Part 3
Mei led them down the visitor's wing, stopping in front of three doors lined neatly along the corridor.
"Since House Aeris isn't an inn, we only have three guest rooms. Each one has two single beds, so you'll need to split up into pairs."
So far, everything sounded reasonable.
But then Mei cleared her throat softly and lowered her gaze, as if bracing herself to deliver bad news.
"As for the main room…"
Yuna frowned.
"Is there a problem with my room?"
Mei laughed nervously.
"Yes… well, it's currently unavailable."
Yuna tilted her head, puzzled.
"Unavailable? Why?"
At that moment, the butler stepped in with a grave expression.
"There was… a minor explosion in the kitchen. The blast damaged part of the main room."
An awkward silence filled the hall.
Haruto blinked.
"Wait… an explosion?"
Mei shrugged.
"Uh… yes. Let's just say the new kitchen assistant tried to 'innovate' with a recipe and… well, now there's a hole in the wall."
"Can't you repair it?" Yuna asked, rubbing her temples in weary disbelief.
The butler sighed with resignation.
"All the carpenters in Astralith are tied up working at the shipyards, building luxury vessels. We had to request one from the tribe, courtesy of Lord Kazeharu."
Haruto crossed his arms, nodding with mock solemnity.
"Understandable." Then, with a sly grin, he glanced sideways at Thalindra.
"But hey, no worries—our great master craftswoman here can fix it, right?"
Thalindra clicked her tongue, visibly offended.
"Do I look like a carpenter to you?"
Haruto tilted his head, genuinely curious.
"Well… you do work with wood and metal, don't you?" he asked, smiling in pure ignorance.
Thalindra's glare could have melted stone. She huffed and crossed her arms.
"You're hopeless… now I understand why Yuna's the leader. No, Haruto. This isn't just a matter of slapping planks over a hole. It needs a proper restoration."
Haruto raised his hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay, I get it."
Thalindra muttered under her breath, almost to herself:
"Besides, with my strength, I'd probably snap every board in half anyway…"
Yuna let out a long sigh, resigning herself to the situation.
"Fine. I'll share a room as well."
Mei gave a quick bow.
"Yes… and, um, I just remembered I have something urgent to do. You'll have to sort out the arrangements among yourselves." She forced a nervous smile before slipping away—clearly fleeing the awkward atmosphere.
Silence fell over the group.
Sensing the tension, Haruto spoke up quickly.
"No worries. We can just move one of the beds into another room."
Thalindra opened one of the doors, peeked inside, then shut it again with a dry tone.
"Good idea. …But I don't think it'll work."
Rina shot her hand into the air with such enthusiasm she nearly brushed the ceiling.
"Me, me! I can sleep outside in the garden. I saw a tree that looked really comfy—I could curl up right next to it."
Yuna gave her a patient, serene look.
"No, Rina. You need to get used to sleeping in a proper bed like everyone else."
Before anyone else could speak, Simmone stepped forward with her usual serious expression.
"I'll share a room with him," she declared flatly. "After all, I'm his sister."
Eliza immediately frowned and shook her head, cutting in with a superior tone.
"No, I'll do it. I'm the eldest of the group."
Haruto took a quick step back.
"No thanks, hard pass!" he said firmly. "I don't need to listen to your monologues all night."
Eliza gave him a wounded look.
"Hmph… how insolent."
Haruto clicked his tongue and crossed his arms.
"Besides, you're a vampire. Wouldn't it be more comfortable for you to sleep in, I don't know… one of those coffins vampires are supposed to use?"
Eliza sighed in resignation.
"I don't know what ridiculous books you've been reading, but I assure you—vampires sleep in perfectly normal beds."
Yuna placed a hand on her face and spoke calmly.
"I'll share a room with Haruto. After all, I'm his mentor, and we've already slept together before—"
A deathly silence dropped over the room.
Everyone froze, processing what they'd just heard.
Haruto's eyes went wide.
Thalindra raised an eyebrow, grinning slyly.
Simmone blinked, as if trying to confirm she'd heard correctly.
Eliza stood rooted to the spot, her brain struggling to catch up.
Even Rina tilted her head curiously.
Yuna, still calm on the outside, suddenly felt the crushing weight of their stares.
Her face flared crimson in an instant.
"I-I didn't mean it like that!" she blurted, waving her hands frantically. "I meant we've already shared a room in Molgaroth—"
But in trying to explain, she only made it worse.
"And once at my house too…"
The silence returned—heavier this time.
