Chapter 63

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Early in the morning, even before the sun fully rose, Riveria opened her eyes. The crisp morning air felt refreshing, and she was instantly reminded of her special plan for today—a "date" in the Dungeon with Shirou to test her magic, combined with her Reinforcement Magecraft. Her mind drifted to Shirou's face, and she felt a slight thrill of excitement.

Carefully, Riveria rose from her bed. As a High Elf who always maintained her elegance, she began her day with her usual meticulous routine. Gracefully, she walked to her bathroom, letting the warm water run over her. She closed her eyes, allowing the cold morning air to slowly warm up in the fragrant elf-scented bath. She washed carefully, her every movement calm and deliberate, exuding the natural elegance of royalty from the Forest of Alf.

Finished with her bath, Riveria wrapped herself in a soft robe and returned to her room. She took a small jewelry box containing light, sophisticated makeup, applying a touch to brighten her complexion and a hint of blush. She lightly enhanced her neatly shaped brows and applied a bit of lip tint, adding just a slight sheen to her lips—enough to highlight her elegance without overdoing it.

Once satisfied, Riveria donned her customary green elven attire, securing it with a simple yet beautiful leather belt at her waist. With light, confident steps, she prepared to meet Shirou, her heart steady for the "date" in the Dungeon she had eagerly anticipated.

Riveria stepped out of her room, intending to wait for Shirou as usual in the small storage shed at the garden's edge—their routine training spot for morning Magecraft sessions. The sun had not fully risen, and the fresh morning air heightened her anticipation for the time they'd share today.

As she descended the stairs from the second floor, she suddenly heard the sound of sizzling oil from the kitchen near the dining room. Curious, she made her way to the kitchen.

There, she found Shirou focused on cooking, his hands moving skillfully as he fried food in a pan. Realizing her presence, Shirou turned and greeted her with a warm smile. "Ah, Riveria, morning! Sorry for making you wait. I'll be done soon," he said with a small nod.

Riveria gave a gentle smile and nodded. "It's fine, Shirou. I don't mind waiting," she replied, then sat at the kitchen table. Observing him, she asked, "Are you preparing provisions for our trip to the Dungeon?"

Shirou nodded, flipping the food in the pan. "Yes, and also breakfast for the other members of Loki Familia. I want to make sure everyone gets a morning meal."

Riveria felt a warm admiration in her heart. She thought about how responsible Shirou was, always ready to help without being asked. She knew he could have left the cooking to other Loki Familia members, but instead, he'd chosen to get up early and prepare everything himself. Her admiration for Shirou's dedication and humility grew even more.

As she watched Shirou continue cooking with full concentration, her heart warmed at his sincerity. Inwardly, she thought with a smile, How I love your caring nature, Shirou. Without realizing it, I'm falling even deeper into this feeling…

After finishing the cooking, Shirou set a variety of foods in front of Riveria, explaining each item. "There's a meat and vegetable sandwich, omurice with special sauce, and grilled chicken with a simple seasoning. I also made some onigiri as an easy-to-carry option," he said enthusiastically, showing each neatly prepared dish.

Riveria smiled and chose the foods easiest to bring along. "The sandwich and onigiri will do. They're easy to store and enjoy anytime in the Dungeon," she said, appreciating his thoughtful preparations.

Shirou packed the sandwich and onigiri Riveria selected, along with a few pieces of grilled meat, into a lunch box, arranging it so it wouldn't shift during the journey. He then picked up a small sheet of paper and began writing a few lines on it.

Curious, Riveria asked, "Shirou, what are you writing?"

Shirou looked up and gave a small smile. "Oh, it's just a quick note for Lefiya. I'm asking her to help reheat breakfast for the others later."

Hearing Lefiya's name, Riveria felt a slight pang in her heart. Ah, I'm not the only one close to him… she thought, feeling a tinge of bitterness. But she quickly masked her feelings behind a calm smile, keeping her expression warm and genuine.

"Lefiya will be pleased to help you," Riveria said with a gentle smile, her voice steady.

Finishing his preparations, Shirou turned to Riveria. "Riveria, would you mind waiting for me at our usual spot? I need to grab some gear from my room," he requested with a reassuring smile.

Riveria simply smiled knowingly; she understood he meant the small storage shed at the edge of the garden, their usual training spot. "Of course," she replied softly. "I'll take the lunch box there."

"Thank you so much," Shirou said, bowing his head gratefully before heading to his room.

Holding the lunch box, Riveria stood still for a moment, inhaling the delicious aroma wafting through the lid. The fragrance of the onigiri and grilled meat made her curious.

With a slow step, Riveria decided to take a small taste. She took a tiny piece of grilled meat and placed it in her mouth. It was tender, paired with a simple yet perfectly balanced seasoning. Her lips curled into a small smile as she savored the bite, already looking forward to their trip to the Dungeon with Shirou's food in tow.

"This tastes wonderful…" she murmured, still enjoying the flavor as she walked toward the shed, the place they'd spend the day training and journeying together.

