Chapter 101: [101] Banquet

Artaris was like a city interlaced with the starry skies above.

Although night had fallen upon the humble elven village, the village refused to sleep.

Countless lanterns lit up the village square, some floating in the sky, gently hanging on long poles, while others were placed on the floor.

There were a couple of runic lights as well, all of them working together to bring life to the city.

There was a sound of soft, rhythmic music filling the space as a band of elves played, gentle smiles on their faces.

Some were playing stringed instruments, their fingers caressing the strings as though it was made of silk, a couple of them were playing wind instruments, while a few of them worked with drums.

Finally, the elven women in front of the band hummed an old song in the elven tongue, creating magic in the atmosphere.

Food was piled up on trays that were lined up on tables, the pleasant aroma drifting through the calm night wind.

The village square was filled to the brim, the elves chatting amongst each other as they awaited the start of the events.

The banquet was meant to be held immediately after the election, but after the unforeseen confrontation… they had to postpone it to night.

Lazarus took a large gulp of beer from his cup, a wide smile on his face as he watched the beautiful scene.

“You sure seem happy…” one of the elders said, a smirk on his face as he watched him.

“Hehe, why won’t I be?” Lazarus chuckled.

“Of course he would be happy.” Another elder chimed in. “Now that his candidate has won, he will no doubt be planning a wedding next, hehe…” he winked at Lazarus.

Lazarus scoffed. “Nonsense… What are you talking about?”

Then he smiled and took another gulp. “Well, I suppose that is also in the books, is it not? Hahaha.” He laughed.

The elders continued to gist amongst themselves, enjoying the pleasant atmosphere free of treachery or hate.

Delilah was inspecting the food, a serious look on her face as she closely observed it.

“Did… I… get… the measurements right?” she asked softly as she watched it.

Eliron had taught her his recipe and put her in charge of recreating it, but if she failed then it would ruin the banquet.

“It looks good enough to me.” Durin, who was with her, commented, his hands folded behind his head.

“I don’t know why you bother yourself so much with—mmm!” He nearly choked as Delilah shoved a piece of fried meat in his mouth.

“How… does it… taste?”

Durin frowned as he chewed, then his eyes brightened and he gave her a thumbs up.

“It’s great!”

Delilah smiled softly, and Durin smiled as well.

“Make sure nothing escapes your sight!”

“Hold your glaive firmly!”

“You, stop slouching!”

While everyone was in a festive mood, Ash was patrolling the area with some of the guards while barking out orders.

“But sir… can’t we take a break? It’s the banquet…” Terra complained, a tired look on her face.

The other guards nodded vehemently, agreeing with her.

Ash stopped and turned to face them. “Sure, you can go on a break.” He said with a smile.

“Really?!” They all echoed together.

“Sure! Why not?” Ash laughed. Then his face darkened. “But first, you have to do three hundred push-ups…”

“BUT SIR!!!!” (T^T)

While most people were already outside, one of the homes in Artaris was still buzzing with activity.

“WE ARE LATE! OH GOD, THEY ARE GOING TO START EATING BEFORE ME!”

Yennefer cried, running from place to place, dressed only in her chemise.

Tiny was running along with her as well, making low grunts as though it was panicking at her dilemma as well.

Meanwhile, Eliron was seated in his living room. His legs were crossed and his eyes were closed as he tried to meditate, but no matter how much he tried, he could not focus.

He sighed and opened one eye as Yen began racing up the stairs.

“Make sure you dress Sabrina up as well—”

“Yes, yes, shut up! You’re going to make me even more late!” she screamed back.

“You’re the one who overslept…”

Eliron said, but she was already gone, her door slamming shut.

’I guess I better get ready as well.’ Eliron stood up and began climbing the stairs.

•••

The moment Yennefer got back to her room, she hurriedly got dressed, while Sabrina and the wyvern watched her, surprised by how fast she could put on her clothes.

When she was done, she turned to Sabrina and frowned.

She was wearing one of Eliron’s tunics as though it were a gown, the cloth stopping around her mid thigh.

Yennefer tilted her head slightly as she watched her, her eyes moving down her body.

“Um, is there a problem?” Sabrina asked calmly.

“Take off your clothes.”

“…”

Sabrina was silent for a few seconds, before her eyes suddenly widened, and she hugged the tunic tightly to her chest.

“W-what?”

“Come on, we don’t have much time, Eliron said to dress you up!”

Before Sabrina could react, Yennefer had already tackled her to the floor and taken off the tunic, leaving her only in her undergarments.

But then, Yennefer paused as she stared at her.

’S-scars?’

Although it was expected that she would have such scars, considering what she must have been through, it was still quite a lot.

Sabrina’s mood dampened as she stared at the other side of the room, avoiding Yen’s gaze.

She expected her to ask her about the scars, but to her surprise, Yennefer said, “That is a pretty necklace you have on…”

“Huh?”

Sabrina immediately realised she was trying to change the topic, and appreciated her for it.

“I-it is, isn’t it?” She smiled softly. “I think it belonged to my parents.” She said, lifting the necklace.

“I’ve had it for as long as I can remember.”

It was a silver pendant shaped in the image of a flaming bird, with its wings extended.

Yen nodded, then her expression shifted when she realized that they were wasting time.

She grabbed Sabrina’s hand and suddenly pulled her to her feet.

“Let’s get you dressed up, Tiny, bring it in!”

The wyvern suddenly sprinted towards them, carrying a number of clothes on its head.

Yen picked up the first dress and raised it towards Sabrina.

“Hmmm…” she hummed thoughtfully.

The dresses had been specially made for her by the elves shortly after she arrived, so they were tailored exactly for her.

While Yen had a voluptuous figure, Sabrina had a more lithe, athletic build.

She was also a little taller than Yennefer, so she needed something small enough to fit her properly, but a little long as well.

“Okay, let’s try this dress!”

Sabrina could only nod like a child being dressed by their parents, as Yen began trying different clothes on her, until they finally got one that worked.

When she was finally ready, Yen smiled smugly, appreciating her handiwork, then she wrapped her arm around her shoulders.

“Let’s be on our way!”

“Hryuuu!”

Sabrina smiled softly as they descended down the stairs to meet Eliron, who had been waiting for them.

“You sure took your time…” he was saying as he turned to stare at them.

Then he paused.

Yen was as pretty as ever, her golden eyes twinkling as she watched Eliron with a smug look on her face.

She held Sabrina’s shoulders and placed her in front of her, like someone presenting their masterpiece.

“Mission complete!”

“Hruuu!”

Sabrina had been completely transformed. Her formerly rough appearance had melted away, replaced by a more feminine grace.

She was in an airy gown of violet and white, that hung just over her knees, the soft fabric swaying gently with each slight movement.

Yen had combed her unruly pale-blue hair into submission, packing it up in a high ponytail, a wooden hair pin keeping everything in place.

Sabrina’s cheeks were blushed lightly in embarrassment, clearly not used to being dressed in this manner, nor having this much attention on her.

“H-how do I look?” She managed to say, after Yennefer poked her several times.

Eliron smiled. “You’re beautiful.”

It was obvious for anyone who had eyes, and to most people, Eliron’s words had been simple, casual even…

But to Sabrina, who had been called disgusting her whole life, for a half-elf who had been treated like an abomination…

To her, it was the best thing anyone could have ever said.

She smiled, tears forming in her eyes as she spoke.

“Thank you…”

..

..

A/N

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