Volume 1, Chapter 76 – A Peaceful Morning

The next day.

The ten o’clock sun was scorching, its unfiltered rays beating down on Fia, making her feel weary. The clatter of the carriage wheels against the cobblestones and the loud cries of street vendors blended into an irritating cacophony, amplifying the throbbing in her sleep-deprived head.

If not for the importance of their mission—and the fact that Claire and the others were by her side—Fia would have turned back and gone straight to bed.

Their current task was to visit the temple in Aurora City and speak with the rescued cardinal and the High Inquisitor. Compared to lingering in Aurora City, Fia much preferred returning to the elf kingdom as soon as possible to solidify her position as crown princess. Only then could she devote herself fully to investigating the curse.

The World Tree Continent was home to many gods. If the elf deities couldn’t provide answers, she and Claire could seek out other gods—or even turn to the most powerful of the Darkborn, beings who rivaled the divine.

But before leaving the elf kingdom again with Claire, Fia had to fulfill a promise she had made to herself—to gain the recognition of her parents, whom she had never met, and everyone around her, becoming a figure even more radiant than the elf princess. This was the first vow she had made upon arriving in the World Tree Continent, the very foundation of her existence as “Fia.”

It wouldn’t take too long, but she couldn’t just disappear without a word. Claire’s insistence that she return to the elf kingdom first was likely for this very reason.

Hmph, that clever, scheming woman.

Recalling last night, Fia’s cheeks flushed. Though she had initially taken the lead, her lack of experience (and flexible magic) had quickly left her at a disadvantage. Even if it had been a wonderful night, it had also ignited a competitive fire in her. Once they returned, she’d have to ask Anastasia for lessons—no, maybe not Anastasia. Books would be better.

The only silver lining was that both she and Claire were in excellent physical condition. Despite the intensity of the previous night, the only aftereffect was a bit of drowsiness—nothing outwardly unusual.

Lost in thought, Fia absentmindedly placed a hand on the waist of her dress and lowered her head.

“Your Highness seems a bit out of sorts. Did you not sleep well last night?”

Anastasia’s voice made Fia jump. She quickly adjusted her expression and looked up with a practiced, sweet smile.

“N-No, it’s nothing. Anastasia, you didn’t hear any strange noises last night, did you?”

This time, it was Anastasia’s turn to stiffen.

She hadn’t heard anything from Fia’s room, but she had her own secrets.

“No, the night was quiet.”

“Good.”

Fia sighed in relief.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t tell others about her relationship with Claire—she just wasn’t ready yet. For one, they were both women. If she revealed what had happened last night so soon, it would inevitably lead to awkward questions. Secondly, though she was nearly eighty by human reckoning, by elf standards, she wasn’t even an adult yet. If Anastasia—who was practically her guardian—found out about her and Claire, who knew how she’d react?

The last thing Fia wanted was for Anastasia and Claire to come to blows. Both were irreplaceable to her, and she had to avoid any conflict between them.

She’d have to ease Anastasia into the idea gradually.

The realization made Fia inwardly marvel.

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She and Claire were really lovers now.

It felt like a dream, surreal and intangible. If they weren’t in the middle of the street, Fia might have sought reassurance from Claire—perhaps feeding each other, or sitting sideways on Claire’s lap, asking for affection.

Normally, she’d be embarrassed, but with Claire, it felt natural, even if she asked for too much. It was as if everything had fallen into place effortlessly.

She was adapting frighteningly fast.

Unconsciously, Fia’s hand brushed against Claire’s. After a brief pause, Claire smiled helplessly and interlaced their fingers.

The warmth was comforting, enveloping, as if she could entrust her entire self to Claire.

Fia squeezed back lightly.

Their eyes met, and they shared a soft smile.

“Guh.”

Liti made a strange noise.

For safety reasons—and because of Claire’s curse—Liti had to stand on Anastasia’s other side, separated from Fia.

The sound pulled Fia’s attention away from Claire. She glanced at Liti in surprise.

“Liti, are you still not used to Claire?”

