Fp Fp Cck Cck

  The curtains danced by the tune of the winds as the sun tio desd down the horizon. As the silent afternoressed, subtle sounds clicked and ccked, clothes hung ihe closet oer another.

  rad had just fi everyohroughout the mansion, and in a logical turn of events, they were sooo their own rooms. Grey and Yuna shared theirs as one would expect, whilst Iris stayed in the room o them.

  Now, Grey and Yuna are arranging their things, starting with their clothes and daily wires, all the way to the miseous luggage they had. It was a task which wasn't too difficult with the help of magic, finishing in only a couple minutes.

  "Phew... We're finally done..." ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, take off your shoes before jumping on the bed. That's bad manners." ［Grey］

  "Ehh... But I'm too zy... Just this once, please～!" ［Yuna］

  "No, and that's final, young dy. Take off your shoes now. Yonhe bed dirty at this rate." ［Grey］

  "Boo! This is abuse of authority! Boo!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna booed and booed, but she diligently took off her shoes. She wasn't really even pining in the first pce, she just wao brey for a silly reason, simply wanting to get a little bit more of his attention albeit childishly.

  As frey, he simply chalked everything in order. Though they were quite overwhelmed by the luxury of the pce at first, they have now calmed down aled with things. It was a bit burdensome, but there wasn't much they could do about it.

  Well, on the plus side, they could see a lot of artworks and observe the culture of Erdea from the mansion's aesthetics alone. Not to mention the pce was actually very fortable as well. It was of the highest quality.

  "Yuna... What are you doing...?" ［Grey］

  "Nothing... Nothing at all..." ［Yuna］

  And just as he was pting about the pd admiring its beauty, a certain someone suddenly embraced him from behind, burying her fa his back, happily smiling as she snuggled with him. Of course, it was Yuna.

  The young dy was smiling shtly, but the same couldn't be said about Grey. He was happy, he really was, but he was also a little ed about Yuna. Her doing such things when his mind is in turmoil only served to fuel his desires, his strings of reason snapping oer another.

  "Grey, I love you. Hehehe!" ［Yuna］

  Especially when she does attacks like such. He may not see her face, but he knew full well how adorable she was right at that moment. Topping it off with her adorable antics, it packs quite the blow. It was a dangerous situation.

  It was especially worrisome when they were alone in a room with such a fortable-looking and inviting bed just right before them. Grey was really tempted to just erect a barrier a her up. A starved beast inside of him was awakening.

  "Grey...? Are you okay? What are you looking at?" ［Yuna］

  "Umm... Nothing...? I just think the bed looks fortable is all." ［Grey］

  "Ehhh?! Yirlfriend is hugging you and all you think of is how fortable the bed looks?! Pay more attention to me!" ［Yuna］

  That was exactly the problem, but Grey didn't say it out loud. It wasn't that he wao keep it a secret from Yuna, but he just didn't wao get disillusioned about him. He didn't wao think he was just a wild beast only filled with dirty thoughts.

  Especially when Yuna was ag so adorable and i like a little rabbit pining for his attention. Each time she beamed a bright smile at him with such sparkly eyes, an arrow of quilt strikes his sce, making him feel bad about his impure and corrupted thoughts. He felt tainted.

  'Haha... I wonder how long I'll st...' ［Grey］

  Grey couldn't even ugh as he wao. There was only in his eyes as he thought about their future. His desires will only tio grow and so will Yuna's adorableness. He was stu a rod a hard pce.

  "Ah, right. I wonder if Iris is done unpag. We should go help her." ［Grey］

  "Grey, don't ge the topic! I want more attention!" ［Yuna］

  "Sure, sure. After we're done helping Iris out, that is." ［Grey］

  "Ehh... But I want it now..." ［Yuna］

  Yup. It was really dangerous. Thankfully, Grey mao keep himself, or rather, his desires, under trol. He simply decided to fill his mind with thoughts about bcksmithing and enting, not thinking of how cute Yuna was ag.

  The doors were soon opened and as soon as they stepped foot in the corridors, Yuna quickly ged her attitude into a more collected one. After all, ag all spoiled and gy in public was still too embarrassing. A treat frey, and Grey only.

  Knooock

  "Iris, it's us. we e inside?" ［Grey］

  "Y-Yes! Wait a moment, please." ［Iris］

  Just a couple steps away and they finally arrived in front of the doors of Iris' room. A couple knocks echoed, soon followed by the sound of footsteps. Soon, a subtle cck echoed as they were let inside her room, Iris weling them warmly.

