Woman? Woman! Queen? Queen!

"Are you not going to say anything?"

As Azar and his group stepped out of the entrance to Zul'Gurub, they encountered a detachment of Night Elf troops, led by none other than Dath'Remar.

"If you don't apologize, I guarantee you won't be able to say anything at all very soon."

No sooner had Dath'Remar finished speaking than a dagger appeared at his throat.

"Good day, Prince. I take back what I just said. May I ask what happened inside?"

"I don't get it, why do you have such a grudge against me?" Azar stepped forward, pushed Maiev's dagger aside, and stared straight at Daresmar.

"..."

"You don't happen to have a thing for my wife, do you?" Azar leaned in and whispered into Daresmar's ear as if a thought had suddenly occurred to him.

Daresmar's eyes widened instantly!

"I'm just kidding." Azar gave a wicked smile.

"If you want to know, go see for yourself. You're a lucky kid, go ahead and pick up the scraps." With that, he walked away without looking back.

"Teacher Maiev."

Just as the group was about to pass through the ranks, a weak voice called out.

"Lida!" Maiev heard the voice. She saw a very frail elf being supported by several Night Elves. Maiev ran over and embraced her.

"Thank goodness, you're still alive! Praise the Moon Goddess!"

"We found her on the way here. She was severely wounded at the time."

"Anla! Come take a look at her." Maiev turned and shouted to Anla. Anla hurried over to help.

"Looks like I'll have to walk back; her body can't handle Space Gate." Idiot A.

"Are you stupid? Saying that at a time like this? Aren't you afraid Maiev will slit your throat in the middle of the night?"

"..."

"Send someone to take her back to Eldre'Thalas; consider that your apology. Use your carriage!" Azar said to the approaching Dath'Remar.

"Maiev, are you going with her?"

"I must stay with her."

"Understood. Saruman, open the Space Gate!"

The next day, Eldre'Thalas Council Hall.

"Father, ginger really is spicier when it's old. You solved the problem the moment you stepped in."

"Am I old? Where am I old?" Azar flew into a Berserk rage the moment he heard the word "old."

"Alright, alright, you're not old, you're like the midday sun! Tell me, what should we do next?" Sophia coaxed her father while humbly asking for advice.

"You should ask your mother what she plans to do next."

"Mother? Do you mean Mother has a grand plan, and this was just the first step?"

"You could say that. Based on my guess, after she finishes with the Gurubashi, her next move will be against the Zandalari. Once the conquest of the Zandalari is complete, the empire she envisions will be essentially formed. After all, morally speaking, the Zandalari are the rulers of the Trolls."

"Then what should we do?"

"Prepare for war. We are Kaldorei too, and she is our Queen. Although, I don't hold much hope for her southern expedition." Azar's tone sounded both pessimistic and helpless.

"Since you think that way, why don't you tell her your thoughts directly?"

"Do you think she would listen, given her pride?"

"But if her southern expedition fails, it will be the strength of the Night Elves that suffers; many people will die." At this moment, Sophia's tone was sorrowful, her expression pained.

"You won't know unless you try. Even if it's just for the sake of the Kaldorei people, please, just try."

"Fine, I'll save as many as I can. The Zandalari are not as weak as she imagines."

Zin-Azshari, Queen's Council Hall.

"Xavius, how are the preparations for the southern expedition against the Zandalari coming along?"

"Everything is ready. We are just waiting for your command."

"Your Majesty, should we notify Princess Sophia? After all, they have many cooperative ties with the Zandalari." Dath'Remar asked cautiously.

"What do you all think?" Azara was uncharacteristically democratic for once.

"We should notify them; after all, the Princess is in charge there now," said one minister.

"From a military perspective, we should inform them. It would be best to coordinate our forces; that would increase our chances of victory!" said a general.

"Dath'Remar, you raised the suggestion, so you should speak as well."

