Informal scene

I tread through the opulent halls of the palace heading towards Lucina's, feeling the distance with each step. It seems so far from my own quarters. Finally, I arrive at what is, surprisingly, a smaller and more modest residence compared to the grandeur I'm accustomed to.

As I approach, my attention is drawn to the garden, where a figure is diligently tending to the flowers. The person stands and turns, and to my astonishment, it is a man. His stature is tall and his presence strikingly beautiful. Our eyes meet, and I note the distinctive elven ears hidden beneath his flowing, long blonde hair.

I walk closer, intrigued, and he acknowledges me with a graceful bow.

"I greet your majesty," he says, his voice a melodious tone that only enhances his allure. This is the first elf I've encountered, and as the tales have always suggested, their beauty is indeed otherworldly. I take a moment to study him, captivated.

"It's alright," I reply, and he lifts his gaze to meet mine. His eyes are a vivid green, and despite his ethereal beauty, there's a noticeable strength to his form. He's about two inches taller than I am, and his physique is subtly muscular, accentuated by his choice of attire—a crop top that reveals a hint of his well-defined stomach. How feminine.

"I'm here to see my sister," I say, making my purpose clear. The elf merely nods, his expression remaining cool and detached. Without another word, he turns and begins to lead me towards the palace.

As I take in my surroundings, the garden appears to be flourishing under the care of this elf. The vibrant colors and healthy growth speak volumes of his dedication. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a plant shift, but I dismiss it as a trick of the light.

As we get closer, I spot my target—the swordsman—engaged in a focused practice session with his blade. Noticing our arrival, he halts his movements and turns towards us.

"I greet your majesty," he says, his voice rough yet respectful, accompanied by a formal bow. From the corner of my eye, I see the elf subtly signal to a nearby maid, likely to fetch my sister.

"There's no need for such formality," I reply, waving off his bow with a smile. The swordsman straightens up, his posture stiff and proper. It seems he's not one for idle chatter.

"Will I not be invited inside? Perhaps for some tea?" I add, offering a charming smile that I hope will soften the stiffness of the situation.

I'm guided into the palace, which, though modest, exudes a quaint charm. We make our way to a cozy dining room, where I take a seat at the table. The swordsman stands by, while the elf discreetly slips away to attend to other matters, leaving us alone.

"Will you remain standing the entire time?" I gesture toward the chair opposite me. He hesitates for a moment before sitting down, his golden-yellow eyes meeting mine with an unwavering intensity.

"So, how is life as a knight?" I inquire, aiming to initiate a conversation.

He responds with a nonchalant shrug. "I can't say it's anything special."

"It can't be as mundane as you suggest," I counter. "After all, you're regarded as the genius of the decade, a five-star swordsman at such a young age."

"You overpraise me, your majesty," he says, his expression an unyielding mask of composure.

I'm about to continue our conversation when the elf reappears, now dressed more appropriately in a shirt, thankfully. He gracefully pours tea for both of us and then stands nearby, maintaining a vigilant presence. As I take a sip, I'm pleasantly surprised by the exceptional quality of the tea. My attention shifts back to the swordsman, and I notice something intriguing—he handles his tea with the poise of a seasoned noble. It seems Lucina may have ensured that he received some etiquette training.

"You seem well-versed in etiquette," I remark, my curiosity piqued.

"Her Majesty had me learn a few years ago," he replies, and for the first time, a crack appears in his impassive mask at the mention of Lucina. His affection for her is evident, and I sense an opportunity to appeal to this vulnerability.

"I see," I begin, preparing to delve further into the topic, when the door opens to reveal my sister, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen and it is not an exaggeration.She enters with an effortless grace that enhances her beauty. She's dressed in a stunning green gown, and her curly hair frames her face like a crown of pure white.

Accompanying her is another man—a striking figure with long purple hair and glasses. My eyes widen slightly in surprise.

"Dearest brother, what a pleasure to see you," Lucina says, her voice warm and inviting. Her companion bows and greets me with a polite nod, while Lucina makes a beeline for the swordsman, effortlessly settling herself onto his lap.

I can't help but feel a sense of relief that our father isn't here to witness this; it would surely provoke a severe reaction. I think to myself with a chuckle.

"Lucina," I acknowledge her presence with a nod.

"My, my, it seems you've managed to trap my dear Haroun here," she says, snuggling into his lap with practiced ease. Haroun adjusts her comfortably, indicating that this is a natural arrangement. I observe that the other two men in the room also seem unfazed by the display, which I find quite intriguing.

"Trapped is a rather dramatic term. I was simply engaging in some casual conversation, given that I'm a swordsman myself," I reply coolly, maintaining my composure despite the unexpected and somewhat informal scene.