"Ahhh.."
Glistening droplets of tears rolled on Queen Tehila's beautiful face. "I didn't know anything.. I didn't an to do anything.."
She was so guilt ridden that she started to struggle in catching her breath.
Leon was also shocked, he did not even detect the mana within his mother's hands. A wave of guilt also ran through his body.
He was about to go forward and resolve the curse in his mother's hands when he saw Grandpa Ben's aningful look,
'You shall do what you want to do. The ti is not convenient for you to show who you really are!'
Thus, Leon stood still and let it be handled by the Elders.
While this was happening, Emperor Valentin had already placed his hands onto Queen Tehila's trembling shoulder, "Sush… It's not your fault, it's not your fault."
"Master, are you alright?" Baobao worriedly asked Eli, in case the shock caused a strain in her body.
"I am alright. But instead, what happened to Her Highness?" She casted an inquiring gaze towards Grandpa Andi and Grandpa Ben, there was no trace of bla in her eyes.
Grandpa Ben stood in front of the hyperventilating Queen Tehila, and tried to console her,
"Your Highness, I need you to calm down first. No one in this house blas you, please be at ease…"
Emperor Valentin and Leon were also doing their part in calming her down.
The Emperor tenderly led Queen Tehila on a cushioned chair pulled out by Leon.
Eli had Baobao bring a glass of cold water.
In a few minutes Queen Tehila eventually cald down, yet she was still downcast because of what could have happened.
Seeing that everyone had cald down, Grandpa Ben looked towards Wisey who was the first one to react from the curse.
"Now, now, Wisey, tell how you have known of this. In truth, even I could not detect any anomaly earlier."
Even sporting a calm expression, Grandpa Ben couldn't help but be nervous knowing that this little trick had made its way past his nose.
"It was actually Baobao who detected sothing. He slled four mana traces in their bodies." Wisey calmly narrated.
"At first we thought that one of them might have a magical item. That was why we did not make any fuss… However, when the Queen ca nearer, I was finally able to determine that it was a malevolent array, embedded in her hands. I am glad that we all reacted in ti."
She flew near the low spirited Queen and said with a gentle and sympathetic tone, "Your Highness, please do not bla yourself for this matter, we have long known that this mana does not belong to you at all."
"Based on how it didn't ld into your mana receptor, the array was most probably planted not long ago…It may have been planted just before you ca here."
"An array…" Everyone went into deep contemplation.
"It was most probably triggered by touch.. However, we all saw that Her Highness Second Queen had been touching His Majesty from the start, so how?" Azayn, who was also a caster, asked in wonder.
Wisey perched on Baobao's shoulder, she squinted her eyes and said,
"This was just a theory, but whoever planted this to Her Highness probably wanted her to cause a rift between the elves and Seirende. If it was triggered by touch, then it could only be triggered once Her Highness touches anyone other than the His Majesty Emperor and His Highness Third Prince."
Everyone did not agree verbally, but all had a dark look in their eyes. The more they thought of the matter, the more it made sense.
The public reason for this visit was to et with the Silver Dew Elves on a diplomatic occasion. Every move and contact must not be taken lightly, as it will cause a deep effect to the relationship of the two countries.
To think that they would plant it to the innocent Queen Tehila, they were probably expecting that it would put her into a tough spot.
At the right amount of coercion, she could be also condemned as a traitor of the Empire.
Emperor Valentin had a furious look on his face, he looked at the Queen with a solemn face and asked in a cold yet restrained tone,
"My dear Queen, tell who touched you earlier. To attempt to hurt a mber of the Imperial Family, and cause a rift with the nation's ally is punishable by death."
Queen Tehila's body froze, Empress Carolina's contemptuous face appeared in her mind.
She casted a hesitating look to the Emperor.
If she said this, knowing Emperor Valentin's personality, not only would it trigger an uproar within the Imperial Family, it would also shake the entire nobility.
Eli understood upon seeing the expression of the Queen. They couldn't do anything especially without conclusive evidence.
Hence she took the burden of voicing out Queen Tehila's unspeakable concern and said in a level headed manner,
"Your Majesty, apologies for speaking beyond my authority, but I think that it was not proper to pursue this matter without any conclusive evidence."
"We may have an idea in our hearts, however, just Wisey's and Baobao's observation wouldn't be enough. And if the nobles would investigate this, the truth of your visit would be exposed in the open, the nobles and the Spectres alike."
