Leon carefully assisted Eli towards the portal.
He had already known that this was not Eli's first time to use the teleportation array for herself. However, he was still worried that it would be a different matter now that Eli was approaching the late stage of her pregnancy.
He respectfully asked her if he could hold her hand to envelope her with his protective magical power and stabilize her pregnant body, keeping it from being disrupted by the foreign feeling of traveling through the teleportation array.
Throughout those few seconds, the Prince was fully alert and worried.
Only after he had determined that they had safely jumped in his quarters did he smile and looked with relief seeing Eli wasn't feeling anything wrong.
Thus, the scene that almost made Olivier faint in shock.
Finally letting his guard down, Leon attentively guided Eli to carefully step out of the array. Then he looked towards Olivier who mechanically greeted him, and gave a nod of acknowledgement.
"This is Olivier, one of my most trusted aides." Leon introduced his subordinate to Eli and her companions. "This is Lady Elise, my futur- my friend."
"Nice to meet you Sir Olivier." Eli slightly bowed her head in a slightly happy tone, as she was satisfied that the prince properly introduced her as his friend.
"P-pleasure to meet you Milady!" Olivier found himself tongue tied.
Just this morning, the Prince talked about how he was worried that a lady would not accept his marriage proposal. He had already assumed in a split second that the lady in front of him was his master's betrothed.
But now the Prince had surprisingly introduced the lady as his 'friend'! Didn't that mean that the Lady rejected her?!
No, no, no it can't be! For the Lady was obviously pregnant. Surely, this was indeed the Prince's friend and he was just helping a pregnant friend go home conveniently!
Olivier tried to convince himself from his own deductions and finally calmed down.
Unaware of his subordinate's inner battle, the Prince immediately summoned Olivier closer and ordered, "Let us escort the Lady to her home. We are going to the Free Region of the Silverdew Forest."
"Right away, Your Highness!" Olivier attentively responded, he then led the group outside the quarters to a courtyard.
The group continued to walk through an exclusive passageway until Eli and the group made it to the main lobby of the Seirende Central Bank - Silvertown Branch. They immediately proceeded to exit the main entrance where Olivier immediately summoned his massive flying beast - a giant harpy eagle.
After Olivier ensured that the giant harpy was ready, he gave a nod towards Leon, who in turn briefed the trio that they will be mounting the giant to go home.
Eli was a bit excited as it would be the first time that she will mount a giant creature to fly! She wondered how different the experience would be compared to a ride to an airplane. She looked towards Leon indicating that she was ready.
"Mi Lady, may I?" Leon gently said as he asked permission to carry Eli up to the harpy's back.
Although Eli knew that there was really no way she could climb the giant bird on her own in her pregnant condition, she still felt awkward. However she shyly allowed Leon to do the honors.
Soon the group took flight towards the Silver Dew Forest. They slowly ascended up to a comfortable altitude and steadily flew up in the air. As they flew Leon had activated his protective magic to ensure that everyone was not affected by the wind resistance and the heat of the midday sun.
It was a very awesome experience for Eli, as she enjoyed the skies on a bright day and saw a birds eye view of the massive Silver Dew Forest.
She knew that the forest was as big as a nation but she still felt awestruck by its beauty. At this altitude, it was like they were treading between the blue sky and the green forest up until the end of the horizon.
Soon Eli saw the tiny area where her cottage was located. Olivier asked the giant harpy to slowly descend towards the area. They landed in no time, and Eli felt a bit disappointed that the ride went that quick.
As soon as she was carried down by Leon, she composed herself and smilingly welcomed the two men.
"Welcome to our humble home!"
The trio led them towards the cottage house, where the pavement was decorated with flowers. The butterflies freely wandering around Eli's little garden welcomed them home.
As they entered the house, the men were greeted by the cozy feeling of a rustic living area.
It was far from the luxurious ambience of the castle, the cottage house was warm and nice. It made the two, who were feeling nervous because this was the first time they had invited themselves to a lady's house, feel comfortable.
"Come sit, Your Highness, Sir Olivier, while we prepare some refreshments." Eli beckoned the guests in the living area, then hastily walked towards the kitchen to prepare some tea and light snacks with Baobao.
Leon observed the surroundings of Eli's home. He felt relieved by how comfortable the home was designed for Eli's condition, but also felt a bit of a loss because he could only wonder how much Eli did much for herself as she lived here alone.
Another thing he saw, was the well maintained grand piano on the corner of the living room, as well as a study table where a stack of papers were neatly arranged.
Curious, he casted an inquiring glance towards Wisey, who was left to accompany the men in the living room.
"That grand piano was Eli's most treasured item. That study table was where she crafts her ideas." Wisey obligingly explained to the inquiring prince.
"The house had no protection array for intruders.." Leon declared as he scanned the surroundings with his magic perception.
"Indeed, however, Baobao and I were always alert for any intruders at a 10 kilometer radius." Wisey responded with a hint of pride, "Though I, too, acknowledge that a protection spell will be helpful." She added.
"Hmm.." Leon responded with a nod. He stood and walked towards the area where the grand piano was located, then a red magical array appeared on top of his palms.
