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"Maybe he is Queen Aria's friend, or perhaps another chosen one?"

"I see... But still..."

"Still, I couldn't believe she was dissolving our sacred marriage. It's unthinkable."

"Well, what could you expect from her? She's barren, after all. A queen who cannot bear heirs... A pitiful woman!"

"It should be the other way around. Emperor Alaric should be the one to dissolve the marriage, not her.... It's his right, not hers!!"

Hearing the murmurs echoing around the grand corridor, Aether frowned deeply. 'What the fuck?' he thought, feeling a surge of annoyance that quickly transformed into raw anger.

There was nothing wrong with this woman, and even if there were, she should never be labelled with such vile and disgusting words.

What he hated more than anything in the world was being called 'infertile'. This wasn't a choice; it was an error, a cruel twist of fate that no one had control over, yet people judged and thought so harshly about it.

"Aether..." Aria gently called out to him, her soft voice pulling him from his thoughts. She caught his fingers in hers, her touch light and reassuring. "You don't need to worry about them... I am already used to this."

Seeing her serene and happy expression, as if she didn't care about the hurtful words of others, Aether sighed. 'I suppose suffering for a thousand years has steeled her heart...' He followed her quietly, his anger simmering but contained, as they arrived at the imposing doors of the Great Hall.

The guards stationed outside looked at Aria with deep respect and bowed deeply as they opened the massive doors.

Entering the Hall, Aether noticed several groups of people sitting at the low tables, engaged in serious discussions. The atmosphere was tense and charged with heated words.

Everyone halted their conversations and turned to watch as Aether and Aria made their entrance into the Great Hall.

"Queen Aria!" the people shouted in unison before standing up respectfully and bowing deeply.

Aria, maintaining her calm and composed expression, nodded and walked toward the central table with an air of regal authority.

Aether also nodded with a calm expression, though inwardly he felt a mix of emotions, 'She did say I should do whatever she does, right?' he thought, trying to mimic her demeanour as he followed her closely.

Though the people frowned at why Aether was acting as if he was the one receiving their respect, they held their tongues, not daring to voice their confusion or displeasure.

"Mother," Aria said as she stood before a woman....

The woman possessed an otherworldly allure, her skin a smooth, rich shade of dusky blue that contrasted strikingly with the cascading waves of her platinum hair. Her eyes, luminescent and piercing, were a captivating shade of green, drawing you in with their depth and mystery.

Her elegant dress, a masterpiece of emerald green silk and intricate golden embroidery, clung to her form in all the right places, accentuating her busty curves with a sensual grace. The neckline plunged daringly, showcasing a deep cleavage framed by the exquisite golden lace that adorned her shoulders.

Her name was Maelona Zephyr. (Image)

Maelona smiled as she looked at her daughter with teary eyes. "My child..." she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.

Aria's eyes also turned teary as she placed her right hand on her mother's shoulder and leaned in, their foreheads touching and their noses rubbing gently in a gesture of deep affection.

With eyes brimming with affection, Maelona said, "Welcome home, my dear."

They stayed like that for a few precious seconds, the bond between them palpable.

Meanwhile, Aether sighed in relief, 'Thank goodness... I almost thought she was going to kiss her mother...' he thought, glancing around at the others, who also had profound and happy expressions.

'It seems like not everyone is against Aria,' he thought, feeling a small measure of comfort.

Soon, mother and daughter separated, and Maelona asked, "Look at you, are you even eating well?" The concern in her eyes was evident.

"Heh... Mother, I just left you a few weeks ago. You do know that, right?" Aria asked with a teasing smile, though she was genuinely glad that her mother was still acting the same despite the reckless situation they were in because of her.

Maelona just giggled, her laughter like a melodious chime, then her eyes fell on Aether. "Hmm...?" She looked at her daughter with a questioning gaze.

Aria stepped back and looked at Aether with a gentle, encouraging face, nodding as if to say with her eyes: 'Man up and tell everyone who I belong to now!'

Aether understood the unspoken message. With a proud face, he stepped forward and placed his left hand on Maelona's shoulder., 'Hmm, left or right?... Whatever,' he thought. To be safe, he placed both his hands on her shoulders and leaned in, his forehead touching hers and his nose rubbing against hers.

