Queen’s Carriage
Current time at humanity's Imperial Capital.
"Your Majesty, these are the elves that came from the elven lands."
Queen Sisi crossed one leg over the other and giggled. The two elves were fearful of her. They sincerely performed humanity's salute. While Queen Sisi smiled with disdain, she returned the salute with a casual one of her own. She didn't insult the two elves. She looked at the young man and Achilles, both of whom were beside her, and then looked back at the elf: "Is there something important you two have suddenly paid me a visit for this time?"
The leader of the two elves replied, "Yes, my esteemed Queen. We elves require your help."
While the man was definitely was reproaching the elf for revealing their plans and emotions too soon to himself, the elf couldn't do anything about it. He couldn't hold back his tears. He sincerely explained, "Your Majesty, I beg you. I am begging you as your most esteemed servant. Please avenge my mother. I have no one else who I can make this request to. You are the only one. You are the only one who can save my mother. Please…"
"Oooohh!!!" The elf despairingly told Queen Sisi of his tragic story with a miserable tone, but Queen Sisi reacted surprised. She looked around with excitement and surprise, leaving Achilles feeling awkward to say the least. She grabbed Achilles shoulder with one hand then laughed hysterically: "I get it; I get it now. Achilles, do you remember the elf who wrote me a cheesy love letter? I think I've found the writer!!"
"Yes…" Achilles instantly realised who Queen Sisi was referring to. He silently prayed to himself, "His mother has just met with a tragedy; if you're still worrying about the letter, that's just inappropriate. I seriously hope this woman doesn’t choose to talk about that of all things. Insulting his love confession when his nation and family have just been destroyed has got to be a big blow for the elf. Last time, she talked an elf to death. I'm not sure that insulting another elf to death is the right thing to do."
To be frank, everyone knew what the elf came to see Queen Sisi for. Achilles also knew what Queen Sisi's response would be. A rebellion just took place in the elven lands, forcing the Elven Queen to abdicate her throne. The elf crying to Queen Sisi was the Elven Queen's adopted son. The elf, who was a former Prince just days ago, came to plead humanity for help.
Achilles knew Queen Sisi wouldn't help the former Prince. The reason she granted the two elves an audience with her was merely to see their miserable looks. She looked forward to seeing just how miserable the two elves could look for her own entertainment. After seeing their distraught looks she was satisfied. In saying that, she still looked as though she wasn't too satisfied. She wanted to see them more miserable. Not even Achilles could watch her continue ridiculing them for laughs after they lost their nation and homes.
When Queen Sisi saw the Elven Prince reach breaking point, she finally stopped laughed and said, "Okay, okay, okay, I would be too mean if I just ignored you after your love letter."
After finally hearing something that made him feel a little better, the elf quickly and emotionally asked, "Really…? Really?! Y-You will protect us? You will help us?"
"Of course. I know Elven Queen Geruolinna. In the last war, she demonstrated courage and determination, which I admired. Moreover, she's one of the very few who could compare to me in terms of beauty, isn't she? I like her very much. If possible, I'd, by all means, help her. With that said, I'm very curious as to where your adopted mother, who's also the Elven Queen, is."
Thrilled, the elf loudly responded, "She is in the North; she is in humanity's lands in the North. Lucilia sent my adopted mother and a few elves there. As you are here, I hope you can help me pick up my mother and save her. I can give you anything, including the future of elves."
The elf's cogs in his head turned very fast, but all he thought of was what to offer Queen Sisi. He had already given everything to her, including the elves. He had abandoned everything, and he could do so as long as it was for his mother.
"Oh?" Queen Sisi grinned.
The elf thought he hit the nail on the head, thereby putting a smile on Queen Sisi's face. Achilles, however, sighed to himself. Queen Sisi's grin was a patronising grin. If she was interested in what he said before, then she had lost interest. The elf's inexperienced showed; he offered Queen Sisi something that he obviously couldn't give her. That being the case, how could Queen Sisi possibly agree to help?
Queen Sisi switched her legs. She stretched her fingers out to examine them. She softly chuckled: "Really? You can give me the elves' future? So, you want me to rule elves in the future? I can have everything that elves have to offer?"
"Yes! Yes!"
"Well then, I'm very curious…" Queen Sisi lowered her hand. Her ridiculing smile became more obvious: "If your Queen Linna was crowned again, would your words hold weight or would hers? I saved your Queen in return for your promise; the question is, can you guarantee that you'll fulfil the promise?"
"That… I… I will do my best."
"In other words, you're not keeping your word. You better bring someone else, then. Bring someone who can make good on their word."
Queen Sisi stood up, which indicated that she had completely lost interest in the matter; or rather, she was satisfied after seeing the elf's reaction after she personally destroyed all of his hope. She left without ever looking back, leaving the elf with a look of absolute bewilderment.
Achilles walked up to the stunned elf. He patted him on the shoulder and said, "Leave. Next time, keep this in mind: if you can't keep your word, don't thoughtlessly make promises. That's a taboo in negotiations. Compared to worrying about your Queen Linna, I suggest you go to the North and learn what negotiation means from the man in the North."
Achilles gave the final blow, and then caught up to his Queen. Queen Sisi undid her hair then swung it around. She then nonchalantly inquired, "How boring; Little Doggy is interesting, after all. Talking with Little Doggy is intriguing. These people are so boring. Oh, right, did he just say that their Queen was in the North, where Little Doggy is?"
"Yes." Achilles immediately began to panic to himself…
"Excellent. Prepare a horse carriage, then. I'm heading to the North."