Volume 9, Chapter 3 – Mother Yulisha’s Gift

“Urgh…”

Under immense pressure, Fia sat upright on the sofa, her gaze fixed on the gift box held in Mother Yulisha’s lap. Her formal attire—a blend of black and sapphire blue—felt tighter than usual.

Compared to the six or seven young elf ladies standing behind Mother Yulisha, the box was far more distracting. Fia sensed something ominous emanating from it. It wasn’t based on evidence; it was pure feminine intuition—the same instinct that makes a household dog bark at nothing or causes incense to flicker out on its own. An ill omen clung to her like a ghost, and the rectangular, emerald-green box decorated with a yellow ribbon made it impossible for her to stay calm.

To make matters worse, at Yulisha’s beckoning, the beautiful young elf ladies took seats on either side of her. Already sitting on pins and needles, Fia now felt like she was facing a grand enemy. She tensed her body beneath her gown, terrified that if she relaxed, she would make physical contact with the girls. She recognized them: the one on the left was the eldest daughter of a southern marquis, and the one on the right was a mature countess who had always been kind to her—treating her more like a little sister than a princess.

The mingling scents of their perfumes made Fia feel completely besieged by beautiful girls.

Only Yelido can save me now.

Fia stole a glance toward the distance, only to find that Yelido was even busier than she was. He was surrounded by a swarm of nobles and envoys, likely hearing enough flattery to make his ears sprout callouses.

“Dofi, don’t you like these sisters? Why aren’t you speaking?”

While Fia complained inwardly, Mother Yulisha, dressed in a water-blue gown, flashed a maternal smile—not at Fia, but at the young ladies. Yulisha wasn’t lying; Fia had indeed said the ladies were kind and had great personalities after returning from a tea party. But back then, her “liking” them as people was a far cry from the “liking” that leads to romance.

Furthermore, just as she had no interest in the older elf sisters—viewing them as elders—most of the countesses viewed her as a much younger sibling due to her youthful appearance.

Elves didn’t place much weight on age gaps, but that was built on the foundation of their slow aging process where a one-hundred-year-old and a two-hundred-year-old looked the same. However, the Eldest Princess’s body had completely deviated from normal elven development; at ninety-five, she looked like a sixty-year-old, making it difficult for anyone to see her as a partner.

“That’s…” Fia struggled to find the words, stuttering her response while checking to see if Claire or Anastasia looked displeased. “It’s… a bit sudden. I haven’t prepared myself yet.”

“Haah, you had so much confidence when you were issuing challenges to the human envoys this morning, yet you’re speechless in front of a group of girls. My apologies; our Dofi only recently lost her memory and still doesn’t quite know how to socialize. Though, she is much better than before. As you all know, at the start she wouldn’t talk to anyone—I could barely even see her. Now, even with her memories gone, she’s become much more affectionate.”

The countess sitting beside Fia, who was a full two heads taller than her, gave a wry smile. She patted Fia’s head like a big sister and winked, as if telling her not to worry. Then, she moved to bail Fia out.

“Your Majesty is too impatient. The Eldest Princess hasn’t even reached adulthood, yet you’re already scouting consorts for her. I recall His Majesty saying when the Princess was born that he would never arrange a marriage she was unhappy with. Aren’t you going against his wishes? And from my perspective—I’m not speaking ill of the Princess, but strictly speaking—the age gap between us is too wide. You and I are the ones from the same generation. I lack common ground with the Princess.”

“Moreover, and more importantly, look at the consorts the Princess has recognized. Whether it’s Miss Claire, Anastasia, or that Fire Cat Holy Son we’ve yet to meet, they aren’t just beauties who could topple kingdoms; they are people who can truly help her. An old woman like me can’t fight for the Princess, and I can’t even cook a decent meal for her. I feel ashamed just standing before those three young ladies.”

