Chapter 253 I thought you would be angry.
The long horn sounded, the Elf King arrived, and all the nobles bowed in greeting. I also stood up and bowed slightly.
The Elf King wore a crown, a long white robe embroidered with gold and silver threads, and a golden shawl. A three-tiered diamond and pearl necklace glittered around his neck. On his arm was the dignified and beautiful Queen, her long hair flowing down her shoulders. She too wore a crown and a long white robe embroidered with gold and silver threads, a five-tiered pearl necklace illuminating her face. She looked much more haggard than before, but still exquisitely beautiful.
Both of them had sharp eyes and spotted me immediately. They walked towards me in perfect unison.
My back is bent even more.
"Oh dear, you must have been standing for a long time. Come and sit down." The Queen released the Elf King's arm and took my arm as if we were old acquaintances. "Come on, it's been a long time. I've missed you."
She linked arms with me and walked behind the Elf King, with everyone's gaze following us.
So I walked to the throne, and was seated to the right of the Elf King and to the left of the Queen.
A group of concubines and mistresses sat below. I also saw Imera, sitting at the very end of the concubines' seats. She had long, dark green hair cascading over her shoulders, wore a white off-the-shoulder evening gown, large silver earrings, and a gold necklace; she was very beautiful.
Our eyes met. I smiled at her and raised my glass.
Her expression was serene, and she simply smiled faintly.
“I thought you would be angry,” Bai Ni whispered to me. “I heard she used to be your slave.”
“That’s her skill.” I took a small sip of my drink.
A king is no less than a golden pig overflowing with riches; who wouldn't want to take a bite? If you manage to get a bite, you'll gain wealth and power; who wouldn't be eager to try, given the chance?
The Elf King, with his sharp ears, seemed to have heard us talking and glanced at me slightly. I immediately smiled, picked up the golden wine jug, and poured wine into his cup. "You've worked hard!"
"Are you really not angry?" the Elf King asked me with a smile.
"After experiencing some things, I've come to understand something. In this world, those who are capable occupy positions, including the position of the principal wife, the position of the concubine, and the position of the mistress."
"Oh, what kind of person is a capable person?"
"That depends on what those in power need. If they need a confidante, someone who can provide emotional value is a capable person; if they need a strategist, someone who is exceptionally intelligent is a capable person; if they need someone who is adept at social interaction, someone skilled in sociability is a capable person; if they need a powerful backer, a descendant of a top family is a capable person; if they need someone who can satisfy their desires, a beautiful woman with a stunning figure is a capable person."
Before the Elf King could speak, the Queen couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Then what kind of power do you think I am?"
“You are capable of all of the above, which is why you were able to become queen,” I said.
The queen giggled, clearly delighted, and handed me a bunch of bright purple grapes as she laughed. "You're so good at making people happy, no wonder the king likes you so much."
I smiled and accepted it, "Thank you, Your Highness."
The Elf King looked at me lazily without saying a word.
The music started, and for the first dance, he actually invited me to dance. I quickly refused, pointing to my stomach, "I can't dance, I really can't dance."
"It's alright," he said with a gentle smile.
I panicked. When the Queen invited me to the first dance, I shook my head repeatedly, saying, "No, I appreciate your kind offer."
He laughed and pulled me up, applying slight pressure. "How come the ruler of the Great Royal City is so cowardly?"
I was on the verge of tears. "What's going on here? I really can't jump."
He had already pulled me onto the dance floor and whispered softly, "I am so happy to dance with the mother of my child."
"You have too many children..." Suddenly realizing that too much talk could lead to mistakes, he quickly stopped himself from saying the rest.
He seemed not to hear, smiling broadly, "Don't worry, I won't jump too hard."
"Won't the Queen be angry?" I sighed.
"She is not a stingy person."
"Women are all stingy."
"And what about you?" he suddenly asked. "Are you stingy too?"
This statement has a broad meaning; it may refer to Imera, or it may refer to something else. I didn't dare to answer.
"Answer me," he demanded.
I chuckled awkwardly, "Why do you have to ask so clearly?"
"Oh, how so?"
"It's good to be a little confused in life, so you should be confused when you need to."
“You’re right. You have to be oblivious sometimes, which is why I deliberately ignore your past men. But from the moment you step into the secret realm again, you can no longer associate with them.”
I laughed again. "Are you kidding me?! I don't have any man. It's all just a rumor."
He laughed heartily, "The Queen is absolutely right, you really know how to make people happy."
I laughed too—just like that scumbag, I'd rather die than admit it unless I'm caught in bed with him.
Just kidding, I need to save my life!
After the dance ended, he invited the queen to dance, and I immediately slipped away to a corner to rest.
No sooner had she sat down than Imera walked over with a beautiful young woman in a gorgeous white dress and with long, flowing brown curly hair.
“Madam, she is the daughter of the Houns family,” Imera said directly.
I was stunned for a moment, and looked at this beautiful girl. There was indeed a resemblance between her and the Elf Queen in her features.
The girl looked at me curiously, her eyes sparkling.
"The Houns family just sent two daughters to serve you recently, why are they sending another one now?"
