As soon as the Elf Queen appeared, the atmosphere of the banquet became even livelier than before, filled with energy and joy.
The music that had previously fallen silent began once more. Elegant classical melodies gradually spread through every corner of the golden banquet hall.
In this gentle and refined setting, the nobles once again raised their glasses and chatted quietly, pleasant smiles on their faces.
They sampled all kinds of food and raised toasts celebrating the newly established friendship between the Empire and the Forest of Elves.
Within that natural environment, many elves revealed smiling faces among the colorful sea of flowers and branches, joining the joyful gathering.
These cheerful elves were no different from humans and were even skilled in using the Empire's etiquette.
Their manners were graceful and proper, and their words carried an appropriate elegance.
As if they had received special training.
The curious nobles eagerly approached them, trying to establish friendly conversations.
The elves responded kindly, warm smiles blooming on their faces.
As they chatted and laughed, some elves even began introducing the rare specialties of the Forest of Elves to the nobles.
"Oh my, your skin looks like it needs some proper care."
"You haven't been sleeping well lately? You've been feeling uncomfortable? Oh dear, may the power of nature bless you."
"Would you like to try our elven nectar? It has wonderful effects for beauty, skincare, sleep, and relaxation."
"Ah, yes, sir. This is a treasure of our elven race. It was originally not for sale during trade with your nation. But considering the relationship between His Majesty Oberli and Mr. Viktor... you understand."
These elves were like natural-born salespeople. Using their ability to sense the strength of life force, they specifically targeted nobles in poor health.
They described the fruits and nectar found everywhere in their homeland as if they were priceless treasures rarely seen in the world.
After a few rounds of such exchanges, the elves skillfully guided those wealthy nobles, keeping them thoroughly entertained.
Large amounts of gold flowed into the elves' hands like a river, while the nobles were delighted, feeling as if they had gained a huge advantage.
In truth, these nobles were not stupid.
But because of the deeply rooted image of elves being pure and flawless in their minds...
Who would suspect that elves could deceive people?
And the elves were not lying either, because those "products" truly had noticeable nourishing effects when used long-term.
As for the price...
That was because they had received professional training from the Clavenna family.
Every elf here was simply a well-trained and excellent employee of the Clavenna family.
However, amid the laughter of the elves and nobles, one person seemed far from satisfied.
"What is going on here?!"
Cocotte quietly slipped over and found Liya and Viktor sitting in a corner.
Silver drapes hung overhead, while thick tree trunks divided the golden walls into sections.
Viktor and Liya sat across from each other in luxurious golden chairs.
A long white dining table separated them, its surface covered with all kinds of food and tempting desserts.
Cocotte hurried over and suddenly slapped the table in front of Viktor with force.
The silver utensils on the table rattled from the impact.
Her face was full of confusion, and her eyes showed deep bewilderment as she shouted at Liya and Viktor, "Why is everyone saying I'm already married?!"
After Viktor had performed the hand-kissing gesture on her,
the whispers around her entered Cocotte's ears, making her eyes widen in confusion and shock.
What did that mean? What was going on?
When had she gotten married? Why didn't she know anything about it?
And when Cocotte turned her head and saw Liya secretly grinning in the corner,
a thought suddenly flashed through her mind.
She realized she seemed to have been set up by Liya.
So Cocotte decided she absolutely had to find Liya and demand an explanation face-to-face.
Yet Liya simply looked at Cocotte as though the whole thing was hilarious and said:
"Just tell me whether the result is good or not."
"Uh..."
This time, Cocotte fell silent.
One hand stroked her chin as her gaze drifted slightly and she began thinking.
Indeed, how should she put it?
Cocotte also understood that being too popular was not entirely a good thing.
She could already imagine countless nobles swarming toward her, trying to curry favor with her.
Some might even offer generous conditions in exchange for the protection and blessings of the elves.
Although Cocotte enjoyed the admiration and respect these humans showed her, it was obvious that she only enjoyed their respect.
If a crowd of people really came looking for her, she would probably have to drag Vinia over to share the attention.
And tell anyone who wanted to speak with her:
"Sorry, please discuss any matters with my elven assistant."
The goal was to appear noble and aloof.
Thinking about it, that solution didn't seem too bad.
Not bad my foot.
Vinia as her assistant?
She didn't want to get scolded to death.
And now, after learning that she was already married, especially the male nobles, they would only look at her from afar.
