Chapter 71: The Queen's Betrothal Event
The Elf Square was teeming with people. Today marked the annual Sacred Tree Festival, so many visiting Elves wore expressions of pride and honor.
In their eyes, the prosperity of the magnificent Forest of Elves was also due to their relentless hard work.
In other words, the splendor of Queen Eve was partly their achievement as well!
"Ahem, today is our great Sacred Tree Festival. Simultaneously, it's also a day I have chosen to select a husband for our majesty." An elderly, sharp-featured Elf declared from the high platform, his speech laced with spittle.
The many young members of the Elven race in the audience were all drawn by the gimmick mentioned by the Second Elder.
What gimmick?
The claim that Queen Eve of the Elves would choose her consort here!
No one knew who started the rumor, but it had spread like wildfire.
Thus, many self-assured young Elven men were rubbing their hands in anticipation, eager to showcase their talents in the Queen's betrothal event and ultimately win her heart.
After all, Eve was not just any Elven beauty, she was the Queen of the Elves and the ruler of the Forest of Elves.
Marrying her would mean a lifetime free from struggle.
Such an enticing prospect made even the most daunting pitfalls seem trivial in light of the rich rewards.
On the stage, Second Elder Ethan chuckled softly, his eyes filled with mockery.
The young men below were mere pawns to bolster his grandson's standing, ensuring Noah would stand out in the upcoming betrothal event. He then planned to amplify the event's influence further.
As long as they had room to maneuver, they hadn't lost!
To be honest, when he had first arrived from the Realm of Chaos to the Serene Forest, he had harbored ambitions of becoming the Elf King. But upon arriving, he was quickly disillusioned.
Because not only did the Elven Queen possess extraordinary power, but even the Queen's bodyguard, that despicable Dark Elf, had terrifying assassination skills.
At least, none of the elders, including himself, could survive a pursuit by that Dark Elf.
It was only because the Queen of the Forest of Elves had a kind nature that they dared to spread rumors in front of so many Elves.
Seeing that the atmosphere had sufficiently built up, the Second Elder, clapped his hands with a smile and said, "Alright, alright, everyone quiet down. Since most of you are here, we can begin the selection of a husband for Her Majesty the Queen!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of excited shouts erupted, as if winning would genuinely make them Eve's consort.
Charles stood silently below the stage, turning to look at the veiled Eve and Amy. "I remember you were both vehemently determined to come here and cause a bloodbath. Why so quiet now?"
Eve pointed her chin towards the stage, a mischievous look on her face. "The old man up there is Ethan, a minor leader of an outlying Elf tribe who's been scheming ever since he arrived here."
"If it weren't for the fact that he brought quite a number of Elves and I need time to re-establish their faith, I would have killed him long ago!"
"See that man with the golden hair? That's Ethan's son, Noah. With his advanced second-tier strength, he can easily crush these Elves."
"How about this: let's turn this situation to our advantage, and you go win me back?"
More than the Second Elder and his schemes, Eve was actually more concerned about her relationship progress with Charles.
After all, those rebellious traitors were now like toothless snakes, nearly harmless.
But Charles was different. If she didn't seize this chance now, what would become of her status as his primary consort as his number of women increased in the future?
Ah, women always have a competitive streak in the oddest places.
Charles understood her intent but still felt displeased, so he asked, "Would you mind if I killed him?"
Damn it, daring to covet my woman, he's asking for death!
Seeing Charles's jealous expression, Eve squinted happily and replied calmly, "Kill him if you wish. Right now, all the authority in the Forest of Elves rests with me."
"They dare to provoke me only because of the false persona I've crafted."
"But you know, Charles, I, Eve, have never been a benevolent woman. So, if these people dare to covet my body, they should be prepared to be brutally slaughtered!"
As she spoke, a chilling coldness swept through the entire square, making every Elf feel as if they were being watched by Death itself.
Charles was slightly taken aback by her words, uncertainly asking, "This is a public square. If I kill them all, can you really handle the fallout?"
Before Eve could respond, Amy confidently interjected, "Don't worry. Once you've killed them, I'll take the blame."
"I've killed so many Elves already, they wouldn't suspect otherwise."
Amy was essentially Eve's clean-up agent, handling all the dirty work. Any act of slaughter was executed by Amy.
