An Elf's Homestay

-----Yui's POV

Today, I decided to pay a visit to the cabin once again, bringing along Luna and Natalie with me as we all make our way to the cabin. 

I expected to the usual sight, but when we arrived, not only was Kaede missing, but another dark elf has showed up? Looking to the side, Rina seems to be fast asleep while everyone else has took notice of our arrival. The new dark elf also looks over her shoulder while her hands remain planted on Lilith's back.

Yui: "Hello?"

Dark Elf: "Good morning."

What a scary face... But she can't be evil if she's helping Lilith right now.

Sicily: "Ah, yeah you weren't here, but Kaede brought back another dark elf to take over Rina's job while she rests."

Seems like Rina had finally reached her limit huh.

Dark Elf: "Thank you for taking care of my daughter. My name's Alenia. I hope we can get along."

She shoots me a smile which does soften up her face; albeit slightly. Her eyes just have this natural, sinister look to them that leaves me taken aback.

Yui: "M-mm. Likewise."

Mell: "Still don't understand why mom has to go there though..."

Yui: "Right. Where is Kaede?"

I ask Mell, but it was Alenia who spoke up instead.

Alenia: "She made a deal with the Matriarch. In exchange for me being here, she's to assist her during my absence."

Yui: "Wait... So Kaede's back in that demon queen's territory?"

Mell: "Yeah see! Even Yui doesn't like that!"

She's somewhat correct. The feeling of Kaede back in that place does make me worry if something bad were to happen to her. Especially now considering she's the only one there, without any back up.

Neri: "I wouldn't worry, Yui. Like I explained to Mell, Kaede's started to form somewhat of a friendship with the demon queen."

Yui: "Friendship?"

What on earth... They were just at war and now they're friends? This only makes me want to meet this demon myself.

Mell: "Still though! She hurt mom..."

Yui: "What do you mean?"

Fleur: "Remember when we were all collapsed the first time?"

Yui: "Yes, but I thought Leon was the one who did that, no?"

Fleur: "The majority of it was Leon, yes. But in the beginning, it was the demon queen."

Mell: "Mhmm! Which is why Mai will take me there!"

Mai: "Hahh~ Only if something bad were to happen. That was the agreement. And don't even try to think of faking it. I can also feel when Kaede's injured."

Mell: "I... I wasn't thinking that."

I can't help but chuckle at their little exchange. Was Mell really considering to fake collapsing on the floor? She'd need Fleur and Faye's co-operation to pull it off, but if Mai can really feel Kaede's pain as well, then that plan fails.

Yui: "So you think you can teleport right on top of Kaede?"

Mai: "Yup. The moment I sense any sort of danger, I'll be there."

I guess I can relax then. Sure Mell made her stand at her displeasure of her mother being away, but I can tell she isn't all too worried. And actually in a way, this is like another hostage situation. We have two of their elves, so I'm sure they won't hurt Kaede knowing we have a couple of their people.

Luna: "Uhm... How is prince Leon?"

Yui: "Oh. I took care of him during my visit yesterday. He's now staying at a spare room in the mansion."

Luna: "He's woken up?"

Yui: "Sadly, no."

It sure was a pain carrying his body all the way to the mansion... Especially up that fucking hill. Sure I love the view being so high up, but for once I wish that we were on flat ground, or better yet, downhill. Thankfully the butlers saw me and assisted me halfway through, but even still, my shoulders and arms feels quite stiff.

Alenia: "Is this Leon person also like this woman?"

Lillian: "No. He can still generate mana, although not enough in order to be conscious."

Alenia: "I see."

I end up walking over to Lilith's body, taking a seat on the floor next to Alenia, Sicily and Lillian. Luna ends up sitting next to me as we all huddle around Lilith's still unconscious body.

Luna: "A-at least her face seems to have a bit more life."

Taking a look at Lilith's face, I honestly cannot tell. She's still pale, but maybe? She doesn't look like a corpse so I guess that's an improvement?

Alenia: "Sadly, her body is still not generating her own mana."

Faye: "...This almost reminds me of you, sis."

Fleur: "What?"

Faye: "You looked like this. Back when you... Died."

Fleur: "...I'm sorry I worried you."

Faye: "Mm-mm. Don't worry about it. We're both together now, so that's what matters."

