The entryway outside the opulent ballroom buzzed with tension, a collection of Divalo's staff nervously shifting from foot to foot. While they had anticipated the arrival of the Queen and her entourage of Demi-humans, the unexpected presence of a Dark Elf—a figure of deep disdain to their Masters and Mr. Belial—sent a ripple of unease through the air. This was no ordinary adversary; Rya was a unique enigma, a force of nature that could not be vanquished through sheer numbers, wealth, or arcane power. Her mere presence had the uncanny ability to unravel the Duke's meticulously crafted pns. Fortunately, the Goddess had seen fit to temper Rya’s immense power, guiding her away from tyranny and towards compassion. Instead of seeking dominion over the world, she longed for a peaceful existence alongside Quinus. However, her benevolent nature didn’t prevent her from exacting retribution against those who sought her or her people’s demise.

  With this knowledge burdening their hearts, Aric and Leandra clung to their only glimmer of hope: to sow discord among the nobility and turn them against Rya, thereby thwarting her union with Quinus and undermining their retionship.

  In the center of it all stood Rya, poised and dignified beside the Queen, encircled by a formidable shield of all-female Royal Knights. Lady Rachel, exuding confidence and authority, commanded the company with grace, while Lady Nelumbo led the elite head of Rianna’s security detail. Their vigint gazes scanned the periphery to ensure a secure haven for the Queen and her esteemed guests.

  Amidst this tableau, Dalia, the keen-eyed Wolfkin, was momentarily distracted. She lifted her nose, savoring the irresistible aromas wafting in from the vish buffet within the ballroom. The enticing scents danced through the air, promising a feast fit for royalty and stirring her appetite even further.

  "Is... Is that Quad horn I smell?... And roasted with onions!?"

  "Ahem!?" Lady Fyrel Coldforge cleared her throat and gred at the Wolfkin, who straightened up her posture.

  Rya saw her friend pouting, and she nudged her arm, "Hey... You're doing great, Dalia. Keep it up. Just a few hours, and we can have some fun."

  "I know, Alpha... It's just a lot harder to concentrate when there's so much food here. I hate that I can't stack it up withnot toI want like b,ack at home. Small ptes are the worst," Dalia whined.

  "What's the problem with small ptes?" Rya inquired.

  "The short one said I can only have one pte... If I want more, I can't, because it is rude or something... I don't understand..."

  "Dalia, you can have as many helpings as you want. You just need to grab a new pte."

  "What?!" Dalia looked around as if Rya had told her a life hack that would change everything. "Wait! I can!?! Then why do I have to use such a small one?"

  Rya gnced at her friend with a skeptical look, "Um? Yeah... As long you take reasonable portions, you can always come back and get more."

  Dalia had a look of comprehension as if a light bulb had gone off in her head.

  "Fascinating... Alpha! How are you so smart? Do all elves know these things?"

  Rya chuckled, "I mean, thanks for the compliment?... I feel like I should have done something more impressive than give you advice about food etiquette."

  "No! This is big!" Dalia excimed with a serious expression.

  Rya and Nieren gave each other a funny look while Fyrel sighed. "I don't know how you can think about your stomach when your mistress and the Queen are in the belly of the beast," The old Dwarven woman muttered.

  "You worry too much, my dy," Queen Rianna replied with a rexed tone. Yuliana couldn't help but agree with the Queen.

  "It's not worry, your Majesty. I have faith that everyone will preform their rolls to the best of their abilities... But I fear that, Lady Dalia's nose and stomach might create unnecessary obstacles," the older dwarf expined.

  Rya looked at the Dwarf and gave her a soft smile. "It's best to not limit, Dalia or she will have trouble focusing on the task at hand."

  "I know... But it's a bit irksome."

  "Lady Coldforge, it's best to let it go... The girl is pregnant and she needs her nutrients," Queen Rianna stated as she was feeling a bit peckish herself. She thought it was her adrenaline surging through her veins as she mentally prepared herself for the confrontation with Leandra. She needed to give time to Baron Ysandra Fairchild to set the stage for their entrance. She needed the duchess and her allies to sweat. For they were in a psychological war of wit and deceit, which they needed to dictate the terms.

  'Ugh... I thought I ate enough this morning?... Maybe I should have the doctor take another look at me this week. Or maybe Lady Dalia and Rya have started to rub off on me... Those two can inhale a banquet like nothing I've ever seen. Maybe I'll just grab a little snack, but I must be careful. My dress feels a little tighter than usual.' Rianna thought as she stood there regel as ever, unaware that the very early signs of her pregnancy was beginning to show. Before she would know it she would be catching up to her future Daughter-In-Law's appetite.

