Volume 4, Chapter 61 – Veronica’s Counsel

A few days after the political turmoil was dealt with, Fia finally mentally prepared herself. She now stood before a luxurious yet deserted, gray-blue, pointed-roof building. Like a player before entering a boss level, she completely ignored the curious gazes of the passing maids, taking a deep breath for a long time before her expression became one of determination. Then, she lowered her head and, with Anastasia, stepped into the already open palace gate.

She was going to see the Eldest Princess’s biological mother, Veronica Alexia Yushir.

Half a month had passed since she had returned to Silvar, and she had been finding all sorts of reasons to avoid this meeting.

From what others had said, she knew that Veronica did not like her, this “second daughter” (if Anastasia was considered the eldest). And the former princess had rarely interacted with Veronica either. Fia, of course, did not like to ask for trouble. But since she was using the identity of the Eldest Princess, and given her current state of amnesia, it was only right and proper that she should see her biological mother at least once.

I’ll just meet her once as a formality. Say a few words of greeting and then leave. The real star of this show is Anastasia.

With this thought, Fia, walking through the neat and quiet palace, asked softly.

“What is Veronica’s attitude towards Anastasia?”

“Uh…” Fia’s question made Anastasia pause for a moment. Only the two of them had come here today. After hearing what Veronica had done, Claire had said she didn’t want to see her. Milu was of the same opinion, and Liti had bluntly said she disliked her. “Well…”

Seeing Anastasia’s troubled expression, Fia waved her hand with a relaxed look.

“You don’t have to worry about me. Just tell me the truth.”

Veronica disliked the princess because she was King Yelido’s child. As the crystal of her love with Clark, Veronica should be very fond of Anastasia.

Just as Fia had thought, Anastasia bit her lower lip, her expression quite conflicted.

“Just like a normal parent…”

With Anastasia’s personality of always considering her feelings, “normal” here definitely meant “loves her very much.” Fia did not expose her. She continued the topic, turning to look at Anastasia’s face, which was made bewitching by the cyan patterns.

“Then since you’ve been back for so many days, hasn’t Veronica summoned you?”

“No. Actually, under normal circumstances, Queen Veronica cannot summon others. In the past, there was an incident where she colluded with a servant and escaped the Royal Castle, so His Majesty is very strict about who can enter and leave this palace. Although her status is high, she cannot leave here without a special escort—though she herself is frail and even has difficulty walking long distances.”

“It’s like a prison…”

“If this place is a prison, then the people on the streets who can’t get enough to eat don’t even count as ‘people.’ There are surely countless people who would want to live here,” Anastasia said with a wry smile, it was unclear if she was joking or being sarcastic.

She remembered Mizuki had also said that although living in the Royal Castle was not free, it was much more comfortable than her former hard life in the forest.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

“Welcome, Your Highness.”

Two maids passed by Fia and, like ordinary servants, stepped to the side of the road and saluted. After Fia bade them farewell with a smile befitting a princess, she, walking in the wide corridor, asked quietly.

“Since she can’t just summon anyone, it means that others can’t just enter here. We came without any prior notice. Weren’t those two maids just now puzzled?”

“They were surely puzzled. After all, the last time you came here was two years ago. The maids will only be curious as to why you’ve come; they won’t find it strange that you’ve entered without being ordered to. You are His Majesty’s and the Queen’s eldest daughter; you are not restricted by the ban.”

At this, Anastasia paused, and a sisterly worry appeared in her flawless, easy-to-read azure eyes. She unconsciously moved a little closer to Fia.

“Although it is indeed very important to see your biological mother, I think you only need to see her from a distance to have fulfilled your duty. Queen Veronica is not worthy of you doing more.”

It seemed Anastasia didn’t like Veronica very much.

It was the same when she was with Clark in the carriage. Although he had indeed acted terribly and was detestable at the time, her actions as a daughter also made one feel awkward. Admittedly, Anastasia’s feelings for her had already surpassed those for her parents, but from an outsider’s perspective, for a daughter to shout at her down-and-out father and threaten to sever their relationship to make him kneel and apologize, there was something not quite right.

