Free Web NovelChapter 425: Chapter 41: Really Thinks She’s the Main Palace?
With a single sentence, Reiya shut down everyone who had been involved with Westheid, leaving them utterly mortified.
However, Ailorus was the only "innocent" one present, so she could stare back, refusing to show any weakness.
"West is my fiancé!"
Reiya nodded and said nonchalantly,
"Mm, and?"
"That... That means..."
Ailorus’s eyes widened in astonishment as she stared at the Silver-haired Princess’s exquisitely beautiful face.
’How can you be so brazen?! Even if you were here first, don’t you understand the meaning of an official title?!’
Unfortunately, she didn’t understand Reiya’s views on marriage. To the latter, a so-called "official title" was a complete joke, not worth a moment’s thought or concern.
In fact, in the Dragon Girl’s eyes, the Elf Lolita who was bound to him by the title of a political marriage was a far cry from a certain Beast-eared Maiden.
At least she acknowledged the purity of the latter’s feelings for Westheid; she was acceptable as a friend, or perhaps a pet.
Reiya took Westheid’s arm and said, "There’s nothing to talk about. It’s just an engagement. Nothing more."
Ailorus gave Reiya a meaningful look and puffed out her cheeks. But instead of throwing a tantrum like a little girl, she took a deep breath and resumed her dignified and elegant posture.
She also took one of Westheid’s large hands and said with a smile,
"Yes, it’s just an engagement. However, all of you have come from afar, and while your purpose is to quell the turmoil in the Royal Court, before that, I, as the Wind Law Queen, sincerely invite you to attend our engagement ceremony."
"Of course, I also hope you will give us your blessings at the official wedding, which will be held in conjunction with the victory banquet afterward!"
"For now, please allow me to fulfill my duties as a host."
With that, Ailorus pulled on Westheid’s hand and began to walk away. Her steps were so determined that Westheid was pulled from Reiya’s grasp.
The Wind Law Queen led the group on a tour of the Central Royal Court, enthusiastically and appropriately introducing its many locations and facilities, as well as its long and storied historical tales.
Afterwards, she brought them to the palace and held a welcome banquet for the reinforcements.
Throughout this process, Ailorus and Westheid were practically inseparable. At one point, she even feigned exhaustion and asked her fiancé to carry her, thereby monopolizing Westheid’s arms. Even when the White-haired Dragon Lady and the Wolf-eared Maiden tried to get close, they had no opportunity, as Ailorus would immediately deflect them with impeccably polite pleasantries.
By now, even someone as direct as Mivana realized that Ailorus was not being very friendly toward them. She was like a little girl clinging tightly to her toy, refusing to let anyone else touch it.
It wasn’t until the banquet ended that Ailorus hopped down from Westheid’s arms. She patted her skirt and looked up at Reiya and Mivana, saying,
"Well... West has been away from you two for a long time. This time..."
Then, Ailorus waved her hand dismissively. After Westheid crouched down, she mustered her courage and gave the man a quick kiss on the cheek. The Elf Lolita’s pretty, innocent face immediately flushed crimson.
"Th-That’s all! See you tomorrow!"
After taking such a bold initiative for the first time, Ailorus patted her cheeks and left with her attendants.
However, what the Wind Law Queen considered a very bold move was simply baffling to others.
"Pathetic."
Reiya’s delicate brows knitted as she gave her sharp critique.
"Does she see herself as the main wife now? Is she trying to show off her status?"
Mivana nodded. "Looks that way. Like she’s marking her territory. But... she doesn’t even carry West’s scent on her. What right does she have to act like that?"
"West, what do you think?"
"Er..."
Duke Qinghui was in a bind. At times like these, his usual calm and composed demeanor completely vanished.
Through these tit-for-tat harem confrontations, Westheid had learned one guiding principle: go with the flow.
He understood that when caught in a Chaotic Scene, he had to be extremely cautious with his attitude and actions. This was especially true when it involved the top contenders; he couldn’t afford to offend any of them.
