After I returned to the inn, I informed everyone that I'd smoothed things over with Elira and Dargo, so they all voluntarily returned to the palace with me. Zara asked to train with Klaus again, and they both left to spar when Ilina ordered him to agree, so it was just the four of us now.
After the lengthy series of events since Alara's intrusion in the meeting this morning, it is now afternoon. We are standing outside the guest rooms, deciding what to do.
"Alto, would you like to do some more magic research with the rest of our afternoon? It'd be just the two of us, so you'll have my undivided attention. I'll also agree to study whatever you want, within reason." (Mizuki)
Alto's head snaps towards me, and she fixes me with a hopeful but suspicious glare.
"Mizuki, don't joke around. You really mean that? The whole afternoon, no distractions, and we'll study whatever I want? Why?" (Alto)
"Well, the short answer is because I appreciate you and enjoy your company. I was reflecting on it earlier…as far as platonic relationships in this world, I think you might be my best friend. We haven't spent much quality time bonding over our shared hobby, and I'd like to change that. Please don't let it go to your head." (Mizuki)
Alto looks at me stunned for a moment, seemingly touched, but manages to swap back to her trademark smirk.
"Fufufu…well if it means more magic research, then I guess I can tolerate your company for the rest of the afternoon. I'll head to the library now, so you can talk with the less platonic women in your life alone. Come meet me when you're done!" (Alto)
Following her…friendly…remarks, Alto leaves the room with a smile and a wave. Ilina is smiling at me nervously, trying not to immediately revert to the awkward state befitting our last discussion. Nina is smirking at Ilina's nerves, and I feel a sense of amusement from her.
"Fufufu…so, Ilina, let's discuss Mizuki's babies." (Nina)
At this rate, I'm going to murder this dragon before any babies are involved.
"Yeah…no. We won't be doing that right now, Nina. You couldn't get pregnant for decades to centuries regardless, so it's pointless to discuss today. Ilina, I'm guessing that you want to know what your parents had to say?" (Mizuki)
Ilina is already blushing from Nina's outburst, and just nods her head gratefully.
"Sure! Well, much to my surprise, your mother had a complete mood change and started insisting that we should be romantically involved. Even after I reiterated that I'm with Nina, and that was never going to change, her and your father were still adamant about it." (Mizuki)
Ilina forgets her embarrassment and gives me a bewildered look.
"What!? How is that possible? What about the kingdom's prejudice against humans, having an heir, and her personal disagreements?" (Ilina)
"She absurdly claimed that since some children would be completely elven and sufficiently long-lived, heirs wouldn't be a problem, and she'd just hand any human children over to me and report them as miscarriages. She said her personal feelings were that having me attached to you and an elven child were good for the kingdom. Finally, she'd avoid the kingdom's prejudice by keeping me as a secret concubine. She even said that if you wanted to, you could avoid taking an official husband." (Mizuki)
Ilina's mouth is hanging open in shock.
"Honestly, I never thought she'd openly support something so ridiculous. Still, that sounds mostly agreeable to me given my situation. Except for that last part, I wouldn't want to do that." (Ilina)
Seriously, she's fine with all of that!?
"Oh, I don't really think that's a problem. You taking husbands would be totally fine with her, and obviously I'd support it regardless." (Mizuki)
Ilina shrieks in surprise and confusion, then directs a withering gaze at me. Uh oh…what'd I do?
"No, you idiot, I don't want husbands! I'm saying I don't want you as a secret concubine! When your life was going to be short, I told you that I'd be okay with a secret romance, and that I'd be taking other husbands. Then, our whole relationship would've begun and ended before I ever considered a husband, and I could stomach secrecy for something so brief. Now that you're going to be around my whole life, though, I'm not willing to take other husbands or hide you forever. Ideally, I'd…want to get married." (Ilina)
Before I can process my stupefied expression, Nina makes her opinion known.
"Mizuki, I agree. The elf Queen's proposal is unacceptable. I will not allow a secret fling with Ilina. If you're going to be romantically involved while she's alive, and especially with children, I insist that it be recognized. Ideally, with an elven marriage." (Nina)
Ilina and I both look at Nina in shock.
"I know I'm going to regret entertaining this discussion, but why not?" (Mizuki)
"If your relationship with Ilina is not recognized in the Elven Kingdom, then any children will not have a healthy relationship with you. Aside from the inherent disrespect, this will make it challenging for us and our own children to have meaningful relationships with them! Until it's certain that your relationship and children would be clearly recognized, I won't give my blessing for your romance to progress that far." (Nina)
I mean…that's…
"Nina, I apologize. I thought you'd lost your mind, but I was wrong. Starting from the strange fact that you're okay with Ilina and I being romantic, that condition of yours makes a terrifying amount of sense. I'm very surprised to hear that you're even insisting on marriage, though, since that would make Ilina my wife while you're not." (Mizuki)
"Fufufufu…don't be ridiculous, Mizuki. Human and elven marriages are hollow compared to the Dragon Bond we have. I couldn't begin to consider such a trivial characterization as a threat." (Nina)
Nina looks smug, but Ilina looks concerned.
"Mizuki, so I take it you agree with her?" (Ilina)
"You mean about not being fully romantic unless our relationship is public? Yeah, actually. However, it wouldn't matter if I disagreed with Nina. I'm never betraying Nina's trust like that. We're literally a part of each other, constantly connected, and she's the only person in my life who will be with me indefinitely. No matter her reasons, if she says no, it's a no. Still, I thought you agreed with Nina, too?" (Mizuki)
I sense a rush of gratitude and bliss from Nina, but also a touch of guilt. Ilina seems somewhat dejected.
"Well…yeah…but it was nice to know that I still had the option to be with you like that if the best-case scenario doesn't happen." (Ilina)
[Mizuki, I don't think my pride can take admitting it to the little elf, but the truth is she doesn't irk me anymore. It's obvious to me that I'm your priority, and I really appreciate how clear you've made that to her as well. So, I wouldn't mind you being with her at all. If you're hesitating about something more with her because of me, please stop. Honestly, I might even feel bad for the girl if you're only ever friends.] (Nina)
[If I'm being honest with you…yeah, you know I have feelings for her to a degree. It's also true that a large part of my hesitation is an inability to accept that this is truly okay with both of you and will continue to be for thousands of years. If you change your mind later, that would be understandable and I'd forgive you, but that'd hurt me as much as Ilina. Even if you don't revoke your blessing, just knowing it was bothering you would be awful. So, knowing all that, are you still sure you're okay with this? You can take more time to think.] (Mizuki)
I sense surprise, amusement, and then deep happiness from Nina in rapid succession. Then I see her smile.
[You care so much about me, that you're holding back from fear that a decision of yours I condoned might make me uncomfortable thousands of years in the future? Fufufu…Mizuki, thank you. If it puts your mind at ease, I can tell you that you two not being romantic is at least as likely to bring me discomfort later in my life as me allowing it to happen. So, trust me…I'm sure that I'm okay with it. But...don't tell Ilina I advocated for her.] (Nina)
Damn it…I love that dragon at least as much as I'm annoyed by her. I sigh deeply, and then smile at Ilina. She gives me a puzzled look.