Later, inside Mizuki's room in his Elven Kingdom mansion...
I can see the sun setting outside. I don't have much time left, so I prioritize. I check the bed and the couch, making sure they've both been made since last night. Then, I move to the room's wardrobe mirror, checking myself.
I notice I'm still wearing my 'good human' collar from the fox-kin, so I promptly dissolve it into air with my alchemy spell. Otherwise, my clothes from today look fine – it's not like I really sweat anymore, strange as that is. But just to be safe, I pull my shirt up and give it a sniff test, and...I immediately stiffen.
Not because I smell bad. In fact, I smell quite good. There's a faint scent of something floral, subtle but enticing, mixed with a kind of earthiness. It's a smell I recognize...
From any of the several times that Teyla was much too close to me today.
I immediately strip off all my clothes, throwing them deep into our laundry container like my life depends on it, because it very well may. I maintain that I haven't done anything wrong, of course. I shut down Teyla when she pushed her sick little impulses too far. I never initiated physical contact of any kind, except when her lips were getting a bit too close that once.
Yeah, I may have gone a little overboard with the compliments, but...that was our deal. What could I do? There's nothing wrong with finding someone attractive, right? Actions matter, not thoughts. And yet, I'm absolutely certain that Ilina won't be consoled by that justification.
She's one homicidal outburst away from devolving into a full yandere princess trope.
Shaking my concerns away, I quickly get changed into a fresh silk shirt and nice trousers. Checking the sun again, I notice it's time, and I reach out to Ilina via magic sense.
[Okay Ilina, I'm going to bring you here soon.] (Mizuki)
A couple minutes later, I lock onto her distinctive signature and teleport her into the room with me. She appears abruptly, the sight of her causing my breath to hitch.
Her long silver hair is pulled back from her face slightly, parts of it arranged in an ornate braid that wraps behind her head. Her long, elven ears are on full display, sporting expensive-looking, glittering earrings. She's wearing a beautiful, silk dress that's a dulled silver color. However, unlike most time's I've seen her in a dress, this one is...bolder.
By western standards on Earth, it's just a fancier cocktail dress. By Azura standards? It's borderline risqué, though the elves do tend to be a little bit less judgmental about women's clothing than other countries. Still, the dress boasts straps thin enough to leave her shoulders practically bare, connected to silver fabric that tapers towards her chest in a relatively generous display of cleavage. Most importantly, it's the only real dress I've seen her in that ends above her knees, showing an enticing amount of thigh.
My gaze finally meets hers, me being more than happy with the detour, and I find warm, grey eyes studying me affectionately. Ilina giggles at what I'm sure is my dumbfounded expression, bringing her hand to her mouth.
"Hehehe...I take it you like the dress, then?" (Ilina)
She gives a little twirl, causing the hem of her dress to flutter up around her legs, nearly giving me a heart attack. I only manage to nod silently, causing her to smirk.
"Good. Now..." (Ilina)
She slowly walks towards me, a playful smile on her lips, and slips her arms around my neck. She pulls herself up to be eye level with me, our faces centimeters apart as her eyes study my face. She hums thoughtfully, biting her lip.
"Hmm...tell me, how do I look? Don't be shy..." (Ilina)
I feel my chest tighten at the proximity.
"I, uhm...you might be the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life..." (Mizuki)
And unfortunately for me, I mean it. Honestly, and without overthinking it, that's the truth in this moment. I may love Nina and Ilina equally, but that's not the same as viewing them equally. They're different people, with different qualities and preferences.
Case and point, Nina is simply leagues stronger, while Ilina is more cunning. And, just as I told Ilina the first time I ever saw her, it remains true today – she really is unmatched in the looks department. Even by Nina.
Hearing my comment, Ilina's confident expression fractures for a moment. A blush rushes to her cheeks, her long ears wiggling slightly. Her eyes dart away from mine, eventually choosing to focus on my lips instead.
A moment later, I feel a soft tug on my neck, and she presses her lips into mine firmly, causing my thoughts to short-circuit. She doesn't let up, pulling me flush against her as she releases a soft sigh into our kiss. After a moment, she pushes herself off me a bit forcefully, breathing heavily.
