They stepped into the castle afterward, and the sheer width of the hall made Azel slow his steps.

Wide marble floors stretched in every direction, framed by elegant winding staircases that spiraled upward like branching vines.

Elven maids moved gracefully along the steps, their robes shimmering as though woven with light. Even the air was different here carrying the soft scent of glowing flowers that lined the pillars.

'It seems no matter where I go… maids will still exist.' Azel thought with a shake of his head. He had encountered maids in every region he'd visited, and apparently the elves had their own version too.

But unlike human maids, these ones moved with such precision and grace that he almost felt out of place simply walking.

There were butlers too, though they didn't wear the usual suits humans wore.

Instead, all of them were dressed in deep green robes embroidered with silver leaves, giving them an almost ceremonial appearance.

Gwendolyn floated beside him, drifting like a bored ghost admiring the interior decor.

She leaned forward, squinting at a mural on the wall.

"This castle is too clean," she muttered to herself. "No dungeon torches, no gladiator pits… tastes have changed in the last few centuries."

Azel ignored her, already used to her strange commentary.

Immediately as he entered, still hand-in-hand with Sylvia, a group of five maids suddenly rushed toward them.

They bowed in perfect synchronization… so deeply that they nearly folded in half, their long hair falling forward like curtains.

"Welcome back, Lady Sylvia…" they said, their voices unified.

And then they immediately surrounded her like a protective formation, making it seem as though they intended to split Azel and Sylvia apart. But Sylvia raised her hand gracefully.

"Greet my man as well."

The maids stiffened, then bowed again… this time to Azel.

"Welcome, honored guest."

Azel nodded back awkwardly. "Uh… thank you."

The moment Sylvia lowered her hand, the maids dispersed with the same exactness they had appeared.

Sylvia turned toward Azel with an apologetic expression, her eyes softened as well.

"I apologize," she said gently. "The Elf King passed a law about showing proper respect to humans. But some elves are still uncomfortable with the idea. They won't directly discriminate against you, of course… especially the Elf Trial candidates. We would lose our eligibility if we showed racial bias." She adjusted a strand of hair behind her ear. "That is exactly what happened to Alvinus…"

"Alvinus was meant to participate?" Azel asked. Alvinus was currently in Lepruen teaching Lillia magic. It was strange to imagine him here.

"Yes," Sylvia replied. "He was revoked of that right because of his crimes. Not only did he practice extensive racism, but also…" she looked at him firmly "...he raped a human woman. I am certain that bastard is rotting somewhere as we speak. He deserves it."

Azel blinked.

'Eh? Alvinus was a racist, yes… but rape?' It didn't match the Alvinus he'd interacted with.

And Nyala had already told him the truth… Alvinus had been framed.

'Was someone watching him? Or forcing a confession?'

"I met Alvinus a while back," Azel said. "He said he wasn't guilty."

Sylvia flinched… it was so light that most wouldn't notice but she kept her expression calm.

She then inhaled slowly, and a document materialized in her hand. She unfolded it and showed it to him.

On it was Alvinus's full list of crimes, the official seals, and the notice of his dismissal from the Trials.

"Three of the Empire's greatest Truthseekers interrogated him," Sylvia said softly. "And their readings confirmed guilt. I don't know what lies Alvinus fed you, darling… but do not believe anything uttered from his vile mouth."

She closed the document and let it vanish. Then her expression softened again becoming warm and affectionate.

"Now, darling," she said sweetly, "should I give you a tour of the castle? Or shall we go to my room and freshen up?"

Azel blinked, caught by surprise. "Shouldn't I get my own guest room or something? I would hate to intrude on your privacy."

He clicked his tongue afterward. He was starting to speak more formally. Sylvia was rubbing off on him.

Sylvia immediately pouted, her eyes glowing with hurt. "If you don't want to be with me… or you're not attracted to me… just say so."

'Damn it.' Azel sighed. "I am… fine, let's go."

Her entire face brightened with a radiant smile… it was far too bright and perfect.

She took his hand again and led him forward, her steps light, graceful, almost floating.

Gwendolyn chuckled as she drifted behind them. "She's acting very sweet. Therefore she is one hundred percent planning something."

Azel pretended not to hear.

They ascended one of the winding staircases.

The steps were made of pale green stone, glowing beneath their feet. But just as they reached the top of the second flight, an elven woman stepped in their path.

She had silver-blond hair that fell straight to her waist, bright blue eyes, and long, slender ears.

Her body was petite, graceful, almost delicate and completely flat on both sides.

"And the runaway princess returns…" she said sharply. "Are you done spending all your time with human—"

Her eyes landed on Azel and her voice died instantly then she trembled.

'There are truly humans as handsome as this?'

Her gaze dragged up and down Azel's appearance, lingering long enough to make even Gwendolyn raise a brow.

Up until a hundred or so years ago, elves and humans had been at war. The treaty happened only because the Elf King grew tired of endless conflict.

So many elves had never seen a human in person… only in war documents, propaganda scrolls, or biased historical paintings.

They assumed humans were crude, ugly, and lesser too.

And now she was staring at Azel.

Beside her was another elf… presumably her lover whom she had been walking hand-in-hand with.

She looked at him, compared him to Azel, and her confidence visibly shattered.

Her lover looked horrified.

Sylvia narrowed her eyes slightly. "What happened, Elvira? You were about to say something, were you not?"

Elvira looked at Azel again… longer this time and swallowed hard.

