One carriage after another stopped at the very center of Radiant Ridge Avenue, gleaming under the mingled lights.
Here stood the heights and depths of Landingset, the city built on the mountainside and embracing its fine deep-water bay.
From the avenue, one could look down and take in the magnificent cityscape of all Landingset.
Members of the council and officials from various families, gentlemen and ladies, young masters and misses—all those directly invited by the Governor’s Mansion and the Council—were permitted to have their carriages stop at the side entrance by the Golden Hall.
That way, once they alighted, no one would see them.
As for those who came by other means, or even bought their invitations, they could only enter through the main door, where they underwent inspection by the guards.
But these guests did not seem disheartened; on the contrary, they approached the guards with even more excitement, heads held high, and handed over their invitations.
“Have you seen enough, Liv? We should head in through the side entrance.”
Tesvelan smiled as she watched Livyat, who was staring out the window, completely absorbed.
“I heard that an invitation, along with the proper acquaintances’ certificates and letters of authorization, can go for 1,200 ducats on the market. Terrifying, isn’t it? Spending nearly 40,000 grosso just for an entry ticket to a prestigious occasion.”
“It’s not that little. I’ve handled this for the consulate’s ‘debutantes’ before. From start to finish, it cost 1,500 ducats.”
Tesvelan’s smile didn’t change.
Livyat shrank her neck, ceasing her sightseeing.
Tesvelan got out first, then turned back and reached her hand into the carriage for the girl inside.
Livyat grasped her skirt support with one hand, took Tesvelan’s hand with the other, and the two entered the side door one after the other, vanishing beneath the brilliant lights lining the avenue outside the Golden Hall.
They handed the letter of introduction to the butler in charge of the ladies’ gathering area.
She barely glanced at the contents before placing her right hand to her ear and saying, “Ladies, follow me. Madam Julia is resting in the refreshments area.”
Her steps were intentionally slow to allow the elegantly dressed ladies and misses in their luxurious gowns and skirt supports to keep up, but each stride was firm and powerful, her upper body perfectly steady.
Livyat even suspected she might be a retired naval officer.
They passed through corridors sparkling with crystal chandeliers, rooms displaying treasures from around the world, and finally entered a more spacious refreshment area—a place where ladies and misses gathered, sitting or standing to converse.
Livyat instantly spotted Julia, reclining in a chair and resting.
Tonight, Julia was unexpectedly wearing a dark red, high-waisted gown.
It was a different image from her official attire, yet the same overwhelming dignity radiated from her.
Her aura kept everyone at arm’s length, leaving no ladies lingering nearby.
“Julia! Big sister!”
Livyat waved to greet her while still at a distance.
Tesvelan frowned, trying to pull her hand down, but ultimately gave up.
Julia turned, and seeing Livyat in her moonlight-white formal dress, her tense face relaxed into a smile.
“So it’s Liv and Her Highness Tesvelan. There are many desserts and drinks nearby—help yourselves. But don’t drink any alcohol. Or, if you really want to try, Liv, you may have a little low-proof sparkling wine.”
Tesvelan looked over at Livyat.
“Miss Liv, let’s get some food, but you’re wearing a cinched waist—you can’t eat too much. A lady must always remain elegant, you know.”
Ugh, that last line was so strange.
Julia watched them walk toward the refreshment table, her eyes narrowed in a smile, though a trace of gravity and exhaustion lingered in her gaze.
Gazing at the dazzling selection of desserts and drinks, Livyat felt her strength return.
She reached out to grab a piece of almond candy and pop it straight into her mouth, only for her right hand to be sharply slapped.
Stunned, she realized it was Tesvelan who’d done it.
Tesvelan whispered, “Miss Liv. I just said a lady should always maintain elegance, especially since you may be taken for an elf. Allow me to demonstrate.”
Uh oh, her pale blue eyes suddenly seemed pitch-black.