However, her eyes are still locked onto mine, needy, her face flushed. She bites her lip uncertainly, a conflicted expression on her face. Eventually, she speaks, her voice soft, vulnerable.
"Mizuki...I really...really love you." (Ilina)
My eyes widen, the unexpected confession snapping the world around me back into focus as I still my racing heart. I meet her gaze, wrapping my arms around her waist reassuringly. I give her a small, appreciative smile.
"I love you, too." (Mizuki)
Her gaze slowly moves to meet mine, much of her reserved air melting away. Hey eyes seem to sharpen, probing mine, searching for something I'm unaware of. Needy. Possessive. She tilts her head.
"How much?" (Ilina)
I blink. As in, how much do I love her?
"Uhm...all of it? What do you mean? I'm not sure how to answer that..." (Mizuki)
She purses her lips. Thoughtful...hesitant. When she responds, her voice carries that same quiver of vulnerability as before.
"Never mind..." (Ilina)
I give her a bewildered look, clearly unconvinced.
Is she...insecure? About what? I rack my brain for any hint of why she could be feeling this way, but...there's nothing. Nothing has happened that I'm aware of. Then, realization dawns on me, memories of our last conversation flashing through my mind.
I'memotional...especially about you.
She outright said it to me. Maybe there is no reason? Maybe it was something small that only seems like a reason to her? I feel a twinge of apprehension at the possibility, unsure how I'm supposed to fix something I can't understand. But then again...maybe I don't need to understand, if she does?
I squeeze my arms a little tighter, pulling her against my chest.
"Why don't I prove how much I love you? Just ask me for something...anything. There's seriously almost nothing I wouldn't do for you, Ilina." (Mizuki)
She pulls her head away from my chest, meeting my gaze, and her eyes widen in surprise. However, her expression quickly turns uncertain, hesitant.
"What if...Nina wouldn't like it? You said she'll always come first for you." (Ilina)
I stiffen, deeply confused by that assumption. Then, my eyes widen in realization.
Ohhh fuck...oh, I see what's going on now.
Intense guilt washes over me with the understanding of how she must have been viewing our relationship this whole time, even now that we're getting married.
I grab her by her shoulders, leaning down to look her in the eyes. My gaze intense, my words firm...almost stern.
"Ilina, that is not true...not since we committed to getting married. I love you every bit as much as Nina, and she doesn't have some kind of...priority, over you. If you need or want something from me, even if she doesn't like it, you should tell me. If it doesn't harm or deprive Nina, she'll just have to understand." (Mizuki)
Ilina's eyes widen, her entire face going stiff. Slowly, her grey eyes begin to moisten, like storm clouds' first rain, and she speaks, her voice wavering.
"You...you really mean that?" (Ilina)
I smirk playfully, but my eyes don't move from hers.
"Try me." (Mizuki)
Her eyes search mine, hesitant, like she's looking for any indication I'm not totally serious. Eventually, her bottom lip quivers.
"When we get married, will you take my family name?" (Ilina)
I blink, stunned.
"Did you and Zara talk about this?" (Mizuki)
She gives me a puzzled look.
"Zara? No? Why?" (Ilina)
I hang my head, a chuckle escaping my lips. I look back up at Ilina, grinning widely.
"Fufufu...nothing, don't worry about it. My answer is yes. I already gave this some thought, and I'd love to share your family name, Ilina. There may be some other naming specifics to appease Nina, but I'll make sure my family name is Ophelle. In fact, if you want, we don't even have to wait until we're married. Let me warn Nina, and when you're ready, I'll go by Mizuki Ophelle." (Mizuki)
Ilina practically stops breathing, her hands clenching on my chest. Her grey eyes study me, piercing, full of disbelief.
"You...you'll really do it? Just like that?" (Ilina)
I grin at her, nodding.
"I want to do it. It sounds nice, sharing something like that with y-" (Mizuki)
I don't even get to finish my sentence before a soft, incredibly fragrant bundle of elf slams into my chest.
"M-...sniffles...Mizuki..." (Ilina)
She buries her face into my shirt, sobbing uncontrollably, and my chest quickly begins to feel damp. I place my hand on her back, patting her gently while my eyes dart around helplessly.
