Elric ignored her completely. He removed his tie, unbuttoned his shirt, kicked off his boots, and unfastened his trousers without paying her the slightest attention. Amber watched the entire process with an amused smile.
"...Don't you think it's rather disgraceful to undress in front of a lady?"
Still ignoring her, Elric changed into a loose shirt and comfortable trousers before finally taking a seat across from her. Only then did he acknowledge her existence. Amber delicately dabbed the corner of her lips with a napkin before smiling sweetly.
"So...How was your day, my dearest cousin?"
Elric simply stared at her. Amber was breathtakingly beautiful.
Long purple hair flowed over her shoulders, framing a delicate face and sharp violet eyes that somehow balanced elegance with danger. A dark blue cloak rested over her shoulders, while fitted black leather trousers and a beautifully embroidered corset accentuated her slender waist. Beneath the cloak, a blue blouse revealed just enough to enhance her natural beauty without appearing vulgar.
She looked every bit like a refined noblewoman. Unfortunately...Elric knew better.
Behind that beautiful face was a woman capable of causing disasters wherever she went. "What do you want, Amber?" He leaned back with an exhausted sigh. "I'm tired. I don't have the energy for another one of your ridiculous requests."
Amber placed a hand over her chest, feigning offense. "Relax. I merely wished to visit my dear cousin." She smiled innocently. "Unlike you, I'm just a helpless woman in distress." Elric gave her a completely flat look. Right on cue, another attendant entered carrying fresh coffee and several desserts before quietly leaving the room.
Elric took a slow bite of cake before looking back at Amber.
"So...If you aren't here to drag me into trouble, why exactly did you invade my bedroom?" Amber calmly sipped her coffee.
"Stop pretending you don't know." Her smile slowly faded.
"I'm not marrying some ugly pig simply because I was born with a Tactical Skill." She met his eyes directly. "I need your help."
Elric sighed deeply. "And why exactly should your problems become my problems?" Amber smiled without a hint of shame. "Because they can." She tilted her head slightly. "And because you're the only person I know reckless enough to help me." Elric pinched the bridge of his nose. "Listen carefully."
"If you asked me to assassinate a noble...I'd do it."
"If you wanted an enemy guild burned to the ground... I'd consider it."
"If you wanted me to rob a royal treasury...We could probably figure something out."
He pointed directly at her. But I am not provoking True Sages—let alone Legendary Beings—for your sake."
Amber remained perfectly calm. "...Your father could." Elric nearly groaned. "I'm the son of a concubine, Amber."
"My father thinks I'm useful. He might even like me. But why in the world would a Sovereign personally bully a Legendary expert because his idiot son asked nicely?"
He spread his hands. "How many times do we have to have this conversation?" Amber's smile became almost mischievous. "There are... more discreet ways of solving problems." That was enough.
Elric slammed his palm onto the table. "Amber!"
"For fuck's sake!"
"Why can't you just accept reality? I'm not interested in offending monsters!"
The room fell silent. Amber's playful smile disappeared.
She quietly placed her coffee back onto its saucer. "...I don't want to marry a pig like that, Elric." Her voice had lost all humor. Elric slowly relaxed. She continued speaking.
"Why am I the one being sent to another Empire just so I can produce children with some damned Demon?" Her fingers tightened around the cup.
"If I loved him... If we had known each other..."
"If he was someone worthy of respect...I could accept it."
"But all anyone sees is that he's the son of powerful parents with a Legendary Skill." She laughed bitterly. "My greatest qualities are apparently that I'm beautiful..."
"...I'm human...I have a skill at a useful Tier..and I possess a womb capable of giving birth to talented children." The last words came out almost as a whisper. Elric stopped eating. He understood. More than anyone else. They weren't even true cousins. Their blood relationship was incredibly distant. Yet they had grown up together.
Together they had schemed, caused endless trouble, and climbed their way to where they stood today. Because of Amber, he had learned how the world truly worked.
Because of Amber, he had eventually earned his father's attention despite being born to a human concubine. Because of Amber...He had become the man he was today.
He couldn't compare to his older siblings, but he was now acknowledged as a legitimate prince and was receiving every resource necessary to become a future powerhouse of the Black Frost Panther Tribe.
He understood her frustration. Unfortunately...Understanding it and changing it were two entirely different things. Amber lowered her eyes. "It wasn't my choice to be born with this Skill. It wasn't my choice for my life to be decided because of it. I never wanted any of this."
"..."
"..."
....
Elric remained quiet before finally speaking. "We still have until our second year at Midvest. You'll eventually meet him there... right?" Amber nodded. "Then let's wait. I'll gather information first. If an opportunity presents itself...We'll decide what to do then." She sighed.
"He's already a third-year student. I probably won't even see him much. "She forced a smile. "But eventually we'll meet. Until then...I'll just pretend everything's fine." Elric gave a small nod. "You ran away from home?" Amber laughed softly.
"They let me."She shrugged. "I don't really have anywhere else to go. And I wanted to attend Midvest anyway. Maybe I'll become stronger. Or maybe I'll finally learn how to use this damned Skill properly."
Elric finished the last bite of cake before standing. "Fair enough. You can stay here. Your room's already been prepared."
He walked toward the door before glancing back at her. "We leave for Midvest in a few months. So until then..."
"Try not to create any disasters."
Amber smiled brightly.
"I'll make no promises."
Elric simply sighed.
Some things...
Would probably never change.
.....................…