The banquet that Elena led us to was most similar to a party or a ball on Earth.

Though tables with dishes and silverware littered the open garden area, most people spent their time mingling on their feet. Waiters gracefully weaved between crowds, offering plates of appetizers to the busily chattering noble families dressed in the finest of materials. 

It seemed like every noble wanted a piece of us for being the "heroes of legend" they so desperately needed, so the moment we stepped into the area Amber and I were mobbed. 

Questions flew at us from all over, hands reached out to shake ours from all directions, and it seemed like the chaos would never stop. That's why, with a slight smile, I gently pushed Amber's back towards the approaching nobles asking for a dance and slipped away.

Of course, Amber wasn't happy about that, saying things like "You bastard!" and "I'll never forgive you!", but in the end there was no doubt in my mind that things between us would be fine. I did promise to protect her after all.

As Amber was spun around to the point of becoming green on the dance floor, I quickly ducked away with Elena. Though I'd been the one to initiate our fleeing, I was surprised to see her quickly take the initiative and drag me to a secluded area by a fountain starring two twin mermaids with water spouting from their mouths.

Away from the noise of noble conversation, all that could be heard was the gurgling of the water and the gentle chirping of insects. The gentle light shone on Elena's blue hair and gave it an ethereal look, and as she turned her red eyes towards me I saw that her entire face was red.

Though I'd wanted to have a conversation with her to discuss an important subject, I guessed that she would also have had something on her mind to have pulled me aside instead. However, rather than some royal secret or some such she wanted to discuss, what came from her mouth was that-

"D-don't do that again!"

Eh?! Did I do something I shouldn't have?!

My mind raced back, thinking to where I might've made a mistake. This wasn't good, if I wanted my plan to work, I needed her faith.

"Princess, did I do something wrong?"

Not letting my flustered state show on my face, I took a step forward as I asked her a question. However, once again my expectations were turned on their heads.

"K-kissing the back of the hand! Don't do it again unless you really mean it!"

Huh? That's what this was about? Kissing the back of her hand? Was she really that fixated on me having real respect for her?

"I assure you, Princess, I certainly meant what I did."

I took another step forward, closing the distance between us. If she kept yelling like this, somebody would definitely end up coming over here, and that definitely wasn't something that I wanted.

"N-no, I don't think you understand what-!"

I placed my hand over her mouth, causing her eyes to widen in surprise as her cheeks heated up once again. Of course, the situation was similar for me, seeing as I was having a rough time ignoring the soft sensation of her lips on my hand.

"Princess, may I ask you why you teared up while asking us to save your kingdom when we first arrived?"

I whispered in her ear, trying to convey that we should be silent. Removing my hand from her mouth so that she could respond, I smiled at her lightly.

"B-because I was scared."

I nodded.

"Scared for whom?"

"For the people of my kingdom. I cannot allow them to suffer from a war with the demons! And if we were to lose without the aid of a hero, I cannot even imagine!"

Seeing her eyes glint as she looked up into mine, I couldn't help but chuckle.

"And that's why, Princess. I could already tell in that moment that you were not asking for yourself, but for your people. That you honestly and truly cared for them. That's why I kissed your hand."

"Then your feelings..."

Elena looked down shyly as she backed away slightly, and I answered her question with a nod.

"Yes, Princess. Because you could selflessly place your people before yourself, and willingly risk your body in a summoning ritual that had already taken the lives of your elder sisters. That's why, Elena, the feelings that I wished to convey through kissing your hand were meant with all my heart."

Stepping forward once more, I took Elena's hand again and kissed it. For some reason, she immediately began to turn red even to her ears.

"F-fine, I understand..."

The furiously blushing Elena whispered under her breath just loud enough for me to hear. With her gaze directed towards the floor, she fiddled with her hands a bit before looking back up at me innocently. In other words, I was executed with a killer move by a seductive beauty, and it was almost enough to make me dizzy.

"But, you can't do it to anybody else! Ok?"

Elena spoke urgently, and I simply nodded in response.

I suppose I could understand. If she had that much of a fixation on real respect, to be showing mine to random nobles I would be meeting for the first time tonight would be an insincere gesture.

"Good..."

Elena turned around and rubbed her cheeks with her hands as if doing so would rub away her blush. Deep down, I couldn't help but feel as though something was off about this situation, but she didn't seem annoyed at me anymore so it should be fine.

"S-so... though I was the one who took you here, it seemed like you wanted to speak with me as well. Did you have anything to ask me?"

I nodded again and stepped back to sit on the edge of the fountain, using it as a bench. I then patted the spot beside me, beckoning for Elena to come and sit there. She obliged, and the two of us looked out at the party from a distance.

"Has the palace always been this... extravagant?"

I asked, my eyes following the nobles in their lavish clothing as they danced on the floor. The silver forks and knives set out at each table glinted in the lamplight. Everything about this party screamed one thing: luxury.

"Well... truthfully, I'd have to say no. Until a few years ago, my father always believed in a more reserved appearance. He always said that those who flaunt their wealth were always poor of character. Why do you ask?"

I shrugged my shoulders a bit and adjusted my position, careful not to let my clothes touch the water.

"It was just that I noticed that what you wore when we first met was far simpler than what you have on now. You seemed more... comfortable in that, as well. Ah, I'm not saying what you have on now doesn't suit you or anything! For you, you're no doubt beautiful no matter what you wear!"

Elena once again buried her face in her hands as I tried to avoid getting on her bad side. But as I looked at the timid smile peaking out from the gaps between her fingers, I couldn't help but perceive an aura like "He's really watching me that closely, huh?". I quickly shook away that thought, though, and waited for her to speak with a calm face.

"Y-yes. Ever since I was young, I preferred simpler clothing. I was actually a bit of a tomboy when I was younger hahaha..."

Elena laughed a bit as she looked into my eyes.

"However, though my father was okay with it until recently, he now demands that we wear only the most luxurious of things in his presence."

"Do you have any idea why he would change his opinion so drastically?"

Elena shook her head in response to me.

"Perhaps it's old age?"

Elena chuckled when suddenly-

CRASH!

My eyes flew back to the noble area where a commotion had arisen. a scream rang out as the crowd parted to reveal a small, weathered old man carrying a rat. in his hands. His clothes were dirty, his head balding. He looked like he had just crawled in mud.

"Down with the false King!"

My eyes widened as a smirk spread across my face. This was certain to be interesting.