  And even worse than they expected, Iris' room was quite a mess. The luggage was all over the floor and clothes and dresses all over the bed. It was the total opposite of Iris' tidy aiful tour. It was quite chaotic.

  "A-Ah, s-sorry for the mess! I-I will this up shortly." ［Iris］

  After all, it is Iris's first time traveling without servants, so she was quite inexperienced with unpag things. Though she ma Grey and Yuna's house just yesterday, it was only because she only unpacked a couple things. Now is pletely different.

  At first, Iris was enthusiastic as she started taking out her luggage from her ste ring, and she fared well in the first half. But as soon as she opened all the luggage, it was only then did she realize how much she brought. Things quickly got out of hand.

  "Hmm... So our princess also has this side of her, huh..." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! You're so cute, Iris～! Here, let me give you a hug." ［Yuna］

  "Uuu... Please stop teasing me... It's embarrassing..." ［Iris］

  It was really quite surprising. Grey and Yuna had already expected Iris would find herself in a little bit of a pinch, but they never knew she would be worse than Julius. Seeing a gap in her usual image only served to make her even more adorable.

  "Well, we 't just leave these things be, we now? Let's get all of these sorted out, shall we?" ［Grey］

  "S-Sorry for troubling you both..." ［Iris］

  "Fufufu! Don't be so down, Iris. You always rely on us on things like this. Rather, we'd love it if you do. Call us ime, okay?" ［Yuna］

  "Y-Yes! I will rely on you ime!" ［Iris］

  All the teasing aside, Grey and Yuna then helped Iris out with her luggage. Iris has a lot of things, but with the help of magic, they weren't too much trouble. They simply waved their hands and flicked their fingers, letting magic do the rest.

  Before long, things were finally pced to where they belonged and the room was brought back to order. Iris could finally take a break and appreciate the beauty of the, a little proud of herself to finish things even with the help of others.

  "Thank you very much, Elder Brrey, Elder Sister Yuna." ［Iris］

  "Fufufu! Don't worry about it. You t on us anytime!" ［Yuna］

  Things were finally finished, but now that they are, they really have nothing much to do left. They simply y down the bed and chatted about any topic they could think of, wasting their time away in one another's panyー or so it should have been.

  Clop Clop Clop Clop

  But just as they finished ing things up, the sound of footsteps echoed in the air from the corridors. And it was quite the fast pace too. The owner of the footsteps was not simply walking, but was running as fast as he could.

  Sound enough, the doors creaked open and a familiar figure appeared before them. He was a well-built middle-aged man everyone had the pleasure of meeting before. It was Gerald, the very mayor of the city of colors, Erdea!

  "Yhnesses! You're really here! How have you been?!" ［Gerald］

  "We've been well, Lerald. How about you?" ［Grey］

  "Hahaha. I've been very well. No bandit attacks or anything of the sort these past few months so far. Hahaha!" ［Gerald］

  He was just as lively and friendly as they remembered, even able to joke about the misfortune he experienced before. He sooered the room and shook their hands and greeted them formally, bowing his head to show a sign of respect.

  "How have you been as well, Yhness, Princess Iris?" ［Gerald］

  "Life has been good, Lerald. Thank you for asking." ［Iris］

  "I see, I see... That's good to hear." ［Gerald］

  Of course, it wasn't just Grey and Yuna he gave his greetings to. He also greeted the young princess with them, givihe respect she deserved. She may be young, but it is already well known that she was very capable. Respect is only natural.

  "Oh! Speaking of which! I heard from rad that you already had a tour of this mansion. If you are free for the day, I would also love to take you around the manor as well." ［Gerald］

  "Ah. If it isn't too much of a bother then we'd love that." ［Grey］

  "Hahaha. Not at all, not at all. Rather, it would be my pleasure." ［Gerald］

  There was no time to waste. With everyone agreeing to the Mayor's suggestion, they then headed out of Iris room and started their tour of the manor, bright aed smiles pstered on their faces as they went around the pce.

  "This is the pride of our manor! Our jeweled gardens!" ［Gerald］

  "Ooh～! So many! Do you have magits as well, Lerald?!" ［Yuna］

  "Of course! They're right over here. Please follow me." ［Gerald］

  First and foremost, there was the beautiful garden, which as one would expect, had a beauty which was out of the world. No, it wasn't just beautiful, it was mystical with all sorts of rare aiful flowers blooming here and there.

  Not just the flowers, the fountain, the behe paved roads, and all that could be seen around the pce. Eae was a work of art which was not only good aesthetically but purposefully as well. The mayor was very proud as he spoke of the garden.