A laugh came from behind me. I turned around and saw a familiar face: Eleanor. Eleanor had been the Elf King's fiancée in his youth, but after he became paralyzed and lost power, she was arranged to marry someone else. When the Elf King rose to power, she returned to his side with my help.
I was stunned for a moment. What does that mean?!
Eleanor stood beside me with a smile, "Every family hopes that their daughter can win the king's favor."
I understood instantly. Imera had specifically introduced this girl to me, hoping for a chance to sleep with the Elf King. Besides knowing my interest in the Houinse family, there must be other vested interests involved in choosing their daughter.
Imera smiled too, "She just wants to get to know Mrs. Lana."
"Greetings, Lady Lanna. I've long heard that you are a powerful figure in the Western Territory, and I've always wanted to meet you." The beautiful young woman's voice was melodious and pleasant, like the tinkling of a spring.
"Your voice is so beautiful. Having such a beautiful voice is more fortunate than being a person in power."
The beautiful girl blushed at my words, and her smile became even more beautiful.
I smiled at her, then turned to Eleanor, "Madam, it's been a long time. You're even more beautiful than before."
Eleanor grabbed my arm. "Come on, let's go sit over there and tell me about the scenery of the West."
We left the beautiful young woman and Imera behind, but before we could take two steps, we were stopped by two maids. "Madam, the King says you cannot stand for too long and need to return to your seat to rest."
I glanced at the dance floor; the Elf King and Queen were still dancing gracefully, presumably having been given the order beforehand.
I pointed to my stomach at Eleanor and said, "We'll talk next time." Then I turned back and smiled at Imera and the beautiful girl.
The Elf King and Queen returned to their thrones, but after a short while, the Queen was invited to dance by the ministers, while the Elf King refused both his mistresses and noblewomen.
"You're not skipping the dance just to keep me company, are you?" I chuckled.
"It's good that you understand." The Elf King looked at me gently.
"You don't need to do this..."
But before he could finish speaking, the Elf King interrupted him, “I originally intended to order everyone to refrain from speaking to you unless I give my permission, until I have confirmed that it is safe to do so. But I have changed my mind. I don’t want you to feel too restricted.”
"I knew you were good to me," I said gently.
“How can I not be wary of you?” he said. “A woman who has helped several rulers rise to power, who has single-handedly controlled the entire capital, escaped death several times, and turned the tide with astonishing courage and strength, can do nothing to anyone who dislikes you.”
I was stunned. "Am I really that strong?"
I didn't know I was so strong until he said that.
All I know is that every step I took was like walking on thin ice, and I was forced to move forward step by step.
He looked at me and smiled, but did not respond.
That night he was having so much fun that he wouldn't stop, the bed was making noise all night, and I excitedly ripped the bed curtains off.
It's completely out of control! Absolutely out of control!
This king is just too strong.
"I heard you're going to introduce me to a daughter from the Houns family. Aren't you afraid I'll be snatched away?" He was breathing heavily.
"You can't take it away from me; your heart will always be with me." I breathed even harder.
"Oh, you're so sure?" He panted and bit my neck.
I grabbed his long, slender legs, and when he released me, he held me down tightly again.
“I’m so sure,” I said, panting, “that if a woman always has an adventurous and restless spirit, your heart will always be with her.”
He snorted and then completely engaged with me.
As dawn broke, we hadn't stopped yet. Just when I thought it would continue until noon, a sharp pain rose from my abdomen. I screamed and pushed him away, overwhelmed by the pain, "I'm going into labor!"
A quarter of an hour later, the corridor was in chaos, with maids and servants coming and going nearly bumping into each other.
Painful groans and screams could be heard intermittently from the room ahead.
According to royal rules, the Elf King had to leave, and the Queen was not allowed to visit. Only high-ranking noblewomen and female physicians with experience in childbirth were allowed to be present.
The maids could only leave hot water basins, hot towels, and other items in the outer room for the female physicians to fetch.
In the afternoon, a loud cry of a baby rang out, and the female doctors exclaimed in surprise, "It's a girl!"
Some of the wealthy women were overjoyed, while others sighed, "If only it were a son, then I could have turned my life around."
The baby cried incessantly, and a noblewoman gently patted and soothed him to sleep.
A moment later, chaos erupted in the room again. "There's one more!"
"They're twins!"
The groans and screams of the woman in labor rang out again, and the maids rushed in and out in a panic, while the female doctors were all covered in sweat.
This time it was quick; about half an hour later, another baby girl was born.
The baby girl, who was sleeping, was awakened by the baby's crying and started crying again. The cries of the babies echoed throughout the corridor.
Although she was a daughter, the royal palace held a three-day, three-night celebration ball.
The entire secret realm will be closed for three days to enjoy the holiday with the people.
-----------------------
Author's Note: "Love Affair with a Beast" is considered one of my better-written novels, especially its rich imagination. "The Fairy King's Bride," on the other hand, is the one that brought me many fans; it's one of my most heart-wrenching and popular works. If you'd like to read it, contact me and look at the first sentence of my synopsis.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