When she reached the shed, Riveria placed the lunch box on the table they often used for magecraft practice. The room felt peaceful, and she decided to pass the time while waiting for Shirou by practicing her Reinforcement magecraft technique.

Riveria focused her concentration and began converting the od within her into prana using her unique magic circuit, an ancient rune-based system. She channeled the prana gradually into nearby objects, including a wooden chair, a metal plate, and a crate in the room's corner. Each object infused with prana seemed to vibrate subtly, emitting a faint glow on its surface—a sign that the Reinforcement had successfully taken effect.

While she was engrossed in channeling prana into another object, footsteps sounded at the shed's door, surprising her. She turned around, only to be more surprised by the figure standing at the entrance.

There was Shirou, wearing a stylish black elven cloak, with a hood covering part of his face. Beneath the cloak was sleek, dark armor fitting his form, adding a sense of mystery and strength. But the most surprising detail was the two long elven ears poking neatly through the cloak's hood, making him look like a noble and mesmerizing Elf.

Riveria stared at him in awe, nearly speechless. "Shirou… you…?" she stammered.

Shirou smiled slightly, sensing her confusion. "Ah, yes. I decided to go with a little disguise," he replied, lowering the hood of his cloak. "I thought hiding my identity with an Elven style might help a bit."

Riveria chuckled softly, impressed by Shirou's drastically different yet handsome appearance. "I almost believed you were actually an Elf, Shirou. Your ears… they look so natural."

Shirou scratched his head, a bit bashful. "Just a bit of alteration magecraft… though it's my first time trying it, I'm glad it worked," he replied with a smile.

Riveria nodded admiringly, then said, "You look ready for the Dungeon in this outfit. It almost feels like we're heading somewhere else… like to the Elven homeland."

Shirou smiled, glancing toward Riveria. "If I were to go to the Elven realm with you, even disguised as an Elf, I imagine I'd make a lot of them jealous. Spending time alone with their princess—I can only imagine how many would envy me," he teased, chuckling softly.

Riveria smiled, but beneath that smile was a hint of curiosity. "So… you know I'm royalty?" she asked, a mix of surprise and caution in her tone.

Shirou nodded, looking slightly sheepish. "Yes, I recently found out. My coworker, Ryuu, told me that Lady Riveria is a revered princess of the High Elves."

Hearing this, Riveria fell silent for a moment. Truthfully, a flicker of worry crept into her heart. "So then, Shirou…" she continued, her voice soft, "will you treat me differently now, because I'm royalty?"

Without realizing the hidden meaning in her concern, Shirou chuckled lightly. Crossing his arms over his chest, he bowed slightly, like a servant addressing a noble. "Princess Riveria Ljos Alf, I am your humble butler, ready to serve with all due respect," he said playfully.

Riveria let out a soft laugh, feeling a wave of relief in her heart. He's still the same Shirou… she thought to herself. Smiling gently, she whispered inwardly, Though perhaps… I'd rather you be my prince, like Romeo from my dreams.

Shirou carefully started packing all the supplies they'd need into his large support bag, from the meals he'd prepared to a few potions from the storage room, just in case. His hands moved quickly, checking every item to ensure nothing was left behind.

Meanwhile, Riveria watched Shirou at work, though her attention was drawn to his Elven ears, magically crafted through Alteration Magecraft. The detail and shape of the ears were strikingly similar to a real Elf's, sparking her curiosity about how they felt.

As Shirou finished packing and turned around, Riveria, without thinking, reached out and gently touched his ear. Shirou flinched, his expression turning ticklish. "Riveria… stop, that tickles!" he said, grinning as he tried to dodge.

But Riveria chuckled, unwilling to let this rare opportunity slip by. "Oh, Shirou, you have to be patient. I'm just returning the favor for when you touched my ear without permission last time."

Shirou could only smile, resigned while trying to hold back the ticklish sensation as Riveria's hand softly brushed his ear. He tried to keep calm, though his grin grew wider. "Alright, but don't take too long… I can hardly stand it."

Riveria finally let go, laughing softly at Shirou's embarrassed expression. "I'm done," she said with a small, victorious smile.

Riveria looked at Shirou with admiration. "Your magecraft is truly remarkable, Shirou. You can even use Alteration on your own body. Whereas I…" she said with a small smile, "I'm still trying to get used to Reinforcement on objects and don't quite have the confidence to try it on myself."

Shirou smiled reassuringly and patted Riveria gently on the shoulder. "Don't rush, Riveria. You're progressing really quickly. It took me years to master Reinforcement on simple objects, while you've achieved it in just a few weeks," he said, encouraging her.

Hearing his words, Riveria felt warmth and a bit of bashfulness. "Maybe I'm just lucky to have such a skilled teacher," she replied softly, her face slightly flushed.

Shirou chuckled, shaking his head. "I think you have potential that far surpasses what I've learned," he responded. "Your potential in magecraft is vast, while I'm only good with things related to swords."

At this, Riveria clenched her fist with determination. "Alright, Shirou. I'll do my best to live up to the trust you've placed in me," she said, her voice filled with resolve and excitement.

