The hunters guarding the gate were about to stop the group of elves, but Andre raised his hand and stopped them. He recognized this group, and he knew they were far from ordinary, not to ntion the status of the female elf leading them.
So of the reporters noticed them as well, which made their crews imdiately start taking photos and recording videos. That group of elves was quite famous, after all. And now that they were approaching Aldrian and his wives, they could already sll another piece of spicy news.
After reaching Aldrian's group, Andre was the first to greet them.
"Greetings, Your Highness. I thought you would remain in the depths of the forest for a few more days. May I know why you are here?"
The female elf at the front looked at Andre with a slight smile. "We would like to speak with these ladies… and the gentleman. Could you give us so ti?"
Andre hesitated and glanced back at Aldrian and his wives. Aldrian and his wives were also observing the group of elves with curiosity. But Aldrian still gave a small nod.
"Alright. I'm curious as well. This is the first ti we've seen otherworlders on Earth. We would like to know more about you."
Andre let out a quiet sigh and nodded.
He then prepared a private room inside the base so they could converse comfortably. Aldrian and his wives took their seats, while on the other side, only the female leader sat down. Once they were alone in the room, both sides couldn't help but observe each other inwardly.
Aldrian and his wives were curious about these elves from outside the inner realm. None of them were below low marquess stage based on their aura.
They ranged from low to middle marquess stage, which in this world was equivalent to SS-rank. A formidable group for Earth's current level.
And from the way Andre addressed the female elf as "Your Highness," it was clear that she likely ca from a royal family or held a similarly high status.
As for the elves, they had already been observing Aldrian and the others since earlier, and they were inwardly astonished, especially when they now close to Sylphia. They could clearly sense that she was indeed a genuine elf.
Yet they could not help but feel an unknown sense of reverence toward her, despite this being their first ti eting her directly.
They felt as though they had to place Sylphia in the highest regard, which left them unsettled. In fact, the mont they got close to this strange group, it felt as if they were standing before individuals of far higher status and power.
They could also feel a kind of pressure, as though they were facing soone far more powerful than themselves, even though they could not sense any aura from these people. They felt no different from mortals, which was impossible.
The female elves' gazes would occasionally fall upon Aldrian, causing slight blushes to appear on their faces. Now that they were close to him, they could see in detail just how handso he was. It was completely different from when they had only seen him through photos.
He exuded a charm that was difficult to ignore, sothing even the male elves had to admit. But at the sa ti, it pissed them off that there existed a man who could be this perfect in appearance, even when compared to elves.
After a few monts of silence, Aldrian was the first to break it.
"I think that's enough silent observation. How about we introduce ourselves first? I'm curious about the elves here and would like to know more."
The female elf showed a hint of embarrassnt before composing herself again.
"My apologies if we have disturbed your ti. Allow to introduce myself. I am Sera Livis Evilon, princess of the Ageras Kingdom from the Vilon World. The people behind are royal guardians. We are here to study more about Earth."
Aldrian nodded. "I'm Aldrian, and the won beside are my wives. This is Sylphia, Baek Jimin, and Angelica." He said as he gestured toward each of them.
The mont they heard that the won were exactly as the rumors described, the elves felt a sudden sourness in their hearts.
The elf before them was truly the wife of a human!
Although the human in front of them was clearly not ordinary compared to any human they had ever seen, he was still human!
It left a deep sense of displeasure in their hearts.
Aldrian, who sensed the sudden shift in their emotions, couldn't help but grow more curious. What caused such a change? The mont he looked into their minds, he understood and felt inwardly amused.
He had forgotten that elves were innately a conservative race, one that was quite strict about their bloodline. Most of them disliked the idea of soone from their race taking a spouse from another race.
The only exception might be elves who had lived alongside other races for a long ti, allowing their views to beco more open-minded. Such a case could be seen in the Ivory Kingdom, but even there, a conservative faction still existed.