Liti’s fear of Claire was precisely why she wasn’t standing between them.

Quickly smoothing over her earlier pout, Liti forced an apologetic smile.

“It’s better than before… I just didn’t sleep well last night. A bit of a cold. Don’t worry about me, Sister.”

“If it’s a cold, the apothecary has medicine. After we finish with the church, I can take a look at you, little Liti.”

“N-No! It’ll pass on its own. No need to trouble Miss Claire!”

Liti waved her hands frantically, as if terrified of Claire examining her.

Anastasia, standing between them, frowned slightly.

“But speaking of which, why was Liti sleeping in the hallway with a pillow—”

“A-Anastasia!” Liti’s voice jumped an octave as she pressed close to Anastasia, whispering urgently so the other two wouldn’t hear, “We agreed to keep that a secret!”

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“I don’t understand why this needs to be hidden.”

“It’s because… well…”

Liti hesitated.

She couldn’t very well admit that she’d originally planned to “ambush” her sister with a pillow, only to freeze outside the door upon hearing… certain sounds, eventually falling asleep in the hallway.

Thankfully, Anastasia hadn’t pieced it together—otherwise, her image would’ve been ruined beyond repair.

Changing the subject was wiser.

Liti flipped her violet hair with feigned nonchalance, adopting the innocent demeanor of a twelve-year-old.

“More importantly, Miss Claire, have you decided to go to the Dragonfall Lands in the south instead of returning to the elf kingdom with us?”

“Yes. I need to reclaim what’s mine before heading to the elf kingdom. By then, even without Fia’s help, I’ll have the power to silence any dissent and ensure she becomes queen. As for timing, I’ll leave Aurora City when you do. At my speed, I might even reach the elf kingdom before you finish your journey back. Anastasia also plans to have Fia learn more magic before returning, right?”

“Yes. Though given Her Highness’s strength—rivaling even the Moon Dragon—she could return now, but without mastering foundational magic… If the king and the Sacred Tree were to judge me unfit and banish me from Her Highness’s side, I… I…”

“Enough, Anastasia. That won’t happen.”

Fia cut her off.

The elf princess’s lost memories were blamed on Anastasia’s failure to protect her. Even if Fia could silence the nobles with a single spell, it wouldn’t change the fact that Anastasia would face immense pressure.

A guard’s duty was to protect their charge, and Fia’s injuries were an undeniable, grave failure.

But if Fia could master most of the elf princess’s magic, creating the illusion that she had only lost her memories of people—not her magical knowledge—it would lessen the perceived severity of Anastasia’s lapse. This would reduce the backlash from the court, especially from Fia’s father, the current elf king.

Fia could force the nobility into silence with brute strength, but she could never turn her weapons against the family. The moment she chose to become the elf princess, she ceased to be a super-intelligent being. She became flesh and blood, bound by mortal ties.

Moreover, Anastasia’s true wish was simply “to stay by Fia’s side.” Her timid plea was one Fia couldn’t refuse. To Fia, Anastasia was like a child nervously asking a parent for a toy—not entirely accurate, but close enough.

Besides, learning more powerful magic along the way wouldn’t hurt.

When facing the Moon Dragon, if she had possessed higher-tier spells, the battle wouldn’t have been so grueling. Mastering magic was essential—who knew what awaited her in the future?

Of course, the detour wouldn’t delay them much. Anastasia had merely altered their route from “crossing the northern front” to “skirting the eastern border of the Holy Kingdom,” adding only a month to their journey. By then, Claire would have just set out from her homeland, ensuring their reunion wouldn’t be delayed.

Liti’s expression grew complicated, her cute fangs nibbling her lip.

“True… If Father finds out Anastasia failed to protect Sister, it’ll be trouble… He never liked Anastasia to begin with. When Sister first took her in, he was furious—they were at odds for five or six years before he grudgingly accepted it for Sister’s sake. If we return like this, they’ll definitely clash again.”

