Chapter 106: Chapter 24: A Strange World...
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A black and red suit was being put on my body by two lovely ladies, one with fluffy red hair and eyes who was fixing my pants and shoes with an adorable look while the taller elf with blue hair was preparing makeup, my hair and waistcoat, dabbing me with strange flowers that had a mild and soothing scent.
"Why are you so handsome... fufu, I want to eat you up." Lumia giggled as she pressed our noses together, her warm breath blowing down my lips before she pulled away.
"His crotch really stands out in these tight, fitted pants... Dad won't feel overwhelmed, right?"
Currently, the two girls had somehow transferred me to a different world, where the sky was violet with a blue moon and strange red sun and blue grasslands...
I recognised it as Lumia's world, and currently, we were inside a large mansion that belonged to her family.
Flora's parents lived in a similar-style mansion but many sizes larger because that was the castle of this kingdom and one of the few civilised places on the planet, Nelas.
In fact, Lumia's true heritage was the elves who lived on the large blue moon that orbited the world and seemed to cause the green grass to turn blue.
That moon was called Asteria.
The reason Lumia's hair was blue was that the man on the moon was denser, causing people born there to have such colour hair and eyes, while Flora had red hair and eyes because her world Neras, or the red moon, was also filled with mana.
"Is it true that the moon is red and the sun is blue if you stand on Asteria? How does gravity work then... if it orbits Neras, shouldn't it be blue and red if you stand there?"
Flora tilted her head and seemed confused by my question before Lumia answered while putting some powder on my lips that made them tingle before suddenly softer and less chapped.
"You see, we don't understand either; the scholars who have studied on both sides for over twenty thousand years say it's due to a strange form of divine magic that makes sure neither moon nor sun falls out of sync, and the two planets are like twins standing in a mirror..."
"There are even tales of people saying they saw their doppelganger with blue hair while standing on Nelas and looking into the sky; it's a very popular fad for students who pass their hunting exams."
I have to say, listening to Lumia as she gently squashed my cheeks with a strange berry juice that made them feel so smooth and tight was rather soothing... It almost made me fall asleep, as they seemed to be almost finished.
"Anyway, enough distractions, Rai. Both Lumia and I are ready, and it's almost time for the banquet to start; we need to make our entrance."
The moment she spoke, her arms wrapped around my left, and strangely, she seemed a little taller than before, now coming to my chest... Not just her tall heels, but it felt like she had genuinely grown taller.
I was not given time to ask, as Lumia's large, squishy bust was pressed against my elbow as she wrapped around my arm as I was now escorting this kingdom princess and future duchess...
I should have worn armour instead...
The steps towards the doors were a little heavy. Was it mental or actual pressure I felt from the loud music and the sudden introduction that sounded like a dull voice through the door?
"Now, introducing our lovely princess and dutchess, the apples of your eyes, here to announce something especially important today!"
"Please welcome Her Highness, Flora Reginta and the beloved elven duchess Lumia Sil Melarus!"
Shit, I wasn't announced... this is going to be horrible for me!
Damn it all!
As the doors opened, the lively music died down, and a vast hall filled with hundreds of men and women wearing fancy clothing, jewels and sparkling dresses appeared, with all eyes turning to us as Lumia and Flora walked forward, pulling me along and forcing me to enter the banquet.
"Our beloved daughter and duchess have brought a guest today. May he step forward and introduce himself!"
What!?
Why don't I get that super cool-looking gnome to introduce me? Old man, just because you're Flora's dad!!!
Don't make me stuff her oven with a kid!
Damn old geezer!!
Flora released my arm and walked forward before standing beside her father, a middle-aged halfling with a large beard and golden crown wearing a royal purple cape that matched his outfit, while Lumia did the same but bowed and took a lower seat beside a similar-looking man with a more handsome and adventurous look.
Suddenly, the room looked at me, and I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.
Act like those elegant nobles you saw on TV... copy their elegance, grace and dignity!
