Chapter Twenty-One: Obligatory Welcome
"Aisha you get all the books?" Rena asked from another room. Their stay was up and everyone was packing up to leave. It had been a nice trip, everyone just lounged about. Oberon and Elsword kept quiet about the near rape, not wanting to soil the good mood. She had gotten all packed up early, and Dizzy held onto her shoulder as she helped Elesis pack her stuff.
"Yeah!" Aisha replied to the elf.
"So Elsword, any plans for Chung?" Elesis asked, genuinely just curious. Elsword smiled.
"Well, I was going to ask him if maybe we should spend some time with Delilah." Elsword said, "Maybe we can separate at Hamel and me and Chung will come home later."
"I see." Elesis shrugged, "Actually, didn't Eve say she had to leave us when we got to Altera?"
"Oh yeah, Aisha also said she had to go to Sander for some time for personal reasons." Elsword recalled.
"Guess me and Ara will be alone with Raven and Rena." Elesis shrugged. They packed in silence for a bit, "Hey El?"
"Hmm?" Elsword just finished putting the last of Elesis's clothes in a suitcase, zipping it up.
"Would you maybe mind, riding with me and Ara back to Hamel?" Elsword looked at her, "Chung can come too."
"Why?" Elsword was confused.
"Just want to be with my sister, that so bad?" Elesis retorted, seemingly flustered. Elsword couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright, I'd like that." Suddenly the door opened and Eve walked in.
"Elsword, prepare your things, you will be riding with me and Aisha."
"Wha-"
"As I hear you are planning to leave at Hamel and stay with Delilah. Me and Aisha are leaving now, hurry up."
"B-But-Gah!" Eve grabbed Elsword's hand and dragged her out the door. At the other end of the hall she heard Chung.
"Whoa hey!"
"Hurry up!"
"Hey careful with that!" Chung yelled at Aisha, "Ah! That doesn't go there!"
"Eve's gonna get mad~!" Aisha said, "And guess who has Elsword at the moment?" There was silence, and then suddenly Chung was running out the front door with his bags to meet Elsword just as Eve got into the car.
"Hurry now. Lots of room." Eve said, making room for Elsword. The two sat together as Aisha and Chung slid into the seat facing them. Oberon and Ophelia sat in the front, and started the car.
"We'll see you all soon!" Rena yelled from the front door.
"Bye!" Everyone waved.
"See you so-!" Chung suddenly looked away as Rena was standing in the daylight without a shirt or bra on waving madly. They had a party last night and she clearly was hung over. Raven stepped outside and pulled Rena back in as Oberon turned the car around and began the drive out of resort. They all sat in silence.
"So, enjoy the trip?" Aisha asked.
"It was okay." Chung said, taking out his sketchbook and beginning to draw.
"Still haven't finished it?" Elsword whined. Chung smiled.
"Every detail has to be just right. I wouldn't do anything less for you."
"Awww, how cute." Aisha poked the blonde in the side.
"Tea?" Eve asked.
"Huh?" Elsword cocked her head as Eve clapped her hands and a tray shot out from between the seats. Eve pressed a glowing key on the tray and a tea set and snacks appeared.
"How the-?"
"I made this car myself, remember Elsword?" Eve said nonchalantly as she took a cup and poured herself some tea.
"Still, kinda surprising." Elsword pointed out. She didn't take anything, just put her elbows on her knees, cupped her face, and stared at Chung who sat across from her.
"Say Chung?" Aisha had a sly grin on her face.
"Hmm?" The prince didn't look away from Elsword, as if not looking into her eyes was a sin.
"We know how long El was hooked on you, but how about you?" Aisha grinned as Elsword took interest.
"Yeah, when did you start crushing on me?" Elsword said, sitting up straight and helping herself to some tea. Chung looked down.
"It's...pretty cheesy..." Chung mumbled.
"Can't hear you~." Elsword sang, giving Dizzy a piece of bread to nibble on.
"Well...it was when we first met."
"Love at first sight? How quaint." Eve said plainly, sipping her drink.
"Well, that and...you saved my life."
"Wow that is cheesy." Aisha agreed.
"And I love that." Elsword smiled.
