I Got Isekai’d, Well Shyt!

Rya had the unsettling feeling of being watched, and her gaze shifted to Hilda.

'Tsk!... There are too many people talking... It's tough to hear what they're saying, but I know this bitch is looking at me,' Rya thought, locking her gaze onto Hilda. The foreign princess held her stare, a flicker of challenge dancing in her eyes.

Hilda felt a surge of anger as she longed to wipe that smug expression off the Dark Elf's face. But deep down, she knew the risk; a single retaliatory move from the Dark Elf could spell disaster. Hilda vividly recalled the ruthless way the Dark Elf had dealt with Sir Darius—he hadn’t stood a chance, and she knew she wouldn’t fare any better in a confrontation.

Lost in her thoughts, Hilda was oblivious to the presence of Terenthiel, Zane, and Sir Darius standing nearby. Terenthiel's fierce glare was fixed on the princess as she dared to speak when she was not spoken to.

"Have you gone mad!?... You dare to throw away the true Gods for a false idol!... Once the Prophet hears of this sin, he's going to—"

"To what!?..."

When Hilda first heard Terenthiel’s voice, a chill of fear ran through her, but as his threats echoed in the air, something unexpected ignited within her. With each taunt, her confidence surged as if an inner flame had been kindled from the depths of her being.

Glaring at Terenthiel, she interrupted him with a fierce determination. Her expression was no longer one of submission; she stood her ground against a man who dared to underestimate her.

Terenthiel had never witnessed this powerful side of Hilda, and for a moment, he faltered. If she had been a man, her fierce demeanor would have surely unnerved him, but to him, a woman was meant to obey her husband and serve the gods without question.

Collecting himself, the Foreign Prince fixed his gaze on her, intrigued by the unexpected defiance that radiated from this woman before him. He had to put her back in her place and make an example out of her.

"That's another sin, Hilda!" he seethed, his voice sharp enough to cut through the tension. "Women are meant to be seen and not heard!... Now come with us... We are returning to the Marquess's Manor, where you will pray to the Three for forgiveness... Now stop talking with this sinner and come with me now—"

"No!" Hilda yanked her hand free, her posture firm and defiant.

"You dare defy me in front of—"

"I am staying right here! Within the palace walls..."

"Do you even remember who I am!?" he thundered, his eyes blazing with fury, but Hilda stood her ground, unwavering and resolute.

"A man who failed to stop the Dark Elf from achieving her sinister ambitions!" Hilda shot back, her voice steady. "I was chosen by the Prophet for a reason... And it's becoming clearer now that I see how much trouble our world is in."

Terenthiel had never encountered a woman who dared to defy him. Raised by the Holy Order, he had been drilled with the belief that women ought to submit to men’s authority. Little did he know, in provoking her, he had unwittingly unleashed a force he couldn’t control; Pandora’s box had been opened, and there would be no turning back now.

Hilda was always the one girl who followed the rules and never gave Prince Terenthiel trouble. But after witnessing failure after failure, she knew she needed to be more assertive.

"I don't need a naive little girl to lecture me on the dangers of this world," Terenthiel glared.

“Oh! Then perhaps I can enlighten you… if you are willing to listen to a woman!” Hilda's voice resonated with newfound strength, a fire blazing in her chest. Tired of the dismissive treatment she had endured, a side of her that had long been buried surged to the surface. She was ready to stand her ground and defend her perspective.

"Hmph!... This is what happens when a woman loses control," he said aloud for everyone to hear. "Women's emotions can become wild and unpredictable when challenged... That’s why men must lead and guide them... Women are far too emotional to be left to their own devices... So, Princess... why don’t you enlighten me on things I already know?" Terenthiel’s tone dripped with condescension, intended to intimidate her, yet it only sharpened her resolve.

But Hilda was far from intimidated.

"Oh? So if men wield such power, then how did she utterly dismantle Sir Darius and the White Knights?" Hilda challenged as she stared defiantly at Terenthiel.

Sir Darius shifted uncomfortably, his jaw clenched tight, the humiliation of his defeat etched across his face. He found himself unable to refute her biting remark, his pride crumbling in the face of undeniable truth.

"How could she stand toe-to-toe with one of the Divine Three’s most formidable paladins and leave him so broken that he was reduced to nothing but a quivering mouse before her?"

As those words hung in the air, Sir Darius felt a heavier weight of shame settle upon him. His silence spoke volumes; he longed to defend his honor, but the bitter memories of losing two loyal comrades flooded his thoughts. Anger churned within him, a volatile mix of frustration and regret, as he recalled how helpless he'd felt. Each attempt to approach the Dark Elf was repelled effortlessly by her magic, casting him aside like an insignificant fly.