  And as any other fancy manors, there was alse maze in the gardens, hedges as tall as two meters and the smell of flowers wafting throughout the whole thing. Of course, they had a go at it for fun's sake.

  "Ohh～! So many fishes!" ［Yuna］

  "So wide... Oh? Are these begonias?" ［Iris］

  "Hmm... I wonder how many knights train here..." ［Grey］

  After the gardens, they then headed towards the pond, the greenhouses, the outdoor rexatiohe training grounds, the mini park, and many more. There was a lot to see, and a lot to admire, everyone gaining inspiration from all the beautiful sights.

  Last but not the least, there was the tral mansion which housed the family of the mayor, the Tobias household. It was just as grand as the mansion they were from before. It was a totally different style, but just as beautiful.

  But uhe ones from before, the pce was not as wastefully extravagant. The yout and design of the pce was just right, aesthetically pleasing but not too overbearing. Seeing the pce, Grey and Yu much more fortable.

  "I apologize if the pce is not as grand and luxurious as the others, but I assure you, it works just as fine as others." ［Gerald］

  "No, no, there's o apologize. Rather, we quite like the pce. It's so simple but it's also elegant. Just the right bance." ［Grey］

  "Un. It feels more cozy and fortable. I love it!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Hearing all that praise makes me really happy. Thank you for your words, Yhnesses." ［Gerald］

  The tour tinued, and from the entrance hall to the kit and bedrooms, they explored the whole pce. But perhaps the most exg part was the wide and hot baths. It ractically a rge, indoor swimming pool, wonderful decorations all over the pce.

  Well, it wasn't only present in that mansion. There was also one in the mansion they were staying at, and needless to say, they were all very excited to try it out. After all, there's nothier to heal one's fatigue than a good old hot bath.

  "Oh? Gerald...?" ［???］

  And just as they tiheir tour, they met two unfamiliar figures walkihe entrance hall side by side. One was a woman ie thirties and the other was a young girl who was just a couple years older than Iris.

  There was even o guess. Guessing by how the young girl looked a little bit like Gerald and the woman beside her, everyone could clearly tell that they were his wife and daughter. Both were as geous as flowers.

  "Oh my, it seems we have guests over." ［???］

  "Yes, that's right. Let me introduce you to Their Highnesses, Archduke Grey, Archduchess Yuna, and Princess Iris of Alfrione." ［Gerald］

  "As Lerald had said, the name's Grey. A pleasure to meet you." ［Grey］

  "And I'm Yuna, Grey's partner. o meet you." ［Yuna］

  "Iris von Helvor Alfrio is a pleasure to meet everyone." ［Iris］

  Oer another, everyone quickly introduced themselves. As for the other party's rea, they were quickly taken aback, but not for long. They quickly posed themselves and soon introduced themselves to their guests.

  "It's reat pleasure to finally meet the fabled heroes of Alfrione and Her Highness, Princess Iris. I am Gerald's wife, thia, and our daughter, Violet." ［thia］

  "It's a pleasure to greet Their Highnesses. We bid you wele to Erdea." ［Violet］

  After Grey, Yuna, and Iris' introdu, the other party theed them formally and politely as they could, lifting the edges of their skirts and bowing their heads with grace. Even their mannerisms were beautiful.

  But strangely enough, as she greeted them, Violet's eyes were fixed towards them, unwavering as he bore a hole through their heads with her passioares. It was even more overwhelming when she was just staring in silence.

  "Umm... Is something wrong, Lady Violet?" ［Yuna］

  "A-Ah! I-I am very sorry! Y-Your were all just so beautiful that I couldn't help but stare! Please let me have a portrait of you!" ［Violet］

  And apparently, the reason was that they were simply toeous. They felt a little happy that someone admired them, but they don't know how to feel about giving her a portrait of them. It was the first someone asked that of them.

  "I'm sorry about that, Yhhis child just loves beautiful things so much that she sometimes says things like this." ［thia］

  "N-No... It's alright... We were just a bit surprised..." ［Grey］

  "Well, it's the first time we got such a request, after all." ［Yuna］

  "The same goes for me too. I never had someone ask for my portrait." ［Iris］

  "S-Sorry... I'm really sorry..." ［Violet］

  Areme love for beautiful things... It wasn't that everyone couldn't uand her feelings as people naturally tend to seek those which are beautiful. But still, they were taken quite aback by her words. It was the first time they entered such a person.

