Prompted Suspicion

The Northern and Southern Gates of the Royal City were finally sealed, preventing traffic to and from the Elfin Realm until the Queen decided overwise.

***

Several hours before.

Throne Room, Lleaif Royal Palace

"Please, follow me"

Ai stood before him amidst the towering doors of the Throne Room. Her dark green hair a contrast to her two red eyes that lied below his vision as her head remained slightly lowered, embarrassed of the events that had previously transpired, leading her to believe she had offended someone of great importance to her Queen.

Shuyun was oblivious to her thoughts, but instead felt the atmosphere extremely awkward with her sudden submissive behaviour. Even with his long years of working in his previous life, he hadn't made it to any position that demanded any respect. So to have someone, especially one of considerable importance, to possess unwarranted reverence to him didn't sit right. It was something he wanted to let her know of right away, before she came up with any other idea over his unexisting identity of power that he assumed came from misinterpreting the simple grace of the Queen.

"Please, do not act so subservient to me, treat me as you would do any other per- um elf"

Shuyun adjusted his wording to fit the situation as he doubted a being of such a level and position would have ever, if at all, come into contact with humans. Shuyun had almost forgotten that he was an abnormality, as his interaction with Meiying and the Queen hadn't expressed much distance or surprise to the racial difference between them.

Ai looked at him confusingly as she didn't know how to respond. The Initial reason she thought Shuyun to be an intruder, paired with the other elf girl with him was because of their weak aura. Normally, aura wasn't restricted within the palace as it easily allowed one to determine the others status. The sign of low aura meant that the other person could truly be that weak, or it meant that they were using a technique to restrict their aura in order to defeat and or infiltrate the palace. Paired with the fact that no one beside herself and the Queen were freely allowed within the throne room, as others had to be summoned by the Queen and she was gone, it left only one possibility in her mind.

But still, the way that he carried himself was among the humblest she had seen, especially after receiving blatant disrespect. And seeing as his eyes didn't wander further improved her opinion of him. Still, she dare not take any liberties with him regardless, as this still could be an act of kindness displayed only on the surface.

"Of course"

Ai bowed once more before she began walking out to the hall, leaving the grand doors opened behind her.

Shuyun could only helplessly follow her.

***

It truly was a fairy tale.

It wasn't as if he hadn't seen pictures of palaces before, but even the extent of his imagination didn't do it justice.

He had already had a glimpse of the magnificence of the palace, as even the Throne Room left him breathless. Every ceiling seemed the height of a two story home back in his world, with endless chandlers that lined perfectly spaced between each other with the light of the candles burning brightly immortally.

The main color palette of this palace consisted of a dark green and pure white, lining the fur carpets and window curtains. Shuyun noticed that even though it was still light out, rarely anyone passed. It was the complete opposite of what he expected. But considering an entirely other race was in question, Shuyun assumed they had different customs that they abide by. He felt it was necessary to understand these rules before he needlessly offended someone.

"Ai, is there a reason why this palace seems so empty?"

Ai body slightly shook at the hearing of her name, before quickly regaining her bearing. No one beside her Queen had ever called her by her name, this sort of intimacy she specifically reserved for her lady. When referring to her, even the all powerful Valkyries of the Palace referred to her as 'mistress'. This brought up a feeling of intense rage that could not be quelled. To her, it was an indirect form of what he would know of as sexual assault. And as she couldn't lay a hand on him, it further angered. Had it been any other, even a Valkyrie, she would've beaten them to death. Still, she knew of his position, and didn't let a single word of her imagination out of her mouth.

Shuyun was oblivious as to the reason as her sudden abnormal action as he patiently waited for her answer.

"tha- that's bec-"

Her voice was broken before she cleared her throat and spoke again.

"It is because hardly anyone resides here"