"And you, Terenthiel... You say that I'm emotional because I'm a woman where you lost your mind when she turned your own words against you... The Dark Elf turned your insults into a compliment, and that's how the mighty Fifth Son of the Holy Order was brought to his knees in disgrace," Hilda continued.

"How dare you talk back to me!" Terenthiel was now angry.

"You can't even deny the truth!... You stood up and thought that brandishing your sword to do what exactly?... What do you think would have happened if you tried to attack her?... Do you think you could have done better than Sir Darius? And you call me mad!?... I was the only one who stayed calm while you lost your mind!..." Hilda retorted.

"THAT'S—RAH!... You are the mad one! It's engraved in women's souls!... And you are just a naive little girl if you think you can stand up to the Dark Elf's evil ways!"

"And doing it your way has worked out so splendidly. Doing things the man's way has worked out so great!" Hilda said sarcastically.

"Why you—"

"Was I not chosen by the Prophet by the Gods? Was I not brought here to bring peace between our people!? Did the Gods not bring me here to save the Prince?... Then wouldn't that be the biggest sin of all? Defying the Divine Three's orders?... I've seen enough of what men can do to the likes of her, Terenthiel... The Dark Elf turned the allies of the Prime Minister against him. She turned you and our warriors into a laughing stock... And she's corrupted the Prince with her feminine wiles!... It's time for a different approach... One that's more feminine, Terenthiel," Hilda declared as she straightened up her posture to look more dignified.

Everyone in the House of Major Lords was watching the exchange between Terenthiel and Hilda. No one had ever witnessed the Princess of the Holy Alliance raise her voice before, let alone become infuriated. Duchess Leandra was enjoying the spectacle as she stood beside Hilda. Her expression was stoic as she observed the Princess stand up for herself.

"It is time to face the facts, Terenthiel. We need a woman's approach to this problem. And if the Dark Elf is staying here in the palace, then so am I... The longer she stays here, the stronger the hold she'll have over the Prince," Hilda reasoned.

Terenthiel and Darius both knew that Hilda had a point. The Dark Elf could have killed everyone, but instead, she let them live. She probably was trying to corrupt them all to her will.

Quinus pressed his fingers against his temples, feeling a familiar tension creeping in. He knew all too well the kind of girl Hilda was—determined and relentless—and the thought of her not accepting a rejection made his stomach twist. Rya, on the other hand, couldn’t help but appreciate Hilda's boldness. If it weren’t for Hilda's relentless pursuit of Quinus, the two of them might have forged an amazing friendship. Instead, their paths were fraught with competition and tension.

'I don't know why, but I kinda like this girl's style... But she keeps calling me evil! She'd better back off, or I'll make her life a living hell,' Rya thought as she narrowed her eyes at the Princess.

Hilda inhaled deeply, steeling herself as she rose to her full height, a confident smile breaking across her face. The weight of her frustrations had been lifted, especially after her candid encounter with Prince Terenthiel. 

In stark contrast, Prince Terenthiel remained silent, a storm brewing behind his furrowed brow. He observed the princess, her newfound assertiveness radiating through the room like a beacon and an unsettling tension coiled tightly in his chest. It was disconcerting to see her command the space with such conviction, challenging everything he thought he understood about her.

“Listen here, Hilda,” Terenthiel warned, a furrow etched deep into his brow. “I can’t be here to shield you if she decides to come after you—”

“Oh, I’m hardly a monster, Terenthiel,” Rya chimed in, her voice light and teasing as she leaned back against the wall. She waved at him playfully, a hint of mischief dancing in her dark eyes. 

Terenthiel’s frown was becoming a permanent fixture on his face, so deeply set that it was beginning to throb with discomfort. The scene before him, with the carefree Dark Elf and the resolute Princess, felt utterly perplexing and frustrating. He cast a fleeting glance towards Rya, whose cheerful demeanor seemed to mock the gravity of their situation, before returning his intense stare to Hilda. “If you truly wish to remain here with that... creature,” he spat, disgust lacing his tone, “then so be it. Your brother will stay at Marquess’s Manor alongside Sir Darius and a handful of our men. I must return home to brief the Prophet and the High King about this unsettling turn of events. I can assure you, the Prophet will not take kindly to the notion of a Dark Elf still roaming free, nor will the High King. So, if you feel you can manage everything without my assistance, then so be it, Princess. May the Divine Three have mercy on your soul.”

