Chapter 131: Elise Schwarzer

Giliath demands your power stones!

*

Some time later of the same night after dinner...

A violet haired boy wearing a regal purple and white robes could be seen going up one of the two main sets of stairs to the second floor, on the left side.

As for everyone else, they made their way to the guest room on the other end with stuffed bellies to chat before clocking out for the evening. Should they try to take to take a dip in the hotsprings now, it would likely feel a bit uncomfortable. They had set a reservation to go to Phoenix Wings in the morning.

Outside, an inch or two of snow could now be seen piling up on the windowsills if one were to look out the windows.

It doesn't snow a whole lot in Liberl, maybe one or two months at most during its wintertime, so I took a moment enjoying the snow falling beyond the window. It was approaching bedtime for most of Ymir's residents so not many could be seen out and about anymore.

I also saw Ymir's famous footbath in the center of the town, which was a never-ending stream of hot water. If one wanted to relax for a bit this was the place to do it. It was open to everyone.

Taking in a breath, I kept to myself, knowing what was likely to come after receiving that invitation from Elise earlier. She mostly kept quiet during our dinner, as if she had something on her mind as we chatted away. If I had to take any guess, it was probably regarding Rean in some way. Elise was rather an observant one in the games, so it was likely she picked up on something. As to what that something was, it was time to find out.

If I recall, Lord Teo's office was off to the right, while Elise and Rean's rooms where off to the left. I immediately felt a welcoming presence the moment I passed the first room, so I considered that to be Rean's, which still had its door open. It was a rather typical room befitting a noble house, wide, luxurious household items and a good sized bed. It wasn't anything like back at our big floor of a room in Grancel Castle though, heh.

Shaking that thought aside, I walked past Rean's room, only to reach the one directly left to his. Out of the rooms here, only this one currently had its door shut. Presuming this to be Elise's room, I calmly walked up to the door, and gave a two firm knocks. Hearing the knocking, I heard Elise's voice reach my ears.

"You can come in.", Elise said from behind the door.

"Pardon the intrusion.", I politely replied, and proceeded to open it. Sure enough, I saw an indigo black haired girl who seemed to be of Tio's age off to the right while her bed with pink covers could be seen off to the left. A few bookcases and drawers could be seen scattered around the room. Elise could be seen sitting at her table off to the side. I also saw a teapot on the table, creating a pleasant aroma around the room.

"Thank you for taking a bit of your time tonight. Shall I address you as Your Excellency, or Your Highness?", Elise asked putting on a smile.

"Haha, either is fine. But I prefer not to be addressed by title you see. Just call me Naoto.", I said, introducing my way of talking to Elise. The moment I answered her, she let out a light giggle.

"Hehe, you even have the same response as Rean in that matter. Brother also hates being addressed by his title. I particularly don't mind it though. I've already gotten used to it as such while spending my elementary years in St. Astraia.", Elise responded with a giggle.

"So that was the case. Am I fine to address you as Lady Elise then?", I also asked with a smile.

"Mmm.", Elise nodded in acknowledgement. "I also went ahead and brewed some hand picked tea leaves Master Kafai picked out for us. Feel free to join me for a cup of tea.", Elise continued to say happily.

"You're not really giving me a chance to say no now are you? I hear Master Kafai is quite a tea connoisseur.", I said, scratching my cheek a bit, before walking toward the other end of the table.

"You are definitely right there, Naoto. One would miss out on a chance to drink one of Master Kafai's cup of tea. Brother is also studying the art of tea ceremony from him outside of his training in the sword.", Elise said, explaining a bit.

After Elise said that, she took the teapot after it was ready, and poured two cups of tea, letting the aroma thicken in the room. It definitely gave a really soothing scent as it tickled down my throat the moment I first drank it. It felt very pleasant.

"Still, I doubt you are one to stand on ceremony, Lady Elise. You did call me out here of your own will, did you not?", I decided to ask after placing my cup down.

"I did. I do apologize if I'm overstretching my boundaries here, but as you saw, we were there observing Rean's spar back at the dojo to check up on his progress. It is not often Master Kafai brings guests either. It is hard to turn down someone of your status though.", Elise began to explain.

"Haha, it is of no issue. If you want some clarity, I don't mind trying to explain one or two things for you.", I assured Elise causing her to nod her head.