"Uhm...this is happy crying, right?" (Mizuki)
Ilina's sobs break, giving way to exasperated chuckles. She pulls away from my chest, wiping her face. Her eyes are a little puffy, but she gives me a breathtaking smile, her gaze full of so much tender affection that my heart starts racing unexpectedly.
"Fufufu...yes, idiot. I'm happy...I'm incredibly happy." (Ilina)
I sigh, giving her a relieved smile.
"Good...if you ever need a reminder that you're loved, like today, just tell me what you need to see or hear." (Mizuki)
She carefully wipes the remaining wetness from her cheeks. Then, she gives me a grin, her eyes glinting hopefully.
"You sure you want to make that offer? Because I think you're overestimating how reasonable I'll be, Mizuki. I'll ask you to kiss me in front of other women when I feel possessive. If I get jealous, I'll ask you to praise me until I feel superior. If I'm insecure, I'll ask you to take me on absurd dates." (Ilina)
I raise my eyebrows.
"Wow, you're really not restraining the yandere energy anymore..." (Mizuki)
Her expression becomes puzzled.
"Yandere?" (Ilina)
I smile softly, shaking my head in amusement.
"It's nothing...just a pet name for you. Anyway, kissing you in front of random women sounds uncomfortable, but so be it I guess. I stand by what I said...I'm on board with all of that if it means you never feel like a secondary priority like you did tonight." (Mizuki)
Ilina nearly tears up again, her eyes full of warmth and appreciation. However, then something seems to occur to her, and she smiles nervously.
"In that case, I have an unreasonable demand...since you love me so much." (Ilina)
I smile nervously, a sinking feeling in my stomach.
"O-Oh? Uhm, what is it?" (Mizuki)
She bites her lower lip excitedly, walking forward with slow steps. She throws her hands around my neck again and meets my gaze, an expectant look in her eyes.
"I want you to take me on a date tonight." (Ilina)
My shoulders nearly sag in relief, and I smile.
"Piece of cake, we c-..ngh!?" (Mizuki)
She presses her finger to my lips, cutting me off with a sadistic grin.
"Uh uh! Wrong. Whatever you were going to suggest was wrong. I have conditions for the date.
"First, the date needs to be public. I want at least fifty people to see us. Second, it has to be romantic, and I'm not just talking about the setting. I want to hold hands, I want to kiss...I want it to be sickeningly obvious we're a couple. Finally, I want to wear this dress. I love how I look in it, and I love how you look at me in it. I want women to be jealous of me in it, with you, and I want men to be jealous of the fact I wore it for you. Those are my conditions for the date. So, can I count on you...fiancé?" (Ilina)
That's not just unreasonable, it's a fucking delusion! A walking mental disorder diagnosis!
I give her an exasperated look, my voice almost pleading.
"Ilina, what about all the ramifications of us being seen together like that in the Kingdom? Intimate. With you in that dress. You might as well burn everything you spent the last few weeks working towards. If I take you to human country, it's almost as complicated, and probably less enjoyable.
In Elmesia, you'll be anonymous and relatively safe, but you'll definitely still get seriously harassed for your looks. And I'll be recognizable. In the Empire, we'll both be anonymous, but you'll be an elf. The harassment and danger will be absurd." (Mizuki)
Ilina shrugs, her expression turning serious.
"I know all that. I know it's unreasonable, and I'm asking you to figure out a solution anyway, because you said I could. So, put that big brain of yours to work and make the impossible possible. Like you did that night you rescued Alto and the others, you charming jerk." (Ilina)
I want to point out all the reasons that's totally an unfair extrapolation. How all 'impossible' tasks are not made equal. How this is a huge risk, and one that will be unnecessary in just a month, tops. But looking at Ilina's hopeful gaze, I can only think about what I just promised her.
So, with a sigh of exasperation and a resigned smile, I nod. Then, I start to think. A minute passes. Five. Ten.
After maybe twenty minutes, we've sat on the couch, and Ilina is still just waiting patiently. Seated across my lap, curled against my chest, an expectant smile on her face. I groan internally, bemoaning how adorable, how absolutely unrejectable she looks. Then, I speak, my voice heavy with apprehension.
"I...think I have an idea..." (Mizuki)