High Elf's First Love (2)
After that day, Ardena Valencia's visits to Bria Academy became noticeably more frequent. Yushin Gilliard might clash with the instructors from Trident Company again. With their free-spirited personalities, it wouldn't surprise him at all.
"Got nothing better to do?"
"I've finished all my duties. You're misunderstanding. I'm here to see Alonne."
"Yeah, sure you are."
"What's your problem?"
Yushin's attitude hadn't changed a bit from before. What on earth had that morning hand-kiss meant? Ardena wanted to ask him outright, but she couldn't muster the courage. Am I actually scared? She felt a pang of doubt about showing such passivity toward a human man. In front of this human—especially when it came to matters between men and women—she felt herself shrinking endlessly.
"Wherever we go, all eyes are on us."
"A human slave strutting around Bria Academy must be a novel sight, no matter how many times they see it."
"Not me."
The academy students' intense gazes locked onto Ardena. The boys harbored crushes on her noble beauty, while the girls regarded her with admiration and awe for their fellow elf. A few bold girls even blushed at the sight of her, eyeing her like a lily in bloom.
"Where's Alonne?"
"In the lecture hall right now. Probably classical literature. Bet she's venting all her complaints in there—she hates it."
Yushin chuckled as he spoke. Ardena's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't known that. Had her little sister really despised classical literature? Busy with work, she hadn't paid much attention to Alonne's daily life at the academy. Yushin knew far more about her sister than she did. Ardena felt a flush of shame.
"What'll you have?"
"Coffee."
"Got it."
Yushin arrived at the academy cafe with Ardena. It was mostly faculty there, with the occasional Trident instructor spotted lounging after sending students to class.
"Ah, Lady Ardena...!"
"Could we get your autograph?"
A group of squealing female students approached their table. Cute girls, all of them. The lively high elf girls carried a pleasant fragrance. Ardena felt a deep surge of displeasure at Yushin's subtle show of interest toward them. She half-wanted to jab her coffee straw into his eyes.
"Didn't expect elves to be into coffee."
"Is that so? I like it."
"Too bitter for me."
As Yushin said that, he dumped heaps of sugar and milk into his cup. Childish palate—couldn't handle the real stuff. Ardena stifled a smirk at the sight.
"I figured elves were strict vegetarians. The more I learn about you all, the more I realize how clueless I was."
"Vegetarians? We'd lack energy without meat. Thinking elves are purely herbivorous is a grave misconception. Even herbivores occasionally eat meat for strength, I've heard."
"Fair enough—my bad. Elves patrolling the forests and fighting intruders couldn't survive on grass alone."
Elves were vegetarians. They loved the forest and never harmed plants. All myths. Elves weren't so different from humans. Some relished meat; others felled trees for resources. She didn't know about ancient elves, but modern ones lived much like humans.
"So, what's the real reason you're here? The faculty are on edge."
"Persistent, aren't you? It's my little sister's school—no big reason needed. Plus, I'm an alum."
"I know. Saw your portrait by the main gate—'Proud Graduate' and all that pomp."
Ardena's cheeks flushed at Yushin's words. It was an honor as a graduate, but embarrassing too. Three hundred years since graduation. Countless alumni had emerged since. No reason for her portrait to hang there all that time.
"All those graduates, and none toppled Ardena Valencia's throne."
"Ahem, you're overselling it..."
"Catering to the master's mood is part of a slave's duty."
Yushin smirked and sipped his coffee. The lingering bitterness twisted his face naturally.
"What school did you go to?"
Ardena's question made Yushin's shoulders twitch faintly. His school days rivaled Alonne's in loser status—he couldn't help but flinch. I was a bread shuttle for the delinquents. Can't say that straight-up.
"Just some no-name dump you barely graduate from. Nothing special—no fancy funding like this place, no elite scholarships. Total delinquent hangout."
"Surprising. I assumed your training academy was some prestigious name."
Yushin's brow arched. This high elf saw him through rose-tinted glasses. Back in Korea, he was just mass-produced high school fodder. Bullied into the front row, paying tribute to avoid beatings—a total herbivore.
"I was a lot like Alonne. That's why I get her. 'Misery loves company,' right?"
"Is that so...?"
Ardena looked puzzled. Similar to Alonne? Oblivious to her sister's academy bullying over mana insensitivity, she couldn't grasp it. Yushin held back deliberately—Ardena would grill Alonne if she knew.
"Alonne's working hard. To catch up to her big sis. Having a clear goal is great—even if you fall short, the effort matters."
Ardena nodded, heart swelling with pride. Her sister striving to match her was admirable. Liana's praise had pleased her, but Yushin's hit deeper. She wanted to stroke Alonne's hair. Praising a proud little sister was a big sister's duty.
"I'm glad."
"Got a question, though."
"What?"
She was in high spirits now—ready for anything, short of prying too deep.
"Haven't seen the Valencia matriarch. As a slave, should I call her 'ma'am'?"
"My mother?"
It had been over half a month at Valencia Castle, yet Yushin had never laid eyes on Wallace's wife, Ardena and Alonne's mother. Had he overstepped? He glanced cautiously at Ardena. Sure enough, her face clouded over.
"Mother is..."
The mood grew heavy. He'd stepped on a landmine. Yushin fidgeted, sensing he'd touched a Valencia taboo. Could he take it back? No—words spoken couldn't be unsaid. Amid the thickening tension, his mind raced.
"At her family's estate."
"...Huh?"
"After a fight with Father, she went back to her parents'. We visit when we can."
Whew—not a widow backstory. Yushin sighed in relief.
"Just a marital spat."
"It's been five years since she left. Alonne and I see her often."
"Five years?!"
What the hell, elves? Their sense of time was shattered! Yushin gaped. Five years of fighting? Divorce wouldn't shock him.
Why fight? Must be serious for five years. Damn, wanna ask—can't fight that Korean nosiness about family drama!
Drama-loving nation, hooked on soap operas. Yushin itched for details. What sparked it? Wallace, midlife high elf hottie, got a mistress? Or caught abusing slave girls? Wild fantasies flooded his mind.
"Father smashed Mother's prized teacup. Drunk, he stumbled with maid support—that started it."
Ardena said stiffly. Yushin's face hardened too—but for opposite reasons.
A teacup? Five years over that? Elves petty as hell. Makes sense with Ardena—stubborn types hold grudges forever.
Valencia family drama noted—ignore it. Marital war or makeup? Not his circus. Pitied Ardena's future husband, though. Three-century spinster—who could handle her? If Mom sulked five years over china, Ardena'd be worse.
"Lord Bariteon!"
"Wh-what brings you here...?"
The cafe buzzed. Trident instructors shot up from their leisurely tea. In strode a handsome blond high elf male. Flashy getup: sunglasses perched on forehead, decked in luxury brands. Chaebol heir vibes, screaming wealth and status. Reminded Yushin of Valua's showy princes.
"Ardena."
"...Bariteon."
The man approached. Ardena openly bristled at his arrival.
"What do you want?"
Bariteon Trident shrugged at her question.
"Not here for you. We're old warrior-captain comrades, but you're not my type."
"Shut your mouth."
Ardena's face twisted in contempt and disdain, raw hostility pouring out.
"So you're the human."
Bariteon's visit to Bria Academy was for Yushin. The human who beat the undefeated heroine. Valua's guardian sword turned slave POW. Yushin's tragic tale piqued his interest. The man who shattered Ardena Valencia's 300-year unbeaten legend drew eyes from Bariteon and high elves alike. He'd rushed here before others could act.