"I mostly have one matter to discuss, really. Rean's been improving his swordsmanship by heaps and bounds these last couple years, but he also gets beat up a lot by his seniors. That serves also with purpose of training, much like how you delivered that spar. But compared to theirs, your spar was a bit different. It was more of a...scolding, if I were to put in the right word for it?", Elise pondered to herself as she took another sip of her tea. Hearing that answer caused me to smile again.

Unexpected to her, I slowly stood back up from the chair I just sat down in, and calmly placed my hands behind my back as I began to approach her window.

"You aren't wrong there.", I began to answer Elise. "I wanted to teach him a lesson, but I won't dive into the specifics.", I continued to say.

"I see. But why is it that I could see a hint of affection as you were beating up my Brother?", Elise decided to ask revealing a playful smile. Yet the moment she asked that, I closed my lips, only to turn my face the other way, causing a momentary silence to spread in her room. Seeing me do this caused Elise to raise her eyebrows a bit.

"I do apologize Lady Elise, but I am inclined to say nothing further than what I have just spoken prior.", I said. After all Lord Teo had his oath of secrecy with my father. There was no way I could break that to Elise. Besides, Rean eventually came to know of it, so I don't see a reason to tell her now.

Hearing me say that, Elise shook her head a bit and let out a sigh.

"Sigh...I guess I was hoping for too much now, was I?", Elise said, feeling a bit disappointed with that answer. That caused me to smile seeing Elise behave this way. I decided to turn toward her again, and our eyes met. Walking toward Elise, I reached my hand out, only to ruffle her hair a bit, and gave her a headpat.

Seeing me ruffle her hair with a headpat all of a sudden surprised Elise a bit. She was known to turn away strangers, but she felt a strange feeling of familiarity, and didn't turn it down. Instead she just closed her eyes a bit, and let me ruffle her hair for a brief moment.

'This boy even ruffles my hair like Rean does...Just who exactly are you?', Elise pondered to herself for this moment. A light hint of red appeared on her cheeks as she enjoyed this feeling. Sadly this feeling did not last long as she quickly shook my hand away and brought one of her hands to her mouth and let out a dry cough.

"Cough...", Elise began to say. "I do apologize if I spoke out of turn there just now.", Elise said trying to compose herself.

"Haha, none taken. Do you mind if I ask a question now, Lady Elise?", I decided to ask, which drew Elise's attention.

"You have a question for me, Naoto?", Elise asked with interest.

"I do. You have come across Her Highness back at St. Astraia, right?", I decided to ask, which caused Elise's eyes to widen a bit.

"I have. Now that I think about it, she did take quite a fancy to a certain boy...", Elise uttered to herself. Seeing her say that, I took my seat again, and drank some more of Master Kafai's tea.

"That boy has to be you, right?", Elise couldn't help but ask.

"We have met on different occasions. I even gave Alfin a tour of our capital city not too long ago.", I explained a bit.

"To think you would call Her Highness by first name too...Kind of makes me a bit jealous.", Elise responded playfully.

"Well, since you've confirmed that with me, will you continue to look after Her Highness in my absence, Lady Elise?", I asked her with a serious look. Seeing that, Elise nodded her head.

"Oh most certainly.", Elise said with a good.

"Good. I do hope you'll continue to look after Rean too. As for what you may be concerned of, time will tell for that.", I said, reassuring Elise on her previous matter.

"That seems to be the logical thing to think of for now, so I will not tarry on this matter any longer. We shouldn't put Master Kafai's tea to waste either since each leave is precious. I do hope you can at least stay until we finish the tea.", Elise requested. Of course I wouldn't turn her down like that.

"Of course. I'd be happy to.", I responded happily.

Just like that, Elise's conversation with me had ended and we happily chatted away about current matters, as well as her interest concerning Princess Alfin. She had already seemed quiet close to her, so it was good to know Princess Alfin had friends here back in Erebonia. Before we realized it, we finished Master Kafai's tea. I then parted ways from Elise, and closed her door. I found myself letting out some yawns, so I knew it was time for bed.

However, before I could wander off to one of the rooms to where we will be staying at, I heard a single notification sound off inside my mind, causing me to blink for a moment.

[Ding! As a result from having a pleasant conversation with Elise who accepted your current resolve, a new parameter has been unlocked. Favorability is now available to deepen with Elise Schwarzer.]