Arthur woke up to an unfamiliar sound.
Giggles…
Laughter…
Multiple voices…
Cheerful ones…
Too cheerful.
He blinked up at the ceiling.
"…My family is usually chaotic… but this sounds… worse."
He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and stepped into the hallway.
The noise grew louder.
Suspiciously louder.
He frowned.
"…If Alfred adopted another stray animal again, I swear on darkness itself—"
But as he turned the corner into the hall…
His soul left his body.
There she was.
EMIR.
Sitting comfortably on the sofa.
Drinking hot cocoa.
Laughing with Elsa, Anna, Bliss, Melda—
As if she had lived here her entire life.
Arthur froze mid-step.
His eye twitched violently.
"…W-What… the… WHAT?!"
Emir looked up and smiled so beautifully sunshine beamed out of her.
"Ah! Arthur! Good morning!!"
He nearly choked on his own breath.
"W–WHY ARE YOU HERE?!!"
Melda put a gentle hand on Arthur's shoulder.
"Arthur, dear, you didn't tell us you had such a cute friend."
He instinctively recoiled.
"She's NOT my friend!!"
Emir tilted her head, blinking innocently.
"But Arthur… we traveled together yesterday."
"That was FORCED by circumstance!!! And I tolerated you!! Barely!!"
Elsa gasped dramatically and hugged Emir.
"Awww, she's SO adorable! Look at her ears!"
Anna pulled Emir's other arm.
"NO, admire her hair first! It's so silky!"
Bliss stood silently behind Arthur, her aura dark enough to kill a grown man.
"…Explain."
Arthur threw his hands up.
"Why is everyone acting like she's applying to join the family?!"
Melda smiled sweetly.
"Oh, we were just asking Emir about her intentions."
Arthur froze.
"…Intentions?"
Elsa nodded seriously.
"Yes! You know, regarding YOU."
Arthur nearly combusted.
"WHAT INTENTIONS?! SHE'S A PASSING ELF CHILD!"
Emir, without shame or hesitation, clasped her hands together.
"Well… I do like Arthur, so—"
All three sisters simultaneously:
"WHAT?!!"
Bliss:
Her teacup cracked in her hand.
Arthur:
Short-circuited.
"W-W-WHA— I— STOP— NO— DON'T SAY THAT OUT LOUD!!!"
Emir blinked innocently.
"I'm just being honest."
They all sat at the table.
Arthur sat as far from Emir as physics allowed.
Which was difficult, because Emir had sat exactly next to him.
Melda cleared her throat like a judge.
"So, Emir… why do you like Arthur?"
Arthur immediately slammed his hands on the table.
"MOTHER, NO."
Elsa leaned in with sparkling eyes.
"Yes Emir, tell us EVERYTHING!"
Anna nodded eagerly.
"EVERY detail!"
Bliss stared silently, intimidatingly.
Emir smiled like it was a fun game.
"Well… he saved me… he's strong… he's funny… and he gets really cute when he's flustered."
Arthur's spoon bent in his grip.
"I DO NOT—!!"
Emir leaned close to him.
"You turn red reaaally easily though."
He scooted an inch away.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME. DO NOT LEAN."
Elsa poked Arthur's cheek.
"Oooooh he's blushing!!"
"I AM NOT! I— STOP TOUCHING ME!!"
Bliss suddenly reached across the table, gently moved Arthur's plate toward him, and said in her quiet voice:
"Eat before it gets cold."
Then she glared at Emir like a murderous wolf protecting its cub.
Emir smiled back like a cheerful deer with no idea she was being hunted.
Melda folded her hands professionally.
"So, Emir…
If you were to spend more time with Arthur, how would you ensure his happiness?"
Arthur slammed his head into the table.
"PLEASE STOP TALKING LIKE SHE'S APPLYING FOR A POSITION."
But Emir answered seriously:
"I would stay close to him… walk with him… train with him… and hug him whenever he's sad."
Elsa squealed.
"SHE'S PERFECT."
Anna clapped.
"We should adopt her!"
Arthur lifted his head with a horrified expression.
"WE ARE NOT ADOPTING THE ELF GIRL."
Emir gave a hopeful look.
