My Love Debts Are Everywhere!

Seeing them bow, Leon looked visibly surprised.

He almost stopped them but hesitated when he noticed Zelda watching him, slowly shaking her head.

Her message was clear: "They've long awaited your arrival. Let them honor you."

Leon swallowed the words he had nearly spoken and maintained his composed expression.

"Please rise, elders. Such an honor is more than I deserve," he said gently, his voice laced with a hint of humor.

Nymiel, Vaelira, and Naeriel paused for a moment, then slowly lifted their heads, each of them smiling warmly.

"I didn't expect you to be so humble, Fated One," Nymiel said with a soft chuckle.

"Indeed," Vaelira added, her gaze appreciative. "For someone your age, arrogance and pride are usually hard to hide. But we don't see that in you."

Naeriel said nothing, simply nodding in agreement.

Leon gave a small smile and shook his head lightly.

"Actually, Lady Vaelira, you're not wrong. I am proud—and very confident in myself," he admitted without hesitation. "But I also know when to show it… and when not to."

He didn't want to pretend otherwise. Pride was part of who he was.

As the Fated One, he carried the burden of the world on his shoulders.

If he appeared too meek or gentle, people would begin to question whether he was truly worthy of the title.

But pride, too, must have its place. Shown carelessly, it could breed resentment—or worse, invite contempt.

The respect in the elders' eyes deepened as they listened to his candid words.

"Well done! I'm truly glad to finally meet you, Fated One. I believe that, in your hands, this world's future will shine much brighter," Nymiel said sincerely.

The two elders beside her nodded in agreement.

"By the way..." Naeriel glanced at Zelda on the throne, then turned to Leon with a playful glint in her eyes. "How was last night? Did you enjoy yourself?"

The throne room fell into silence.

Zelda's calm expression immediately shattered, her face flushing bright red—so vividly it was impossible to miss.

"Grandmother Naeriel, what on earth was that?!" Zelda exclaimed, her voice filled with indignation as she scrambled to hide her embarrassment.

Naeriel's smile didn't fade—it grew wider.

"Oh, come now, Zelda. You're already three hundred years old. There's no need to act so bashful. It's perfectly fine to talk about these things—especially since you spent the night with the Fated One, didn't you?" She teased, her tone light and playful.

Nymiel and Vaelira chuckled softly, casting amused, curious glances toward Zelda.

"You... you..." Zelda stammered, her breath quickening as her chest rose and fell with the weight of her embarrassment.

Recalling the events of last night, her face flushed even deeper. It had been her first night sleeping alone with a man.

Though nothing inappropriate had happened, the whole situation was still mortifying.

Especially when she woke up to find herself clinging to Leon, her body wrapped around his like an octopus.

Seeing Zelda's face turning as red as blood, Leon realized that if this was left unchecked, she might inadvertently reveal what had happened the previous night.

If that happened, the elders would certainly question her, leading to unnecessary tension and arguments.

"Ahem!" Leon cleared his throat softly and interrupted. "Elders, this matter is too embarrassing for Zelda. Just look at her face—it's as red as an apple."

His words immediately caught the attention of Nymiel, Vaelira, and Naeriel.

They quickly regained their composure but couldn't hide their slight embarrassment.

"Forgive us, Your Majesty. We didn't mean to mock you," Nymiel said, her tone filled with guilt.

Vaelira and Naeriel nodded in agreement, their expressions softening.

Zelda regained some composure, though the blush on her face was stubbornly lingering.

"Alright, never mind. But one thing is certain: Leon and I did indeed... share that moment. So, you don't need to worry about it," she said, her tone confident.

She glanced at Leon, who gave a brief, subtle nod in agreement.

To avoid further probing from the elders, he and Zelda had decided to pretend they had taken things further than they actually had.

This would put an end to the topic and prevent any further discussions.

Of course, this arrangement would likely mean they'd have to share a room for the next few nights. But it was better than enduring the constant insistence of the three elders.

Upon hearing that, Nymiel, Vaelira, and Naeriel let out a sigh of relief. The three exchanged glances, a gleam of understanding in their eyes.

"Very good, Your Majesty. Please continue so you can conceive a child as soon as possible," Vaelira said, her voice filled with excitement.

"Yes, she's right. We eagerly await the results," Naeriel chimed in, her playful smile widening.

Zelda remained silent, offering only a small nod. The blush on her face deepened as she glanced at Leon, who caught her gaze and gave her a meaningful wink.

Meanwhile, Elina, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, furrowed her brow in confusion.

"What exactly are they talking about? Sister's going to have a child? With whom?" Question marks seemed to appear above her head.

Then, her eyes locked onto Leon, and her round eyes widened in disbelief.

"Impossible! How could they be that fast? Didn't they just meet?!"

Although Elina supported her sister's relationship with Leon, she couldn't shake a sense of reluctance deep inside her.

It wasn't about her sister—Elina had no issue with her—but rather with Leon.

Since their time together on the journey to the Forest of Eternal Silence, she had unknowingly developed feelings for him.

This left her feeling somewhat suffocated, hesitant to see them together.

A wave of sadness swept over her, but she managed to keep her cheerful demeanor intact.

"By the way, First Sister has been waiting for your arrival, Fated One," Nymiel said suddenly.

"First Sister?" Leon blinked, clearly surprised.

"She is the First Elder," Naeriel explained, "the oldest living Elf—she's seven thousand years old."

At the mention of her age, Leon stiffened, his heart suddenly racing.

"Seven thousand years?!"

***

Although the Emerald Palace stood atop a towering tree, the backyard was surprisingly vast.

An artificial forest, woven together with powerful and intricate magic, stretched across the land.

Among the thriving trees stood a house crafted from natural wooden strips, blending seamlessly with the environment.

A small stream trickled behind the house, enhancing the serene beauty of the landscape.

Leon walked through the forest, his steps slow until he finally glimpsed the house in the distance.

"Is this where the First Elder resides? It's so isolated," he murmured softly.

To find the First Elder, Leon had to venture alone—no one could accompany him. That's why he had wandered the forest for ten minutes before locating the house.

He approached and stopped right before the door.

Just as he raised his hand to knock, a raspy voice called from within.

"Enter... Fated One. I've been waiting for you..."