"Send my maid to the palace immediately," Hilda commanded, her voice firm and unwavering. "I need her assistance with my things, and I’ll require my entire wardrobe brought here as well."

Terenthiel's expression shifted to one of resignation. This was his darkest day, being belittled by not one but two women. "Of course... Your Highness," he replied, his tone laced with defeat, but the last word sounded more like a threat.

Hilda ignored the undercurrent of tension beneath his tone and gave him a curt nod. She couldn't help the small thrill that pulsed through her as she observed him bow respectfully and rush to leave the House of Major Lords, his men falling into step behind him.

After they exited the room, a heavy silence fell over the gathered audience, all eyes trained on his retreating figure. Everyone except Duval that is—he couldn't help but sprint after Terenthiel, eager to catch up. 

Hilda turned her gaze to the Duchess, who offered her a knowing nod. A smile crept onto Hilda's lips; she hadn’t anticipated Terenthiel would yield so readily. A surge of confidence filled her as if her very essence had risen to the surface without her willing it—her inner strength revealing itself in that pivotal moment.

"I'm impressed," Leandra remarked, a sly grin dancing on her lips. "I honestly didn't think you had the nerve to stand up to Terenthiel. Very few women can match a man of his stature."

An apprehensive sigh escaped Hilda’s lips. "Yeah... I just hope my father doesn't unleash his wrath on me for this," she admitted, the weight of her actions settling heavily on her shoulders.

Leandra waved her hand dismissively. "Fear not, dear Hilda. Your father won’t even dare touch the next Queen of Fiafyr. You’re under my protection now—alongside the entire council and, soon, the whole kingdom."

"I hope you're right, my Lady," Hilda replied, uncertainty creeping into her voice.

"Don’t doubt the Duchess, Princess," Alaric interjected as he approached his wife, a reassuring smile on his face. "You handled yourself beautifully back there. In the court, being assertive is key—even the King must heed the counsel of his advisors."

But as the Duchess and Duke conversed with Hilda, a wave of unease rippled through Quinus, Rya, Johan, Tayna, Sir George, Percy, and Lord Brice. The Duke had a reputation for manipulating those who caught his interest, and his skill in using people to his advantage was unmatched. What was his angle this time?

Lord Brice strode confidently toward Quinus, his brow furrowed in concern, while Gawain hurriedly trailed behind. As he reached the Prince, Brice leaned in, his voice low and urgent. "Your Highness... I was going to deny the Princess entry to the palace, but if she stays with your uncle and she becomes your—"

"I'm not marrying her," Quinus cut in sharply, irritation flaring in his chest.

Brice held his ground, determination etched on his face. "You might not have a choice in the matter, especially if the Goddess bestows her favor on Lady Hilda instead of Lady Rya. This delay is merely a tactic—it buys us time to devise a plan to thwart Duval. And if things go sideways, I will help you find a loophole that will allow you and Lady Rya to be together."

He paused, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "We both know it's rare for the goddess to show anyone favor. Your mother was the last to receive her blessing when the idol’s eyes glowed with light... since then, that relic has done nothing for your ritual. Divine beings are notoriously capricious, and I struggle to imagine why the gods would bless two women with their powers at once. But if there’s even a chance, she might illuminate the path to our next queen. And if it is Hilda, then we might not be able to prevent a marriage," he whispered, his voice barely carrying the weight of his fears.

Quinus clenched his jaw, the weight of Brice's words settling heavily in the air. The prospect of the Princess lingering in his life was far from pleasing, yet the stark truth was undeniable. "It seems, then, that I have no choice but to entertain the Princess until we can hatch a plan," he sighed, resignation creeping into his voice. "I suppose I should have the servants prepare a room for her.

"I know you’re not happy, Your Highness," Lord Brice murmured, glancing discreetly at the gathering nearby. "But consider this: you must cultivate a connection with her. The less time she spends with your Aunt and Uncle, the better we’ll be for it."

Quinus fell into silence, his mind racing as he weighed his options. His eyes drifted towards Rya, who was intently observing the Duke and Duchess engaged in conversation with Hilda. A powerful urge to kiss Rya surged within him, a desperate need to reassure her that no matter the obstacles, he would find a way for them to be together.

Rya, though, was not anxious. She listened intently, aware of every word exchanged between Quinus and Brice. Her faith in Quinus and her own abilities fortified her resolve. Even if challenges arose, Rya was prepared to confront them head-on. The Princess posed no true threat as long as she remained unassisted, but with the aid of the Revelias, she could easily become a thorn in Rya's side.

