Queenly Accomodation

"Good morning Lady Eli, this is Randel. Master wanted to check up on you if you have already woken up."

Hearing  Randel, the trio scrambled to fix their teary faces and made them look 'presentable' to Randel who was at the doorstep. 

After tidying up, Eli responded, "I am already awake, one moment." She carefully stood up and walked towards the door, opening it. 

Randel's cold handsome face was immediately seen, he was wearing his signature black butler suit with the Argentum's Insignia. He took a respectful bow with his hands gracefully placed in his chest. 

Beside him were three lovely maid's wearing a black and white uniform. They also respectfully bowed upon seeing Eli.

"A pleasant morning Lady Eli, how are you feeling? Did you have a nice rest?" Randel respectfully greeted Eli. 

"Sir Randel, good morning! Thank you so much for accommodating us, I had a nice sleep. About last night, I am so embarrassed about what happened.." Eli gratefully reciprocated Randel's greetings in an embarrassed manner. 

"Do not worry Lady Eli, in fact we all had been worried about your collapse last night. We saw that it is best for you to spend the night here instead." Randel replied gently. 

"Also, here are the maids I have tasked to prepare you for the morning. Then after this, they will guide you on the dining hall to take your breakfast. We also arranged for you to see the doctor, to check your well being."

Shocked by the queenly accommodation, Eli replied in shyness, "Ah, Sir Randel, you don't have to do this for me! I am already grateful enough that you and Grandpa Andi took care of me in my collapse!"

Gently shaking his head, Randel respectfully replied, "We can't do that Milady, considering that you are here in Argentum, you are under our care. We insist on doing these things." He then took a bow to plead with Eli to accept.

Seeing that Randel insisted, feeling guilty, Eli gave in, "Alright Sir Randel, please take care of me. I couldn't be more grateful."

After saying these words the maids moved and helped Eli. Starting from the bath, up to choosing the dress to use, the maids skillfully assisted Eli prepare for the morning. This was a first and a bizarre experience for Eli. 

As a modern day woman, she could take care of herself without the help of others. But in this world and this time, it seemed like this was a normal thing to do for those who are privileged. Along the way, Eli tried to communicate that she could bathe and dress herself to the maids. 

However, whenever she said it, the maids' expressions were as pitiful as how Baobao would look whenever he begged Eli to play music.

On the other hand, whenever she allowed them to assist her, they would beam happily just like how Baobao would glow whenever Eli served him his meal.

It was not only Eli who received this care, elegant beast handlers were also assigned for Wisey and Baobao. These handlers took care of them to brush their fluffy feathers and fur, respectively.

Wisey was so happy because her handler gave her a bell attachment on her feet. The ring it gives whenever she moved were relaxing and pleasant to the ears.

The beast handler for Baobao on the other hand, was fascinated. Prior to this, Randel had already briefed them that Baobao was not a cursed bear but a panda. He also told them that Pandas belong to a rare species of bear and the rumors about them being cursed were not true. 

The handler approached Baobao not only with the intent of taking care of him but also to fulfill his own curiosity. Carefully approaching Baobao who was already in his original size, he offered a freshly harvested carrot, while saying,

"Mr. Panda, I'm here to also prepare you for breakfast. Please enjoy this appetizer first while I clean your fur…"

Baobao, seeing the carrot, beamed in excitement and said, "Oh breakfast?! Ok ok, make it fast! Can't wait, can't wait!"

"Yes, Mr. Panda!" The handler was thrilled that Baobao gave him permission, he then quickly proceeded in taking care of him. While he was brushing his fur, an elated expression can be seen in his face, like he was in the heavenly realm full of fluffiness all around. 

After finishing the morning preparations for the trio, they were led into the dining hall, where Grandpa Andi and Grandpa Ben were peacefully waiting. The dining hall was elegant as it was decorated with silver walls and red ornaments. The windows were also large, giving the room enough light for everyone who was dining.

Seeing the trio the two legendary elders stopped their serious conversation and amicably welcomed Eli and the two furries to the dining table. 

"Young Eli~~ Finally you're awake! How was your night? Did you have a good rest?" the two grandpas greeted Eli in a cheerful tone.

"Good morning Grandpa Andi and Grandpa Ben, thank you for allowing us to stay here for the night, as well as taking care of us! I also apologize that I worried you last night."

Eli gave a courteous bow of gratitude towards the two grandpas. 

"Ah, no worries no worries! Come, eat up first. I have asked them to also prepare meals for your two companions. Come come!"

