47: Praise From The Elf

Praise From The Elf

'I think this should be enough to look like a noble family kid.' She observed her face for a moment more. 'No. Who am I kidding? I am so beautiful that I look even better than those spoiled brats.' She made a little twirl. I'm so handsome! Killer looks! I will break countless girls' hearts!'1

She then frowned at herself. She was reminded of how good-looking Arlan was, as well as that scary red-eyed man. 

'You are being narcissistic, Ori.'  But then, that frown was replaced by a proud smile. 'Not narcissist, but it's called being self aware. I can't lie to myself. I am so pretty even that perverted noble brat wants a piece of me.'

With a proud smile on her face, she stepped out of the clothing store.

She returned to the harbor, and this time, she did not return to the longship. Instead, she merged with the group of nobles in a fancy cruise. Though her heart bled at the sky-high expense, she still went through it for precaution.

It was also the most terrifying experience in her voyage. A storm at sea! Raging waves and thunder roaring. All night, she was praying in her heart that the ship would arrive safe and sound.

The ship reached Selve Port on the third evening of their departure. 

Due to the smuggling of herbs, the security at the Selve Port was tightened, and not only the merchant groups and their cargo, even the passengers were being inspected by the city officers. 

As she had guessed, the officers didn't strictly check the group of nobles and let them go after a cursory glance at their luggages. Oriana was part of that group of nobles. 

'Finally, this pretty face came in handy.' 

Oriana gave out a sigh of relief and left. With another difficult part of her trip successfully concluded, another wave of exhaustion came over her. There was no arrangement for her to leave Selve at this late hour and she decided to stay at an inn for a night. The next day, she changed into her usual black clothes and sought for a merchant caravan heading northwards to return her home.

—

The same morning, Arlan left the Selve Estate along with the Duke to welcome the esteemed guests from Megaris. Just as their carriage passed by a certain inn, he caught a whiff of a familiar scent lingering in the air. 

'Honeysuckle!' 

His head snapped towards the sidewalk,  looking around for someone in black clothes.

Imbert, who was on horseback right beside the carriage, saw Arlan opening the window. He followed his leige's line of sight. "Anything the matter, Your Highness?"

On the side, there was a cart filled with potted plants and flower bouquets. There were a few batches of honeysuckle flowers among them. 

Arlan shook his head. 'Why would she be in Selve? She must be wandering in the forest outside Jerusha to collect herbs.'

When the carriage of the Crown Prince reached the pier, the heads of the other noble houses came to greet the prince. Some of them were acquaintances, and the Crown Prince shared some idle conversation with them until they spied a huge ship approaching the docks, bearing the flag of a black dragon with a sun.

At this moment, the entire pier area was under strict control by both the city guards and the royal soldiers brought by the Crown Prince. People with ill intentions wouldn't be able to cause any disturbances to the esteemed guests. 

As representative of the royal family, Arlan headed the welcome party to receive the King and Queen of Megaris. Moreover, the King of Megaris was his dear friend, so there was no way he would not welcome him personally. 

Behind the handsome prince was a troop of knights led by his guardian knight, Sir Imbert Loyset, and further behind them was Duke Selve, the territory lord, and the other high-ranking nobles from the port city. 

After the ship was docked, a small procession of knights first disembarked, followed by a young couple wearing crowns.

The black-haired man with red eyes had a cold expression, clad in a dignified black robe bearing the crest of the Ivanov Royal family, and he was escorting a veiled woman in a luxurious violet dress which made the color of her unique purple eyes pop out. 

They were King Drayce Ivanov of Megaris, and his wife, Queen Seren Ivanov.

'What great fanfare,' Arlan inwardly shook his head, thinking of teasing his best friend about this later. His eyes then scanned the people on the deck of the ship. 'Hmm? This feeling…?'

His sharp gaze noticed a hooded man behind them. He caught a glimpse of long pointed ears and silver hair under the hood.

'That's…an elf? Interesting.'

As soon as their parties met face to face, Arlan greeted with a light bow, "Welcome to Griven, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen of Megaris."

The rest of the welcome party respectfully bowed to the rulers of their neighboring kingdom.

"Prince Arlan Cromwell, it is a pleasure to be here," the King of Megaris responded formally, his red eyes holding a hint of mirth as well. "We will be taking advantage of your kingdom's hospitality. Give my regards to the King of Griven."

The Queen of Megaris merely curtsied.  The King of Megaris and the Crown Prince of Griven exchanged pleasantries. 

Though Arlan was talking to Drayce, he could feel the Queen's intense gaze on him. It seemed curious, which didn't feel normal to him. He had met Seren Ivanov a handful of times before, but she was the type of quiet woman who showed general disinterest in people. 

He looked at her. "I hope the journey didn't trouble you much, Your Majesty."

"A little but it was adventurous."

Arlan was a little taken aback. 'What did she experience?'

"Adventurous? I must hear more of this later." 

His friend was an overprotective worrywart of a partner. Arlan didn't believe Drayce would let Seren experience anything considered 'adventurous' at all.

'Could it be related to the elf?' he thought. Arlan's curiosity grew. This elf, the ancient energy he gave off was familiar. It must be the same elf he chanced upon when he visited Megaris last time, though he had never seen him with his own eyes before.

"Seems like we have a new guest, or rather, should I say a friend?"

Hearing him, the hooded elf stepped forward from standing behind the King and the Queen. As this guest was non-human, Arlan gestured for others to step away and give them privacy, to which the nobles and knights promptly obeyed. 

The elf had the appearance of a handsome man in his early twenties, with long silver hair like that of moonlight turned into threads. His fair and scholarly features gave off a peculiar charm, as if he was both young and old at the same time. One glance was enough for anyone to recognize he was too beautiful to be human. 

Silvery blue eyes met Arlan's ocean blue ones. 

Before Arlan could say anything, the elf commented in a pleasant voice, "Kind and friendly on the surface but wicked and dangerous inside." 

There was no hesitation or fear on the elf's face. It was as if he was a curator sizing up a newly unearthed artifact.

Arlan smirked playfully. "Thanks for the generous praise, elf."

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