The curtains blocked out the sunlight, filling the bedchamber with a quiet, peaceful atmosphere imbued with the scents of amber and roses.
Colin tiptoed in to find Isa and their daughter sleeping soundly.
He held his breath and slowed his heartbeat, fearing to wake the two sleeping beauties before him.
Taking his place by the bedside, Colin sat motionless, his gaze fixed on the little bundle in Isaâs arms.
The child had the same pointed ears as Isa and his own monolid eyes, but her sparse hair was unlike theirs, fiery red in color.
A round little face, chubby fingers and toes, and curved eyelashes, this delicate little creature, at least in Colinâs view, was surely the most remarkable masterpiece of creation. He looked at her without blinking, as if he was beholding a miracle, a treasure, a blessing.
This is my daughter!
Colin silently marveled, unable to resist reaching out to touch the little one lightly.
The baby seemed to sense her fatherâs touch, grumbled a bit and flailed her hands in the air before, by chance, she grasped Colinâs finger.
Colin dared not move, chastising himself for disrupting his daughterâs sleep, but luckily she wasnât awakened. Only then did he allow himself to breathe a sigh of relief.
However, the commotion did rouse Queen Isa from her sleep.
She opened her deep-blue eyes, tiredness etched within her gaze, but also a happiness that she could not hide.
Upon seeing her husband, she lazily stretched her body, revealing a warm smile and asked softly:
âHave you dealt with the High Priestess of the Goddess of fate?â
Without providing an immediate answer, Colin glanced at their daughter, confirmed she is still sleeping soundly. Then he lowered his voice to confirm, âYes.â
He then recounted his encounter with High Priestess Trissley to Isa.
Isa listened silently, lost in thought for a while, then asked, âDo you believe what Trissley said?â
Colin shook his head decisively, âNo.â
A faint smile appeared on Isaâs lips, âThen why did you send men to follow her to catch Marquis Vincent?â
âI wanted to see what she could possibly pull off.â Colin shrugged casually, âBesides, itâs also a surveillance measure to prevent the High Priestess from taking the opportunity to escape.
Of course, if she truly brings Marquis Vincent before me, I might consider sparing her life.â
Isa nodded in approval of Colinâs methods, but then asked curiously, âWhy do you think Trissley came to the Royal Palace in the first place?â
Colin gave a cold smile, âMy guess is, Trissley initially thought you wouldnât be able to give birth smoothly. She saw it as an opportunity.
If she truly had some secret method to assist you in childbirth, considering she was also able to boost our daughterâs bloodline through a ritual, it would definitely win our trust.
In this way, it would mean a chance of revival for the Temple of Destiny. â
Isa pondered for a moment then added carefully, âIs it possible that Trissley always intended to exploit the East Region to trick the St. Prowse family into giving her the Phoenix soul stone shard, appearing to plot against me while truly using my womb to birth a child with royal High Elf bloodline?â
âThat is possible, butâ¦â Colin mused, âIs the royal High Elf bloodline really that important to the Temple of Destiny?â
âI canât be certain either. However, a credible speculation regarding the disappearance of the elves suggested massive turmoil within their ranks.
In order to prevent outsider interference during this internal strife, they chose to isolate Bright Moon Forest, severing connections with the outside world.â
The root cause of the elf civil war was the lack of an elf king, recognized by all clans. This led to the disintegration of the entire race and ongoing turmoil.
So, if a High Elf of royal blood were to suddenly emerge⦠Perhaps Trissley believes this could put an end to the internal struggle,â
Colin nodded, feeling that Isaâs hypothesis was indeed quite reasonable. This might explain why Trissley, upon realizing that Isa had successfully given birth to a daughter, readily betrayed Marquis Vincent. From the start, the Grand Priestess of the Fate Goddess had no intention of siding with the East.
However, Colin always prefers to err on the side of caution, as this prevents worst-case scenarios.
âLetâs wait for Trissley to capture Marquis Vincent,â he suggested.
âHmm,â Isa nodded in agreement, then asked, âhow fares the rebellion of the Silver Moon Guards?â
âThe Blood Knight Army has mostly maintained control. A large part of the Silver Moon Guards have surrendered; only a handful continue to resist, but they wonât last much longer,â he said.
Isa finally relaxed, a knowing smile escaping her lips. She delicately brushed the slumbering childâs chest before posing the question, âNow, my love, there is one very important task awaiting you.â
Colin blinked, temporarily caught off guard. âWhat?â
Isa chuckled, âName our daughter.â
Smiling, Colin pondered, âMiller will be her family name. As for her first name⦠â
Watching Colin deep in thought, Isa lightly traces his cheek with her slender hand, lazily replying, âIt would be best if you have multiple name options. But the decision is not final until it satisfies me.â
âDeal!â Though slightly troubled, Colin was even more eager to take up the challenge.
He stared intently at the sleeping baby, experiencing once again that sense of a bloodline connection.
Suddenly, Colin had an epiphany-
This little life before him was the first mark he left in this world and a sign of acceptance from the original source of the world to him, a foreigner.
A magical pulse of bloodline energy surged within him, and for an instant, his eyes flickered to a deep, introverted shade of crimson.
In a trance, Colin felt as though he was âfloating,â rising above the various palaces of Silver Moon City.
The warm sunlight swirled around him, a gentle breeze cradling his body. Above the endless expanse of the void, a deep gaze seemed to span countless dimensions and epochs, looking straight at him.
Without realizing it, Colin found himself speaking:
âShe will be named Sylv, a reincarnation of the flame, the queen of the elves.â
At that moment, all of Silver Moon City heard his voice.
âSylv?â
Within the luxurious villa at the center of the commercial district, several anxious half-elf merchants looked up simultaneously, seeing shock and confusion reflected in each otherâs eyesâ¦
âSylv?â
In a small alley of the Silver Moon City, Duke Modewen, who was resisting till the end, suddenly froze. He was horrified to see that the Silver Moon Guards, who had been resisting alongside him until now, had put their weapons downâ¦
âSylv?â
Within the Temple of Destiny, Marquis Vincent furrowed his brows, gazing towards the Half-Elf Palace, heavy-hearted.
âSylv! The queen of the elves!â
Outside the temple, High Priestess Trissley suddenly fell to her knees, kowtowing, her lips murmuring prayers.