Chapter 69: The Doll Princess's Scandal

"What's going on with you two?"

Thea's gaze darted back and forth between Rik and Ais, asking curiously.

Theane, who usually maintained a composed demeanor, now showed an unusually interested expression, her eyes filled with teasing as she stared at Rik and Ais.

It was well-known that the Amazons were a highly combative female warrior race, known for their bold and free-spirited nature.

Because this race consisted only of females, they had to rely on males from other races to reproduce.

Therefore, Amazons had the habit of abducting men and highly esteemed romantic relationships, acting boldly in this aspect without the shyness or reserve found in other races.

As a result, many Amazons had chaotic private lives, and due to the entire race being female, their behavior was seen as quite promiscuous by more conservative races like the elves.

Although Thea and Theane, having grown up in Loki's Familia, were not as promiscuous or chaotic as other Amazons, they still had a deep-seated admiration for romantic relationships, an instinct almost ingrained in their genes.

Usually, the members of Loki's Familia were quite disciplined, including the Familia leaders who were at least in their forties, none of whom had ever displayed any particularly overt romantic relationships.

Within the Familia, no one had ever gotten married or even become a couple.

Now, with the sudden hint of something developing between Rik and Ais, Thea and Theane were unusually excited.

While the others were not as enthusiastic as Thea and Theane, they all wore subtle and peculiar expressions.

Especially Raphi, who looked at a loss, her small mouth open in a cute manner.

Unfortunately, Rik and Ais did not fulfill everyone's expectations.

"Where's Mr. Bert?"

Rik, as if nothing had happened, withdrew his gaze, put away his smile, and calmly asked the group.

"Bert didn't come."

Ais, similarly, resumed her usual cold and expressionless demeanor, replying to Rik.

"I don't care about that stinky wolf. What I'm more interested in is what you two were just doing, looking at each other and smiling." Thea, who was uninterested in Bert's whereabouts, muttered, her mind still on Rik and Ais's earlier interaction.

"Hohoho." Theane couldn't help but whistle, saying teasingly, "Rik and Ais? That's a possibility I never imagined."

When girls gather, gossip is inevitable.

The women in the Familia often discussed such topics in private, like who was showing signs of developing a romantic relationship, who was flirting, and even who had a secret crush and might be planning to confess.

The Familia was a big family, but not everyone in it was related by blood. With dozens or even hundreds of people, including both men and women, it was impossible for nothing worth gossiping about to happen.

However, Ais had almost never participated in such topics, nor had she been the subject of them.

It wasn't that she was unpopular.

Come on, this was a girl with beauty rivaling a goddess, regarded as a princess by the gods.

In Orario, Ais's popularity had never dropped out of the top three.

In the Familia, apart from the elf princess, Rivelia, almost no one could match Ais's popularity.

Countless people admired her, and those who secretly loved the Doll Princess could line up from here to the city gates.

It was said that at least a thousand people with ulterior motives had approached Ais, but due to the protection of a doting and overly protective main god, all of them had met tragic ends, including some gods.

Even within Loki's Familia, at least half of the male members secretly admired Ais.

And that was just the male members.

What? You think this has nothing to do with the female members?

The elf girl standing nearby, who suddenly seemed very confused, might have something to say about that.

Even Bert, who was seen as a delinquent and a troublemaker, had never hidden his affection for Ais. Almost everyone in the Familia, except Ais herself, knew that Bert liked her.

But Ais?

She had never been the subject of any scandal.

There had never been any hints of romantic tension or ambiguity surrounding her.

The reason was simple: Ais spent all her time either in the Labyrinth or practicing her sword skills. She was a cold and distant Doll Princess, rarely showing any change in expression. How could such a person have any romantic entanglements?

Therefore, there had never been any rumors of Ais developing a romantic relationship with anyone.

If there had been, that person would have been kidnapped, tortured, and humanely destroyed by envious and jealous Familia members, or even the main god.