So, shutting up was the best policy. Otherwise, things would only get worse. Westheid couldn’t even try to draw the conflict onto himself and take the fall. What could he do? He could only try to smooth things over.
"Ahem, Ailorus... she is a bit possessive, after all. Or perhaps, there are some misunderstandings."
Westheid said, choosing his words with care,
"Let’s try to be patient with her. Maybe things will get better once we’re more familiar with each other."
"I don’t think she can become like Mivana, but it doesn’t matter."
Reiya said coolly, "As long as she’s useful to West, this level of laughable impudence... doesn’t affect me in the slightest."
The Silver-haired Princess had disliked Mivana at first, too. It took a long time of getting to know each other before she accepted the Wolf-eared Maiden, to the point where she would even team up with the Lady Knight to put the squeeze on Westheid—which was quite an incredible development. Even if Reiya never said it out loud, she must have grown fond of Mivana; otherwise, she would never have shared her lover.
But this also proved just how high her standards were. If even people like Yolanda and Mephit couldn’t earn her approval, the current Ailorus stood no chance.
Westheid just said, "We need Ailorus. She possesses the legitimacy of the King of Wind Law and holds the secrets to the[Ten Thousand Wind Melodies]. When dealing with the Tuner Group, her ability to deliver the decisive blow is what’s most crucial."
Reiya showed her understanding. "Yes, which is why I’m tolerating her comical behavior instead of mocking her for it."
The three returned to Westheid’s bedchambers in the Royal Court. Needless to say, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and that night, the fiend who had been running rampant through the Central Royal Court finally faced a just reckoning.
The White-haired Dragon Lady and the Wolf-eared Maiden each had their own outstanding talents, their own unique finishing moves. Their spirit and stamina were simply breathtaking! They never failed to bring Westheid a full measure of surprise!
Of course, with Westheid’s current Tier and stamina, not to mention his mastery of the art of attrition warfare, he was a far cry from his old self. It could hardly be called "taking a beating" anymore; even when facing two goddesses of war at once, he could just about hold his own.
And so, after the diligent Duke Qinghui had sated the two women with a prodigious amount of attention, he had to go and appease Ailorus, arriving at the court of the King of Wind Law close to noon.
He wasn’t just there to curry favor with the Elf Lolita. More importantly, he needed to help Ailorus master the[Ten Thousand Wind Melodies]. Since the Little Queen had said that being with him accelerated her control over the Melody, he had no choice but to act as her training partner.
Westheid hoped Ailorus could master the[Ten Thousand Wind Melodies]as soon as possible and become the Wind Law Queen in truth, not just in name.
This was the best possible time. The Grand Law Officer was occupied at the borders, dealing with a counterattack from the Demons. Westheid’s previous battles and slaughters had earned his trust, granting Westheid a crucial window of opportunity.
But once Eilvette came to his senses and realized Westheid’s subterfuge within the Royal Court, that fragile trust would instantly shatter. Facing a fully prepared Grand Law Officer who held top-level authority over the Grand Ensemble would not be so simple.
The worst-case scenario would likely be a brutal civil war, something Westheid could not tolerate.
The Elf Lolita, strolling through the garden in a light, casual top and short skirt, had her hands behind her back. She smiled gently and sweetly at Westheid.
"Brother West, was last night pleasant?"
’Hm? What kind of question is that? She’s up to no good!’
"Same as always."
Duke Qinghui’s answer was flawless, causing Ailorus’s brow to furrow.
She recalled the stunningly beautiful Silver-haired Princess, then looked herself over. Pursing her lips, she asked with a hint of dejection,
"Do I really have no Charm?"
To those with... particular tastes, she was probably a goddess. But Westheid’s own tastes were perfectly healthy and normal. Faced with Ailorus’s soul-searching question, Duke Qinghui couldn’t speak against his conscience, so he could only offer a roundabout reply:
"You have a promising future!"
