My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 51: Corrupted Forest 3

"Youn—..."

"Young mis--..."

"Young miss!!"

With each attempt, the voices grew louder and more urgent, calling out to Schwi. In her slumber, she was lost in a realm of troubled dreams. Vague and disturbing images danced through her subconscious, leaving her feeling disoriented and unsettled.

Schwi suddenly awoke with a start, her eyes fluttering open. The first thing she saw was her personal maid, Lyra, who gazed down at her with a deeply concerned expression.

"Lyra?" Schwi's voice was still groggy, and she tried to push herself into a more upright position. A sharp headache surged through her head, making her wince.

"Young miss, thank the goddess you're awake," Lyra exclaimed with a mixture of relief and worry.

Schwi's brow furrowed as she tried to make sense of the situation. Her memories were fragmented, like pieces of a puzzle scattered in her mind.

"What happened?" she inquired, grasping her forehead as the headache continued to throb.

Lyra bit her lower lip, her own memory shrouded in uncertainty.

"I don't exactly know either, young miss. The moment I opened my eyes, I was already inside here and saw you sleeping with a troubled expression" She paused, attempting to recollect what might have transpired. However, every effort to remember was met with a sharp and piercing pain in her head, causing her to wince.

The moment Lyra found herself inside the gardens, remembering the events leading up to this moment was not her immediate priority. What mattered most was that Schwi had awakened from her nightmarish slumber.

Seeing her master tormented by nightmares, Lyra had done her best to rouse her, and after a few tense minutes, her efforts had finally succeeded in bringing Schwi back to consciousness.

Schwi gazed around her, taking in her surroundings as her senses slowly acclimated to the hidden gardens deep within Lucian Hall.

"What were we doing here?" Schwi questioned herself, her thoughts slowly clearing. She attempted to recollect the events that had led them to this serene spot, but the intensity of the headache made it an arduous task. Every attempt to remember was met with a sharp, searing pain in her head, causing her to wince and clutch her temples.

The frustration of not being able to piece together the missing memories only added to her unease. She was acutely aware that something significant must have occurred to bring her to this place, but the details remained frustratingly out of reach, hidden behind the curtain of her throbbing headache.

…..

As Elowen continued to guide me deeper into the elven city, I couldn't help but feel the weight of countless intense gazes from the elves who surrounded us. The moment I entered their streets, it was as if I had become the center of attention.

Many of the elves didn't even bother to avert their eyes, openly and unabashedly staring at me. It was clear that my presence here was far from ordinary, and I couldn't help but wonder if they had ever seen a human in their midst before.

As I walked through the bustling streets, the feeling of being on display weighed on me. I was acutely aware of the scrutiny I was under, and it felt somewhat akin to what I imagined the animals in a zoo might experience.

Their curious eyes followed my every move, analyzing me as if I were an exotic creature in an alien habitat.

Despite their unrelenting stares, the elven city was a spectacle in itself. The architecture was a harmonious blend of nature and artistry, with treehouses reaching high into the forest canopy, and small houses suspended among the branches.

The streets were lined with vibrant flora, and crystal-clear rivers meandered through the city, teeming with colorful aquatic life. The entire scene was breathtaking, a testament to the elven people's deep connection with nature.

The thought that this breathtaking place might soon be reduced to ashes and ruins weighed heavily on my mind. It was difficult to fathom that such a magnificent world, teeming with life and artistry, could face the looming threat of destruction. The contrast between its current splendor and the impending catastrophe was stark.

"We have arrived" Elowen announced with a serene grace that seemed to be an inherent part of her being. Her words drew my attention, and I suddenly realized that we were standing before the colossal gates of the magnificent castle nestled beneath the colossal tree that served as the centerpiece of the elven city.

My surroundings had captured my focus to such an extent that I had completely lost track of our journey and failed to recognize our arrival at this breathtaking destination.

Elowen turned her attention to the guards who had accompanied us, her voice filled with gratitude and kindness. "Alma, and everyone else, thank you for your hard work. You may go now."

The elf guards, including Alma, swiftly and respectfully acknowledged their princess's words. With a show of deference, they made their leave, disappearing into the ethereal beauty of the elven city. Alma cast one last, slightly annoyed look in my direction before departing, his duties completed for the time being.

As Elowen and I approached the colossal gates of the castle, they swung open effortlessly, as if moved by an unseen, elven magic.

The guards stationed on either side of the entrance were ready for their princess, and as she drew near, they all bowed their heads in profound reverence. Unlike the curious and unashamed stares we had received from the elven citizens outside, these guards didn't even allow their gazes to wander in my direction.

Their focus was entirely on their princess, and they remained in their bowed positions until Elowen had safely passed by. Their dedication was awe-inspiring and spoke volumes of their commitment to their people and their royalty.

With the gates wide open, the view of the castle's architecture was breathtaking from up close. The design was a harmonious blend of natural elements and elven craftsmanship, showcasing an aesthetic that seemed almost otherworldly.

The city's architecture bore witness to the extraordinary talents and creativity of the elven people, leaving me with a profound sense of wonder and appreciation for their culture and the wonders they had built.

"If you don't mind, can I call you Adrian?" Elowen inquired as we strolled through the majestic halls of the castle. The interior was just as captivating as the exterior, with its intricate design and melding of nature and architecture.

"Of course, you can. I don't mind," I responded with casual ease. The idea of her using my given name felt natural and unassuming, given the circumstances.

Elowen then made a suggestion, her voice laced with a touch of playfulness.

"Then you can also call me Elowyn."

"Uhmm that would be a bit too much, your highness" I replied with a hint of hesitation.

