Miss Danist was quite surprised to see Shade walk out from between the bookshelves:
"Although I did complain last night that you didn't visit me often enough, you didn't have to come again this morning when we only said goodbye last night, did you?
"What? You're looking for Emilia? No problem. Today is Sunday. I checked her schedule, and she should still be sleeping in. Have you eaten breakfast? Don't say you have. Sit down and have a cup of tea with me. A weekend morning should begin with morning tea."
She was right. Emilia had indeed slept in that Sunday morning. A full half hour after morning tea had ended, the Pointy-eared Elf finally came running out from between the bookshelves, wearing a robe with all its buttons done up incorrectly:
"Good morning, Miss Danist! Good morning, Shade! Sorry I'm late!"
The Red-haired Sorceress could not help shaking her head inwardly, but she did not ask why Emilia was late:
"Shade is looking for you. Also, Grandma Sianode asked me to pass along a message. The Nine Great Elf Clans have completed their preliminary negotiations, and formal talks will probably begin next week. When the time comes, you'll need to show yourself in the forest and display your power."
Emilia had no objections to that. She had learned from Angelina how to become a qualified "Queen." Although the little Princess had an extremely slim chance of inheriting the throne—she simply had too many elder brothers and sisters—Angelina had still secretly studied such matters systematically.
"Will the Academy be involved in the alliance of the Elf Clans?"
Shade asked curiously, sitting on the short sofa with a teacup in hand. Emilia answered him:
"Yes. The Orthodox Churches and the Three Great Academies will all be involved. Grandma Qishala told me