Side Story – Tifa Part: 3

*After Tifa was brought back with Evan and she accepted Elizabeth as her mother*

*Tifa POV*

I remained in my Mother's arms for I don't know how long, we both didn’t let go of either of us, rather, we didn’t want to let go of us. It was only until our arms were starting to hurt that we let go of us.

I wiped away the tears in my eyes as my Mother did the same. It’s hard to believe that I went decades without a mother only to find out that she had been with me every step along the way. No matter what happened I would always see her or meet her almost every other day. She had taken the place of a mother whom I desired so much of. And yet I left her alone when I found it… It was so stupid of me.

It was only until I had let go of my mother that I noticed Sarah was in the room with us. “Sarah!” I yelled out happily but Sarah was worried, It was no wonder either, I hurted her just some time ago as well.

“I’m so sorry for what I did, please forgive me, I didn’t mean to-” I didn’t say that much when she kneeled down to my height and hugged me.

“Shhh, I know. I know you didn’t mean it, don’t worry. I forgive you.”

I couldn’t help it tears started welling up in my eyes again as I started to cry again.

We spent quite some time just like this, forgiving each other, being in each-other’s arms, there wasn’t much of anything in this room beside some chairs and a table so we sat down on the ground next to the wall, sitting side by side each other.

Tania the Dryad was also here in this room, but apparently, Evan was punishing her by making her stand in the corner and making sure she doesn’t talk.

After all three of us were comfortable, my mother started telling me about her story and why she had to keep everything a secret. She told me everything that Evan had already speculated. Keeping me with herself was a lot more harmful to me than keeping me in an orphanage. If she had kept me close to her, and raised me as one of her own, then it was only a matter of time before someone would’ve kidnapped me and sold me off as a slave. Mother and all her trusted people are busy most of the time so it was something that was bound to happen.

It was one of the saddest moments in my mother’s life because not only had her husband passed on, but she had to let go of her child because it was the safest thing for me.

She had to make sure that she wasn’t giving me preferential treatment in the eyes of other elves which killed her from the inside so she had asked Sarah for that job, actually, it was something Sarah volunteered for herself because she was perfect for the job. She looked young and was the sworn sister of Mother.

Sarah had always been with my mother and was there when she secretly married to a human. She had always been hiding her age to me as well, and while I thought she was older than me by 20 or 30 age, I didn’t that the difference would be in triple digits.

Sarah had always been my aunt, but, but it was hard calling her that now. Thankfully, Sarah insisted on not to call her that.

“So what did Evan say that brought you back to me?” My mother suddenly asked, making me blush from shame.

“He…” It was hard to tell her what he actually said to me, but I don’t know what was wrong with me, I didn’t want to lie and save him some face. “He told me that you committed suicide.”

“He did WHAT!?” Sarah was the first one to lose herself

While Sarah was screaming out her anger for Evan, my mother was only a bit shocked as she said, “Oh my.”

My mother didn’t think much about it but Sarah was greatly offended as she lashed out, “I swear I’m gonna give him the beating of a century when comes back!”

I don’t know why but I had to save him some face, “Sarah please, I-I was too… confused that time, I didn’t know what to do about anything, He was the only one who brought be back to my sense, Yes he used an unorthodox method, but… He’s really good, and he had already analysed everything mother did which made me come back here, And… And… Anyway! He’s not a bad person is what I’m trying to say! He acts weird but he’s a good person at heart!”

I fumbled around with my words, even I don’t know why I talked so much about him when even a simple, he’s not that bad. Would have sufficed.

Both Sarah and mother were looking at me weirdly and I couldn’t help but blush and feel shy for some reason, “W-What’s wrong?”

Mother smiled in a playful manner as if she figured something out, “Tifa, do you like Evan?”

“Huh?” My words came out before my thoughts could.

EHHH!?

“W-What! No!!! I-Its Ju-Just Be-Because he Helsps me a L-Lot That I Like Him as a Fr-Friend!” I tried my best to reject but my words kept fumbling, my face kept getting hotter that I hid my face behind my hands. Denying to even look at my family.

“…No way.” I heard Sarah’s words first, followed by my Mother’s.

“Why not? I fully trust him, He’s a hero, has saved my daughter, and the only one I can fully agree to being my daughter’s partner.”

“P-Partner!?” I screamed out trying to control the shame hidden by my hands.

“Sure, Evan is a bit weird, But I’m sure he’ll improve once you have him around your finger.” My mother kept saying things I could not believe.

“A-A-Around my finger!?!”

“Y-Your Highness…” Sarah sounded flabbergasted while my mother hugged me excitedly.

“No matter what happens! I’ll be rooting for you my sweet oblivious child.”

