Book 12.1: Chapter 1


    <em>You came around on your bamboo horse encircling chairs and benches. Dangling in your hand was a branch of green plums.  Li Bai (Changgan Bad)</em>


    There was no such thing as seasons in the elvennds. You will always open your eyes to see the bright sun and lush green every day unless its a wet day. However, even if it was a wet day, the cool breeze would bring the refreshing rain and green leaves into the room of the young girl curled up on her warm bed deep asleep and wake her up. However, today was a sunny day.


    The sun was bright as usual. The lush and tall trees outside hadnt seemed to have yet woken from their slumber. The brancheszily swayed in the breeze. The birds cheerful singing and the shadow cast by the birds wings woke up the young girl deep asleep.


    Lucias favourite colour was green, the colour of life.


    Lucia. Lucia. Wake up. Didnt you want to go to the pce with your father today? Hurry up and wake up.


    Mm


    Lucias mother shook her a few times. She sluggishly wriggled before slowly sitting up. Lucia, who was developing well physically, was as beautiful as the sun that had juste up. Underneath the young girls very short sleepwear were her breasts that were slightly pronounced. Her green eyes still looked hazy, as she had yet to fully wake up from her slumber. You could faintly see her ribcage, but her smooth belly was enough to make one fantasise about her.


    Hurry up ande over for breakfast. Im preparing to leave with your father. Lucia, this is your first time entering the pce, and youll get to see Her Highness. Dont embarrass yourself.


    Her mother wore on the maid uniform for maids in the pce today. Lucia suddenly stopped as she rubbed her eyes, because she suddenly remembered today was the day her mom and dad promised to take her into the pce. Queen Vyvyan suddenly mentioned her a few days ago, asking if it was her birthday today. She told Lucia toe into the pce, since it was her birthday, and Queen Vyvyan could meet her and give her a birthday present.


    Lucia never imagined shed have the honour of meeting Queen Vyvyan. Perhaps it was because her parents were both in the pce that Queen Vyvyan remembered her. Her father was an imperial guard, while her mother was a maid. It was a great honour for Lucias family. Nobody knew what shed receive. Being able to see Queen Vyvyan was the greatest honour for elves. After all, Queen Vyvyan was the most outstanding ruler in elven history, irrespective of mana.


    Lucias parents were done with their preparations. Her mom prepared her makeup. She ate breakfast as she helped apply Lucias makeup. Lucia was very beautiful. Her mom applied only a tad of makeup, but she couldnt find the feeling Lucia previously gave off. Hopeless, she removed the makeup. When it came down to it, natural was the best for elves.


    Lucia was incredibly excited. She almost couldnt wake up today, but she was very eager to meet Queen Vyvyan. She heard from her parents that Queen Vyvyan was a venerable and gentle Queen, but she had never met said Queen before. She was very eager to meet the Queen and exchange a few words with her.


    The imperial guards made way. It was little Lucias first time in the pce. Her parents had to go off to work, so that was as far as they could take her. Her mom bent over to give her a kiss on her face. She said, My Lucia, do not say anything weird, okay? You must be polite. There are not many chances to meet Her Highness, so you must cherish the opportunity.


    Lucia grabbed her skirt feeling somewhat nervous. She replied, I know.


    Mommy is going to go to work now. Lucia, go and see Her Highness.


    Lucia nodded: Mm.


    Lucia felt slightly scared. Imperial guards stood at the door, waiting for Her Highness to arrive at the guest hall. Lucia nervously grabbed her skirt. She never met Vyvyan before. She only caught a glimpse of Vyvyan in the distance when she made an appearance at an event. She had no idea how the Queen would speak and what sort of birthday present shed receive.


    Go on in, Miss Lucia. Her Highness is waiting for you.


    Mm.


    The imperial guards made way. After a moment of hesitation, the young girl pushed open therge door to the guest hall. She felt an odd fearful feeling due to her anticipation and nervousness.


    Ah, Lucia.


    Upon pushing the door open, what she saw was bright blonde hair, a pair of captivating blue eyes, an emerald dress thatplimented white skin, a tall, slender and graceful body, standing below the bright sun. Lucia spaced out when she saw the woman with gentle smile and radiance that was seemingly emitted from her body. She randomly felt touched and almost had an urge to cry all of a sudden.


    Her father had told her that Queen Vyvyan has the power to heal ones heart. Everybody was seemingly transparent before her gentle smile. It was as though she could heal everybody.


    Lucia saluted Vyvyan: Your Highness!


    Vyvyan smiled: You dont need to salute me, Lucia. Today is your birthday, right? Your father and mother are all people working in the pce. I trust them and greatly respect them, so I need to give you a birthday present today.


    Thank you very much, Your Highness! Being able to take care of you is our greatest honour in this life!


    You parents taught you to say that, right?


    Vyvyan giggled, and then touched Lucias head. Her warmth and warm fragrance almost made Lucia pass out. Lucia couldnt stop trembling. She was so touched that she was on the verge of tears.


    You dont hold back, Child. Tell me: what do you like most?


    Lucia forgot everything her parents told her. She met with Vyvyans blue eyes and answered: I I like meat pies and berries.


    Yeah? Vyvyan pursed her lips into a smile, after hearing the young girls childish response. She then said, How about this, then? Since you like those two, stay for the evening and Ill, personally, prepare dinner for you.


    Ah?!


    Lucia froze for a moment. She initially didnt n to stay for dinner, for she only went to the pce to let Vyvyan see her, and give her a present. She spaced out. Though she looked forward to it, she was shy and didnt dare to ept the offer. The young girl s idly stood there. There were no secrets in front of Vyvyan, though.


    Vyvyan giggled. She touched Lucias cheek and, with a smile, said, Its all right. Ill let your parents know. Stay in the pce this evening, and then Ill have somebody send you home. Consider it your birthday present. I now allow you to move about freely in the pce. Lucia, I still have work; hence, I cant keep youpany. Oh, by the way, I, actually, have a son about your age. He should be ying in the flower garden at the moment. If you meet him, make sure to get along with each other.


    Yes. Lucia looked at Vyvyan and bowed.


    Vyvyan gave her onest smile and hug before pulling the door open.


    That day was the day that Lucia received the privilege all elves dreamt of. To be able to have dinner with Queen Vyvyan Gdriel  not a ball or an event  but a personal dinner with her, was a privilege that only her family and most trusted individuals had. Up until then, nobody had that privilege.


    Lucia, who was on the way to the flower garden, however, was still unaware that she was on her way to find her most treasured birthday present in her lifetime. Later on, her most favourite thing among her most favourite things was always a ck pair of eyes.