“Waiter, please bring a selection of all the desserts from the refreshment table to Madam Julia’s table—extra almond candy. And three glasses of honey lemon water,” Tesvelan ordered, catching the attention of a waiting maid.
As tray after tray of desserts was placed on the table, Julia’s eyelids began to twitch uncontrollably.
But seeing Livyat’s radiant smile as she clutched her hand, she swallowed her words and changed the subject.
“That gown suits you very well, Liv.”
Tesvelan, watching Livyat struggle to swallow an almond candy that seemed stuck in her throat, laughed and interjected, “Elven things are always the finest. I told you she couldn’t wear that pale pink Flor silk dress! When Clarisse sent it over, I wanted to throw it away myself.”
“Is that so? Speaking of which, aren’t you worried about retaliation from the Kingdom of Frostweave? I just heard from the Trade Hall that, due to the influx of elven silk, Flor silk’s customs registrations have dropped by 30%.”
“My, Madam Julia, you do love to spoil the mood with dull topics whenever we’re having fun. Let’s drop this for now, shall we?”
“You elves are always so stubbornly indifferent in diplomacy.”
Julia sighed, forcing her mind to clear and not think about the headache-inducing council earlier.
She took a sip of honey lemon water.
“And you’re quite hostile toward elves yourself, Madam Julia. You seem to forget—Liv is an elf too.”
Tesvelan shifted the topic back to Livyat.
Livyat, who had just taken a big bite of mint cheesecake, became the center of conversation again, letting out a muffled, girlish whine.
“That’s what puzzles and worries me. If Liv used to dress as a boy and I never noticed—well, I suppose I am a blockhead about those around me, so maybe. But her gradual change into an elf has happened right under my nose. “
I can’t pretend not to see it any longer.
Your Highness Tesvelan, you’d better give me a reasonable explanation, and I want your explanation to match whatever, “Her Majesty the Queen says,” Julia said, now also looking at Livyat.
Huh?
How does keeping my head down and eating make me the table’s focal point?
This didn’t fit with my past life’s experience.
“To match Her Majesty’s explanation?”
Tesvelan flashed a nearly imperceptible mischievous grin.
“Very well. Livyat is indeed an elf, but after quarreling with her family, she left for Hobrick alone, thinking ‘elves aren’t so special.’ She wanted to experience more human society, and eventually, she fell in love with this place. “
“I’ve tried persuading her to return to the elven lands, but she refuses. “
“Her disguise magic always worked before, but for some reason, it’s been wearing off lately.”
They’d agreed on this story earlier that day in case Julia asked, and it seemed to fulfill the requirement of matching the Queen’s explanation.
Julia raised her brows, skeptical.
“Magic? So the Elven Kingdom truly has magic? I always thought, apart from the ancient tree’s prophecy, the rest was just legend or rumor. Looks like the Kingdom of Frostweave won’t get its way so easily after all…”
“Alright, let’s stop there. I know you like these topics, but I don’t. I’ll take Liv for a stroll nearby,” Tesvelan said, rising and pulling Livyat to her feet.
Having just swallowed a coffee-nut pastry, Livyat quickly said to Julia, “Julia, big sister, please take a break, eat something, and don’t work so hard!”
Julia’s voice called after them, “Whether you’re human or elf, Liv, you are my good subordinate, a fine colleague, and—if you don’t mind—my dear friend and little sister.”
As they wandered through the hall, Livyat beamed at Tesvelan.
“Did you hear what Julia said?”
“I heard, I heard—you’ve asked me three times.”
Tesvelan replied, face blank, surveying the dignified ladies around them.
It seemed that some of the clothing and jewelry these women wore, just like Livyat’s, had been hastily acquired on Harbor Street or pre-ordered from merchant fleets, but their purposes differed.
They meant to pierce the other women’s defenses with unexpected ensembles and accessories—and judging from the results, they were succeeding.
Thanks to her unique elven aura, none of the ladies had approached earlier.
