With the Elf Queen's entrance, the banquet's atmosphere immediately became more joyful than before, filled with vitality and delight.

  The previously subdued music resumed, elegant classical melodies gradually permeating every corner of the golden banquet hall.

  In this gentle and refined environment, the nobles once again raised their wine glasses, conversing softly with pleasant smiles on their faces.

  They savored various delicacies, toasting to celebrate the newly established friendly relationship between the empire and the Elven Forest.

  In that natural environment, many elves emerged from the colorful sea of flowers and foliage with smiles, joining this joyful gathering.

  These cheerful elves were no different from humans, even skillfully using imperial etiquette.

  Their behavior was dignified and elegant, revealing proper grace in their conversations.

  As if they had received special training.

  Curious nobles actively approached, trying to establish friendly exchanges with the elves.

  And the elves responded with kind attitudes, their faces blooming with warm smiles.

  During the conversations, some elves even began promoting rare specialties from the Elven Forest to the nobles.

  "Oh my, your skin looks like it needs proper care."

  "You haven't been sleeping well lately, always feeling somewhat uncomfortable? Oh dear, may nature's power bless you."

  "Why don't you try our elven dew? It has miraculous effects for beauty enhancement and peaceful sleep."

  "Ah, yes, sir. This is our elven treasure, normally not for sale in trade with your country. But given the relationship between His Majesty Aubrey and Mr. Viktor... you understand."

  These elves were like natural-born salespeople, using their ability to sense life force strength to specifically target nobles with poor health.

  They described common fruits and dew from their homes as if they were rare treasures of the world, making them seem incredibly desirable.

  Through such maneuvering, these elves skillfully guided those wealthy and gullible nobles, making them enjoy the experience.

  Large amounts of gold coins flowed like rivers toward these elves, while those nobles were so delighted they felt they had gotten tremendous bargains.

  In fact, these nobles weren't stupid, but under their deep impression of elves as pure and flawless beings—

  Who would think that elves would deceive people?

  Moreover, the elves weren't really deceiving anyone, because those "products" did indeed have significant maintenance effects with long-term use.

  As for the prices... that was because they had received professional training from the Kravina family.

  Every elf was simply a well-trained, excellent employee of the Kravina family.

  However, amidst the laughter of elves and nobles, one person seemed less than satisfied.

  "What on earth is going on!"

  Cocotte quietly slipped over, finding Lia and Viktor sitting in a corner.

  Silver curtains hung overhead, and golden walls were divided into sections by thick tree trunks.

  Viktor and Lia sat on luxurious golden chairs, facing each other.

  A pristine and elongated dining table separated them, its surface covered with a dazzling array of colorful delicacies and tempting desserts.

  Cocotte quickly walked toward them, suddenly slamming her hand on the table in front of Viktor with force, creating a crisp sound.

  The silver tableware on the table all jumped from the impact.

  Her face was full of bewilderment, her eyes revealing deep confusion as she shouted to Lia and Viktor:

  "Why is everyone saying I'm already married!"

  After Viktor performed the hand-kissing ceremony for her—

  The whispered voices around reached Cocotte's ears, making her eyes widen with incomprehension and surprise.

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  What did this mean? What was the situation?

  When had she gotten married? How did she know nothing about it?

  When Cocotte turned her head and saw Lia in the corner showing a mysterious, sneaky smile—

  A thought suddenly flashed through Cocotte's mind.

  She realized she seemed to have been schemed against by Lia.

  Therefore, Cocotte decided she must find Lia and demand an explanation face to face.

  But at this moment, Lia just looked at Cocotte with particular amusement and said:

  "Just tell me—isn't the result good?"

  "Uh..."

  Now Cocotte fell silent.

  She lightly stroked her chin with one hand, her gaze slightly dreamy as she began to contemplate.

  Indeed, how to put it?

  Cocotte also understood that if she were too popular, it wouldn't be entirely beneficial.

  She could foresee that numerous nobles would swarm over, trying to curry favor with her.

  They might even use generous conditions to try to exchange for the elven clan's protection and blessings.

  Although Cocotte enjoyed these humans' worshipful and respectful gazes, obviously, she merely enjoyed their respect.

  If a bunch of people really came to find her, she might have to pull Vinia over to share the attention.

  And tell those who wanted to communicate with her:

  "Sorry, if you have any business, please communicate with my elven assistant."

  The main theme would be nobility and aloofness.

  On second thought, this method seemed pretty good?

  Good my ass.

  Vinia as her assistant? She didn't want to be scolded to death by the other party.

  Now, after those human nobles learned she was already married, especially the male nobles, they would only watch her from afar.

  Very few dared to actively converse with her.

  Now, these nobles appropriately keeping their distance from her was obviously a good thing for her.