Ais had never been particularly close to any male.

Although Ais had been in Loki's Familia for some time, the male who had been closest to her, apart from the Familia leaders and fellow officer Bert, was probably Rik, who had been practicing with her recently and had gradually become more familiar with her.

Now, with this sudden hint of something developing, not just Thea and Theane, but everyone else had lowered their voices, perked up their ears, and quietly paid attention.

Unfortunately, Ais tilted her head, looking confused, while Rik remained calm.

"You're overthinking it. Nothing happened." Rik shook his head and said, "We just talked a bit about our abilities when we updated them last night."

"Uh-huh."

Ais nodded in agreement.

"Is that so?"

Thea was a bit skeptical.

"Yes."

Rik remained calm.

That demeanor made many people start to believe him.

"I-I told you so."

Laur, who was standing nearby, let out a sigh of relief, only to be elbowed by Anqi, causing him to yelp in pain.

"Y-Yes! Mr. Rik and Miss Ais often discuss their abilities! It must be that!"

Raphi, finally recovering, loudly declared, seemingly putting in extra effort.

"Ah, what a shame." Theane said with a hint of disappointment, "I thought Ais had finally come to her senses."

"?"

Ais tilted her head, a question mark appearing on her forehead.

That expression and demeanor sank the hearts of many of the young people present.

"So cute—"

"So cute—"

Everyone inwardly shouted, especially a certain elf girl who was almost screaming out loud.

"What are you all doing?"

At that moment, a voice intervened from the direction of the mansion.

Finn, Rivelia, and Grace walked out of the mansion and approached the front gate.

"Why is it so noisy? What are you all talking about?"

Grace asked, frowning.

"Nothing, nothing!"

Seeing the parents appear, the young people immediately shook their heads and sat up straight.

"It doesn't seem like nothing."

Rivelia gave everyone a meaningful look.

Finn, who seemed to have an idea, glanced at the calm Rik and Ais, then at the straight-backed group, and chuckled.

"Since it's nothing, let's get ready to leave."

Finn quickly moved on from the topic.

"Are we leaving now?" Thea asked in surprise, "What about Bert? That stupid wolf hasn't shown up yet."

"Forget about him." Grace immediately scolded, "That brat seems to have abandoned his post-expedition duties and run off to the Labyrinth. He's such a headache."

Everyone exchanged glances and then looked at Rik.

"..."

Rik remained silent, unconsciously turning his gaze away.

He could guess that Bert had gone to the Labyrinth, likely feeling challenged by him.

The lone wolf was proud and would never admit to being caught up by Rik like Thea and Theane.

The Familia leaders knew Bert's character. While they said this, they were actually a bit worried that the young wolf might do something reckless.

Achieving great feats required stringent conditions.

If Bert went to challenge some formidable enemy or venture into a dangerous area, the chances of him dying, while not 100%, were still quite high.

"Let him go. He should know his limits."

Finn comforted everyone and then spoke.

"I'm going to start assigning tasks. Everyone, listen up."

"According to our usual routine, I, Rivelia, and Grace will take the magic stones to the guild to exchange for money."

"Laur and Anqi, you two will take some of the dropped items to sell to the commercial Familias."

"The委托 related to Cadmus Spring and the medicine-related dropped items will be handled by Ais, Thea, Theane, and Raphi."

Finn turned to Rik.

"Rik, you'll go with the officers to observe. You might need to handle these tasks independently in the future."

Rik had no objections to this arrangement.

Finn then gave further instructions and assignments, clapping his hands to conclude.

"Everyone, follow the schedule and head to your respective destinations."

"There's a celebration banquet for the expedition's return tonight, so don't be absent."

"Let's go."

Everyone responded and dispersed.

"Let's go."

Ais called out to Rik.

"Okay."

Rik followed her.

New book, seeking support! Seeking recommendations! Seeking collections! (*^▽^*)

(End of Chapter)