  "Yes, your Majesty... It's just been awhile since being in such high stacks," Lady Coldforge responded somberly.

  "Well, Lady Fyrel... That's why I'm here," Rianna replied stoically. "We may be in the belly of the beast, but we are something that it can never swallow," Rianna stated with a calm confidence.

  "And what would that be, your Majesty?" the old dwarf asked.

  "The truth, Lady Coldforge."

  The older dwarven woman gave her a smile and chuckled softly, "Aye, that we are... We are the truth, your Majesty."

  Queen Rianna gave her a nod and smiled back.

  Rya was touched by Rianna's kind words, but she was focused on the goal. Her elven hearing usually a boon for picking up on the sounds of battle or a hidden enemy, or evese drops on secret conversations, but here, she found it to be a nuisance with this many people in one space. Yuliana told her that a Elf can control their senses, even their ability to detect sound, light, or scent. But it takes training to channel through of this many noises of a rge crowd. She was doing well, as she heard Baroness Ysandra arguing with Duchess Leandra. Rya wanted to ugh at this pathetic rumor that was spread about her. It was almost insulting, but then again, she has been called a demon, a devil, a witch, and many other things under this sun. It also amused her to think that these women would think that these rumors would have any effect on her.

  Nieren, who was standing next to her younger sister, whispered, "You would think that they would come up with a better lie than the one about you eating children."

  "Yeah... Stories are fun, but reality is disappointing. Hopefully, there is a mother with a baby that I can use to blow their minds... But I can't hear any in there," Rya remarked.

  Nieren and Yuliana looked at Rya dumbfoundedly. They heard at least three newborns in the far corner of the ballroom and one of them was really fussy.

  "What? You can't hear that crying baby?" Nieren asked.

  Now it was Rya's turn to look at her sister with confusion written on her face, "Really?... I don't hear a thing besides a young child saying mouth over and over again."

  Yuliana chimed in, "Maybe your hearing is different from the other elven races? Because there is definitely a baby crying in there. In fact, three babies are crying in the back of the room."

  Rya looked out to the entry way to the ballroom as she could see some of the crowd going about their business unaware that they were there. Ysandra was almost done confronting Leandra as Rya tried to focus on finding the babies, which weren't in her field of vision. Rya closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her breathing slowed as she started to filter out the conversations, music, and the clinking of gsses. As she exhaled, Rya began to hear the faint whimpers of three really young toddlers. They mostly said one word over and over again and the mothers seem to not have a clue on what was going on with their own kids. But Rya couldn't hear the crying babies.

  'What the hell?... Is Mom and Sister messing with me?... I mean, those mothers must be deaf because those kids are being pretty loud... Whatever, I will make life easier for me when I swoop in—'

  Rya's thoughts were cut off when the sound on heavy footsteps coming from behind them and they were far away but they were coming towards them. Each step sounded like they had purpose but there was an urgency to each step.

  Yuliana, Nieren, and even Eine with her enchanted wooded earplugs could hear the approaching Butler snaking through the hallways of the Manor as he was on his way to the foyer were they were hiding. He was running at a good clip and his stride was rge. His pace quickened the closer he got to his destination.

  "Oh my, it seems like the Butler is heading our way," Yuliana remarked as the rest of the group was silent and focused on the approaching threat.

  Rya looked at the Queen who gave her a smirk before her regal mask went back into pce. Rianna hoped that if they waited long enough in the foyer that Aric would have to come to them at some point, but it seemed he was too much of a coward and sent a minion, which was better in the Queen's eyes.

  'I wonder why Rianna wants to get Aric to show up?... Whatever. These political games are fucking stupid. Everyone just beats around the bush, jockeying for power, but never taking direct action until one side is cornered... And this is exactly the kind of shit that busts my balls—ummm... Well? I don't have those anymore. What's a female equivalent to balls?... Bust my breasts? No, that not as painful... Bust my... ovaries? Probably if there was a easy way to reach them... Gah! It's not important. The point is these political games are annoying...' Rya thought to herself as nodded and agreed with her own internal monologue with a smug sense of superiority over everyone who pyed these games.

  ***

  Belial was hurrying through the hallways of the estate. One of the valets came to the Duke's office with worry. The valet was trying to guide the Queen and her entourage to the party but before they made it to the Lord Stewart she stopped in the foyer along with her guards. The valet tried to inquire if something was the matter, but she didn't say a thing as she stood there like a statue. The valet asked a maid and she said she wasn't sure what was going on. So he just stood there waiting for something from the Queen, but the longer they waited was when he started gncing at the four elves in the Queen's entourage. The legends of their beauty didn't do them justice and the valet found himself staring at them. He knew it wasn't his pce to stare at them without being acknowledged, but the more infamous of the four elves was the ever talked about Dark Elf. Their kind was always shrouded in mystery and were the rarest of the elven races, which made valet's eyes wander.