Fia and Anastasia shared a mother but had different fathers, and Anastasia was older. The reason the elf king disliked her was obvious with a little thought.

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Anastasia’s face tightened at Liti’s words. To comfort her, Liti took Anastasia’s hand and looked up at her with wide eyes.

“This time, I’ll stand by Anastasia’s side too. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you, Princess Liti.”

Anastasia’s smile was painfully forced.

“Well, no need to worry so much. Not only will I relearn my old magic on the way, but once I show them my strongest spells, they’ll have no choice but to shut up.”

Though her tone was light, Fia’s heart wasn’t as carefree.

She knew there was one unstable factor: the elf king.

To the nobles, the elf princess only needed strength and leadership—a single tenth-tier spell would make her amnesia irrelevant. But for parents, their daughter forgetting them… Even if she were stronger than before, it was hard to say whether the king would see it as a good thing.

Just as money couldn’t buy everything, even the power to destroy the world might not sway someone’s principles.

Fia quietly grasped Anastasia’s cold hand and murmured encouragement.

“I’ll be counting on you to teach me magic along the way. Stay strong—no matter what happens, I’ll stand with you.”

“Mm…”

“Fia’s choice is my choice. If the elf king refuses to listen, I do have the power to alter memories… Though it’s risky.”

“Alter memories…? Claire, are you a demon from another world?”

“Who knows?” Claire shrugged. “Guess I’ll have to hurry back within a month. Maybe I can help then.”

Leaning forward, she tilted her head to glance at Anastasia, who was still pale. After a moment’s thought, Claire added in a teasing tone,

“By then, I’ll be Fia’s first queen, and Anastasia can be her second. We’ll all be together again.”

“…Huh?”

Anastasia’s eyes widened. She instantly let go of Fia’s hand, her cheeks flushing crimson.

A medical miracle, Fia mused inwardly.

“C-Claire! What nonsense are you spouting?! I’m a branded sinner—how could I stand as an equal to Her Highness?! And we’re both women—such a thing is impossible!”

“Oh? Have you asked Fia’s opinion?”

Claire shot Fia a meaningful look and squeezed her hand.

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She was asking Fia to play along.

So you’re selling me out to Anastasia just like that?

Though she thought about it, Fia didn’t refuse. Everyone knew it was just a joke to cheer Anastasia up—probably.

With practiced ease, Fia feigned embarrassment, lowering her head and twisting her fingers together, her cheeks pink—a feat achieved only by recalling last night, when Claire had pulled her into an embrace.

“Well… I… I need time to think… This is too embarrassing…”

“Your Highness?!”

Anastasia was utterly stunned. Fia could even see her golden hair trembling—not from emotion, but shock.

Maybe we overdid it.

Then again, shouldn’t Anastasia’s focus have been on Claire unilaterally declaring herself “first queen”?

“Then I’ll be the third queen! I’ll marry Sister too!”

Good grief, even Liti’s adding fuel to the fire.

The sentiment was sweet, but saying it out loud made Fia feel like a criminal. You’re too young for this.

She glanced at Liti, only for the girl to stick out her pink tongue mischievously when Anastasia wasn’t looking.

Too adorable.

“Anyway, we’re all on Anastasia’s side. No matter what happens, remember—we’re your support. You can rely on us anytime. That said, I hope you won’t forget me in a month or two.”

At Claire’s wry smile, Anastasia realized it had all been to lighten the mood. Her blush faded, replaced by solemn determination.

“I’ll fight the curse with everything I have. I won’t forget you. Thank—”

“Shh. Remembering me is thanks enough.”

Claire pressed a finger to her lips and playfully winked. Compared to yesterday, she seemed even more radiant today—her silver hair cascading like a waterfall, her snow-white dress enhancing her beauty. Even Anastasia was briefly entranced, her gaze drawn in.

Fia quickly straightened, cutting off their eye contact.

“I’ll remind Anastasia constantly so she won’t forget you. A-Anyway, the temple’s just ahead. We should prepare.”

Pointing forward, Fia indicated the half-ruined temple at the end of the street.