"Hmm? Where?" Gwyn scanned the gardens where Astrin pointed and saw a shadowy figure in the corner sitting on a chair. "Is that… Myria?"
Just at that moment, Myria noticed that they noticed her, and she turned her chair to face the nearest wall.
"What is she doing?" Astrin chuckled.
Leo pushed up his glasses.
"I believe she is avoiding us."
"Avoiding us!" Astrin shouted, huffing. "Not on my watch… let's go get her!" Astrin finished, pulling Gwyn, who then pulled Artero.
Myria seemed to turn to face the wall more and more as the party approached her. By the time they stood before her, her back was completely facing them.
"Myria, what are you doing?" Astrin asked.
"I shouldn't have come here," Myria said quietly.
Astrin stood closer.
"What do you say?"
"There are way too many people here."
Astrin tried to pull her up from the chair, but Myria resisted.
"Well, duh. What did you expect?"
Myria's hands firmly gripped the base of the chair.
"Let go of me! I will sit here until everyone leaves. I thought it could be nice to try something new… by the Gods I was wrong!"
Everyone now attempted to pull her from her vessel. Myria's black stilleto suddenly glowed as she cast an incantation.
"Butter me up, wet and slick,
So I can slip right through their grip!"
Myria's outfit, hair, and makeup remained unchanged. But it was as if she was coated in a thick coat of oil or lubricant. Their hands slipped each time they touched any part of her.
Astrin grunted with effort.
"Myria! Your spells are always so weird! Come on! This will be fun!"
Myria cried out.
"I've made a mistake! I should've stayed home and done literally anything else!"
A loud gasp broke up the scuffle. Myria's own spell caused her to slip from the chair she so desperately tried to stay in. They all looked where the gasp came from, but failed to look down.
"By the Gods…" Teddy exclaimed. "You look like a dark Goddess."
Their eyes met as Myria was finally at Teddy's height.
Myria's pale skin instantly turned a deep shade of red.
"W-what? N-no. I was j-just leaving!"
Myria tried to break away, but everyone formed a wall to block her escape.
"I think you should stay," Gwyn said sweetly. "We all look amazing, you no less. Have one drink, and then you can leave?"
Myria pouted, her usual bored demeanor replaced by a nervous, embarrassed young woman.
"Fine... I'll have one drink."
Everyone erupted into cheers and led her to the refreshment table, surrounding her so she couldn't escape. They reached the punch bowl, and that same guy with his sunglasses was still present.
"Whoa, Artero! Prince of the Kosmairians, long Time no seeeeeeeee…"
His head drooped on his final word, and he began to snore.
"That was quick," Gwyn said.
Artero rushed around the table, stopped him from falling, and then propped the sleeping elf against a nearby fire oak.
"Surprisingly kind of you, Artero," Leo said.
Artero nodded, but didn't respond. For some reason, he appeared uneasy.
"Who wants to drink first?" Astrin asked, holding up a goblet full of liquid.
Gwyn took the drink from Astrin's hands.
"I'll humor you, I suppose."
Let's just not drink too much this time.
"No, I want to drink first! I can't reach the bowl… Is anyone listening?" Teddy complained, jumping up before tripping over his suit and banging his head on the table.
Myria gasped and rushed to his side. Teddy face planted into the soft earth beneath them. Myria turned him over, and his lips were puckered.
"I need mouth-to-mouth. It's the only way for me to live…" He said breathlessly and desperately. He reached up for her.
Myria just put her heel to his lips.
"That's as close as you'll get."
Everyone laughed, but Myria was confused at their reaction.
"Glad to see you're back, Myria. You were acting so nervous," Leo said.
Gwyn playfully elbowed Myria.
"Guess Teddy's the only one who can bring out the real you."
"W-what?" Myria looked down at Teddy, who was admiring her foot. "Gods!" She kicked him in the head.
"Best… day… ever…" Teddy said softly as his head whirled.
Leo lightly poked Teddy to see if he was still breathing.
"Is he dead?"
Teddy suddenly shot up from the ground.
"I've seen the light, my friends."
"Yeah, does it look like the bottom of my heel?" Myria joked.
"It looks exactly like that…"
Gwyn was pretty sure she could see hearts in his eyes.
A sudden gasp and crowding near the entrance got everyone's attention before they could get a single sip in.
"Come on! Let's see the commotion!"
Astrin sprinted to where people gathered, and everyone followed. Myria, notably, waited for Teddy.
The party worked its way to the front of the crowd.
"Oh my… is that…" one person said quietly.
"Wow, I forgot just how beautiful she is with…" Another young elf said, trailing off.
"Excuse me. Jesus! A little room would be appreciated!"
An unmistakable voice complained.
"Who's Jesus?" An elf shouted.
"He's like… I don't know… It's supposed to be a turn of phrase. Move out of the—Oh!" The Bloody Princess recognized her dearest friends. The crowd parted for Elise. "Sorry, I'm late."
"Is that really you, Elise?" Gwyn asked.
She frowned.
"Of course it's me! I just… decided to wear my natural hair tonight."
Elise's hair was her natural platinum blonde. She was wearing a silken white dress with white tassels, which, from a distance, could be mistaken for a wedding dress. She wore a golden tiara set with deep red rubies and other jewelry. It appeared she spent hours on her makeup.
To Gwyn, she resembled a princess now more than ever.
"Did you change your hair blonde because of the Ollaz's story?" Astrin asked with an evil smile.
Elise grimaced.
"Gods, no! Ugh, I'm definitely turning it back to pink after tonight now."
Those who read the latest story of Ollaz laughed, while the others looked confused at the comment. Regardless, everyone was happy now that they had the whole party together.
Artero seemed to be at a loss for words. He has recently developed a fondness for girls with copper-colored hair and glasses. His true tastes always lay with blondes. Truthfully, he wanted to talk. But his words kept getting stuck in his throat.
"Going to say anything, Artero?"
Astrin nudged him, which seemed to bring him back to reality.
"Oh, yeah. She… You look good… Elise," he said softly.
"Only good?" She scoffed. "I intend on being the Wintumnos Queen. So, I didn't want to be only good, but of course. You probably dressed like that so that I'd stand out more, thanks, Sweetie."
She grabbed Artero's cheeks as if he were a child, then released him, walking with the rest of the party.
"Wow, she just said you dress like shit, Artero," Teddy said crassly.
"I know what she said, Teddy."
Artero watched as she walked off with everyone else. His fond feeling turned sour, and a desire to win the Wintumnos King was reignited within him.
The party walked off, expecting the two young men to follow behind.
Artero leaned down to Teddy and whispered in his ear.
"Teddy, you want to make some gold?"
"I'm always down for some extra cash."
A smirk crossed Artero's face.
"Perfect. This is what you'll need to do."