This showed that such instincts were still deeply rooted within many of the elves, despite their long coexistence with other races.
But Aldrian ignored their displeasure and continued.
"As for our origin, well, we co from a faraway place that Your Highness will learn about in the future. We are on Earth simply to enjoy our ti."
The elves behind the princess did not like Aldrian's lack of politeness. He did not reveal where he ca from and instead spoke vaguely, as if playing a guessing ga.
In a normal situation, they would have imdiately rebuked him for such insolence. However, they knew nothing about his status, origin, or strength. If they made a mistake that endangered the princess, even death would not be enough to atone for it.
"I see…" Princess Sera said as she glanced at Sylphia and Aldrian.
"My apologies if I ask this, but is marriage between elves and humans common in your world?"
Sylphia raised her eyebrows at the question, and Aldrian answered instead.
"No, it's not common, but it does happen sotis. Our case is a bit special. It would be a long story if I explained it." He said, smiling toward Sylphia, who returned the smile.
Princess Sera narrowed her eyes as she looked at them. Sylphia seed genuinely happy and had not shown any signs of discomfort this whole ti. It was as if she truly did not mind being married to a human.
"I see. It seems that the elves in your world are quite open-minded. In our world, elves are strict about our bloodline, so there has never been a case of one of our kind marrying a human. It is even considered a taboo, which is why I find it strange to see an elf married to a human." Princess Sera said.
"Well, now you've seen a different culture. One where an elf can be a human's wife." Aldrian replied.
"I know you might find it strange, and even uncomfortable. I can feel it, Your Highness… and from all of you as well." His gaze swept across the elves.
The elves were stunned. They did not expect Aldrian to be so blunt.
"You don't like the idea of a human marrying an elf. And I don't bla you for that. I've t people like you many tis." he added.
They could not refute him, because what he said was the truth.
"Well, I won't deny it. That is how other races see us. We are a race that is strict with our bloodline, and we do not take other races as partners. We marry only among our own kind. But…" Princess Sera wanted to continue, but she hesitated.
She could not say what she intended, even though she had prepared her words beforehand. After a few seconds of silence, Sylphia suddenly spoke.
"But our presence here breaks that image, and you're afraid the reputation of the elven race in this world might be affected, right?"
Princess Sera did not expect such a blunt remark, and this ti it ca from Sylphia herself.
When she t Sylphia's gaze, she realized Sylphia was not amused. She looked pissed. Princess Sera did not understand why, but that gaze made her feel fear.
"I can guess that the elven race in your world lives a more conservative life, if you are even afraid that the sight of an elf being a human's wife could affect your race's image in front of others." Sylphia continued, her tone clearly showing she was pissed off.
"Well, the thing is, I don't care about other people's opinions when it cos to my romantic life. The man beside is my husband, and no one gets to tell how I or we should live. Don't tell you ca here because you saw us together in the news?"
Princess Sera said nothing, because it was the truth. And that silence was enough of an answer for Sylphia.
"Did you co to us, or specifically to , to ask how I could marry a human and abandon our race's values? Or let guess again… you want to ask us sothing so you can maintain the elven race's image in this world, right?"
Another silence followed. The princess still could not answer. That only made Sylphia more pissed off.
"How easy to read. People with such high pride like all of you… your intentions are always the sa. It's always about reputation and image."
"Please, don't—" one of the female elves behind the princess tried to speak, but Sylphia shot her a glare that made her swallow her words. She did not understand why, but a sudden sense of tension and fear gripped her.
"If that's why you ca here, then there's nothing more to talk about." Sylphia stood up.
"Let's go, dear. We still have a gate to clear. The challenge is still on."
Aldrian and the others stood up. Sylphia had already walked out of the room, followed by Baek Jimin and Angelica. Aldrian, being the last to leave, gave the princess a slight smile.
"I know Your Highness still has many questions for us, but we're quite busy right now. Perhaps we can et again another ti when we have the ti."
He then left the room, leaving the elves in silence.
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