I raise my eyebrows.
"What might that be?" (Mizuki)
Elira smirks.
"If you have any more world-shattering secrets, keep them to yourself for at least a decade. Or better yet, until Ilina is Queen and such things are no longer my problem. My old bones can't take any more of this...excitement, and neither can the kingdom. Normally, royal announcements happen once per century or so. But as it is, we've already had one, and we'll need to call for at least two more in the near future.
"One of them immediately, to apprise everyone of the threat of the Empire, to formally introduce our people's resident Nephilim, and to announce how you'll be building trains between Avalon and the nobles' territories' capitals. Then, after the Empire is thwarted and our people have had some time to appreciate your presence, we'll inevitably need to schedule another to publicize your relationship with and engagement to Ilina." (Elira)
I chuckle and give her a small smile.
"Fair enough, I'll do my best. Speaking of royal announcements and spilling secrets to the common people, are you implying that you want me to make a spectacle of constructing the trains? To demonstrate my power while bolstering my reputation with your people, so that they'll be more accepting of my engagement to Ilina when the time comes?" (Mizuki)
Elira's smirk transitions into wolfish grin, any lingering anger seemingly evaporating as her eyes shine with an approving glint.
"I'm glad to see that you're already thinking like our King should. Yes, Mizuki, you're exactly right. It's important that they see firsthand how powerful you are, both to substantiate you as a Nephilim, and to make them feel secure in your ability to protect them from the Empire.
"Building the trains in front of an audience accomplishes both, while also showing our people firsthand how miraculous your presence is. So, can I take your tone to mean that you're on board with that plan?" (Elira)
I give Elira a small smile and nod. Now that I'm not trying to hide my power, I don't have any problem with that. The elves can't figure out how the trains work just by watching from a short distance away. All they'll see is different metals materializing around me.
"Of course. As long as they keep a safe distance and don't interfere, you can make as much of a spectacle of it as you want." (Mizuki)
Elira nods approvingly.
"Good, I will. And after you're done with that, and a bit of time passes with you in the public eye, we'll arrange for the public to start seeing you and Ilina spending time alone together. Something that makes it clear you two are friendly, and starts rumors about whether you might be romantically involved." (Elira)
I raise my eyebrows.
"Let me guess. So that you can gauge the public's reaction to the idea ahead of an official announcement, and if necessary, use further spectacles from me to subtly drive them towards accepting such an arrangement beforehand?" (Mizuki)
Elira chuckles playfully.
"Right again, Mizuki. Plus, who am I to deny my daughter spending time with you in public after her incredibly embarrassing rant just now? What was it...oh yes, she yearns to walk arm-in-arm with you through the streets of Avalon." (Elira)
Elira gives a pointed, amused look towards Ilina as she says so, prompting more blushing from Ilina. Surprisingly though, while she's clearly embarrassed by the comment, Ilina doesn't backtrack. She crosses her arms indignantly and returns Elira's mocking gaze.
"G-good...I'm glad to hear it, Mother. Thank you." (Ilina)
I grin at Ilina, and make a mental note that I really need to carve out some more romantic date nights with her ASAP. While I'm happy to hear that she's so eager to spend time together as a real couple, it also kind of makes me feel like shit that I haven't already been doing more to make her feel like my beloved fiancé.
Pushing those concerns away for now, I return my gaze to Elira.
"So, Elira...when should I be available for this first royal announcement? I also need to make special trips to all the demi-human races' settlements, and to facilitate my negotiation meeting with the Empire's remaining leadership. This royal announcement is clearly a priority for me, but I still need to plan around those other obligations." (Mizuki)
Elira's expression becomes serious once again, and she nods understandingly.
"We need to move quickly. I recommend having the royal announcement one week from now, and if possible, perhaps you could try and arrange your negotiations with the Empire to take place two weeks from now. Knowing your abilities, that should give you plenty of time to meet the demi-humans between now and the royal announcement, and to build your trains and MMCs between the announcement and the negotiations." (Elira)
I nod thoughtfully and shoot a questioning glance at Ilina. She gives me a small smile and nods.
"I agree with Mother, Mizuki. You'll also need that time between these major events to prepare, and to deal with any other obligations that are bound to arise. Don't forget about opening Percivil's new store here, the inevitable meetings with the nobles, all the planned developments in Eden, or your offer to Alyse." (Ilina)
I purse my lips.
