Everyone in the meeting room went silent at Elaria's words.

Alex stared at her, genuinely surprised. "Your mother? What the hell happened to her?"

Elaria opened her mouth. "A week ago, she was kidna—"

Before she could finish, Thalion shot up from his chair. "Elaria, that's enough," he shouted. "That is not something to be shared here. And don't worry—I will not let anything happen to her. I promise."

"You've been saying that for days," Elaria snapped, tears gathering in her eyes. "But I can't wait anymore."

Damon leaned back in his seat, eyes narrowing. "So it wasn't just a rumor," he said loudly. "It's true, then."

Thalion's jaw tightened. He could feel every gaze in the room turn toward him, the weight of their scrutiny digging into his pride.

Alex frowned. "Someone want to explain? What the hell is going on?"

Sylphoria looked at him. "For the past three days, there have been rumors that the Elven Queen was kidnapped."

Alex's mouth fell open slightly. He turned back to Elaria. "Is that true?"

Elaria nodded, lips trembling.

Alex looked to Thalion. "How did this happen?"

Thalion exhaled heavily and slowly lowered himself back into his chair, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. "A week ago," he began, "the capital of Moonshade was attacked."

He paused. "At that time, I was not present."

"The force that attacked the palace wasn't large," he continued, "but they were strong. Strong enough to break through our strongest defenses."

The room fell completely silent.

"From what we've investigated," Thalion went on, "they had two clear objectives to risk something so bold. Their primary target was Elaria. But my wife, Aeliana, was captured while protecting her."

Elaria's eyes fell to the floor, guilt and pain twisting in her chest.

A few moments of silence passed before Alex asked, "What about their second target?"

Thalion met his gaze. "The royal treasury. Or… something inside it that they wanted."

"But fortunately," he added, "they weren't able to infiltrate it."

"So what did they demand in return?" Alex asked. "Something ridiculous, I assume."

Thalion's expression darkened further. "Yes."

He took a deep breath. "In return for Aeliana's life… I, and all the elves under me—my entire race—must submit to them."

Everyone's expression hardened.

"And that's not the most ridiculous part," Thalion said, voice turning bitter. "The most enraging thing is that they demand I make every single one of us sign a mana contract. A contract that is nothing less than enslavement."

He looked down at his hands. "As a husband, I want to do anything I can to save my wife. But as a king, I must protect all my people. I cannot allow my personal feelings to doom an entire race."

"So you're just going to let her die?!" Elaria screamed.

Thalion didn't answer.

"Unbelievable," she said, tears spilling over. "I'm disappointed in you, Father. At least say something."

"I've already told you multiple times, Elaria," Thalion replied, voice low and tired. "We are searching for her day and night. But her whereabouts remain unknown."

He closed his eyes briefly. "Moreover… they gave me ten days to make my decision."

He opened them again, staring at the table.

"And only seven days are left."

Damon leaned forward, eyes serious. "You're not alone in this," he said to Thalion. "We're all here with you. I'll deploy my best soldiers to see if they can find anything."

One by one, the other rulers agreed.

"We'll help as well."

"I'll send my finest scouts."

"Our intelligence division will look into it."

"We'll deploy our best units to search."

The atmosphere shifted—not just tension now, but a fragile thread of unity.

Suddenly, Elaria dropped to both knees right in front of Alex.

"Please help me," she said, voice shaking. "Because of me… my mother cannot die."

Alex looked down at her, then sighed quietly. "If even your best soldiers couldn't find her," he said, "what makes you think I can find her and save her?"

Elaria lifted her head, amber eyes burning. "I have never seen you fail. And don't ask me why, but… I believe in you more than I believe in most of the people sitting in this room. So please… help me."

Alex glanced over his shoulder.

Alicia folded her arms. "Don't look at me. You're the king."

Evelyn added, "We'll follow whatever you decide."

Alex turned back to Thalion. "Tell me—what race did those attackers belong to?"

Thalion answered, "Some of them were humans. The rest… were forces we're already fighting. Dark elves."

Alex ruffled his own hair, frustration and resignation mixing. "Alright. Damn it."

He looked at Elaria. "Stand up."

Elaria slowly rose to her feet.

"Good," Alex said. "Now repeat after me."

Elaria blinked. "…What?"

Alex smiled faintly. "Say: 'I acknowledge Alex Dragonheart as being superior to me in both looks and talent, and that I will not be able to match him even if centuries pass.' Say it."

Elaria's mouth twitched violently.

Around the table, several rulers just stared at Alex in disbelief.

But after a long, painful moment, Elaria clenched her teeth and forced the words out.

"I… acknowledge Alex Dragonheart as being superior to me in looks and talent… and that… I will not be able to match him even if centuries pass."

Elaria glared at him. "Now, are you satisfied?"

Alex smiled. "Satisfied? Why would I be happy?"

He then grinned. "But that's the spirit, Your Elviness. It's just the obvious truth—now that you've finally come to understand it, too."

Elaria clenched her fist, clearly holding herself back from punching the smug face in front of her.

He leaned back in his chair. "Now, for my final question—just tell me one thing."

Elaria exhaled. "What is it?"

"Just out of curiosity," Alex said, eyes glinting slightly, "how old is your mother? She must be beautiful, right?"

The hall went quiet for a beat.

Several people felt a sudden, completely different kind of headache coming on.

----

A/N:

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