"Then, please hold me tight, Your Highness the prince, for the journey ahead might be a bit hard for you to accept." Lucia stood at the entrance of the palace, holding me up in a princess-style embrace. If we switched our genders, this scene would be quite picturesque... In order to move more conveniently, Lucia tore open the sides of her skirt, exposing her slender and fair legs underneath. I felt a little embarrassed and hugged her neck. She took a deep breath and sprung into action. The explosive sound of wind bursting echoed in my ears instantly, the extreme speed almost made it impossible for me to breathe. Why am I so uncomfortable even though I am an Elf too? Could it be because I don't have the blessing of a Wind Elf?

And then, there was an extremely thrilling plunge. No, actually it wasn't that thrilling; Lucia was gliding through the air rather than falling. As she held me, her eyes were fixed on the departing carriage of the Eighth Elder. Even though she was holding me, it didn't affect the agility of her body at all.

"Pat." Lucia landed softly and set me down. Despite just having completed a flight with a passenger, Lucia was still looking sleepy. Her breathing hadn't even sped up. This magical physical quality of hers was terrifying - no wonder she was already a captain at such a young age.

"The two of you, please go downstairs. All the books and materials are right below." The leading elder, who should be the most prominent among the Eight Elders, bowed respectfully to us and led us into his tree-house. It was a house with a hollow tree trunk interior, which was quite charming. To be more accurate, this huge tree was his home - at first, I thought it was just for decoration... I stepped inside the tree and was surprised by the huge space within. Although it appeared to be just a large tree from the outside, the space within was the size of a villa.

The magic of the Elves was truly mysterious. Breathing the unique air of green leaves, we followed the old man down the spiral wooden staircase. He took out a key and opened the door to the basement. The air was filled with the smell of ink, even though it was a basement, it was still penetrated by sunlight, showing no signs of being underground - was this also because of magic?

There were rows upon rows of tall bookshelves, stretching farther than the eye could see. This was hardly a basement library for one person - more like the library for the entire Elf race. Staring dumbfounded at the bookshelves before me, the elder proudly straightened his slightly hunched back. Just to shock me seemed to make him very proud indeed. He said, "These are the books and materials I've collected over a lifetime. There are works from every Elf tribe, and many are unique ancient books. Be careful with them."

"Quickly, bring out the books related to the earth dragons." Lucia suddenly became anxious, grabbing the elder's collar and shouting. I was taken aback, looking back at her. Lucia glanced at me, and her usually squinty eyes were now shining with fear. She said, "Your Highness the Prince, we must return immediately. The Queen is searching for you, and all the guards are out looking. I just received a message, we must take the materials and return as soon as possible."

"It doesn't matter, right? I'm not a fugitive, just tell my mother later." I shrugged indifferently. I hadn't gone far, just within the city, and I didn't believe my mother would be too hard on me. Besides, a simple apology should suffice. But since I had the chance, I must get all the materials before returning.

"Do you not remember how terrifying it was when the Queen found out you were missing?! If we don't return immediately, she may start a commotion and kill everyone who has ever been in contact with you!" Lucia's eyes were filled with real anxiety, and I was startled. Remembering that my mother was indeed capable of such actions, and seeing Lucia's expression, I realized she was not joking.

"Stay calm. Just tell them I'm with you. Now let's get going." I hurriedly said to Lucia, then addressed the elder, "Just bring out the most recent related books and let me take them away. I swear I'll return them to you!"

"Alright, alright! You should hurry back, hurry!" I felt as if a storm had risen in the city, even though I had only been out for about ten minutes. My mother was apparently too sensitive! I thought she was a wise ruler at ordinary times, but now she seemed quite despotic. It seemed best to leave as soon as possible, as Lucia's expression had also begun to change.

"Let's go, let's go!"I quickly took a stack of books and ran towards the palace with Lucia's hand. "Your Highness! Please come back quickly!" As soon as I arrived at the door, the guards there looked at me with excitement, as if they saw a divine reincarnation, and spoke to me trembling. It's true… if I hadn't come back, these guards would be the first to die... I handed the books to Lucia and said, "Take these books to my bedroom, and then go see my mother... Her Majesty the Queen."

"Okay."

Lucia nodded, jumped high, and her long legs flashed in front of me... You've already torn your skirt, so be careful! And why do I feel you're not wearing any underwear?! You Elves don't wear underwear, do you?! Why did I see a touch of black?！

The sound of hoofs behind me was chaotic, it seemed that the scattered guards who were looking for people had finally returned. I turned around and each of them had a relieved expression, having escaped death, it seemed that what Lucia said was absolutely correct without any exaggeration. I took a deep breath, and ran into the palace.

"Find him! A bunch of useless people! Search for him in the royal city! Put the city under martial law! Can't you all take care of my only son?! If my son has a scratch, I swear by the name of Goddess Cwentina that none of you will survive! Go find my son!"

As soon as I arrived at the door, I heard a loud shout inside, accompanied by a loud bang. I felt that there should be a plaster statue or something that had been transformed from an artwork to garbage. I pushed the door open and found several guards kneeling on one knee, while my mother was roaring in their faces. Beside her, the head of a statue was innocently rolling on the floor.

Well, these were the statues of the previous Elf kings placed on the pedestals on either side of the entrance...

"Your Majesty! The prince has returned!"

Lucia suddenly appeared behind me and pushed me towards my mother. Her face showed great relief. My mother saw me, and her blue eyes, burning with rage, were instantly moistened by tears. The anger that could burn the entire palace disappeared in an instant.

She hugged me tightly in her arms and wept loudly on my shoulder. I felt the great impact of my mother's chest and told her, "I'm sorry, Mom. I ran out without telling you. I'm really sorry."