I can see what Ilina means. That's not even including all the other things I've been waiting for time to pursue – studying the Greater Spirits' dilemma, replicating some of Earth's foods like pizza and caramel apples here on Azura, my research plans for proving that magic power is largely influenced by early life environment, and my promise to Alara to get her books for a grand library in Eden, which it now seems will require visiting Azazel.
The thought of how relentlessly busy I'm going to be for the next month is already giving me a headache, but...I'm also kind of excited. More so than I've been in quite some time.
I nod at Ilina, then give her and Elira a confident smile.
"Alright, I guess there's no time to waste then. Elira, have you forgiven me and your daughter enough for us to rejoin the other nobles and finalize all these plans?" (Mizuki)
Elira purses her lips as she glances between me and Ilina, then something seems to occur to her. She directs a questioning gaze at me.
"I suppose so...although, I'm still a little hurt by the days' deceptions. Tell me, my sweet, Nephilim son-in-law, don't you think you two should try and make it up to me? I don't feel like you fully appreciate how understanding I'm being about all of your antics lately." (Elira)
As she poses her presumably rhetorical question, she casts her eyes down as though she's pouting and holding back tears. However, I can't help but feel like it's mostly for show, and I have to fight the urge to roll my eyes.
I guess you don't rule an entire kingdom and keep a gaggle of strong-willed elven nobles in line for millennia without being a bit of a ruthless opportunist yourself.
I let out a wry smile as I shake my head in exasperation.
"Make it up to you, huh? I suppose that's the least I can do for my sweet, Elven mother-in-law. Is there something you had in mind, Elira?" (Mizuki)
I would bet Dio's nigh-eternal life that she hasn't given it any thought at all. Yup, I'd stake his existence on this not being Elira's fishing expedition for a very specific favor.
Hearing my question, Elira frowns thoughtfully like she's considering it for the first time.
"Hmm...oh dear, I don't know..." (Elira)
She pulls her hand next to her chest, and begins fiddling with her wedding ring. The gesture gives the impression of being just an absentminded tic while she thinks carefully, but...I can't help but notice how blatantly she's caressing her ring, as if she's begging for attention on its behalf.
I finally succumb and roll my eyes.
Oh well...I guess it was only a matter of time anyway, and it's a small price to pay to make her quit holding today against us.
I decide to play along, and direct a chipper voice at Elira as though something just occurred to me all on my own.
"Oh, Elira, I have an idea! Why don't I go ahead and enchant the wedding ring Dargo gave you? You know, so that you can physically enhance yourself like Ilina." (Mizuki)
As the words leave my lips, I see the corners of Elira's mouth twitch as her grey eyes glimmer with satisfaction. Then, she gasps in surprise and claps her hands together in front of her as she looks at me.
"Mizuki, you'd really do that for me? That's so thoughtful of you, dear! Yes, that would make me feel very appreciated. Here you go..." (Elira)
Without another moment's hesitation, Elira playfully presents her wedding ring hand towards me with a wide smile on her face. Smirking at her knowingly, I quickly reach out and touch the band of her ring.
I alchemize the core of its band into copper, and enchant it with my physical enhancement spells. I make sure that the spells are enchanted such that more magic power into the ring boosts the strength of the enhancements, just like with Ilina's ring. Then, I release Elira's hand without a word.
The whole process takes me less than two seconds at this point, and I can obviously do it without speaking, so to Elira it looks like I just grabbed her hand, glanced at the ring, then dismissed it nonchalantly.
Understandably, she glances at me in confusion for several seconds before her expression turns annoyed. If I had to guess, she probably thinks I played another joke on her.
I give her an amused smile.
"Don't look so upset, Elira. I promise, I did as you asked. It's just not a flashy process. Go ahead and try the ring out for yourself." (Mizuki)
Her eyes widen in surprise, then she glances at the ring expectantly. After a moment, a giddy smile breaks out on her face, and she abruptly walks towards the door while calling over her shoulder.
"Ilina, be a dear and go see to the nobles. I'll join you in a few minutes. I have...things...to do first." (Elira)
Without another word, she exits the room, leaving Ilina, Nina, and I alone. I glance between the two of them, and Ilina is just shaking her head in embarrassment at the display. Nina seems to find it amusing. As for me, I make a mental note to prepare more 'gift' ideas for Elira, should I ever need them in the future.
If my mother-in-law is willing to take bribes...I can work with that.