  He knew the stories about how dangerous they were, but he wanted to see if they were true. When observing her, he started to understand why the Crown Prince fell for her. Who needed a charm spell with a body like her. No straight man could turn their heads away from a beauty like her.

  The valet couldn't take his eyes off of her. His face flushed and he couldn't look away. Then Rya looked at him her glowing azure eyes. Her mana was immense for her irises to glow. It was now that he realized how dangerous she was. He was a mere insect in front of her as his face turned pale with fear. Was this what it was like to stare down a demon lord or dragon?

  Rya wasn't doing anything in particur, but it was the same old story when meeting people for the first time. And it didn't help when Dalia picked up the scent of fear from this young man and she snickered ominously causing the valet to bow and promptly hurried away.

  So, now Belial was ordered to deal with the Queen and those filthy non-humans by her side.

  The Butler approached the side door to the foyer. The Duke's guards were on this side of the door nervously waiting.

  "Is her Majesty and guests still there?" Belial asked one of the guards.

  "I believe so, Mr. Belial..." The guard stammered as he saluted the butler.

  "You haven't checked?" Belial gred at the guard.

  "Um, no sir..." The guard didn't know how to answer the butler.

  "Why are you standing around then, you—nevermind... I'm here anyway." Belial jestered to them to open up the door.

  The guard quickly did and when Belial walk past, the other guard did a quick head bob and the door was closed quickly as he didn't want to be seen by the Dark Elf.

  The foyer was a rge room with a marble floor and walls with intricate woodwork. There was a rge staircase that led to the upper floors. Standing in the middle was the Queen surrounded by her Knights with a group of I sweet dressed women next to her.

  Besides the Demi-humans Lady Tayna Dule was also mingling with the Queen's Entourage. He looked upon the woman who stole Leandra's position as the Queen. He had to admit she looked younger than when he saw Rianna on the Divalo grounds. He held back his surprise as he approached the Queen. He needed to focus on Rianna because if he stared at the Dark Elf, he might let his disdain be known. Which would put his lordship in a tricky spot.

  "Your majesty, I am so sorry that you had to wait," Belial said in his most courteous tone as he approached the queen.

  The Queen only responded by looking at the Belial with a disappointed stare, followed by awkward silence.

  After a minute of silence, Belial knew he had to say something. "I'm afraid that I don't know what is displeasing to you, your Majesty. If I knew then—"

  "I'm disappointed in my Brother-in-w brooding away somewhere, like a petunt child." Rianna cut him off.

  "Um... He has a lot on his mind right now and he didn't want to interfere in the Duchess's big day," Belial tried to defend the duke.

  "Don't you mean, Lydia's big day?" Rianna said as she turned her attention to niece who was standing by her older sisters while Leandra was losing her composure with Baroness Ysandra.

  "Uh, yes. Um, Lydia's big day. Of course, your Majesty." Belial replied, but he could feel a bead of sweat run down his face.

  "Listen, I'm sure, the Duke is busy doing everything he can to keep hold of whatever power he thinks he has, but I have come all this way to see my niece and he doesn't the courage to greet me?... It's almost like he's pnning something traitorous. Don't you think, Princess Rya?" Rianna was trying her best not to smile at Aric's right hand man and shadow, Belial, who was starting to get nervous.

  Belial didn't know how to respond, so he just stood there looking around the room, hoping to see his Lord Duke anywhere but he didn't appear.

  Rya finally knew why they were waiting here. She had to give Rianna some credit. She's a intimidating woman in her own right. She might as well make this butler sweat a bit more, as her Golems found evidence that he was the who ran Aric's spy network within the kingdom.

  She walked up to the butler who did a double take when he finally got a chance to see this Dark Elf up so close. He read all the reports, he's seen her in the distance, but none of this knowledge could have prepared him for this moment.

  She was a vision, a beauty beyond his comprehension. Her ethereal ptinum white hair, her dark tan skin and her bright azure eyes made it hard to look away. The red dress she wore made them stand out more. Also the way her curves and muscles flowed together perfectly was as if a goddess was walking among them. Only Rianna and the two older elves were close to her in beauty.

  He couldn't help but admire her, but he reminded himself that she might be trying to charm him to turn on his Lord. He steeled his mind and body for any charm or magic she might throw his way, but it didn't happen.

  Rya stopped in front of him and sized him up. Rianna, Yuliana, Nieren, Eine, Tayna, and the knights were curious to see what she was going to do.

  Rya smiled at the older man as he stood firm trying to show her he wasn't affected by her. "Hello, I don't believe we've met. You are...?"

