Sylvia sat alone at the center table of the silent restaurant, her posture was elegant and perfectly straight.

Her hands folded over one another as she waited. The entire establishment had been rented out on her request… rows of empty tables sat untouched while waiters stayed along the walls, poised like statues ready to attend to her the instant she spoke.

Only the soft chiming of cutlery could be heard through the whole establishment.

'Sir Azel… will you honor my letter?' she wondered, though her expression remained calm and dignified.

Despite her perfect composure, there was stiffness in her shoulders whih was tension she would never allow anyone else to notice.

'This arrangement must not fail. Choosing a partner of sufficient value is essential for the Trial. I reviewed all available prospects with care. Aegon Starbloom possesses adequate pedigree but insufficient discipline. Reinhardt is powerful, but his crude view of women is… intolerable. And thus, Sir Azel remains the sole candidate worthy of consideration. His reputation, his strength, his unpredictability… yes, he fits my needs perfectly.'

The restaurant door opened.

Azel walked in with no suit but he was dressed neatly, casually, and confidently as well. Sylvia's eyes softened ever so slightly.

'This is acceptable. He does not posture like the others. A man who behaves naturally displays sincerity… or ignorance. Either serves my purposes.'

He took his seat across from her.

Immediately, the waitstaff rolled in heavy silver trolleys, unveiling dish after fragrant dish.

Warm aromas drifted through the room… there was basil, roasted herbs, grilled meat, honeyed wine, and the unmistakable scent of premium Aegis chicken.

Azel's mouth twitched.

'Good,' Sylvia thought. 'The most efficient route to a man's heart is through refined cuisine. That has been true for centuries.'

She allowed a pleasant, graceful smile.

"Sir Azel… I apologize for calling you here on such short notice. But there was something highly important that I wished to speak to you about."

Azel carved a piece of chicken and popped it into his mouth.

"We're friends, Sylvia. You don't have to speak so formally to me."

Her eyebrows lifted.

"I… apologize for—"

"You don't need to apologize either. Just be free."

Sylvia blinked.

Free?

Be… free?

'What a difficult request,' she thought as her heart flickered with confusion. 'Being free is… inefficient. Being free won't let me win the trials…'

Meanwhile, Gwendolyn floated behind Azel, her arms folded under her vast chest as she inspected the elf.

She squinted at Sylvia's posture, her manners and the small tremble of embarrassment.

'This girl acts exactly like Yarog did whenever he tried to impress someone. Apologizing every two seconds… wasting money on extravagant displays… Hmph. Maybe they're distantly related somehow,' Gwendolyn thought while drifting side to side.

Sylvia inhaled slowly then spoke.

"Okay. I called you here today to confess my feelings for you."

Azel immediately choked on the chicken.

He grabbed his water and gulped it down in one go, coughing lightly as he wiped his mouth.

"You have feelings for me? Why?"

"Is that… a bad thing?" Sylvia asked softly. Her voice was gentle and her expression looked very sincere. "There are elves who have married humans. It is entirely legal, if that is what concerns you."

"That's not what I'm worried about." Azel muttered, still dazed.

Gwendolyn tilted her head.

'If Yarog and I had lived in a peaceful age instead of running for our lives… maybe we would have had this kind of awkward restaurant confession scene too.' She sighed wistfully. 'But then I never would've met Azel… life is funny like that.'

Azel leaned forward slightly.

"Are you doing this of your own volition? Or being forced into it? You've never said anything like this before."

Sylvia placed a hand lightly on her chest, her cheeks warmed by a soft blush.

"I… I was shy. Whenever I look at you, my heart thumps."

Then she stood, circled the table, and gently took his hand.

With slow formality, she pressed it to her chest.

Azel felt her heartbeat.

It was rapid and nervous… as if she was very afraid and it made him blush a bit though he hid it.

She let his hand fall.

"I am not being forced. And I do not know whether you harbor affection for me in return. That does not matter… not yet."

She sat again with elegance, her fingers interlaced atop her lap.

Azel's brows lifted.

"You don't mind the fact that I have multiple women?"

"I cannot say I… prefer it," Sylvia admitted with a small blush. "But I can understand it. Therefore, I shall endeavor to acquaint myself with my future sister wives."

Azel turned red. Sylvia allowed herself the smallest internal smirk.

'He is remarkably easy,' she thought. 'Simply express affection, and he begins to crumble. Out of my three candidates, he is by far the most convenient to acquire. I never knew there was such an easy human in this world.'

Azel smiled, his thoughts were much different.

'I practically have all the heroines now. With this, I can prevent their deaths, build a strong team… and finish up the calamities faster.'

Gwendolyn floated closer.

"What are heroines? And what are these calamities?" she asked.

Azel ignored her.

"Alright then… how should we finalize it?" he asked Sylvia.

She looked at him shyly, pressing a hand to her lips.

"We could kiss… but I am not yet prepared for such an intimate exchange. I apologize."

"It's fine. Take your time."

Then they began eating quietly as Azel glanced at her from time to time. Sylvia however was reviewing her plan.

The Elf King Succession Trials were fast approaching… they were barely a week away now and she had already laid her foundations with meticulous precision.

Every move she made in the shadows was calculated and executed with the elegance befitting a royal elf.

Her first obstacle had been Alvinus, a potential contestant whose magic made him a dangerous rival.

Fortunately, his arrogance and love for her made him easy prey.

Sylvia gathered reports from his students, documented his failures, and highlighted his blatant disdain for humans… a fatal flaw in a changing political landscape.

With these neatly bound pieces of evidence presented to both his family and her father, Alvinus was deemed unprepared for the Trials.

But she hadn't stopped there.

No, the elimination of a rival required finality.

Thus she quietly bribed his party members… cowards who folded under the slightest financial pressure and had them accuse him of rape.

With forged evidence and their trembling testimonies, Alvinus was barred from ever becoming an Adventurer.

The stain on his record had reached the Elven Kingdom as well, severing his eligibility for the Succession permanently.

His downfall was clean and irreversible and he wasn't even aware.

'One insect removed,' Sylvia thought, maintaining her serene expression as she sipped her tea. 'Now the path narrows.'

The Trials demanded not only strength and political backing but also the public presentation of one's chosen companion.

For female contestants, this meant showcasing a lover… someone whose presence reflected their worth and future political alliances.

Thus she had narrowed her candidates to three:

Aegon Starbloom, a prince who despite being a senior in the Academy had sent her letter after letter requesting for a date.

Reinhardt, whose crude treatment of women disqualified him instantly.

And lastly… Azel.

Azel, with his unshakable growth, mysterious power, and lack of political baggage. A man strong enough to elevate her, yet unconnected enough to be controlled.

Yes. He was the ideal piece for her game board.

And now, after her carefully crafted confession and gentle manipulation… Azel was hers.

He was right there, in the palm of her hand.

She was still savoring that victory when his voice reached across the table.

"Oh right… can I ask you to help me with something?"

Her lashes fluttered with perfect innocence. "Yes."

"I need to pick birthday presents for two women," he said. "I need your help."

Sylvia smiled.

'How convenient. Another chance to weave myself deeper into his life.'

"Of course, Sir Azel. I shall assist you."

"We're lovers now… you shouldn't use Sir anymore." He said. "How about Darling?"

[Author's Note]

And 2025 will be coming to an end in a few hours… Damn, it's been an amazing year and I'm grateful for all the support and I hope everyone has a great new year's day, well I'll be signing out for today. Have to get some sleep.

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