Chapter 34: Shura Field

Livyat seemed to be ill.

She lay in her suite for an entire day without coming out, nor did she go to work.

Julia rushed anxiously to the entrance of the consulate, only to be blocked by Tesvelan at the door, forbidden to enter.

“Lady Julia, you insisted on inviting Liv to witness the execution, and now her hands and feet are icy cold, she has a low fever, and she’s in no condition to receive visitors. You’re not welcome here. Please leave.”

Julia looked at the former Princess standing on the steps, exuding a clear air of ‘strangers keep away.’

A nameless anger flared up in her chest.

This arrogant elf was truly infuriating.

“Princess Tesvelan. Aren’t you mistaken about something? My invitation to watch the execution was to show the elves the Republic’s stance—that we will never tolerate anyone who seeks to jeopardize our cooperation with the elves. I needed Liv to see our sincerity. And besides, when it comes down to it, the elves don’t really object to this, do they?”

Tesvelan shook her head, looking at Julia as if she understood nothing at all.

“You’re the one who’s mistaken. I don’t care about any of that. What I care about is this: Liv is sick, and the culprit is you.”

Julia deflated at once.

She knew, in the end, that the horrifying execution scene had shaken Liv.

“Your Highness, at least let me see Liv. I’m very worried about her. She trusted me enough to go to the execution site, and I…”

“That’s enough. Today, for the first time, she ordered me not to enter her room in the name of the Queen. Even made the maids escort me out. Hah, I feel worse than you. You really don’t know anything, human.”

Tesvelan’s pale blue eyes suddenly narrowed, shimmering like a star that flickered in and out, impossible to read.

Julia marched up the steps to stand before Tesvelan, her voice resolute and optimistic.

“Your Highness, then we have a common goal. Let me in. Let’s figure out together what we can do for Liv.”

Tesvelan stared at her for a moment.

In the end, she stepped aside, making way.

As they entered, a wave of damp heat carrying the musty scent of old wood swept over them, like lifting the lid off an ancient chest.

The pitch-black hall was so dark that not even the lights were on.

Tesvelan didn’t speak at all along the way.

The sound of boots clicking on the black and white marble echoed through the corridor.

Julia, who was usually stone-faced, tried to liven up the atmosphere.

“Are elves always so frugal? There’s barely any light in the hallways.”

“Elves can see clearly in the dark, especially when hunting.”

Julia was left speechless.

She squinted at the murals lining the corridor walls.

The corridors of the Governor’s Mansion were lined with oil portraits of former governors—of course, only those who had successfully disembarked, not those who had been dismissed or convicted.

By contrast, the Elven Consulate’s walls were covered in landscapes and more abstract pieces.

Julia, not well-versed in art, found them hard to appreciate.

“Would Liv like these paintings? As Queen, she should have the right to redecorate the consulate. She probably doesn’t care for this style. If possible, I could send over some works and sculptures by renowned artists.”

Tesvelan continued her sarcasm: “If that’s your way of atoning, Lady Comptroller, you’d better think of something else.”

Julia ignored her and kept rambling as if talking to herself: “Uh, these old wool carpets are damp. I could bring some rugs made from Frostweave Bear pelts. Come to think of it, maybe I should ask the Ministry of Works to help renovate the consulate. This place really is too old. Liv must be uncomfortable living here.”

At the end of the corridor, the door to the Queen’s suite was tightly shut.

Julia suddenly reached forward to open the door, turning her head with a slight smile, her eyes arching in a serpent-like curve.

“Princess Tesvelan, do you know what I hate most? It’s when others try to decide what I should offer to earn her forgiveness. Liv isn’t like that—she’s strong. She’s been through so much in such a short time, and I’ve seen it all.”

Tesvelan turned away, her blond hair falling haphazardly over her face.

“Julia, then the second thing you must hate most is me deciding on her behalf that you aren’t even worthy of pushing open this door.”

With that, she pressed down hard on Julia’s hand, leaning close and speaking coldly in a voice that wouldn’t disturb Liv’s rest.

Julia hadn’t expected Tesvelan to clamp down on her hand so forcefully, even trying to push her further from the door.

Julia grabbed Tesvelan’s wrist with her other hand, yanking it away.

The pretense of a smile faded entirely.

The two of them started grappling, in the least dignified way possible.

Tesvelan pressed her other hand to Julia’s shoulder, shoving her back until Julia was pinned against the wall—with a bang.

.She held Julia’s shoulder in a vice grip, pale blue eyes glaring at her odious face.

“You’d better get out. It’s best for both of us. And best for Liv, too.”

Julia, far from angry, laughed.

“Your Highness, you’d better come a bit closer, push a bit harder. By tomorrow everyone will hear how Her Highness attacked the Comptroller in the consulate. Your mother will find out within a few days. Let her see what a refined daughter she raised. So forceful, isn’t it…”

Smack.

With a perfect arc, Tesvelan swung her hand from Julia’s shoulder and slapped her hard across the face.

“Old woman, what right do you have to mention my mother? The Laguaunce family is nothing before our Wendehaiz. When your ancestors were still soldiers in Hobrik, my mother was already Queen, you idiot.”

Julia laughed, even more sinisterly.

At this point, she felt no need to respect this princess at all.

Utterly repulsive.

“Do I need to remind you that you’re no longer a princess? I call you Your Highness out of respect. If there’s only one person in the Elven Kingdom who holds true power, that’s Liv! If anyone is to shield her, it won’t be you! Tesvelan Wendehaiz, what are you now? If you’re merely the Regent’s daughter, you’re just Miss Tesvelan. But I am the Comptroller, and regardless of who my father is, you owe me the courtesy of ‘Lady.’”

Tesvelan said nothing, but a second slap landed.

Julia let go of Tesvelan’s wrist, her hand shooting out—not to slap her, but to deflect Tesvelan’s strike.

At that instant, the door gave a soft “click” and opened on its own.

“Tes, Julia-sister. I’m not sick. Come in and sit for a while, I’d like to talk with you both.”