DANMACHI COLLECTION

by APTX1412

Fanfic collection of Danmachi. The story is not mine. Each chapter is not related to the other chapters. Author credits will appear in the story.

17. Ashkar44 - My Other Half (Elf)

My Other Half (Elf)

By : Ashkar44

...

Summary

Bell became a Hero without going to Orario and never planned on stepping foot in the city that shunned his parents and destroyed his aunt's reputation. However, something draws him there, well, a certain someone his mind won't let him ignore. Since he already needs to reunite the woman he saved with her loved one, why not see if Riveria is everything he dreamed/heard of? One-shot!

---

Bell Cranel had truly believed he'd never step foot in this city as long as he lived, but he was waiting in line outside of the gates of Orario anyway, the South Gate to be specific. It was true there was a time he wanted nothing more than to come to this city and become a hero, but that was when he was a foolish, naive child who had no idea how the world worked.

Not that Bell ever gave up his love for heroes, but when he learned about Orario from his grandfather/God, he was quick to realize heroes didn't exist in the city of Orario, even if the most powerful people in the world called it home.

While Bell had quickly given up the idea of coming to Orario to become a hero, he never gave up on the idea of being a hero. He wanted to make his grandpa, mom, dad, and everyone else, who sacrificed themselves so he could live, proud that he didn't waste the opportunity he was given.

Now, Bell was confident he'd done that, if most of the people in the world were to be believed. He hadn't done it for them though, he did it for his family and for those outside the walls of Orario who suffered because adventurers only cared about one city in this world. The one they fought, not to become heroes in but, to rule over like kings and queens.

Bell knew he couldn't lump every single person in Orario into the same category of glory seeking, I'm-better-than-you, give me, give me, give me adventurers. He'd met a few in his travels from Orario like Asfi who seemed to care more than he thought adventurers did of those outside the walls of Orario.

However, for every Asfi he met, he met ten like Arganna from the Kali Familia. He'd run into that crazy Amazoness a handful of times and had to fight the woman off every time she laid eyes on him.

Bell had been tempted to simply sleep with Bache, not only because she was better looking and a shit ton nicer than Arganna, but also to simply piss off the Amazoness. However, he didn't do that because he felt Bache would get punished in some way when he wasn't around, and he truly didn't feel a connection with Bache past someone who was nice to talk to and spar with.

He wasn't blind, she was beautiful as well, but Bell had never met a woman in all his travels that had caught his eye in a romantic way, and he wasn't the type to sleep with a woman just because he could.

No, Bell Cranel had always dreamed of finding 'The One' so to speak.

Bell had left the farm when he was fourteen to start his journey around the world with his grandfather to become a hero. It had taken nearly three years before he even met a girl he thought he might be romantically interested in, not that he hadn't met plenty of beautiful girls. None of them simply drew his eye to the point he couldn't stop looking at them or thinking about them.

Well, that was until it finally did happen.

Not that it turned out well for Bell, but it wasn't a disaster either. He truly thought he might be able to see a future with a girl finally only to find out she was married after talking to her for a couple of hours. The second time it happened even he couldn't believe it himself.

He never even entertained the idea as he knew before even meeting her that she was married already. That didn't mean he wasn't completely dumbfounded at her intelligence, grace, and beauty the moment he laid eyes on her.

Bell supposes it made a lot of sense though, and he should have expected it. Queen Elveria fit the most textbook image of a High Elven Queen you could possibly think of. As beautiful as any Goddess, as intelligent as the most learned scholars, wisdom well beyond her nearly three hundred years, and the gentle, comforting demeanor only the greatest of Queens possessed.

It was a little unsettling being in such a woman's presence, but she took a serious liking to Bell after he'd saved the High Elf Forest. Bell had been given a monetary reward, as most did when he saved them from a monster, but he always tried asking for other things.

While it was still insisted, he receive a monetary reward, what he traded loads of valis for was lessons on High Elven culture and history, but this wasn't out of the ordinary for Bell. In fact, it is what he normally asked for as a reward if others insisted on giving them to him.

Most, if not all, other adventurers would scoff and call him an idiot for asking for such a thing, but Bell reaped rewards that meant much more to him than valis. To Bell, it was much more rewarding that he could speak seven different languages, knew the customs of every culture he visited, and knew detailed histories of each culture even most from that culture didn't know.

All of this hadn't only made his travels easier; it made it much easier for Bell to make friends along the way as he and his grandfather journeyed around the world. Bell could count on every God and Goddess outside of Orario, save for one, because of the knowledge he gained around the world. It helped him out in so many situations he lost count of how many times it saved him over the years.

The reason he reminisced on this so much thinking of his Queen, is she was the one who taught him his lessons in the High Elf Forest when he'd defeated that nightmare. She always told him it was fitting she teach him, as she knew the most of their history and it warranted someone of such a rank teaching him because of the monster he slew, but Bell got her to admit right before he left, she was playing a different angle.

Honestly, it wasn't one Bell was mad at when he thought he figured it out. Even when he got her to admit it, he wasn't mad. He was honestly a bit flattered and embarrassed. Anyone would be flattered if a girl's mother kept mentioning her to them in an obvious attempt to set them up.

He supposed that went, triple, quadruple, maybe more?, if you took into account the woman's daughter was not only a High Elf, but the Crown Princess. Then again, it was also a bit embarrassing having a mother put a full assault on you for her daughter who didn't know you existed, so the good with the bad.

I know what you're thinking, Bell had the same thought. There's no way some human, no matter what he had done, would ever be able to marry a High Elven Crown Princess. Believe Bell when he says he didn't take much of what her majesty said seriously because of this very fact, but that all changed not long before he left.

King Larfal had summoned Bell and Zeus to the Throne Room, and Bell was certain it would be something horrible. He hadn't exactly gotten along with the High Elven King, and the more time he spent with Queen Elveria, the more the King seemed to scowl at him.

So it wasn't just Bell and Zeus who were surprised for the reason they were summoned, it was everyone in attendance, including Queen Elveria. They were all shocked into silence when King Larfal called Bell to the throne, made him take a knee, gave him lands in the Alf Forest, named him Lord Protector of the Alf Bloodline, and then presented him with a Blade of Laretheon, the same one he named him with.

Bell had learned about these blades only a day beforehand, and he was virtually speechless. He's honestly glad he had his lessons with her majesty on this specific weapon the day before as he at least remembers how to accept the blade and what to say after he accepted the honor. He doesn't think he would have been able to get out any other words with how surprised he was.

"Sal swear lor aegis Tel' alusfaen line Ath Tel' Alf ausa all salen ik, lida, will, ent quarlani, from bren noresh, until Tel' dath Ath salen noresh." (I swear to protect the blood line of the Alf with all my strength, will, and soul, from this day, until the end of my days.)

Bell may have been a bit speechless in that moment, but even he didn't miss the reaction of all the elves in the Throne Room when he accepted the honor in perfect High Elven. It helped immensely in his learning of the High Elf language that he was already fluent in common Elven, both languages were very similar, High Elven was just a bit more formal than common Elven.

After that day, a blind man would have noticed all elves change in demeanor toward Bell. Not only did every elf in the Alf Forest decide to start treating him like he was royalty himself, but the number of female elves who flirted with him was astonishing.

Honestly, Bell was fairly certain he had a 'type' after only spending a few days in the Alf Forest, and he's surprised he didn't end up with one of the female elves who were practically throwing themselves at him. Why? Well, it was obvious to Bell he had a thing for elves.

Not only was the first girl he was ever interested in an elf, so was his second 'crush' so to speak. Not that he would ever try to make a move on the High Elf Queen, and truth be told, while he still thought her the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on, he came to see Queen Elveria more as a mother figure.

Bell's sure she had a little something to do with that, and the reason was quite obvious, Riveria Ljos Alf. Bell isn't sure if her majesty was just talking up her daughter to Bell, but he'd become enamored with a woman he'd never even met simply because of the way Queen Elveria talked about her daughter.

Bell had no idea if the way her majesty described Riveria's character was true or not. He'd not be able to confirm she was a more adventurous elf than her majesty or disliked elven tradition more than her majesty until he spoke with her, but he did know one thing about Riveria he couldn't deny.

She was just as beautiful as her mother.

To be honest, it was a bit unfair. The painting of Riveria that her majesty had was made by magic, and very life-like compared to one done by an actual painter. Bell didn't really have to think of what she might look like because it was that life-like, he already knew. Honestly, he expected the painting to move at some point it was so life-like.

Bell thought it might be fate that he ended up fighting his final battle outside the Alf Forest. It was the only other place than Orario he never planned on visiting, but destiny brought him here apparently. He knew the reputation of elves and didn't like conflict he could avoid so he never planned on coming here.

He's sure glad he did though.

Not only because of the time he spent with Queen Elveria, but also because he realized destiny had plans for him to visit the Alf Forest and Orario. After the battle, Bell had planned to visit Orario once his lessons were through with Queen Elveria because he unwittingly released a prisoner, he had no idea was being kept prisoner, who needed to be reunited with a loved one.

Now though, Bell was going to be in Orario for longer than a few hours. Well, that was if his first meeting with a certain jade-haired, jade-eyed Crown Princess went in his favor. If it didn't, Bell would return to his grandfather and never step foot in Orario again.

"R-Reason for e-entering Orario business or p-p-pleasure?..."

Bell hadn't realized he had reminisced his way to the front of the line until he heard a female voice stutter toward him. He focused on the voice and saw a very beautiful azure-haired, azure-eyed woman standing right in front of him.

Honestly, Bell was seriously starting to question if there were any women in this world who weren't, at the very least, pretty, and this woman was no exception. However, other than the first few hours he spent in Queen Elveria's presence, women didn't get him flustered anymore.

It was quite hard for any woman to have an effect on Bell, and you'd understand why if you knew how his time in Athens went. Goddess Athena, a notorious man-hater, had tried with all her might, charming gaze and all, to keep Bell.

Once you went through a Goddess of Beauty, and supposedly one of the two most beautiful women to exist, trying to seduce you and came out the other side unscathed. There wasn't much any other woman could do to him.