The Revelias were already plotting a way to ruin the wedding between Rya and Quinus. They were going to use the Princess to break apart the engagement and make Hilda the next Queen of Fiafyr. Rya had been watching the Duchess and Duke ever since they started talking to the Princess. They had the Princess enthralled.

'Lord Brice is right... I can keep an eye on her if she's closer... It'll be easier to see their moves against Quinus and the council. Plus, the closer she is, the harder it will be for her to meet with the Duke and Duchess. Knowing how cunning the Duke is could be a problem. He doesn't seem like a guy who makes the same mistake twice. The Duke could try to trick her into betraying the Prince or use her as a shield when he finally decides to stop me from marrying Quin... I won't let them get away with it.'

Rya turned to look at him. "What? She might be annoying, but we can handle her. As long as you're not alone with her... And if you can get her to fall in love with a handsome stranger, that will give us even more time with the nobles," Rya whispered.

Quinus stared at her with shock and confusion while Lord Brice smirked, "She is a brave one... I can see why you’ve taken a liking to her."

Heat crept up Quinus's cheeks as he stammered, "Y-yeah... she’s really something special."

Rya couldn’t suppress a grin as she watched Quinus’s cheeks flush in embarrassment. With a mischievous slap on the back, Lord Brice playfully nudged the Prince, shattering the tension in the air. 

Quinus shot Brice a fierce glare, his voice a low growl. "What was that for!?"

Brice shrugged, feigning innocence. "Oh, my apologies, Sire. Just a word of caution—best not to disappoint a woman of her caliber," he murmured, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

As the Duke and Duchess finished their conversation and strolled toward them, Rya felt a sudden shift in the atmosphere. Hilda’s gaze locked onto her, and it was clear that the Duchess was anything but pleased to see Rya lingering near her Prince.

"Well, nephew... You better buy and enjoy the life you have been given... Because my son can't enjoy his own life," the Duke hissed.

"Yes, uncle... I shall remember your words," the Prince said coldly.

"Well... We'll be off... We will let the Princess stay at the Divalo Manor if you don't have-"

"She can stay here in the palace... It would be rude to turn down a guest... Even a forced one," the Prince said, interrupting the Duke.

Hilda felt something strange when the prince spoke. The way he had said 'guest' made her heart skip a beat. He sounded so charming and dashing. It sent a shiver down her spine and caused her knees to buckle. She felt hot and weak.

'What's going on with me?... W-When I was being trained to become his wife, I dreaded the day when I would be married to the Prince. B-but now... I'm feeling excited... Excited for our future... I-I must save him...'

Quinus glanced at her and tried to frown but her face looking all dazed made him smile a bit, "Hilda..."

She didn't respond to him. She was too lost in her thoughts. Quinus sighed, 'This is going to be difficult.'

"Come along, Princess Hilda... I'll have one of the servants show you to your room," Lord Brice offered.

Hilda shook her head and then nodded. She looked up at him, "Thank you... Lord Brice, was it? It is nice to meet you."

"It's a pleasure, Lady Hilda. Now come this way... You will have a wonderful view of the Palace from your window," Lord Brice smiled.

Rya, Quinus, Alaric, Leandra, and all of Rya's friends watched as Lord Brice escorted Hilda out of the chamber.

"Well... It seems like you aren't the weak-hearted boy I once remembered. I underestimated you once, nephew, and I won't do that again," the Duke remarked coldly.

"Is this really the first time you underestimated my fiancé, Alaric? I mean, it doesn't make a difference because you've already lost. You're just in denial, aren't you?" Rya said mockingly.

Alaric and Leandra just looked at Rya with the dry, noble smiles that she wasn't expecting.

"You chose the wrong man... But you're too shallow to realize that, aren't you?" Leandra whispered.

'Oh!? This is a first... She thinks this will make me angry, but I was born a man, and cheap shots like this don't affect me... Pfft!... Me shallow... I'm as deep as the ocean!... Yeah!... I'm so not shallow at all... Nope! Not me!... No! She's the shallow one!... SHE'S THE ONE WHO IS SHALLOW!!! SHE'S—Whoa!... D-Did I just get offended... Shit!?... Don't tell me this part of me has changed too!? Damn it! Why does it hurt when someone lies about my character?... Fuck! My feelings are getting hurt, aren't they?... Don't let them get to you, Rya. Ignore them. Ignore them, damn it!... Shit! Why do I feel so emotional? Is this a feminine emotion, or is this something else?