However, since things had already become like this, she couldn’t possibly order Anastasia to make up with her parents. Feelings could not be upgraded by command. There could be many reasons for dislike, but the dislike itself would not change.

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In the end, if Clark and Veronica had understood that she, the princess, was also innocent, and had been a little kinder to her, Anastasia would not have disliked them. This was not to make excuses for herself, but was a matter of fact. To put it another way, if she weren’t the princess, and had met the hysterical Clark in the carriage cursing her, she would surely have been filled with righteous indignation and, as an enlightened person, would have gone up and taught him a lesson, to make him understand what was right and wrong.

However, for a self-aware living being to remain rational and manage their emotions so as not to take their anger out on others, it was remarkable if even one in a hundred could do it. Clark and Veronica were ordinary people. Being strong did not mean they were smart. Just like the Third Consort, although she was a young lady from a noble family, in the end, she was still like any other common woman.

Although it was a little unnecessary, Fia still asked, just in case.

“Then are you not going to see her, Anastasia? I have no feelings for Veronica, nor do I see her as my real mother. You don’t have to feel guilty that being too intimate with her will make me sad. Since she likes you very much, it’s probably better to see her secretly, right?”

“But she ignored you and doesn’t deserve to be called a mother! When you were born, she almost threw you out the window!” Anastasia’s eyebrows shot up, as if in anger at Veronica’s actions. Fortunately, there were not many maids in this palace, so her loud voice did not attract any attention.

Fia closed her eyes and let out a long sigh.

“I’ve already said you don’t need to mind my feelings. You are an independent person, not a kitten or puppy I’ve raised. And even kittens and puppies have things they want to do. Don’t you have any thoughts of saying a few words to her?”

“No,” Anastasia answered bluntly, her chin slightly raised as if in a fit of pique. “If she can apologize to you, then I will properly re-evaluate my relationship with her.”

“Then do you hate the Elf King? I want the truth.”

Fia raised her serious, ruby-like eyes. Anastasia was momentarily stunned; she couldn’t lie to such a gaze. Her eyes shifted to the floor, and she reluctantly mumbled in a low voice.

“I do.”

“That’s good.”

Fia breathed a sigh of relief.

“Uh… why do you say that, Your Highness?”

“Because I know you still have a clear sense of right and wrong? If you felt the Elf King was not in the wrong, then I would be the one with a headache. Hah, in any case, I understand. If you don’t want to see her, then don’t.”

“Understood…” Anastasia’s tone revealed a clear confusion, but Fia did not explain further.

The two of them didn’t walk for long before they arrived at a strangely shaped garden. The reason it was strange was because it was a birdcage-shaped structure over twenty meters high, made of a golden fence. Because the gaps in the fence were covered with a transparent material like glass, people outside could clearly see the scene inside—it was planted with flowers and grass, and there was also flowing water and something like a waterfall. One could even see tables and chairs and a pure white stone pavilion for people to rest in.

Veronica’s palace was a square-shaped building, with the empty courtyard in the center to accommodate this birdcage. The birdcage was not meant to imprison her, but was purely for insulation and aesthetic purposes.

Because she was frail and often ill and could not go out casually, Yelido had specially transplanted many plants from around the kingdom here. Many temperate plants could not withstand the cold of Blossom, so a greenhouse-like structure was particularly important.

Through the gaps in the creeper-like plants, a woman with pale skin, so pale that one could even see the blue veins underneath, appeared in Fia’s vision. The woman was sitting in a pure white stone pavilion in a corner of the birdcage, weaving clothes. Beside her stood a senior maid with graying hair. The sunlight shone on her through the transparent dome of the greenhouse, making the woman in the white dress look as if she might ascend to heaven at any moment, her body reflecting a transparent glow.

Although she was a beauty, she lacked vitality. Anyone who saw her would associate her with words like “ill-fated” or “unfortunate.”

Veronica Alexia Yushir. Her appearance, like that of a twenty seven or twenty eight year old, made it impossible to imagine that she was already a mother.

She did not notice anyone’s arrival. Fia stopped outside the birdcage. She felt that Anastasia was right. The relationship between the princess and Veronica was already cold. To just see her from a distance was enough to fulfill her duty.

