As the group huddled together, their minds engrossed in strategizing their next steps, a sudden light knock on the door disrupted their conversation.
"What's that?" Alice's curiosity was immediately piqued.
"Could it be an enemy?" Isolde's voice carried a note of caution.
"Perhaps a client?" Leonel's hopeful tone held a touch of excitement.
"Or maybe a lost soul?" Alice's laughter tinkled like wind chimes, her fingertips dancing in glee.
"Could you just take a look and see who's on the other side?" Ren's voice held a hint of exasperation.
The group's attention converged on the door, anticipation hanging in the air like a tangible presence.
Alice moved to the door with swift steps, her fingers grasping the handle as she pulled it open.
For a few moments, Alice's head was the only thing visible as she peered out. A sudden giggle escaped her lips before she swung the door wide open, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she remained silent.
What greeted their eyes, however, sent shockwaves through Ren's spine.
Elena stood at the threshold, her presence an unexpected twist that seemed to drain color from Ren's face.
A ripple of astonishment and tension spread among the members of World Conqueror, the room falling into an eerie silence.
Elena smiled gently, her eyes scanning the group before her. "Hello, everyone. My name is Elena."
Isolde, with an air of knowing, fixed her gaze on Ren, a faint smile playing at the corner of her lips. She knew about Ren and Elena, and whether she admitted to it or not, she was eager to know what would happen next now that Evie was here.
Before Elena could say more, Ren's abrupt movement drew everyone's attention. He stood up, his face a mask of emotions ranging from shock to disbelief.
With swift movement, he reached out and grabbed Elena's arm, his grip firm but not aggressive. Wordlessly, he led her outside, the door closing behind them with a loud click.
Evie's curiosity was piqued, her instincts telling her that something wasn't right. Without hesitation, she followed them, her steps quiet and silent.
Sumeri exchanged knowing glances with the others, recognizing the brewing drama from a mile away. Without hesitation, they trailed after Ren and Evie, their footsteps carrying them outside.
As Evie stepped out into the open, the sight that greeted her was unexpected but not entirely surprising. Ren and Elena stood at a slight distance, engaged in an intense conversation, their voices hushed yet charged with emotion.
Ren's words reached Evie's ears, carrying a mix of urgency and disbelief. "Elena, how is this possible? How did you manage to find your way here?"
Elena's reply held a calm certainty, her smile gentle. "With the kingdom's situation becoming more stable, I found myself with less to occupy my time. It wasn't as difficult as you might think to locate you. So, I thought I would join you in your adventures."
The weight of her words settled on Ren, his expression a whirlwind of emotions. "But how?" Confusion lingered in his voice, and he couldn't fathom how an NPC, with set programs to follow, could just follow him around.
Was it a glitch, a bug in the system?
Ren had believed that once the quest was concluded, Elena would return to the Elven Realm and remain there. He had hoped to avoid any explanations to Evie, to keep this delicate situation at bay.
However, reality had other plans.
As Ren's internal turmoil grew, his thoughts raced. How was he going to explain this to Evie? How could he possibly convey Elena's presence in their journey?
The uncertainty of the moment was palpable, an unexpected turn in their path that Ren had not anticipated.
Her timing couldn't be anymore right, like fate was so bored it decided to play with him to pass time.
Elena's gentle laughter cut through Ren's sentence, a bittersweet sound that held longing. "It's a long story, and I promise to explain. But for now, I wanted to see you, to make sure you were alright."
Sensing Evie's burning stare fixed on his back, Ren's grip on Elena's arm loosened. Urgency was in his voice as he addressed Elena, his words tinged with a plea. "Now that you know I'm alright, you can leave."
Elena's demeanor remained steadfast, her expression unwavering. "You don't need to worry about me."
Her touch was gentle as she reached up to brush Ren's cheek, her gaze sincere. "I understand your concern, but you must know that being with you is no burden. I want to help you in your adventures."
No! You're actually a burden! Ren wanted to say!
But he knew that anything he said, Elena would think otherwise. That's how twisted a maximum Relationship Level could do to an NPC.
With every passing second, Ren's anxiety escalated, his heart pounding as he felt Evie's gaze intensify on his back.
"Ren, what's happening?" Evie asked, voice laced with confusion, her heart racing as she tried to make sense of the unexpected situation.
She knew that Elena was an NPC. It was obvious with the color of her name. But there was something off about her that Evie couldn't quite put a finger as to what.
Ren's internal struggle reached its peak. He was trapped between the gaze of the woman he had once shared a close connection with and the woman who held his heart.
The desire to escape this confrontation was overwhelming, a wish to disappear into thin air.
"Ren?"
Evie's voice, filled with concern, pulled Ren from his inner turmoil. He turned to face her, his spine straight as he met her gaze head-on. "It's nothing, really. Elena was just stopping by to say hello."
Ren could feel Evie's scrutiny, her questioning stare digging into him. It was clear she wasn't entirely convinced, her curiosity and concern merging into a storm within her eyes.
And as Ren faced her, he knew he was on the brink of an explanation he couldn't escape.
Elena's smile remained sweet as she caught sight of Evie, and Ren found himself frozen, powerless to prevent what was about to unfold.
Elena stepped forward, her demeanor warm as she extended her hand towards Evie.
"You must be Evie, right?" Elena's smile was genuine, devoid of any hostility. She welcomed Evie with an open-hearted arm. "I've heard a lot about you from Ren."
The tension in the air seemed to dissipate, and Ren could almost feel a faint sense of relief sweeping through him. He watched, still unable to intervene, as Elena continued speaking.
"Ren mentioned that you're his girlfriend," Elena said with an amiable grin. "I, on the other hand, am Ren's first wife. But don't worry, I'm not possessive enough to want him all to myself. He's an extraordinary man, and I believe he shouldn't be confined to just one person. I'm content with the idea of sharing."
". . ."
". . ."
Fuck me! Ren cursed, his head splitting from the impending headache.
