Ilina and I both stare at Nina, dumbfounded.
"Nina…while it doesn't bother me that Mizuki has another woman in his life, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with such…open…intimacy." (Ilina)
Nina just shrugs.
"Fufufu…what else do you expect? Neither of us wants to sleep alone. We do not have to be so brazen at first, Ilina. For now, we can just all spend the night together, and…other activities…can be reserved for when we're alone." (Nina)
Ilina sighs deeply.
"…I suppose I don't have any better ideas right now. Okay, I accept!" (Ilina)
Ilina smiles sheepishly at Nina, and Nina returns an amused smile. I, being completely ignored, look on in horror.
"Uhm…do I get a say in this? It sounds like it's going to be pretty awkward…" (Mizuki)
Nina and Ilina direct annoyed glares at me.
"Oh, are sleeping arrangements with a second wife too complicated for you, Mizuki? If so, you should have thought about that before assembling a harem! Right now, you seem rather unappreciative. Ilina and I are being gracious, so I suggest you accept our offer if you don't have a better idea." (Nina)
"I agree with Nina. I'm growing quite unhappy with sleeping alone, Mizuki. Do you intend to reject this opportunity…and your fiancé?" (Ilina)
Ilina glares at me menacingly, and I can now sense amusement from Nina.
"Uhm…what, no! Err…I am just worried about how it will look! Cara is staying here right now, and she doesn't know about us being together. It might cause problems if one of the nobles found out I was romantically involved with their First Princess, you know?" (Mizuki)
Ilina's eyes narrow dangerously, and she shakes her head.
"Oh no, you're not using that as an excuse! I know how smitten she is with you Mizuki, and I'm not as relaxed about it as Nina. Also, I learned today that you told her all about how strong you are and how Nina's not in charge of your party. Do I need to be concerned?" (Ilina)
Who told her that!?
I wave my hands furiously.
"Woah, no, you've got the wrong idea! Nothing is going to happen between her and me. I've made that very clear!" (Mizuki)
"I'm glad to hear that, Mizuki. If that's true, then you won't mind us clarifying our relationship to Cara. I heard about her promise to not reveal any of your secrets, so I see no issues with telling her. Do you have a problem with that?" (Ilina)
Ilina smiles, but like she's threatening me. Yeah...this doesn't feel like a request.
I sigh dejectedly and shake my head.
"Good! From now on, I want you to bring me here every night after sunset unless I say otherwise. We'll start with tonight, and…" (Ilina)
Ilina drops her duffel bag and slips out of her dress in one smooth motion, then steps into the bath and wades over to my side opposite Nina.
"…I think a bath together would help us get comfortable with the arrangement. What do you think, Nina?" (Ilina)
Nina smirks back towards Ilina.
"Fufufu…I have no objections." (Nina)
A satisfied smile spreads across Ilina's face and she nods her acknowledgement. Then, she turns her gaze back to me, and gives me a puzzled expression.
"Mizuki, by the way, Cara came to talk to my mother today in the palace. As First Princess, I attend most of her meetings now, and Cara wants royal permission to build a trade road through the undeveloped lands between her and Alara's territories. What's that about?" (Ilina)
Ahh…that must be how she heard about me spilling some of the beans to Cara. I'm not sure what this trade road nonsense is about, though.
"Huh…that's actually the first I'm hearing of this. What did Elira have to say about that idea?" (Mizuki)
"Well, at first she just denied Cara's request, saying that it might infringe on any noble that takes over that land later. However, when Cara asked about a train connecting the territories, my mother seemed more interested." (Ilina)
Hmm…I guess Elira considers it appealing enough of an allowance if she can get a second train for the Elven Kingdom.
I nod thoughtfully at Ilina.
"Hmm…well, it sounds like Cara might be preparing to ask me to build another train. Thanks for warning me, Ilina." (Mizuki)
"Sure. Are you going to build her one if she asks? I thought you refused to build another railroad for the foreseeable future." (Ilina)
I shrug.
"Maybe…I don't know. I refused to build your mother one of her choosing, but I'm less opposed to building one that Alara has direct control over from her territory. Ultimately, I'll want to discuss it with Alara first – it affects her the most." (Mizuki)
Nina gives an amused smile and decides to interject.
"Fufufu…if you build another train for Cara, the other nobles will most certainly complain like children." (Nina)
She has a point…
I sigh heavily.
"Ilina, what do you think?" (Mizuki)
Ilina gives me an uncharacteristically mischievous smile. It's kind of unsettling.
"If Alara approves, I think you should do it. If the other nobles have a problem with it, then they should learn to be nicer to you." (Ilina)
Nina and I look at her in surprise.
"Fufufu…oh my, Ilina, that's surprisingly ruthless of you. I approve!" (Nina)
I roll my eyes…of course Nina approves.
Ilina just shrugs nonchalantly.
