Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 574 Isn’t this a disease?

This morning, after tasting the Nereids City's specialty, boiled oysters and sea salt-roasted clams, the distinguished guests from the earth asked to go shopping in the downtown area, taste the food themselves, or see the daily life of the city's residents. This is a very normal request, but for some reason, when the Queen's order to accompany the guests, Her Highness Princess Galene seemed a little absent-minded, as if she had something else on her mind, when she agreed.

Old people are very cunning... Well, the experienced Countess naturally noticed her abnormality, so she was very considerate and said that you don't need to accompany us today, and you can go shopping at another time. Then, under the desperate gaze of the three little girls, she announced that she would supervise your daily homework today, and no one was allowed to leave the room to play before the homework was completed. In addition, she deliberately reminded a certain Princess Belman not to be moved by the tears and coquetry of some people and use her royal power to help them cheat.

Despite her warning, facing the eager, pitiful, and hungry eyes of the cute little girls, Olvera almost crossed the line that could not be crossed. Fortunately, at the critical moment, the countess saw her hesitation and quietly reminded her, "Who do you think asked me to supervise their homework? Is this just my opinion? It is clearly the tacit consent of everyone, including Lingge, Saint Xia Liya, Shesta, Shelia, and even Yieta..."

Faced with this unprecedented pressure, Olvera retreated. Not daring to offend the public, she gave the little girls a helpless look, then turned around and slowly walked back to the room to continue her own creative journey, leaving the poor trio behind, still enduring the terrible torture.

After being relieved from the task of receiving guests, Galene breathed a sigh of relief. It was not that she had any opinions about the guests. In fact, she and the little girls had been getting along very well in the past two days. Their relationship was so good that they could climb the big coral tree together, pick the immature corals on it together, get caught together and blame each other together... But she was really worried today, and she was in no mood to continue accompanying the guests to visit the beautiful scenery of this mirror city.

The atrium leading to the main hall of the Ice Water Palace has a wide view. Twenty-eight crystal pillars that require three people to hold together rise from the ground, supporting the transparent dome with a grand shape and magnificent momentum above the head. The light reflected by the seven crystal towers floating around the Ice Water Palace can penetrate the sea water without hindrance, illuminating every corner of the palace, creating a sense of solemnity and sacredness. The Ice Water Palace is located at the highest point of Nereids City, guarded by the white long steps surrounding the city at all levels. Standing anywhere in the city, the first thing you see when you look up is definitely its gorgeous and noble appearance. Therefore, the first impression of any mirror elf since he can remember is the awe and admiration that naturally arises in his heart when he looks up at the palace.

This visual shock and sensory impact will make the residents of the city realize their own insignificance, and then feel an insurmountable and inviolable force for the royal dignity symbolized by the palace. This is the means taken by the Nieride royal family to maintain their ruling position for a long time, and the intention of the builders is exactly this. But Galene doesn't like this design, because the Ice Water Palace gives her the impression that it is too cold and too far away, so sometimes she would rather live in the barracks dormitory than go back to her room in the palace to rest. She will only come back reluctantly when her mother asks her to go home for dinner, but she will just walk hurriedly under the dome of the atrium, and the sound of footsteps will quickly echo between the large area of ​​crystal and diamond-shaped stained glass walls, more like running away, rather than going home.

She walked along the path she had taken the guests on two days ago, her figure flickering in the blooming ice-blue flowers, and finally stopped in front of the study door, and raised her hand to knock on the door.

dong dong.

"I didn't." Galene subconsciously retorted: "I came to see you because I have something to ask, mother."

"Galene," Queen Aimi asked directly without looking up, "Didn't I ask you to accompany the guests for a good stroll? It's only been a short while, and you've already started to neglect your duties?"

So sometimes, Jialene wondered if she had decided to move out of the Ice Water Palace and choose to live outside, in order to get her mother to pay attention to her again. But the fact proved that her mother was more permissive towards her, because she thought it was a symbol of her daughter's independence.

