Several hours later, inside the Egris mansion...
Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!
I stare back at Cara in awkward silence as she just taps her foot and glares at me expectantly. Her arms are crossed under her breasts, and there's a notable scowl on her face as her amber eyes study me disapprovingly.
I sigh internally.
After the nobles' meeting was finished for the day, I simply teleported everyone back to Eden – they all know about my abilities now anyway, even their escorts, so I didn't see the need for subtlety. Most of the other nobles decided to stay in the palace for the night, until Nina and I can quickly transport them back to their family homes tomorrow morning.
I brought the Egris house's party along with us at Cara's request, then took them back to Wellick myself after dropping off everyone else at our mansion. After we arrived in Cara's office, she said she needed to talk to me and kicked out everyone except Alyse. Since then, she hasn't spoken another word.
That's how I've come to suffer this awkward, angry silence.
Eventually, when I'm contemplating just teleporting away, Cara's angry taps stop abruptly. Her scowl seems to soften slightly, replaced by slight hurt in her eyes. Her voice is low and quiet as she speaks.
"Are we friends or not, Mizuki? Because I really thought you trusted me." (Cara)
I wince a little at the implicit accusation, seeing her amber eyes locked onto mine questioningly. I nod apologetically, and my voice is soft as I respond.
"Of course you are..." (Mizuki)
The hurt in her eyes seems to lessen some, replaced quickly by frustration and confusion.
"Then why didn't you tell me? Today I found out that I'm the only one close to you who wasn't told that you're both a Nephilim and an alien. I understand you when you said that you thought you were essentially human until recently, and I understand why you'd tell Lady Nedonera, the royals, Alto, and even Zara about your home planet before me. But...Alara? Really?
"Around the time you were convincing her to abandon your assassination attempts, I was already inviting you into my bed, for gods' sake! Also, you had my word that I'd never share anything you told me in confidence, and I know that you believed me! So why did I find out at the same time as fucking Jorah!?" (Cara)
Yikes...she's making it sound really bad. Now that I think about it, why didn't I tell her that I'm from another planet?
After several moments of quietly contemplating that under her expectant glare, I realize that I don't have a great answer. So, I shrug and sigh deeply.
"I'm really sorry, Cara. If I'm being honest, I'm not even sure why I didn't tell you. In retrospect, I don't think I was actively hiding it from you. I just...had no reason to mention it. I only told Alara because it came up in a conversation about the things I wanted to gift Eden with – she asked where I got the ideas from.
"Still, I recognize that you finding out this way is hurtful, and doesn't reflect well on the trust that I have in you. That's something I desperately want to fix. Is there anything I can do to convince you that I value and trust you like I say I do?" (Mizuki)
Surprise flashes across Cara's face. I guess she wasn't expecting me to just roll over and own up to it.
"You're...offering me a favor as an apology?" (Cara)
I chuckle at her.
"I mean, yes, I suppose that's one way to look at it. As long as the favor isn't absurd. So, what do you say?" (Mizuki)
Cara purses her lips thoughtfully, staring at me for several moments. Eventually, something seems to occur to her, and she gives me a small smile.
"Okay, I accept. Can I tell you what I want right now?" (Cara)
I give her a curious look.
"Sure, if you already have something in mind." (Mizuki)
Her smile grows a little wider.
"If we're really friends, then I want to see you more. Let's say...once a week. Every week, for at least a couple of hours, I want you to visit me without your entourage so we can spend time together. The details of the visit don't matter to me, as long as I can count on you to show up and give me your undivided attention. That's what I want." (Cara)
I raise my eyebrows, my voice becoming incredulous.
"That's it? Hang out with you for a couple hours per week? I honestly thought you'd ask for an extra train, or a flying city, or something...more. You're sure about this?" (Mizuki)
Cara smirks at me and shakes her head.
"Yes, I'm sure. I want a promise that my friend will make time for one date with me every week. No exceptions. So, can I assume we have a deal?" (Cara)
I narrow my eyes slightly at the use of the word 'date', but I quickly wave it off. I remember some of my female friends back on Earth would call eating alone with someone a 'lunch date', regardless of their relationship. So, Cara probably means it just as innocuously. She did refer to me as her 'friend' in the same breath, after all.
I give her a small smile in return and nod.
"Yeah, that seems reasonable. Consider it done. So...I'm forgiven? We're good?" (Mizuki)
Cara chuckles and gives me a beaming smile.
"Yes, no hard feelings. Just don't leave me out of the loop like that again." (Cara)
I let out a sigh of relief and nod my acknowledgement. That's one problem fixed, at least.
