“This is…?”
Hearing the sound from the dining room, Shien paused, then walked over.
Upon approaching, Shien realized that the people in the dining room were all familiar faces.
Vivian, Lumia, and Melika were having breakfast.
However, they seemed to be discussing something, their expressions unusual.
Specifically, Vivian and Lumia looked apologetic, while Melika seemed disappointed and dejected.
“What’s wrong?”
Shien wondered and entered the dining room, attracting the girls’ attention.
“Mr. Shien…?”
“Mr. Shien!”
Seeing Shien suddenly appear, Lumia and Melika stood up subconsciously.
Their gazes towards Shien were slightly different from before.
Besides their usual nervousness and timidity, there was also a hint of admiration and reverence.
This look had appeared in Lumia and Melika’s eyes ever since Shien defeated Aldia.
Clearly, because of Shien’s performance, they had become his little fans.
Vivian, on the other hand, still had her usual gentle expression.
However, besides the gentleness, there was also a hint of amusement in Vivian’s eyes as she looked at Shien.
“Decided to come back, our Earl Buztout?” Vivian said, teasingly, “I thought you wouldn’t be able to leave Princess Lucy’s bedroom.”
It seemed Vivian also knew that Shien hadn’t come home last night and had spent the entire night in Lucy’s bedroom.
“…Sorry, I forgot to tell you, making you worry.”
Shien was a bit embarrassed.
Although he was usually thick-skinned, Lumia and Melika’s innocent looks, as if they didn’t understand what had happened, made Shien feel awkward.
Only Vivian seemed unfazed.
“Don’t worry, I understand.” Vivian nodded slightly and smiled. “After all, you’ve surpassed all the men in this world, won the hand of the most beautiful woman in the human race, and become engaged to the Kingdom’s treasure. It’s normal to want to spend more time with her. We understand.” ᚱA₦оbËȘ
…These words sounded normal, but why did they feel a bit strange?
Could it be that this captain was accusing him of being driven by lust?
“Ahem…” Shien coughed awkwardly and said, “Don’t tease me. I haven’t married her yet, and I neglected her for half a month. I have to spend some time with her, right?”
“That’s true.” Vivian stopped teasing him and said with deep understanding, “Even Princess Lucy, in this regard, is just an ordinary girl. Since she chose you, you have to take responsibility and be a good companion to her.”
Vivian said these words gently to Shien, as if she was also concerned about his and Lucy’s future happiness.
Lumia nodded repeatedly beside her, seemingly agreeing with Vivian’s words.
Only Melika, seeing Shien and Vivian talking about Lucy, pouted unconsciously, her mood low.
Shien didn’t notice this and, after briefly mentioning the matter, returned to the main topic.
“By the way, were you discussing something important?” Shien looked at the three of them and asked, “Judging from your expressions earlier, it didn’t seem like a pleasant topic, right?”
At least, that’s what Shien thought.
Otherwise, why would Vivian and Lumia look so apologetic, and Melika so dejected?
They must have been talking about something unpleasant.
However, the girls denied it.
“N-no, it’s not like that.”
Lumia said timidly.
“It’s not a bad thing.”
Vivian also said.
“Not a bad thing?”
Shien was stunned, then his curiosity was piqued.
Melika raised her hand.
“Um… let me explain…?” Melika said, a bit nervous and embarrassed. “Actually, I was inviting Vivian and Lumia to go back to the Elven Homeland with me.”
—”Elven Homeland.”
Hearing this name, Shien’s curiosity surged.
Because this was a place that greatly interested him.
“The so-called Elven Homeland refers to the forest where the elves live, right?”
Shien said.