Elven Nation.
Royal Palace.
Elven Royal Command Center.
The current King of the Elven Nation sat at the head of the table, a mana radio placed in front of him. He rubbed the back of his head as he listened to his sister, the Former Queen of Elven, Mylezra, nagging him through the mana radio.
"Do you understand, Rhalyf? Hmm?"
"Yes, Big Sis... I know. Besides, Liana is my daughter too."
"Donāt you dare try to matchmake her again! Do you understand? Hmm? She is my husbandās future daughter-in-law, so donāt even think about it! She will be there for a mission, and you will ensure everything goes smoothly! And follow the plan! Now, where is Viessa!?"
Viessa, the new Queen of the Elven Nation, swallowed hard when she heard her name through the radio.
Crap.
Sister-in-law is serious.
Sheās always been scary, but ever since she became the Elder Queen of the Elven Nation and married King Garius, her presence has become even more overwhelming.
"I... Iām here, Sister-in-law."
"Do you hear what I said to my little brother? Hmm? You are the new Queen of the Elven now, but that doesnāt mean you can go against my orders. Liana is not to be treated as a political tool. Is that clear?"
Ugh... Ever since she married the King of Armand, sheās become even more strict...
"I... I understand, Sister-in-law."
"Good! And if I hear that you two tried to matchmake her, you will both feel my wrath!"
Rhalyf let out a long, weary exhale before flinching when he heard Mylezraās voice crackle through the mana radio.
"Did I just hear you sigh, Rhalyf?"
"Ah... no... it wasnāt me! It was Adorellan!"
Adorellan, who had been sitting nearby scrolling some report, flinched and panicked.
"Eh!? No, Big Sis! I didnāt! It was Rhalyf, not me!"
All of them flinched, their faces pale with panic when they heard Mylezra mumble softly through the radio.
"Look like I should pay a visit to the Elven Nation Palace personally..."
Everyone froze instantly. Sweat beaded on their foreheads as they exchanged terrified glances. The mere thought of Mylezra stepping foot in the palace with her "displeased" aura was enough to make even the bravest of them tremble.
Mylaerla quickly spoke up, her voice trembling. "Big Sis! Thereās no need for that! Weāll follow your orders! We promise!"
"Yes! Yes!" Adorellan chimed in, nodding frantically. "Weāll make sure everything goes smoothly! You donāt need to come all the way here!"
Rhalyf swallowed hard and added, "I swear, Big Sis! We wonāt do anything to upset your plans! Liana will be treated with the utmost respect!"
There was a moment of silence before Mylezraās voice came through again, sweet but laced with warning.
"Good. Iām glad we understand each other."
After the radio went silent, everyone let out a collective, weary exhale.
"Big Sister never changes, huh?" Adorellan muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Yeah... sheās still scary, even after marrying the Sovereign King of Armand."
Rhalyf smiled faintly. "Well... at least she married the one sheās been waiting for all these years. And itās because of her that the alliance between Armand and the Elven Nation is stronger than ever. A bond sealed not just by treaty, but by family."
Viessa exhaled, shaking her head. "I still canāt believe Liana actually ended up with him. When I first heard she was serving a human noble, I was furious. But now... that boy is a prince, and sheās about to become his first wife. I never imagined things would turn out this way. Itās like fate had already written their story."
Mylaerla let out a soft laugh, glancing at Viessa with a knowing smile. "Well... since Liana is now practically a princess, isnāt that a good thing? She followed her heart, and it led her to a future she never could have dreamed of. As her mother, you should be proud."
Meanwhile...
Armand Estate.
Javierās Bedroom.
Gloria gave Javier a sharp glare, her lips pursed in frustration.
"Why is it always Liana!?"
"Ah..." Javier raised both palms, trying to calm her down. "Gloria, itās all for the mission. You know that."
"Hmmph! I donāt believe you! Iām sure once you go there, you two will sneak off and have your own little moment in the Elven Nation, leaving me out!"
Liana exhaled softly, keeping her focus on making the bed. "Gloria, youāre overthinking. This is a mission, not a vacation. You should know better than to let jealousy cloud your judgment."
Gloria crossed her arms and nudged her glasses up. "I know Young Master always gets missions like this, but why is it always you, Liana? Every time thereās a mission that requires traveling, youāre the one by his side."
Liana shook her head, trying her best to ignore Gloriaās growing suspicion.
Gloria pursed her lips and glared at Javier again. "Iām going too!"
"B... but... Iām going to the Elven Nation, you know. This mission is important. If those suspicious groups see a human girl like you hanging around a ābeggar,ā wonāt they get suspicious?"
"Ara? Looks like youāre getting clever at making excuses now, huh, Young Master?"
"N... no... I..."
"Hmmph! I donāt care." Gloria crossed her arms and turned away, her tone sulking but firm. "Iām going. Besides, that was my hometown too. Donāt forget, Liana and I are cousins. I know the Elven Nation just as well as she does."
Just as Javier was about to say something, Gloria interrupted with a sweet, teasing smile.
"Ara~ Is this about how Liana has visible elven features while I donāt? Are you worried Iāll stand out too much, Young Master?"
Javier blinked, confused. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Gloria placed both hands on her hips, and with a soft shimmer of light, her ears began to elongate, turning into the elegant, pointed shape of an elf. Her features subtly shifted, becoming more refined and ethereal.
"See? Iām an elf too, remember? Half-elf, but still enough to pass as one. My ears can be just as pointy as Lianaās when I want them to be."
Javierās eyes widened in surprise. "W... wow... I didnāt know you could do that."
Liana shook her head when she noticed Javier glancing at her in disbelief.
"Donāt look at me like that, Young Master. Iāve known all along that Gloria could use that transformation skill. She just never bothered to show it off before."
Gloria glanced at Liana before looking back at Javier.
"So, now I can go, right? Besides, I already know about the mission. And Young Master, you donāt have to worry about me giving us away. I can blend in just fine."
Javier exhaled and shook his head.
"So if you two are going, whoās going to look after Gracelle?"
Both Liana and Gloria turned and glanced at Javier.
"Hmm? Armand has a lot of maids. Besides, Myra, Kalea, and Juria with her team are also here. And donāt forget, Felicia, Mimi, and Delya are here too."
( End Of Chapter )