Very few dared approach and speak with her.
The nobles keeping an appropriate distance from her was clearly a good thing.
But there was one thing Cocotte couldn't understand.
Why would having her hand kissed make everyone think she was married?
"Because a hand-kiss is a gesture of respect from a gentleman toward a lady."
Viktor's calm voice sounded out.
His fingers lightly tapped the tablecloth as he explained:
"In the Empire, if a noble performs a hand-kiss for a lady, that lady must be married."
Cocotte: "?"
With a puzzled expression, Cocotte turned toward Liya, who nodded in agreement.
Her clear eyes contained a mix of confusion, foolishness, and shock.
Oh, so you tricked me?
Liya held her chest with both hands and wore an expression that was part sympathy and part teasing.
"Think about it carefully. If there hadn't been that hand-kiss today, would you even have had a chance to come over and chat with us?"
Cocotte froze and looked around.
Those elegantly dressed nobles, radiating noble dignity, were holding wine glasses with subtle smiles on their faces.
They seemed to be debating whether they should go greet the Elf Queen.
Following Cocotte's gaze toward the gathered nobles, Liya smiled and said:
"Although these human nobles are dirtier than anyone behind the scenes, they're flawless when it comes to surface-level etiquette."
"Even if you're the Elf Queen, as nobles, their etiquette doesn't allow them to casually strike up a conversation with a married woman."
Only if a married woman initiated the conversation would they respond warmly.
That was basic gentlemanly etiquette.
As for the hand-kiss, even if they wanted to imitate Viktor, they had to consider whether they were qualified.
Clearly, no one present dared claim they ranked above Viktor, no matter how noble their status might be.
Just as the three were chatting, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly broke the quiet.
It was as though a golden ray of light had appeared from the side and slowly approached the table.
The First Prince walked over with a smile, raising his glass in greeting.
"Count Viktor."
With a glance to the side, the First Prince was surprised to find all three members of the Clavenna family gathered there.
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over Liya and Cocotte.
Liya's expression had already become somewhat unfriendly upon seeing him.
Fortunately, the First Prince knew he had come to see Viktor, so he hurriedly said, "May I have a private word?"
Viktor turned to look at Liya.
Liya raised an eyebrow, seemingly rolled her eyes helplessly, then waved a hand at Viktor.
"Go on, go on."
"What, if you want to leave, am I going to stop you?"
You need your younger sister's permission too?
The First Prince stared at the scene in astonishment.
After receiving approval, Viktor nodded, stood up, and said to the First Prince:
"Let's go."
With that, he walked off first.
The First Prince could only look at Viktor's back and reply somewhat uncertainly:
"R-right."
Now he really couldn't figure out who the head of this family actually was.
As Viktor and the First Prince left, Cocotte immediately dropped into Viktor's seat.
She instantly remembered their unfinished topic and eagerly continued talking to Liya:
"No, we're not done yet."
"Why did it have to be the excuse that I'm married? There had to be a better solution!"
Cocotte frowned slightly and leaned forward, practically lying across the table as though she wanted to stick herself right next to Liya.
Don't let her age fool you.
She was still a pure elf who had never even been in love before.
However, Liya merely glanced at her and gave a light snort.
"Sorry."
"My family only has one man."
"Uh?"
———
The magnificent banquet hall remained lively.
But very few people visited the second floor.
The banquet had already continued late into the night, and the terrace outside the second floor was so quiet that the howling wind outside could be heard clearly.
Wrapped in her heavy formal dress, Erica felt the cold wind and pulled her furry outer garment tighter around herself.
Breathing out white mist, she climbed the steps and arrived at the terrace.
The moment she stepped onto it, she saw a man wearing a perfectly fitted suit.
His back was facing her as he looked up at the sky, as though he couldn't feel the cold at all.
In the dark sky, uniquely shaped and crystal-clear snowflakes drifted down like scenery from a dream.
Feeling a snowflake land lightly on his shoulder, Libiot listened to the approaching footsteps behind him and calmly spoke:
"Niece Erica, it's snowing today."
He slowly turned around and revealed a gentle smile.
"It seems there must be something you really want to know if you've come looking for me."
Golden light like flowing sand shimmered within his eyes.
In the wind and snow, he looked like the only guiding light from a lighthouse.
"For example, your mother's whereabouts."
"Am I right?"