Cornflower Witch

Chapter 191 A Clan Favored by Feathers and Flowers

'Linquan Orchard' Site

Fluorescent insects fluttered among the dark orchards, while a clear spring flowed gently in the distance, its waters, imbued with the purifying power of 'Radiant Moon,' slowly nourishing the soil and reducing the distorted pollution.

A golden-haired elf, dressed in a plain white dress, walked through the forest carrying a basket filled with reddish fruits, plump and tempting.

Arriving at the open space outside the orchard, one finds treehouse-like buildings built against the mountainside, with many pointed-eared elves moving about, and occasionally, one can hear melodious songs.

"Lady Florella~"

As this elf walked by, other elves greeted her and bowed. Although this elf was only at the second rank, her status seemed exceptionally different.

Upon arriving at a treehouse on the second floor, after setting down the basket, two elven maidens came forward and lifted the fruit out of the basket to put it away.

"Lady Florella, you don't need to pick the fruit yourself every time. Just tell us how," one of the elven maids advised the elven girl.

"It's alright, I quite enjoy picking fruit." Florella sat in the chair, her light pink eyes turning gently, exuding a natural charm. She stretched her legs and gave a simple yawn.

"By the way, have you replied to the letter I wrote home before?" the beautiful elf girl asked the maid.

"At the speed of the Windwatch Birds, it will probably take another two months to return to the Fourth Continent," a maid shook her head.

“Our second continent is too far from here; this speed is already the limit,” another maid explained.

"Is Your Highness homesick?"

"A little, but it's alright. I'll probably have to attend the Flower Crown Festival again when I get back, which will be very tiring." Florella leaned lazily against the table, her light pink eyes examining the strands of hair between her fingers.

“I said back then that I would go out and gain experience for twenty years before going back, and only three years have passed now.”

"Actually, I don't really want to go back, because if I go back, I'll probably inherit the throne, and that kind of life won't be free."

"No, Her Majesty the Queen often holds various events and invites friends from the forest to participate. Your Highness also participated frequently when you were a child, and occasionally you would even encounter fairies from the upper realm."

“Fairies…” Florella recalled her childhood experiences.

"They said that if I were to inherit the throne, I would have to hold a ceremony to temporarily reach the Heavenly Courtyard and meet the high fairy 'Lochinvira'. Only by gaining the approval of that person would I receive a blessing."

"Because 'Lochinvira' is a subordinate of Her Majesty 'Fennecini', the Spring Goddess, her blessings will also be related to flowers."

"The Elf Queens of Fragrant Wind Forest throughout history have all received the blessing of the 'Pink Begonia,' a flower under the jurisdiction of 'Lochinvira,' but unfortunately, I prefer the Ice Cup Flower." Florella stretched her long arms out on the table, and her slender waist gradually straightened.

"There's nothing we can do about it, Your Highness." The two maids looked at each other helplessly, trying their best to comfort each other.

"It is said that only those who meet Her Majesty 'Fennec', the harbinger of spring, can receive a blessing and freely choose their favorite flower to bestow upon them. In the mortal world, only one family has this honor."

"It is said that members of their family can, at the age of ten, have a ceremonial audience with the god of the gods and receive blessings according to an ancient covenant."

“Even so, only three members of their family in each generation can obtain this qualification, and each of them is a strong contender for the next head of the family.” “That family…” Florella gently shook her soft golden hair and sat up.

"According to the distant news carried on the wind, haven't they already fallen into decline? Can they still continue their ancient glory?"

"Although they have declined, they have left behind many legends. All the bards and artists on the Seven Continents today originated from this family's ancestors. They have truly engraved their names in history."

“Hmm, it would be great to meet the descendants of their family. Actually, I’m quite interested in them too.” Florera turned her eyes to look at the two maids.

"Do you know this rumor? It is said that the origin of all maid professions is that of a certain patriarch of this family. He personally wrote the maid's code of conduct, as well as various creeds and rules."

"I have heard of it. It is said that in that generation, their family lost a lot of wealth because they were involved in the turmoil of the dynastic change. They had to rely on the maids in the house to make ends meet. In order to promote their maids, the head of the family wrote a model and rules for maids, which later gained widespread recognition and led to the family's revival."

"Even such a family has experienced three periods of decline and rise. It seems that everyone has become accustomed to their process of declining and then rising again every few generations."

"The first ancestor of the family was a poet who sang ballads that moved the horn of spring."

"The head of the family during the second period of prosperity was poor and destitute in his youth. Later, he won the favor of the princess of the dynasty with his painting skills and married her, which led to the family's revival once again."

"The head of the family during the third period of prosperity was the one who wrote the maid's code. It is said that during the poorest time, the family only had an abandoned castle, which they almost had to sell."

"A family full of ups and downs is also a model that many bards talk about, because there are so many stories."

"It's a very interesting family tradition. Although they are often in decline, no one looks down on them. Occasionally, they can even maintain a half-dead state by relying on marriage alliances."

"Before I left home, my mother asked me if I was willing to marry into their family, because their family bloodline was noble enough, but not so powerful, so they could accept me marrying into their family," Florella recalled, combing her hair.

"Did His Highness agree?" the two maids asked curiously.

"Of course not. You have to find your own happiness, right?"

"Furthermore, their family has not yet lost its main heir. Even in decline, they are still a prestigious family on the First Continent and one of the forces that influence the situation on the First Continent. I do not want the Fragrant Forest to be involved in the internal changes of the First Continent."

"The Forest of Fragrant Breeze, the Forest of Emerald Rain, and the Forest of White Roses—our three major elven branches will not easily participate in the changing of the tides of power on the First Continent. That continent is protected by the Sun Dragon and is currently the strongest of the seven continents."

"It would be too dangerous to get involved rashly. If the First Continent falls into chaos, multiple Sichens might perish, directly breaking the covenant agreement."

Tie your hair up with a white headband, then straighten your skirt and stand up.

"Alright, I have to go back to class now. Let's talk again next time." Florella picked up her book bag and prepared to go to class.

"Oh right, what was the name of that family again?"

"Mezalans, a race favored by quills and flowers," the two maids replied as the elven maiden departed.

(End of this chapter)