"…I wouldn't mind being adopted."
Bliss:
"…No."
Arthur:
"NO!"
As they continued talking, Arthur glared at everyone, then muttered under his breath:
"This is the worst day of my life. Why is she here? Why is she talking to my family? Why is everyone acting like she's a bride candidate?! And why did I blush?! This is all nonsense—stop smiling at me, Emir—STOP—"
"Arthur?" Emir leaned closer.
"You're staring really hard."
He choked.
"I'M NOT STARING!!"
Breakfast ended in the usual storm of noise.
Forks clattering. Sisters bickering. Alfred laughing too loudly.
Arthur trying (and failing) to stab his father with a butter knife.
But the moment plates were cleaned, Arthur slipped off his chair, ready to ESCAPE this disaster.
He made it three whole steps before—
"Arthur."
That voice.
Soft. Calm. Almost emotionless.
Arthur turned slowly.
There, sitting politely at the edge of the living room sofa, hands folded neatly in her lap, was Emir.
The white-haired elf girl.
The walking problem.
The unexpected invader of his house.
She looked up at him with quiet silver eyes.
Not smiling.
Not blushing.
Just… watching him.
Arthur nearly swallowed his tongue.
"W–Why are you still here?" he snapped.
Emir tilted her head slightly.
"I wasn't finished speaking with your mother."
Melda clapped cheerfully.
"She's such a polite girl! So different from certain chaotic children—"
Elsa and Anna pointed at each other.
"She means you."
"No, she means you!"
Arthur groaned loudly.
"Mother, stop encouraging strangers in our house."
"She's not a stranger," Melda replied. "She's your friend."
"NO SHE ISN'T!!"
At that, Emir blinked calmly.
"I don't mind what he calls me."
That irritated Arthur even more.
Elsa stepped forward, crossing her arms dramatically.
"Arthur, you brought an ELF girl home and didn't tell us. Suspicious."
"No I didn't! She walked here on her own! I don't control her legs!"
Anna crouched beside Emir, poking her cheek.
"So why exactly are you here, little elf?"
Emir simply answered, "I wanted to see Arthur again."
Arthur choked on his own anger.
Bliss glared from behind a pillow.
"…Go away."
Emir looked at Bliss. Not offended. Not scared.
Just staring back with calm curiosity.
"Why should I?" Emir asked softly.
Bliss's glare intensified.
"Because he's our brother."
Arthur wanted to collapse.
"STOP TALKING LIKE I'M SOME PRIZE!!"
Alfred put a hand on Arthur's shoulder.
"So this is the girl you saved? She's cute."
Arthur slapped the hand off.
"Don't call strangers cute! That's weird!"
Alfred blinked.
"…But she is cute."
"STOP SAYING THAT!!"
Emir, meanwhile, took a sip of tea Melda offered her.
Quiet. Calm. Elegant.
Like she belonged in a palace, not in his madhouse.
Arthur stormed toward Emir and pointed at the door.
"YOU. OUTSIDE. NOW."
Emir blinked again.
"Why?"
"BECAUSE—BECAUSE—JUST BECAUSE!!!"
Elsa gasped.
"Arthur's taking her outside?!"
Anna whispered dramatically,
"That's basically a date."
Bliss stood, fists clenched.
"I forbid this."
Melda covered her mouth in excitement.
"Take her wherever she wants to go, Arthur~"
Alfred pumped his fist enthusiastically.
"That's my son!"
Arthur's soul cracked.
"I AM NOT TAKING HER ANYWHERE!! I'M JUST— I'M JUST REMOVING HER FROM THE PREMISES!!"
He grabbed Emir gently but urgently by the wrist.
"Come on."
She stood without resistance.
"…Very well."
And he dragged her outside while the entire family watched from the doorway like gossiping neighbors.
Arthur let go of her wrist the second the door shut.
He turned away, flustered, hands on his hips.
"WHAT is wrong with my family?! They interrogated you like you were marrying into the household!!"
Emir blinked.
"…I noticed."
"Then WHY did you stay for breakfast?!"
"You saved me," she said simply. "I wanted to thank you properly."
Arthur's face heated.
