In the softly lit room, the warm, golden hues from the intricate designs on his attire seemed to dance with the play of light, making him a radiant figure.
He stood before an ornate, full-length mirror, the antique frame reflecting his transformed appearance.
He couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness as he examined himself. His reflection stared back at him. After a moment of introspection, he turned to Sina, his voice betraying a hint of vulnerability.
Sina, a vision of wonder herself, stood in the corner of the room. The soft light caught her expression, her eyes widened in amazement, as though she had glimpsed a celestial being. Her astonishment spoke volumes, her silence more eloquent than words.
"So… how do I look?" he asked, his tone filled with anticipation, hoping her reaction would mirror the magnificence of the moment.
"M…ma.." Sina's astonishment rendered her momentarily speechless, her voice faltering like a fluttering bird attempting to find its song.
Her eyes glistened with a mixture of awe and admiration, her gaze fixated on Arthur as though he were a masterpiece brought to life.
As her words struggled to form, she inadvertently let out an unintentional sound, "Geheheeeeee~," followed by a faint trail of saliva escaping from the corner of her parted lips. She quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand, embarrassment coloring her cheeks.
Arthur's confusion deepened, his brows furrowing as he sought to decipher her unusual response, "Geheh?"
"It's nothing," she hastily brushed off her lapse, composing herself with eyes closed as she gracefully stepped to the side, her demeanor regaining its usual poise, "We should get going; I'm sure everyone is waiting for you."
"Yeah, you're right." Arthur, still taken aback by Sina's inexplicable reaction, nodded slowly, his thoughts lingering on the enigmatic moment.
With a final glance in the mirror at his resplendent appearance, he began to make his way through the ornate door.
Just as he walked past her, Sina couldn't help but act on impulse, she sniffed the air, taking in his scent before she fell to her knees, her hand on her breast as she spoke, "~I… wasn't ready for that".
…
As Arthur stepped out of his apartment, he found himself bathed in the soft, early morning sunlight that cast a gentle warmth on the cobblestone pathway leading to the courtyard.
There, standing in perfect unison, were Raiden, Isla, and Mona, each adorned in the traditional attire of Eldoria's women. The garments were a symphony of rich, vibrant colors and intricate patterns, a living tapestry that connected them to their heritage.
Arthur's mind raced with questions, wondering if their presence was merely a coincidence or a carefully orchestrated surprise. His approach was confident, his smile warm as he greeted them, "Ladies… what brings you here?"
In response, the three of them turned their heads in unison, their eyes locking onto the voice that beckoned them. Arthur, with Sina still dressed in her maid outfit behind him, became the focal point of their attention.
"Master Arthur!" Raiden exclaimed with genuine joy, her smile lighting up her face like a sunrise. Without hesitation, she broke into a run towards him, Isla and Mona following suit.
The courtyard seemed to come alive as they closed the distance, their footsteps echoing with excitement and camaraderie.
With a gentle, fatherly concern, Arthur inquired, "Raiden, I see you've settled well here? Or do you perhaps have issues I'm not aware of?"
Raiden shook her head, her expression unwaveringly positive, "No… I enjoy it here a lot…" Her response was filled with genuine contentment, her wolf ears and tail wagging.
Arthur's smile remained, his affection for Raiden evident in his next words, "Very good." He reached out, his fingers gently cupping her chin, tilting it up to meet his gaze.
"If you face any problems, just let me know… I'll take care of it." His whispered assurance carried a comforting weight, and he began to step away, leaving a stunned and blushing Raiden in his wake, her heart aflutter in the courtyard's serene ambience.
Her face was so red that it resembled a ripened tomato, and her words struggled to escape her trembling lips. As Arthur's figure grew distant, Mona stood there, rooted to the spot, unable to tear her gaze away.
"Raiden?" Mona's expression remained surprisingly serene as she clutched a sword tightly in her arms—a gift from Arthur on the night of her arrival, now held like a guardian.
"I'm fine; let's go already." Raiden's determination propelled her forward, her flushed face a stark contrast to her resolute steps.
Mona observed Raiden's relentless advance, her crimson eyes locked onto her retreating figure.
"Relax, Master doesn't favor her over you," Isla reassured, her voice a soothing counterpoint to the tension in the air.
"I know that, I'm master's number one." Mona spoke back, still hugging her sword as she kept walking.
After a while, they reached the arena, positioning themselves at the edge of the bustling crowd. From their vantage point, the entire spectacle unfolded before their eyes.
The women surrounding them could barely contain their excitement as Arthur made his entrance into the arena.
However, they all understood the gravity of the moment and refrained from disrupting the crucial event. Instead, they resorted to hushed whispers among themselves.
In the arena, a breathtaking display of magic and swordsmanship unfolded as Asorth and Luna engaged in a fierce battle.
It left Arthur pleasantly surprised, for he had never expected his mother to possess such formidable strength.
"Has she always been that strong?" Arthur couldn't help but voice his astonishment, his eyes glued to every fluid movement his mother executed.
Her feet danced on the floor, as she wielded her spear, while deflecting every sword strike Asorth was throwing at her.
"Lady Luna is the strongest in the village… she was supposed to be the chief, but for some reason, she declined and gave the position to Asorth." Sina chimed in, explaining to Arthur.
Arthur stared at the battle for a while, his women behind him, yet he couldn't help but grin at the sight.
"Interesting… very interesting indeed." He spoke.