"Casiopeia, what are you thinking?"
Cassiopeia, comfortably leaning back in the carriage, was being questioned by her great-aunt. She glanced at Vereesa Ilúvatar, who was reclining even more comfortably opposite her, and replied, "Eh? I just wanted to go play with Ira~"
Indeed, although it sounds like she's just going to play with others, in reality, because of her status, what seems ordinary is not ordinary at all. As the Queen of the Elves, is it really okay for her to leave the World Tree's territory so casually?
"Amum umum~"
Watching Cassiopeia bite into the golden-colored fruit in her hand, Vereesa, who had pulled down her hood, shook her head helplessly and said, "Don't eat all the golden apples meant for trade, and... if you eat too many, you might not be able to sleep."
In this world, the "Golden Apple" has a similar effect to coffee. It can be used to replenish physical and mental strength, quickly restore magic power, replenish "energy," aid in "combat," and relieve fatigue.
Because of its ability to replenish energy, the Golden Apple was quite popular among the nobility who indulged in pleasure and debauchery. Even though the Golden Apple was very suitable for use in battlefield combat, it was still rarely distributed to the battlefield.
Another kind of soft, fragrant, sticky, and sweaty "battlefield" often uses golden apple tea.
However, this large trade caravan brought a considerable amount of supplies and made quite a grand spectacle.
"No way~ I brought plenty of resources with me."
Casiopeia was telling the truth, because the amount of supplies this trade caravan was carrying was hardly like that of someone going on a regular trade mission; it was more like they were showing off their wealth.
It's like the protagonist in a human novel who, when faced with a nobleman who looks down on him and is about to marry his childhood sweetheart, a commoner girl, throws down bags and bags of Mana crystals, and then welcomes a perfect ending amidst everyone's envious gaze.
These kinds of novels, which are purely for the sake of enjoyment, usually include some interludes such as slaying dragons or winning the heart of a princess. Not only in novels, but also in bards, they like to tell these kinds of stories.
After all, even if you don't care about the logic of the story itself, these kinds of stories can always make money.
"So, you're planning to kidnap the bride?"
Vereesa Ilúvatar's logic and words were so outrageous that Cassiopeia, an elf who was usually a bit eccentric, was instantly rendered speechless.
"Okay, perhaps the term 'bride kidnapping' is a bit strange, but I can sense that your decision to bring so many supplies is definitely because you want to show off and compete with others."
As Vereesa Ilúvatar said this, she looked at Cassiopeia, who had deliberately dressed up more beautifully, and said, "I'm not sure how many, but you definitely have that idea."
Before setting off, Cassie carefully combed her hair and put on a silver moonflower hair clip, meticulously adorning herself before embarking on the journey with the trade caravan.
No one would believe she didn't have any special intentions.
"Hmm, maybe... a little bit?"
Cassie said this somewhat guiltily, twirling her fingers in a "just a little bit" gesture. She glanced away from her great-aunt, saying, "At least let that Satan Leaf see the accumulation of Silvermoon Tree Garden over ten thousand years!"
Wouldn't that be equivalent to kidnapping a bride?
As Vera thought this, she gently shook her head and said, "Does Ira himself understand his attitude towards you? Do you even know what that is?"
At this point, Cassie Peya perked up immediately, saying confidently, "Ha, I guess she doesn't know. Anyway, Ira only sees me as a friend... but it's different for me."
"..."
Vereesa Ilúvatar didn't know what Cassiopeia's reason for pride was, but she was concerned with other things at the moment. She looked at Cassiopeia and said, "Different? What do you think your feelings for Ira are?"
Upon hearing these words, Casiopeia instantly became flustered, stammering and unable to say anything. She whispered, "Maybe, maybe it's love~ Hehehe~"
This naturally naive elf queen seems genuinely unaware of the origins of her feelings, nor what they are, but it wouldn't be wrong to simply consider them as love.
Unfortunately, Veresa, as her elder, felt it necessary to remind her.
"It is admiration and worship, it is recognition and friendship."
As Vereesa spoke, seeing Cassiopeia's stunned expression, she analyzed her emotions as someone who had been through it all, saying, "You know your greatest contribution is the act of becoming empress itself, not what you do after becoming empress."
"You admire Ira Elkaras, who is as determined, persistent, and full of dreams as the protagonist in the novels you read, because you know that you are not determined, persistent, and have no dreams."
The calm and honest words made Cassiopeia's body stiffen. Vereesa ignored her and continued, "You admire Ira who turned the tide and acknowledge Ira's strength in helping you solve your problems, which is why you developed a friendship like that of comrades-in-arms."
"This is the essence of your [love]."
Vereesa Ilúvatar said, lying down and looking at the thoughtful Cassiopeia, "It may be hard to accept, but for the immortal race, unforgettable love is hard to exist, but even a [flash in the eye] takes a long time."
"You..."
Shaking her head, Vereesa tore away the last veil of pretense that Cassiopeia had used as a cover for love, saying, "I was just bored and wanted to keep myself occupied."
In other words, Ira is like a child who, as a child, would look longingly through a shop window at a toy they couldn't afford. It wasn't something imbued with love, but it was still a fun thing, filtered through a thick lens of childhood.
That's all...maybe?
"Yes, Silvermoon Tree Garden is indeed very boring, and I may just find Ira interesting."
To Veresa's surprise, Casiopeia readily admitted her analysis, facing her own heart with great candor, and continued, "But in my entire life so far, I have only ever found Ira interesting."
"I want to hear Ira tell interesting stories, I want to snuggle up to him for warmth, I want to laugh with him happily, I want to comfort him when he's sad, I want to cry for his sorrow... And these things, in human terms—"
Cassie looked intently at Vereesa, setting aside the half-eaten golden apple she had just eaten.
"It's called liking."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
