To my surprise, both Emma and Kloe didn't outright reject the concept of me of creating a harem. I wish I could continue diving into these thoughts further, but it seems morning has crept on us already. I had a Tea Party set for later in the afternoon to celebrate Grandmother's birthday. Her birthday was always a public event each year, which welcomed everyone of Liberl to attend the Royal Assembly, but most people who actually attended it were the leaders of each city surrounding Liberl. Even the Dean of Jenis Royal Academy would attend it.
This would be my first appearance in the Royal Assembly, so having us meet the Dean before our enrollment will be rather beneficial. I'm sure Kloe is already acquainted with the Dean, so it probably won't be hard for me to get acquainted as well. I do know the story is progressing along thanks to Sieg informing me that a certain black haired boy recently got adopted into Estelle's family. It probably won't be long until the two become Junior Bracers. But until then, there are still a good four years to spend here...Our enrollment won't begin until S1201, which was the same year Kloe would enter Jenis.
"What, cat got your tongue and you're too surprised to see your old brother? And here I thought we were comrade in arms, seeking a merry path of romance...", A voice said, distracting me as they stood in our entryway.
"Would you cut that out already?", A second annoyed voice said, which caused my gaze to become clear on the two figures standing there.
I know a lot would be happening soon, but for now I could only welcome the first of the people I invited to arrive to this Tea Party.
"Haha, so you guys were able to make it after all. I apologize for our current appearance but we need to freshen up before the others arrive. It truly has been a good while, Your Highness Prince Olivert.", I said, giving the man a light bow.
"Oh but it truly has, Prince Naoto my boy. I knew you wouldn't be sent to the gates of Gehenna so soon. Considering you're of His, heading there would be the last thing you would expect.", The blonde haired man said, revealing a smile.
That's right, this man standing before me used to be that blonde haired boy who accompanied us when we travelled to Heimdallr several years ago. But now a full nine years have passed since then. He did come over to play a few times since that visit at our villa, but after it was raided, we have not seen each other since. And now, he was a full grown man, who had just turned twenty years old. And if I recall, he had just graduated from Thors Military Academy about two to three years ago.
Prince Olivert Reise Arnor, reigning Crown Prince of the Erebonian Empire, or at least for now.
He was likely aiming to pass his role of Crown Prince down to the second prince of the Empire, Cedric. But regardless of that, I still considered him a brother, even if the time we spent back then was on the shorter side. Knowing that, I approached Prince Olivert, as did he. Without saying anything, we both reached out one of our arms, and locked them, only to give a hug right after.
"Haha. You've definitely grown since then, Your Highness. It really has been a long time. And you know me, I can't be taken down that easily.", I said, welcoming Prince Olivert. I then turned toward the brown haired man who was currently in uniform next to him. "And I see you've been keeping him in check, Mueller.", I continued to say, greeting the man beside Prince Olivert. He also had a sword equipped at his waist, considering he was on active duty.
"I suppose. I know His Highness's heart is in the right place, even if he may act...precarious at times.", The brown haired man said, greeting me back. This person was of course Mueller, and he was into his twenties now. He is a fully fledged Vander and is actively partaking as the first guard to Prince Olivert.
At this time, I saw a third figure pop out from behind Prince Olivert, who appeared to be a young girl with long wavy blonde hair, which matched that of Prince Olivert's hair. She could currently be seen wearing a school uniform of sorts as well. From what I could see, she was no older than eight.
"And who might you be?", I decided to ask, revealing a playful smile. The moment this third figure heard that, she puffed out her cheeks and complained.
"Did you really forget who I am, Naoto?", The girl asked with a pout. Hearing her pout like this, I couldn't help but laugh a bit.
"Hahaha. I apologize, but I just wanted to tease you a little. How could I forget someone as important as you? You are considered to be Erebonia's treasure after all. Princess Alfin.", I responded, greeting the girl behind Prince Olivert. Unexpectedly, a couple tears started to form in her eyes before we all saw her dash right into me with a tackle.
"It really is you, Naoto! I was very sad when I learned I couldn't come to play at your home anymore. But I guess this is your home now, huh?", Princess Alfin said, revealing a smile after she wiped her couple of tears away.
Seeing this caused Kloe and Emma to blink at this blonde haired girl they had yet to see before.
"You know her, Brother?", Kloe asked with interest. "I did see her name on the list, but I didn't think she would look like this...", Kloe continued to utter to herself. However, her voice was loud enough for the rest to hear.
"List? What list?", Princess Alfin decided to ask. Hearing that, I gave Princess Alfin a head pat, ruffling her hair a bit.
"It's nothing. You guys are the first to arrive for our Tea Party. There are a couple others I have invited so we are still waiting for them.", I answered.
"Oh!", Princess Alfin said, and ended her hug. Patting her school uniform a bit, she gave us a bow, and introduced herself. "Silly me. How could I forget something as basic as that? I apologize for my short outburst just now. I have come here alongside Big Brother to attend today's event. I am Alfin Reise Arnor. It is a pleasure to meet you all.", Princess Alfin said, formally introducing herself to the rest of us.
"M-Meow!", Celine tried to retort, but seeing people she hadn't seen before, she could only let out a normal meow. Yet Emma still chuckled seeing Celine do this.
"Hehe, you and me both.", Emma said, as she looked down at Celine. As Emma said that, Kloe decided to speak next.
"You really are Erebonia's first princess then. It is quite shocking to see you here, let alone knowing Brother beforehand. But proper introductions are in order.", Kloe said, walking up beside me. Both Princess Alfin and Prince Olivert drew interest to Kloe's figure now beside me. While Alfin was younger by a couple years, both were actual princesses, we could feel the air change in the room the moment these two looked at each other.
"We had just woken up a bit ago so I'm sorry for you guys to see me like this, but I typically wear a more formal dress than this one. I'm the Crown Princess of Liberl. Klaudia von Auslese.", Kloe said, formally introducing herself.
"Likewise, I'm Kloe's brother, to which you guys may or may not have known before today. I'm the reigning Crown Prince, set to ascend Liberl's throne in the future. Naoto von Auslese.", I also said, formally introducing myself to the three.
"Haha, I can't be left out now, can I?", Prince Olivert said as he stood beside Princess Alfin. Visible glitter of light suddenly shone as he brought one of his hands to his face for a brief moment before continuing to speak. "Olivert Reise Arnor, also Alfin's dear big brother. It's a pleasure to get acquainted with you all.", Prince Olivert said, being the last to introduce himself.
Just like that, four figures among royalty had come across each other on this day. Two spanning from neighboring countries of Liberl and Erebonia. These three weren't set to meet each other until the Western Zemuria Trade Conference that occurred in Crossbell a few years later during Azure. But now, they will know each other well before this event happens. I'm already looking forward to partaking in this even more. And considering that I'm among the nobility myself, no doubt will I be partaking in this conference too.
Unfortunately though, the only one who seemed to be out of place right now was Emma. She just stood there dazed seeing members of different royal factions come to meet like this. She behaved quite differently from Mueller, who just stood silent by Prince Olivert's side, since he was more used to this than Emma was.
But with the introductions out of the way, we bid farewell to Prince Olivert's side, who would venture back down to the first floor. The rest of us quickly freshened up to start the day. It didn't take long for my other couple of guests to arrive and just like that, Grandmother's birthday celebration went off without a hitch, kicking it off with the Tea Party I had hosted.
Before we knew it, time started to pass by in the blink of an eye, signaling the start of the next year. This year would be the same year the raids on the DG Cult would begin to occur...
*
Giliath demands your power stones!