"Calling a princess like you without any honorifics is a bit... I may be a high-ranking noble in human societies, but in front of royalty, I'm just a normal person"

Not to mention the amount of trouble I would get inside this place—I would probably get a death sentence the moment I spoke to her casually.

"Hmm..."

Elowen's response was subtle, but I couldn't help but wonder if there was a tinge of disappointment in her expression. The brief pout on her cheeks made me question whether she had hoped for a more casual and familiar interaction, despite the difference in our stations.

I initiated a telepathic connection with Meralda.

"Can she see you?" I inquired.

Meralda's response was swift. "No, I don't think so, Master. While the high elves of the past did possess a high level of spiritual resonance, I can't detect any such energy emanating from her."

This observation made sense, as the princess had not acknowledged Meralda's presence, nor did she react to the spirit's proximity.

I pressed further. "What about the queen?"

"Although she cannot see me, she will likely sense my presence"

"Among all the elves in this forest, the queen is the one who has inherited the most traits from her high elven ancestors. She possesses a heightened sensitivity to spiritual and mystical forces"

The realization that the queen might sense Meralda's presence was a cause for concern. I couldn't afford for the elven queen to confirm Meralda's existence just yet.

While I was uncertain about how much the queen had witnessed during our battle, I did recall releasing a significant amount of aura during that intense clash.

The energy I had unleashed was potent enough to damage or corrupt the surrounding plant life. In the aftermath, very little remained undisturbed, which should have been sufficient to deter any probing eyes.

My plan was to use Meralda as a bargaining chip in exchange for the Queen's assistance, should things take a turn for the worse. While I wasn't certain about the extent of the relationship between the Queen and Meralda, I was convinced that the Queen would be willing to offer something valuable to secure Meralda's freedom, given the danger I posed to her.

Even if I were to release Meralda from my direct control, our souls were eternally bound. This unbreakable connection meant that Meralda could never truly leave me, sealed by the pact we had made when she accepted got my kiss.

While I had confidence in my ability to confront Kaksan, his ever-evolving adaptability made him a formidable adversary to handle alone. To ensure a successful outcome, I needed a precise and clean strike against this beast, and the elves presented the perfect bait for that purpose. This threat wasn't solely mine to bear; it also posed a significant danger to the elven people.

I gave Meralda a clear command. "Meralda, go outside and use your senses to try and find Kaksan."

She inquired, "Yes? What about meeting the elf queen?"

I reassured her, "I can handle that meeting alone."

Meralda may have been slightly confused, as she likely believed that she could negotiate with the elf queen and persuade her to assist us. While that approach could have worked, it also carried its own set of complications.

For now, it was best to conceal Meralda's existence, especially given the urgency of the situation. Although she initially had doubts about Kaksan being unleashed from his seal too early, her trust in me was evident as she left to carry out her task.

The elves making contact with us might have slowly convinced her of the gravity of the situation.

It took some time but now we were Infront of a gigantic door, the other side of this door must be the throne room.

"Adrian, a bit of a warning – my mother is a bit eccentric and holds certain prejudices against humans, so... please be cautious with your words. I hope you understand" Elowyn expressed her concern, her voice laced with worry.

"Sure" I replied, understanding the gravity of the situation. It seemed that the character of the Elf Queen was consistent with what I had read in the novels.

This was bound to be an annoyance. I still recalled the passages in which the queen stubbornly refused Tristan's help and even attempted to claim credit for the subjugation of Kaksan, a battle that had resulted in the loss of many student lives. She had audaciously proclaimed that it was the elves who had brought victory. While the Elf Queen was known for her benevolence and kindness toward her people, she presented a different face to humans – one marred by racism and prejudice.

As the grand doors slowly creaked open, the opulent scene of the throne room revealed itself. Every pillar was adorned with intricate patterns of shimmering gold and silver, drawing the eye towards the magnificent throne placed in the center.

Seated regally on the throne was a resplendent platinum-blonde Elf – a vision of ethereal allure and undeniable sensuality. Her beauty rivaled that of the goddess of this world, making her an embodiment of divine perfection.

She was adorned in the traditional, flowing attire of her people, a pristine white gown that gracefully clung to her every curve. The fabric seemed tailor-made to accentuate her figure, revealing the supple contours of her body with an undeniable allure.

Her platinum-blonde hair cascaded like liquid silk down to her waist, glistening under the gentle caress of the ambient light. It framed her face like a radiant halo, emphasizing her striking emerald-green eyes that held the promise of endless enchantment. Those eyes, pools of entrancing depth, seemed to pierce through the very soul of anyone who dared to meet her gaze.

But what truly caught the attention was her ample bosom, defying restraint with an air of sultry confidence. The dress contoured to her generous curves, and her voluptuous breasts, like twin works of art, pressed against the fabric as if eager to break free. This Elf exuded an irresistible magnetism, a symphony of sensuality that drew all eyes to her, an embodiment of the undeniable allure of her elven charm.

Her appearance was exactly as described in the novels, but something about it felt more sensual than I remembered?

I cast a sidelong glance at Elowyn, who appeared just as surprised, her eyes wide in shock. Had she not expected her mother to be dressed in such an alluring manner?

The Elf Queen, her radiant presence filling the room, extended a gracious welcome to me.

"Welcome, Adrian Vulter Tellus. I hope my daughter guided you properly throughout your journey here. My name is Elaniel Elaris, the current queen of Faerielight" she introduced herself with a warm yet seductive smile.

??? question marks popped up in my head.

'Shouldn't I be the one who's supposed to introduce himself first?'