Bell, on the other hand, had known for quite a few years that women thought he was stupidly handsome. Bell didn't see why himself, but he'd had enough encounters with stuttering women to know it was true.

That didn't mean he still wasn't stumped over the reason why women thought he was so good-looking. He did know how to use it to his advantage though, and he's sure being dressed in such nice clothing instead of his armor helped out even more.

"I suppose a little of both Miss..."

"S-Shakti!"

Bell chuckled when the woman slapped her hand over her mouth at her stuttered outburst. She really was cute as hell looking all flustered.

"That's a very beautiful name Shakti, very fitting for one such as yourself."

Bell might want to let up on the charm, or at least turn down the smile a bit. That was yet another thing that baffled him. He had no idea why women just melted when he smiled at them.

"Th-Thank y-you."

Bell was rather enjoying his interaction with Shakti, but he could feel the impatience of his guest, who no one else could see hidden under the cloak he gave her, so he moved it along, so she didn't hit him in the back of the head with her magic.

"I may be in the city for a few hours, or I could be here for years, Shakti. I'm not quite sure which yet, so may I simply pay as though I'll be here permanently?"

Bell figured that would be the best approach. It wasn't like he was short of valis. Even if he didn't have more than probably every Familia in Orario, he now had lands in the Alf Forest that generated income for him, so he truly wouldn't miss whatever he needed to pay to enter as though he was planning on being a resident of Orario.

"F-Five thousand valis..."

Bell smiled at Shakti one more time before handing over the valis to enter. After a quick goodbye, he made his way into Orario, his companion hot on his heels so the gate didn't close on her, but he still heard the red-haired Amazoness who was standing near Shakti speak as he walked into the city.

"You're stronger than me, Captain. I'd have let that fine piece of ass into the city for free. I can't believe you managed to keep your wits enough to get a third of the true entry fee from him."

Bell chuckled to himself, but kept walking, even though he sensed the amusement from his guest. He wished she could take off the cloak and walk around the city herself, but from what he learned, she'd stand out very much, so it had to be this way, for now.

While Bell did want to go directly to Twilight Manor, there was a reason he entered the city at the South Gate instead of the North Gate, right near the Twilight Manor. It was only a few minutes after entering that he was standing at the gates of another Familia's home, Folkvangr.

It looked every bit as ridiculous as Bell thought it would. It was completely over the top and was only to display the power and wealth of the Freya Familia. It boiled his blood, but he promised his grandfather he'd let go of the past.

He knew he'd never be able to move forward if he didn't, and he'd already gotten his vengeance. There was no need to dwell on what could not be changed any longer.

There were two guards at the front gate Bell could tell were either very experienced Level 3s or new Level 4s, not that they could harm him even if his back was turned and they took turns stabbing him, but it did show how powerful the Freya Familia was.

Normally Level 1s and Level 2s did the crappy guard duty job and only when Level 3s and higher were being punished or supervising did they have this kind of duty. These two were obviously on guard duty though at those Levels.

"Greetings Freya Familia, I am Bell Cranel, and I come bearing a letter for Lord Hedin Selland from King Larfal of the Alf Forest."

After hearing of Hedin from Queen Elveria, and King Larfal on his last day in the Alf Forest, the last thing Bell wanted to call him was lord of anything, but he had protocols he would fulfill. It was just another step in letting go of the past, but make no mistake, this was the only time he'd be cordial with anyone from the Freya Familia, especially Hedin.

"Leave it here and he'll get it."

Bell tilted his head toward the human on guard duty. He truly didn't even care to get the man's name, but he was going to make sure he followed through on what he promised. It was important Hedin received this letter.

"I shall entrust it to your care than, good sir." Bell held out the sealed scroll but grabbed the man's hand and nearly started crushing it instead of handing it over. He also flexed enough power that the other guard stood there in mute terror. "Lord Hedin had better receive this letter promptly, or I'll return, and you will answer for not delivering it in a timely manner."

Once he saw the terrified guard gulp and nod his head so quickly it nearly came off his neck, Bell released his hand and started walking north. Even the magic of his cloak couldn't contain the giggles he heard behind him from his guest. He was surprised by that reaction, but it did bring a smile to his face.

The Twilight Manor was, quite literally, as far away from Folkvangr as you could get inside the walls of Orario. It was right near the North Gate, and it took Bell longer to get there than it should have. Bell could have easily taken a few steps and appeared there if he wanted, but he wasn't too keen on showing off how strong he was to anyone in Orario.

Most wouldn't believe it anyway unless they saw his status sheet themselves, but he didn't care about that. Bell knew that kind of attitude could only be taken because of how strong he truly was though. Anyone else would be showing off their power at his Level, he had no doubt.

When he finally did make it to the front gate of the Twilight Manor, he was glad to see there were two guards, and one of them happened to be a male elf. Now, they were both Level two, as he expected, but being that one was an elf, he had a feeling this would go much smoother than he thought it might.

"Greetings members of the Loki Familia. I am Bell Cranel, and I come bearing a message for Crown Princess Riveria Ljos Alf from King Larfal and Queen Elveria."

Bell would be happy when all this formality was done with. He can't remember a time he was this formal with anyone, and he didn't like it. It was much better to just act like a normal person in his opinion.

"You think we would believe a human has a message from the Royal Alf Court? Do you take me for a-"

The elf froze, and it wasn't because Bell's hand went to the hilt of his sword. No, it was because he had uncovered said hilt, that was wrapped in a cloth. The elf immediately recognized the blade and his eyes widened to a comical level.

"I'll give you once chance to recant your previous statement, unless you want me to inform their majesties how you treated the Lord Protector of the Alf Bloodline."

"Yes, please, Lord Protector! I'm sorry, Lord Protector! I'll get her highness straight away, Lord Protector!"

"Vrine'winith." (Stop.)

The elf had nearly dropped to his knees and begged before turning to run off, but Bell stopped him with a single word. He hadn't even needed to speak it with any emotion behind it. The elf froze mid step as heard the human speak perfect High Elven, and slowly turned to face his probable execution.

"Y-Yes, L-Lord P-Protector?..."

Bell didn't like to use his title to scare the life out of people, well, most people. He's sure there are a few, one came to mind immediately upon contemplating it, but those thoughts were for another time. He had pressing matters to get to.

"First, I need you to hand these to her majesty." Bell handed him a sealed letter and a much smaller, almost, scrap of paper. "Please make sure she reads the note, but the letter is up to her to read or not, at the moment."

The elf nodded his head frantically and went to leave with the letter only to not budge an inch when he tried to take them out of Bell's hands. He realized Bell had said first, and there were more instructions to come, even if it was only one more truly.

"Lastly, say nothing of my rank or title, only tell her Bell Cranel wishes to introduce himself. I shall wait here until either her majesty comes out, or you return to tell me her majesty does not wish to meet me."

The elf blinked in disbelief for a few moments as he processed all he was told. It wasn't that he couldn't remember what he was told, it was that he basically wanted him to tell Lady Riveria that a human male wished to meet her and nothing else.

Every Elf, or person, he'd ever met would use any title they ever gained to its full advantage, and he couldn't think of a title one could use more to gain favor with an elf than Lord Protector of the Alf Bloodline, even his grandparents hadn't seen someone named as such in their lifetime...

AND THIS MAN WAS A HUMAN!

"As you command, Lord Protector!"

Bell shook his head at the enthusiastic reply from the guard. However, he'd seen that happen before after meeting an elf for the first time. Bell knew why they reacted that way, but he still didn't understand how they could.

His grandfather called it Hero Worship, but Bell thought you'd have to act like a Hero was expected to receive Hero Worship, right? And Bell was positive he didn't act that way, or everyone in Orario would already know who he was...

---

Riveria Ljos Alf was having a very indifferent morning, if she was being honest. She thought she'd be much more... she doesn't know... excited after returning from their latest expedition, but she wasn't. In fact, she was rather... bummed, she felt was the right word.

While it did feel good that they had defeated the new Monster Rex they discovered on their last expedition, she wasn't sure it was still as exciting as it was to discover new floors, and she certainly didn't like her growth.

They'd never gone deeper than they had this time, and sure, there were expeditions she used less magic, it wasn't most of them and she'd not gained nearly the excelia she had expected.

She shouldn't be surprised though. It took her nearly a decade to gain Level 7 from the time she'd attained Level 6. She'd only been a Level 7 for two years, so still having stats in the G range shouldn't bother her as much as it does.

However, it does bother her.

She wasn't even sure she was good for much anymore other than her experience in the dungeon. Alicia turned out to be even more than she expected when training her to take command of any situation, as Riveria had been doing for the last few years.

And don't even get her started on Lefiya. While she didn't possess the amount of total magic Riveria had at her disposal because of her Level and Royal Blood, the number of spells Lefiya knew, or could learn, was something Riveria could never keep up with and seriously envied.

As she sat at the executives table eating her breakfast and contemplating this, she supposed it might have a lot to do with routine, everything was a routine for her nowadays. She always sat in this seat at every meal. She always ate at the same time for each meal. She always taught Lefiya after breakfast and Alicia after lunch, then did her own reading until dinner.

It was all so predictable, and she wondered when she started disliking her orderly life. The only disorder to it was in the dungeon, and her worry outweighed her excitement longer than she cared to admit.

Instead of being awed at each new discovery, she spent her time worrying if Ais, Alicia, Lefiya, Tiona, Tione, and everyone else would make it back safely. It was starting to make her feel much older than she was. And no matter how many times she was called mama, she knew she wasn't that old, she was just dealing with those from short lived races.

Those who didn't live as long wished they did, and those that lived long wished they didn't, generally speaking. While there were benefits and negatives for both, one that always stood out to Riveria was fertility.

Those that didn't live long never seemed to notice that elven parents mostly had only one child. It was very unlikely for elves to have two children, unless they were twins, which wasn't a very good chance of happening either. Nor that three children were so rare you could count the number of times in history using one hand.