Grandpa Andi beckoned the trio to take a seat. Eli was led into the elegant table that was plated with shining silverwares and luxurious red placemats. 

Due to the size of Baobao, he was led into another table that was near the window, where he could take a glimpse of the greenery outside, making him feel more comfortable while eating his bowls of freshly picked bamboo and fruits. Wisey also went with Baobao's table as she could already see the delectable shining slab of meat parked on the dining cart beside their table. 

Just like how the two furries enjoyed the thoughtful accommodations and ate comfortably, Eli, and the two grandpas ate with a warm atmosphere. They encouraged Eli to eat more as the food they had prepared for her was meticulously prepared to nourish her pregnant body.

While they were eating, the two grandpas cheerfully shared to Eli their exploits during their younger days. From them she came to know that the Third Prince' Grandfather was also their dearest friend and colleague. 

By the end of the meal, as they were taking time to wait for the dessert, the two grandpa's now opened up the topic regarding the happenings last night. 

"Young lass, I know that the revelations from last night has made you worried and confused as to how you will proceed with the matter concerning the Prince' proposal…" Grandpa Ben opened the topic with concern in mind.

"We talked to the prince and communicated that the marriage at this moment might not be a good idea.." Grandpa Andi added with caution, he paused and after giving a helpless sigh, he continued,

"What the prince said about us protecting you, this is what really happened,"

"On the day you first visited Argentum, I asked Randel to protect you on your way home, as I had detected a group of men who maliciously waited and followed you along…" He paused then looked at Eli and the two furries on the other table, 

"During that time, Randel was shocked that your home happened to be in Silver Dew Forest. Too late to block the men, he was forced to take them on within the grounds of the Silver Dew Forest. However, he couldn't go all out in apprehending them as you know, there is a treaty between the Seirende Empire and the Silver Dew Elves regarding killings."

"Fortunately, your brave and reliable contracted beasts, Baobao and Wisey came to the battlefield and assisted Randel in defeating them. Due to their cooperation, we were also able to extract some clues as to why they targeted you.."

Although Eli had been mentally and emotionally prepared to hear the details about the danger, she was still shocked that the two furries were also involved. It seemed like everyone was protecting her, without her knowing anything! She couldn't help but clench her first in frustration as she realized how weak she was.

Sensing the frustration from Eli, Grandpa Ben then tried to comfort her while he continued his old friend's story, 

"I know you feel frustrated about knowing this just now, but young Eli, the reason why we kept you from the dark was because we still lack information about why you were targeted."

"It might just be because of an isolated case or a part of a much greater scheme as an Asani, that was why we felt that it was crucial not to alarm you and to protect you from the dark, until enough information could be obtained."

"So old Andi here, immediately contacted me that night, persuaded me to give you assistance and protection, that is why I am here. We thought that the forces would not be able to trace you once I had given you the ultimate protection, however, who would have thought that the Prince, who was known to be a D class devourer, turned out to be an S class mage!"

"D class devourer? S class mage.. Does he possess a rare constitution?" This information caught Eli's interest amidst her chaotic heart.

"Indeed! The Prince actually possess the same constitution his late grandfather had! My theory is that the initial assessment was actually because it was only his first awakening at that time... Anyways, due to this, the happenings last night ensued, leaving you in complete panic and fatigue."

"However, after your collapse, we had continued our conversation with the prince and we were finally able to get some important information!" 

!!! 

Eli felt agitation as she heard that there might be some answers from one of her many questions in mind. 

"Young Eli, the attempt to abduct you was most probably connected to a sinister organization known as The Spectre!"

"The Specter was a mysterious organization who were filled by mages, devourers and summoners obsessed with sinister magic practices. They were known to worship evil and did many things to experiment and spread corrupted mana all over Prasinos."

"After our old friend Ide, the late emperor, father to the current Emperor Valentin and the third prince' grandfather, obtained victory during the Great Battle on the Blood Valley, they seemed to have completely disappeared from Seirende Empire."

"However they once again had surfaced on one event, that was the case of the Riverfort Asani, which was you, young Eli."

It was at this moment that Eli's eyes red in angst and agitation.

The Spectre!

The ones who made Elise's life miserable! The ones who caused Elise's life to be a living hell!

"They were the ones responsible for capturing me?" she said in a shuddering hoarse voice.

"Yes, young Eli, it was them who caused you to spend your entire childhood in captivity." Grandpa Ben also responded with resentment in his tone.