Arthur only arrived via Gate a few seconds ago.
After his pastries and desserts were neatly packaged into boxes, he had used Gate to appear in his room right from the Cafe.
He didn't like how he had to hide to use his Space Magic, that was also why he had let the Adventurer's Guild know he was able to use Space Magic.
As for his other Elements, he decided to keep them hidden with Illusion Magic so Isabell didn't see the glowing balls.
Anyway, after he appeared in his room he had walked down the familiar hall to the dining room where he had heard various familiar voices.
It was just he had picked the wrong time to appear there because as soon as he walked in heard what Uncle Ern said followed by Uncle Edward.
Though Arthur was clueless at times, that didn't mean he was dumb.
He clearly understood the k-kiss from Scarlet and Violet, followed by 'D-d-darling' and 'Hubby' meant.
Like he said, he wasn't dumb.
He just wanted to skirt around the topic as much as possible.
It's not like he disliked Scarlet and Violet.
How could he?
It was impossible.
The problem is he didn't know anything about them.
Their likes.
Their dislikes.
Their favorite color… or maybe he did.
It was glaringly obvious.
Anyway, the point is, he barely knew Scarlet.
As for Violet?
He hasn't had a single conversation with her.
Sigh… why couldn't I have arrived a minute later?
"Hohoho, Arthur my boy! Great timing, come, and sit here!" Edward said with a laugh, pointing at the dining table which used to be for four now it was for seven.
"Arthur dear, where have you been?" Lynn asked after Arthur sat down.
"I went sightseeing in the city." Arthur said before explaining everything he did, seeing no reason to hide anything.
"It is good that you hid your aptitudes. Despite the Adventurer's Guild neutral stance in worldly affairs, I have always doubted their claims." Ern was impressed by the boy's maturity. He was starting to like the boy more and more. If it were anyone else in Arthur's position, they would have shown their aptitude for all Elements. In the end, that person would have been hunted down and either killed or enslaved via a Soul Binding Contract.
Arthur too doubted the Adventurer's Guild, not because he had evidence against their claims of neutrality, but because he had read too many novels in which the Adventurer's Guild ended up being an enemy.
It was better to be safe than sorry.
"Arthur dear, what about the pastries and desserts?" Elaine said as she looked around for those aforementioned sweets.
Gate
Arthur said within his mind before a five foot in radius portal appeared slightly above the table and two, four by four foot boxes and a small one by one foot box softly landed on the table.
"Fufufu~, I have wanted to enjoy Moon Cafe's specialty pastries and desserts ever since your and Scarlet's story." Elaine said before she voraciously started devouring the pastries and dessert in front of her.
"Arthur dear, you also have my thanks!" Lynn said before just like her sister, she started devouring from what she presumed to be only her box of pastries and desserts.
"Aunt Elaine and Aunt lynn those-"
"Arthur my boy, forget it, this cheesecake is more than enough for us two." Ern knew just how much his wife, daughter, sister in law, and niece liked sweet foods.
"Hmm, Ern is right, this cheesecake is more than enough for us." Edward had already finished his first slice of cheesecake.
Sigh… it seemed he should have ordered more deluxe serving platters.
Scarlet and Yuki weren't the only sweet toothed girls…
It seems Aunt Lynn and Aunt Elaine were too… probably even Violet.
[Munch thank munch you!]
[Don't speak with your mouth full!] Arthur reprimanded Yuki, who was munching down on the third deluxe serving platter within Scarlet and Violet's room.
"Arthur dear, what about the special 'date' tea~? Elaine said teasingly, though she was hoping Arthur had also bought the special tea Scarlet had mentioned.
With a slight blush, Arthur opened another Gate and five cups of tea appeared."Sorry Aunt, I almost forgot."
"Truly refreshing!" Edward commented after a sip. It was much better than the brew he tasted everyday.
"Indeed!" Ern too commented on the exemplary taste of the tea before he said, "Elder brother, I presume there must be more to your story no?"
"Hmm?" Edward, who was enjoying the cheesecake and tea, became confused before realizing why he had barged into the estate.
"I almost forgot, hohoho, anyway, Arthur my boy, I hope you don't mind, you have a competition with the eldest sons of the Demi Human Lizard Clan and Demi Human Snake Clan in a month's time." Edward said nonchalant before going back to enjoying his cheesecake and tea; as if he didn't drop a bombshell.
"What!" Everyone, even Lynn and Elaine, stopped eating when they heard what Edward said.
Sensing everyone's eyes on him, Edward looked around puzzledly before saying, "What's wrong?"
"..." Arthur
"..." Ern
"..." Lynn
"..." Elaine
Edward realized why they reacted in such an odd behavior, so he dismissively said "It's just a small one on one duel. There is nothing to worry about." before going back to eating.
"If it's just a measly duel, then there is nothing to worry about." Ern said, understanding why his elder brother was so nonchalant.
Lynn and Elaine didn't see any reason to comment and went back to devouring the serving platter.
Arthur; on the other hand, wondered how they could be so nonchalant and how a simple negotiation for alliance lead to him having to fight?
Did Uncle Edwards' outburst anger them?
"Uncle, is there a purpose behind the duel?"
"Arthur my boy, do you know about the relationship between the Vampire Kingdom and the Demi Human Kingdom?" Edward said seriously, no longer nonchalantly as before, since the topic has plagued him and his ancestors for centuries.
"Yes uncle, Uncle Ern has informed me this morning of the racial discrimination that has plagued both nations."
"Good, then that saves me some time explaining. As for your question, there is a purpose behind the duel. As you already know, the Demi Human Kingdom used to be an alliance between the various minor Demi Human Races until they felt threatened by some corrupt Vampire Noble Families." Edward said before taking a sip of tea.
Arthur didn't know how that had anything to do with his duel.
Noticing Arthur's confusion, Edward smiled before continuing, "Like I was saying, due to the Vampire Noble Families, the Demi Human Alliance became the Demi Human Kingdom. However, what most do not know is how the Royal Family was chosen among the minor Demi Human Clans."
"Through a duel?" Arthur didn't know how to feel if he were right with his assumption. Yes, strength matters in ruling a nation, so civil war doesn't break out and to protect against invading nations. However, strength wasn't the only factor in ruling. Intellect was needed or else a muscle head could bring destruction to their entire nation.
"Indeed" As a King his senses were quite sharp, therefore, he had seen the disapproval in Arthur's eyes toward such a method of electing a ruler.
Though he agrees strength is not the only factor a King must have, intellect is equally as important.
However, the Demi Human Kingdom's ruler's have all possessed strength as well as wisdom.
Instead of telling the boy himself, why not let him see the ruler, when the duel occurs?
Hehehe.