The number of human families with five or more children she'd seen over the years she couldn't even remember; it was that many. She'd barely mention the fact she'd met families with ten or more children.

And for all her stern looks and complaining about being called mama, she did want to be a mother. Her true problem was finding someone she could even tolerate to have a child with.

She knew she truly had no choice in the matter. She was the only child of the Alf Bloodline, and she couldn't let her family die out with her. That was also the immense problem she had with actually having a child. She was of the Royal Alf Bloodline.

The number of suitors who would be acceptable was nearly nonexistent. Of course, there was the disgusting thought of having to finally follow through on her father's decree and marry Hedin. That thought made her skin crawl and her have to hold back from throwing up her breakfast.

She'd rather her line end than marry that arrogant tyrant!

"Are you alright, Riveria?"

"Huh?"

Riveria turned to the sound of Finn's voice and hadn't heard the question she was so lost in thought. Finn pointed toward the fork in her hand. It was bent and unusable currently.

"Our latest expedition went great, what has you so stressed out?"

"I-"

SLAM!

Riveria was about to shrug off Finn with an excuse when the door to the dining hall slammed opened. She noticed Erlan, who should be on guard duty lock eyes with her and make a B line straight for her. She barely got time to stand up before he was bowing in front of her and holding out a letter and scrap of paper toward her.

"Your majesty! These were just delivered for you at the front gate. The messenger asks that you please read the note, and the letter is up to you to decide when to read. His name is Bell Cranel and wishes to meet you if your majesty has time to do so!"

There are a few surprising things in that short little interaction with Erlan, but she is only going to concentrate on the truly surprising things. One, that name was definitely human, and two, Erlan spoke it... reverently?

At least, that was what it sounded like to Riveria. While she wanted to ask a lot of questions, she thought the best thing to do first would be read the note. She was curious herself. She wasn't surprised it was short, there wasn't much to this piece of paper.

Riveria,

I apologize for introducing myself this way, but I was informed it was a necessity. If it were up to me, I would prefer to greet you for the first time in a much different manner. I was also advised that, if you do wish to meet, it may be easier, in the long run, if you bring any elves currently in the Loki Familia with you to our meeting.

Bell Cranel

Riveria must have read that note three times before her brain could register anything other than the words she read. It took her a moment to realize he meant in person when he was talking about apologizing how they met. He wasn't truly telling her anything about himself other than apologizing beforehand if she decided to meet him.

She couldn't help but wondered what that could possibly mean. For a moment, she thought he might attack her or something, but that was quickly pushed aside. Erlan wouldn't have spoken of this man as he did if he was a threat to her. It made her look down at the letter she held in her other hand.

She instantly knew it wasn't from Bell Cranel. Riveria could pick out her mother's handwriting from anyone else's. She didn't write too often, but every few years she'd exchange a 'how are you doing?' type of letter with her mother.

While she would assume that would be this letter, as it had been about four years, it was much heavier, and had never been delivered by someone who wanted to meet her, let alone a human man. She remembered Erlan saying it was up to her to read it or not and opened it.

She saw it was a few pages, but quickly opened it, ignoring, or not noticing, everyone in the dining hall staring at her. The first bit was as she expected, but the last part of it was a shock to her, especially the end of it.

Now, I know you have probably realized this letter feels a bit different from the others we have exchanged, Riveria. I only wish I knew if you were reading this before or after you have met Bell.

That gave Riveria immediate pause. Her mother, Queen of the Elves, had not only name dropped a human in her personal letter to Riveria, but she also hadn't even used his full name, just his first one.

This letter would be ten times longer if I took all the time, I would need to tell you of how Bell came to us in the Alf Forest, but I shall let him tell you what he wishes to, for I know you will be too curious to not meet him if you haven't already.

I wish I could be there when you meet him, if only to see your reaction, but there is something I am about to say in regard to why I, personally, wish for you to meet Bell that I truly wish I could see your reaction to...

Marriage.

Riveria choked on nothing when she read that word and had a few people ask, frantically, if she was alright. She brushed them off, but it wasn't easy. It took her a couple of minutes to regain her senses after that word.

Her mother wanted her to meet Bell Cranel, a human, and the reason she wanted her to was to consider him for marriage? Her mother? This was nearly as surprising as her father penning this letter. She scoffed at that idea, but it would come back to leave her floored later on. Well, in a few minutes.

Yes, I just said marriage, beloved daughter. I know you have always disapproved of your father's choice, and as much as I wished for you to choose yourself, you must now have to deal with your mother's attempt at sending you a suitor.

I know it is something you have always wanted to choose for yourself, and I know you may have fainted when you realized I said that about a human, but I'm sure it only made you more curious about Bell.

Riveria scrunched her nose in displeasure at the letter like her mother could see it. She hated how much her mother still could read her after being gone for over a quarter century.

If you have met Bell, you already know your father approves, if you have not, I wish it was another reaction I could see. Also, if Bell has done as he promised, your betrothal to Hedin has been denied by the crown so you no longer must suffer that parasite.

Riveria couldn't help but smile at that. There was little that would make her smile more than never having to hear that tyrant scream about their future marriage! She had no idea what the future had in store for her though.

It is obvious I approve, as I sent him to meet you. However, if you wish to know why I think he will be the best for you, I want you to listen to his answer to one question. Look at the last page in this letter.

Riveria grabbed the last page and pulled it out to the side to look at it. It was something she'd seen before. Honestly, a lot of times. Hedin had waved this in her face a number of times, but it was different.

That is the Royal Decree announcing your betrothal to Bell Cranel signed by myself, and your father. However, you will notice there are two lines under our names, and I shall tell you they are for yours and Bell's signatures. It will not be official unless you both sign it. If you want to know why I approve, ask him why he didn't sign it yet...

I love you daughter,

Your mother

Riveria looked back at the document after reading the end of the letter and hadn't even noticed the two blank spots below her parents' signatures, and yes, they were definitely their signatures with a Royal Seal. Of all the questions swirling in her mind to ask, one kept pounding its way to the front of her mind.

'How in the hell did a human get her father's approval, and how would she notice it right away?'

"Every elf in the room, follow me."

Riveria stuffed the letter and note in the pocket of her robe and started walking toward the exit. Every elf followed her without question, even as she heard Finn and others asking what was going on. Nearly everyone was still eating breakfast, and she ran into Alicia, the only one not eating on her way to the door.

When she stepped outside and her eyes focused in the morning light, she stopped in her tracks for a reason she never thought she would. It wasn't because she made eye contact with Bell Cranel, although it might be.

No, it was because of his looks.

Riveria knew she'd have to be, at least, somewhat, attracted to whoever she'd be with, but she hadn't seen a man this handsome in... in... in... well, ever. He still looked to be in his teenage years, but maybe near the end of them.

He gave off a very mature aura, but it felt... gentle to her. His hair was a white she'd only seen on Dark Elves, and his eyes were a ruby color she'd never seen anyone have before. She was about to come out of her stupor and wave like an idiot, but Bell stepped forward and bowed to her.

"Vendui' Vloriss Qu'essan Riveria..." (Greetings Crown Princess Riveria)

She watched as he stood up from his bow, gave her a gentle smile, and then reached for his hip. Those that noticed he pulled a sword from his hip reached for their weapons until they saw what it was and that he didn't draw it. He only held it out in front of him and continued his greeting, in perfect High Elven she'd like to note.

"F'sarn Senger Ih'ara Marofke Cranel d'lil Alf Taur..." (I am Lord Protector Bell Cranel of the Alf Forest). She already knew he was going to kneel next before he did. She finally understood his note, and she can honestly admit it earned him more points with her before he finished. "Sal wuthen vian approval lor ahkiilor va , Vian Majestime." (I wish for your approval to court you, Your Majesty)

Now, Riveria had been speechless since the moment she'd laid eyes on Bell Cranel. The fact the longer he was in front of her, it just added to the pile of things she'd say could make her speechless left her dumbfounded.

For the first time in her life, Riveria Ljos Alf had no idea what to say to anything that just happened. It was hard to even process he was that handsome. She thought she might faint hearing him speak such perfect High Elven.

She's surprised she didn't when he presented the Blade of Laretheon, even she'd only seen one. And only because her father had one taken from the vault, that he delivered himself, for her lesson that day on the subject. She barely had been able to truly look the sword over before it was being sent back to the vault.

All of those things, and what she truly couldn't get over was the end. He hadn't come to say; "I'm here to court you because your parents told me too." No, he asked if she wanted to be courted, and she had a feeling he'd leave if she asked. She went to open her mouth finally, but someone cut her off.

"Har har! Ya be nuttin' but a cougar ta dis yung'n ya old hag! Har h-"

She wanted to scold Gareth for interrupting, but her embarrassment won out in the end. He might be right seeing as Bell looked to be somewhere around eighteen. However, the dwarf was interrupted himself by a terrifying aura suddenly freezing everyone.

Well, everyone but Riveria.

She could see everyone frozen in place while Gareth was shaking in fright, but all she felt was a warming comfort wash over her. When she realized it was coming from Bell, she couldn't help but think he looked handsome, even with an angry scowl twisted on his face as he glared at Gareth.

"Riveria is barely a century old, which would be young for any High Elf. If you consider she has a Falna and is Level 7, she is barely a teenager if she were a human! And who are you to disrespect her dwarf?! Your wrinkles have wrinkles, and you may turn to stone at any moment you are so old! If you ever-"

Riveria will admit she got a little warm listening to Bell berate Gareth. She also couldn't help but note he'd called her Riveria, and nothing else. He did stop himself, take a deep breath, compose himself, and finally bow to everyone after a few seconds.

"I apologize for losing my temper for a moment. I am not only charged with protecting the physical well-being of the Alf Family, but also their honor. That was the first time anyone has been stupid enough to disrespect one of them in my presence, and I may have overreacted a bit. I hope you can accept my apology."

"It is fine, Bell. I'm sure Gareth won't do it again."

Riveria couldn't help but defuse the situation as soon as possible, and she couldn't help her feet either. They took her right in front of Bell Cranel, and he looked even better up closely than he did from farther away.