“As for me—I’m not afraid of being accused of social climbing—I’ve always looked at the Princess as a cute little sister. Not only is she small, but her hair is so soft. She doesn’t even use perfume, yet her skin always has such a lovely scent. If I had a sister like her, I’d have people wait on her like a princess every day, and I’d have to hug her to sleep in my bed at night.”

Hey, that last sentence was your real goal, wasn’t it?!

Fia shouted in her mind. In fact, the countess had already begun running her fingers through Fia’s hair. While it felt comfortable, Claire was watching from across the table, making Fia quite nervous.

Mother Yulisha frowned thoughtfully.

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“Is that how you feel? Doris, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“If I had told you, you wouldn’t have brought me to see her. I never thought of becoming a consort, but I still wanted to be close to the Princess. You see, the Princess of the past never said a word and always looked so cold; I never had a chance to approach her. Now, she is not only stronger but also more lively and cute—she even tries to hide herself with illusion magic to avoid you. Doesn’t that just make her more lovable? Like a naughty little sister. I’ve known you a long time; you can’t hide it from me. You look angry, but you’re actually overjoyed inside.”

“Tch,” Yulisha’s attitude shifted from that of a royal to that of a friend, revealing her true colors with a huff. “What mother wouldn’t want her daughter to be a bit more lively? Dofi is much better now than she used to be. Fine, if you don’t have those intentions, give up your seat to someone else. Where is Norina? You and Dofi are the same age, and you’re both gentle and virtuous—actually, never mind. You youngsters chat. Dofi, remember to find me in the dining hall after the banquet. His Majesty asked me to give you this.”

As she spoke, Mother Yulisha stood up and tapped the long, emerald-green gift box on her lap, indicating it was the item meant for Fia.

However, as three girls approached, Yulisha paused just as she was about to leave.

The newcomers were Lucitine, Ruth, and Afla. The three were dressed in black gowns with distinct undead flair. Their peerless beauty combined with the ethereal coldness unique to the undead made them the center of attention in the hall.

“Fia? Why are there so many strangers? What are you doing?”

Lucitine, holding a transparent crystal glass, looked confused. Completely ignoring the others, she walked straight to Fia’s side and forcefully squeezed herself between Fia and Norina, the marquis’s daughter. From Fia’s perspective, being pressed against Lucitine was certainly better than being pressed against the marquis’s daughter, but two things terrified her. First, she hadn’t found the chance to explain that she had agreed to date Lucitine. Second, Lucitine, Ruth, and even Afla in the distance were all flushed, smelling of fruit-scented alcohol. They were unmistakably drunk.

This girl…

If you offend Mother Yulisha while you’re drunk, even I won’t be able to save you.

Just as Fia thought this, Lucitine suddenly set down her glass and wrapped her arms around Fia’s neck, leaning her head on Fia’s shoulder. Half her body was practically draped over Fia. Furthermore, because Lucitine’s black gown had a high slit and she was sitting sideways on the sofa, her shapely legs were fully exposed to Mother Yulisha across from them. If the slit went a few inches higher, even her black ribbon panties would be visible.

“Whew… Fia, I think I drank something incredible… I feel so dizzy.”

“Ahem, Lucitine, sit up straight.”

Fia tried to prop Lucitine up, wanting the feverish girl to stay a bit further away. Instead of sitting up, Lucitine became even more like a pile of mush, her rose scent mingling with the smell of wine to fill Fia’s nose.

“It’s fine. I am the Queen of Death; who dares criticize me? Besides, this is the world of the living; there’s no need to fear being seen. Ruth, my shoulders are sore. Massage them for me.”

“Mother… you are losing your composure.”

Though Ruth’s face was also flushed, she had drunk less than Lucitine and still possessed some shred of reason.

“Mother, Lucitine is drunk. Don’t take her words to heart. Afla, quickly, help Lucitine back.”