First of all, let's calm my mother down. In just ten minutes, since I left the palace, this has happened. What would they have done if I'd been hurt while secretly leaving the city? I think the guards would have to be replaced.

"Stupid child! Didn't I tell you not to go out? Why didn't you tell me when you went out?"

My mother cried on my shoulder, her hands weakly tapping my back. She was truly scared. I could feel the weight of her body pressing on me, as her legs no longer had the strength to support her. I gently pushed her away and looked at her pale face. I felt uncomfortable too. My escape was a bit reckless this time...

This could cause a curse that covers the entire palace!

"I'm sorry, Mom. I was wrong."

"I only have you as my child, you know. I just want to see you doing well." My mother's palm trembled as she touched my face while her beautiful face was covered with crystal tears. "Please...my child...for the sake of the Goddess... don't make me worry... I only have you... I only have one child... please..."

My mother's cries trembled, and her weak body slid down, mixed with tears. I propped her up, picked her up, and then looked back at Lucia, pointing to the roof. Lucia nodded and left the palace.

"I'm sorry, Mom, I was wrong."

I gently placed my mother in the armchair and knelt before her. "I'm sorry, Mom. I ran out alone without telling you. I'm really sorry."

No matter what, let's appease my mother first. I just went out for less than ten minutes and didn't even remember the streets, and it has already become like this. If I had been injured when I secretly left the city, the guards would have to be replaced.

"Stupid child! Stupid child! Didn't I ask you not to go out? Why didn't you tell me when you went out?"

My mother cried on my shoulder, her hands weakly tapping my back. She was truly scared. I could feel the weight of her body pressing on me, as her legs no longer had the strength to support her. I gently pushed her away, and, seeing her pale face, my heart ached. I'd been too reckless in running away.

I couldn't even remember the streets, and it had become like this. If I had been injured when I secretly left the city, the guards would all have to be replaced.

"Mother... I won't worry you again... My child knows how scared you are without me, right? You must be fine. If you're not alright, what's the point of my living?" I had been away for less than ten minutes... And it was still in the city, moreover, with the elders. But I didn't say these words, I just stood up, walked to my mother, and gently hugged her. Mother encircled my waist, tears streaming down her face."Mom, I'm sorry, I won't make you worry anymore..."

"Mmm..."

Mom nodded with relief, and a slight smile finally appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"Your Highness the Queen, I apologize for the interruption, but Mr. Kasdey of the Human is awaiting an audience."

At this moment, a servant walked to the door and looked at us as he spoke. Mom nodded and stood up, wiping away her tears with a handkerchief. She looked at me and said with a smile, "Traui, take a look and see if there's anything wrong with me?"

I reached out to wipe the tear stains off Mom's cheek, and I had to admit that the skin of elves feels really nice... I said, "There's nothing wrong, Mom. You go ahead and take care of things. I'll go to my room first."

"Mmm... let him in."

Mom smiled and let go of my hand, and I bowed and left from the door. Just then, that Mr. Kasdey from the Human walked towards the entrance. He was a middle-aged man, his hair meticulously combed back, his black suit spotless, and his beardless face as clean as a knife's edge. He looked at me coming out, smiled, bowed, and said, "Your Highness the Prince, it's truly a pleasure to meet you here. Please allow me to greet you on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, who is waiting day and night for your return home."

"Ah? Oh... umm... Nice to meet you, Mr. Kasdey...umm..." I looked at him somewhat confusedly, as he said a lot of things that seemed very familiar to me... No... it seemed that people from the Human Palace and I were very familiar... but I couldn't understand what he was saying. What queen, what going home... isn't this my home?

"Mr. Kasdey, has my child caused you any trouble?"

At this moment, Mom suddenly appeared at the door, looked over here, and said with a smile.

Kasdey straightened up, his handsome face revealing a diplomatic and polite smile, saying, "No, no, no, Your Majesty the Queen, how could Your Highness the Prince bother me, a mere servant? I just came to greet my prince and convey Her Majesty's regards."

At this time, I suddenly realized that the way these two addressed me was different. People on my mother's side all called me "His Highness the Prince", while Kasdey called me "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince". And the kings they referred to, that is, my mother, were definitely not the same person.

They must be talking about the Queen of the Elves and the Empress of the Human. So if that's the case, my mother is the Queen of the Elves, and I'm the prince, but what's the relationship between the Empress of the Human and me?

"Sir, please note that according to the agreement, during this time, Traui is my child, the prince of the Elves, and my proud son. He is not the son of the empress, so naturally, he is not Your Royal Highness. If you are only here to greet my son this time, please return."

Although mom smiled, I noticed that her anger had caused a layer of ice to form over her blue eyes, and her slender fingers were shaking slightly. If a sudden fireball came flying out next, I wouldn't be surprised at all.

Kasdey shook his head and smiled, saying, "Your Majesty the Queen, please do not be angry. Greeting His Royal Highness the Prince was just a matter of courtesy along the way. Since I happened to meet His Highness, I had to greet him properly as a servant. So please do not blame me, Your Majesty. However, the matter I wish to discuss is also related to His Highness the Prince."

"Oh really? Then let me hear it. What new ideas does the empress have?"

Mom snorted coldly and turned around. Kasdey smiled and looked at me again, bowing slightly, saying, "Goodbye then, and wish you good health, Your... ah, no, Your Highness the Prince."

"The same to you."

Kasdey smiled and turned to walk towards mom. I turned around with a confused face and headed to my room. What on earth is going on, do the Human and the Elves have any issues with me? This body didn't give me enough memories, but it brought me enough trouble.