"Understood. Now then, Alyse...what's up?" (Mizuki)
I turn to Alyse, who's been quietly standing behind Cara with an expectant expression. When Cara kicked everyone else out of the room earlier, Alyse insisted on staying. She said she needed to talk to me.
Hearing my question, she gives me an appreciative nod before quickly walking towards me. Then, before I can even register how confused I am, she draws her sword and presents it to me as she lowers her head and takes a knee.
"Lord Mizuki...no, Nephilim Prince...I, Alyse Egris, eldest daughter of Evelyn Egris, hereby offer myself and my sword. Please allow me to serve you and your cause from this day forward." (Alyse)
I stare at her in open bewilderment for several seconds before I regain enough composure to glance at Cara for an explanation. However, she is also looking at Alyse as though her sister is batshit crazy.
I return my gaze to Alyse, who is still staring at the floor with her sword raised towards me. I have so many questions.
"Uhm...Alyse, you do realize that I'm exactly the same person you spoke to yesterday, right? Literally nothing about me has changed, and you already knew I was powerful. So please quit acting weird...we've already talked about this. I'm not a hero, there's no greater cause to serve, and I definitely don't accept servants. I make friends, and you don't kneel and make sketchy oaths to your friends.
Also, what's with you calling me Lord and Nephilim Prince? I told you that I was just an ordinary person on my home planet. Just call me by name." (Mizuki)
Alyse raises her head just enough to look at me, but she remains kneeled, her eyes full of uncertainty.
"There is – quite literally in this case – a world of difference between knowing that you're powerful, and knowing that you are one of the legendary Nephilim. Please understand that, once our kingdom learns the truth about you, some elves might even worship you as a god. Now that I know what you are, and the full scope of your abilities, I'm...hesitant, to continue being so casual with you.
"As for treating you like a friend, I also confess some reluctance. You obviously take your friendship with my sister very seriously. But unlike her, I don't believe I've earned the right to call you my friend. However, I'd like to accept the invitation you offered me yesterday. To join your group in Eden and help wherever I can be useful." (Alyse)
I purse my lips thoughtfully, still more than a little conflicted about her sudden change in attitude. I honestly liked her better when she wasn't so deferential. In fact, I'd like to tell both her and Cara that I don't really think I'm a Nephilim, to nip this behavior in the bud. Unfortunately, Ilina explicitly and emphatically told me to never deny my Nephilim nature to anyone going forward, and I'm not inclined to go against her recommendations.
"If that's really what you want, it's not like I'm going to withdraw the offer. We're happy to have you. However, please...for the love of everything sacred to you...stop treating me like I'm your master or savior or something. I honestly preferred our dynamic before. Also, I think Alto really liked having someone else to make fun of me with. If you start acting all proper towards me now, she'll be really disappointed." (Mizuki)
Okay yeah, I admit that last part is manipulative at best, and an outright lie at worst, but...I really am not a fan of her current vibe. Nevertheless, I feel a pang of guilt as I watch Alyse's face suddenly become tense at my words.
After a few moments of clear internal conflict, she nervously rises to a standing position and sheathes her sword. Then, she clears her throat and offers me her hand reluctantly.
"Ehem...well, if that's what you prefer, then I guess it's for the best. Thank you for accepting me into your group, Lo-...err, Mizuki." (Alyse)
Breathing an internal sigh of relief, I give her a wry smile and shake her hand.
"No problem, Alyse. Well then, how much time do you need to prepare? You can pack at your leisure, then have Cara send us a message by MMC when you want me to pick you up. If Alara finds an appropriate train operator before then, you can also just show up without notice and we'll take care of everything else." (Mizuki)
She shakes her head politely.
"Actually, I can have all my things ready in a few hours, and I'd like to join you as soon as possible. Could you please bring me to Eden tomorrow morning?" (Alyse)
I smile at her approvingly.
"Sure, that's no problem. Nina and I have some things to do in the morning, so I'll let Alara know to expect you, and I'll have Alto pick you up by train tomorrow morning and give you a tour of Eden. You don't mind spending a few hours alone with her, right?" (Mizuki)
I pose the last question to her with a wink and a teasing tone, and I'm more than a little amused to see her blush at the implication and avert her eyes.
"Ehem...no, that sounds...fine. Thank you, Mizuki." (Alyse)
Just imagining how Alyse will behave towards Alto during this presumably awkward train ride, I can't help but chuckle at Alyse and nod.
"Trust me...it's my pleasure." (Mizuki)