"Well, I think you love his innocence." Eve chimed in.
"Huh?" Then, the tea set vanished, and the car hit a speed bump.
"Gah!" Chung wasn't ready, and was sent forward, face planting between Elsword's legs. Both their faces flushed with red, and as the tea set reappeared Chung hurried to push himself up and curled up into a little ball, the feel of shame surrounding him. Aisha laughed.
"Not so innocent anymore!" Aisha giggled.
"Well, Chung should collect himself." Eve said, a surprised look on her face.
"Huh?" Elsword looked at her as the car stopped. The door next to the crimsonette opened.
"Lady Elsword?" A man in a vest addressed her. She looked at Eve, who nodded.
"Y-Yes?"
"Ah, admirable. Might I ask you and your majesty to come with me?" Chung looked up, and sighed.
"We'll be right out Gilligan."
"Who is-"
"Chung! Elsword!" They all jumped at a familiar voice, "What a coincidence to meet you here!" Delilah was outside the car greeting them.
"M-Maje-" Elsword remembered what Delilah said on the flight, "Delilah, what are you doing here?"
"Mother, cut the act." Chung sighed, "She came to kidnap us Elsword."
"Oh Chung, you wound me!" Delilah said innocently, guilty as sin.
"Well, we were going to visit anyway, why make it a big deal?" Elsword got out of the car, "Chung, come on." Delilah smirked behind Elsword's back, having the upper hand of Elsword's approval.
"Yes Chung, come on." Chung sighed, and got out of the car.
"Ophelia." Eve sent her maid an order, and soon the Nasod was out of the car handing Gilligan a box filled with a special tea set.
"Eve, what is this?" Delilah asked.
"A gift I planned to give to you that I got from the resort. I see no reason not to give it to you now. Treat it well, it's well aged El crystal."
"I see, you have the greatest taste. Thank you." Eve smiled and Ophelia closed the door. Aisha quickly opened the window.
"Well, we gotta dash." Aisha said in a hurry.
"Oh I understand. We'll see you another time." Delilah waved as the others sped away down the drive. Delilah smiled at Elsword, "Shall we return to the castle? Lady Gerenhart is visiting for the week." Elsword smiled.
"I wouldn't mind seeing her again."
"But first, oh..." Delilah cringed, "We have got to get you into a new dress." Elsword sighed.
"If you want."
"Shall we return majesty?" Gilligan asked, holding the limo door open.
"Come now my dears." Delilah glanced at Chung, "There is much to do." Chung sighed, she was going to force this to happen. Guess it's my own fault for taking so long.
Elsword couldn't help but stare out the window as they drove through the city streets of Hamel in the limo. They had just arrived at the castle, and Gilligan opened the door and offered his hand to help Elsword out.
"I'm fine." Gilligan didn't let up until she was out of the car and upright however, and then turned to Delilah.
"I'm fine." The same treatment happened all over again, "Please take Chung."
"Very well ma'am." Elsword tilted her head as Gilligan drove off, Chung still in the car.
"Where is he taking Chung?"
"Now, let's get you into something more fitting." Delilah completely ignored Elsword's question, arousing suspicion. Elsword just followed Delilah into the castle. Recruits were training in the front courtyard, and the captain noticed the two women approaching.
"Initiates! Attention!" All the guards stood at attention. Delilah sighed.
"Guard captain Orswald, you don't need to be so strict."
"We all have our places ma'am." Orswald said stiffly. Elsword noticed a female officer glance at her and then look down. Elsword smiled and walked up to her.
"Hey there." Elsword said, shocking the recruits and the girl in general, "What's your name?"
"L-Lily Kenyon, L-Lady Seighart." Elsword sighed.
"Come on, ease up." Elsword said, "What made you want to be a guard?"
"Umm...you did ma'am." Elsword blinked, "After the war my pa told me all about the El search Party, and I wanted to be like you."
"Well, keep working hard then." Elsword said, "Treat your blade like you treat your friends, and it will return in kind."
"Y-Yes ma'am!" Lily bowed, and Elsword smiled and walked off.
"We'll be off now."
"Yes ma'am." Orswald turned back to the recruits, "Back to work!" The trainees began to spar again.