“What do you mean ‘drunk and losing composure’! I’m just a little dizzy.” A stubborn, slurred voice came from Lucitine as her rosy cheeks rubbed against Fia’s face, transferring the scent of wine to her. “Ruth, massage Fia’s shoulders too. I am your mother, and Fia is also your mother. You can’t play favorites.”

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“Uh…”

As soon as those words came out, Mother Yulisha, the countess, and the other young elf ladies were struck as if by lightning. Yulisha’s eyelid twitched visibly.

“Dofi… what… what did Lucitine just say? Daughter? When did this happen? How come I didn’t know?”

Fia knew exactly what Yulisha was misunderstanding. She coughed loudly to get everyone’s attention and corrected her.

“Ahem! The daughter Lucitine mentioned is Ruth—this girl here who looks just like her—”

“In human terms, a girl this size is already sixteen or seventeen. Lucitine said you are also her mother… Did you use a branch of the Holy Tree to get the Queen of Death pregnant sixteen years ago? Weren’t you the silent type back then…”

Before Fia could explain, Yulisha shifted her gaze to Ruth, who was standing because there was no place to sit. However, instead of disdain, Yulisha looked as if she had discovered a treasure. She took Ruth’s hand and pulled her close.

“Your name is Ruth? Come, sit here.”

“Wait, Mother, I’m not finished. Ruth is Lucitine’s daughter, not mine. Ruth and I have no blood relation.”

“Huuh?”

The look in Mother Yulisha’s eyes changed abruptly. Fia read deep self-doubt in them; she felt Yulisha’s next line would be, “How can you like a woman who’s divorced with a kid?” In fact, it wasn’t just Yulisha; the other young noble ladies were filled with shock and uncertainty. Only Claire and Anastasia, who knew the truth, were caught between laughter and tears.

“Ruth is a part separated from Lucitine’s soul. In name, she calls Lucitine ‘Mother,’ but in reality, it’s not a conventional mother-daughter relationship. It wouldn’t be wrong to say they are one and the same.”

“I see…”

Having learned the truth, Yulisha’s emotions settled. She pulled Ruth down to sit between her and Anastasia, though her expression grew increasingly strange. Yulisha had seen Lucitine before, but in her memory, Fia and the Queen of Death were equal partners in cooperation. Now, no matter how she looked at it, they were far too intimate.

Seeing the young elf ladies hesitating, the countess seemed to understand the situation and was the first to stand up.

“Since Her Majesty the Queen of Death has important matters to discuss, I shall take my leave. Norina, shall we go together?”

“O-Okay.”

Once it was put that way, the others naturally caught the vibe and made excuses to leave. Yulisha apologetically saw them off until only Fia’s group remained in the corner.

To prevent Lucitine from saying anything else that could be misinterpreted, Fia took advantage of Yulisha seeing the others off and quietly asked Claire to use sleep magic on her. Now, Lucitine was lying peacefully on the sofa, covered with a blanket Fia had provided.

“Dofi, I just heard Lucitine say you were also Ruth’s mother. Even if Ruth and Lucitine aren’t a normal mother and daughter, for her to say that… could it be that you and Lucitine…”

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I knew it would come to this.

I guess I have to come clean early.

Fia tensed up, her hands resting uneasily on her knees. Even though the hall was incredibly noisy, she felt as if their corner was unnervingly silent.

“Yes… it’s as Mother thinks. A while ago, Lucitine proposed to me…”

“Isn’t that wonderful?”

As if seeking the opinions of Anastasia and Claire, Yulisha turned to look at them. Claire and Anastasia simply raised their eyebrows in surprise; neither showed a look of disgust.

“On one side is the future Queen of the Elves, and on the other is the Queen of Death. It’s a perfect match in status. Moreover, since the elves and undead are currently cooperating, making the relationship public early will help the people accept the undead sooner.”

“No—”

Fia was so nervous her toes curled inside her shoes.