For Bell, he couldn't help but think the same. He was floored by her beauty from the moment she stepped out but seeing how perfect she was up close was something altogether different.

There was nothing to hide when you were this close to someone. The smallest imperfection would stick out like a sore thumb, and Riveria had none he could see. And well, Bell dares anyone to find another person in this world with better senses than he possessed.

Riveria had been taught protocol her entire life and rebelled against it. However, it seemed something took her over in that moment. Her feet didn't only carry her there, she also slightly raised her right hand, something she doubted she'd ever do.

To the shock of everyone present, but the relief of Riveria, Bell knew exactly what it meant. She was accepting his wish to court her, but the shock came from every non-elf as they watched Bell gently take Riveria's hand and lay a kiss upon the back of it.

The elves already knew what it meant, but the others knew little of Elven Culture. The shock of seeing the Nine Hells accept, not just physical contact, but a kiss, even on the hand, from a human she just met was almost too much to bear.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Riveria."

"You as well, Bell."

Bell couldn't keep his eyes off Riveria, and she seemed to be having the same problem. He had no problem just standing there all day doing just that, but he could feel the impatience radiating from his guest. It was no doubt because he could see who she wanted to run to only about thirty feet away.

"While I'd love to get to know you more now, I do have two other things I need to do. Do you mind if I finish?"

"Not at all." Riveria went to step to the side but stopped. She looked back at Bell and opened her mouth once more though because her curiosity wouldn't be sated unless she asked. "Just one question, why didn't you sign the betrothal?"

After everything she read and all the questions she wanted to ask, that one wouldn't leave her mind. Her mother had made her curious, and Riveria became even more so after meeting Bell.

"Oh, that's an easy one. I refuse to marry anyone who doesn't love me as much as I love them."

Not only did his answer melt her heart, but the absolute nonchalance he said it with, as though it should be an obvious answer, only made her feel it even more. She couldn't do anything but smile and stepped to the side for him to continue.

Bell looked toward his next target and didn't like he was going to do this. While it wasn't exactly killing him on the inside, he knew it would be a bit before he'd truly be alright with what he was about to offer, if it came to pass.

"Loki." Bell eyed the red-haired Goddess who had been right behind Riveria the entire time until she moved to Bell. "I wish to join your Familia, but I have a few conditions."

"Why would I even want you in my Familia?"

Loki tried to do her best to seem indifferent, but Bell knew the truth. If he hadn't been so blatant in his interest in Riveria, she'd be begging him to join after his little display when Gareth insulted Riveria.

"I'll not play games with you Loki. I know you wanted to invite me before I even asked. It already pains me to even offer this, but I promised I'd move on."

No one knew what he meant, but Riveria silently promised to herself she'd ask.

"My conditions are simple. If for any reason my courting of Riveria does not work out, you'll release me from your Familia, no questions asked. Also, I will only step foot in the dungeon for the purpose of protecting Riveria. If she is not going in, neither am I, and I will not be split from her once entering the dungeon."

While he could tell Finn really didn't like that condition, he truly didn't care. The Prum was no one to him. Plus, he had a feeling he'd end up protecting more than just Riveria. If she was like her mother, there were plenty of Familia members she saw as more than just members of the Familia.

"To make up for these... negatives, I'm willing to train anyone in the Familia in any weapon they desire. I have trained with masters of the spear, longsword, scimitar, rapier, short sword, greatsword, shield, hammer, urga, katana, wakizashi, tonto, shuriken, dagger, staff, throwing knife, three section staff, and unarmed. I also have extensive knowledge on combat strategies ranging from one-on-one fights to wars. So, what do you say?"

"How do I know you're not full of shit?"

Bell chuckled at Loki's question. It truly was a good question. All he did was flex some power, and he only had one weapon on him, at the moment. Well, one they could see.

"How about I show you evidence of how strong I am? I won't even need to fight anyone to do it."

"Alright..."

Loki tilted her head in confusion, and Bell, for once, didn't hate her on sight. He supposed he could make being in her Familia fun if he just opened up to the idea of it. He took his eyes off Loki for this and looked at the girl his guest had been staring at the entire time since she appeared. Honestly, Bell has to give her a lot of credit for staying under the cloak and not running right to her.

"Ais Waldenstein..."

Ais's eyes widened hearing her true last name for the first time since coming here nearly fifteen years ago. To nearly everyone else in the Familia, they thought the newest Wanna-Be Familia member simply mispronounced her name, only Loki, Finn, Gareth, Riveria, Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya knew that was her true last name.

"H-How do you know t-that?"

"I brought someone who has waited a long time to see you again, Ais Waldenstein."

Ais's confusion lasted only moments when she saw Bell lift his arms to his left. It looked like he grabbed the air then Ais heard the rustling of fabric and saw a silhouette emerge from nowhere. When the cloak was finally removed completely, Ais couldn't have stopped her tears at the sight if she wanted to.

She looked exactly as Ais remembered her. Her gold hair and gold eyes just like her. The same petite frame Ais possessed, but she looked like a mature version of the airhead Ais was. A single word escaped her mouth in a shout before she sprinted forward.

"MOM!"

Bell watched as Aria embraced her daughter. He couldn't imagine being parted from someone he loved that much for that long. He only got to enjoy the sight for a moment before Riveria was standing in front of him, filling up his vision.

"How did you rescue her?"

"Well, I-"

"Lady Riveria! What is the meaning of this nonsense?! Does your father truly believe I'll follow this ridiculous decree?! I don't care what he has to say, nothing will stop me from taking you as my brid-"

Bell was going to answer, but he spun when he was interrupted by an irate voice. He barely had to glance at the man to know it was Hedin.

While Bell was going to let the man voice his displeasure, and he wasn't exactly jumping at the chance to defend King Larfal, especially since he also didn't much care what the crazy old man had to say. He wouldn't stand by as Hedin threatened Riveria.

No one had even seen him move when he decided to. He was in front of Hedin in an instant with his hand wrapped around the Light Elf's throat, lifting him off the ground. He squeezed just enough to shut the man up without doing permanent damage to him.

Bell wanted to just pop his head off his neck, but he had official steps he had to follow now that he had a duty to his Queen and King. He thought it was funny watching Hedin try to kick and punch his way free, but everyone around found it jaw dropping. Bell was simply standing there taking it, like Hedin wasn't a veteran level 7 using all his strength to try and escape.

"Lord Hedin Selland, I am Lord Protector Bell Cranel. While I agree King Larfal can say things that don't make sense, you'll watch your tongue when speaking to the Crown Princess or I will remove it from your body."

Bell let go of the Light Elf's throat and he barely caught himself before crumpling to the ground in a heap. He glared up at the human who dared put a hand on him. He didn't give a shit what position he was awarded by the misguided King Larfal.

"Do you think some fancy title makes you worthy to judge me or make you worth of Lady Riveria?!"

Bell couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped his lips. Hedin was everything he was told he was and more. You would think Bell holding him like a child would curb his ego, but it didn't seem to deter the Light Elf at all that Bell was obviously much stronger than him.

"Considering my title grants me the authority to be the judge, jury, and executioner of High Elven law, I'd say yes. I am worthy to judge you."

Bell did get a great kick out of seeing Hedin's eyes widened for a moment in fear. He truly hoped this moron kept pressing his luck. He was only one or two insults, depending on their severity, from losing his head.

"As far as being worthy of Lady Riveria, I haven't gotten to know her yet, but I have a feeling the answer to that question is no." He noticed Riveria about to say something out of the corner of his eye, but he wasn't done. "If she is anything like her mother, and I have a feeling she is, there isn't anyone worthy of her."

Bell really wished he could look at Riveria right now. Since he could only see her in the corner of his eye though, he had to make do with seeing her blush like that. However, while it closed Riveria's mouth, it did nothing to quiet Hedin.

"This is Orario, not the Alf Forest! Your title means noth-"

"I'm going to stop you right there so it cannot be said you were not giving ample warning of the... waters you are about to wade into. For not only yourself, but your Familia, if you keep this up."

Bell was glad to see his new serious demeanor gave Hedin enough worry to gulp. He narrowed his eyes at the Light Elf and was tempted to simply remove his head. He knew this would not only serve as more than enough of a warning, but also it would answer Riveria's question along with many others he is sure Loki wants to ask him now.

"While we both know my title means everything to any Elf, even in Orario. I shall entertain your notion and warn you in a much more direct way, Lord Hedin. If my title of Lord Protector is not enough to sway you to stop your antics, perhaps you'd be more interested to know I have more than one title. If Lord Protector isn't enough for you, how about Captain and last member of the Zeus Familia?"

A deaf person could have heard all the gasps from the Loki Familia when he said that out loud. He couldn't wait to hear them next, and he wondered what Hedin's friends, who were doing a poor job of hiding, would react like.

"Perhaps that isn't enough for you though. After all, you are a veteran Level 7 now and all the strong members of the Zeus Familia were killed. Perhaps you'd like to know what they call me in Rakia or Dizara, Melistora or the Wishe Forest, Athens or the Dedine? To everyone around the world, minus those that make up Orario and Melen, I am known as the Slayer of the Great Disaster, the One-Eyed Black Dragon."

Watching Hedin gulp in fear and turn so pale you could almost see through him was very satisfying to Bell. It didn't escape him though that some of the lower-level members of the Loki Familia had passed out from that revelation.

"This is your one and only warning, Lord Hedin. Threaten, or even look at Crown Princess Riveria in a way I do not like, and I'll bring all of my power to bear upon your Familia and end it for good, since you want to involve your Familia in the business of the Alf Royal Court."

Bell isn't sure why the Light Elf was surprised he knew the Gulliver Brothers and Allen were hiding not far away. They really weren't that good at hiding their presence to Bell.

"As you say, Lord Protector."

Hedin gulped again, bowed, and left as fast as he was able to. After that, Bell had a shit ton of questions he needed to answer, so he got straight to it. It took nearly four hours in Loki's office, with Loki and her more trusted children, to answer their immediate questions.