It kept rotating and slowly drifted on top of the grand piano, soon a dome of red light appeared fully enveloping the grand piano.
Then he created another magical array and directed it on top of the wooden ceiling. The array kept floating up, passing through the wooden ceiling to who knows how high up. Few seconds later, a glimmer of blue light flashed from outside the window.
"I placed a simple protection spell for now, but I will reinforce this when I get the appropriate array materials." Leon said towards Wisey.
Wisey gave a grateful bow towards Leon and replied, "Thank you for your grace, Your Highness."
As soon as they finished the conversation, Eli came back with a tray of snacks with Baobao who was already in his original form carrying the tray of freshly brewed tea.
"Come and have some refreshments, Your Highness, Sir Olivier!" Eli said with a thoughtful smile on her face. "Pardon if our hospitality wasn't up to your standards."
"L-lady! Behind you!!!" Olivier was alerted when he saw Baobao the Panda behind Eli's back.
"Oh, this is Baobao, he was the 'teddy bear' we flew up with earlier." Eli explained trying to calm down Olivier. She had forgotten that he wasn't aware of Baobao's real identity yet.
"He belongs to a rare species of Panda, characterized by his white and black fur. He wasn't a cursed bear." Leon helped Eli explain Baobao's existence towards his aide.
"P-panda.. I see, I see. Pardon, Mr. Baobao, I wasn't aware of the truth behind your race." Olivier immediately apologized for the commotion he created.
"Ohhh no worries I wasn't aware of that either, until my master told me about the truth!" Baobao responded nonchalantly, as he skillfully brought down the tray and serve it to the two guest,
"Here, the world's most lovable Panda serves you delicious tea!" He beamed brightly as he gave the cup of tea towards Olivier.
"Thanks..." Olivier didn't know what to say anymore.
It was one thing that he had encountered a panda and another thing that he experienced being served with tea by that same panda!
Enjoying their cup of tea, Leon looked towards Eli and said, "I made a move myself and put a protection place in the whole area, I hope you don't mind?"
"No I don't, Your Highness. In fact, I thank you!" Eli was deeply touched by the Prince's thoughtful action. She knew that the Prince wanted to keep her and Little Han's safe, as it was part of his intention.
On that matter, she chose not to resist nor reject it, as it was the Prince's right to do so.
"Now we are friends, aren't we?" Leon once again confirmed the status of their relationship.
"Yes, Your Highness, we are friends." Eli replied as a matter of factly. Keeping her guard up, in case the Prince would suddenly bring the topic of marriage back again.
"So what do we do next?" The Prince asked with all seriousness.
"Uhmmm, get to know each other more…until we trust each other enough to be close friends?" Eli answered awkwardly.
How helpless she was to explain these matters to the Prince! Friendship does not actually follow certain steps to grow.
"Sigh, we could start by calling each other by our nicknames." Eli suggested.
"This was how friends do it anyways. You can call me Eli!" She said with a smile.
"Pfff!" Olivier almost spewed out the tea he was enjoying. The Prince was also frozen stiff.
"What's the matter, Prince? Are you shy? Didn't you say we are friends?" Eli said with a chuckle.
Clearing his throat, the Prince said while keeping his countenance under control, "Indeed, I said that, but I didn't know being friends would be this… difficult."
He couldn't look towards Eli as he could feel that his face was burning hot in bashfulness.
"Difficult? What's difficult about calling each other by nicknames? Everyone does it!" Eli said nonchalantly and continued,
"Then I'll demonstrate it first. Your Highness, how do you want me to call you?"
Feeling pressured by Eli's insisting, the Prince awkwardly avoided her intense stare and meekly answered, "L-leon is fine.."
"Then, I look forward to being friends with you… Leon!" Eli said cheerfully.
Leon's body went stiff, his face completely red. He felt like smoke could come out of his skin in embarrassment. 'How could she do that so easily!'
"Unfair..." He whispered under his helpless breath.
--
Back in Silvertown, two cloaked figures were frustratingly standing on the open ground in front of the Seirende Central Bank.
"We checked the last three pregnant women here but we didn't see any signs of the Asani." the taller among the two said in irritation.
"Curse it! Did that Asani really leave Silvertown!? It has already been a few days and we have already investigated every pregnant woman in town!" the other replied seemingly tired.
"The men who were sent way earlier had all died, do you think that would make sense? If the Asani wasn't here, then how would our guys be eliminated?" the man said in a furious tone.
"Argentum must be clearing her traces. Only Argentum could do it! Say, should we destroy that old dwarf?" The other man suggested in anger. However, he didn't hear any response from his partner.
"Shut your trap, I found the one!" The taller man said irritatingly as he intensely looked towards a group who was preparing to mount a harpy.
"That woman was wearing the exclusive clothing for the Forgerworn Clan under her cloak." He said in a vicious smirk.
It was one thing to wear an item from Argentum, but it was a different matter to see a common woman wear the prestigious clothing only made for the members and honorable guests of the Forgeworn clan.
"Call the remaining men. We will sweep the entire Silver Dew Forest to get her!!!"
