A court banquet with mingling toasts.
This was a grand fundraising event organized by the "Five Flowers Alliance."
The theme of the banquet was voluntary donations to solve the difficulties of life for children in the kingdom's poor mountainous and backward areas by providing clothes and food.
Such a good deed attracted the attendance of almost all the celebrities within the royal city.
One after another, people dressed in bright and elegant attire gracefully approached the banquet stage, dropping their gold flowers into the wishing well and smiling generously at the "photo machine" aimed at them from below.
The wishing well serves as the donation box.
The exquisitely beautiful fountain, spewing pure and untainted water, sparkled beautifully under the dazzling lights of the palace ceiling, complementing the luxurious and splendid hall.
The gold flowers dropped into the wishing well represent the amount of the donation, with each flower equivalent to one hundred gold coins.
Vielsia looked at the wishing well now.
The banquet was only halfway through, yet the wishing well was already nearly full of gold flowers, much faster than she had anticipated.
'Is this... humanity?'
'The attendees, mostly nobles and upper-class individuals of human society, showed such kindness. Despite their high positions, they still thought of the weaker individuals below them, willing to forsake their own interests for the betterment of others'
"Sigh"
Vielsia sighed internally.
'No wonder humans were able to defeat the demon race a thousand years ago'
Such mutual support, solidarity, and collective consciousness to uplift the weak were something her elf race could not compare with.
Thinking of her own race,
Vielsia sighed deeply again.
She reached for her chest, where hidden inside her collar was a small dark green whistle pendant. Vielsia quietly clenched it a bit tighter with her hand.
It was given to her by the elders, a tool for communication among the elves.
According to the plan, the result of their race's "prophecy" should have been clear by last night, and the elders would send the remaining members of their race to meet her in the royal city.
But... It's already the evening of the next day.
Not to mention an elf coming to find her, the green whistle at Vielsia's chest never reacted at all.
'Did they get lost in the royal city?'
'That shouldn't be the case. Even if they were lost, they could use the whistle, and I would be able to sense them and proactively find them'
'Or is it that they were delayed by something?'
'Or'
Now, the instructor from the Ilinor Royal Academy, with a face full of excitement and flushed with enthusiasm, was very excited because, walking towards Vielsia with her, was another person.
That was a beautiful woman with red hair.
And it's known within the Ilinor Kingdom that "red hair" is a symbol of the royal family.
"Miss Vielsia, nice to meet you. I'm glad to know you," Yuffie, as a princess, had no nobility airs about her and even took the initiative to greet Vielsia, a commoner student.
This prompted Vielsia to quickly stand up and also hurriedly move forward to perform social courtesies to the human princess.
"Your Highness, it's my honor to meet you."
"I've heard from the academy's instructor that Miss Vielsia, although a transfer student from another place, has achieved excellent grades in all subjects at the academy, not falling behind those local students from the royal city at all."
Being praised by Princess Yuffie like this, Vielsia quickly shook her head and waved her hands: "No, no, I'm not that great. I'm just... just trying hard."
"Miss Vielsia, you don't have to be modest. The Royal Academy of the royal city represents the highest academic level within the entire Ilinor Kingdom. Being among the top there must mean you have extraordinary talent."
"Speaking of which, I've been revising a policy regarding the academy's treatment of students from other areas recently.
Miss Vielsia, being an outstanding and academically excellent student from another area, I was hoping to take some time out to meet with you and hear your opinions, which I'm sure would be of great help to the revision. I just don't know if Miss Vielsia..."
Princess Yuffie, with admiration, extended an invitation to Vielsia.
Seeing this, the elf princess, of course, would not refuse and immediately agreed: "No problem. If the princess needs me, just contact the instructor to notify me, I... I'm usually at the academy."
"Good, then it's settled~"
Afterwards, Princess Yuffie chatted briefly with Vielsia, making the elf princess feel even more that, as a princess of her race, the human princess seemed to have hardly any arrogant airs around her, giving her a very approachable and easygoing feeling, making their interaction very comfortable.
'This might be the reason why humans are strong'
'Those of high status never exhibit arrogance or conceit. As a princess, I must learn from Princess Yuffie!' While Vielsia was silently resolving to strive harder, another set of footsteps approached, another group heading towards their location
"How come Princess Yuffie, the highlight of the banquet, is staying in such a corner? You made us look hard for you!"
The newcomers were a noble couple.
The man appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, with a portly figure, his belt distorting the shape of his upscale suit. In contrast, his wife was much more attractive, with a voluptuous figure and striking makeup.
"Count Vedler really know how to joke. You and the other members of the Five Flowers Alliance are the stars of the banquet. I suppose after tonight's charity fundraiser, the Five Flowers Alliance's reputation among the domestic populace will reach a new height!"
"Haha, reputation is secondary. Our primary intention with the Five Flowers Alliance has always been to contribute more to the kingdom and provide more support and help to the common people."
"Of course" Princess Yuffie continued to smile as ever.
After a brief exchange, Count Vedler quickly shifted his gaze to Vielsia.
He squinted, giving Vielsia an up-and-down look.
Freckled face, thick glasses, ordinary appearance, her legs were quite long, but surprisingly not showing any skin, covered in plain-looking tights instead.
Her attire was very conservative, almost entirely wrapped up tightly, the only thing that caught his attention was Vielsia's big chest beneath the bulging uniform.