* * *

The elves, looking at Chaeyi as though he were a cherished nephew, openly expressed their fondness and curiosity.

“Hey there, wouldn’t you consider betrothing yourself to me?”

This interest seemed to be taking a strange turn.

“No, I’m the better choice—come and be engaged to me!”

“Wouldn’t you agree I’m more suited for you?”

They brushed his cheek or touched his hand lightly, as if trying to tempt him.

It was an awkward situation; with their stunning looks, one might easily be swayed.

“I’ll have to decline.”

After all, when it came to beauty, Leonard was a league of his own.

Having grown accustomed to Leonard’s almost unreal looks, Chaeyi stood firm, committed to the one he already loved.

He thought of Leonard as his life companion, no longer just like family, and believed that, barring an unavoidable circumstance, he shouldn’t let his heart stray.

“Oh, so elves aren’t your type?”

“I already have someone by my side.”

“Who says you have to choose just one? Humans sometimes take on several lovers if they find them appealing.”

“We wouldn’t mind sharing you.”

“I don’t want to be shared.”

Chaeyi remained resolute, so the elves shifted their aims, each insisting they would be his elder sibling, uncle, or aunt, sparking a strange, playful debate.

“What? I’m Chaeyi’s son!”

Silviet, passing by and overhearing, joined in, claiming to be Chaeyi’s son.

“Haha! Then I’m his best friend!” Kukuf chimed in enthusiastically.

“He’s done so much for me, after all. Call on me whenever you need help!”

The silly argument escalated, creating quite a scene.

Here they were—three powerful, mysterious races of the world—squabbling over a mere human.

Chaeyi, for his part, calmly sipped his drink, oblivious to the absurdity around him.

‘Time to wash up and get some sleep.’

Leaving the chaotic debate behind, Chaeyi slipped away to find a dwarf who gave him permission to use a bath.

He washed up thoroughly, and by the time he emerged, the lively noise outside had quieted as most revelers had fallen asleep.

No sign of the knights, Enoch, or Leonard either.

As Chaeyi glanced around, Leonard appeared, stepping out of a nearby house, his damp hair a sign he had also just washed.

“Leo.”

At Chaeyi’s call, Leonard approached him, his warm, gentle hand cradling Chaeyi’s cheek.

“Chaeyi, you were washing up? I wondered where you’d gone. Are you heading to bed now?”

“Yes. We’ll have to get up early tomorrow, so I’d better rest.”

Leonard nodded, holding Chaeyi’s hand as he led him along. “Alright, let’s go to bed together.”

“Do you think we can use any house?”

“Kukuf’s place should be fine.”

Talking quietly, they headed to Kukuf’s house, which was empty since most people had either collapsed outside after drinking or were washing up in various houses.

Leonard, ever the opportunist, leaned in and placed a light kiss on Chaeyi’s cheek.

Startled, Chaeyi turned to him with wide eyes, but he didn’t pull away.

“Can I kiss you?”

“…Then let’s go into the room.”

Leonard’s eyes lit up, though he hid his excitement well and nodded.

Though Chaeyi appeared reserved, he was surprisingly straightforward with his emotions.

He was reluctant to cross certain boundaries, which only made Leonard feel drawn to him all the more.

Following Leonard into the room, Chaeyi hesitated as he closed the door, feeling a little shy

Leonard, seeing his flushed ears, came up from behind and wrapped his arms around Chaeyi’s waist.

When he whispered his name into Chaeyi’s ear, making his shoulder twitch, it stirred a deep urge within him.

Leonard brushed his lips along Chaeyi’s neck, letting out a playful whine.

“Kiss me, Chaeyi.”

Chaeyi bit his lip for a moment, then turned, cradling Leonard’s cheek, his own face pink, meeting Leonard’s gaze before their lips pressed together.

Leonard, who softly bit down, explored the inside of his mouth.

Despite his earlier attempts at kisses, Chaeyi was still new to this closeness, following Leonard’s lead.

“Mm… ah.”

His heart pounded wildly, his breath growing shallow. Leonard’s hand slid up his back, its warmth sinking into his skin.

Leonard’s lips, wet from the kiss, glided down as he buried his face in Chaeyi’s neck, while Chaeyi clung to his arm.

“W-wait…”

The heady scent of Leonard’s pheromones, now stronger from his excitement, made Chaeyi feel dizzy, and a tingling sensation welled up low in his belly.

Leonard’s touch lingered, more deliberate and patient than before, making Chaeyi’s body heat up.

As another result of his growing excitement, it became obvious Chaeyi couldn’t hide his reaction, and Leonard’s gaze lowered knowingly, observing him closely.

“Why are you staring?”

“Would you like me to help you?”

Chaeyi caught himself stealing a glance at Leonard’s waistband, which hinted at his presence more than intended, and for a moment, he thought about it seriously.

But he hesitated and quickly turned away.

“No… I’ll handle it myself.”

Imagining it made his face flush, and he couldn’t bring himself to agree.

The thought of being guided by Leonard’s hands, surrendering completely, and losing control over his own restrained gasps was enough to make him want to disappear.

As the older one in this dynamic, Chaeyi wanted to handle things with a little more composure, but it wasn’t easy with how naturally skilled Leonard was.

“I… I’ll be right back.”

Chaeyi hurried out of the room, leaving Leonard to deal with his own needs.

When he finally calmed down enough to face Leonard, Chaeyi felt a little self-conscious, but Leonard, without missing a beat, wrapped him in his arms until they both drifted off to sleep.

Being held like that gave Chaeyi a sense of security, letting him brush off his earlier embarrassment.

---

The next morning, their party began preparing to depart at dawn.

After exchanging farewells with Chaeyi, Silviet left first, and when the elves were ready to leave, the dwarves and the rest of Chaeyi’s group gathered to see them off.

Once the elves were on their way, Chaeyi and his companions would also be returning to the Lancaster estate.

“Chaeyi, let’s meet again someday.”

“Was that your plan all along?”

The elf laughed at Chaeyi’s incredulous question and stroked his chin.

Clement, standing nearby, jealously muttered that he wished he could be enslaved by elves, but everyone ignored him; they were all used to his antics by now.

“Oh, and extend my sincere condolences for the fallen elves.”

“Think nothing of it. They met an honorable death, surrendering to a worthy opponent. Besides, we’ll gladly accept the compensation you offered.”

“What sort of compensation?”

Curious, Chaeyi looked to Delion for an answer, but the elves answered directly.

“We’ve arranged to receive pheromones for use in a ‘Pheromone Stone.’ These stones capture and release the pheromones of those with heightened abilities, like you call ‘Emanators.’”

“There’s such a thing as a Pheromone Stone?”

“Yes, it’s a bit of a luxury item for us elves, made from pebbles found beneath the World Tree. You probably wouldn’t have come across it.”

Ah… something used like a fragrance, perhaps? The idea of a Pheromone Stone was new to him.

“Well then, we’ll be taking our leave. We’ll come to collect the stone when it’s ready.”

“Understood.”

Delion nodded as they left.

With the elves gone, Delion looked around at the group.

Seeing everyone’s relieved expressions, he thought of how different they looked from the anxious faces they wore when they first set out.

All thanks to Chaeyi’s courage. With a lighter heart, Delion turned to Chaeyi and spoke.

“It’s time for us to head back as well.”

“Yes!”

The knights responded loudly, and Chaeyi’s group departed with the dwarves seeing them off.

Along the way, they reconnected with some beastfolk, who, as a token of gratitude for helping the dwarves, offered them horses to make the rest of their journey back to the estate swift and safe.

* * *