Chapter 271: Princess Ivorileaf Crimsonroot
The Pocket Dimension inside of the White Star Radiance sect.
There was a towering tree with a large mansion built into it, noble elven aesthetics present across every part of its surface. Inside the mansion, various maidservants of Fae origin moved about as they carried out their tasks. In one particular room sat a young, beautiful fanged elf who appeared to be in her late teens. She wore attire befitting royalty mixed with the colors and emblems of the White Star Radiance sect, and a naturally proud expression rested on her face.
In her hand was a book that held about seventy percent of her attention. The remaining thirty percent was focused on cultivation, using a passive magic art that circulated steadily throughout her body. She had long blond hair with eight deep green streaks flowing downward. Her figure appeared slender, yet upon closer inspection it was clear her body was well-trained for combat. Two small leaf-shaped patterns were etched beneath her eyes, faintly glowing in rhythm with her cultivation.
As she continued reading, she suddenly sighed, a hint of loneliness appearing in her expression.
She muttered to herself with exaggerated passion. "Oh woe is me. How lonely it is for this beautiful princess to sit here, passing the time while endlessly cultivating. Well… I do prefer this over the front lines. Still, for a princess who likes to live freely and happily, this is just too boring. No, that's not quite right. I actually enjoy this kind of life, but I love the excitement of social life even more. Social life, huh. But what would be the point if I didn't have anyone to share it with? Amber and Shay are both living their lives worshipping that handsome and powerful man, Margrave Elton. Then there's that noble knight Seralily and all those other girls fawning over their strong, handsome, yet brutish Lord Ramiro. But what about me? 'What about me,' huh. As if I don't already know the answer."
She paused as her thoughts drifted to a certain young man she had unknowingly watched grow each time their paths crossed.
"Humans really do age faster than us elves, and at such a steady pace. They went from looking like my juniors to appearing my age, or even older, in such a short time. Even so… for such a man to charm me… kyaaaa! Such a capable man, and yet our paths are unlikely to cross much in the future. Oh cursed spell of love, why dost thou corrupt the fragile heart of this beautiful princess?"
At that moment, a soft knock sounded at her door. Her heart jumped faintly as she immediately regained her composure, as if none of her previous thoughts had occurred.
"Ahem. You may enter."
The door opened and a figure stepped inside, wearing a slightly strange expression before offering a respectful greeting. "Greetings, Princess Ivorileaf. I was instructed to relay some news to you immediately, along with a set of instructions depending on your decision."
"A decision? Please speak." Princess Ivorileaf Crimsonroot replied, her tone calm and warm.
"Yes. Word has reached us through Princess Helga that His Excellency, Crown Prince Hunter of Brawlmanica's royal family, wishes to form a bond through marriage once he ascends the throne as king." The speaker, an elf knight woman from the Burning Tree Tribe, reported with a small bow.
Princess Ivorileaf fell completely silent. Her expression remained composed, yet her body had gone rigid, as if she had turned to stone. After some time passed, the Burning Tree elf raised her head, studying her before nodding.
"Understood. I will inform them that your answer is no." The elf knight said seriously, turning to leave.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Ivorileaf suddenly shouted. "This princess has not made a decision yet! I was just… lost in thought, that's all!"
"Oh? Is that so?" the elf knight replied calmly. "Then I will relay your true answer at once."
"W-WAIT! And what exactly was this 'answer' you were about to give them?! Please, just hold on!" Ivorileaf exclaimed again, already out of breath as she tossed her book aside and sprang to her feet.
"Fufufu. My, my. Princess Ivorileaf truly is interesting." The elf knight said with a small smile. "Princess Chaigorburn of my Burning Tree Tribe did mention that you were secretly quite the character."
"What is she telling everyone?!" Ivorileaf blurted out before clearing her throat. "Ahem. No, ah, really. Um… about the marriage proposal. I think it's something that should definitely be discussed with Father and Mother and, you know, umm… I, ahh…" She trailed off, fidgeting as she struggled to maintain her composure while a blush crept across her cheeks.
"Ah, if it's your parents, then I heard they aren't against it and are also willing to discuss things." The elf woman replied with a thoughtful expression.
"Really?! Ahem. S-So if my parents believe this is something worth discussing and are going along with it, then how could I, their beloved and beautiful daughter, dare to go against their thoughts! Very well, then tell them that I agree." Ivorileaf said with a determined expression (extremely excited internally).
"As you wish." The elf woman said with a knowing nod. "As for your instructions, you are to head to the large plaza area soon. A large contingent of experts will be using the grand teleportation method led by Vice Sectmaster Christy and her Star-Eyed Division along with various others. From what I'm hearing, something huge is likely happening, though almost no one seems to know exactly what. Mortal Lord Ramiro and the others are also swiftly returning to the sect to join this mission."
While listening, Ivorileaf was mostly spaced out, her thoughts focused entirely on a certain Crown Prince of Brawlmanica as she nodded absently at the elf woman's every word. After the woman left, Ivorileaf rapidly erected two layers of soundproofing barriers. A strange expression appeared on her face.
At first, there was complete silence.
Then giggles rang out, growing louder and louder.
"Hehehe… Hehehehe… Hahahahahaha!!! FUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! KYAAAAAA!!!! Could it be that this beautiful princess's wishes are actually coming true?! That wonderful man actually wants to m-marry me?! My time has finally coooooome!!!"
Roars of excited laughter erupted as the beautiful elf rolled all over the floor in complete and utter excitement. All traces of nobility were gone. Anyone who knew her would have failed to recognize her as the same person.
In truth, Princess Ivorileaf was far more reserved and timid compared to the strong personalities of the fanged elf royal family. Some personalities were obviously stronger than others, but because of that, it was easy for her to be overlooked next to the radiant Shayleaf and the openly quirky Amberleaf. Not to mention others like the fanged elf Crown Prince Amberdawnleaf and the eccentric Jewleaf. People like them overshadowed the rest, making their strangeness seem normal by comparison.
Ivorileaf herself knew that she wasn't truly all that different. She simply hid it far better than the others, or at least she believed she did. Both her parents and older siblings had inevitably colored her with their peculiarities, whether she liked it or not.
Finally calming down, Ivorileaf sprawled across the floor with a deeply flushed face.
"Heh… This generation of fanged elves really is more rebellious than our predecessors. We of the royal family shamelessly beg to be smothered in love and pressed beneath strong, capable human men. Guehehehe!"
Her shameless laughter once again echoed throughout the room.
…
At the sect's main entrance gate, Ramiro stood tall with a mighty gaze, his towering height reaching nearly seven feet. He was truly a massive, muscular giant of a man. Behind him stood the Lion's Spearhearts, members of the Leon clan, and various experts from other divisions, including the Umankan Corps.
"It's been quiet at the alliance base for a while now, but honestly, it feels like something is always popping off somewhere." Ramiro said with a heroic expression. "Well, whatever. We're most likely heading straight back to the sect location in the Old Blue Star Gravelands."
"The bits of information we've been receiving about Brawlmanica are pretty concerning. This might be related." Carlos Jr. said with a tense expression.
"We'll find out soon." Ramiro replied as they all entered the sect.