⁜Third Person View⁜1
What he didn't realise was that the moment the tall, muscular Rai with golden hair like a god descending from above, he had already conquered half the task; when his eyes closed and he took a deep breath, the halls were silent as his aura almost crushed them with it's a regal and divine feeling.
Even Lumia and Flora gulped as his muscles tightened and relaxed, his broad shoulders straightened, and his chin rose as his head levelled out.
"Good evening, everyone. My name is Iranos Vestalt." With an elegant bow, his body leaned down, wrapping his arm under his chest while the other spread out across his body with a dramatic flare, making his greeting look not just polite but picturesque.
He didn't use his name from the planet he came from, but the name that constantly sounded in his mind ever since Aki called him that way, in silence, during sleep, during battle.
Rai was convinced this name was related to him and the way the goddesses were attached to him.
This was his moment to not only play his cards, meeting the parents of Flora and Lumia, but to confront Asteria and the new goddess Neliel.
"It is my utmost pleasure to meet the family, great nobles and countrymen, that support my two future wives in these testing times."
His greeting caused quite the commotion, as murmurs spread like wildfire while Lumia's father and Flora's father looked at each other with serious expressions.
They thought he was just some adventurer and planned to teach him a lesson, yet he was so at ease, enough to make them feel HE was the real king here.
"Future wives!? Who does this brat think he is!?" Lumia's father growled and stepped forward, causing Flora's father to stop him.
"Wait, brother... Isn't he really amusing? Like you in the past."
Lumia's father froze and recalled his youth when he travelled the world, defeated monsters and even slaughtered a dragon that was attacking the Elven Kingdom of Neras.
Indeed... He was just like this damn playboy Iranos Vestalt! That's why he MUST stop him now!
The bastard was sleeping with his daughter. Damn him!
"Brother, wait... Look at Lumia and Flora; he smites them. Shouldn't we hear him out and let them explain before we jump to conclusions?"
Flora's father spoke calmly as Lumia's father glared at Iranos Vestalt with intense jealousy and anger burning inside.
"Very well... You will explain yourself, boy! Why are you sleeping with my precious Lumia, who was such a pure and kind girl before!?" The duke grumbled to himself while watching as Rai finished his greetings under the loud applause from most of the female nobles and royalty and quite a few of the males.
"Allow me to sit and explain everything; I have nothing to hide." Iranos Vestalt walked forward, and Lumia's father waved to the servants, ordering them to pull out a chair for this arrogant brat.
Once Iranos Vestalt sat, Lumia's father slammed his fist on the table while glaring intensely at him.
"Speak quickly, Iranos Vestalt!"
Rai raised his eyebrow slightly and sighed before raising his hand, stopping Lumia's father.
"First, Duke Melarus, I believe you owe me an apology. To accuse me of sleeping with your precious daughter without listening to her story is not just rude but outright barbaric. Secondly, your words have upset Lumia greatly; look at her crying and Flora trying to comfort her. Your behaviour is not fit for a parent, duke."
Rai lectured the duke, who seemed shocked by his sharp tongue and honest words; however, he gritted his teeth and prepared to argue back when Lumia stood up and yelled at him.
"Father! Darling is telling the truth, and Flora's feelings are real too; please don't be angry!"
Lumina stood up, wiping her tears before speaking honestly to her father.
"Daddy, he saved my life many times, protected me, trained me, and I fell in love with him. Flora loves him too, and Daddy, I don't think there is a man big enough on this entire planet to match his size..."
"I am already addicted," Lumia confessed her feelings, adding more fuel to the fire.
Flora nodded as Rai watched the duke freeze before glancing at him and asking a simple question.
"Boy, Iranos Vestalt, what are your intentions with our Lumia and Flora?"
Rai smiled and stood up before walking over to Lumia, who hugged him tightly as if scared her father would try and drag her away. Then he lowered his other arm, allowing Flora to jump onto his forearm and sit comfortably.
"I plan to marry them and spend the rest of my life protecting and loving them."