Expressions, breathing, blinking, even the inanimate sounds of the room...it all stops, like the moment of my casual declaration is frozen in time. Setti stares back at me, not angry, indignant, or fearful, but completely dumbfounded. Mrs. Silver appears surprised as well, seemingly studying me and Alto as a set, her expression hard to interpret. Alto shows the first expression of genuine shock I've seen all morning, gaping at me openly, her inner thoughts a mystery.
As for me, I just sit there, recognizing that I said something rather inflammatory, but not particularly concerned about the consequences. At least, not beyond how much the subsequent conversation might annoy me. I sigh internally.
They're going to ask me to repeat myself, then get hysterical, aren't they? What a bother. Honestly, a part of me is starting to think that there could be upsides to publicizing my identities as a Nephilim, Nina's husband, and the Prince Consort. At the very least, people like this wouldn't feel entitled to asking for my time or incessantly sharing their opinions, right?
Catching my own train of thought, I blink, a little taken aback. I wasn't always this cold to people, was I? This generally ambivalent? Yet, even as I contemplate the wrongness of my own thoughts, I can't bring myself to actually be concerned about it.
My introspection is broken by the sound of Setti's voice, rife with disbelief.
"Did...did you just threaten me? With violence?" (Setti)
My brow furrows. Isn't that essentially asking me to repeat myself? I give Alto an inquisitive look, ignoring Setti.
"Are you sure you want to be here? He seems intent on ignoring your wishes, and I get the sense that I'm going to offend him more." (Mizuki)
Her mouth twitches, and she meets my gaze with a trace of amusement, her negative demeanor lessening slightly.
"I don't mind that, but...you make a good point." (Alto)
She turns to Setti, whose expression has soured while I ignored him, then her mother, and raises her eyebrows.
"Talk, if that's what you want. Otherwise, Mizuki and I will be leaving, and I don't want to personally hear from the Silver family again. Your business with Eden is separate from me." (Alto)
I give Alto a studying look. She's really not on good terms with them, is she? I guess I should have expected as much, considering that after being kidnapped, nearly enslaved, and perhaps worse, she not only chose the company of a stranger like me over theirs, but never even mentioned them.
Setti opens his mouth, clearly preparing to express his displeasure in some way, but Mrs. Silver's voice cuts him off, softer and devoid of any malice.
"Al-...Lady Alto...how have you been? Are you doing okay?" (Mrs. Silver)
Her mother's expression is troubled, full of genuine care, yet Alto only raises an eyebrow at the unexpected question. If her mother's question or demeanor makes her feel anything, it certainly doesn't show. However, after glancing at me, her tone and expression soften subtly as she responds.
"I am the happiest I have ever been." (Alto)
Mrs. Silver's expression twists with a complicated mix of hurt and relief, then her eyes briefly flicker towards me, full of curiosity. She turns back to Alto, offering a small smile that's forced but not without warmth.
"G-Good...that's good." (Mrs. Silver)
Setti's voice interrupts, the faintest hint of disdain evident.
"Happy wandering the world as a servant, destitute and separated from the rest of your kind? Or are you referring to before that, when I've heard you were a slave to the humans?" (Setti)
The room falls silent, and I narrow my eyes at Setti. No matter what their history is, saying that to his daughter, after what she's been through, is crossing a line no parent should. Restraining myself from interjecting on Alto's behalf, I glance at her, expecting to see hurt or anger. Instead, I only find a detached expression, a strange mix of amusement and resignation. Alto gives Setti a small smirk.
"Compared to being your daughter, I'd consider both of them happier times." (Alto)
Setti blinks, stunned, and Alto chuckles sonorously, a mocking smile on her face. Setti's fragile calm finally dissolves, his expression twisting into one of unconcealed rage, his voice low and threatening.
"What...do you find so funny?" (Setti)
She raises her eyebrows at him, then speaks, her voice heavy with condescension.
"Well, it's just that, now that I think about it, I also find your criticism of my circumstances to be...ignorant, to say the least. I own the finest house in Eden, which another of my kind, Lady Alara, lives in. Not to mention, I am honorary nobility by the Queen's decree, and a respected ally of the Ophelle family. As for money, well...I have more than I could ever spend, and Mizuki here could produce enough platinum coins to purchase your entire company ten times over, if he wanted.