The two of them walked out of Twilight Manor toward the entrance gate, under the soft morning sunlight that had just touched the treetops. The surroundings were still quiet and calm, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing along the path.

As they walked, Riveria glanced at Shirou, who looked neat in his Elven cloak, and asked curiously, "When did you buy that Elven cloak, Shirou?"

Shirou turned and smiled. "Yesterday, when I was shopping with the staff from the Hostess of Fertility. I remembered we'd be setting out together today," he said, then slipped in a playful comment, "and since I'd be traveling with an Elven princess, I thought I should look the part."

Riveria smiled, unable to hide her delight despite Shirou's teasing. "Oh, enough, Shirou. No need to keep calling me 'princess.'"

Shirou nodded, continuing in a more serious tone. "Actually, another reason I wore this is because I was a little worried. A Human walking with you might draw attention. So, I thought I'd disguise myself a bit, to avoid causing a stir. At least with this hood, I can pretend to be an Elf for a while."

A warm feeling spread in Riveria's heart. Knowing that Shirou thought of her, even when he was with the women from the Hostess of Fertility, made her heart flutter with affection. She gave a small smile, her eyes sparkling, and silently whispered, So, even among others, you still think of me?

But she only commented briefly, "You're very thoughtful, Shirou."

Suddenly, an idea crossed Riveria's mind. She stopped for a moment, looking at Shirou with a smile. "How about I wear a hood like that too? So we both have disguises, not just you."

Shirou quickly agreed, nodding. "Good idea. That way, we can keep the disguise together."

Riveria looked at him hopefully. "Then, Shirou, could you use projection to make me a similar cloak?"

Without hesitation, Shirou nodded, raising his hand and chanting "Trace on." In an instant, a green hooded cloak—identical to the one Ryuu had worn yesterday—appeared in his hands. Its dark green color matched Riveria's hair, adding an elegant touch.

Riveria smiled happily and accepted the cloak. "You even chose a color that suits my hair," she said, gracefully donning the cloak and pulling the hood over her head so her pointed ears nestled perfectly in the hood's openings. She looked at Shirou. "How do I look?"

Shirou stared at her, momentarily captivated, comparing this image to Ryuu wearing a similar cloak. In his mind, the difference was clear—Ryuu looked like a mysterious little sprite darting through the forest, while Riveria seemed more mature, radiating an elegance befitting a regal, majestic Elf Queen.

Realizing he'd been silent too long, Shirou quickly nodded. "It suits you perfectly, Riveria. You look… very graceful," he said sincerely, a smile on his face.

Riveria smiled, satisfied with Shirou's reaction. "Thank you, Shirou. Now we're ready," she replied, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm for their Dungeon adventure.

As they walked together toward the Dungeon, Shirou suddenly remembered something and warned Riveria, "Oh, by the way, this cloak will only last about three days. After that, the projection will fade away on its own."

Riveria paused, feeling a bit disappointed. This green cloak felt special because Shirou had made it. "That's a shame…," she murmured softly, then looked at Shirou with a small smile. "In that case, I'll buy one later from the Elven shop with the same design. I already like this cloak."

Shirou was taken aback, surprised that Riveria would like the cloak so much. "You really like it, huh?" he asked, unable to hide his surprise.

"Yes," Riveria replied gently, her smile filled with meaning, showing just how happy she was with the cloak.

Seeing her smile, Shirou felt a mix of emotions. He couldn't deny that Ryuu had also chosen to buy an Elven cloak because of him. I… it's like I'm some kind of rogue giving the same 'gift' to two women close to me, he thought, feeling a little guilty toward them both.

However, Riveria seemed unbothered by this and continued looking ahead with a happy expression, leaving Shirou more confused about how he should handle the situation.

Upon reaching the stairs descending into the Dungeon, Shirou and Riveria felt grateful for the hooded cloaks they wore. With the hoods covering their faces, their identities were hidden. Several adventurers were busy preparing their gear and weapons around the stairs, but none of them paid attention to the two who walked by quietly.

Behind her green hood, Riveria smiled, feeling a rare sense of freedom. Although she'd never felt burdened by her royal status, moments like this, away from the respectful and reverent gazes she usually received from fellow Elves, made anonymity feel refreshing.

Meanwhile, Shirou, following behind with his support pack, was still pondering the earlier events. Both Riveria and Ryuu had chosen to wear the same cloak because of me… But isn't this just a coincidence? Besides, it's not like I'm dating either of them, he thought, trying to reassure himself.

He muttered softly, "If they knew, maybe they'd just find it amusing."

Riveria turned, hearing him mutter. "Did you say something, Shirou?"

Shirou smiled awkwardly and quickly shook his head. "Ah, no, no. Just talking to myself… about preparing for the Dungeon trip," he replied with a sheepish smile.

Riveria nodded slightly, deciding not to dwell on it. "Alright, Shirou. After all, we need to stay focused."

Shirou nodded in agreement, trying to put aside his worries and readying himself completely for their expedition into the Dungeon.