time I transformed into a mortal body." Lionel scratches the back of his head while laughing.

"Not at all." The priestess giggled, but Sora heaved a sigh.