Haruto, feeling every eye on him, averted his gaze and started whistling innocently, as if he weren't even there.
"…Rina, how about you room with me?" he said suddenly, desperate to redirect the situation.
Rina tilted her head but nodded without hesitation.
"Rina sees no problem."
"Perfect," Haruto said quickly, seizing the chance. "Then Eliza can room with Simmone, and Yuna with Thalindra. Problem solved."
The plan was simple, and surprisingly, everyone agreed.
And just like that, Haruto narrowly avoided a dangerous situation… though perhaps only for now.
Later, the group gathered for a well-earned meal in House Aeris's dining hall. The table was laid with an array of light dishes, carefully prepared by the household cook. For the first time in days, they could eat in peace without interruptions.
"I have to admit, this is a welcome change," Haruto said, taking a sip of his drink. "It's been days since we've had a proper, quiet meal."
"Hmph." Thalindra took a bite, then crossed her arms. "Could use stronger seasoning… but it's not bad."
"A magnificent offering." Eliza lifted her cup with exaggerated grace. "A banquet truly worthy of a noble such as myself."
Simmone gave her a flat look.
"It's a light meal, Eliza. Not a royal banquet."
Before Eliza could argue, a blaring sound cut through the peaceful atmosphere.
Trumpets.
The group fell silent. Haruto frowned, setting down his cup, while Yuna turned toward the door, her expression tightening.
"What be that noise?" Rina asked curiously.
Haruto rose and stepped to the window, narrowing his eyes. What he saw sent an immediate chill down his spine.
A column of light elves marched down the street in perfect formation, heading straight for House Aeris. Their polished armor gleamed under the sun, their cloaks billowing with the wind, their expressions dripping with the same arrogance that defined Astralith. But what truly caught Haruto's eye was the carriage at the center of the procession.
"Tell me this isn't what I think it is…" he muttered, backing away from the window.
Yuna closed her eyes for a moment, then sighed heavily.
"I'm afraid it is…"
Right then, Mei burst into the dining hall, her face a shade pale.
"Lady Yuna… it seems to be Lord Armonio Luminis's escort."
"Thank you, Mei," Yuna said calmly as she rose to her feet.
The rest of the group followed her to the entrance without a word.
Outside, an ornate white carriage rolled to a halt before House Aeris, its destination obvious. From the neighboring homes, elven citizens gathered to watch, cheering and applauding as though this were some grand performance.
A shiver ran down Haruto's spine.
"I don't know why, but I already want to leave this city…" he muttered under his breath.
One of the escorting soldiers—a tall elf in a flawless military uniform—descended from the front of the carriage. Standing with impeccable posture, he raised his voice with authority.
"Citizens of Astralith! You, who have the privilege of witnessing the arrival of one of our greatest nobles, bow your heads in reverence to none other than Lord Armonio Luminis, the Virtuoso of Strings!"
From the carriage stepped Armonio himself, greeted by thunderous cheers. Trumpets blared, garlands and petals showered down, and his arrival radiated the pompous spectacle that only the light elves could muster.
Yuna, knowing the protocol by heart, positioned herself at the front and bowed gracefully as Armonio approached.
The group followed her example—albeit with visible discomfort. All except Eliza, who remained inside, hidden in the shadows, ensuring she stayed unnoticed.
Armonio stopped before them, a carefully measured smile on his lips.
"Kazeharu Yuna, daughter of House Aeris. It is a pleasure to welcome you to Astralith."
Without lifting her head, Yuna replied with equal formality.
"The pleasure is mine. Thank you for allowing us entry into such a beautiful city."
Armonio's smile turned faintly smug.
"Please, raise your head. Don't be so formal. You know we are equals here."
Yuna lifted her gaze with practiced grace, extending her hand.
"Thank you for your words, Armonio. But you know as well as I that the protocols of Cherri must always be respected."
"Of course, Yuna…" he said smoothly, though his tone carried a hint of condescension. Then his eyes shifted toward the rest of the group.
"And I must say, your companions carry themselves with a certain decorum as well. Raise your heads, young travelers from beyond the forest."
He strolled past them, offering polite nods—until he stopped in front of Haruto.
There, his eyes flickered with a trace of interest. His lips curled into a cold smile.
"And you…" His voice dropped, low enough that only Haruto could truly hear. "You must be the reason my sister Melodia is 'delayed' in her chambers…"
He leaned in closer, his words now a whisper meant only for him.
"I'm dying to know what she sees in someone so… insipid."
The group froze, the tension suffocating.
A new threat loomed over them—one they would not escape so easily.