’What could Westheid say? He couldn’t just admit he was here to usurp their position, could he?’
"Of course. But I must admit, it’s rather disheartening to co to the Royal Court with the best of intentions, only to be t with such suspicion from the Grand Law Officer."
Ailorus pouted. "It is a bit much... I don’t like Lord Eilvette either. He’s always trying to control this and that. Let’s just wait until this whole period is over."
’She’s being a little too honest. Is she really that simple, or is it all an act?’
’But from the looks of it, Ailorus isn’t exactly satisfied with this ’Loyal Minister,’ is she? Is she just letting him draw all the fire while she centralizes her power, only to kick him to the curb and reap the rewards when the ti is right?’
’A classic Emperor’s Technique? Westheid didn’t usually jump to conspiracies, but given the nature of the Royal Court Elves, scheming, plotting, and calculating every possible exchange of benefits was just how they operated.’
For a mber of the Elf Royal Family, age and appearance were no indication of what was truly in their heart.
’If the Wind Law Queen herself is unhappy with the Grand Law Officer, then there’s room for to maneuver.’
"All right, I’ve answered your question. And I’ve never told anyone else that, you know. Now it’s my turn to ask."
While Westheid was still lost in thought, the Wind Law Queen stood up and waved a hand in front of his face.
"May I?"
Duke Qinghui nodded. "Yes, please ask."
Ailorus had been remarkably candid. Even if this was just an exchange of information, Westheid owed her a proper response.
’First, I need to figure out what this Elf Lolita actually likes. Only then can I tailor my approach.’
However, the Wind Law Queen’s first question left Westheid a little baffled.
"Why did you beco a Hero?"
"A Hero?"
"I don’t an the Tier. I an in character."
The Elf Queen toyed with a golden braid resting against her cheek and spoke softly.
"Think about it. Your accomplishnts certainly served to build your legacy, but when you look closely, so much of it was unnecessary. If you only cared about power and profit, you wouldn’t have needed to give speeches or launch expeditions. If it was all an act, you went a little overboard."
"So, I’m very curious. Did you launch this expedition for a noble purpose?"
’It sounds like the Wind Law Queen is quite taken with my ’Hero’ persona. Should I play along and admit it? Or should I stick to my usual strategy of trading sincerity for sincerity and just be direct?’
Ailorus lifted a small piece of cake on her fork and held it to Westheid’s lips.
"Is it for a reason you’d rather not say? If it’s too difficult for you, you don’t have to answer."
Lost in thought, Westheid unconsciously accepted the Elf Lolita’s offering, swallowing the small cake in one bite. The action made Ailorus freeze, as if she hadn’t expected him to actually eat it.
Instantly, Ailorus bit her lower lip and cupped her cheeks. A distinct blush appeared on her exquisitely beautiful face for the first ti. Her long lashes fluttered, hiding the pleasant surprise in her sacred cyan eyes.
’Wait, what’s she so excited about?’
Westheid took it all in, a thoughtful look on his face. He then answered Ailorus’s question tentatively, shaking his head.
"No... It’s not so shaful secret. I am not a selfless, noble, or flawless person. I never have been. If you believe I go about saving and redeeming people out of pure, unadulterated righteousness, then you’ve truly misunderstood ."
Ailorus nodded. "Almost no one in this world adheres to absolute morality. Even if they did, they could never achieve what you have. I’m aware of that much. I’m not so arrogant as to demand that others’ words and deeds be completely free of selfish motives."
"When it cos down to it... I just want to accomplish great things and wield the greatest power."
In the end, Westheid chose to speak a version of the truth. His deep, indigo eyes t the Elf Lolita’s sacred cyan ones as he stated with conviction:
"I want everyone to love , respect , and worship . I want them to raise up on high. In return, I will naturally bestow my favor upon them all—protecting them, leading them, and commanding them!"
"That is my purpose. It stems not from pity or altruism, but from ambition and ideals! I shall shelter all beings who sing my na!"
It was, without a doubt, a bold declaration—the sa one Westheid had made to phit. Back then, however, he knew perfectly well that it was exactly what the Knightess wanted to hear.
But whether another person would interpret his words as "outrageously audacious" or "deluded enough to compare himself to the Divine Ancestor" was anyone’s guess.
Fortunately, Westheid had guessed right. After listening intently to his declaration, Ailorus gently bit her lower lip and cupped her flushed, delicate face. After a long mont, she spoke, her voice filled with rapture.
"Aaaah... Westheid, do you know what those words remind of?"
"Hm? What is that?"
"A Great Love! The kind of Great Love that only the Divine Ancestor could possess! I can’t stand it! I must play a song!"
"Faticia, please bring my harp."
Ailorus instructed her confidant beside her.
A mont later, the Wind Law Queen cradled an exquisite harp adorned with golden laurel leaves. She sat on the railing of the pavilion and began to croon softly:
"Ah... the Hero leaves his ho, far from his holand, to seek an answer. His steps so firm, his ideals so grand!"
"The path ahead may be shrouded in mist, but his dream will be realized; the winds of a Thousand Lakes and forests vast follow the Hero afar, on his journey through thorns; the tiless wind that soothes all things shall crown him and be his companion..."
"A land of no wind! A land of no wind! For him, a myriad of winds are called!"
...
The Wind Law Queen’s voice was beautiful and clear. Just listening to it felt like having one’s soul washed by a gentle, rushing current. As expected of one at the pinnacle of the path pioneered by Emperor Qianlu, the tune Ailorus played imbued her voice with a Magic Power it should not have possessed.
Westheid imdiately recognized what the Elf Lolita was playing: a piece from the Song of the Thousand Laws, praising the deeds of the Divine Ancestor.
Full of enthusiasm, Ailorus played it again and again, not stopping until she was utterly exhausted.
Westheid couldn’t help but applaud.
"That was beautiful."
This wasn’t just forced flattery; he genuinely ant it. Even with his formidable willpower, he had found himself moved by the music.
Ailorus rose to her tiptoes and gave a slight curtsy.
"Thank you for the complint, but my skill in the path of lody is still lacking. Unearned praise is no praise at all."
"No, Your Majesty."
The Violet-haired Elf, who had been standing silently to the side, couldn’t help but speak up.
"That... was excellent. Truly excellent."
The beautiful Tuner with the lancholic expression widened her eyes, a rare sight, and said excitedly:
"Your performance just now far surpassed your usual standard! You’ve undoubtedly made a great leap forward on the path of lody! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
"Is that right?"
Ailorus tilted her head at her words, then smiled faintly.
"It seems inspiration really is key. A thousand days of bitter practice can’t compare to a single conversation with Westheid. I have you to thank for this."
Westheid blinked. "Hm? How am I getting the credit for this?"
"Because it is!"
Ailorus’s mood was visibly cheerful. She clasped her hands behind her back.
"I drew inspiration from your words and then played it. It’s that simple. From now on, I’ll have to ask you to co talk with more often, Westheid. You can be my inspiration."
’To put it bluntly, she just wants more excuses to spend ti with .’
Westheid saw right through the Wind Law Queen’s little ploy, but it suited him just fine. Without a doubt, Duke Qinghui’s answer had t the Elf Lolita’s expectations. Spending more ti together was the best way to increase her favorability, so Westheid readily agreed.
"I’ll co by often, whenever I have the ti."
Speaking of which, Ailorus tapped her cheek again and asked:
"Oh, right. The most important thing right now is still the war with the Celestial God’s Shadow. Are the preparations going smoothly?"
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