Honestly speaking, I didn't think both Kloe and Emma would be so open of me creating a harem in the coming future. I wonder, should I bring it up with Grandmother? Kloe was right with what I had planned today. I decided to host a Tea Party, which is set to take place in the afternoon to celebrate Grandmother's birthday, even if it had already passed. Hers is in September while mine is in January. Kloe's is early in the year as well, so I figured why not celebrate them all at once now? Both of our ten year birthdays came and gone, and it was still chaotic last year. I held off on it until now, and with the Royal Assembly taking place soon, now just seems the perfect time to do so, you know? It's going to have a lot of people attending. Even Jenis's current Dean will attend it.
And more importantly, this will be my first appearance at these Royal Assemblies. Not as Naoto Osborne. No. As Naoto von Auslese, Crown Prince of Liberl! I know I will have to participate in these meetings myself once I assume the throne in the future, but by participating in them now, it will give me firsthand experience to see how it operates.
It shouldn't be hard to get acquainted with most of the mayors. There may be one or two I dislike. One of them even becomes a minor villain early on Sky, only to get completely fooled by one of his nobles. Mayor Dalmore. He holds a rather interesting item that I might want to ahold of. The Chronos Rod. It is susceptible to the Black Orbment and can have its effects shut down, but imagine such an item get empowered by the Gamer System. I cannot fathom such a possibility. It renders a person's movement useless and paralyzes them completely. It's just like a time-stop wand. Makes you wonder how the Dalmore Family acquired such a treasure, but that, in a nutshell, are how Artifacts are. If I acquire such an item, it may put the Septian Church against me as an enemy, and I am not sure if I want such a target on my back.
So I could only put that thought aside for now. I saw the man standing before me with a wide grin on his face.
"What, cat got your tongue, my dear prince? Or are you too shocked to meet your older brother once again? And here I thought that we were comrade in arms, seeking the merry path of romance...", Prince Olivert said, trying to distract me again.
"Would you cut that out already?", An annoyed voice said, causing my gaze to become clear once again. A third figure arrived beside the two. This man was Mueller, Prince Olivert's personal bodyguard! Looks like he made it too. That made sense, seeing these two people next to him. I saw Princess Alfin remain quiet with a light blush on her cheeks, still feeling shy. She even hid behind Prince Olivert. How cute.
I know a lot will be happening soon, so for now, I could only welcome these people. These are the first of several guests to arrive for my Tea Party.
"It looks like you three were able to make it after all. I do apologize for our current appearance. We need to go freshen up first before the other guests start to arrive. It really has a while hasn't it? Your Highnesses.", I said, greeting the two with a bow.
"Oh but it really has, Prince Naoto my boy. I knew you wouldn't ascend into the Goddess's Halls this soon. You are of His, after all. Heading there should be the last thing you'd expect.", Prince Olivert responded, smiling back at me.
I really haven't seen this guy in a hot minute, have I? A full nine years have passed since the events transpired in Heimdallr, and it's been five years since I entered the DG Cult. That meant I had to say goodbye to these two people. But now, we've reunited at least. Prince Olivert has turned around twenty years old now. He should have graduated from Thors Military Academy a couple years ago. He's still the acting Crown Prince of Erebonia. For now, at least. He plans to pass that role onto Cedric in the future, but with how things develop from here, he will only assume that role again a second time later on during Cold Steel, with everything happening to Cedric and all. But since I'm taking Cedric's spot in that story, Prince Cedric might be able to ascend as Crown Prince this time around!
Only time will tell.
Still, I approached Prince Olivert. We both reached our arms out, and gave a big 'ol hug. I truly have missed the guy. Hearing this, I laughed.
"Haha, you certainly have grown, Your Highness. It sure has been a long time, hasn't it? You know me so well. I can't be taken down that easily.", I replied, smiling at him. "Thank you for keeping His Highness in check as always, Mueller.", I continued to say, greeting Mueller beside him. He had his iconic sword equipped at his waist, so he was on active duty. I can appreciate that.
"It is my duty to do so. I know His Highness's heart is in the right place...even if he does act like this from time to time.", Mueller said, and greeted me back. He too was in his twenties now. A fully-fledged Vander of the Vander School. After greeting these two, I saw Princess Alfin sneaking her head out beside Princess Alfin, still looking at us. I decided to be ignorant.
"And who might you be, young miss?", I asked with a playful smile. The moment I asked that, the girl pouted.
"Did you really forget about me, Naoto?", Princess Alfin immediately shot back at me, pouting. I couldn't help but let out a laugh seeing Princes Alfin do this.
"Hahaha. I apologize. I just wanted to tease you a little. How could I forget someone as important as you, Your Highness? You are considered Erebonia's Treasure, after all. It is very nice to meet you again after so long. Princess Alfin.", said, greeting the girl beside Prince Olivert. Hearing this, I actually saw a couple tears form in her eyes. She suddenly entered a mad dash, leaving Prince Olivert's side. She latched on hard, and gave me a tight hug.
"It really is you, Naoto! You don't know how sad I was when I learned I couldn't come to your house anymore to play. Later on, I learned what happened to your place, and...", Princess Alfin said, feeling saddened by what happened back then.