“M-MOTHER PLEASE STOP SAYING SUCH EMBARESSING THINGS!”

“Fu Fu! Now that I have you all to myself, You’re a slave to my demands!”

I could never imagine the Queen of all elves acting like a clingy and excited mother, it had ruined all her image as a cool and loved Queen. But it did create a new image of her, One that was my Mothers.

It felt weird… A good weird.

Sometime later Evan came back to us telling us about meeting Queen daisy of the Human’s kingdom where I first met Evan. He said he had a plan to get rid of the hate Elves had for the non-elves.

It was also the time when Evan told her about my life span and I had not seen my Mother so depressed before.

Side Story – Liza Visits

*Liza POV*

I made a sigh as I made my way towards Evan’s house which he said he made in the middle of the wilderness.

I was geared up. I had a small backpack on filled with paper works and some self-defense items like shuriken’s and throwing daggers. as a Silver sword hung down from my waist as my short red hair bopped up and down from the horse trotting on the grass.

What a pain. Well, at least I got a little break from the guild. Good thing I made Lark replace my position for a while. He’s not the best, but he can take care of himself.

A lot of historical moments had been happening one after the other and I had gotton no time for rest. I knew that I was going to Evan’s house as work… but, it’s not wrong to use it as a breather too is it?

Minutes passed by until I saw a large mansion in the distance and my jaw dropped.

This… Has this always been here?

The design of the mansion was intricate, it had a large triangle rooftop in the middle and two smaller triangle rooftops complementing the middle. There was a large circular window in the middle, and various simple yet complex designs all around the building.

How long has Evan lived here? The Mansion looks like it has a history to tell but I know Evan and his kind had to move recently due to the cultists.

A normal adventurer could not even afford to even rent this place, and Evan had just recently become an adventurer. Though, Evan was not a normal adventurer.

The Queen of our kingdom had even agreed to make him a Master Adventurer, which isn’t a surprise considering his achievements. If he accepts the title, it would make him have an equal standing with the Guild master.

Once I got close, the towering building made me feel intimidated is a gulped in a breath of dry air. I was here of inspection but I felt like a mice infront of a cat, I could not enter without permission.

“Oh, hello.” Somebody suddenly called me and I snapped back to reality and turned towards my caller.

“My name is Jeff.” He did a sleight bow as he said it, “Do you perhaps have some business with Evan?”

The person who called himself Jeff was a Human, I don’t have a good history with them so I felt a bit awkward, but if he knew Evan then I shouldn’t show him any disrespect as it will affect my work as well.

I quickly got off my horse, “Apologies for bothering you. I am Liza, I was supposed to do a house regulation check according to the guild guidelines today. Evan himself asked me for it and should be expecting me.”

“Ah, I see. Please come inside.”

I was guided inside and the house was completely furnished up. There were potted plants, paintings, statues and many more decorations scattered around in an organized manner which made this place look better than how a noble would do his.

I was guided into a room which I presumed to be the guest’s room. Jeff told me to wait here so I sat down on a sofa that was so soft that I practically melted inside, I made a weird face in that sensation as It felt better than sleeping on a warm night. If I could work with chairs like these, I would never be tired at the guild.

The whole room was decorated beautifully, there was a fireplace keeping the room warm and various different coloured flowers blooming up on some shelfs that complemented the room nicely. There was a large table in the middle but I felt blissful on the sofa that I couldn’t pay attention to anything else.

Just when I almost fell asleep, I heard Evan’s voice,

“Hey Liza! Long-time no see.”

Hearing his words did not woke me up from the coma I fell in but my professionalism kicked in that was etched deep in my soul and pried myself away from sleeping so much so that I instantly got a headache and my eyes started to hurt.

“H-Hello Evan! I’m here on your request for a house regulation check.”

“House regulation check? I remember only asking to register the house on your database.”

“This is necessary so that other adventurers don’t raid your house and so that we can make roads from our kingdom, to your house here.”

He put his hand on his chin as if contemplating, “Will I have to pay for the roads?”

“No. Considering you achievements, The guild master will pay for the entire thing.”

He then suddenly gave me the thumbs and told me to do whatever I needed to do.

I took out some paperwork and a pencil to write down anything that would be wrong or not. There was no way anything would be wrong since it’s only a formality to check out if the owner was able to use the house for illegal activities or not, but it was a job that needed to be done.

Evan guided me from room to room, as he explained whatever I questioned him about. My jaw almost dropped when I found out he had a personal Dryad, which meant the entire forest would be his territory.

… I have to write that down and make sure nobody messes around with this place if they cared about their lives.

Just like that, the whole thing quickly came to an end and I just have to back to the guild to register this house.

