Chapter 271: Welcome Back Home
Chapter 271: Welcome Back Home
Elysia was a little surprised. Vanessa suddenly jumped out of her arms to move to the girl next to her. Still, she was suddenly hugged by a grandfather without knowing what or why.
It only took her one second to understand what happened. This grandfather was Harold Reinhard, Alisha's grandfather.
On the other hand, Harold's sudden action took many by surprise, including Emperor Elliott. The words that came out of Harold's mouth also gave many people another shock.
Alisha was safe and sound. Did she survive the tragedy? However, at that time, the Goddess of Light said that her eminence could not find Alisha anywhere. So, what really happened? People other than Rosie's group were wondering with astonishment in their minds. Despite that, they walked up to Rosie's group to find out more.
"Welcome back home." Harold said.
"Excuse me, sorry to say this, but I think you mistake me for someone else." Elysia uttered with a gentle tone, but she didn't do anything to break free.
Hearing that, the emotional Harold pulled his head back slightly to look at the girl he was hugging. At first glance, it was indeed his youngest granddaughter, but after paying more attention to it... He could point out some of the differences.
What happened? So, this girl wasn't Alisha? Could it be that his youngest granddaughter lost her memories due to the deep shock she suffered because of the tragedy?
However, what could justify this difference that he could recognize? This girl in front of her was a little more lovely than Alice, who she knew, with refined skin and the most contrast was her purplish-blue eyes instead of the blue sky.
What actually happened? Harold thought far from it to try to find an answer out of his astonishment and confusion.
However, he felt someone tugging his sleeve from behind. He turned his head, and Rosie was there with a pretty sad expression.
"Grandfather, let's talk inside. It's not good to talk in the open like this." Rosie smiled weakly. She had guessed her grandfather's reaction when he met Elysia, very much like her when she met Elysia for the first time.
Harold didn't answer right away. He looked around for a moment at everyone around him.
After that, he gave his attention to the girl who was still in his arms. The girl who he thought was his youngest granddaughter just smiled formally at him.
Harold let go of the girl with a confused sigh. "Please explain to me what happened. Please come inside. I welcome all distinguished guests."
After saying that, Harold walked back to the mansion, and Rosie's group followed suit. He couldn't even pay more attention and courtesy to two Saint-level experts or two princesses from another kingdom. He just wanted to know the truth, and it took a lot of his thoughts and attention.
The mansion's door was closed after all concerned people entered, leaving the knights and imperial knights with puzzled and astonished expressions.
"Father, mother, we're home." Rosie and Fran conveyed their greetings to their parents. It wasn't enough just to use words. They also hugged their respective parents.
Of course, they were warmly welcomed by their family, including their extended family. However, there were still things that made almost everyone feel complicated regarding Alisha.
Everyone headed into the large living room and sat down on their respective sofas. Only fourteen people were there, and half of them were waiting for an explanation from whoever it was.
"Please allow me to explain everything. However, before that, I would like to introduce... She is Elysia Avery, the Goddess of Light's disciple. Truth is said, and Elysia is not Alisha, my little sister." Rosie pointed at Elysia with an open palm, but her expression was a little heavy as she said that.
That statement and introduction made Harold and several others sigh with a melancholy aura. Apparently, the girl they thought as Alisha was actually a different person... Although at first glance similar.
After that, Rosie shared some details so that her family would understand. Although most of that was already known to them.
Because of yesterday's high-level meeting, they already knew the details about a lot of things. Emperor Arthur and Holy Grandfather Alexander also said that the Goddess of Light's disciple would come with Rosie's group to Cuttexus City. So, Elysia Avery was the girl in question.
Reinhard Family had to accept the bitter truth about their youngest family member, whether they wanted it or not.
Harold lowered his head slightly in complex contemplation. He and his family had performed the funeral for those who died in the tragedy, including his youngest granddaughter.
Even so, a small hope in his heart believed that his youngest granddaughter was still alive out there. The Goddess of Light just couldn't find Alisha at that time, but that didn't mean Alisha was declared dead, right?
