As we approached the vilge, the only word that came to mind was 'incredible'.

  From my vantage point across the ke, it looked small, only a few houses by what appeared to be fishing docks on the shore. Closer however, I came to the conclusion that those houses weren't meant for living, but were probably made for storing fish caught in the ke.

  The real vilge was in the trees. Amongst the rge forest trees, I could see wooden bridges and pathways of various levels leading between holes in the trees. There were even a few figures - probably the other elves like Tahli - milling about their daily lives.

  We continued walking in silence until we reached a dirt path, and that led us to a wooden fence that stretched out across the path. There were two elvish looking people - guards I assumed - in front of the gate: Both wore some kind of leather armor and each had a quiver slung over their shoulder and a bow to their sides. They were clearly not expecting visitors.

  When the pair noticed us, they hastily stood at attention and eyed me with suspicion, a reasonable response to an outsider appearing at their gates wearing the traditional outfit of their people. Suddenly, they saw Tahli next to me and their stance turned to a more respectful one.

  "Uwah?" I think anybody would be as confused as me right now.

  "Your Highness, who is this outsider with you?" The guard on the right - who I'll just assume is the one in charge for now - spoke up with a respectful tone.

  Wait a second... is Tahli royalty!?

  "You can stand up. I met this girl across the ke, I named her Mira!" Even in this situation, she still manages to act like an energetic little kid. Then again... I guess she is one.

  ""Yes ma'am"" The guards both stood back up before the guard who spoke earlier addressed me.

  "Then, Mira was it? Since you're with Lady Getahli I will allow you entry."

  "Thank you, sir."

  "Yay! Let's go Mira!"

  As the guard opened the gate, Tahli grabbed my arm and led me into the vilge. It was even bigger on the inside than I thought. There were countless elves busily running around, most of them hurriedly carrying various objects to some unknown location. I even heard what sounded like metal cshing above me. Maybe it was a forge or-

  "Shit! Hey look out!"

  I look up to see what the commotion is, but as I find the source, I feel what can only be described as briefly losing control of my body. I suddenly grab Tahli and dive to the side.

  I turn back to where we were just standing a moment before and find that our pce was taken over by a bunch of swords stuck in the ground. Meanwhile Tahli looks like she's about to cry.

  "... Mira, you-"

  "Oh no... What did I just do... Are you two alright?"

  I can see something else falling from the bridge above, and now a new woman appears next to us, a look of fear and concern on her pretty-looking face. She almost looks like a taller and more mature version of Tahli, both even have the same blonde hair and brown eyes as each other. She looked towards Tahli and the look on her face is repced with that of relief.

  "...Sis!" Tahli's spontaneously switches from the tear-filled face she was just wearing to a joyful one as she leaps up into the arms of the newcomer who I can only assume to be her sister.

  "Hah... that really scared me there Lia, I thought I hurt you."

  "I'm okay sis! Mira saved me!"

  "Oh? I was wondering who she was." Tahli's sister turned to look at me. "Thank you. I don't know what I would've done if one of those hit my sister. Your name is Mira right? Your reflexes are amazing! I've only ever seen speed like that from a master swordsman who traveled through here a few years ago!"

  "Um, yes, I'm Mira. And thanks? I guess? Unfortunately I don't think I could match a 'master swordsman's' reflexes, I have no idea how to even begin to use a sword."

  "Nonsense! You have a good talent! If you would like, I think you would make a great addition to- Ah. I'm rambling again aren't I. Excuse me, I should properly introduce myself. My name is Lucindell Aerostil Regali-Pristel, first princess of the Pristel Kingdom. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintances."

  Tahli doesn't seem to be paying attention anymore, she's too distracted by rubbing her face against Lucindell's nonexistent chest. In any case, it does make sense that the two are princesses, especially judging by the expensive looking dress and jewelery worn by the older of the two. Wait, why does she have a dress... aren't their clothes made of leaves? Ah well, it's not like I have anything else to wear at the moment.

  "Nice to meet you too, uh, Your Highness."

  "Hah!" Was something I said funny? "You can spare me the pleasantries, call me Luci. After all you saved my sister's life, the least I can do for you is treat you like an equal."

  "Oh, alright. Luci. By the way... what were you doing up there with those swords? Isn't that a little dangerous for a princess to be doing?"

  "Wait, you don't know? I thought that was maybe why you were here... Oh well. I was helping move supplies for the twin-sun celebration tonight."

  Twin-sun... Oh right, I forgot about the two suns in the sky. I wonder why they celebrate it.

  "What's that about?"

  "Wha?! You really don't know?! Ahem, let me expin. Every year, at the end of the twin-sun period, we host a pretty rge party to celebrate the blessings we've received. In case you somehow don't know this either, the twin sun period is a time-frame of about 3 days where there's a second sun in the sky. For some odd reason, while the deeper part of the forest are usually filled to the brim with monsters, they hide when the twin-sun is out and will not attack anyone unless provoked. While the regur one follows its regur, daily cycle, the twin-sun stays up for the whole 3 days. We're on the third and final day now, so that's why we're trying to prepare so quickly.

  That's a handful to take in.

  "Okay, basically, for three days every year, there's a second sun that you won't see at all for the rest of the year. Is that about right?

  "Yes. You're correct."

  "Wow..."

  Wait, shouldn't this be common knowledge? Why didn't I know any of it before?

  "You really are a strange one, Mira. Anyway, lets go."

  Reluctantly, Tahli let go of Luci and settled for holding her hand as we walked.

  "Lia."

  "Sis?"

  "I've ignored it so far, but haven't you been told already not to wear that? It's too revealing."

  Way to go Luci, I thought the same thing!

  Tahli produced another one of her seemingly standard pouts. I'm starting to believe she does this on purpose to guilt people into listening to her.

  "But Sis! I don't wanna wear those itchy dresses! I wanna wear what the trees make!"

  "Lia, even I know that you shouldn't wear that. How did you even convince Mira to wear it too?"

  Damn, now she's dragging me into this. Might as well join in.

  "She told me it was a traditional outfit that elves commonly wear."

  "Lia..."

  "..."

  "I'm going to have to tell Mom about this."

  "I'm sorry Sis! Please don't do that!"

  "Good. Maybe you'll listen when Mom lectures you this time."

  Oh, that's a little harsh, but honestly after having to walking around in something this revealing I kinda feel like she needs a lecture right now.

  Before I knew it, we had ascended onto one of the bridges and were walking further towards the center of the settlement. I wonder what this 'twin-sun' celebration is going to be like, it sounds fun. Speaking of which, we did just leave those swords didn't we... Ah well, it's not my problem, Luci was the one who left them there and besides, I'd assume they didn't even want her helping anyway since she's the first princess here. Someone else will likely take over with carrying them.

  We walked for a while, with the sisters exchanging some small talk while I mostly just listened. Soon, a giant tree came into view, it towered over the rest of the forest, standing tall in the center of the elven town. Luci turned to face me, looking very much the part of princess as she stood with her back facing the magnificent tree.

  "Well, Mira. I would like to officially welcome you to Aster, capital of Pristel Kingdom. This tree you see before you is basically our castle; the home of the Regali-Pristel family. My home."