"I do not wish to burden Your Majesty and Her Highness anymore, that is why, let us just let this matter go for the anti. Instead, we must investigate…"
She looked towards the black aura that was still emitting from the Queen's hands and bore a deep gaze,
"What is the origin of this malevolent magic that bypassed the detection of the nurous mages around the Queen."
Everyone was silent.
Eli had already pointed out what should be considered at this mont, in fact she ntioned things that were far beyond what they could even think of.
Eli, who was the victim of that sa sche.
The Emperor also had awakened from his angry state and thought deeply, he closed his eyes with a pained expression.
He was unwilling to let it go, it was his wife, his future daughter in law and his grandchild involved in this matter!
But what Eli said made sense. He had to let this go, for the anti.
Leon had a cold and steadfast expression, yet in his heart he had already taken note of this matter and vowed to get back to the people who did this.
He knew that only by having power, strong enough to suppress his enemies would resolve this matter once and for all. He might have to do it sooner.
"Then, let's set this matter aside at first." Emperor Valentin declared with a grave expression.
He looked towards Wisey and Baobao gratefully and said, "Thank you for helping us avoid an incident that could have been a disaster."
The two furries bowed in acknowledgent.
Then Grandpa Ben moved to properly look into the malefic array along with Zeke and all other mages in the room to try to cleanse the Queen from the curse and also to investigate.
Eli led the others outside first to give them space, along with Leon who was officially not a mage at the mont.
Seeing that he looked troubled, she encouraged him in a calm manner, "Do not worry Grandpa Ben is there."
"Instead let's think of a way to lighten up the mood after they solve the curse!" Her dark eyes brightened in determination.
She told the remaining people, "Why not set up the refreshnts into the little garden? It may lighten up the Queen's mood!"
Everybody agreed and imdiately moved into the matter.
After so ti, a set of refreshnts were prepared in the little garden.
It was simple, far the standard for a royalty. But Leon repeatedly assured Eli to not care of this manner, for he had already told his parents about the environnt in the cottage.
Soon, Leon led the Imperial Couple outside. Once the Queen saw the ambience in the cottage, her eyes brightened up and she let out a beautiful smile.
It could still be considered early in the morning, so there were still residues of Silver Dew all over the garden and the surrounding forest.
Combined with the colorful array of flowers diligently tended by Eli and the bunch, and the shining silver dew, the old couple marveled of the charm of Eli's place and the Silver Dew forest.
They felt like they were transported into another world. Far more elegant and comforting from the sturdy palace walls.
They were offered morning refreshnts and spent a pleasant morning with the rest of the bunch.
The highlight of the morning convention was the introduction of the Project Team about the successful application of the water heating and pressure system
The Emperor was so elated. He gave his word to support the publication and comrcialization of this work, crediting everyone who was involved, of course with Eli as the ultimate inventor!
Emperor Valentin couldn't take his attention off on how the whole system works. Soon he was deeply occupied along with the grandpas and the project team about the system. It created an exclusive convention of n.
Contrastingly, the won, including the Queen, were laid in a thick comfortable carpet in the gazebo, hugging Baobao and Wisey adoringly.
They leisurely admired Baobao who looked so cuddly with his little ribbon tied in his neck, while they were surrounded by the beautiful garden scenery. They also stroke Wisey's cinamon colored feathers lovingly.
"So this is Baobao the Panda~~~ So soft, so cuddly~!" The queen was blushing in delight and excitent as she childishly buried his face into Baobao's giant arms.
"Yes, Your Highness Second Queen! Isn't he adorable!!! Wisey is so gentle too!" Azayn, who was the most fascinated of the rare beast, answered as if she finally had found a best friend who shared the sa obsession.
Eli just watched with a smile, while she stayed beside them resting in a cushioned chair.
Little Han had been growing nicely and she would feel strained after standing for too long. However, she wanted not to indulge her body too much, exercise was also good, that is why she was adamant to do so chores.
She was thankful that the Queen and the Emperor had long found the place good and most importantly, had their mood cheerful.
Queen Tehila suddenly looked towards her and lovingly said,
"I didn't expect that our first eting would be eventful. But I still wanted to say, I am happy to finally et you, dear young Eli."
Eli casted a gentle look towards the Queen, she could feel that she held no contempt towards her identity, not even an ounce.
She caressed her baby bump, smiled charmingly and said,
"We are also happy to et you, Your Highness Second Queen."
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