Chapter 345: Outside the blanket (3)

    In Alvenheim, they made a grand announcement that they had prepared a gift for me, but I can vaguely guess what it is.

    Considering the Elven-style communism and Arwen’s reaction, it would be strange not to know. Moreover, since she confessed her feelings for me, it’s impossible not to know.

    Alvenheim plans to give me Queen Arwen as a gift.

    They say they can never lose to the demon race, so they will offer their queen to me.

    It might seem a bit too much to give away the king of a country, especially a powerful nation, and some might argue that treating a person as a gift is wrong.

    But that’s just the way things are.

    The tradition of arranged marriages exists, and there are places where marriage is used as a diplomatic tool.

    Even though Arwen is the queen of Alvenheim, that doesn’t mean she can’t be an object of an arranged marriage.

    In fact, for Arwen, being with me would be a solid shield both personally and politically.

    It’s like having your cake and eating it too.

    She could maintain her happiness while also gaining a solid diplomatic advantage.

    ‘But I’m sure she won’t give me the gift right away.’

    A day is long.

    Arwen won’t just hand me the gift without any process.

    She’ll probably spend the whole day on a date and reveal the gift only at night.

    Of course, all of this is just my guess, so I shouldn’t be too sure.

    To confirm, I’ll have to head to Alvenheim.

    It’s dangerous outside the blanket, but to receive the gift, I’ll have to go out.

    Alvenheim knows this, so they will surely send the most elite of the elite.

    This much I can predict, but an unexpected condition has come up.

    “I swear. If you want to monopolize me, just say it clearly. I don’t understand why you’re making so many excuses. Right, Adele?”

    “Yes, I agree.”

    I let out a wry smile as I watched Marie and Adelia chatting.

    Right now, I was getting ready by Adelia’s hands.

    The reason they were complaining like that is because of the condition Alvenheim had set.

    The gift is exclusively for “Xenon,” which means it’s for me, so no one else is allowed to come.

    No need to explain, it’s a state-level declaration, and they only want me to come.

    Anyone who doesn’t understand the situation might think it’s natural to receive a gift for an individual, but those around me quickly caught on to Arwen’s intentions.

    When it comes time for the gift, Arwen clearly wants to monopolize me, so she’d prefer if no one else came. That’s all it means.

    “If you hadn’t been generous and let me have a few days, the goodwill I’ve built up would have completely vanished.”

    “Have you met Arwen?”

    I looked at Marie with a puzzled expression at her complaint.

    I knew that Cecily and Arwen had been in light contact, but this was the first time hearing about Marie.

    She flinched for a moment before shrugging her shoulders and answering nonchalantly.

    “We met at the mansion before, right? She gave me a communication device, saying she’d take good care of me in the future. But, unless it’s something special, we don’t really contact each other.”

    “Special matters?”

    “Well...”

    At my continuous questions,

    Marie rolled her eyes, then met my gaze.

    Her blue eyes were as mysterious as the sea, and I couldn’t figure out what she was thinking.

    Then, she smiled slightly, pinched my cheek, and said sweetly,

    “I can’t tell you now. Ask Queen Arwen herself later. But don’t ask directly. Time it right.”

    “What kind of timing?”

    “You can ask when the first night conversation comes up. You’re going to do it anyway, right?”

    “....”

    I was taken aback by how confidently she asked, and for a moment, I was left speechless.

    Was Marie the one who got jealous whenever I was involved with other women?

    She seemed to have read my thoughts because she smiled warmly and said,

    “Like I said before, you’re too big for me to handle alone. If I’m going to be pressured from all sides, it’d be better to embrace everyone, right?”

    “....”

    “Instead! As I’ve mentioned repeatedly, never forget that I’m your number one priority. Even now, I’m just ‘lending’ you to the queen for a moment, okay?”

    I couldn’t help but chuckle at her typical Marie response.

    As my fame grew, Marie’s consideration for me also increased in proportion.

    Who wouldn’t love someone like her?

    She has a charm that doesn’t lose to any other woman.

    She had been so focused on national affairs that she had forgotten the traditional, somewhat old-fashioned customs of the elves.

    Elves valued tradition, and no matter how much of a queen you were, there were things you couldn’t avoid.

    Especially now, when she had to ‘wrap’ the gift she would send to Isaac properly.

    Although the old elves from the Senate and the likes of Peren had mostly disappeared, the old-fashionedness had not.

    This was not just a worn-out bad habit, but an ancient, passed-down tradition.

    There was no way Arwen, who was a half-blood, could bear such a burden.

    ‘No wonder the birth rate is so low...’

    Thanks to this, she finally understood why the elf birthrate was so low.

    Regardless of gender, every time they performed this act, it was an unavoidable process, so they couldn’t help but be physically exhausted.

    Thankfully, as a queen, she had attendants, but for regular citizens, it would take a long time to do everything themselves.

    For the sake of Alvenheim’s revival, perhaps something should be changed.

    With a sigh, Arwen pondered this unnecessary task.

    ‘Still, I’m glad I did it early.’

    Arwen checked her appearance in the mirror, pleased with how she looked.

    At first glance, nothing seemed very different, but since she usually didn’t decorate herself, she looked better now.

    Normally, if someone like her, who appeared younger, wore makeup, it would be awkward, but now, maturity and cuteness coexisted perfectly.

    A smile brought out the freshness of a young girl, while a soft smile exuded the innocence of a maiden.

    Lastly, the faint scent of perfume stimulated the senses.

    The perfume was also made from the World Tree’s dew. Just being near it brought a calming effect.

    Finally, her attire.

    The true ‘gift’ was prepared for later in the night, but for now, she wore a white dress, a simple one-piece.

    However, her attendants seemed to have figured out Arwen’s strengths, as the design was slightly different.

    One side was closed off, while the other was left open, revealing a clear curve of her hips and exposing her pure white thighs without hesitation.

    There was no garter belt. Only Arwen’s pale thighs were exposed.

    Although she was shorter, her proportions were as good as Cecily’s, exuding a unique charm.

    ‘It’s embarrassing, but it’s a gift for Isaac, so...’

    Even though Arwen usually wore clothes with side slits, she felt embarrassed by today’s outfit. Was it because it was for Isaac?

    She blushed, gazing at herself in the mirror, before turning and walking.

    Her new heels clicked—click—click—on the floor.

    She finally arrived at the bed.

    On it lay the true ‘gift’ for Isaac, neatly arranged.

    As she observed the gift carefully, she looked around before clearing her throat.

    Then...

    “Dearest, please lower the blanket. Then the true gift...”

    Thud—

    Arwen, unable to finish her sentence, suddenly knelt and pounded the bed with her fist.

    Her face was crimson, and her long ears shook uncontrollably.

    Even after practicing several times, it was still hard for her to speak the words out loud.

    ‘How did she do it?’

    Suddenly, she remembered Cecily, who had taught her these words.

    She had even described herself as a ‘dessert.’

    Arwen truly admired how Cecily had managed to say such a vulgar thing in front of Isaac.

    While Arwen was pounding the bed in embarrassment, there was a knock on the door.

    Knock knock knock—

    “Your Majesty, Zenon has arrived.”

    “I’ll be right there!”

    But first, she had to meet Isaac.

    Everything else could wait.

    Arwen stood up quickly, her face still flushed.

    She didn’t forget to hurriedly place the gift back in its box.

    It could’ve been a disaster if she had been careless.

    “Where is he now? I’ll go meet him in person.”

    “Currently, Isaac is...”

    Alvenheim’s gift offensive had just begun.