What Rya believed were her feminine emotions were actually her body's hormones changing and responding to the fetus gradually growing inside her. This kind of comment wouldn't have bugged her in the past, but now that she's pregnant, her emotions are starting to shift.

Determined not to reveal the turmoil beneath her composed exterior, Rya steeled her gaze, adopting an air of icy calm.

"Oh? And how exactly have you come to know the depths of my character, Duchess Revelia?" she replied, her voice steady despite the threat of tears.

With a condescending smile, Leandra leaned in, her voice dripping with disdain. "Oh, sweet girl... I've encountered your kind before. Just another lowly commoner girl who wants a noble's title and wealth. But, I know your kind won't be able to handle the life of a Queen. Your little charade will fall apart, and you will leave my nephew's side, and he will become the laughingstock of the nobility," Leandra replied in a smug tone.

'Hold it together, Rya!... Put her in her place!... You can't let her get away with this!... You know she's lying!... Oh, Gods, I'm not going to cry!'

With these thoughts swirling in her mind like a tempest, Rya fought to keep her composure. She drew in a deep breath, feeling the intensity of the moment pulse through her veins, and channeled all her pent-up energy into a sharp, cutting retort.

"That's rich, Leandra," Rya began, her voice steady yet simmering with defiance. "Tell me this: when every last shred of your noble identity is stripped away, how long do you think you'll last? A day? A week? Or perhaps you'll crumble within mere hours, gasping for the support you so brazenly dismiss in others?"

She took a step closer, her icy stare locking onto Leandra's. "Oh! That's right! I've encountered your type before—self-important, hollow, wrapped in the rags of grandeur. You're just a faded old hag who once dreamed of wearing a crown, but when the moment came, you lacked the strength to seize it. Instead, you withered away, becoming nothing more than a relic of what could have been," she challenged, each word now infused with a mix of strength and disdain, finally bringing her emotions to the fore.

Leandra’s fury simmered just below the surface, her forced smile twitching as she struggled to contain her rage.

"Why, you little—"

"That's enough, dear... Don't fall for her tricks. She's skilled with her words and knows exactly what to say to get under your skin," Alaric said calmly.

"Yeah! And I'm the one who's the shallow one, right?" Rya said mockingly.

"That's not for me to judge... I just hope you don't regret your choices in life... Lady Rya... You better look out for her nephew... It's not easy being a Royal... And you'd better not start a civil war over your stupidity, or the entire Kingdom will suffer," the Duke said coldly as he and his wife left the chamber.

"What an asshole," Dalia cursed.

"Indeed, he is. But there's nothing we can do about it now. I'll plan something with Johan, Douglas, and Lord Brice... We need to put the Duke and Duchess in their place," Quinus replied.

"You have our support, My Lord," Johan said as he bowed.

"I'll see what we can do... And here I thought we would need to make a daring escape when the Prime Minister seemed to have everything to expel, Lady Rya," Douglas commented.

"Yeah, that was close... I was worried for a moment, but I kept forgetting that this was her Ladyship we were talking about... She's proven me wrong in the past," Tayna said.

"I can't believe that the Duchess said such things. She must be part snake to say such lies to my daughter's face," Yuliana stated.

Rya had a bit of doubt on her face while everyone was talking.

"Huh?... Hey, Sis... Are you okay?" Nieren asked, as she was the first to notice.

"Hmm?... Oh, yeah, I'm fine... B-But you guys would tell me if I was shallow, right?..." Rya asked nervously.

Everyone went quiet and looked at her before they burst into laughter.

"You're anything but shallow," Sir George commented.

"And we wouldn't trade you for any other woman in the Kingdom," Percy replied.

"You have such a beautiful soul. Anyone who would think differently doesn't deserve your love or friendship," Yuliana said.

"Awe! Come on, Alpha!... You helped everyone, including me... You give more second chances to those stupid humans and demi-humans than anyone should, but that's one of the reasons why you're my chieftain of this tribe... And if you ever forget that, I'll be there to remind you," Dalia replied.

Rya was feeling way better, and her smile was bright and contagious.

"You are not shallow. If anything, the Duchess is shallow, and she is the one that should be ashamed of herself. And if it was the other way around, I would have punched her in the face," Nieren replied.

"Nieren!?... You're a princess... You don't do that anymore now that we are back in the nobility... Even if it's a human nobility," Yuliana exclaimed.