The funny part of it, not a single one of them asked why he only wanted to go in the dungeon to protect Riveria. Now, they hadn't gotten to the point they knew his level, but he figured it would be one of the first questions asked.

After all, isn't that why nearly everyone came to Orario?

However, no one asked him why. He wasn't going to volunteer any information to anyone in this Familia, save for Riveria. He had a feeling there was a reason Riveria asked very few questions in Loki's office.

To Bell, he was convinced she wanted to speak to him about all of this alone, and it was a thought he'd stick to, for now. If it came to pass, it would just be another reason he'd lean toward being with Riveria.

Once he had finally answered questions until no one could think of anymore, Loki finally said she'd accept him into her Familia. Bell knew she was going to from the start, but he'd let her have this moment. Plus, Bell also got to fluster Riveria just moments after Loki asked him to join.

Well, it wasn't just Riveria he got all flustered. However, she was the only one he cared to see the reaction of when he stood from his chair in the office and took off his shirt for Loki to convert him to her Familia.

Bell had been in good shape as a child, being a farmer would do that to anyone, but the way he looked now at twenty years old was a completely different type of good shape. When he pulled his shirt over his head and every woman in the room saw how defined his chest, abs, arms, and back were, most of them reacted how they never had before.

Bell only saw Riveria blush a deep crimson and avert her eyes when he caught her staring at him. Honestly, he wished she would have just stared unabashed, but the reaction she had was just as cute as if she did stare at him, maybe more so.

What he truly didn't see was the rest of them. Tiona wouldn't deny she was turned on by a man for the first time in her life, while her sister, Tione, had no trouble admitting to herself she finally desired someone other than Finn.

Alicia and Lefiya had already accepted, upon first meeting Bell, that they both finally found a man attractive and didn't feel repulsed at the idea of being with a man, if that man was Bell Cranel. Anakitty completely forgot Raul existed the entire time Bell had his shirt off, something the level 4 Raul disliked immensely.

If anyone else would have been aware enough to see other's reactions to Bell shirtless, they would have been floored by the look in Ais and Aria's eyes. Ais may have turned down over a thousand suitors, but she never even thought to get married, until this moment.

And while none of them knew Aria, it would have been quite the revelation to see a woman, who had been married to the greatest hero this world has ever known, looking at a man of only twenty years old like a thirsty woman in the middle of a desert and Bell was the Oasis.

And then there was the last one, the only other reaction Bell had actually seen, Loki. The Trickster Goddess was known throughout the world as a complete pervert when it came to girls. However, even Bell didn't miss the light dusting of pink on her cheeks as she took in Bell's form, nor the way she gulped when she realized Bell caught her staring.

When he finally did sit and present his back to Loki, Bell didn't do anything but stare at Riveria. Watching her fight to keep her eyes on his face made Bell smile. He really wished Loki wouldn't have screamed when she converted him because Riveria flinched in surprise and looked away when she did.

"YOU'RE LEVEL 16!"

They all looked at him in surprise, but Bell acknowledged it with a nod. Truthfully, he only nodded to Riveria, but everyone had seen it. It wasn't like he truly needed to confirm it, Loki would have no reason to lie about what level he was. It was yet another question they hadn't asked that surprised Bell, but they knew now.

"Aye, killing the OEBD leveled me from fifteen to sixteen, and I spent my time in the Alf Forest, when I wasn't taking lessons from Queen Elveria or training members of the Royal Guard, getting used to my new level."

"But... but... you said that was only a month ago? How do you have stats in the... the... the C range?!"

"I take it you have not read my skills?" Bell didn't hear Loki answer, but he felt the air shift as she shook her head behind him. "Am I able to speak of my skills in front of so many and be able to trust what I say will stay between us?"

It wasn't Loki who answer, but Riveria, and she didn't just answer him. She moved right in front of him and took his hand before looking him right in the eye.

"I swear you can trust everyone in this room to keep your skills a secret, Bell."

Even if she didn't have the most honest look on her face, Bell would have believed it simply because it was spoken by Riveria. He gave her a gentle smile that melted her heart and continued.

"Liaris Freese is a skill that allows me to gain more excelia than the average adventurer. It was my first ever skill and it has evolved over time. One of those evolutions was that my stats do not start at 0 when I level as everyone else's do. Every few levels I start on the next letter grade up, and when my grandfather leveled me to sixteen, my stats all started at the lowest basic ability score for rank C, 600."

"That is just..."

"Absurd!"

It was Loki who started saying it, but it was Finn who finished it. Bell couldn't help but chuckle. That was a very apt description of Liaris Freese, absurd.

"While I believe you described my skill correctly and it may seem like a lot, my basic abilities starting that high is almost like any other normal adventurers starting at zero."

"How?"

"That's because of another evolution of Liaris Freese." Bell chuckled when everyone's eyes widened again. "My basic abilities are able to go much farther than anyone else's. If Riveria doesn't mind, I'd like to use her as an example for what I mean."

Bell looked at the beautiful High Elf and saw her nod. Although he was glad she didn't care, he was much more focused on the fact she seemed to get over her embarrassment and was staring at him like he was her dinner.

"When Riveria is close to leveling, I'm assuming she tries to get her magic ability up to S rank then build up her other stats into the C range to make the level worth it." He saw them all nod he was speaking true. "And while I know not every adventurer can achieve S rank, my basic abilities go much farther than S rank. When I fought the OEBD all of my basic abilities, minus magic, were 2099."

"T-That's... That's not... possible."

Listening to Finn stutter and be lost was almost as fun as watching Raul pass out when he heard that. Bell had a feeling he'd be doing a lot of laughing in the Loki Familia when everyone learned what he was truly capable of.

"Oh, but it is." He chuckled out. "And in case you're wondering, a basic ability of 2099 means ten S's on a skill, so achieving that would be just as many letter improvements if I started at 0 and had to work up to S rank. I just happen to start at C and need to go to Sx10 rank. I'm not a very good mage, I'm more of a swordsman, so my magic ability was only at 1550 when I fought the OEBD."

This time, Bell moved from his seat when he finished because another person passed out. However, this time, Bell moved to catch her because it was Riveria who passed out. Bell did catch her before she hit the ground, and her reaction to waking up a few seconds later was worth his trip to Orario alone.

The fact she didn't immediately punch him for touching her was a good start, but the fact she didn't seem to care at all he was holding her while wearing no shirt was even better. While that would normally be more than enough for him, watching her rub her face against his abs like a puppy was the most adorable thing he'd ever seen.

He could tell she had done it completely accidentally, because when she realized what she did, she turned red and fainted. Bell chuckled again, picked her up, and left the rest in Loki's office to look over his status sheet as he carried Riveria to her room.

The looks he got for walking through Twilight Manor with Riveria in his arms were almost as funny as the way the women, and some of the men, in the Loki Familia stared at him without his shirt on. Bell was truly starting to believe adventurers, who weren't elves, were horny all the time.

Although, the way the female elves of the Loki Familia looked at him, he wasn't quite sure that was true either. He'd only been here for a few hours, but to Bell, the female elf adventurers he'd come across seemed to be just as horny as adventurers of other races.

Not that Bell cared if they desired him. He was never one to just sleep with women because he could, and he'd had plenty of opportunities to sleep with so many he'd lost count a long time ago. He certainly wasn't going to pay them any mind now that he'd met a woman he was actually interested in, and she was not only single but seemed to be just as interested in him.

When he entered Riveria's room, he took a quick glance around before making his way to her bed. He wasn't surprised her room was only truly decorated with one thing, books. There was furniture, and a few other things, but the vast majority of her room was books and bookshelves. Riveria had her own personal library in her room, and it didn't shock Bell at all.

After he laid Riveria on the bed, he stared down at her for a moment and fought every urge he had to lean down and lay a kiss on her forehead. Honestly, he stared at her for way too long fighting that urge.

Bell finally moved out of the room once he realized he had been staring at her like a creep for nearly fifteen minutes. He was reluctant to leave the outside of her door, as he wished to guard her while she slept, but there were things he needed to do now that Riveria had accepted the idea of being courted by him.

It made it much easier to leave when he closed the door and turned to see Lefiya and Alicia making their way toward him. While they both agreed to 'guard' Riveria's room, Bell just made them promise to check on Riveria every now and then before he left to wander around Orario. Little did he know, it was completely unnecessary as Riveria had been awake since Bell picked her up in Loki's office.

He knew he'd need to register at the Guild, but he was going there with Loki tomorrow to handle all of that. Today, he needed the time to get the lay of the city, but more importantly, he really had to find places he could take Riveria out on dates.

As he walked the streets of Orario looking for anywhere he could take Riveria, he wished he could just run across the rooftops instead of walking the streets. Everyone stared at him like an exotic animal as he walked down the street.

However, he needed to walk so he could see each business. He suffered through hours upon hours of stares as he figured out Orario before heading back to Twilight Manor.

When he arrived, he realized it just seemed like hours because of all the stares and it wasn't truly even dinner time yet. It wasn't very far away from then, but it hadn't happened yet, as he assumed it did. How did he know all this simply walking through the front gate? Well...

"Just who we were hoping to run into." Bell heard Finn say as he walked out the front door with a lot more people than just himself. "Why don't you come join us? We were going to head out for dinner to celebrate our recent expedition. It will be a good opportunity for some of us to get to know our newest Familia member."

Truthfully, Bell didn't want to go. He had little to no interest in getting to know most of those in the Familia, and Finn was starting to rise up the list of people he truly didn't want to get to know. He could spot his fake smile from a mile away.

He'd talked to the Prum for only a few hours, and he disliked a great many things about him already. Bell had a feeling he'd dislike the Prum even more the more he spoke with him. You'd think after just that one thought alone Bell would say no. However...

"I'd be delighted. Riveria, may I-"

A certain jade-haired, jade-eyed Crown Princess also happened to be in the group accompanying Finn, and Bell wasn't going to turn down any time he could get to know Riveria. He hadn't even gotten to finish his offer to escort Riveria before she'd already slid up next to him and taken his arm.

