I grin back at him and wave as he approaches. Following closely behind him is an elven woman running frantically – Kara, his mother. She's wearing a dark blue dress with her brown hair pinned up behind her head. She catches up to Cera, and they both arrive in front of me at the same time.
"Cera! Kara! You decided to come! I hope you've been doing well?" (Mizuki)
Cera nods fervently and wraps his arms around my leg in a hug.
"Yeah! You kept your promise, Mizuki! Mom was so happy that she smiled the whole night after you left!" (Cera)
I give a surprised glance to Kara, and she's visibly embarrassed, and some color can be seen in her cheeks. However, before I can tease her, Cara interjects.
"Uhm…Mizuki…do you care to introduce me? First Kudra, and now these two, I wasn't aware that you were so well known by Avalon's residents." (Cara)
"Sure. This polite young man here is Cera, and his mother there is Kara. Cera, Kara, this woman is Lady Cara of the Egris house." (Mizuki)
Kara becomes visibly flustered, and curtsies at Cara quickly. Before she can speak, however, Cera is unperturbed by this revelation and turns to me again.
"Woahhh, Mizuki! You're friends with a princess, a noble, and a dragon!? That's so cool!" (Cera)
I don't get the chance to correct him about Cara and I being friends. Cara leans down to eye level with Cera with a huge smile.
"That's right! Mizuki and I are friends, so please make sure to tell everyone you meet about it. What about you, Cera, how did you and Mizuki meet?" (Cara)
"Good evening, Lady Cara. We both met Mizuki a few days ago – he saved Cera's life. He was very kind to us afterwards, too, even though I treated him with suspicion just for being human." (Kara)
"Yeah, why is everyone so mean to you, Mizuki? I clapped for you when you got your necklace, and I told those other people to clap, too!" (Cera)
Kara hangs her head in embarrassment, seemingly confirming Cera's story. So, some of those claps were from him, huh? That kid is going to make me cry – it's so sweet. Cara looks back at me in surprise following their responses.
"Mizuki…is that true? You really saved his life? How?" (Cara)
"He pulled him out of the street before a horse-drawn cart could run Cera over. It was a very close call, Lady Cara, and I'm certain Mizuki saved his life. I saw the whole thing unfold." (Kara)
"Yeah, that's right! Mizuki, was so fast, I didn't even see him coming!" (Cera)
Cara stares at me for several moments with an expression that's hard to interpret, then shakes her head in amusement without explanation. Cera, however, has moved on from this topic.
"Mizuki! Could you introduce me to the dragon? Please!" (Cera)
Cera is staring up at me with practical stars in his eyes…how can I say no to that? I sigh deeply.
[Hey, Nina, I've got an adorable little friend of mine here who desperately wants to meet you. Are you interested?] (Mizuki)
[Fufufu…anything for my fans! I'll be over shortly.] (Nina)
That is…surprising. I thought for sure she'd be sick of these people by now. I guess the fame is really going to her head. I smile down at Cera.
"Sure thing, Cera, but make sure to be polite and compliment her dress, okay? It's a green one, and she has green eyes like mine. I'm sure she'll be over here soon." (Mizuki)
Cara gives me a puzzled look, probably wondering how I'd know or orchestrate something like that. Before she can ask me about it, though, Nina arrives and wraps her arm through mine.
Cera looks at her, confused at first, but then seems to put all the details together. His eyes go wide in surprise, and he looks like he wants to worship Nina.
"Fufufu…hello, little one. Are you a friend of Mizuki's?" (Nina)
Cera is visibly flustered, and he's obviously trying hard to remember all the polite things to do. He starts to speak, then stops, and gives Nina an awkward bow.
"Great Dragon, he…I'm Cera, Great Dragon, it's nice to meet you! Your dress looks very pretty! Uhm…I…don't know if I'm Mizuki's friend…I'm just a kid…" (Cera)
Cera's voice trails off towards the end, and he looks a little unsure of himself.
"That's right, Lady Nedonera, Cera here is my friend. We have him to thank for all the applause during my crest ceremony." (Mizuki)
"Oh? Then thank you for helping Mizuki at the ceremony, Cera. If you're his friend, then that also makes us friends! Is that okay?" (Nina)
Cera looks like he's about to pass out from happiness. From Nina I sense immense…excitement?
"I'm…dragon…friends…" (Cera)
[Mizuki…he's adorable…I want one as soon as possible!] (Nina)
Yikes…it's not like she can speed things up, though, so I don't need to worry. It's already a nightly endeavor.
At this point, Cara decides to interject with a curtsy to Nina.
"Good evening, Lady Nedonera, I hope you're enjoying the reception." (Cara)
Nina narrows her eyes at her in amusement.
