Chapter 94: Game of Tag

The food served was a variety of fruits and salads. There were a few meat dishes but the majority was that of vegetables. This was a part of elven culture.

Another main part of their food was the juice. Because of their wide variety of fruits, they were several concoctions of various juices which tasted like heavenly nectar.

Earl enjoyed these fruits and salads to his heart's content while the adults did the talking.

It was important to abuse the benefit of being a child while he could still do so. He felt like he has been breaking character lately.

Some things needed to be tightened up with his character if he was going to get close to the Queen and the Princess.

After the meal, Ari said in an amused tone to her son.

"Do you want some exercise to digest the food?"

"Mom is up to something again." Earl laughed. "Sure. What do you want me to do?"

"Seems like mom can't fool you˜" Ari replied playfully and then redirected her attention back to the elven royalties.

"Before we leave, how about we watch something interesting?"

Saryll lifted an eyebrow and placed her drink down. "Oh? What do you have in mind?"

"Since Alea will become my protegee, it is important that I know the full extent of her capabilities. My Earl can gauge her abilities. It will be a friendly competition that we both get something from." Ari explained with a smile.

Saryll looked to her daughter. "What do you think, Alea?"

Alea took a good look at Earl for the first time. Her elven ears twitched slightly when they made eye contact.

She was a competitive person. Earl's purple eyes may be captivating but she was not going to be the first person to break eye contact.

The end result was solid seconds of a staring contest. Earl finally "blushed" and was the first to break eye contact.

Alea was left with her face also feeling hot and her heart beating a little faster.

"Fine, I'll do it." She agreed.

"Great. Although I must warn you, even among the elves, my daughter is a cut above the rest." The mature elf eyed Ari.

"Right, right. Our daughter will totally outclass your son." Abelis asserted smugly. Being a Prince Consort, he could finally insert himself in the conversation when the topic concerned his daughter.

"We'll see about that. Do you have a suitable area nearby for this activity, then?"

"Of course, we have a training area within the palace. Follow me."

The elf trio of mother, father and daughter stood up from their seats and lead the way.

They arrived at a magic circle after walking through the hall of the palace.

"Another one? These elves sure are fond of their teleportation circles." Lily sighed to Aria.

"Shush, Lily. They can hear you." Aria knocked Lily's head softly.

"Oop!" Lily covered her mouth and checked for the reaction of the elves in the front. "Lily doesn't think they heard. Teehee!"

Ari and Earl had to cover their face with their hands to suppress their chuckle.

The teleportation circle lead to the training ground of the palace.

It was a completely flat area with an off white floor made of an unknown material.

A dark coloured fog was in place of the walls which gave the impression of the place to be neverending.

Earl looked around as he made his way to the Elven Princess who was already in position.

To the middle, his mother had assumed the position of the referee.

"The rule for this bout will be relatively simple. If you are tagged 3 times by your opponent, you lose. Physical touches or magical ones both count as tags. We will begin whenever you are both ready."

At Alea's side, Abelis crouched down by her side and gave words of encouragement. "Daddy is cheering you on!"

"Humph!"

Alea looked away at her father's embarrassing display.

Meanwhile, Aria came to Earl's side.

"Master." The dark elf maid called her master.

"Hmm?" Earl tilted his head questioningly. It was unexpected for her to approach him without Lily.

To answer his question, Aria leaned forward and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"It's for good luck!" Aria smiled shyly.

The sensation of her lips on his cheek lingered for a moment. Earl placed a hand over his cheek to feel it for longer.

"Thank you, Aria. I am suddenly a lot stronger now!"

"Master, you silly." She laughed. "Aria will be cheering you on with Lily!"

The young dark elf in maid uniform sprinted off.

Earl positioned himself in front of Alea.

"Hello, Princess. I didn't get to introduce myself back there didn't I? My name is Earl."

Alea nodded as a sign of acknowledgement. Now that they were this close to each other, Earl could appreciate all her delicate features in detail.

Her emerald green eyes had the same effect as her mother's. They were calm and captivating. Her blue hair which was tied in a ponytail was silky smooth and straight, unlike her mother's which was blonde and wavy.

And despite her young age, her body was lightly toned with muscle. The open shoulder cut of her dress gave her overall appearance a cute edge.

"Hey, you," Alea spoke. She did not address Earl by his name despite the previous introduction. Her expression did not show any sign of contempt or arrogance. It was just her natural way of speaking. Her lips lifted up a little as she said, "Give me a good time, won't you?"