Merica, however, didn’t overthink it. Watching Luoqi engaging in conversation without any airs, all smiles and friendly, her admiration for the Princess only grew stronger.
Indeed, the Princess was quite exceptional...
It was as Merica was pondering this thought that the mansion’s gates were opened.
There, one could see Shane, with a dozing Lilith in one arm and a sleepy-eyed Ai Yi in tow, yawning widely himself as he appeared before everyone.
His sloppy, disheveled appearance made Merica’s heart race slightly, and her pretty face blushed with shyness.
This was the reaction Merica always had whenever she saw Shane.
Shane didn’t notice any of this and simply glanced at the crowd.
"Looks like everyone’s here."
Shane had the look of someone who hadn’t gotten enough sleep.
Lu Muya hurriedly greeted Shane.
"We’ve all been waiting for you for quite a while."
Vivian gently chided him, seemingly reminding Shane not to be too impolite in front of Luoqi.
Though the two were already engaged, even married couples would show respect to one another. Considering one was a princess, even fiancés should smarten up.
However, Luoqi didn’t mind at all.
Vivian had no idea how wildly and boisterously she and Shane played when they were alone. Being a bit lazy was nothing, right?
"I thought you were going to come to the Royal Palace to pick me up."
Luoqi looked at Shane as she spoke.
It sounded like a reproach, but it was really just a complaint.
A complaint that only Shane could hear.
He knew that this princess, pretending to be a lady, was probably like a child excited about a spring outing, too excited to sleep last night.
So, the girl had eagerly come over on her own as soon as it was light.
Shane didn’t expose her and handed the still drowsy Lilith to Lasha nearby, continuing to hold Ai Yi’s hand as he approached Luoqi.
Luoqi curtly bowed to Ai Yi.
Ai Yi genuinely seemed to need more sleep, barely awake, hardly paying any attention to Luoqi, she mumbled a faint acknowledgment.
"Did you come by yourself?" Shane twisted his mouth and said, "I thought you would bring the Holy Sword Knights at the very least; otherwise, your father and the Kingdom’s high-ups wouldn’t let you out so easily."
How could anyone be at ease with a princess going around without a substantial guard entourage?
Shane was mentally prepared to send these people back.
"How can we ride dragons with so many people?" Luoqi countered with a crisp rebuttal and continued, "Besides, bringing so many people might make them unwelcome by the Elf Clan."
Originally, Shane’s group was already plenty.
Shane, Luoqi, Ai Yi, Lilith, and Lasha made for five people. If a guard corps or knights were added, even with Merica’s invitation, the Elf Clan might not welcome them.
The Elf Clan recognized friends of the clan members invited to the Peace Festival, not personal guards.
So, bring a large entourage, and they would dare to shut you out or even chase you away.
Luoqi did not want to cause any conflict with the Elf Clan over such a trifle.
Besides, this trip was for pleasure.
With that in mind, why bring so many people?
Luoqi used this reasoning to forcefully reject bringing along a guard corps and Knight Order.
"That’s good, saves me the trouble."
Shane didn’t want to bring too many people either.
The reason was what Luoqi mentioned; You Lin couldn’t carry that many.
Even if You Lin wasn’t small, she certainly couldn’t carry hundreds of people, could she?
His own dragon wasn’t something just anyone could ride; if he really brought that many people, the temperamental Dragon Girl might throw a fit.
Vivian, though, made a point.
"It seems like there are still quite a few people." Vivian considerately asked Merica, "Inviting five people to the Elf Country at once, won’t that cause any issues, Merica?"
Upon hearing this, Merica quickly shook her head.
"There are... indeed a lot of people..." Merica glanced at everyone and whispered, "But if it’s everyone from here, it shouldn’t be a problem."
Lu Muya, by her side, nodded fervently in agreement.
Look at who these people were?
Shane, currently the talk of the Kingdom.
The Kingdom Treasure, Luoqi.
Even Lasha had a somewhat special status.
Would the Elf Clan dare not to host such a group?
Not to mention Shane and Lasha, the Elf Clan would certainly never refuse Ai Yi and Lilith.
Merica wasn’t worried that the people she brought weren’t qualified enough; rather, she feared that with such special identities, it would be challenging to smoothly participate in the Peace Festival in the Elf Country, and whether the Elf Clan could host them properly.
This was truly a stellar lineup, brooking no mistakes.
Merica felt like she was on the verge of tears.
At first, she thought only Shane and Luoqi would follow her to the Elf Country.
Who would have expected Ai Yi and Lilith to join in as well?
Their participation truly worried Merica.