Not blushing. Definitely not blushing.
"I didn't save you for thanks! I just— I was— you were— JUST QUIET!"
Emir nodded slowly.
"…I understand."
She didn't smile.
She didn't tease him.
Just accepted his outburst with stoic calm.
It almost made Arthur feel… guilty?
Ugh. Disgusting.
He folded his arms.
"So what now? You going home?"
Emir looked around calmly.
"…Actually, I don't know the way from here."
Arthur's jaw dropped.
"You invaded my house without knowing how to leave?!"
"I followed a cart," she said, voice soft. "It turned into this district. So I turned too."
Arthur covered his face with both hands.
"This can't be happening…"
She tilted her head again.
"…If it bothers you, I can walk randomly until I find something familiar."
"NO!! Absolutely not!! You'll get kidnapped again!!"
Emir blinked.
"…Would you walk with me until I reach the main street?"
Arthur froze.
Looked at her.
Looked away.
"Fine. But ONLY so you don't wander into trouble again."
"…I don't mind."
"I DO!!"
He stomped off, and Emir followed quietly behind him.
Arthur walked ahead with his hands behind his head, muttering curses under his breath.
Emir walked slightly behind, her expression unreadable, like a small shadow following him.
But then—
"Arthur," she said quietly.
He looked over his shoulder.
"…Thank you for coming with me."
Something in Arthur's chest clenched.
"I'm not doing this for YOU," he snapped. "I'm doing this because having you in my house makes my life miserable!"
"Mm," she hummed softly. "I understand."
And somehow…
Her gentle, expressionless sincerity made him more flustered than anything.
He kept walking, quickening his pace.
"Come on. I'll show you the town. Just don't make this weird."
Emir nodded, her soft voice barely above a whisper.
"…I'll try."
Arthur sighed deeply.
The town was lively, bustling with morning energy—market stalls opening, merchants shouting, children running with bread in their mouths.
Arthur and Emir walked side by side, silence stretching between them like a thin thread.
Emir's gaze never left the ground.
Her steps were soft.
She kept a noticeable distance from Arthur, as if afraid she might bother him again.
Arthur peeked at her from the corner of his eye.
…She's being too quiet.
Her silver hair shimmered under the sun, but her presence felt small, like she was shrinking into herself.
Dammit… I yelled at her too much earlier.
His fists clenched.
He hated this feeling—this foreign thing clawing at his chest.
Guilt…? From me? For a mortal girl? Ugh, disgusting…
But he couldn't ignore it.
Finally, he cleared his throat discreetly.
"…Hey."
Emir looked up slightly.
"…Yes?"
He looked away, scratching his cheek.
"About earlier. I wasn't… uh… trying to be cruel."
"That's not necessary," she whispered. "I'm used to it."
That sentence stabbed Arthur deeper than any holy sword could have.
Used to it.
Why would she be "used to" being treated coldly?
He swallowed.
"I didn't mean it," he muttered. "Not really."
Emir blinked.
A faint shimmer of light crossed her eyes—hope? Confusion?
"Then… are we…"
She hesitated.
"…friends?"
Arthur nearly tripped.
"W–Wha—WHY would you say it like that so suddenly!?"
Emir lowered her head again.
"…Sorry."
Arthur panicked.
"N–No! Don't look like that!!"
He scrambled for words.
"If— If it stops you from making that depressing face, then— fine! Friends! Okay?! Just— friends."
Emir's lips parted softly.
"…Friends…" she repeated, like she was testing the word.
A tiny, tiny smile tugged at her mouth.
Just that small smile made Arthur look away instantly, face faintly red.
They passed a group of young villagers—older kids, maybe nine or ten—leaning against a wall.
Arthur didn't pay attention.
Until one of them stepped in front of Emir.
"Well, well… look what we have here."
Arthur froze.
The tallest kid sneered.
A human boy with messy brown hair and eyes filled with superiority.
"A filthy half-elf walking around our town? And with a human boy? Trying to pretend you belong?"
Emir stiffened instantly.
Her shoulders lowered.
Her silver eyes lost their light.
Arthur's eye twitched.
Half-elf?
He looked at Emir—her faintly pointed ears, too subtle for a full elf.