“We haven’t gone that far. I only said I agreed to date her. There is no engagement… I… Am I being too shameless?”

By the end, Fia’s shoulders were hunched, looking as if she were afraid of being scolded. To admit she accepted Lucitine right in front of Claire and Anastasia put her under immense pressure.

“And what is Lucitine’s attitude?”

“Lucitine did not object.”

“You…” Yulisha gave a long sigh, looking like she was dealing with a hopeless daughter. “Two months from now is the day you marry Claire and the others. Do you want Lucitine to stand below the stage and watch you marry them? Even I have to say that’s too cruel. Besides, you’re going to the human nations in half a month, and after that, you’re going to Dragonfall with Claire. I know I can’t talk you out of it, but I must remind you: you won’t have time to bond with Lucitine during that period. You might as well discard your pointless modesty and go straight to an engagement. You are the crown princess who will become the Queen of the Elves; having forty consorts, let alone four, is only natural.”

“…I don’t like marriages without feelings.”

“If you don’t like the girls I find for you, then so be it. Are you saying you don’t even like Lucitine?”

“I—”

“Don’t look at Claire and Anastasia. Ask your own heart.”

Yulisha’s voice turned stern, causing Fia to pause. Her palms were sweating. Aside from the time Anastasia almost disappeared, she had never been this afraid. If Claire and Anastasia loathed her behavior, she would have no excuse to make up for the guilt. But if she said she didn’t like her, it would hurt Lucitine. Even if Lucitine was fast asleep, Fia didn’t want to lie.

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After hesitating for a long time, she spoke with difficulty.

“…I do like her.”

“Then that’s that. A mutual affection, a match made in heaven. I thought you didn’t like her, seeing you look so troubled—why are you still hanging your head? There is nothing to be ashamed of here.”

Unable to understand her daughter’s heart, Yulisha decided to leave the matter to the youngsters to handle. She sighed helplessly and pushed the rectangular gift box toward Fia.

“Fine. The countess was right; even His Majesty said he wouldn’t arrange for you to marry someone you didn’t like. I shouldn’t meddle. You all should arrange your own affairs. However, besides the matter of consort candidates, I came for another reason. I’m not trying to cause trouble; His Majesty sent me to teach you a craft. Among us elves, this is a skill passed from father to son and mother to daughter. You’ll find it useful on your way to Dragonfall with Claire.”

As she spoke, Yulisha pushed the square box from her lap. She opened the lid, and a golden, branch-shaped object immediately appeared before everyone’s eyes. Its rich aura of nature made everyone feel more refreshed.

But Fia’s expression instantly turned blank.

In that moment, Fia finally realized why she had felt so uneasy the moment she saw this box.

What was inside was clearly a branch of the Holy Tree. And among elven women, the one who received the branch of the Holy Tree was usually the one responsible for being the one more inclined toward motherhood.

This is way too early! Besides, this body of the Eldest Princess can’t possibly become a mother!

But Yulisha had already placed the box containing the branch of the Holy Tree on Fia’s lap.

“Keep it safe. I’ll find you tonight—Claire and Anastasia, you come as well.”

“I… this… as long as Little Fia knows, it’s fine.”

“Me too… as long as Her Highness and Miss Claire know, it’s enough.”

Both Claire and Anastasia politely declined with faces as red as beets. They had participated in festivals where branches of the Holy Tree were given out; they knew exactly what it represented.

Mother Yulisha frowned in displeasure.

“What kind of talk is that? Since you are Dofi’s wives, learning to use the branch of the Holy Tree is a mandatory duty. No one can escape it. Now, you stay here and look after Lucitine. I’m going to check on Milu and Liti to make sure the Third Consort doesn’t go overboard. You’re still young; use your time wisely and don’t waste your youth.”

Leaving behind a pointed piece of advice, Yulisha patted Claire and Anastasia on the shoulder. Then, she stood up and vanished into the bustling crowd with a graceful, mature stride.