"Quite a way you have with the people Elsword." Delilah said, looking dead ahead as two guards opened the front doors to the castle.
"Really?"
"Yes, I don't regret a thing when you take my place one day." Elsword blushed.
"I-I wouldn't be a good queen."
"It's not much different from how you are now." Elsword looked up at her. They were silent until they reached the north tower and went straight to the top to Delilah's room. It took some doing, but they eventually found a royal dress that fit Elsword well. It reminded her a lot of Eve's dress, but it was more plain. The top of her chest was slightly exposed, and the black fabric neatly covered her arms as well. Gold buttons evenly lined the front.
(A/N: In case it wasn't clear, Elsword is wearing Code: Exotic's dress.)
"Delilah?"
"Hmm?"
"Is there somewhere I can stay? I need some sleep." Delilah smiled.
"Why you'll be sleeping with Chung of course." Elsword blushed, "Come, his room is right downstairs from mine."
Elsword and Delilah left the queen's room and were soon outside the door to Chung's room. Elsword's heart was beating fast. Chung's childhood bedroom. How long has it been since he's been in here? Since anyone's been in here? How old was he when it was left?
"Go on." Delilah gently pushed the crimsonette to the door, "Go inside. Chung will be home soon." Elsword swallowed, and slowly opened the door.
The inside of the room was a light sky blue theme. Various drawings hung from the walls, and in the corner was a giant Phoru doll. Dizzy, who was in Elsword's arms, stared at the toy. Delilah stepped inside, remembering something.
"I'm sorry but, will I be able to ask you to send Dizzy home with your friends?" Elsword looked up at her, "We will be very busy, and he could get forgotten about."
"I...I see..." Elsword shook her head and held Dizzy up, "Dizzy, you'll be going home with Aunty Rena, okay?"
"Mommy!" Dizzy didn't want to go.
"No fighting." Elsword said, and Dizzy pouted. Elsword patted his head, "If Rena tells me you were a good boy you'll get a special treat when I get home." Dizzy piped up at that.
"Mah!" Delilah took Dizzy.
"I will contact your friends for them to pick this one up. Please, make yourself comfortable." Delilah left the room, leaving Elsword all alone. Elsword walked slowly through the room. The bed was small, was Chung only a little kid when he stopped using this room?
"So small...we'd have to..." Elsword blushed and felt like steam was erupting from her ears, "Sleep on top of one another!" Elsword imagined Chung beneath her, his strong arms around her back. Her mouth hung open with her eyes closed in imagination, "Ah..." She blinked and shook her head. She walked up to the wall of paintings and sketches. All of them were of Phorus of different sizes. Even as a child, his drawing skills were incredible. Each picture seemed to jump out of the paper. She sighed, and walked over to the doll in the corner. She kneeled down and stared at it, "Chung's baby toy..." Elsword felt her red cheeks leeching onto the rest of her face. The toy a cute baby Chung dragged around everywhere, hugged tightly in front of people, slept with it as well. Without thinking, Elsword picked up the giant doll, and shoved her face into its own, inhaling deeply. She sighed, "Smells like baby Chung...Aww..."
"Elsword?"
"Dawh!" Elsword jumped, still holding the doll as she slowly turned her head in embarrassment to see Chung at the door.
"Umm...I...Err...Ah..." Elsword wasn't able to speak. Chung smiled and stepped inside and put his hand on Elsword's head.
"Sorry for the childish room, I haven't been home in so long." Elsword blushed.
"I...like it..." Elsword mumbled. Gah! Why am I always so nervous around him?!
"I like it." Chung said, admiring her cuteness, "But...the bed is a bit small though."
"I-I don't mind." Elsword said.
"But we'd-" Elsword suddenly grabbed Chung and threw him on the bed. She jumped on top of him.
"We sleep like this. Problem?" Elsword saw hesitation in Chung's eyes, "Oh, you want to sleep nude?"
"N-No!"
"I'm just teasing." Elsword said, her eyes growing heavy, "but...I'm sleepy...and comfortable..." Elsword suddenly fell asleep, and Chung just smiled.
"Good night, Elsword."