"Fufufu…yes, it's quite fun. I just wish the elves here were more welcoming to Mizuki. I saw you walking arm-in-arm with him earlier, though, so I guess that's pretty welcoming." (Nina)
That…sounds a lot like jealous Nina, but I don't sense any jealousy. Cara raises her eyebrows over Nina's comment.
[Uhm…Nina, this isn't a jealousy thing, is it?] (Mizuki)
[No, no, I can sense from you that I don't need to be concerned. Fufufu…I'm just teasing her some.] (Nina)
Teasing her? Cera looks confused.
"Lady Cara, if you were holding Mizuki's arm, are you married? That's what Mom and Dad always did." (Cera)
Cera!? I thought we were friends little buddy! Waves of amusement are coming through my connection with Nina.
"Fufufufu…yes, Lady Cara, will you be taking Mizuki as a husband? That would certainly keep us all living in the Elven Kingdom like you wanted." (Nina)
That damn dragon is in on this too!? Cara smirks at Nina and lets out a deep sigh.
"I admit, I considered it after getting to spend the evening with him. Unfortunately, my house will riot if there's no chance for heirs from a romance, so Mizuki being human is an issue. Plus, he'll only live a few decades and be young for even less time." (Cara)
Cara seems completely unfazed by Nina's question. What the hell is wrong with everyone on this planet?
Kara and I are staring at each other dumbfounded over this conversation, and she's wisely taken to covering Cera's ears. Zara is just watching the events with modest interest. I sense Nina's excitement rising.
"Lady Cara, are you not aware that if you and Mizuki were to have numerous children, some of them would be elves and even high elves? Furthermore, due to my blessing, he'll age slower than normal humans." (Nina)
Cara's eyes go wide in surprise, and she becomes thoughtful.
"Lady Nedonera, truly? You're sure of that?" (Cara)
"Fufufu…oh yes, quite sure." (Nina)
I've had enough.
[Nina…what in the actual hell is the matter with you? You told me you don't like sharing, but now you're trying to push a third woman on me? Your allowance for Ilina was surprising enough.] (Mizuki)
[Fufufu…I won't have to share because you don't have any serious interest in her. I just enjoy seeing you express your preference for me over other women.] (Nina)
That's as toxic as a reason could possibly be.
[Oh yeah? Well, I'm going to interpret behavior like this as you condoning me sleeping with her, so please cut it out from now on. I doubt Cara is that invested, but it's still rude to her.] (Mizuki)
Hopefully that straightens Nina up. I sense confusion from her. Perfect.
[Mizuki, if you're just sleeping with her occasionally, I don't care. So long as she openly acknowledges it, and your children with her are recognized. Ilina was hard to tolerate at first because you obviously cared for her deeply. This woman would be more like a mistress to you.] (Nina)
I'm speechless…that's extremely twisted. I notice Cara staring at me expectantly.
"Well, Mizuki, what do you think? I doubt we could ever get married, but a romance while you're still reasonably young is doable." (Cara)
Well, I can't tell her that I'm already with Nina. I'm really not interested in forming some large harem, though, no matter how much I joke about it.
"Look, Cara, I'm flattered, but you don't really know me. Plus, we're still a long way from your people tolerating my romance with an elf." (Mizuki)
Cara flashes me an annoyed expression. That's fair…she just offered to sleep with me, and I basically said 'no thanks', so I guess it's insulting.
"Tch…very well, just let me know if you change your mind. I should probably tend to other matters now, so enjoy the rest of your evening. Mizuki, Lady Nedonera. Kara, Cera." (Cara)
Cara gives a polite curtsy to Nina, then turns and walks into the crowd. Shortly after, I notice the bracelet on Kara glowing red.
"Uhm…it looks like we have to go. Mizuki, Great Dragon, it was…interesting…to visit with you. Please have a good evening. Cera, say your goodbyes!" (Kara)
Yeah, I wouldn't know how to follow up that circus performance either. Cera seems to have moved on from it already, though.
"Bye Mizuki! Bye Great Dragon! I hope I see you again!" (Cera)
"Fufufu…take care, little one, we may visit you sometime!" (Nina)
I wave goodbye to them both with a grin, and Nina, Zara, and I are left alone.
"Zara, thank you for being the only normal one here." (Mizuki)
"Fufufu…thank you for never trying to sleep with me." (Zara)
"Not a problem." (Mizuki)
I respect her right to expose herself to danger while adventuring, but that doesn't mean I can see her that way. Regardless of wolf-kin customs, she's a child in my eyes.
"Mizuki, this reminds me, can we retire for the night? I was quite pleased with how you shot down Lady Cara." (Nina)
I did not need to learn about this fetish of hers tonight…or ever. I groan out loud in frustration.
"Let's find Alto, and let Ilina know of our departure, then we can go." (Mizuki)
Zara and Nina smile and nod, and we take off through the crowd.
We've endured our first night of the royal announcement.