Fuu wasn’t lying to me.
After searching everywhere for Beren without success, I’d already suspected this possibility—but Fuu’s confirmation still sent a jolt of urgency through me.
I truly knew too little about Beren. I’d underestimated her intelligence and overestimated her emotional maturity.
This Elf was an absolute idiot when it came to feelings! After my dual identity was exposed, I’d naively hoped she’d calm down…
But now? Not only had she failed to calm down—her brain had completely overloaded!
This Elf was trouble in every possible way.
Yet my next move was already decided.
…
“Alright~ That wraps up today’s lesson. The holidays are almost here, so let’s all push a little harder these next few days.”
Serica’s voice marked the end of the final class. As the Elven mother announced dismissal, I hurried out of the classroom under her watchful gaze.
Beren had packed her bags to run away this morning. If I left tonight and followed the route to the Elven forest, I might just intercept that idiot Elf.
It was reckless beyond belief—a confused, lone Elf charging blindly toward the forest? Far too dangerous!
I should’ve left immediately after Fuu’s warning. But chasing her blindly felt like searching for a needle in a haystack—I might starve out there myself. So this afternoon, I’d secretly asked Hill, who’d come to report the situation, to prepare supplies and clothes for me.
By now, the almighty Goddess had surely readied everything.
As for why I had to be *secretive*…
“Xiao Ya-gege! Class is over already? I’ve been waiting *forever*~”
My worst fear had come true.
The academy’s rarely used back exit—a distant, quiet path students avoided after school—was where Lorian leaned against a tree trunk. Her brown boots tapped lightly as she waited.
“You finished early today. Tomorrow’s a rest day, right? How about a long-overdue date, just the two of us?”
The side of her face bathed in sunset glow looked exactly as I always saw her: innocent and sweet.
But what lay hidden in her shadowed half?
I shook my head.
I should never doubt my childhood sweetheart’s feelings for me.
“Sorry, Lorian.”
Strangely calm despite lying to her, I continued, “I have something urgent to handle. We’ll reschedule the date. But as a consolation… I’ll bring back those sweets your grandfather forbids you from eating?”
I knew exactly why I felt so composed.
We’d been inseparable since childhood—a single glance could convey everything between us.
If this were a contest, I’d lose. Lorian *knew* what I was thinking, what I planned to do.
“Huh? What’s so urgent? Unless it’s a secret date with another girl… then I can join too, right?”
Lorian pushed off the tree, turning slowly to block my path a few steps ahead. She smiled sweetly.
Behind her stood not only Miss Roberta—the head maid I’d seen that morning—but every single maid assigned to guard Lorian in Luo City.
My fists clenched instinctively.
“How about some Elven souvenirs? Want me to bring you some?”
“Don’t go.”
Lorian—my ever-accommodating childhood sweetheart who never stayed angry at me—had completely erased her smile for the first time.
A flicker of tension ran through me, but I steadied my breath.
She must have misunderstood why I was chasing Beren. Her only flaw was losing all composure when it came to anything involving me.
“Lorian, don’t overthink it. I’m bringing Beren back to clear up a misunderstanding. She may be an idiot, but she’s still an Elven Elder. If she runs back crying like this… what do you think will happen?”
Beren, the Discipline Elder, had originally come to Luo City to “assess” and “investigate” relations between our races.
I’d barely smoothed things over after the Fuu-Flan incident. But if Beren—the *leader*—returned weeping…
No explanation would save us then.
“Haaah… so that’s it.”
Lorian pressed a hand to her chest, her voice laced with reproach. “For a moment, I actually thought Xiao Ya-gege was chasing after a *new harem member*.”
*Hahaha… Lorian, really.*
While that outcome wasn’t impossible, how could I not report something so “significant” to you? Even my dad mutters prayers to my late mother in heaven whenever he brings home a new stepmom.
“You shouldn’t let your imagination run wild like that. Hahaha…”
I forced a laugh, stepping forward—but the smile died on my lips.
For the first time, I couldn’t read Lorian’s thoughts.
“Then I absolutely cannot let you go.”
She pulled an envelope from her pocket.
I didn’t need her to say it: this was Beren’s letter to me—the one I never received.
So Lorian had taken it.
“I’m sorry for opening your letter. Beren-sensei only said she was returning home. So… if Xiao Ya-gege is determined to bring home a new harem member, I won’t mind accompanying you with the maids. Don’t think of me as petty.”
*No. This isn’t about harems at all.*
It was far more serious. Far more fundamental…
“If you’re worried about inter-racial relations, Grandfather can handle it.”
*No. Impossible. Only I can clear Beren’s misunderstanding about us…*
“If… if Xiao Ya-gege plans to recklessly fix this alone, I won’t allow you to charge into danger.”
So that’s what you’re truly worried about, Lorian…
“I’ve realized something: Beren only drags you into danger every single time. This time too—she ran off without a thought for the risks *you’d* face chasing her. A woman who cares nothing for your safety, who acts so selfishly… doesn’t deserve your sacrifice.”
Her nails dug into her palms. After a long silence, she stepped back.
I knew my childhood sweetheart was this kind of girl—brilliant, yet fiercely protective.
“Roberta. It’s fine to be… firm. Take Xiao Ya-gege back. He needs to calm down.”
*The irrational one is you, Lorian. Our bond means I protect you—not the other way around…*
But there was no time to explain.
Roberta and her intimidating maids advanced on me.
She bowed deeply.
“My apologies, Alisha Da. Our loyalty has always belonged to Her Highness.”
“Ah… I understand.”
I took a sharp breath, fists tightening.
“Forgive me, Lorian. Punish me with a ‘kneeling board’ or flowerpots when I return…”
“This time…
I’m truly in a hurry.”