"I wouldn't say it's ruthless. Mizuki building trains in this country only helps our people, and he's doing it without compensation. The elven nobles that were malicious towards him aren't entitled to that generosity." (Ilina)
"Well, be that as it may, I think the best option would be to get along with everyone. Still, I have a hard time imagining a scenario where I trust Tessa and Jorah enough to build trains in their territories." (Mizuki)
We all fall silent for several minutes, then Nina gives me an amused grin.
"Fufufu…this next meeting with the nobles is going to be entertaining, isn't it Mizuki?" (Nina)
I sigh in exasperation at Nina and hang my head. However, I can feel a faint smile leak into my expression, and I sense amusement from Nina. I guess she knows how I really feel.
"Yes, Nina, I'm sure the meeting will be...interesting." (Mizuki)
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
The next couple of days passed uneventfully. All the primary construction in Eden is now finished, and only personal construction is ongoing. Alara decided that she wanted to hold off on construction of her family home indefinitely and live with us. None of us mind, but it makes me think that Alara is lonely.
Alara did ask me about the super awesome library I promised her for her home; she wants to build a public one instead. I told her that'd be fine so long as the dangerous books were kept hidden under lock and key, and she agreed. So, I gave her the green light to start library construction – I'll need to visit Azazel soon.
To my surprise, Cara has yet to ask me about constructing another railroad. Furthermore, she's been roaming around Eden and Avalon without me for the most part – we've barely spoken since she found out about my abilities. She doesn't seem scared of or angry at me, so I'm not sure what's going on.
Nina and I have been using this time to just hang out, play games at the rec center, and help Percivil with game development. Honestly, being alone together has been quite relaxing, and I'm grateful for it.
Ilina has also been sleeping over regularly. It was just as awkward as I expected the first night, but we've all quickly gotten used to it.
Currently, I'm lying in bed with Nina and Ilina. It's just before sunrise, and neither has awoken yet. I spend an unknown amount of time admiring them, then I hear the door to our bedroom open…it's Alara.
I immediately narrow my eyes at Alara and give her an annoyed look. Alara smirks back at me.
"Fufufu…oh my, Mizuki, you look quite pleased with your situation. Is there room for one more? It gets quite cold at night all alone." (Alara)
I roll my eyes at Alara.
That's a total load of crap. I found out from Alto awhile back that Azura doesn't actually have seasons – I guess its axis of rotation isn't as tilted as Earth's.
The weather fluctuates only mildly over the course of a year, so it's perpetually like late spring in this part of the Elven Kingdom. The air is thin enough here that it gets noticeably cooler at night, but it's definitely not cold.
I notice Ilina starting to wake. I better wrap this up.
"Definitely not, Alara. Also, I've already told you not to barge into our room like this, so tell me what you want before I teleport you into the lake." (Mizuki)
"Tch…no need to be so mean, little brother. Can you meet me, Cara, and the others in the family room after you get ready? There's something I wanted to discuss with you." (Alara)
Oh? It's not often Alara asks for a meeting like this; I wonder what it's about.
"Sure, I'll be there soon. Now get out!" (Mizuki)
"If Cara will be there, I'll also be attending." (Ilina)
Ilina is now sitting up on the bed with an amused expression. Alara raises her eyebrow curiously, but she nods her agreement.
Whelp, I guess we're doing this then.
Nina suddenly sits up on the bed and groans, and I sense annoyance from her.
"Grrrr…what's with all this noise in my nest so early? Do I need to kill someone?" (Nina)
Alara starts to look a little nervous.
"Uhm…alright, well I'll see you all soon!" (Alara)
Alara hastily exits the room, and I give Nina a wicked grin.
"Nice work, Nina! You got rid of her so easily…I'm impressed." (Mizuki)
"Obviously…I am quite displeased with how fearless people have gotten about bothering an Elder Dragon. Fufufu…perhaps I've been too lenient lately." (Nina)
Nina directs a menacing smile towards me…that's not good.
"Uhm…I appreciate your restraint, Nina. I don't mind if you get a little sterner with people about bothering you, but please avoid maiming anyone. Okay?" (Mizuki)
Nina rolls her eyes and groans, but she nods her acknowledgement reluctantly. Well, that doesn't inspire confidence, but I guess it'll have to do.
We all get dressed, then make our way to the family room. I take a seat on the couch between Nina and Ilina. Looking around, I only see Alara and Cara. Hmm…
"Princess Ilina!? What are you doing here!?" (Cara)
Cara is glancing between Ilina and me nervously. Ilina smiles with amusement at Cara.
"Oh me? I just spent the night with my fiancé, and I figured I'd join this meeting before returning to the palace." (Ilina)
As Ilina responds, she throws her arms around my neck and leans against me. Then, she smirks at Cara. Meanwhile, confusion and shock flash across Cara's face in quick succession. She glances between Nina, me, and Alara for confirmation, and we all nod our acknowledgement.
"I don't…Mizuki…Princess…are you two truly engaged?" (Cara)
I sigh deeply.