Nadia's Invitation

"When will Robert come back?" 

A person stood in the center of the hall, and Lydia felt like she was back in that house. It was the same feeling of being surrounded by people, yet being ignored. Many people were looking at her, but no one came forward to speak. They pointed and whispered to each other. The décor was similarly opulent, but she felt just as helpless.

"Bella, I'm so scared..."

"Robert..."

"Please come back... my master."

Fearing the uncertainty, Lydia yearned for the warmth that Robert provided. She tightly pressed her lips together, gripping the edges of her dress, not wanting to be this fragile, yet unsure how to escape it.

"Lift your head."

A gentle voice sounded in her ears. Lydia looked up at the speaker and froze in place. She instinctively said, "Mom?"

Beside her stood a tall figure, with golden hair, green eyes, a mature face resembling her own, and pointed ears! Plus, the warm aura she emitted made Lydia think of her mother.

Tears welled up in Lydia's eyes, but she quickly realized it wasn't right and hurriedly apologized, "Ah, I'm sorry, I'm not—"

"It's okay, child, it's okay."

Nadia gently stroked Lydia's golden hair, looking at her affectionately, consoling her in a soft voice.

She didn't mind Lydia's slight lapse in manners. She was the queen of the half-elves, and all half-elves could be considered her children.

"Are you very afraid?"

"...Yes."

With tears welling up, Lydia weakly nodded. She was truly frightened.

"Then you must not let others see your fear."

Wiping away Lydia's tears gently, Nadia continued in a soothing tone, "The people before you, in the eyes of truly powerful beings, they are weak. So, to appear strong to themselves, they seek out entities even weaker than them."

"They are more terrifying than unintelligent wild beasts. They will sense your fear, track you down, and ruthlessly slaughter you."

"Using your corpse to showcase themselves, this is not true strength, this is..."

"Cowardice."

Despite the gentle tone, serious words were spoken. Lydia's expression gradually changed from confusion to seriousness, quietly listening.

"So, which do you choose to be? A true strong one, a false strong one, or a pitiful weakling?"

Staring at the woman before her in a daze, whose face resembled her own but possessed a confidence, elegance, dignity, and a figure she did not have, Lydia, envious, stole a glance, and firmly said, "I want to become strong, a true strong one!"

Nadia looked at this seemingly delicate young girl without surprise, continuing to smile as she asked, "You have great potential. If you're willing, you can become a true strong one someday."

"So... would you like to leave with me?

Leave? Leave... this place? If someone had asked Lydia this two days ago, she would have answered without hesitation.

However, now she was in a state of confusion: "Should I go with her?"

"The kindness she exudes is only something I've felt from Bella and Robert. She probably won't harm me..."

"But... Robert..."

Looking at Nadia eagerly, Lydia nervously asked, "Can I bring someone else with me?"

"Who would you like to bring?"

"I... I would like to bring Robert with me..."

The more she said, the quieter her voice became, the weaker her confidence, and eventually, she fell silent.

A child infatuated with Robert.

Somewhat surprised, somewhat understanding, Nadia sighed in her heart and then asked, "Why do you want to bring him along?"

"Because he saved me."

It was Robert who pulled her out of the abyss of despair, and it was he who made her feel warmth after a long time.

"Is he willing to go with us?"

Yes, will Robert go with us?

A duke's son, with a high status and a promising future.

The duke's eldest son is a follower of the evil god, and it seems he's not even of the duke's bloodline!

The second son is a libertine, notorious throughout Grissom, and is currently sent to a monastery for monks for a year.

As the only legitimate son of Duke Bell who can stand in the open, even though he is a bastard, Robert has a bright future.

Moreover, he is handsome, kind-hearted, and of good character, enjoying favor and popularity within the entire social circle!

Watching Robert calmly deal with those fervent noblewomen today, Lydia couldn't help but feel moved.

Doesn't he really enjoy this kind of life?

"I don't know..." Lydia said softly.

"Then do you still want to go with me?"

"I want to ask him and hear his thoughts!"

"Aren't you afraid he'll keep you by his side? Like a slave." Despite speaking with a seductive tone, Nadia's voice remained gentle.

"Even if that's the result, I still want to know his answer."

"Is that so? Then we'll meet again in the future." Looking at her determined gaze, Nadia lightly laughed, flicking her hair and turned to walk into the distance.

As Nadia was about to leave, Lydia appeared conflicted, but ultimately stayed in place, softly calling after her retreating figure, "Can I know your name?"

Nadia's steps did not pause, continuing to walk forward gracefully.

"My name is..."

"Nadia Melissa."

Nadia's figure disappeared, leaving only her gentle voice to reach Lydia's ears.

Lydia felt everything around her return to normal. She could sense the gazes of the others once more, no different from before.

Taking a deep breath, Lydia imitated Nadia's demeanor, lifting her head and coldly facing those malicious gazes.

As she watched those initially brazen and unbridled eyes turn away upon making contact with her, she silently thought to herself:

"Nadia... could she be that esteemed person?"

"The Savior of the Half-Elves."

"...our esteemed Queen."

Invisible near Lydia, Nadia sighed softly, "Such a stubborn child, to actually refuse."

"Robert, do you truly possess a peculiar charm?"

"Attracting us... attracting Lydia."

"..."

"Hmph! Who's attracted by you!"

...

[The grateful girl and the gentle sister who's only kind to you]

[Which one do you like?]

Robert: "Hmm? Do you have a question?"

"Obviously, we want them all!"

"Only kids make choices, adults want everything!"

"But... how do we resolve this process?"

Quietly walking behind Ellena, Robert sighed with a slight headache.

Hearing Robert's sigh, Ellena walking ahead didn't turn back, gently saying, "It's okay. Those cultists have always been cunning."

"Evil will be eradicated."

"Yes."