"Are you going to accept it?" Daniel asked after a brief pause.
If this were the old Ilaris, he was sure that this girl would without a doubt refuse such a proposal, and wouldn’t even think about it.
But the problem was that during this time, this girl had changed too much, and he couldn’t be sure what her decision would be.
Ultimately, this decision was Ilaris’s own, and he couldn’t order her what to do or not to do.
Ilaris, who hadn’t expected such a direct question, paused for a few seconds and then slowly shook her head.
"No." The answer was so quick that even Daniel was a bit surprised.
"No?" Daniel’s eyebrows rose, but then a smile appeared on his face.
Ilaris looked out the window. The royal gardens shone under the moonlight, and a gentle breeze moved the white curtains.
For a few moments, she said nothing.
Then in a quieter voice, she continued.
"I’ve been in love with someone before."
"Andreas, huh?" Daniel didn’t even need a moment to think.
Fortunately, this girl’s feelings hadn’t changed during this time, and that meant he could still trust her without any problems.
For the first time since the meeting began, Ilaris’s face flushed slightly. That reaction was so quick that perhaps any other person wouldn’t have noticed it.
But not from Daniel’s view. Not from someone who saw all the subtle changes in the emotions of those around him.
Ilaris bit her lip, then looked away, but she didn’t deny anything, and that silence was enough to reveal the answer.
Daniel smiled faintly.
"It wasn’t hard to guess."
"Please don’t go on." Ilaris muttered under her breath.
"Fine."
But Daniel’s smile hadn’t faded yet. A few moments later, he returned to the main topic.
"So which prince?"
This time, Ilaris truly laughed.
A short but genuine laugh.
"Rynor asked the same question earlier."
"Well, it’s an important question!" Rynor, who was present in the corner of his mind, immediately protested.
Daniel ignored him.
"The Emperor didn’t specify. All the eligible male princes." Ilaris continued.
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"You have a choice?"
"Apparently, but not really." Then Ilaris’s smile faded slightly.
"The Emperor just wants to make sure that whoever wins remains under the control of the main royal family. It doesn’t matter who becomes the heir."
"If one of the girls becomes the heir, she will ultimately have to marry one of his sons."
Daniel nodded slowly. Dangerous. Very dangerous. The Elf Emperor was much smarter than he had imagined.
He had already prepared a way to control the future even before the winner was determined.
It was clear that the Emperor wanted to keep control of the future elven leadership in his family by any means, and even if these girls didn’t become heirs, with their potential, it was still better to keep them under control.
From this, he could understand what kind of person this Emperor was.
"What about the princes?"
Ilaris thought for a moment.
"Arvandil, the first prince. Commander of a large part of the imperial army. Very popular among the military. He solves most of his problems with his sword. He is also the succession candidate of the first queen’s faction."
Then she continued.
"Sylvan, the second prince. A genius of magic. Almost all elven mages support him. He’s intelligent... perhaps too intelligent."
Daniel smiled.
"And dangerous?"
"Very."
Then she gave the third name.
"Theodor." For the first time, Ilaris’s tone became a bit more serious.
"The most dangerous of all. Not because of power, not because of talent, but because of influence. If he wants, he can start a war without drawing his sword. He is the succession candidate of the second queen’s faction."
Daniel whistled quietly.
"Interesting."
Ilaris continued, introducing several other princes.
But throughout the entire time, she never once spoke of them as brothers. Everything was like a report on political enemies, not family.
In any case, none of them, except the first three sons, were considered threats. Both in terms of power and intelligence, the first three princes were dangerous, and also the most likely candidates for succession.
The second prince was not supported by any faction, but he was the most beloved by the Emperor, and that made him an even greater threat than the others.
A few moments later, Daniel changed the subject.
"What exactly is this Supreme Elf trial?"
This time, even Ilaris became a bit serious.
"A trial held directly by the World Tree."
"It has three stages. The first stage: proving worthiness. The second stage: proving will."
"The third stage..." For the first time, hesitation appeared in her eyes.
"Confronting the World Tree."
"Just that?" Daniel raised an eyebrow. He felt it seemed easy.
Ilaris laughed.
"I wish it were just that."
Then she said quietly.
"The World Tree sees everything. Your memories, your fears, your desires, secrets you’ve even forgotten yourself. Nothing can hide from its gaze."
The room fell into silence for a few moments.
Then Ilaris continued.
"Most who reach that stage fail. Some never return. Only someone who serves the World Tree with their heart and soul can succeed."
"I see. So only you are going to undergo this trial?" Daniel asked.
"That was the plan. My supporters wanted me to do this trial because they think I will definitely succeed. But after the other rivals heard about it, they are also insisting that the Emperor allow them to enter as well."
"Do you think he will?"
"If I refuse the marriage proposal, yes... He can’t completely stop me from entering that trial because it would anger the ancient elves and ruin internal unity. But he can make it harder for me."
Daniel could truly hear fatigue and disgust in her voice.
"I’ll come too." But at that very moment, he said.
Complete silence suddenly filled the space.
Ilaris blinked.
"What?" And thought she had misheard.
Daniel shrugged.
"I said I’ll come too. As a guest, or an ally, or whatever title you like. I just want to see it. Is it not possible?"
"I don’t know... I’ll have to ask the Emperor and get back to you." Ilaris sighed and answered.
Daniel said nothing and nodded. He had his own reasons for wanting to come. The most important was that the elves wouldn’t think Ilaris was alone.
And on the other hand, he wanted to lay the groundwork for friendly relations from now on.
A few moments later, Ilaris hesitated, as if thinking about something.
Finally, she said.
"There’s something else. The Emperor has never succeeded in obtaining the World Tree’s blood."
A few seconds of silence passed.
"He never succeeded?" This time even Daniel was surprised. He had thought that the current Emperor was one of those who had obtained the blood.
"No."
"Despite being the most powerful elf of the current generation, despite trying for hundreds of years to obtain it."
"He failed."
"And I think that’s his greatest complex. That’s why he’s obsessed with this trial. That’s why I’m worried that if I succeed in obtaining the blood, he might take it from me by force..."
Daniel’s gaze slowly deepened. This information was very valuable, more than it appeared on the surface.
But just as he was about to ask the next question...
Knock knock.
The sound of the door came from the room. A few seconds later, a servant hurriedly entered, her face a mix of anxiety and respect.
She bowed deeply.
"Your Highness..."
"What is it?" Ilaris turned her gaze toward her.
"Princess Lunaryl has arrived at the palace." The servant swallowed and then said.
And Daniel suddenly paused as well. Lunaryl. He remembered that name well. That same girl he had seen on the first floor of the tower.
"She requests an immediate meeting with you." The servant continued.
A brief silence fell over the room. Then Ilaris quietly rose from her seat, her royal dress shining under the golden light of the room.
And her gaze became more serious than before.
"It seems my break time is over."