"You may."

Bell didn't waste a moment after she took his arm and headed toward the Hostess of Fertility. Bell didn't know where they were going at first, but he heard Alicia mumble under her breath that the Hostess of Fertility wasn't a proper place for them to have their first date and he'd walked past it a few times on his journey today.

Bell certainly agreed but shared with Alicia his thoughts on the matter. Once she got over the embarrassment of being heard by Bell, she was all too eager to agree with him it wasn't a date, so her logic didn't apply. Whether it was out of embarrassment, his rank, or her truly believing him, he didn't care, just that she agreed.

Bell wasn't too thrilled when they did make it there, simply because of who ran the place. He didn't exactly have a bone to pick with Mia, but he didn't like giving any valis to the Freya Familia.

He was already having a hard enough time accepting he was in the Loki Familia, being in Freya's bar was nearly pushing him over the top to leave. However, he wasn't going to do that, and that reason only had one name.

Riveria.

They'd started conversing the moment she took his arm, and they hadn't stopped for a moment since. Whether Finn was truthful in him wanting to come so they could get to know him, he never found out. He spoke with Riveria all night long until they left.

Bell's fairly certain the only time he didn't was his short answers to questions asked by Lefiya, Alicia, Tiona, and a few others, the little time they ate something, or the few occasions he had to take a drink to moisten his throat because he can't remember ever talking to anyone for this long before without stopping.

The only person he got to know anything about that night was Riveria, and Bell can honestly say he wouldn't change that for anything in this world. He may have just met her, but Bell was already under the impression that, while her mother had propped her up to Bell, Riveria was even more incredible than her mother knew.

He'd already come to terms with the fact she was more beautiful than even her life-like painting depicted. Talking to her and seeing she was even more beautiful on the inside than the outside, well, that was the most important thing he learned that night.

It was also why he found his mouth moving after he'd escorted Riveria to her room after they left the Hostess of Fertility. Bell didn't mean for this to come out of his mouth. He planned to get to know her a bit more before he asked, but he just couldn't help himself after having such a wonderful conversation all night.

"May I take you out to dinner tomorrow night, Riveria?"

"I'd enjoy that very much, Bell."

"Meet you in the lobby at six?"

"It's a date."

Those words alone would have brought a smile to his face, if he hadn't had a goofy one plastered there all night. However, Bell saw her hesitate for only a moment before she was on her tippy-toes and leaving a peck on his cheek.

Bell didn't even get to respond before Riveria's door was closed. His hand instinctively went to where she kissed him, and his smile grew even brighter as he remembered what her lips felt like on his cheek. That night, Bell fell asleep with the brightest smile he'd ever worn, excited for what the next day would bring.

When the next day came, very quickly for Bell as he still rose before the sun out of habit, he remembered to tell Riveria to dress up a little for their date before he was gone for nearly the rest of the day.

Bell went with Loki to the Guild and filled out the required paperwork. He had to catch the cute half-elf when she fainted after reading his level. She certainly didn't help shouting it out for everyone to hear, but he couldn't fault her for the reaction.

A lot of people did weird things when they found out he was Level 16.

Well, it had started when he was Level 10, but it had only grown more... interesting since then. Bell hoped it would just spread the word quicker, and he'd soon not have to deal with outbursts like that.

Eina, that was the half-elf's name, was only unconscious for a few moments before she awoke in Bell's arms. Neither her blush or stutter at waking up in such a position surprised Bell. He simply brushed it off and made his way out of the Guild.

Bell had no idea why Eina was assigned as his advisor, as he had no desire to venture into a dungeon he'd already conquered, but he humored Loki, for now. Bell would probably end up being Eina's easiest adventurer she ever had.

Once that was over and done with, Bell had only one mission for the rest of the day, no matter how much Loki asked him to do other things, get ready for his date with Riveria. Bell didn't have to worry about the location or food being perfect.

He knew the restaurant they were going to would go well above and beyond preparing Riveria's food and their table, if nothing else. However, that didn't mean he didn't spend the next few hours fretting over what he was going to wear.

Bell was stuck somewhere between fearful and excited the entire day as he looked at shirt and pant combos one after the other. He went through every pair of pants and shirt combo he owned to choose the perfect outfit, even those he knew he'd never wear on a date like this.

If he could wear whatever he wanted, he'd be in nothing but black. Not only did he love the color, but it was also practical as well. He knew he couldn't do that though, so he made a compromise.

He picked out a nice red sports coat, a red vest, and red dress pants. He smiled as he grabbed the black undershirt and black tie to match. Once he slid into his attire, he tucked the black handkerchief into his front pocket and looked at himself in the mirror one more time.

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The red went perfect with his eyes, and made his white hair stand out even more. The black touches made him look at bit mysterious, if he says so himself, and complimented the brighter red perfectly. He stepped out of his room with a smile on his face headed to the lobby.

"Ih'ara."

Bell spun around hearing the Dark Elf language spill from someone's lips. He was surprised to turn to see Tiona addressing him. He tilted his head in confusion wondering when she learned how to speak Dark Elf. It was only seconds later he realized she actually didn't...

"You look just like the Elven Hero, Ih'ara!" Bell did wonder how she knew about that, but he didn't really know Tiona very well. "They say he dressed in red because it was his Queen's favorite color, but many say the real reason was to hide the blood of his enemies!"

Bell always chuckled when he heard that said. Not many people used sentences like that to describe heroes. In fact, Tiona is one of the few who viewed Ih'ara as a hero, Bell was one of them, most thought him a vigilante, or something along those lines.

To others, heroes didn't kill, and Ih'ara had no problem taking a life, if their crimes warranted a death sentence. In that, Bell and Ih'ara were very much alike, so he supposed the description did have some truth to it.

"I supposed I can't complain if you're going to compare me to one of my favorite Elven Legends..."

Tiona giggled and followed Bell down to the lobby. He quickly found out he and Tiona shared a great love for hero stories. Bell isn't sure anyone he'd ever met anywhere in the world was as knowledgeable about hero stories as him, but he may have finally met someone as obsessed with them as he was.

However, no matter how animated and interesting of a conversation he was having with Tiona, all of it faded from his mind when he heard the first clink of heels. Bell turned his head toward the top of the staircase and had never seen a sight so beautiful in all his life.

Riveria had just taken her first step down the stairs, and Bell was having trouble believing what he was seeing. It didn't go unnoticed by anyone who could see in the lobby that Bell blinked ten or fifteen times thinking Riveria was a dream he was having. They all had the same thought as they watched the High Elven Princess descend the stairs.

Riveria had most of her hair pulled back except two long strands of hair that framed her face, and in a way, her ears. The rest was behind her ears with a single braid tied with some of her hair so it would keep the rest of her hair behind her ears. The beautiful red flowers behind her ear helped to keep it back as well as matched her dress, which Bell thought fit her perfectly.

Riveria was showing more skin than he ever anticipated, but it still wasn't much, especially compared to what, say, an Amazon would wear. The sleeves were barely there and didn't even truly cover her shoulders, but what truly surprised him wasn't the sleeves.

The dress was held together up top by thin strips of cloth tied into a bow just below Riveria's throat. It was the only thing obstructing the rest of her front and Bell was surprised just how much cleavage Riveria was showing. Again, it wasn't much compared to others, but for an Elf, she might as well be dressed like an Amazon.

The rest of the dress covered up everything else, and perfectly matched, not only the red color of the flowers in her hair, but also was very, very close to the same color Bell's suit was. However, it did hug her body to perfection and show off her curves. The tight black belt with gold detailing only added to that affect.

Just below the belt was almost like a very short, frilly, angled skirt with a ribbon and flowers of the same color on her right hip, but the true skirt started just below that. It was the same red color, detailed in gold, like the rest of the dress, and was free flowing all the way down to the floor.

Bell had processed all that in less than a second, and just when he thought he'd taken in her beauty enough not to embarrass himself, she took her second step down the stairs. How could a single step change Bell's demeanor so much?

Well, it happened to be her left leg this time, and not her right. When she stepped with it, the entire left side of her dress opened up to reveal a slit all the way to her hip and the black stockings she wore that went even higher.

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"Fuck me..."

Bell knew he didn't say it loud enough for Riveria to hear, but it was obvious those near him, like Tiona, certainly heard it. He would be embarrassed if there was something to be embarrassed about.

He is certain there isn't a person here who has the words to describe how beautiful Riveria looked in that dress. It wasn't even until that moment he noticed the sheer black elbow length gloves with the red flower on her arm to keep them in place. He'd never seen a more beautiful sight, and he'd spent four weeks with Queen Elveria, that was not something he said lightly.

"You look like the Elven Princess from every boy's dreams, Riveria."

Honestly, Bell is surprised he was thinking clear enough to come up with that. He truly expected to be speechless by the sight of her, especially after he'd met her at the bottom of the stairs. However, even if the line was corny, the new glint in her eye was worth it.

"It's not boys Elven Princesses wear this dress to be in the dreams of, Bell~"

The range in reactions from those present at Riveria sounding sultry were as wide as you could get. Finn and Gareth looked downright shocked. Tiona and Tione were cheering her on at how well she pulled it off, and the other elves were either too distracted by Bell, like Alicia and Lefiya, to notice, or they were male and her words affected them like they did Bell.

"It's a good thing boys who dream of Elven Princesses grow into men who want Elven Queens~"

Bell may have been momentarily stunned by Riveria, but he could flirt with the best of them. Watching Riveria's eyes widen, ever so slightly, and her breath hitch was worth every word. The small blush that soon followed when he picked up her hand and kissed the back of it was even cuter.

"Shall we, my Queen?~"

Bell smiled when all she could do was shiver, gulp, nod, and take his offered elbow at his question. As they walked to the restaurant, Bell tried to keep his eyes on Riveria and converse with her. He was letting out so much killing intent as others stared at Riveria, he thought he might actually kill someone with his gaze.

He was glad when they made it there. Not only because it was filled with Elves who would only dare stare at Riveria for a few seconds at a time, but also because he'd reserved a very private dining area.