  "I am Belial, personal butler and head of the Revelia household." Belial wasn't sure what this cunning woman was trying to accomplish, but he wasn't going to budge.

  "Ah, then you should know who I am." She said, smiling brightly.

  "Indeed. Princess Rya Velnax, adopted daughter to Crown Princess Yuliana Velnax. The Dark Elf Princess who enchanted the Crown Prince into loving her for her own nefarious gains..." Belial said through gritted teeth as his anger towards her was beginning to slip out.

  Rianna wanted to say something, but she decided to let the princess do what she was doing. It seems that her future daughter-in-w knows exactly what she's doing.

  Rya's smile widened as she was about to strike. "Oh? Nefarious deeds you say? Did you get that information from a little spider?"

  Belial was about to retort but when she used his code word, for his spies, his face dropped. He was a little slow on the uptake.

  "I'm sorry, did you say a spider?" Belial said trying to feign innocence.

  "Yes... They seem to be crawling all over the Kingdom. Luckily, I'm pretty good at removing pests. Especially ones that give insufficient information... Because I'll correct one of your assertions about me," Rya said, looking a little serious.

  Belial felt numb that the Dark Elf found out his spies were everywhere. He couldn't even speak.

  "It wasn't Quinus who fell in love with me. It was the other way around," Rya said, giving the older man a smug look.

  Belial just stood there like a statue as his minded raced. Did find all of his spies or only a few. If she did find out then where was the breach? Did someone turn on him or was the information sold?

  "I think you need to sit down. You seem a little pale," Rya said as she motioned to Lady Rachel, who signaled to her knights to guide the beleaguered butler to the nearest chair.

  Belial couldn't even protest. He had no idea how he was going to get out of this predicament. He needed to work overtime to find out if the princess had discovered his entire network or not.

  Queen Rianna Meredydd couldn't help but crack a smile at Rya's handy work. She missed witnessing Rya in action when turning the first emergency session on its head when the Dark Elf first arrived in the Capital. But she saw glimpses of it here and there. All she could say is that she was very impressed. Rya was going to make a formidable Queen. Now, all they needed to do was flip the Ladies of the Court on their heads and Rya would be officially accepted as the Crown Princess of Fiafyr and wed to her son.

  "Your Majesty..." Lady Tayna called out.

  "Yes, what is it?" Rianna replied, turning her attention to the future Baroness of Eder Hills.

  "Lady Saffron Fairchild gave the signal. It's time," Tayna said, giving her liege a subtle nod.

  Rianna smirked and looked over to her left at Rya, "Time to show these Ladies why my son chose you, Princess Rya... Don't disappoint son, or I will never let you hear the end of it."

  Rya saw that the Queen was trying to lighten up the mood. She just put on her best noble etiquette and replied, "You have nothing to fear, Your Majesty. For I was born ready."

  The Queen smiled and gave Rya the nod. The Dark Elf took a deep breath and got ready. Rya didn't know why but she was more nervous about taking on women than men.

  'Come on... They aren't all as sharped tongued as Hilda... I-I hope,' Rya thought to herself as she tried her best to keep her composure. She had to admit it was much easier being the one with the sharp tongue and not the other way around.

  "Alright, Ladies... You know the order everyone is going in, Lady Tayna, Dalia, and Princess Nieren go first. Lady Fyrel and Princess Eine go next. Finally Princess Yuliana, then Princess Rya, then me..." Rianna ordered with a slight edge to her voice.

  "I am looking forward to your performance, Rya," Yuliana whispered as she gave Rya a reassuring hug.

  "Don't worry, I will make you proud," Rya replied as the three dies in front of her got into their pces and move to the entrance of the ballroom as Tayna handed the invitation with their names on to to a servant who bowed then walked away to hand it to the Lord Stewart.

  The Lord Stewart then signaled to the Herald and he cleared his throat.

  "Ladies of the Court! We are honored to present a most auspicious occasion. Her Majesty and her guests have arrived!"

  Everyone in the ballroom turned to face the entry way to the grand hall. As they all waited to see the Dark Elf. Some saw Rya standing there with her friends and family and they were in a mix a shock and awe to see a Dark Elf in person. While some other panicked that the Dark Elf actually came in the first pce. But one thing was certain, you could hear a pin drop as the waited for the announcement of all the people in the royal party.

  'Well, this is a lot more attention than I thought... It's okay, just pretend that I'm back on Earth presenting a change management system to streamline their department. That should be easy right?... Yeah! I dealt with Duval and his idiots so dealing with some chicks shouldn't be a problem. Well, here goes everything!' Rya thought as she took a deep breath and calmed her nerves.