Virena let out a long, relieved sigh. Her youngest brother, was awake and recovering. The weight that had crushed her chest for so long finally lifted. With his condition stable, she knew it was time to return to Joltam City, the life she had briefly abandoned in her fear and grief.
However, as she voiced her intentions, Kazien, her little brother, absolutely forbade her from leaving Lazavis so simply.
"You can't just leave!" Kazien protested, his voice laced with the kind of bossiness only he could pull off. "Let me take both of you back there! I can do it!"
Virena exchanged a bewildered look with Victor. "How, exactly, do you propose to do that?" she asked, already bracing herself for a ridiculously grand answer.
A mischievous glint sparked in Kazien's eyes. "I can instantly transport both of you using teleportation magic!"
Virena and Victor's eyes went wide, reflecting a mix of shock and disbelief. They truly couldn't believe what they had just heard.
"Teleportation, you say?" Virena scoffed, though her tone held an undercurrent of awe. "That kind of magic is practically a myth! Extinct, they call it! Do you even understand the magnitude of what you're claiming?"
Kazien placed a hand on his hip, his chin held high. "Of course, I understand! But Goddess Nirfelia herself bestowed this magic upon me! If there's an emergency, I can move anywhere in an instant."
Virena pressed her fingers to her forehead. She felt foolish, questioning her blessed of a brother about something so monumental.
"I should have considered the possibility that Goddess Nirfelia had given you such an ability," Virena conceded with a sigh of weary resignation. When it came to Kazien, the truly unbelievable was often just another Tuesday.
The siblings headed toward the manor's massive courtyard. As they stepped out, the sight that greeted them was imposing: a grand royal carriage flanked by several mounted soldiers, all poised to escort them.
Kazien approached the soldiers, his expression serious and commanding. "Whatever you see and whatever you experience in the next few moments, I want you to please, never tell anyone!"
"What is it, young master?" one of the soldiers inquired, his voice respectful but filled with palpable curiosity.
"You will find out soon enough! For now, it would be better for all of you to gather near the carriage!"
Despite their burning curiosity, the well-trained soldiers followed Kazien's instructions. They all assembled right next to the carriage, each remaining mounted on their horses.
"Sister Virena, Brother Victor, please come here! I'm going to see you home!"
As they stepped closer, Kazien immediately wrapped his arms around both of them in a surprisingly tight hug.
"Why the sudden hug?" Virena asked, genuinely surprised by the uncharacteristic public display of affection.
"Congratulations on your wedding." Kazien murmured sincerely. "I'm so sorry I couldn't be there to witness your happy moment."
Virena and Victor returned the hug, their faces breaking into warm smiles.
"At least, you've given us this very beautiful wedding gift already!" Virena replied, holding up the photograph Kazien had taken of them, a cherished memory now immortalized.
Kazien pulled back slightly, his expression shifting to one of intense focus. "I still have something else for you both. I don't want any shadow of danger ever threatening you two again!"
He took out a shining magic crystal and three glittering gold coins. Using his mastery of alchemy magic, he quickly fashioned the four ingredients into a pair of ornate necklaces. The speed and precision of the process left both Virena and Victor utterly amazed.
"As usual, you're always doing things far beyond our comprehension!" Virena exclaimed, shaking her head.
"Sis Virena, what are you talking about?" Kazien retorted, a slight edge of annoyance in his voice. "I'm just utilizing alchemy magic!"
Virena and Victor shared a laugh at their annoyed little sister's expense.
"Now," Kazien said, regaining his focus, "I'll put this necklace around each of your necks."
Since they were both significantly taller than him, Virena and Victor bent down slightly so Kazien could easily fasten the necklaces around their necks.
"These necklaces will protect you from anyone's evil intentions while simultaneously strengthening your physical and magical powers."
Virena looked down at the delicate, yet powerful, artifact around her neck, unable to fully believe that Kazien had just made something so incredibly formidable.
"Are you sure you want to give this to us?" she asked, her voice hushed.
"Sis Virena, that thing is worth nothing compared to your lives! At the very least, I want to be able to see my nephew's face in the future. Hehehe."
Virena pulled her brother into a tight, grateful hug. She whispered, "Let's take a bath together again sometime, just like when we were little!"
"Of course I want to!" Kazien chirped. "Brother Victor has to come too!"
"Me too? Why?" Victor asked, slightly taken aback.
Kazien waved a dismissive hand. "Will you be as stiff as Brother William? We're both men. Are you ashamed of me? Or afraid of me? Don't worry, I'll never fall for you!"
Victor managed a wry smile at their easy banter. "If that's what you want, I'll absolutely take a bath with you two! It sounds like it would be a lot of fun. Hahaha."
Kazien hugged Victor tightly, but Victor—scooped him up easily in return. They looked at each other, one high up, one looking up.
"Wow! Is your face really this handsome, Brother Victor?" Kazien said, examining his features with an exaggerated pout. "No wonder the stubborn Sis Virena immediately surrendered to you!"