Of course, that was in terms of being a daughter. From a third-party perspective, Veronica was a victim, and she should find a way to help her escape—speaking of which, Clark and that werewolf woman Chiharu had said they were going to rescue her, but there had been no news so far. It was unclear if they hadn’t acted, or if they had been caught by the Imperial Guard before they could.

If they had been caught, the outcome would surely be death. But that had nothing to do with her. With Clark’s attitude, it was difficult to have a good impression of him. At most, she would only save Chiharu, because she was a reasonable person.

In a way, Clark was like Prince Schain; he had chosen the wrong path. If he had been a little more sincere from the beginning and had shown a cooperative attitude, she would have helped him take Veronica out. But as she had said at the beginning, not everyone could remain calm at all times.

Standing in the shadow of the eaves, Fia watched Veronica for a few minutes, then shook her head. She was immersed in her weaving. It was fine to leave it like this. She really didn’t want to be caught and lectured hysterically by her again, like she had been by Clark. She could still use her fists on him when she got angry, but she obviously couldn’t do the same to Veronica.

“Let’s go, Anastasia.”

“Yes.”

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Fia and Anastasia turned around. But before they had taken a few steps, a young maid hurried out of the birdcage. Fia guessed that she hadn’t seen her before because she had been covered by the bushes.

“Please wait! Your Highness Anastasia!”

Your Highness Anastasia?

This was the first time Fia had heard someone use “Your Highness” to address her. She turned her head curiously. Rushing towards them was an elf maid with an anxious look on her face.

“Hah, hah… Your Highness Anastasia… Lady Veronica requests your presence in the greenhouse.”

“Requests Anastasia?”

This maid hadn’t mentioned her. It surely wasn’t that she had forgotten. For Veronica to deliberately do this was within her expectations. This actually made her feel a little relieved; she had no desire to be invited in and be treated like air.

Fia turned to look at Anastasia, whose expression was extremely complex. Fia smiled and said.

“I’ll wait for you here. You can go in.”

“But…”

“There’s no ‘but.’ I said you don’t need to mind me.”

“…I… I understand,” Anastasia took a deep breath, then turned to the maid. “Take me there.”

“Yes!”

Anastasia soon walked into the giant birdcage. Through the gaps in the leaves, Fia could vaguely see her interacting with Veronica. She was clearly very happy. Not only did she stand up and take her hand, but she also took out many woven clothes from her storage item and gave them to her. However, Anastasia was not willing, and the two of them kept talking about something.

As a result, Anastasia’s expression gradually calmed down, and there was also a hint of surprise, as if Veronica had said something very unusual.

It wasn’t until a full quarter of an hour had passed that Veronica stood up and saw her off. Anastasia’s expression when she left was even more delicate than when she had gone in.

“Your Highness, Queen Veronica requests your presence.”

“Requests me?”

Fia, who was about to turn and leave, had a look of astonishment on her face.

Anastasia was in deep thought.

“She seems to have become a little different from before… she started asking some questions about you. She never used to ask those before. Maybe she’s had a change of heart. In any case, you’ll know when you see her yourself.”

“Then I’ll go and see.”

Mothers like Yulisha were enough for her. Even if Veronica had had a change of heart, it would be difficult for her to feel the same way about her as she did about them.

With this thought, Fia came to the green-filled greenhouse. As its name suggested, it was very warm inside. The temperature outside was only about 4-5°C, but inside it was at least 21°C. Fia could clearly feel that it was filled with a rich concentration of fire and earth elements. The thick warmth made her want to take off a layer of clothing immediately.

In addition, the maids in the birdcage had been sent away by Veronica. Only the two of them were left.

“You’ve come.”

A gentle female voice came from the white stone pavilion. As Veronica looked up, Fia was able to see her face.

Her lips were thin, and her face lacked color. Her eyes, like hers, were a magnificent red, which in contrast made her skin seem even paler. If her long golden hair had been white, one would have almost mistaken her for an albino. Her light and airy tone revealed a sense of weakness.

The stone bench opposite her was empty, clearly indicating for Fia to sit down. After she had taken a seat, a smile appeared on Veronica’s pale, candle-wax-like face.