Yea, this isn’t a house. It really is a mansion.

“That’s cause it is a mansion.” Evan said who was next to me.

“Oh I’m sorry. Did I say that out loud?”

I was tired and had a huge headache from when my body really wanted sleep but I had to force myself to work.

“I don't really mind. So what do you want to do now? I mean it will be dark pretty soon.”

“Oh, please don't mind me. If I hurry I can still reach back by the end of night and I can take care of myself.”

“Oh, come on. You look like you’ll collapse any second now. Have a break. Stay here for the night, I don't mind.”

As much as I wanted to refute, my tired and painful brain was really enticed by the offer as I thought to myself. If I could sleep on the Sofa downstairs, that would be enough for me.

“Then please excuse my stay here.”

His face beamed as he screamed out, “Alright! Looks like we’re gonna party tonight!”

Was that his real aim?

…Probably not …Hopefully.

After that, Evan introduced me to his family. The one called Luna was a bit suspicious of me for some reason and the great Lucy and Oswald started staying here for training.

They said they were gonna be taught by Evan himself to which they were really excited about.

The one called Mia taught me about various things of the house. For example, the dresser. Which used magic to give you any type of clothes you want. I tried it and it was amazing. This is easily any girls dream. I took out some comfortable and casual clothes out which I had not worn for years and it felt blissful.

Mia then told me about the shower. Which you can use to have a bath anytime.

I quickly used it in hopes of ridding the huge headache I had, but… What I felt in the shower was similar to paradise. Water at the perfect temperature and I could control if I wanted it to be hotter or colder, near infinite supply of water as well. If you didn’t call this place paradise then I don’t know what you would call it.

I stayed in the shower for an embarrassingly long time but Mia told me it was normal and that was how everyone’s first expression of it led to.

With really comfortable and casual clothes I went down to where everyone was eating. It seems that Evan and Mia cooked a meal together today because I was around.

The aroma of the food was mouth-watering. It seemed to be whole rabbit and chicken with various different spices to increase the flavour. There was also some soup and a vegetable salad.

It was gone in a minute and the taste was heavenly. This was better than queen Daisy's personal chef's cooking. And I can say that since I have tasted his food.

When night finally hit, I went to the bed and it was Sooooo soft, as if I was melted into it. It felt better than the sofa I sat on downstairs in the Guest room. Of course, I couldn’t even fight back and instantly went to sleep.

…This was one of my best days ever.

I woke up late with permanent smile on my face. I had to pry myself off the soft marshmallow bed when I realized how late I woke up. It was a first time for me.

When I went outside my room, there was a small fight going on between Evan's mother and father over who would use the bathroom first. Which honestly was weird. Why would they fight over the bathroom?

I asked Evan and he told me that it was a fight on who could use the shower first.

I then realized that everyone can use the shower and at any time they want since there was no cost…

… I then finally concluded. This place was a real paradise in disguise.

I let go of any decency and shame I had as I kneeled down and hugged Evan’s Legs.

“Woah! What The Hell!” Evan screamed out as he tried to jump away but I was strong and there was no way he could get rid of me.

“PLEASE LET ME LIVE HERE! I WILL PAY THE RENT AND EVERYTHING YOU ASK! JUST PLEASE JUST LET ME LIVE HERE!”

“What do you think You’re doing!?” Evan’s sister, Luna popped from somewhere as she helped Evan in getting rid of me from his legs.

I honestly never cared about anything else than my job. The pay was good and the only thing I had to do was help people. But this place has changed that. This place has taught me the meaning of pleasure. I just can't go back to that hell hole again after experiencing all this Bliss! I just can’t!

“You don’t have to beg for it! Jeez. You scared me, okay. Stand up first and then let’s talk.”

I let go of his leg and looked up to him like a dog that was abandoned before he continued, “Well I didn't really want to rent this place to someone but since your my friend I can give you one room as a rent.”

“R-Really!?”

“Yea sure. Then considering the price… How about 50 silver coins per month?”

I made a resolute face as I stood up from the ground.

“I’ll do it!”

My monthly salary is 1 gold coin per month and that was because I usually stayed overnight because there wasn't anything else to do at my house except sleep since I live alone. If I can live here then I don't need anything else. And fortunately, my job was enough to stay here.

YES!

MY UNKINDELED HEART WAS BURNING AGAIN.

HAHAHA! I HAVEN'T FELT THIS GOOD IN YEARS!!!

Bonus Chapter – Shower Power

*Mia POV*

I was cleaning in the Mansion's second floor’s bathrooms.

