CHAPTER 24: THREE RACES THAT LEAD THE WAY

I don’t care about Lucian hiding somewhere anymore.

The fact that I just met a group of Moon Elves was enough to make me forget everything else. I sat with them around the table, completely absorbed in their stories, my earlier worries melting away like mist.

One of the elves gracefully poured tea into my cup, it was already my second, since I’d downed the first in one go while listening to them.

"But... your ears," I said, unable to stop myself. "I mean—"

"Ah," one of them giggled, tucking a silver strand of hair behind her ear. "We can hide or show them if we want. Like this..."

She tapped behind her ear lightly, and to my surprise, the pointed tip shimmered once before vanishing.

"That’s... cool," I breathed, eyes widening in amazement as I leaned forward a little. "Like, really cool."

The elves around the table giggled softly, clearly amused by my reaction, their silvery hair catching the soft light like strands of moonlight itself.

"So... your race usually works in this kind of business?" I asked, mostly to sound casual but also because I was trying to make sense of this world. Honestly, I regretted not finishing this book when Vivian sent it to me.

One of them chuckled, her silver hair glinting like glass under the boutique lights. "Well, yes. Our kind has a natural gift for aesthetics... fashion, design, and anything that requires a good eye for detail."

Another added proudly, "Most of the top designers in the city are from our kind."

"Really... that’s really cool." I nodded slowly, half listening, half wondering how many other mythical creatures were out there living normal, modern lives, just like humans.

Then my curiosity got the better of me, and the question slipped out before I could stop it... probably because I missed... his presence, or maybe I was trying to lure him out from wherever he was hiding. "Then... how about the dragons?"

The elf’s expression shifted slightly, a mixture of awe and caution. "Hmm... Dragons usually lead the business, the economy, and even politics in the country. Their influence stretches far and wide."

They nodded in unison as another added, "There are three races that lead the way... Dragons, Pegasus, and Leviathans..."

I tilted my head, feigning casual amusement. "I’ve never had a chance to meet any Leviathans yet, but Pegasus... I’ve met Lord Auren before."

"You met Lord Auren?!" Their voices chorused, surprise and excitement threading through each word. "How does he look?"

I shrugged lightly. "Hmm... not bad. Like... I could sense the green flag from him..."

"Green flag?" The deep, smooth voice cut through the room, and every head snapped toward the source.

"Oh gosh!" Most of the elves gasped, hands flying to their mouths. "Lord Auren!"

I froze for a moment, my eyes widening as I glanced around. The soft hum of the elves’ chatter seemed to fade, and a tiny knot of worry twisted in my stomach. What if Lucian appears out of nowhere?

Lord Auren’s deep voice cut through the silence. "Green flag?" His brow arched, curiosity lacing the words. "What does that mean?"

I blinked, realizing I’d accidentally dropped a phrase from my own world. "Uh... it’s... kind of like... a signal that someone’s... approachable? Or trustworthy?" I stumbled over the explanation, my cheeks warming.

The elves exchanged puzzled glances, clearly unfamiliar with the term, while I tried not to imagine Lucian silently watching somewhere nearby, judging me for saying it.

"Ah, that’s great to hear it..." He smiled, really beautiful. The one that would warm one heart.

Then his eyes moved from head to my toes, "You looked beautiful..."

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. I would have never expected to hear those words from the original male lead of this book, and yet here they were soft, sincere, and somehow completely disarming.

Auren’s gaze lingered on me, moving slowly again from my head down to my toes, and I could feel the warmth of his attention pressing gently against my chest. My mouth went dry, and for a moment, I couldn’t think of anything to say.

"Thanks..." That’s the only word managed to slip out.

"Oh and congratulations for the upcoming wedding..." Auren added with the smile still lingered on his lips.

"Woah... is this Lady Celeste?"

Another charming man appeared in the doorway, and every elf let out a soft gasp, their eyes widening in awe.

"Lord Thalor1," one of the elves whispered reverently, "the Leviathan Lord..."

He stepped forward, tall and commanding, with an aura that seemed to ripple like water around him. Even in this modern boutique, his presence carried the weight of the oceans themselves.

I raised my hand awkwardly. "H–hi?"

"You are as pretty as they described," he said smoothly, his deep voice carrying a calm authority. "Nice to meet you, Lady Celeste. Allow me to introduce myself... Thalor Veyra."

The moment Thalor Veyra’s name left his lips, the air in the boutique seemed to shift.

The boutique suddenly went cold, the soft hum of conversation faltering into an uneasy silence. Every elf froze mid-motion, eyes darting toward the mirror, whispering under their breath.

And I could feel it too, the chill air that he sent when he was annoyed or angry. At that moment, I was supposed to be annoyed and angry too, because he left me alone for five days without any explanation but here I was waiting just to catch a glimpse of his face.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, a mixture of anticipation and dread twisting in my chest. My palms grew clammy, and my heartbeat thudded painfully against my ribs.

The boutique seemed to shrink around me. The elves froze mid-motion, and even the hum of the enchanted mirrors quieted, as if holding their breath.

Then he appeared suddenly, without warning, stepping past the two men. Not from behind the mirrors, but likely through some hidden passage straight to the front of the boutique. His presence pressed into the air around him, sharp and impossible to ignore. Every instinct screamed at me, yet my legs remained rooted.

Lucian’s gaze landed on me, sharp and piercing, before it shifted towards Auren and Thalor, his voice low but cutting through the air.

"I never knew Lord Auren and Lord Thalor were interested in wedding gowns..."

Pronounces as Taylor