"Would you…" she said slowly, "like to trade lovers?"

She lifted her lover's hand as though presenting a defective item.

"This one's not good."

Her lover squeaked in offense.

Azel coughed awkwardly while Gwendolyn burst into laughter.

Sylvia simply shook her head and began walking again, pulling Azel with her.

"Love cannot be chosen so randomly, Elvira," Sylvia said. "You simply do not understand what the concept of a lover means."

Her tone was elegant and Azel liked her words too.

She walked past Elvira without sparing her another glance.

But internally…

'But then again… neither do I.' she thought.

…

They reached the door of Sylvia's room and it was a large one, shaped with curved wooden patterns that almost looked alive.

She pressed her hand on the handle and a soft green aura spread across the door like ripples on water.

Locks clicked… one after another until finally the door opened inward with a gentle hum.

Azel stepped inside with her, and the door shut behind them. He looked back, only to see all the locks re-engaging in reverse, sealing them in securely.

Sylvia's room was nothing like Mynes's room or any modest bedroom a normal elf might keep.

It looked like a chamber designed for a maiden raised as nobility. A heavy pink carpet, silky curtains, polished floors, and portraits hung around the room.

One portrait showed a very young Sylvia beside the Elf King. The strange part was that the Elf King's face looked exactly the same… completely cold and like a statue.

'That's… creepy,' Azel thought while examining it.

"So… what's all this for?" he asked as another lock slid into place.

Sylvia turned toward him, her hair bouncing lightly as she removed a small decorative pin.

"It's my protection system. Nobody except the Elf King can enter this room once I activate the locks." She said it casually, but her eyes glowed. "This is the Elf Trials, darling. You'd be surprised how far people will go for the title."

Azel sat on her bed. It was extremely soft and it dipped under his weight.

Sylvia walked toward her mirror and untied the bands holding her hair up. Her long blond hair fell down her back like a waterfall of moonlight.

"So why do you want to become the Elf King anyway?" he asked. "Is it compulsory?"

Sylvia paused as if she had been waiting for that question.

"When I was born… I was related to the Elf King's distant relative," she began, looking at her own reflection. "But I didn't inherit anything royal from that lineage. I had no divine affinity, no tri-tone eyes, no royal mana. Still, His Majesty took me in. It adopted me, sheltered me, raised me as its daughter."

Outwardly her voice was soft and affectionate, but deep inside she felt none of that warmth.

'Do I truly owe the Elf King kindness? Not really… but Azel does not need to know that.'

"The Elf King," she continued sweetly, "may appear emotionless, but it truly wants peace for the elves. It wants unity and prosperity. It wants to guide the race into a stable era."

She clasped her hands together as though cherishing a memory. "So if you ask for my goal… I want to bridge the gap between elves and humans. I want to end the racism that divides us. I want to protect Yggdrasill. I want to be a leader that governs with wisdom rather than fear. I want to prove that a ruler doesn't need royal blood to be worthy."

Inside, her thoughts were much different.

'No, my true goal is ending dependence. I will become King so no elf can control my fate. I will erase the old laws binding us to tradition. I will make every noble bow to me. And Azel… Azel will be my perfect shield.'

Azel watched her with admiration.

"You're really cute, you know," he said gently. "Don't worry. I'll support you. I'll help you reach that dream."

Sylvia's heart fluttered adorably on the outside. Her ears reddened and she shyly covered her face with her hand.

"Cute?" she repeated as if flustered. "I'm going to be King, darling… you shouldn't say things like that out loud."

She walked toward him slowly, then leaned down and playfully hit his head. The gesture looked teasing and affectionate, making Azel smile even more.

Then Sylvia pushed him back onto the bed, straddling his waist. Their faces were inches apart and her breath brushed across his lips.

"I know I forced you into this," Sylvia whispered softly, her fingers trailing along his chest. "I know I've dragged you into a situation you didn't plan for. And I know you're busy… you have your own important tasks to deal with."

She lowered herself closer. "But please bear with me, my darling. Once this is over… we will be together properly. And I'll do everything you ask of me."

As usual, her thoughts were very different.

'I only need him obedient for the duration of the trials. Once I win… we'll see what happens. If he continues being useful, I'll keep him close. If not… well, a King decides which pieces remain on the board.'

She placed both hands on his chest and leaned down, finally pressing her lips against his. Her kiss was inexperienced at first… and a little sloppy. But she adjusted quickly and soon deepened the kiss, letting her tongue brush against his.

'Good… he needs to feel cherished. He must believe I value him completely.' she thought as their tongues intertwined.

Azel wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer, and Sylvia felt the warmth of his body.

She made a soft noise in her throat and let her breasts press against him, using every part of the moment to strengthen her hold over him.

Finally she pulled back, a thin strand of saliva stretching between their lips before snapping.

Her eyes were dazed, her cheeks were red and her breathing was uneven. She looked every bit like a woman in love.

"No fair!" Gwendolyn yelled from the corner. "You're making out with an elf princess and you still call me a whore!?"

Sylvia ignored her completely.

She adjusted herself on his lap, sitting comfortably while staring into his eyes.

Then, with a blush she made sure looked genuine, she reached to her shoulder and pulled the top of her gown down, revealing a soft lace bra that hugged her chest tightly.

"Would you like to take a bath together…?" she asked, her voice trembling sweetly. "There's only one bath. And we have a meeting soon. So shall we?"

Azel took her hand gently, smiling.

"We shall…"

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