The bathroom place has all the normal things a bathroom normally consists of. A toilet, a sink, some cleaning tools and the rest. What's weird is that this place also has a giant… Bowl? With a faucet on its top? The bowl is giant enough to easily fit papa in it easily and he's quite tall.

It was one of the many new things that Brother had made for the house but not many of us understood it’s applications. I had to call Miss Emma again which I felt bad about since I had been calling her a number of times whenever brother would install something and not explain to us what it does.

I called Miss Emma the nurse as followed me to the bathroom and explained to me everything about the new thing in the bathroom.

“It’s called a bathtub. You can use it to take a bath…” She then started teaching me of all its components and how it works.

… A bathing area inside a house. Brother is amazing to think of something like this.

Normally you would have to go to a pond nearby and take a bath there. In the castle we used to do the same thing. Everyone would go to a lake at the same time, every week and take a bath there.

But with this anyone can take a bath and at any time!

I have to try it out.

I locked the door and placed my clothes inside a basket. I then got inside the bathtub and turned on the shower, water abruptly came out of the shower head and hit my unsuspecting naked body.

“Ow! Cold!” I screamed out as I jumped out the bathtub, slipped and fell on my butt.

“Owww…”

It really hurts. I thought as I patted my butt to bring the pain away.

I don’t know why such cold water came out, but Miss Emma said that I can control the water temperature with the two wheels it has. So, let's see if I can do that.

Learning from my mistake, this time I spun the warm water wheel from outside the bath tub. I checked the water temperature with my hand until it was warm enough to feel nice.

Once I was satisfied with the temperature, I jumped in.

It felt good, standing there in the lukewarm water, but… I wonder if I can turn the water hotter?

I turned the warm water wheel more as the water temperature turned hotter and hotter until it felt blissful to stand in the tub. I no longer had the energy to stand as sat down on my bum in the tub.

It felt like heaven, I kept making weird faces that I would never show to my family but I couldn’t stop myself.

It feels too good~

I don’t know for how long I stayed in the tub but It felt like only minutes had passed. The skin on my fingers was becoming wrinkly for staying in the water for too long but I didn’t care enough until someone knocked on the door.

I stammered but responded quickly, “Y-Yes!?”

“Mia, are you okay?” It was my sis, Luna, “You have been in there for about an hour now, and what is that weird noise?

“Ah Yes! Everything is Fine! And It’s just the sound water hitting the floor, I'll come out in a min.”

“Alright, if anything happens be sure to let us know!”

“Okay! I will!”

I have to get out now.

But it feels sooo good!

But everyone will worry if I stay in here for long!

Fine, You win this round, me. But I’ll be back!

I don’t know why I thought like that, it was something my brother would definitely do.

{Author Note: Oh no, Evan’s personality is starting to rub off on his family.}

I sadly turned off the shower after cleaning myself with soap, and then I realized a terrible mistake I made…

I forgot to bring a towel for myself.

I guess I’ll have to call someone.

I walked next to the door and tried screamed out, “Umm E-Excuse Me! Is Anyone There!”

…There was no response so I opened the door slightly and peeked out.

There's no one there.

Okay. I have a towel in my dresser. So, I just have to go to my room.

I took the basket, which had my clothes and used it to hide as much of my naked body as I could. I then peeked once more to make sure that no one was there and rushed to my room. I opened the door and brother was there lying down on my bed reading a book.

What is brother doing in my room!?

It was only then did I realize that in my panic I had come to the wrong room, my room was the room besides brother’s room!

He noticed me and before I could do anything, he said.

“Don't worry. I'm not into little girls.”

“AAHHHHHHH!!!” I screamed out as I threw my basket at my brother out of instinct and it hit his face. I ran away to my room before I even saw it hit him.

I locked the door and just fell down right there next to the door.

WHY!?

WHY DID THAT HAPPEN!?

I kept screaming out in my mind otherwise I would’ve died from shame.

… After some time when I was finally calm, I went to the dresser and cleaned myself up and wore some new grey clothes.

I peeked out of my room from embarrassment to make sure nobody was there. When I confirmed that, I walked to my brothers room. The door was open so I peeked inside and saw him reading a book with my basket of clothes right next to the door.

I took my basket and ran back to my room. My face was beet red as I thought I really would die from shame.

The basket had all my clothes along with a note that wasn’t there before. I opened the note and it said, ‘I'm sorry about what just happened and don't worry, I saw nothing since I was more focused on the book.’

I sighed, thankful that he saw nothing but also because it was my fault to begin with. I put the basket down in my room walked back into my Brother’s room to apologize.

“No worries. Seriously, I didn't see anything, I promise. So don't worry about it.”

I sighed in relief. It was still shameful but at least he saw nothing.

… Bathtub. I have to warn everyone about how good and bad it is.