  But there was one thing Cocotte couldn't understand.

  Why would being kissed on the back of the hand make people think she was already married?

  "Because hand-kissing is a respectful etiquette from gentlemen to ladies."

  Viktor's voice rang out calmly, his fingers lightly tapping the tablecloth as he explained to Cocotte:

  "In the empire, if a noble performs hand-kissing etiquette to a lady, that lady must be married."

  Cocotte: "?"

  Cocotte looked confused, turning to look at Lia who nodded in agreement, her clear eyes carrying both bewilderment and shock.

  Ah, you played me?

  Lia cupped her chest with both hands, showing a pitying yet somewhat mocking expression:

  "Why don't you think carefully—if not for today's hand-kissing ceremony, you wouldn't be able to break away to come chat with us now."

  Cocotte was stunned for a moment and turned to look.

  Those nobles dressed in bright and beautiful attire, radiating noble temperament, were now holding wine glasses with subtle smiles at the corners of their mouths.

  They seemed to be considering whether to actively come greet this Elf Queen.

  Lia's gaze followed Cocotte's, looking toward those nobles gathered together, saying with a knowing smile:

  "Although these human nobles are each dirtier than the next in private, they don't miss a single point of surface etiquette."

  "Even if you're the Elf Queen, as nobles, their etiquette doesn't allow them to casually chat with a married lady."

  Only if a married lady actively initiated conversation would they respond enthusiastically.

  This was the basic etiquette a gentleman should have.

  As for hand-kissing, even if they wanted to imitate Viktor, they had to consider whether they were qualified.

  Obviously, no one in the venue dared claim to be superior to Viktor, no matter how noble their status.

  While the three were chatting, suddenly, a series of crisp and hurried footsteps broke the quiet.

  It seemed like a golden light appeared from the side, slowly approaching the dining table.

  The First Prince approached with a smile, holding a wine glass, giving Viktor a friendly greeting.

  "Count Viktor."

  Turning his head for a glance, the First Prince was surprised to discover that all three members of the Kravina family were gathered here.

  He was slightly stunned, his gaze sweeping over Lia and Cocotte.

  Lia's expression, upon seeing him, was already somewhat impolite.

  Fortunately, the First Prince was clear that he had business with Viktor, so he hurriedly said to Viktor:

  "Could we speak privately?"

  Viktor turned to look at Lia.

  The latter lightly raised an eyebrow, seeming helplessly to roll her eyes, then waved her hand at Viktor:

  "Go ahead, go ahead."

  "Do you think I could stop you if you wanted to leave?"

  He needed his sister's permission?

  The First Prince looked at this scene with bewilderment, couldn't help but be stunned.

  After getting permission, Viktor nodded, stood up, and said to the First Prince:

  "Let's go."

  With that, he took the first step forward.

  The First Prince could only look at Viktor's back, responding with some confusion:

  "Alright... alright."

  Now he really couldn't understand who was actually the family head in this household.

  With Viktor and the First Prince's departure, Cocotte directly plopped down into Viktor's previous seat.

  She immediately remembered the unfinished topic from earlier, eagerly continuing her conversation with Lia:

  "No, we haven't finished talking."

  "Why did you have to use the reason that I'm married? There must be better solutions!"

  Cocotte frowned slightly, her body leaning forward, her whole body lying on the dining table, almost wanting to stick to Lia.

  Don't look at her age—she was clearly still a pure elf who had never been in love.

  However, Lia just glanced at her and lightly snorted:

  "Sorry."

  "My family only has one man—Viktor."

  "Huh?"

  ...

  The brilliant banquet hall remained lively,

  But the second floor of the banquet hall was rarely visited.

  The banquet had continued into the deep night, and the terrace outside the second floor was so quiet you could clearly hear the howling cold wind outside.

  Erica wrapped herself in heavy formal wear, feeling the cold wind outside, couldn't help but wrap her fluffy clothes more tightly.

  She breathed white mist, walking up flight after flight of stairs to reach the terrace.

  Just stepping onto the terrace, she saw a man in a sharp suit.

  He was facing away from her, looking up at the sky, as if he couldn't feel the cold at all.

  In the pitch-black sky, peculiarly shaped, crystal-clear snowflakes were falling, like scenery from a dream.

  Feeling the snowflakes gently landing on his shoulders, Libert heard the footsteps behind him and spoke calmly:

  "Niece Erica, it's snowing today."

  He slowly turned around, showing Erica a gentle smile:

  "It seems you must really want to know some things to come find me."

  In his eyes, golden sand-like light flickered.

  In the wind and snow, like the only guiding light in a lighthouse.

  "For example, your mother's whereabouts."

  "Right?"

  """

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