It's been a few days since my little outing with Sarah, which was quite enjoyable, though unfortunately, right now, I was having a meeting with the Arch-Dukes and Dukes of Yggdrasil. I usually wouldn't be the one leading such a meeting, but as Mother and Father were outside the Empire, acquiring my birthday present, this duty naturally fell onto Elaine and I, though Elaine still wasn't present, so it was really just me. Granted, she did say she's returning later today, so I'm expecting her; I just hope she's not like Mother and actually assists your Emperor.
"State your yearly report; also, be brief, as I'm sure everyone would like to be over with this meeting." Said Elif calmly while sitting on his throne as he looked at the three Archdukes and five Dukes who had each brought their respective future heir.
Obviously, Sarah and I weren't the only ones who had been preparing for our future positions; so has everyone else, which is also why the Patriarchs and Matriarchs didn't speak but had their heirs do it in their stead, starting with Sarah as she took a step forward before the group while giving me a slight bow. Sarah's Authoritative demeanor was a sight for sore eyes, not to mention amusing, as I couldn't stop myself from smirking, though I stayed professional. Sarah and I may be friends, but I currently wasn't speaking to Sarah; I was talking to the Young Mistress of the Noble Eve family and future Matriarch.
"Your Highness, everything is as per usual, and there is nothing abnormal to report." Stated Sarah solemnly as she gave a slight bow, waiting for Elif's acknowledgment before returning to her spot beside Nordan Eve, who was calmly standing alongside his fellow nobles.
Nodding my head, Sarah returned to her post beside Nordan, and right after came Alf Evergreen, who is probably the person I interact with the most besides Sarah. She's the only one, besides Sarah and previously Marley, who would say how they feel to my face, and I quite liked that about her; of course, she never dared to go overboard, but she'd criticize me and or correct me on certain things, while other nobles would just agree to whatever I said. Then again, it's not like we interact all that much; whenever I encounter her within Yggdrasil, I'll accompany her for some time before we go our separate ways.
"There is nothing worthy to report, Your Highness." Stated Alf with a slight bow similar to Sarah's while Mavis sighed at her behavior.
"Apologies for Alf's lack of formality, your Highness; she's been slacking on her decorum for quite some time." Said Mavis apologetically as she walked forward and bowed beside Alf, who gave her a confused look.
"It's fine, Matriarch Evergreen; I know Alf's personality well enough that she didn't mean any disrespect. I quite like her straightforward personality, if anything." Replied Elif calmly with a nod as he dismissively waved his hand, causing Mavis and Alf to return to their spots after expressing their thanks while Alf was getting lectured by her via divine sense.
Through common sense, it was apparent who'd go next, and it was Yinric Alfhild, son of Draxs Alfhild and future General prospect; if it weren't because they are an Arch-Duke family stationed within Yggdrasil, then they would most likely be a family of Titled Generals, just like Illumia, who was the General of the North before she became my personal attendant. Though Titled Generals must always stay within their designated post unless personally ordered by the Emperor or Empress to move, and since their noble estate is within Yggdrasil, such a thing isn't possible.
"Just like Sarah and Alf, the Draxs family has nothing to report; our affairs are in order, your Highness." Stated Yinrin with a bow, who, similar to his Father, was a rather muscular dark Elf, and unlike everyone else, he wore armor.
Nodding my head once more, I dismissed Yinrin back to his Father, and with the three Arch Dukes having finished, who came next were the Dukes, which consisted of Maga Dagmar, son of Matriarch Jasmine Dagmar; Osborn Freyr, son of Patriarch Norman Freyr; Felecia Hilda, daughter of Matriarch Sally Hilda; Starlet Voldir daughter of Patriarch Harry Voldir; and finally, Kare Sigurda, daughter of Matriarch May Sigurda.
Just like with the previous three, they had nothing to report, which was good since I really didn't want to deal with it, though just as I was about to continue with the meeting, I suddenly smiled and looked at the throne room doors, only to see them open while a dark cloaked figure with a skeleton mask entered. Their appearance surprised everyone present, excluding Marley, Idonea, and Illumia, who had been silently standing to the left of me; still, before anyone acted on impulse, I stood up and approached the dark-cloaked figure.
"No one move; I'll handle this." Ordered Elif as he stood up from his throne and floated down, his words stopping everyone, including the royal guards that lined the walls of the room, though everyone watched closely.