  And though they would love to fulfill her request, a portrait was just a little too muot only would they have to stand still for a couple of hours, the result would also be uain. It was quite impractical for them.

  "Well, it's not like I couldn't uand Violet's words... Their Highnesses really are very beautiful, after all." ［thia］

  "Hahaha. You say that again. I dare say that they are the most beautiful in all the nds. It also makes me want to ask for a portrait of them myself." ［Gerald］

  "Oh my. I would also love that." ［thia］

  And in a straurn of events, somehow, both Gerald and thia ended up talking about wanting portraits of themselves. Thankfully, everyone else mao ge the topic of the versation. It took them all their might.

  Of course, with the camera around, they also have the option to simply give them a couple pictures of them. But their guts were telling them that others might start asking of such if they ever did. They tried to avoid it at all costs.

  "Well... Though 't give you a portrait of us, but if you're alright with it... I could give you this instead." ［Grey］

  "A bracelet...?" ［Violet］

  "Yeah. I made that quite some time ago. I hope you like it." ［Grey］

  A simple wave of his hand and Grey easily retrieved a bracelet from his "Iory". It was one of the few trial products Grey made as he tried to make hand-made accessories for Yuna. It was light and durable.

  "Amazing... So beautiful..." ［Violet］

  And though it's a simple trial product, Grey still tried his best to make them. Not only were they durable, they were beautiful as well, ly polished jewels and intricate engravings carved all over the thing. Engravings so intricate it was hard to believe it was made by human hands.

  Of course, it was only possible because of Grey's eyes. And while he was at it, he also made sure to ent the bracelet with rust and cut resistance, also making it so that the wearer stays healthy. It was both beautiful and useful.

  "You're so lucky, Violet. Make sure you take great care of it." ［Gerald］

  "Y-Yes! And, thank you very much, Yhness!" ［Violet］

  "Well, as long as you're happy." ［Grey］

  The young dy's eyes were sparkling shtly as she tio stare at the bracelet in her hand. There was a sweet smile blooming on her face, extending from ear to ear as she wore the bracelet on her wrist.

  "Then, we shall get going now. We still have a tour to tinue." ［Gerald］

  "Okay, then we'll alsoー Ah, wait! Gerald, have you seen Garret?" ［thia］

  "Garret...? Did he go out again?" ［Gerald］

  "I'm afraid so. I haven't seen him sihis m. I'm afraid he's gotten into trouble again. Seriously, that child..." ［thia］

  They were about to tiheir tour around the mansion when thia suddenly stopped them oracks. She and the Mayor then engaged in a versation on their own, leaving everyone else out.

  They were both lost in their world, traces of worry and ay on their faces as they talked about a persoher Grey, Yuna, nor Iris was familiar with. As for the other young dy, she was still mesmerized by the bracelet, also lost in her own world.

  "Lady Violet, could I ask you something?" ［Yuna］

  "A-Ah, yes! You ask anything!" ［Violet］

  "Then, if it isn't too much trouble, could I ask who this Garret person Lerald and Lady thia are talking about?" ［Yuna］

  "Ah, Garret..." ［Violet］

  At the mention of the name, Violet' s mood was filled with a little bit of gloom as her voice died down quite a bit. Worry soon brewed on her face as she frowrying to think of a way to ahem as best as she possibly could.

  "Umm... Garret... He's my older brother, but..." ［Violet］

  "But what?" ［Yuna］

  "Umm... Well... He's been rebellious as of te, so Mom and Dad have been quite worried about him... Aoo..." ［Violet］

  Said Violet as her voice died down even more. Her eyes which were once sparkling brightly were down dyed with the shade of gloom. She didn't have to say anymore, just a single gnd one could tell how anxious she was.

  And just as Yuna and Violet were talking, Grey saw a certain figure approag using his "Heaven's Eye". He doesn't eveo use appraisal, just seeing how much he resembled Gerald, he could tell that he was the son they were talking about.

  "Seems like someone's not in a good mood." ［Grey］

  "Hm? What do you mean, Elder Broー" ［Iris］

  Clop Clop BANNGGG

  Iris couldn't even finish her words, when suddenly, a loud bang echoed from the entrance as the doors were forcefully opened. Everyone's eyes were orance, focus shifted to the figure before them.

  He was a young man with eyes sharp as daggers, hair roughed and ruffled up, and a face which was full e, clig his tongue all the while, A single gnce is all it takes and one could easily tell he was nothing but trouble.

  "Tsk. We have guests, huh..." ［Garret］

  Or rather, trouble was already upon them...

  CHAPTER 263 END