"So you see, Setti, why wouldn't I laugh at the irony of your statement? After all, out of everyone in this room, you're the closest to a poor commoner." (Alto)
I cut Alto a surprised look, due to both her venomous tongue, and how effortlessly she's twisting truthful words into deceptive statements. Honestly, I can't help but be a little impressed, even if I'm thrown by her shamelessness.
Nearby, while Setti's expression suffers a hilarious struggle between fury and disbelief, Mrs. Silver turns her undivided attention to me, wide-eyed. Her voice slips out, vocalizing a question at me directly for the first time.
"Why would the servant of an Elder Dragon possess such wealth?" (Mrs. Setti)
Setti's gaze drifts to me expectantly as well, hearing his wife's question. As for me, I can't help but raise my eyebrows in surprise. Not because they're shocked by or curious about the level of wealth I allegedly possess, but because they both still seem to be under the impression that I am Nina's servant. My identity as her husband has become common knowledge in Eden, earning us open stares for days now, and I just assumed that gossip would have spread. Especially to here in Avalon, which is connected by a train system.
I shrug internally, deciding to answer her question honestly. There's not really much point in hiding my 'real' identity anymore. I tilt my head at her, smiling faintly.
"Well, to clarify, Nina is actually my wife. Me being her servant is just a misconception we allowed to spread because it's less bothersome for me. As for why I'd have that kind of wealth...I'm an inventor, of sorts. I designed many of Eden's unique products." (Mizuki)
Of course, by designed I mean plagiarized, and by many I mean all, but...details.
The Silvers stare at me blankly, shock etched into every feature, then slowly turn towards Alto, as if awaiting confirmation. Alto smiles, oozing smug satisfaction. Then, without addressing their unspoken question, she rises from the couch gracefully, nodding at each of them in turn.
"Well...Setti, Naydra...the Queen has personally requested our company prior to the Royal Announcement, so we can't spare any more time for your curiosity. Best of luck in your business with Lady Alara." (Alto)
Hearing the abrupt dismissal, I quickly rise from the couch with Alto. Seeing us both prepare to leave, Mrs. Silver hurriedly rises from her own couch, mild panic infiltrating her voice.
"O-Oh, already? Why don't we accompany you to the palace gates? Our carriage is heading that way..." (Mrs. Silver / Naydra)
Alto shakes her head.
"No need. Mizuki can take me." (Alto)
She steps, abruptly closing little distance between us to wrap an arm around my waist, and the casual display of intimacy causes me to jolt slightly in surprise. I glance down at her, and she looks up at me expectantly, displaying her first unrestrained smile of the meeting.
Just from the way she's holding on to me, and her slightly mischievous demeanor, I can tell that she wants me to teleport us into the palace. I study her hesitantly for a moment, my ingrained habit of flying under the radar holding me back, before I remember what's happening today. I sigh internally, forcing myself to relax.
I throw one last glance at her parents, only to find them staring at us slack-jawed with expressions of bewilderment, their eyes focused on how she's holding on to me. I grin wryly.
"Farewell, I suppose." (Mizuki)
Before their faces can fully transition to confusion at my words, I activate my teleportation spell, and we vanish from the room.
Our surroundings quickly morph to that of a small, bare room...the one I commonly teleport into within the Elven Royal Palace. The new, relaxing silence of the empty room settles upon us, and I throw a conflicted look at Alto, who's still wrapped around my waist, wearing a satisfied, thoughtful grin.
Catching my gaze, she glances up at me, some of her glee cooling. Realization flashes in her eyes, before an odd mix of sympathy and anxiety infiltrates her expression. She speaks, her voice slightly nervous.
"I am sorry for not telling you about my parents. Do you...want to talk about it?" (Alto)
I purse my lips, my thoughts still swirling from the implications of her parents' comments, all the questions it's raised for me about her past. After a moment studying her in terse silence, however, I just raise my eyebrows at her, my voice concerned but supportive.
"Do you want to talk about it?" (Mizuki)
She looks slightly taken aback by the question, eventually shaking her head in a way that betrays a hint of guilt.
"Not really, but...if it's you, I could. Not for myself, but if you want answers...?" (Alto)
For a moment, I'm tempted to do exactly that. Because...I do want answers. Lots of them, in fact. Why she ran away from home. Why she hasn't contacted her parents for almost four times as long as I've been alive. Why she came to that meeting in the first place. Why she kept all this from me until now. But...
I realize that's all it is...a want. Answers that I'm curious about, but don't need. Certainly not at the expense of Alto's comfort and privacy.
"I have a couple of questions, in fact..." (Mizuki)