But after a single exclamation, they became the instant center of attention.
“Oh my, the dress on the elven miss must be the legendary secret cargo from the Royal Oak—a true royal silk! So elegant!” exclaimed a well-preserved, wealthy matron.
With that, they could go no further; a circle of ladies formed around them.
A young miss, clad in extravagant finery, sneered, “Hmph. The Elven Kingdom really spares no expense for the sake of appearances. I suppose they had this shipped in just for tonight’s banquet.”
Well, she’s not wrong, Livyat thought.
The matron cut her off.
“Ah, now, Miss Annya, you shouldn’t say that. Lately, the Elven Kingdom and our Hobrick have grown close. Their attention to our events is a mark of respect and etiquette. Would you allow me, dear elven ladies, to ask your names? Your presence has truly made our gathering sparkle. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Kayla Faliero, wife of Marino Faliero.”
Tesvelan, clearly accustomed to such scenes, shielded Livyat from any hostile gazes and replied, “Honored ladies, I am Tesvelan Windheiz, daughter of Queen Larorevia Windheiz. This is my cousin and dearest friend, Livyat Green.”
Miss Annya looked shocked and then mortified.
“So you are a royal princess—please forgive my ignorance and rudeness. I apologize for my improper behavior.”
The group began to whisper about the Green family of the Elven Kingdom and wondered which of the Queen’s sisters Livyat’s mother might be.
Kayla Faliero continued, “I noticed you both seemed very familiar with Madam Julia just now. Speaking of her, Julia’s father, Domenico, is good friends with my husband. “
“Julia is so accomplished—less than thirty, and already Deputy Head of Civil Affairs and Acting General Affairs Director. I hear she’s even being promoted to General Affairs Director of Shipbuilding. Oh, the Laguaunce family is truly enviable. The Faliero juniors give me nothing but gray hairs!”
Tesvelan responded politely, “Madam Julia is indeed a respectable official. I believe, whether she serves in Civil Affairs or Shipbuilding, she will dedicate her wisdom and effort to the Hobrick Republic. As guests from the Elven Kingdom, we have only the utmost respect for our distinguished hosts. Thank you all for bringing our nations closer in friendship.”
With that, she picked up two glasses of sparkling wine from the refreshment table, handed one to Livyat, and raised hers to the ladies.
“To Her Highness the Princess and Miss Livyat!” the ladies echoed, picking up their own drinks.
Now Livyat understood what it meant to be exhausted by socializing.
She barely spoke, but just standing in a skirt support and cinched waist for twenty minutes had left her weary.
Slumping in a chair but wary of Tesvalan’s karate-chop, she did her best to keep her posture from becoming too sloppy.
“So you got cornered by Madam Kayla and the others?”
Julia, looking somewhat recovered, asked with a sardonic laugh, clearly unimpressed by Madam Kayla.
“I actually thought her talk of her husband’s friendship with your father was genuine,” Tesvelan teased.
“Marino is a staunch opponent of this budget proposal. He’s got a stake in northern trade. He’s also very dissatisfied with renewing the mercenary contracts—says the money would be better spent building the Ricardo Dandolo, so we wouldn’t need elven financial leasing.”
Julia sighed, falling back into a topic that clearly pained her.
“But Marino isn’t against closer ties with the elves. There are others who truly oppose this policy,” Julia continued.
Tesvelan busied herself nibbling on cake, silent and apparently uninterested.
To avoid an awkward silence, Livyat asked, “Who are they? Why are they doing this?”
“Their relatives are present too, so I won’t say. Besides, you can’t blame them entirely, can you, Your Highness Tesvelan?”
Julia picked up a glass of juice mixed with white wine from who knew where.
Can’t blame them entirely?
Livyat mused.
She recalled, while researching history from thousands of years ago, finally finding what seemed a reliable account in the Grand Library.
It seemed that, in this world, the past of the elves as a race was rather complicated.