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“Could you please pour me a glass of water?”

A strange opening.

Not understanding what she was doing, Fia, thinking that she was still the princess’s biological mother, picked up the kettle on the table and poured her a glass of water. The smile on Veronica’s face did not change, but a hint of bitterness and wistfulness appeared in her magnificent red eyes.

“Your actions are still the same as before, but your eyes have clearly changed. You really have lost your memory… when I said that before, you would also do as I said, but there was no feeling of an elf in your expression.”

“So you invited me over just to see if I had lost my memory?”

“…Not entirely.” Veronica lowered her head and looked at her own face in the cup of water. “…From the looks of it, you should have already heard from others that I was not good to you in the past—it can no longer be described as ‘not good,’ it was worse than a stranger. I have invited you here today not to repent, nor to hope that you will forgive me. I just want to tell you that I was wrong to you in the past.”

“…”

Because she had no feelings for her and had never seen her as her own mother, Fia was unmoved by her sudden admission of guilt. She just silently acted as a listener.

Veronica continued, holding the teacup with both hands.

“I have always hated your birth, seeing you as an extension of Yelido. Not only did I ignore you, but I also wanted to erase you from this world. I thought this way for nearly a hundred years, until I heard the news that you had been seriously injured by the Holy Kingdom and had lost your memory…”

As if she were trying to weigh her emotions, ripples appeared in the cup of water.

“It felt like a part of my heart was missing, like it was empty… I wanted to be happy that you had lost your memory, thinking that my dream had finally come true, that Yelido would be enraged and heartbroken, and that I would be filled with joy. But the fact is, I couldn’t be happy. I actually started to worry about your safety, hoping that you would come back alive.”

“It wasn’t until then that I realized that I actually knew in my heart that you had nothing to do with Yelido. You are you, he is he. No matter what I did to you, it could not change the fact that you are my own flesh and blood. After spending a long time together, one would be reluctant to throw away even a piece of wood, let alone my own daughter… The only difference between you and Anastasia is that she was born of my love, while for you, there was only hatred. In fact, even now, it is difficult for me to erase the faint hatred I feel for you in my heart. This feeling has been engraved in my heart. The moment I see your face, I remember it, even if my reason knows that this is wrong.”

It seemed that saying these words had made Veronica feel much more at ease. Her pale face became a little rosier. Fia wanted to say something, but Veronica held up a palm to her, signaling her not to speak.

“I am not asking for your forgiveness, nor do I hope that you will forgive me. It is fine for us to maintain our current relationship of ignoring each other. I am only saying this to admit to you that I was wrong. I was not a qualified mother.”

“But these rights and wrongs have nothing to do with Ana. I am very grateful to you for bringing her back from the Land of Exile, and I am also grateful that you bring her with you every time you come. I don’t know why you’ve brought her here now, but I know that when you came before, it was just so that she and I could meet… thinking about it this way, I owe you too much. Ana was right just now. Neither I nor Clark are fools who can’t see the situation. But even so, I hope you will continue to be kind to her. She is to you…”

At this, Veronica pursed her lips, her expression darkening.

“This is my retribution…”

“I will be kind to Anastasia even without you saying so. She is special to me,” Fia said, finding a chance to speak, her expressionless face.

The bitterness on Veronica’s face deepened a little.

“Special… hehehe. Then let it be. As long as Ana herself is fine with it. If I were to interfere, I would just be repeating what my father did. This is retribution, retribution. Hah, that’s enough idle talk. To have dragged you here to listen to my apology, as a compensation, I want to tell you, who has lost your memory, some secrets. This is something only I and Yelido know.”

At this, a much more serious look appeared in Veronica’s expression. This was also the first time Fia had felt the strength of a princess from her. Her mana was not small, at the level of a Fifth Rank.

She said, word by word.

“I know you have met the Seventeenth Royal Consort who is restoring the Holy Tree Dance, and have also made the withered tree bud again for the first time in a thousand years. But it is best for both of these things to end here. Whether it is making the tree bud again, or restoring the dance, stop here. Do not continue.”

“Why?” Fia asked the obvious question.