Dining on the roof amongst the branches and leaves of the large trees growing behind the Elven Restaurant wasn't something Bell, nor Riveria, would forget anytime soon. It wasn't just the setting they wouldn't forget either. No matter how long either of them lived, the night of their first date would always stick with them.

For Riveria, it was because of how Bell treated her. It was true, he treated her like a Queen, as most did, but it was so much different. He wasn't doing it because she was royalty. No, Bell Cranel was treating her like a Queen because that is how he would have treated any woman he was with. Riveria knew she'd remember that above all else about this night.

For Bell, it was simply because of Riveria. It seemed every time he learned something new about her, it was just the beginning. It seemed like for two reasons. First, the woman truly did have a lot of layers to be peeled back, so it was a lot to learn.

But secondly, and most importantly, every time he learned something new about her, she went off for thirty minutes or more on stories of others she loved instead of herself, like Ais, Tiona, Tione, Alicia, Lefiya, and many more. Bell learned so much about Riveria that first night, but what he always remembered first was how much Riveria put others in front of herself.

"Thank you for the best night of my life, Bell."

Riveria said as they stood in front of her door. She truly meant every word. She'd been able to just be Riveria for hours on end. She'd never felt more like herself than she was when she was around Bell Cranel.

"I hope I am able to hear you say that more than just this instance, Riveria."

A little dusting of pink crept up Riveria's cheeks at Bell's words. Bell didn't mean it as she took it, but it seemed the handsome red-eyed, white-haired man had Riveria's mind going to places it never did before.

"I have no doubt you will, Bell."

Riveria did manage to smile at Bell and answer the unasked question. She hoped more than anything he had just as good a time as she did, and there were many more nights like this in her future.

"Well then." His smile always made her warm, and right now, as he directed another one at her, it was no different. "I hope I'm not being too pushy, but... may I take you to dinner tomorrow night?"

Riveria's heart skipped a beat and butterflies flew around in her stomach. She'd barely gotten to know Bell at this point, and she wanted so much more than to just go to dinner tomorrow night with him. She tried to smile seductively at him and think it worked as she watched his expression change to very... hungry.

"Only if you agree to have breakfast and lunch with me as well~"

"How could I possibly say no to that?"

"I'm hoping you can't."

Riveria wondered when they had gotten so close? She swears he was just at arm's length kissing her hand. When did they get so close, she was leaning up toward him?

"I don't think I can say no to you, Riveria."

"I'll remember that..."

Riveria was leaning closer and closer and then... Bell backed away and smiled at her right as she felt the need to close her eyes and kiss him. She tried to hide her disappointment, and if she failed, Bell didn't show it on his face.

"Goodnight, Riveria."

"Goodnight, Bell."

Bell had already kissed her hand again and left by the time the words escaped Riveria's lips. While she was still on Cloud 9 from her date, Riveria thought if she would have been brave enough to kiss him, it would have been the best ending to the night.

She knew he was too much of a gentleman to initiate it, especially since he was courting her, officially. Bell seemed like the type to do everything how he was supposed to. While she did like that about him, she also hoped sometimes he would-

Her thoughts were stopped immediately when she felt a hand on her shoulder as she went to open her door. She didn't even get a chance to do anything before she felt herself spin. The slight fear, very slight, that she was being attacked left immediately when she saw Bell standing right in front of her.

"Bell, what are-"

Bell didn't say anything, but he answered her question before she could finish it. What was he doing back at her door? Well, his lips attaching to her's certainly answered that question.

Riveria's arms immediately went around his neck and pulled him farther down toward her. She had no experience in being kissed, but she was of the firm belief it was the greatest first kiss in the history of first kisses.

Bell was so gentle with her, and it was Riveria who deepened the kiss. Not only did she make it a bit more passionate, but it was also her who slipped her tongue against his at first. Riveria knew he was doing this on purpose, so she was comfortable, and it only made her enjoy the kiss more.

By the time they both, well she, ran out of breath, Riveria had looked up at Bell with a look in her eye he'd, nor anyone, had ever seen before. For the first time in her life, Riveria was looking at someone with lustful eyes, and Bell isn't ashamed to admit he absolutely loved it!

"I'm sorry, I never would have been able to live with myself if I hadn't come back to do that."

Bell went with the distraction approach to get that look out of her eye, as much as he didn't wish to. While kissing her was crossing a bit of a line, where this might head if he stuck around, and she kept looking at him like that would probably end up with him crossing a big ass line there was no coming back from.

"Don't be."

He wondered when the last time Riveria gave a two-word answer to a question was. He was certain it was so she could kiss him again, like she did after answering, but he truly was curious about his question.

Stopping her and not going in her room, especially after she invited him, was probably harder than slaying the OEBD. However, he managed to decline, that didn't mean he didn't kiss her for another twenty or thirty minutes outside her door before heading to his own room to sleep for the night.

"Morning, Ih'ara, you and mama stop sucking face long enough to have breakfast?!"

That was the first thing Bell heard the next morning as he went to sit down and eat. Of course, it was Tiona who yelled that for all to hear. He was tempted to bonk her on the head, actually...

"Ouch! Hey! That hurt!"

"Don't speak about Riveria like that, Tiona. She's a Princess, no matter how you see her."

"But I saw you two... ouch!" Bell chuckled as Riveria bonked her on the head with her staff right after Bell karate chopped her in the same place. "Both of you, in the same place! You really are the papa of the Familia!"

Bell only smiled, and it was because Riveria started turning her adorable shade of pink. As long as it wasn't because she regretted what they did last night, it was definitely nothing but cute.

His smile grew wider as Riveria sat down next to him, not across, and scooted down the bench right next to him until they were, literally, joined at the hip. It was his favorite breakfast so far in Orario.

He spent the rest of that day getting to know those whom Riveria held dear, and even got a moment to finally catch up with Aria. He hadn't seen her or Ais since they'd reunited. They hadn't joined them for dinner, or any other activity, and he completely understood.

In between all that talking, he took Riveria to lunch and then to dinner. Bell isn't afraid to admit, when she walked down the stairs that second time, that was the moment he knew, for certain, he was in love with Riveria.

Calling him a fool for falling in love so quickly, but he didn't care, and he knew it to be true. She came down in a white dress that gave him a very good idea what she would look like as a bride, and his only desire was to make that happen in that very moment.

Her hair was different, as most of it was in a ponytail, being held in place by a gold band, but she also had an Elven Tiara. It was gold shaped to look like branches, that kept the rest of her hair in place, and also allowed those two thin strips of hair he loved that framed her face to stay right where they belonged.

Her dress was jaw dropping in every way. It had a collar that went up her throat and completely covered her all the way down the front with a brown floral pattern. It turned white halfway down her bust, and just below her bust was a gold band. It made the dress tight around her middle, but the rest flowed down to her ankles.

However, there was a slit up both side that got wider as it went down, and no matter how she stood or walked, Bell could see her legs at all times nearly up to her hips. She completed the look with elbow length white gloves that left her fingers exposed but stayed in place with a gold ring around her middle finger. The elbow was black, and the entire gloves were accented by sheer white cloth hanging from the back of them that functioned as a cape.

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"Drathir de' ussta dro." (Moon of my life.)

When she descended the stairs, Bell completely forgot what he was supposed to do in front of all the others. He managed to grab her hand, but he didn't kiss it, he kissed her lips, without thinking.

"Ussta sssiks lueth slyannen." (My sun and stars.)

(Sue me, I'm a huge GoT fan lol! Well, everything before Season 7, ehh, first part of Season 6)

Not that she pushed him away as it was rather chaste, as much as he disliked that, and she did answer exactly how he hoped, even if he hadn't meant to speak those words. He intertwined their fingers, completely ignored everyone around them, and headed out the door.

That was only the second dinner of many. Bell and Riveria had breakfast, lunch, and dinner together every night. Bell was certain that after two weeks, Riveria was purposefully trying to kill him.

Every time he watched her walk down those stairs dressed for dinner, he fell a little more in love with her. It hadn't mattered if it was in a dress or casual clothing aka her caster robes. She always looked more beautiful every day, that was until two weeks had gone by.

Bell had plans for this dinner, and it had been difficult to set up being around Riveria constantly without her knowing. However, Bell had no idea Riveria had plans of her own that night, and neither would ever forget just how similar their surprise plans had been.

First, Bell nearly had a heart attack when Riveria came down for dinner. He'd dressed to the nines himself. A black suit tailored perfectly for him. While it was mainly black, the lapel matched the red of his eyes along with his handkerchief and his tie.

Bell decided to go with a white shirt this time, and he thought it made his hair and eye match his shirt and tie. He finished off the look with black pants, black shoes, and the adamantite bracelet Riveria had given him.

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It wasn't the most expensive accessory he had, by a long shot, but it not only had Riveria and Bell's initial on it, Riveria's hair and blood were added to it by the blacksmith, so it was priceless to him.

Riveria left him speechless, and he nearly had to scold himself for how badly he wanted Riveria, from the moment he laid eyes on her that night.

She wore a color he'd never seen on her before, and while the color purple was now his third favorite to see her wearing, it was the dress and accessories that had Bell's heart thumping in his chest and his palms sweating.

It was a dark purple with a very deep V cut that didn't stop until the bottom of her cleavage. He's sure she's never shown off that much, even to him. One thin strap came around her neck and attach at the top of each cup of her dress with no sleeves, and the fabric hugged her curves like he'd never seen before.

Unfortunately... Fortunately... Unfortunately... umm, Bell couldn't decide on what to make of it only coming down to just above her knee at the lowest, while the sides had slits cut into each of them that came up to her hip.

The shoulder length gloves and knee-high boots only highlighted her perfect form even more, as much as the gold strands in her hair did to keep her hair in place, even though most of it was free and flowing down her back.

####### (INSERTIMAGERIVERIAONESHOT2) #######

"Gaer orn neitar tlu natha tangi dos xuat lor mzild ssin'urn taga dos xunus lil' tangi p'los." (There will never be a day you do not look more beautiful than you did the day before.)