"Mom!?... What is it with you and being a princess?... Just because I'm a princess doesn't mean I can't punch someone in the face when they are being a jerk... Besides, she's not the queen of anything; she's the wife of a Duke and an enemy of the Crown," Nieren said.

"She's not wrong," Quinus added.

"I still don't want you punching anyone in the face unless it's life and death, young lady," Yuliana replied.

Earl Nathaniel was watching the whole thing with a smile.

"Well, your Highness... It seems things are going to change around here. Just remember that there are those who will wish to stop it to protect the system they are used to. Be careful, and don't let them get to you. But I do hope we can have another party sometime. It was nice meeting you and your entourage, My Lady," Earl Nathaniel said as he bowed and then left.

They didn't realize that they were the only ones left in the House of the Major Lords, and the sun was already past high noon.

"Wow... Time flies when you're having fun," Percy said.

"Gamma!?... It was boring!... And all the humans kept asking questions," Dalia replied.

"Sorry, Dalia. Humans tend to be nosy... You need to get used to it from here on out," Rya replied.

"Agh!... Don't tell me that, Alpha!... It is making my body—"

*Groan!*

Dalia was cut off by her sudden growling stomach.

"Hahahahaha!"

They all started laughing, and it made Dalia smile.

"Jeez! Dalia... You need to control that stomach of—"

*GROAN!*

Rya's growling stomach echoed Dalia's, and it caused everyone to laugh.

"It looks like the both of you are hungry," Johan said.

"Come on. Let's get some lunch together... We deserve to relax after everything we've been through," Quinus replied.

"Oh!... And after lunch! I can finally teach my daughters in the way of the Green Word. Oh! I've been waiting for this day," Yuliana commented with excitement.

"Ugh... Mom! Do I have to!?" Nieren complained.

"Yes, my daughter... It's a right of passage for the females in our family, and I would very much like to spend some time with you and Rya," Yuliana replied.

"Come on, Nieren... It should be fun, and we can spend some time with our mom... Plus, I want to see a pro in action," Rya said.

This inflated Yuliana's ego, and her smile grew brighter.

"Fine... But just this once," Nieren replied.

Yuliana's eyes were glowing with anticipation.

"Awe!?... But what am I supposed to do?... You guys will be leaving me to do boring stuff again," Dalia pouted.

"Well?... You can join us," Yuliana said with a playful smirk. "But just know that you'll be sitting in the corner with a steaming cup of tea and an array of sweets while we dive into our studies."

Dalia's ears perked up, and she was in when she heard sweets. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "YES!... That sounds great!... Can I, Alpha!?... Can I, can I, can I, can I!?... Pleeease!" she begged.

"Sure," Rya replied with a chuckle.

"WHEEE!!!"

Dalia was jumping for joy, which made her first-trimester baby bump wobble a bit.

'Oh no... Dalia is going to cause problems when she gets bored after eating all the sweets... Hold on! I have an idea.' Rya thought as she looked at Tayna.

"Uhmm. Hey, Tayna. If you're not busy, would you mind hanging out with us too? I could really use your insights on the political climate, and you could give me advice on how to avoid problems. Plus, I think Dalia would be excited to have someone to talk to," Rya said.

"Huh!?... Are you sure I won't be a burden? Because I'd really love to help," Tayna replied, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"Thanks, Tayna! You're truly the best," Rya beamed, her spirits lifting.

Tayna felt a warm blush creep up her cheeks, pleased by the compliment.

Rya felt a wave of relief wash over her as she trailed behind Quinus toward the dining room, though her stomach quickly reminded her of its presence with an embarrassing growl.

'D-Damn!?... All this mental energy must have distracted me from the pain of hunger. I need to remember to eat more,' Rya thought as she rubbed her stomach.

It wasn't very noticeable, but Rya could swear that her lower abdomen seemed a little more bloated than usual, like she was gasy.

There was something about her lower abdomen that felt different—slightly bloated, perhaps? A nagging thought crossed her mind. "Damn! Am I actually gaining weight? It’s not ultra noticeable, but still... It's a bit odd and, honestly, a little concerning. Ugh… Maybe I should try a diet?"

But just as that thought settled in, her stomach let out another rebellious groan, prompting her to cradle her belly with both hands.

'Ah!... No!... No diets! I'd rather eat all the food I can and deal with the consequences. But still... Is there something I'm missing? Hmmm. I guess I'll think about it later.' 

With a determined shake of her head, Rya followed Quinus and the others into the dining room, where they were greeted with an extravagant spread for lunch. After savoring every mouthful, they soon scattered off to spend the afternoon pursuing their own interests.