"I also believe that since we are going to war, we should unite all forces that can be united. This can also minimize our losses. Recent intelligence shows that Eldre'Thalas is undergoing a thorough reform of its military, and our people have had difficulty obtaining core data. We can take this opportunity to learn about their reforms. Furthermore, they have close dealings with the Zandalari; we should take the initiative to bring them to our side. Even if that fails, we must at least keep them neutral so they don't lean toward the Zandalari!"

"Heh, that is impossible; your worries are superfluous."

"But Your Majesty, between nations, necessary precautions must still be taken."

"Insolence! The former lord of Eldre'Thalas was my husband, and the current lord is my own daughter! You claim they are a separate nation? What is your intent?" This was practically roared; one could imagine the extent of her fury! Having said this, Azshara turned and swept away, ignoring the crowd below entirely. Everyone was stunned by the sudden turn of events, glancing from the departing Queen to Dath'Remar standing in the center. Wasn't he the rising star who had just performed a great service? How did he manage to infuriate the Queen? Since the leader had left, everyone realized there was nothing left to discuss and began to file out in twos and threes, until only two people remained in the Council Hall.

"What has gotten into you today? That sounded completely brainless," Xavius asked, looking at Dath'Remar with suspicion.

"I was merely speaking to the facts. I am not feeling well, so I shall take my leave." Offering an excuse, Dath'Remar quickened his pace and walked out.

He did not hear Xavius mutter under his breath, "Love makes one mad."

Dath'Remar's mood was abysmal. It hadn't been a mere impulse; he had only wanted to test the waters, yet he had been met with her ruthless reprimand. It seemed that in her heart, that man still held immense weight—perhaps even irreplaceable—while he? He was nothing. Could it be that there was truly no chance at all? Jealousy! Rage! Resentment! Love is a poison, and those who drink it must savor the taste themselves.

"Vashj, tell me, if the Prince knew I was planning to send troops against the Zandalari, how would he react? Would he curse me in his heart?" Back in her chambers, a calmed Azshara was still pondering Dath'Remar's proposal.

Good heavens! Was this still the proud Queen? What was this talk of "would he curse me"? This was the tone of a young woman afraid of her husband's anger! Yet she knew she could not answer that way. As the Queen's personal handmaiden, she knew full well that the Queen's feelings for her husband were far more complex than they appeared on the surface. How many nights had she spent sitting on the balcony, gazing toward the west in a trance, or polishing Quel'Delar herself whenever she had a moment, smiling at it from time to time? Had that damned Dath'Remar lost his mind? Thus, she replied cautiously, "You are the Queen of the Night Elf, and all Kaldorei listen to your voice; the Prince is no exception." She stole a glance at the Queen's expression; there was no sign of displeasure. It seemed she had chosen the right path.

"Go on, Vashj." Azshara seemed to enjoy this sentiment.

"Most importantly, your decision is for the sake of all Kaldorei, and you know better than anyone that the Prince is a reasonable man."

"Hahaha, not a single person in the Council Hall today saw things as clearly as you do." Azshara laughed happily, her right hand stroking Vashj's cheek. She then added, "That line about the Prince being a reasonable man hit the nail on the head. Of course he will object; when has that stubborn man ever agreed with my decisions? But even if he objects, the most he will do is grumble behind my back. Because he knows that everything I do is for the sake of all Kaldorei!"

At this moment, Azshara displayed the wise side of her nature as a Queen. In all honesty, one might dislike her methods, but one could not deny that her starting point was always the benefit of all Kaldorei. She was a qualified leader, perhaps even an excellent one; even if her tactics were sometimes less than honorable, her decisions for the most part demonstrated the grand vision and broad perspective of a brilliant strategist.

"Send a letter to Sophia! Inform her of our relevant plans." To make a decision and execute it decisively—that was Queen Azshara!

"Should it not be sent to the Prince?" Vashj asked, puzzled.

"When it is time for politics, one must speak of politics! You have much to learn, little one." Azshara offered this remark, heavy with philosophy.