Book 19.5: Chapter 6
Castell bowed to Elizabeth. Then, with a smile, he reported, “The army has completed their preparations. King Troy’s ceremony will dazzle. I hope I have the opportunity to personally witness it.”
“What are we going to do about work here on this end, then?” asked Elizabeth, stroking her battle steed’s fur. “Stay here, and don’t worry. I’ll bring you some souvenirs.”
“Our gifts for King Troy have already been sent. I wonder if he is content with them.”
“They’re splendid handmade art crafts we’re talking about. Even I want to keep one in my storage.”
Elizabeth looked at the grand escort and laughed. Although she had gifted Troy a perfect crown, that was a gift she prepared together with the elves. Elizabeth didn’t want to give Troy a gift prepared in conjunction with the elves. She was pleased with the idea, but unfortunately, humanity’s artisans couldn’t create such a perfect crown. As such, Elizabeth had to swallow the bitter pill. She had to bite the bullet and hand the gold to the elves. Both parties were satisfied with the result, except Elizabeth still went ahead and prepared additional gifts. Of course, lots of those presents were gifts from the vassal states to the King of the North. Frankly, the most valuable present Elizabeth wanted to give her son wasn’t in the horse carriages but on the back of her horse.
Being able to spend a night together with her son was a blissful and happy privilege. Her father was no longer around, so the only one who could comfort her was her son. Furthermore, the one thing Elizabeth adamantly refused to admit was that her son aroused her feelings as a woman, especially at night.
Smiling, Castell questioned, “Your Majesty, you sold your own throne when you first built your nation. Should I or should I not say: do not go too far with luxuries as a monarch?”
Castell was probably the only person who would dare to speak to Elizabeth in that manner. She didn’t reprimand her long-time vassal. She, instead, answered, “I wouldn’t say that this is excessively luxurious, though, right? After all, our national treasury is now capable of producing countless similar crowns. It’s just that it depends on Vyvyan. Enough now, it’s time for me to get going. Before that, however, I want to ask something.”
Elizabeth turned her horse sideways. By humanity’s standards, she was already past fifty, yet she possessed the beautiful and youthful appearance of a twenty year old. Time had stopped for her. Castell’s once young eyes and face had changed with the passage of time. Thus, he looked a lot older than her. Elizabeth inquired, “Have you still not married?”