"T-Thank you, Lady Yuliana. I didn''t mean to let myself go like that," Rya said as she sniffled.


    Yuliana looked at Rya and wondered how someone so young had this level of maturity. She thought the Dark Elf was younger than her daughter but she didn''t know her exact age.


    "T-Twenty-seven!? You''re only twenty-seven years old?... You are nowhere near being an adult!..." Yuliana exclaimed as she examined Rya and thought for a moment.


    Quinus did a double take and mumbled quietly, "And here I thought I was the only one who couldn''t tell an elf''s age."


    The Older Wood Elf heard him and glared but then she had a eureka moment and smiled at Rya, " I know! If you want, I can adopt you as my daughter!" she .


    "Nonsense... She has done everything for us and having her be a part of a Royal Family should make things easier for the Fiafyrian Nobles to accept her as their future queen," Yuliana said with a confident smile, "Plus, I remember you bugging me for a younger sibling, Nieren... So this is the best of both worlds for us. I have a new daughter and you have a little sister. You two are the future of the elven race. We win, everyone wins."


    ''What the hell is going on?... I mean... It would be nice to have a mother figure. And if I was adopted, it could help me avoid some political problems. But... I don''t want to make things weird with Nieren. If she doesn''t want this then—''


    Rya''s thoughts were interrupted when Nieren''s eyes lit up with excitement.


    WAY more up for this than I


    ''Okay?... So those two don''t have a problem with this. But what does Quin think?''


    Then Rya looked at the Crown Prince, "Hey?... What''s your thoughts, Quin?"


    "Umm... I don''t see it as an issue. It''s up to you if you want to be adopted by her or not, Rya," Quinus said.


    ''I-I can''t breathe! They''re so soft!... A-And if I was still a guy, I would have died happily!... But I want to live, dammit!'' Rya thought.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    "Oh! I''m sorry, Rya," Yuliana said as she finally let go of Rya''s head.


    "Sorry," Yuliana said, sheepishly.


    "I''m so happy," Nieren cheered as she went in for another hug.


    "Haah, hahaha! Hahaha... Okay... That was a lot," Rya said while chuckling, "I''m a little exhausted, but now that we got that sorted out... I need to finish what I started." Rya stated as she picked up the blood contract from off the floor of the carriage.


    "No?... It''s something that isn''t easy to hide," Yuliana said, and then Nieren nodded in agreement.


    "R-Really!? You saw the same seals on the spies!?" Nieren yelped in surprise.


    "You think Johan''s parents were affected by one, Your Highness?" Tayna asked.


    "Maybe... The only thing I know is that Nieren''s seal was way more powerful than Johan''s... I had to use a lot more of my mana to rid it," Rya said.


    "Witchcraft?" Rya repeated Yuliana in disbelief.


    "As quickly as they rose to power was as quick as they fell from it," Yuliana said, "The Demons didn''t like how hard they were to corrupt and bend to their will, so the demons overpowered them in the end to rid a threat to their rule... If there are any witch covens left. They must be hiding themselves really well."


    "Not much. My father was always vague when I asked him," Yuliana answered, "All he would say to me is to stay away from it."


    Rya looked over at the parchment that was sitting on top of her lap. She picked it up and hoped her eyes could find something that would tell her how powerful this thing was like when she looked at an artifact. Maybe there was something she missed or overlooked. But she couldn''t find anything in the blood contract that could indicate what its potency might be.


    Rya shook her head, "Not yet... I''ll need to compare the different kinds of contracts and their potency to make sure I know what we are dealing with... For all we know, the witches could have created a unique spell that mimics a blood contract, or blood contracts are supposed to mimic their... Spells?... Curses?... Whatever they use to mess with someone''s mana vein."


    Quinus glared at Nieren making her heart jump.


    Nieren turned and looked out the carriage window as the rainstorm seemed to be letting up a bit.


    ''Maybe when we get to the capital, I''ll meet someone. Hopefully, it''s an elf. I don''t want some silly human. They don''t live that long... So there''s no point in falling in love with them...'' Nieren thought but then she saw Quinus wrapping his arm around Rya''s shoulder. She wished she could feel his muscular arms wrap around her.


    ''Agh! N-No! Don''t think like that! That''s my little sister''s man! She doesn''t even know you''re in love with him!'' Nieren chastised herself, ''Wait!?... Did I say love!? I-I mean... No! I just... Agh! I can''t even say it in my thoughts. Okay, I have to find a way to make my feelings go away. And fast!'' She sighed and she turned away.


    ''Who am I kidding? It would be a miracle to find an Elf in a human kingdom... Maybe I should try dating a human guy... J-Just to occupy my time before I find a real candidate. Yeah...'' Nieren thought.


    As the hours passed the storm finally let up before they made it to their destination, the city of Eldermyst, where Johan had to run cover for his friend, Prince Quinus, and Lady Rya. They stayed at Johan''s family estate so the Mayor wouldn''t cause any problems for the young lovers.