"Thanks, that's good to know. My last question is…and please don't be offended…do you think it's at all possible that someone within the Elven Kingdom's government could have done something nefarious enough to justify the demons' invasion?" (Mizuki)
Alto looks, despite my best efforts, offended. I guess telling people not to get offended doesn't help…who knew. To my surprise, however, she looks away with a troubled expression for several moments before responding. After, she sighs deeply.
"Truthfully…I wouldn't rule it out completely. You as an individual have done nothing but be kind to elves, and yet I know that your very life could be in danger in my country just for being human. If they killed you, Nina would probably decimate the country, and she'd be justified in doing so to some degree. So, who's to say that some similarly misguided act of prejudice couldn't be the cause for the demons' invasion?" (Alto)
I can't help but smile at her answer…she really is a good judge of character, and she tries her hardest to be fair to everyone.
"Alto, for what it's worth, I'm glad to have you around to advise me. Now, before you get a big head again, we should be heading back. Do you have any final questions for me?" (Mizuki)
Alto looks thoughtful for a minute…then smirks menacingly. That can't be good…but I really don't think I have a problem answering any question.
"So, how do you feel about Nina, and how does that compare to Princess Ilina? Relatedly, why did you agree to take me and Zara into the group, and why don't you seem to have any romantic interest in either of us?" (Alto)
Oh, that sneaky elf bastard. Since when does she partake of this kind of gossip? I let out a disappointed sigh at Alto.
"You want gossip? Really?" (Mizuki)
Alto shrugs and smiles, then holds my gaze patiently. Yup, she does.
"Well, I think you're objectively attractive, and I quite like your company, but it just feels different for me. Like a sibling or childhood friend. Zara…she's a child in my mind, I'm older than I look, and my body was de-aged when I came here. I took you both into our party because I liked your company and I felt that, based on your explanations, you'd gain something you wanted from adventuring with Nina and me. That's all there was to it!" (Mizuki)
Alto nods briefly.
"Okay, fair enough. I'm glad you don't have a thing for Zara and me, I just couldn't help but tease you a bit about it. I feel the same way about our relationship. Now, please answer the question about Nina and Ilina." (Alto)
Damn…
"Nina's my partner, romantically and otherwise. Maybe it's our contract, or maybe it's how we met, or maybe it's just her, but our relationship is irreplaceable. Ilina, by contrast, I find quite beautiful, I appreciate her intellect and personality, and I trust her, but it's not the same. Without Nina, I probably would have pursued a romantic relationship with Ilina and been quite happy, but that's not our situation now. Though Nina did condone a relationship with her, I doubt that's fair to either of them." (Mizuki)
Jeez…happy, elf? Alto looks both surprised and amused by my candor. I'm not a soap opera!
"Fufufu…well just so you know, Ilina likely will take multiple partners over her lifetime. High elves live ten times longer than regular elves, and since she's related to most other high elves, she'd likely take several elven husbands in sequence. This is the case for the Queen, her mother, as well. So, I doubt she'd care if you have Nina in your life at the same time, given your extremely short lifespan." (Alto)
Whose side are you on here!? That information is interesting, though, I guess I'd never considered what her romantic life was destined to be like. Still, I don't appreciate her meddling in my love life.
"Duly noted, Alto. So, you ready to go? We wouldn't want Nina to be kept waiting." (Mizuki)
Alto chuckles, but she nods at me and walks over to my side. Then, I teleport us back to the inn.
I've got a sexy dragon waiting in the bath for me.