The two of them stick close to one another, resting against each other's shoulders as they sit on the floor. It now dawns on me that maybe I should bring over some chairs for everyone to sit on, but in a weird way, having everyone on the floor like this makes it feel like we're one big family. I guess in a way we are.

Yui: "...So. You said you're Rina's mother?"

Wanting Alenia to feel a bit more welcomed, I try to strike up a conversation with her, ignoring her menacing appearance.

Alenia: "Yes. I hope she wasn't too much of a bother."

Yui: "Far from it! Rina's been a huge help. If anything, we're the ones bothering you for coming all the way out here."

Alenia: "Heh. I must admit, I hated being teleported here. It felt like my insides were about to explode. But apart from that, I don't mind."

Luna: "You don't mind being around humans?"

Alenia: "Of course I can't help but be a little uncomfortable. But seeing Rina sleeping so comfortably like that, makes this whole situation a lot more comfortable."

Yui: "I'm sorry that she has to sleep on the floor though."

Alenia: "Hehe. Don't worry. She probably feels like she's back home being surrounded by all these trees."

Yui: "Still. I'll try and bring some beds here if I can."

Alenia: "Thank you."

After speaking with her, suddenly that menacing look feels a lot more calmer. I guess I'm slowly getting used to her.

To think that we were going to battle against these people. After seeing Rina and her mother like this, I'd feel bad at being involved in killing them and their people. I guess Kaede also saw something in Ilfa that made her change her mind. Looking at it that way, I feel completely relaxed, knowing that Kaede's in good hands.

-----Kaede's POV

Ilfa: "Like this?"

Kaede: "Tuck your fingers in more, like this."

Ilfa: "But I can't get a good grip like that."

Kaede: "You'll end up chopping off a finger or two if you don't."

Ilfa: "Do you really expect me to miss?"

Kaede: "You never know~"

I'm early, but Ilfa wanted to see how capable I was before lunch came around, so now I'm here going over some of the basics.

I figured that a stew would be an easy thing to make as it's pretty straight forward, but also requires a good deal of handwork. And that's the main focus right now. I would've chosen a different dish, but considering the dark elves had some broth already prepared, my mind went straight to thinking of making a stew.

I was originally planning on helping and taking over the meat as it can be a little awkward to cut considering how wobbly it can be, but Ilfa made it quite clear that she'll be doing every part of the process, leaving me being just a guide. But I'm happy to see that she's actually trying to improve as she's now tucking her fingertips in like I showed her, allowing the knife to glide along her fingers more easily as she cuts some carrots.

Kaede: "See? A lot easier, right?"

Ilfa: "Far from it."

Kaede: "Pfft. Just make sure you chop them evenly, or else they'll cook unevenly."

Ilfa: "G-got it."

She's starts going at a slower pace, almost as if she's hyper focusing to make sure that each slice is the same.

Kaede: "Hehe. You don't need to be "that" worried. Just roughly the same size is fine."

Ilfa: "No. I want to make it perfect."

She's adorable. She reminds me of the time when Yui's mother used to teach me back in the other world. I would stress over the same things, wanting to do everything perfectly. Over time, I realized that I wasted a lot of time with that sort of thing, but I guess I can let Ilfa figure that out on her own. But I wonder why Ilfa is so keen on making this perfect? In my case, I wanted to impress Yui, so would that mean Ilfa also has someone in mind?

Kaede: "You're doing this for someone, right?"

Ilfa: "!"

She suddenly makes a louder cut with the knife as her body tenses up at my question. Seem like I hit the nail on the head.

Kaede: "Is it Fabian?"

Ilfa: "How did you!?"

Kaede: "Call it a maiden's intuition."

Not really. I remember seeing Ilfa protecting Fabian back then. The looks she showed me at the time really did make me think something was going on between the two of them. But to think that Ilfa would go so far as to cook for him. Just how on earth did Fabian manage to get on Ilfa's good side considering he was a hostage? I got to give him credit for that.

Ilfa: "Well... Yes. I'm doing this for him, so I'd like to make it perfect."

Kaede: "You like him or something?"

Ilfa: "Enough! I can't concentrate with this talk."

Kaede: "Kay~"

Wow. To think that Fabian got someone as powerful as her to fall for him. Very interesting. I would think that maybe Ilfa manipulated his brain, but to see Ilfa's reactions right now, I highly doubt it. She would probably stress out over doing such a thing to him. I wonder if I can get more information from Fabian instead?