Chapter 143: Me and You

While Layla was speechless by the unexpected revelation, Serene, on the other hand, was interested in the things Tristan said.

"Sister? Is that mean you also an outlander Layla?"

Hearing someone called out her name, Layla nodded her head thoughtlessly in her shocked state. It was apparent that what she heard just now was too much for her to process within a short time frame.

"Well, you are very welcome here. Please make yourself feel at home." 

After a close scrutinization, Serene realized that Layla was the girl that Tristan was carrying that day. She quickly put it all together, it appears this girl came from the same world as Tristan. Unexpectedly hearing the word 'sister' put a strange smile on her cheek, one that Tristan didn't manage to see as he was busy teasing his sister.

Realizing that the two siblings were in their own world, she excused herself and gracefully walked away heading towards the assembly room under the gaze of the two.

The two young women appeared to be full of smiles and friendly with each other at first glance, but as soon as Serene walked away, Tristan was faced with his sister's murderous glare. The level of intensity she unleashed made him subconsciously take a step back.

"MARRIAGE?! What the fuck, Tris! Are you crazy?! Do you have a screw loose in your head?!" Layla screamed with all her might, causing her voice to echo through the hallway and nearly deafening Tristan in the process.

Hell, before Tristan could even try to explain, Layla continued her streak of rampaging.

"Now I can SEE why you like staying here so much… You are literally making yourself at home!"

"Wow! Wow! Wow! Chill, sis. Chill. Give me a chance to explain!" Tristan said hurriedly while catching all the small punches Layla currently threw at him.

Layla eventually calmed down several seconds later, but she still kept her glare at Tristan, as if she would kill him if what he was about to say didn't satisfy her.

"Layla, I was forced to do this. The story is quite complicated, and we don't have the time to talk about it in detail. In a way, I did this for you. I did this so we will be safer in this godforsaken land!"

Upon hearing that, Layla sneered, "Huh!? Don't even think for a second that I will believe your lecherous face!"

Now, it was Tristan's turn to be speechless. He was dumbfounded by the exaggerated reaction that his sister showed at the news.

"Woah.. Is that really how you see me? Anyway, just believe me! This is all just a kind of political marriage! Nothing more, nothing less." Tristan explained, in an effort to quell his sister.

Unfortunately, it was in vain.

"Political marriage, my ass! What do you know about politics, you horny scum!?" 

Layla exploded once more, which was then followed by a rain of punches heading to the offender.

Layla was so irritated by the matter that she left him and went to the assembly room by herself, leaving Tristan standing there with his hand stretched out in the air. After a while, he pulled back his hands and walked to the assembly room with a faint smile on his face.

Tristan, although surprised with her reaction, still found the situation to be amusing. In fact, he was happy about what just happened. He was glad that his sister was back to her usual self again.

When Tristan entered the place where the assembly was held, he could see that it had been filled with important figures. He could tell other than King Callan, the dozen other people were the elders of the other Elven kingdoms.

Elder Anmar, who had unknowingly appeared beside him, still acted as his guide as he began to explain who the guests were.

Those who wore white and green tunics were hailing from the Mirkwood Elven Kingdom, the largest and most populated kingdom among the elven kingdoms. It was located in the center of the Evergreen Forest.

Tristan's attention then was caught by the elves who wore grey tunics with faint streaks of white. They were the Ithilien elves. Their kingdom was situated on the southern side, adjacent with the border against the impassable mountains.

Lastly, the elves who were originating from the Forlond Kingdom - those who wore yellow tunics with a hint of dark. They occupied the land next to the Chaotic Plains in the eastern side of the Evergreen Forest. They were known as the ones that have many relations to the orcs.

These three kingdoms were all elven kingdoms that consisted of Wooden Elves, and including Vanyar Kingdom into the equation, were 4 of the 7 elven kingdoms in this world. This meant that the elf branch of Wooden Elves occupied more than half the existing kingdoms.

However, it seemed that the main star in this assembly was King Callan, whose arrival wasn't expected by the queen. The reason Tristan dared to assume that was because almost everyone's attention was on the man.

Not long after, the assembly finally began. The main agenda of the assembly was Tristan being showcased by the Elf Queen and introduced to the many parties here. Although it appears as if this was just simple, he can tell that nothing simple about it at all. All the guests give him a strange look and with his enhanced sense he can hear whispers of his name being continuously mentioned.

Throughout the meeting, Tristan could see that although the Arcadian King seemed to be arguing to the Elf Queen about everything that was happening at the moment, the two appear to have a very good relationship. Thinking about it though, he felt it made sense. After all, the queen was still the former's aunt.

At one point, Tristan noticed that King Callan was staring at him with a mixed look, this made him wish he can tell what the queen has been talking to this Arcadian king.

After quite some time, all the guests in the assembly were being excused as both the Arcadian King and the Vanyar Queen seemed to have very important matters to discuss further in private.

The two siblings once again reunited for dinner, but it was obvious that Layla was still pissed about what happened. The girl was pouting her lips while staring daggers at Tristan.

When dinner was done, Tristan swiftly grabbed Layla's arms and took her out to the balcony. Naturally, Layla tried to struggle free.

"What the hell do you want now, let me go!!"

Seeing the fierce reaction, Tristan shook his head in helplessness but there was no way he was going to let her go.

"Hey, calm down! Calm down, alright? Why are you so mad about this, sis? It was me who got forced into this! Not you!"

Upon hearing Tristan's words, Layla took a deep breath as she tried to calm down. She realized that what her brother said was true and her reaction was indeed a bit too much.

"Alright.. I apologize. I am overreacting."

Tristan waved his hand at that.

"Never mind about that. So, what is it? What is the thing that's bothering you?"

Layla, who already calmed down, lifted her head when she heard Tristan's question. She looked at him straight in the eye and asked, "Tell me. Do you like this princess?"

Tristan unhesitantly replied "No. No!  I told you that I was forced."

Suddenly, Layla raised her hand and put two fingers on her forehead. Then, a white light gradually appeared on them. On the other hand, Tristan suddenly felt a slight headache.

"This is a new magic that I learnt, brother. A spell unique for light element users like me. It's called [Mind Read]."

Before Tristan could say anything, she continued.

"Your mind is too hard for me to read in detail, but I can somehow tell… yes.. You quite like this elf princess. So, … tell me..why do you lie to me, Tris?"

"That's a great skill indeed. But are you sure you're learning it right? The result must be a mistake!" Tristan was half laughing as he said that, but clearly, Layla wasn't in the mood for a joke right now.

Layla looked at him with an indescribable gaze.

"You might not understand it, Tris, but me seeing you in this strange body, being away from you and then… founding you marrying an elf princess. I… feel... I am losing you, Tris."

Hearing that, Tristan gently grabbed her shoulder with his two hands.

"Sis, use that mind reading again and hear this! I promise you! You will not lose me!"

He stops for a second, stares at her, and said

"It will always be me and you against the world!"

Layla's head was lowered so Tristan couldn't see her expression. He quickly lifted her head up and could see her eyes was watery as she said, 

"Congratulations on your wedding"

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Written by Avans, Published exclusively by W.e.b.n.o.v.e.l,