He never asked.
She never volunteered it.
And now…
The bullies circled them.
"So which demon polluted your bloodline, huh?"
"Bet her mom was a monster."
"She shouldn't even BE here."
"She'll curse the whole district!"
Arthur felt his jaw clench hard enough to break.
Emir didn't defend herself.
Didn't speak.
Didn't lift her head.
She just… stood there.
Silent.
Accepting.
Like she'd gone through this a thousand times before.
Arthur's heart throbbed with something he hated:
Rage.
…These worms… they dare speak like that? To her? To someone who just wants a friend?
He stepped forward without thinking.
"Back off."
The lead bully blinked.
"What was that, squirt?"
Arthur stepped between them and Emir.
"I said back off," he repeated, eyes cold. "She's with me."
Emir's breath caught.
Her eyes widened.
Arthur didn't look at her.
The bullies stared.
Then burst into laughter.
"You? Protecting her?"
"You look weaker than her!"
"Hey, half-blood, did you pay him to pretend?"
Arthur forced his magic down.
Forced his fury down.
Forced his instincts down.
I can't show power here… not yet… I have to play weak.
He whispered to Emir without turning around.
"…Don't say anything. Let me handle it."
Her lips parted silently.
"Arthur… you don't have to—"
"Yes," he replied quietly. "I do."
The lead bully shoved Arthur's shoulder hard.
Arthur let himself fall back slightly, acting weaker than he was.
Another punch.
A kick.
A shove to the ground.
He could have dodged without moving.
He could have snapped their bones with a flick.
He could have incinerated them where they stood.
But he let the punches hit.
Let himself be knocked around.
Let the bruises form on his skin.
He only protected his head through subtle reinforcement magic.
The bullies laughed.
"Look at him! His 'friend' isn't helping!"
"She's useless!"
"No wonder nobody wants a half-elf!"
Arthur saw Emir's hands trembling.
Her silver eyes filled with something he'd never seen from her before:
Pain.
Not for herself.
For him.
Just when the bullies raised a stone—
A voice cut through the air:
"That's enough."
Everyone turned.
A blonde boy around their age stood nearby.
Neat clothing.
Clean boots.
Noble posture.
Blue eyes sharp with authority.
He stepped between the bullies and Arthur.
"Pick on someone without courage, not someone showing it."
The bullies froze.
"You're— August… Heatherford…!"
The boy nodded calmly.
"Yes. And if you continue acting like beasts, I'll report your families for disrupting public peace."
They scattered instantly, running like frightened rabbits .
Emir rushed to Arthur's side, knees hitting the dirt.
"Arthur—"
Her voice cracked—for the first time.
She reached to check him, but Arthur cut her off with an eye roll.
"I'm not hurt," he muttered, dusting himself off.
August offered his hand.
"Are you all right?"
Arthur stood up without accepting it.
"I didn't ask for help."
August blinked.
"…You're welcome?"
Arthur turned away completely.
"I already have one problem following me. I don't need two."
Emir's faint calm expression began to melt into… a soft pink blush.
"…You protected me," she whispered.
Arthur looked irritated.
"Don't make it weird. I just didn't like their faces."
"You called me your friend…"
"I panicked, okay?!"
Emir hid her face with her hands.
"…We're friends… and soon…"
"Do NOT finish that sentence!!" Arthur barked.
August blinked between them, confused.
Emir peeked through spaced fingers, cheeks warm, voice tiny but trembling with excitement.
"…Soon we'll be—"
"NONONONO—NO WE WON'T!" Arthur shouted.
"Dating…" she whispered shyly.
Arthur nearly exploded.
"I AM AN EVIL DEMON PRINCE!! THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE NOVEL!!!"
But Emir was too far gone, flustered and glowing, eyes shimmering like moonlight on water.
"You protected me," she repeated softly. "Two times."
Arthur groaned loudly.
August scratched his head awkwardly.
"Um… should I come back later?"
"YES!" Arthur shouted.
"NO," Emir said at the same time.
Arthur glared at her.
Emir looked back with a tiny innocent smile that made him blush and look away.
This girl is going to ruin my villain arc…
!