Thus, in the Forest of Elves, she held a high and solitary position of power.
Hearing Amy's words, Charles couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation.
It seemed these two women were more eager for him to massacre the Elves. Just how deep did their grudges run?
"Then there's no need for me to compete. I could simply set up a grand formation here and kill all the Elves." Charles mused, stroking his chin and full of hesitance.
Honestly, in a competition where even an advanced second-tier strength could dominate, Charles found no sense of accomplishment.
Eve pouted slightly, a blush creeping onto her face. "This is to make our marriage legitimate, even if it's part of their scheme."
After speaking, Eve seemed to remember something, her expression turning conflicted.
Finally, with a pleading look, Eve said, "Daddy, maybe you shouldn't kill them all. Who would spread the news that you are my husband if everyone is dead?"
"I think it would be better to kill the Second Elder's son and then force him to spread the word about our marriage."
Eve's ruthlessness was evident, she not only wanted to kill the man's son but also make him announce the marriage of his son's killer to their Queen.
Yet, Charles found himself even more enamored with Eve. After all, conquering such an interesting woman made the challenge all the more enticing.
"Alright, Daddy promises not to kill them. We'll let them spread the word for us." Charles agreed with a nod. He then added, "But don't think your little tricks can fool me. Whether it's selecting a husband or forcing a marriage, it's still my decision to make."
Ah, that familiar domineering tone.
Eve's eyes were filled with affection as she watched Charles ascend the stage.
Amy quietly deactivated the silence field, allowing everyone around them to resume their activities as if time had never stopped.
Curious, she asked Eve, "Your Majesty, have you truly given up on making him your consort?"
Eve, somewhat exasperated, gently ruffled Amy's silvery hair and replied softly, "Because I initially didn't intend for him to marry into my family, after all, I was the one who fell in love with him first. After all, I was the one who fell in love with him first. As the one who lost, I'm willing to be the one who marries him."
"And besides, if I make him my consort, what would happen to you?"
"Would you sneak around and have an affair with him behind my back when I'm not around?"
"Oh Amy, your Queen is actually very clever. Don't take her for a fool."
The tender feelings of a young girl in love are the hardest to conceal, especially for someone like Amy, whose face reveals everything despite her cool demeanor.
In terms of combat ability, Eve felt she might be slightly inferior to Amy.
But when it came to understanding the human heart... well, that was a different story.
Amy fell silent at Eve's words, her thoughts about Eve growing more complex and nuanced.
There was a mix of relief and disappointment. read-more-at-MvLeMpYr
As the husband selection event continued, many Elves took turns stepping onto the stage to showcase their strength.
Simultaneously, countless Elves were being beaten black and blue and thrown off the stage, leaving in disgrace.
As for Noah, the Second Elder Ethan's son, he remained on the stage, never stepping down.
His striking golden hair shone like radiant sunlight, contrasting with his slightly androgynous face.
The crowd below was abuzz with discussion.
"Sigh, it's impossible to beat him. Young Master Noah not only has advanced second-tier strength, but his skills are also beyond the reach of us ordinary Elves."
"It's not entirely out of reach. The Queen has decreed that anyone who ventures out to hunt dark creatures will earn merits. Those advanced skills were painstakingly accumulated by the Second Elder's lineage."
"Yeah, but isn't that just riding on the coattails of his family? If Noah started from the same place as us, what would he be worth?"
Listening to the futile arguments of the weaker Elves, a disdainful smile tugged at Noah's lips.
What good were words when he, Noah, was the one who would have the last laugh?
Noah was destined to join the Elf Sanctuary and become consort to Her Majesty Eve. When that happened, the influence of the Second Elder's lineage would undoubtedly soar.
These insignificant Elves—why waste words on them?
Just one more hour, and he would emerge as the top contender in the husband selection, standing before Her Majesty Eve. Even if she didn't favor him, given the intricate ties involved, her kind and easily persuaded nature would likely lead her to compromise.
By then, his lineage would gradually ascend to the pinnacle of power, ultimately expelling the vile and filthy dark Elves.
The Forest of Elves would be theirs.
And with a bit more ambition, once Her Majesty Eve retires to a domestic life, he could become the illustrious Elf King, perhaps even taking on a few Elf concubines...
"Look, someone else is stepping onto the stage!"
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