It hit him once again when he realized the reality of his escape from his sorrow. He lost more than 100 reliable knights, a proud son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter forever. It was a fact, and it happened.
Yet, an inconsequential thought crossed his mind about another world all of a sudden. If Elysia and her Goddess master came from a different world... Was she also his granddaughter from another planet? So, indirectly, Elysia was Alisha from another parallel universe?
Harold, who was silent for a few seconds, made everyone else in the living room also quiet. No one dared to say anything at that moment, and it was clear that a slightly gloomy aura emanated from Harold and the four people near him.
"I see, so it's like that... Anyway, welcome to our family mansion. Please allow me to excuse myself for a moment. I need some time to be alone." Harold got up and left without waiting for a response from anyone. He needed to calm down before doing or saying anything.
"Please excuse his actions. It still gives him a pretty heavy blow. My name is Oscar Reinhard, Rosie's father. Please allow me to represent my father to entertain you for a while. It's our honor to welcome you, Miss Elysia, Holy Princess Gabriella, Princess Evelyn... Saint Wizard Maximilian and Saint Holy Knight Ariel." A man gave a courtesy greeting with respect.
Evelyn gave Elysia and Ella a sign, and then she answered as the representative. "The honor is all ours, Sir Oscar. If you don't mind, please ignore the formalities because we come as guests, nothing else."
"Well, if it's said like that, then my arrival and my son are none other than guests too. Let's ignore the courtesy and formality of this opportunity. However, may I know the reason for your arrival, Holy Princess, Princess Evelyn?" Elliott immediately responded with a relaxed tone. He was still unsure of the reason or purpose for the arrival of these two princesses and their Saint-level protectors.
"Ah, please forgive us if our arrival is not welcomed by you, Emperor Elliott. However, our arrival is because of Ely and Rosie. We also came with the permission of our parents." Evelyn felt a little sour when she heard Emperor Elliott's words. It was as if their presence was being questioned because it wasn't expected.
Elliott frowned for the blink of an eye. But, he tolerated it because Evelyn was from another kingdom. If it was in his kingdom and its inhabitants, only Harold called him by that name. For others, they would call him 'His Majesty' or 'My Majesty'. Well, it was also a little different for his family, though.
"Oh-hoho, it looks like you misunderstood my question, Princess Evelyn. You should know that your identity is that of a princess from another kingdom. However, I only got the information that your arrival was none other than for a visit. Therefore, I have to confirm directly to you for that." Elliott chuckled, knowing that this girl had misunderstood what he was saying. He would be foolish to just let misunderstandings go away without correcting them.
He didn't want to piss off that annoying Holy Grandfather and that stubborn Northern Emperor over this little thing after all.
"Oh my, did my grandfather give you advance notice, Emperor Elliott? If so, forgive us because it's true. We only came for a visit. Also for pilgrimage with Rosie and Fran." Ella put her hand on her upper chest with a formal smile.
"Hm, alright. Welcome to the Cuttexus Kingdom. You can spend your time as you please in this region. However, please remember that this region still often has wars and the like. So, make sure you never go alone, unattended.
I will send someone from my side to ensure your situation. At the same time, while you stay in my region, your safety is also my responsibility now. You can't refuse, and please understand that." Elliott declared it for confirmation, not for rejection or response. He prevented these two princesses who were about to refuse before they could speak.
"I- I see... We understand. Then, please take care of us."
"Thank you, please take care of us."
Evelyn and Ella had no other choice but to accept that. Meanwhile, Elysia didn't even understand that she was actually included in Emperor Elliott's words. Elysia was silent and let her friends represent their group to talk.
For the next few moments, the people from the Reinhard Family's side and Emperor Elliott opened up conversations about several things. The most important self-introduction and more, especially aimed at the Goddess's disciple.
Even so, they were aware that the true identity of Elysia should not be widespread, like the warning that was given for Elysia's good. So, they only wanted to make this Goddess's disciple have a good impression of them and nothing else.