NOVPUB"So, this is the place, huh?"
The black-cloaked man stopped in front of a massive gate nestled between the enormous roots of the World Tree.
His gaze swept from top to bottom, studying the gate intently.
He had come for the World Tree—or, more precisely, to connect with its spirit and uncover something.
"But..." He frowned. "How do I get in? Should I destroy it?"
He stepped closer and laid a hand on the gate.
It felt solid and unyielding—breaking it by force wouldn't be easy.
As he stood there, lost in thought, the gate suddenly trembled, then slowly began to open.
Beyond it lay a long, cold corridor lit by torches lining either side. Silence filled the air.
The black-cloaked man paused in surprise, then chuckled softly and smirked.
"I didn't expect it to be this easy."
He had hesitated to destroy the gate outright, knowing it could draw the attention of the Elven race's powerful figures.
After all, they had existed for thousands of years.
And while he doubted most of them posed a threat to him, he wasn't arrogant enough to think none could.
There were likely at least one—or even three—who might rival his strength.
He had no desire to be dragged into a prolonged battle, one that might wear him down—or worse, defeat him.
Luckily, the gate opened on its own, sparing him the trouble of figuring out how to bypass it.
Without hesitation, he stepped inside. The gate closed behind him with a low, echoing thud.
***
Zelda sat beside Leon on the altar, her eyes fixed on his handsome face, lost in a daze.
"Am I truly in love with him?" she whispered to herself.
Without meaning to, her mind wandered back to the conversation she had with Elina earlier.
— — —
"Sister, do you like the Fated One?"
Zelda and Elina were quietly enjoying their meal at the dining table when Elina suddenly broke the silence with that unexpected question.
Zelda's hand froze mid-motion. She looked across the table at her sister, brows slightly furrowed.
"What are you talking about?" she asked in displeasure, then took a slow sip of milk from her glass.
Elina rolled her eyes, picked up a piece of beef from her plate, and popped it into her mouth.
"My question's simple, isn't it? Do you like the Fated One? I mean, in a romantic way."
Zelda paused, her face slowly turning red—so vividly that the flush was impossible to miss.
"What nonsense is that? There's no way I'd have feelings like that for him," she snapped, shaking her head in denial.
But her embarrassment only deepened, as if her face was about to release steam.
"How long are you going to keep denying your feelings, Sis?" Elina said seriously. "If anyone knows you best, it's me. You've always seemed strong, composed, and kind... but deep down, I know you're lonely."
She lowered her gaze, her expression softening with sadness.
"You were only one hundred and fifty when you had to replace Mother and become Queen—to lead the entire Elven race. You gave up your golden years to carry that burden. But…"
Elina lifted her face and looked deeply into Zelda's eyes. "I know you want someone to lean on—someone you trust, someone who can share the burden with you. So... are you really going to keep pretending those feelings don't exist?"
Zelda said nothing. She couldn't deny a single word. Whether she liked it or not, everything Elina said was true.
Ever since she ascended the throne, her life had been consumed by one thing—duty. Nothing else.
That was also the main reason Elina had run away from the Elven lands.
She must have felt lonely. Before Zelda became queen, they had always been inseparable—laughing and playing together.
Before Zelda could respond, Elina sighed softly and continued.
"You probably already know, but I'll say it again, Sister. The Fated One and I have known each other for a while now."
"Our first meeting was in a city called Rothinia. I was starving that day—I hadn't had a single customer."
She chuckled as the memory surfaced. "But then, the Fated One showed up at my fortune-telling stall, along with this stunningly beautiful woman. They wanted a reading, and their arrival—"
Before she could finish her sentence, the atmosphere around her suddenly turned cold.
Zelda's eyes narrowed sharply, radiating a dangerous intensity.
"A woman? Who is she?"
Elina: "…"
Seriously? I was opening up about my struggles, and that's what you focus on?
Are you even my sister?
Elina could only surrender, but inside she felt a quiet joy.
It meant her sister did have feelings for the Fated One.
There was a hint of sadness, but Zelda's happiness mattered far more.
Elina felt she owed Zelda so much—and if she could bring her together with Leon, it would be the best way to repay all her sister's kindness.
"That woman is the head of the Dragon race—Dragon Empress Athena," Elina said with a playful smile.
"How beautiful is she?" Zelda clenched her fists.
"Incredibly beautiful, big sister," Elina replied without hesitation. "Her face is flawless, like a goddess. In fact, she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen—aside from you, of course. But... she has one advantage even you have to admit."
Those words hit Zelda like fire on dry grass. Her anger flared as she asked coldly, "What advantage?"
"Elina answered innocently, "Her breasts."
Zelda: "???"
Seeing her sister's expression, Elina hurried to explain, "I'm serious, Sis! That woman's breasts are huge! Even I was stunned... so imagine how the Fated One feels."
Zelda fell silent, her eyes drifting to her own chest—yes, she was well-endowed. But... was the Dragon Empress even more so?
Did Leon really prefer women with larger breasts? 𝔫𝔬𝖛𝖕𝔲𝖇.𝖈𝖔𝖒
"Well, honestly, when it comes to breasts or other body parts, it doesn't really matter," Elina said calmly. "What matters is how you feel about the Fated One."
She looked at her sister with earnest eyes.
"I don't want you to regret it later—or be too late. There are many women watching him, even from other races."
— — —
"What Elina said is true," Zelda murmured, reaching out to gently stroke Leon's face.
"If I don't accept it now, I'll be left with regrets I can never undo."
Suddenly, her expression sharpened as the sound of footsteps echoed from the direction of the gate.
"An enemy!?"