"Come in." A response came from the room quickly, and the tone was quite casual. It was obvious that Her Majesty the Queen recognized the identity of the visitor just from the knock on the door. Galene was not surprised at all. She knew from a very young age that her mother was actually a meticulous and considerate person. She could always detect her depressed mood from her hesitant words and evasive eyes, so she always took time out of her busy schedule to comfort her, accompany her for meals, and coax her to sleep.

But there was one thing she was very clear about, that was her sister Rorona. The reasons why she left the Ice Water Palace and even left the City of Nereids were absolutely different from hers.

Unfortunately, as Galene gradually got used to life in the Ice Water Palace, this kind of treatment gradually disappeared. It's not that the queen no longer loves her two daughters, but as the ruler of the Azure Mirror, she always has more important things to deal with and heavier responsibilities to bear. For this reason, it is inevitable that she ignores the feelings of her relatives.

After getting approval, the eldest princess of the Nieride royal family pushed the door open and walked in. After taking a few steps, she saw her mother behind rows of tall bookshelves. She was dealing with a mountain of official documents. The aquamarine in the fireplace reflected a faint light, illuminating her focused face.

"Oh? What's the matter?"

"About Lorena."

The pen in Emilia's hand slowly stopped writing. She looked up, her eyes fixed on Galene: "I have discussed this matter with the guests, but they also have their own concerns and cannot help, so I will find another way. You go back first." "Just because the guests on the ground cannot enter human cities does not mean that I cannot either." Galene did not leave, but stepped forward and said: "Let me go to the city of Rothdana and bring Lorena back, mother. It is too dangerous for her to stay there. She will only be safe if she returns to Nereids. Besides, the migration plan is about to be implemented..."

"How are you going to enter the human city?" Queen Aimi interrupted her and frowned, "Are you trying to tell me that the girl I have raised for twenty-three years is not a mirror elf, but a human?"

"Of course I'm not human, but I can become one." Galene chuckled, "Didn't Rorona leave a bottle of potion that can disguise you as a human before she left?"

That was the original idea.

Queen Amyra saw through Galene's thoughts and sighed deeply: "Forget it. Lorena alone is enough to give me a headache. Don't learn from her and cause me trouble."

"How can this be called causing trouble, mother? I am clearly trying to help you solve the problem..."

"Don't give me that crap. Since you still call me mother, don't expect me not to see what you are thinking." Emilia snorted coldly in front of her daughter without any queenly demeanor: "To tell you the truth, after Lorena returns to Nereids this time, I will not let her leave. Although there is no united power of the cult in the outer sea, the degree of chaos is no worse, not to mention that we are going to the city of Isu. So, whether it is Lorena or you, stay in the city obediently and don't have any crooked ideas for me. In the future-"

She paused for a moment, then said with mixed feelings what every parent would say to their children: "You will understand my painstaking efforts in the future."

Galene was still a little hesitant: "But, Rorona's illness..."

"It's not a disease." Queen Amyra said calmly, but the girl's frail figure and pretending to be strong appeared in her mind, and her tone softened again: "Anyway, I will find a way to solve this matter. His Majesty Sandro and I will find out the root cause of the disease and work hard to make her healthy. Galene, as a sister, you have to care about your sister, but don't always spoil her and protect her, understand?"

"..." Galene was silent for a while, then suddenly muttered, "If it's not a disease, could it be a curse?"

"What did you say?"

Queen Aimi seemed not to have heard clearly, but in fact, who would believe that a powerful demigod would not be able to hear the whispers at such close range?
"Nothing." Knowing that she couldn't convince her mother, Kalene said helplessly, "Then I'll take my leave first, mother."

"Well, go ahead. Also, find some time to tidy up Rorona's room. Although you can ask the servants to do it, I think Rorona would prefer you, as her older sister, to help her tidy up her room."

"Ok."

Galene pursed her lips, lowered her head and agreed, then silently left the study. Queen Emilia also silently watched her leaving back without saying a word.

When the door was gently closed, a faint sigh seemed to be heard from inside and outside the room at the same time.

　Give me some meow
　　
　
(End of this chapter)