Virena, without hesitation, grabbed Kazien's ear and pulled gently. Kazien yelped in pain.
"Ouch! Sis Virena, stop! Don't pull my ear! It hurts!"
"Sorry, but I am stubborn, and there is absolutely no way I'm taking my hand off your ear right now."
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please take your hands off my ear! It hurts!"
Virena finally released him and then lifted her brother into a hug, cradling him.
"Come visit sometime! We will definitely welcome you!"
"Of course, Sis Virena! Someday I'll definitely come there with Alvin!"
A few moments later, Victor and Virena climbed into the carriage, preparing for their instantaneous return to Joltam City.
"Close your eyes, all of you, including the horses! Horses, you understand what I'm saying, right?" Kazien commanded.
To their absolute astonishment, all the horses responded with an obedient neigh and then closed their eyes. The soldiers gaped in disbelief that Kazien could somehow communicate with and command the animals.
"I'm sending you to the courtyard of your mansion in Joltam City! If you open your eyes, don't blame me if you feel nauseous or even faint!"
As they were ready, Virena waved a warm goodbye to everyone gathered. "See you later! Take care, everyone!"
Kazien began the process. She extended her hand forward, closed her eyes, and intensely visualized her destination. A dazzling white magic circle suddenly appeared directly beneath the carriage and the entire entourage.
"Sis Virena, see you later! I love you!"
"Yes, Kazien, see you later!" Virena replied, closing her own eyes firmly.
"Father, Mother, My sisters & Brothers, see you again!" Virena exclaimed again.
The whole family waved goodbye as Virena and Victor left.
The magic activated!
Zap!
Virena's entourage vanished from before them in a flash of white light. At the same moment, Kazien stumbled, sinking to one knee on the ground.
I never thought teleportation would consume so much magical energy, she thought, dizzy and swaying. Ah... I'm starving.
Thud!
Kazien collapsed completely. Alvin, the man who was to be his wife, rushed toward him, panicking when he saw his fiancée sprawled on the courtyard. "My Dear!!!"
Likewise, Duchess Larina rushed to her son, who was lying on the courtyard.
"Kazien! Are you okay?"
Duchess Larina quickly arrived as well.
Kazien weakly opened his eyes. "You don't need to worry, Mom, I'm just hungry."
Duchess Larina was profoundly relieved that her son was merely exhausted and not seriously hurt. "I'll carry you inside. You need to eat something immediately to regain your strength!"
But Duke Elgard, Kazien's father, was the one who immediately took action. He effortlessly swept Kazien into his arms and carried her into the mansion.
"It's been a long time since I've felt your warmth, Father!" Kazien mumbled, enjoying the ride.
"What are you talking about? Do you really want to be carried by me that much?"
"Of course! What child wouldn't want to be carried by their own father?"
Duke Elgard answered with a hearty laugh, carrying his brilliant, powerful, and utterly exhausted son inside.
Meanwhile, in Joltam City, the carriage and the entire retinue had materialized silently in the courtyard of their mansion. One by one, the soldiers, Victor, and Virena began to open their eyes.
"W-Where are we?" one soldier stammered.
They looked around. The change was instant and absolute. Everyone realized that they had arrived—they were in Joltam.
Victor's voice was low and serious. "Don't say anything about this. You all know what will happen if this information becomes public knowledge."
"We understand, Lord Count Victor! We will absolutely keep it a secret!" a soldier replied on behalf of the group.
He really could use teleportation magic and transport all of us here, Virena thought, still reeling from the impossible feat she had just witnessed.
"Virena, what's wrong?" Victor asked, noticing her stunned expression.
"I still can't believe that my cute little brother could use teleportation magic and move all of us here. It genuinely feels like a dream."
"I'm shocked too. But, rather than worrying about it, you should get some rest. It's not good for the fetus in your belly!"
"Ah... I forgot to tell him about my pregnancy!" Virena realized, hitting her forehead lightly.
"Hahaha. Don't worry about it. Let's just surprise him with the news when he comes here next."
Victor and Virena entered the mansion, Victor carrying their framed wedding photo.
"Where are we going to display this thing called a photo?" Virena mused.
"How about we just put it up in the living room?"
"I think that's a brilliant idea!" Virena replied enthusiastically.
In the dining room back in Lazavis, Kazien was eating heartily, shoveling food in to regain her strength.
Alvin sat faithfully by his side, watching his eat with a soft, affectionate expression.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Kazien asked, chewing a mouthful of food.
"It's been a long time since I could just look at you like this," Alvin said gently. "Just let me enjoy this moment of happiness."
Kazien looking at the high elf he loved. My father said Alvin never left my side while I was unconscious, often weeping. He must have been incredibly lonely while I was out for so long. He truly is the most beautiful gem I have. Besides his lovely face, he is so loyal to me. His happiness is my happiness! I don't want to see him sad ever again.
Kazien looked down at the smooth face of the ring on his finger.
Now, I am officially his fiancée. In a few years, we will be married. Of course, I am very much looking forward to our wedding day!