“Don’t you find it strange that the Holy Tree Dance and the maiden were lost? For something so important to the elf race to be lost just like that. Besides, since you have met the Seventeenth Royal Consort, you must have seen her restore the dance. The Holy Tree Dance is a ritual that manipulates the minds of others. My affinity with the Holy Tree is not much worse than hers. I also tried to restore it when I was young, but the result was that it gave me a very bad feeling. I felt as if I were being deliberately guided somewhere, my soul being pulled by an unspeakable force. Since then, I have never tried to restore it again. I think there is a deep secret here, but it has been too long, and I can no longer find any information.”

“I don’t know how you made the withered tree bud, but the withering of the tree and the disappearance of the maiden happened at the same time. They must be related. Even for your own safety, it is better to maintain the current days as they are. Do not interfere.”

What Veronica was trying to say was that even if the Holy Tree would surely die completely in the future, as long as it did not end while she was alive, she should not touch it. It was too dangerous—mainly for the maiden.

“I understand.”

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Fia thought for a moment and nodded lightly.

Veronica’s words could be listened to, but not entirely. What if her current repentance was just an act? To give up on restoring the Holy Tree Dance would be to fall into her trap. She had hated the princess for nearly a hundred years. For her to change her attitude just like that, to believe her directly would be a little too gullible. Compared to that, to say that she had a strong dislike for the entire elf race and thus hoped that they would die out soon was perhaps more likely.

Of course, the truth still had to be verified personally. The method of verification was simple. Since both she and Mizuki could try the Holy Tree Dance, why not try it herself? She would know if it was dangerous once she tried.

In consideration of Veronica’s warning, Fia also kindly returned some information.

“On my way back to the capital, I met Clark.”

Crack.

A sound of something shattering suddenly sounded in the quiet birdcage—Fia was certain that it was the sound of Veronica’s cup cracking.

“He’s still alive?! Where?!” Veronica’s shoulders trembled, and her pale face also turned red.

As the water in the cup had not leaked out, Fia pretended not to see and said nonchalantly.

“He’s probably in the capital now. He said he would come and save you.”

“He’s finally here…” A strong look of joy appeared on Veronica’s face. Then, as if she had remembered something, she suddenly reached out towards Fia, her red eyes staring straight at her, as if she were about to eat her alive. “Then what about you? What did you do to him?!”

“He had a fight with Anastasia, and then we parted ways. You don’t need to put on that expression. I didn’t do anything to him. In the end, I and you are not on the same side. We don’t owe each other anything, so there’s no need to fight. Although Yelido is my Father, what’s wrong is wrong. I will not aid a tyrant.”

“That’s good…” Veronica sat back down, but her breathing was clearly much more disordered. “Thank you for telling me this. I will be prepared. Did he tell you when he would come?”

“No. How could he tell me something like that? I’m just turning a blind eye. I will neither help Yelido nor you.”

If you hadn’t told me about the Holy Tree Dance just now, I wouldn’t have told you about Clark at all, Fia answered in her heart.

The joy on Veronica’s face made a hint of sadness rise in her heart. She didn’t know if she should tell her that Clark had a mistress. She thought about it for a long time and finally decided it was better not to say it, to let the family solve their own problems.

Her ecstatic appearance did not make Fia feel good. She did not want to stay here for long. She stood up, her hands on the table, and let out a long breath, as if to spit out all the unpleasant things.

“Alright, I should be going. I’ll have Anastasia come and see you more often later.”

“Ah… I won’t see you off. My body is inconvenient…”

“It’s fine.”

Fia shrugged, took one last look at the muttering Veronica, and walked straight out of the birdcage.

“Your Highness!”

The moment she stepped out, Anastasia greeted her with concern. Knowing that she was worried about her, Fia smiled and gave a light wave.

“Don’t worry. Let’s go.”

“No, I am not just worried about you. There is also a very important matter to tell you!”

Anastasia’s expressive azure eyes were filled with apprehension. Fia couldn’t help but tilt her head, feeling that something major had happened.

“What is it?”

“Just now, the advance party sent a message. His Majesty is returning to the capital with his army. He will arrive this afternoon.”

Anastasia answered with a bitter tone.