Nearing the dark-cloaked figure, we stood opposite each other, merely a few inches apart; looking down at the figure, I couldn't help but smirk as I rubbed her head.
"Hmph, why do you always do that, Brother? You know I don't like it." Said the dark-cloaked figure in an enchanting voice, pouting as she stomped her foot while looking up at Elif, who merely chuckled.
"Hehe, I can't help it; teasing you is so tempting; besides, you do like it. Otherwise, you would've moved my hand." Replied Elif with a lovely smile as he continued affectionately rubbing her head despite her earlier words, causing her to huff once again.
"Hmph, since you're my Elder Brother, I'll allow it, but just know I'm not a child anymore; anyways, what are you doing?" Stated the dark-cloaked figure as she gave Elif a side-glance before tilting her body, looking past him, and eyeing the several nobles who were just wordlessly watching their interaction.
"Nothing important, just a tedious meeting, you know, since Mother and Father are absent currently." Said Elif with a slight nod as he finally retracted his hands before turning around.
"Though since you've finally returned, come and accompany me, Elaine; after all, you're the Princess." Added Elif as he grabbed Elaine's hand and walked forward, causing her to sigh.
"Ugh, do I have to?"
"Yes, now come on, you can't expect me to do all the work; besides, it'll be easy, it's just time-consuming." Replied Elif with a smirk as he walked through the nobles, heading towards their thrones while leading Elaine.
"Tch, haa, fine, but at least let me change; I've been wearing these clothes for several days, so I'd like to change." Said Elaine as she sighed in defeat before breaking away from Elif's grasp and swiftly leaving the throne room.
"Haa, I can already tell it's going to be a pain being the Emperor." Muttered Elif with a sigh as he shook his head before floating back to his throne, waiting for Elaine to return, which didn't take too long thankfully.
After a few minutes of waiting, the throne room doors were opened once more, but instead of a dark-cloaked figure wearing a skeleton mask entering, an absolutely captivating woman appeared. She was rather short for an Elf, but she was still growing; she had silver eyes, a golden star symbol, and silver hair that greatly complimented her dark skin. She wore a gold, silver, and purple dress with black stitching that tightly hugged her body while being very loose around her hands and legs. Just the way she walked on her dainty feet was so graceful that despite seeing it every day, I was utterly captivated by her.
(Note: New picture of Elaine on the Discord)
"Your Highness." Said the sixteen nobles while giving Elaine a slight bow as she walked in between them, heading right for her throne, which was on the opposite side of Elif.
'Your Highness, please close your mouth.' Said Illumia via divine sense, her words causing Elif to snap out of his little stupor as he shook his head, quickly closed his mouth, and regained his regal bearings.
"Is something the matter, Elaine?" Asked Elif in confusion when he noticed her just standing there while constantly glancing between her throne and Elif.
"Hmm, no, everything is fine." Replied Elaine with a smile as she shook her head and approached Elif, causing him to raise an eyebrow.
"So, Brother, how do I look? It's a new outfit I tried on, specifically for you." Asked Elaine with a mischievous smirk as she stood before Elif's throne and did a slow spin, displaying her entire outfit for Elif, inadvertently causing a few nobles to blush while staring at her in awe.
"Beautiful, charming, alluring, irresistible, mesmerizing." Declared Elif with a smile as he used the exact words she said from long ago, causing her to puff her chest in joy, her now prominent breasts slightly jiggling in response.
"However, I feel like I'm unable to experience your true beauty fully; maybe if you got a little closer…" Added Elif with a smirk as he reached his hand forward, grabbing Elaine by the arm and pulling her into his embrace.
"How about now, Brother? This should be plenty close enough, no?" Questioned Elaine with a lovely smile as she straddled Elif's lap while looking right into his charming purple eyes.
"Yeah, this is perfect." Muttered Elif with an equally lovely smile as he groped Elaine's plump butt before passionately kissing her, to which she gladly reciprocated back.
'You taste so delicious, Elaine.' Said Elif seductively via divine sense while he and Elaine engaged in a deep, passionate kiss despite being in the middle of a meeting.
'Tatse me to your heart's content, Brother, as I'll definitely be doing the same.' Stated Elaine via divine sense as she completely ignored everything else; the only thing on her mind was Elif and his lips.