'What a weird greeting,' he thought before leaning back and saying with a smile, "Hello, my name is Ae... Hmm?" Aether saw that Maelona had a horrified expression.

'hmmmm?.... Did I mess up something?' he thought, looking at Aria for verification, but even she had a more horrified face than Maelona. Not only her, but everyone present had the same horrified look.

It took a second for everyone to snap out of their shock.

"HOW DARE YOU?!"

"YOU FILTHY HUMAN!"

The guards shouted as they immediately positioned their weapons at Aether's neck, just about to slash it when Maelona raised her hand and said with an indifferent face, "Stop!"

'I fucked up something...' Aether thought, sweating profusely as he awkwardly raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

However, Maelona, as the noble and ruler of the High Elves, noticed a small dispersing arcane energy from his hands, indicating he was ready to fight and just putting on a facade of being scared. 'Hmm...' She frowned deeply before looking at her daughter, who rather had a frown and glared at the guards. 'Interesting...'

"There is no need for that. He is just an outsider," Maelona said with a serious face, her tone leaving no room for argument.

....

...

Inside the Separate Chamber,

"Arrr!! I am sorry, Aether. It's my fault. I should have instructed you on our customs" Aria said with a serious and hurried face. She knew it was her mistake; there was nothing wrong with what Aether had done. He had just followed her lead.

"Don't worry, your mother seems to be fine," Aether said. He never thought she was actually indicating he should man up and propose before everyone, 'I need to work more on understanding women first...' he thought.

Aria shook her head, her expression troubled as she explained further, "Let me explain. In our tradition, we have specific rules for greetings and expressions of emotions. For instance, we use the right hand for exchanging pleasantries and greetings, while the left hand is used for grief. And even then, only family and close members are allowed to touch foreheads..."

"Oh..." Aether nodded slowly, recalling how he had placed his left hand first, then both hands on Maelona's shoulders, but hadn't comprehended the significance of the gesture. Frowning, he asked, "So, what did I actually do?"

Aria's horror was evident as she replied, "Y-You... You used the gesture meant for exchanging marriage vows."

"..." Aether opened his mouth to say something but closed it again, realizing the gravity of his mistake. 'Yeah, I really messed up there... I Married her mother before her? What kind of situation I again dragged in?,' he thought before saying with small regret, "I'm sure your mother understood it wasn't intentional and there's no need to worry about that."

"No... Aether, it's not just about my mother. Those council members... They won't tolerate disrespect towards their ruler, especially through a breach of tradition. And my father... he will kill you for that" Aria's voice dropped, the fear in her eyes revealing her concern.

"What in the... It's all just a mistake, Aria!" Aether said, frustration creeping into his voice.

"I know, but those old fools don't care. They only follow the traditions strictly."

Aether let out an exasperated sigh. 'It's my first day here, and yet I've already caused chaos,' he thought before making a sudden decision.

"Kya!"

He scooped Aria up, carrying her like a princess.

"W-What are you doing?" Aria asked with a blushed face, hoping she wasn't too heavy.

"Well, since I messed up, let's hide for now. You know where the court proceedings happen, right?" Aether asked, noticing how light she felt as if she were a feather.

"Well, I do, but still..."

"Hmm?"

"I will take care of it. You don't need to hide anywhere," Aria said with a gentle expression. No matter what, now that Aether was here, she would never let others hurt him.

Aether smiled and teased, "What a cute little girl I love~" before kissing her lips.

[+7000 AP]

Aria's ears twitched in happiness as her legs dangled like a young girl's. Despite disliking the term 'Little girl' due to her age, when it came from his mouth, it made her inexplicably happy and she wanted him to keep calling her that.

Suddenly,

"Ara~ Look at my daughter blushing in another man's embrace... that's quite a lovely face you have, my child," Maelona's teasing voice interrupted from the doorway, her amused gaze fixed on Aria and Aether.

"!!!"

"!!!"

"!!!" Aria jumped slightly, startled by her mother's sudden appearance. Her face turned scarlet, her embarrassment palpable as she quickly disentangled herself from Aether's arms and regained her composure with a delicate cough.

Maelona's lips curled up even more as she looked at Aether, who was watching Aria with an amused expression.