Bell had a line like that every time she descended those stairs, and her reactions had changed drastically over these two weeks. She had been slightly embarrassed at first and could hardly look at him. Now, she greeted his compliment with a beaming smile and a kiss on his lips, quite the turnaround indeed.

Their dinner started out as normal as any of the many they had shared over the last two weeks. However, for the first time, it got a little awkward the longer their dinner went on.

Neither of them truly realized they were acting strange, but the other noticed. Bell noticed Riveria acting strange but thought he did well to hide his nervousness. Riveria was much the same, noticing Bell acting strange but thinking she was hiding her nervousness very well.

Neither realized they were both coming off as strange, instead of nervous.

"Bell, I-"

"Riveria, I-"

After their dessert, they experienced their first awkward silence only for them to open their mouths at the same time. Honestly, it was a blessing in disguise as they both laughed at their timing, and it relaxed them both.

"Please, you first, Riveria."

"You're always letting me speak first, Bell. Why don't you go first?"

"You know that isn't going to happen, Riveria."

Riveria smiled at him knowing it was the truth. The reason she could smile at those words were simple, he wasn't acquiescing because she was a Princess. Bell was simply a gentleman in every sense of the word, and that is why he always heard her out first.

The reason Riveria had been nervous was she had no idea how to say what she wanted to say to him. She'd never had trouble speaking with Bell, but this was something entirely different than just getting to know him. Riveria could only steel herself and hope she wasn't making a fool of herself.

"Bell, I have had the best two weeks of my life since meeting you. I couldn't have dreamed up a man as wonderful as you, and I want you to know how I feel about you and us."

Riveria nearly uttered the three words she wished to say, but she didn't. Instead, she hoped showing him was enough for now. No matter how badly she wished to say it, the last thing Riveria wished to do was go too fast and scare Bell away by admitting she was already madly in love with him.

As much as she wanted to say those words, and hear them from him even more, she could wait. She knew what she did next would show him, and if he felt the same, they'd have plenty of time for Riveria to hear those words from his lips. She'd probably sound like a crazy woman admitting she fell in love with him after two weeks anyway.

So instead of saying the words, Riveria reached into the small purse, yes, you read that right, Riveria bought purses to match her outfits now, that is the kind of effect Bell Cranel has on her and pulled out a rolled-up piece of paper. It unrolled as she pulled it out and set it on the table for Bell to read.

Bell only needed to glance at it for a beaming smile to grace his lips. He knew what it was before Riveria even set it down, but he can admit that seeing the official betrothal from Queen Elveria and King Larfal laying in front of him, with Riveria's name already signed, brought that smile to his face.

Bell had been so nervous about nearly the same thing. Well, not exactly the same thing, but essentially the same thing. While he thought he and Riveria were meant for each other, he couldn't be one hundred percent certain, but he was now. Bell was no longer nervous about what he planned to do, but before he could...

"Y-You don't have to sign it, Bell. I just wanted you to know that-"

Riveria was still nervous and couldn't even look at him as she said that. However, the moment he grabbed her hand, she stopped speaking and looked at him. Bell planned to erase the little bit of doubt he saw in her eyes, right now.

"Riveria, do you know the human customs for marriage?"

"I think so?"

Bell wanted to chuckle at her uncertain answer, but he knew now was not the time. Instead, he stood from his chair and moved next to Riveria. She couldn't take her eyes off him, and it didn't even register what he was doing when he took a knee next to her chair. That was, until he started speaking.

"Riveria Ljos Alf, I never could have conjured up a woman as beautiful, amazing, caring, intelligent, or wonderful as you, and you are all of that and more. These last two weeks have been the greatest of my life, and I can only wish that they will get even better the longer we are together."

Riveria barely noticed Bell reaching for something since he never took his eyes off of her. The fact he actually pulled out something didn't even register until after his words did and her reaction to those words.

"Riveria, I know this maybe insane to say after two weeks, but I love you, Riveria Ljos Alf. Will you marry me?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! I love you too, Bell! Of course, I will marry you!"

Somehow, through her tears and yells, Riveria lunged out of her chair and tackled Bell to the ground. It was a little strange Bell was happy as could be but concerned Riveria might roll straight off the rooftop they were on.

Bell was now questioning if recreating their first date for this moment was the right idea, until he felt her lips on his. He didn't rightly care after that moment; nothing could have made this moment more perfect.

Well, he was proven wrong after Riveria finally got off of him and was standing once more. When she finally saw what he was holding in his hand, the smile and tears he saw made it even more worth it. He never wanted to see her cry, but he'd take the happy tears any day.

Riveria finally got to her feet, after very thoroughly kissing Bell to make sure he knew just how much she loved him too, and her world stopped again as she looked down at Bell, who was once again on one knee.

He held a small open box in his hand, and she finally understood why he asked if she knew about human wedding traditions. Wedding rings were not something elves utilized for marriage, but Riveria had always thought the tradition was a very romantic one. Having a physical manifestation of your love, for all to see, pulled at her heart strings, a lot.

Inside the tiny box happened to be the most beautiful ring Riveria had ever seen. The band was shaped to look like a vine with leaves coming off of it, and it went all the way up to where the jewel was.

It looked like the vines and leaves wrapped around the jewel, and it made it stand out even more than the jewel did itself, which was saying a lot because the jewel was the most beautiful Riveria had ever seen. And wow was it large, like four times the size of a normal diamond ring Riveria had seen in plenty of jewelry shops.

Her immediate reaction was to think it was an emerald. However, Riveria discounted that idea quickly. She'd seen plenty of emeralds in her one hundred plus years, but none had ever looked so clear in her life. She truly only cared how beautiful the ring was, and she couldn't get her glove off fast enough.

####### (INSERTIMAGERING) #######

Bell had to chuckle as Riveria pulled her right glove off and held her hand out. She blushed in embarrassment when he took off her left glove and slid the ring on her finger. He wasn't quite ready to admit he had this commissioned after their first date, but he's sure that embarrassment would wear off and he'd admit it to her eventually.

What he found almost as wonderful as the kiss she laid on him after he stood was that she didn't put her gloves back on. Truthfully, seeing her be unable to tear her eyes off the ring unless it was to smile at him or kiss him was more than he could have hoped for.

"Could you come in for a moment? I have a surprise gift for you, Bell."

They were standing outside of her door after sharing their goodnight kiss, and Bell nodded his head. Normally, he wouldn't enter Riveria's room unless it was daylight and the door was open, but she only wanted him to come in for a moment, so he followed her in.

"Okay, close your eyes and wait for a moment. I'll tell you when to open them, I just have to get it."

Bell stood at the foot of her bed, since she stopped him there, and closed his eyes. He was a bit excited wondering what she got him. Riveria had already bought him a bracelet he rarely took off, and he could only wonder what she got him this time.

"Open your eyes, Bell~"

The sultry tone she spoke with should have given it away, but truthfully, Bell wasn't prepared for what he saw when he did open his eyes. He'd heard some rustling, and something being moved, but he didn't expect for the moving sound to be Riveria's small tree being put beside her bed. Nor did he expect the fact the rustling sound was Riveria.

However, looking down in her bed, seeing Riveria laying on her back wearing black stockings with tiny black underwear on with a garter that attached to her stockings, and absolutely nothing else was not what he was expecting. Even her right hand trying to cover her breasts did nothing to hide anything. Her hands were way too small to hide breasts that large.

####### (INSERTIMAGERIVERIAONESHOT4) #######

"Riveria, what are you doing? You know we can't-"

"I want to be your wife, Bell."

Bell wanted that more than anything to, but he also knew Riveria was Riveria. He couldn't just give her a ring then sleep with her, even if they both planned on getting married anyway.

"You know we have to-"

"Full moon, tree." Riveria pointed out the window with her free hand, then to the small tree she pulled next to the bed. "I'm an Elf, that is all we need, Bell."

"I want to Riveria, but it should be perfect for-"

Riveria sat up, grabbed his shirt, and pulled him in for a kiss, one she put all her desire into, and it wasn't long before Bell was laying on top of her in the bed instead of standing there trying to be the perfect gentleman, like he always was.

That night was the first time Riveria, and Bell were married. Exactly a month later, they were in the Alf Royal Forest being married by King Larfal and Queen Elveria, and exactly a day after that, Bell and Riveria married in the human custom.

Riveria was proven true a million times over on one of her beliefs. She felt as though life would only get better for her the longer she was with Bell, and even she ended up with a life she couldn't have dreamed.

Riveria spent most of her time, before they were married, praying she could give Bell the family he deserved while hating every minute of the concubines she thought of if she wasn't fertile enough for Bell. She'd run through nearly a hundred names, and found two that, while she wasn't thrilled about, she could live with if necessary.

However, in this Bell proved she worried for no reason at all. Fertility had always been a worry of Riveria's, but she realized she wasted a lot of time and worried for no reason, and it barely took any time at all for her to realize it.

Riveria got pregnant the first time they laid together. Nine months and nine days after their first marriage, Riveria was giving birth to a baby boy in their home in the Alf Forest. Only a year later, she gave birth to twins, one boy, one girl. A year after that, she had another boy, then another girl a year later, then twin boys three years after that.

Elves were lucky to have one child, two was nearly unheard of, but Riveria had seven children in eight years and that was only the beginning. She'd worried about how long she'd have Bell in her life, being a High Elf, but he was around for much longer than she dreamed of.

Bell had admitted to her that first night he wasn't a normal human man. He'd only told her of Zeus using his divinity so he could be born. He wasn't sure how long he'd live, but Zeus told him longer than a normal human would, he just didn't know exactly how long.

Well, how long ended up being exactly how long Riveria lived, five hundred seventy-six years. Riveria and Bell both died in their sleep, together, surrounded by their family.

Their extremely large family of twenty-three children, thirty grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. While they were widely regarded as the greatest King and Queen ever to rule over the Elves, what made them pass away with a smile on their faces was being known as the most loving parents and grandparents the throne of the Royal line of Alf had ever known.

THE END