"Alfin...", I uttered softly. Reaching my hand out, I ruffled her hair a bit, and wiped her tears away. I'm sure she was really sad back then. But well, here we are now. We can start creating new memories! Seeing me do this, Princess Alfin smiled.
As for Kloe and Emma, they just watched on as we shared a moment like this. Kloe became interested, while Emma also smiled. Unlike Kloe, Emma knew this girl. After all, she too was present back at the Osborne Villa. She had gotten acquainted with Princess Alfin back then.
"I take it this is someone you know, Naoto? This girl is really pretty. I did see her name on the list too. I didn't expect to meet you like this. Your Highness, Princess Alfin?", Kloe said, and walked up beside me while greeting Princess Alfin. Again, this wasn't supposed to happen. Like, at all. But it is, so I'm rolling with it.
"List? What list?", Princess Alfin asked, wondering what Kloe was referring to. Parting ways from me a bit, she did a curtsy of her skirt. "And yes. How could I forget to introduce myself? Sill me. I apologize for that little outburst just now.", Princess Alfin continued, and formally introduced herself to us.
"You may call me Alfin Reise Arnor. I am the first princess of Erebonia's Imperial Family. Big Brother here was gracious enough to invite me to this Tea Party. Teehee.", Princess Alfin said, glancing back my way. "And Brother Olivert here is none other than Erebonia's Crown Prince. As it stands, he holds equal footing with Naoto. It truly is a wonder they see each other as brothers.", Princess Alfin continued, and greeted us. She was in her St. Astraia uniform already. I guess she's started school already. St. Astraia is an all girls' school that is open to all ages. One would study there until they finish, unless you have special circumstances.
"M-Meow!", Celine tried to say, and quickly shot a glance at me. I simply grinned at Celine, knowing the fact she couldn't speak in human tongue right now. As for Emma, she smiled again seeing Princess Alfin before her.
"It sure has been a while, hasn't it, Your Highness? It is good to see you in good health. You may not remember me, but we too played then. I'm Emma.", Emma said, greeting Princess Alfin.
"Heehee, how could I forget about you? I'm happy to see you again too, Emma!", Princess Alfin said, quickly approaching her and also gave her a hug. Kloe just watched on, and saw this happen before her.
"You really are Erebonia's princess?", Kloe decided to ask. It was then the two princesses of their respective nations glanced at each other. Prince Olivert stood beside me, equally showing interest on this matter. This isn't something that is common, I take it. After all, our two countries were at each other's throats not too long ago, even if the nobles were behind it all. A subtle change in the air stirred around the room, like they were about to clash.
"Indeed. I am Princess Alfin. I take it your are Your Highness Princess Klaudia?", Princess Alfin asked, keeping her tone polite.
"I am. We had just woken up a little bit ago, I am sorry for you all to see us like this. We will wear something more formal for the Tea Party in a while. Seeing you so familiar with Brother already, you can call me Kloe.", Princess Klaudia said, introducing herself to the golden duo.
"And as such, I am Naoto. Keeping it simple, Kloe and I are cousins, at best. She does have a habit of calling me Brother every so often. Take it as you will.", I also said, greeting everyone.
Hearing that, Kloe blushed but nodded her head.
"Oh my.", Princess Alfin said, looking back at us. Hearing that, Prince Olivert also approached us, and stood beside Princess Alfin.
"Haha, I can't be left out now, can I? You can call me Prince Olivert. And Alfin's dear older brother. A pleasure.", Prince Olivert said, doing his greeting as well.
Before I knew it, all four figures amongst royalty now stood in our bedroom. The violet duo and the golden duo!
These three members of royalty shouldn't cross paths until Zero and Azure when the Western Zemuria Trade Conference begins. But thanks to my influence, they're all meeting each other early. You even have Emma added into the mix. I'm already starting to look forward to that event in particular, as I'm sure I too will be attending it. After all, I'm an Auslese too!
As for Emma, however, she stood there dazed while she observed us. She felt out of place, haha!
Emma behaved quite differently from Mueller, who just watched this with a serious look in his eyes. He knew he couldn't interrupt our ongoing conversation. He wasn't in the place to do so.
Sadly, we had to still get ready for the day. Prince Olivert took Princess Alfin out of our bedroom. Celine made sure not to have me disturb Kloe and Emma while they got cleaned up first. I went in second after they were done. It didn't take long for other guests to arrive.
We even got to meet Estelle and Joshua! Boy was it a blast getting to chat away with them. It looks like Joshua got over the hurdle of joining Estelle's family as Joshua Bright. He did shot glances at me every so often. He probably figured things out, since I've met his other side, the Black Fang. The Faceless did turn Joshua in a way where he wouldn't remember a thing until the big reveal in Sky, so who knows what went on inside in Joshua's head.
Either way, time started to pass by in a blink of an eye. The next year soon began, marking it S1198 on the calendar.
This was the very same year the DG Cult Extermination would take place!
I still have some things to do, but this year hopefully takes me to Crossbell City!