Sylvanas

The melodious orchestra and violins joined in a moving song. The lavish whale-milk cakes were especially impressive; every cake at this banquet had been made with fresh whale milk. Goose barnacles, whole abalones, and other rare ingredients fit to entertain foreign kings were served in an endless stream, yet the banquet's two protagonists were truly disappointing.

One absentmindedly dealt with all sorts of guests, while the other ate and drank with absolutely no regard for appearances, as though nothing outside concerned them. Anasterian hinted with his eyes countless times, but every attempt was deftly avoided. They either got up to use the restroom or turned their heads to talk, anything to avoid meeting his gaze.

"Let the children think about their own affairs." Watching her three daughters struggle through the banquet as well, Lireesa stood beside her husband Velas. They had once fought side by side, and they still did. "Your Majesty."

"My father once told me that what nobles most need to produce are daughters. If it is a son, you must worry whether he will amount to anything, because no matter what, he will be your heir. But if it is a daughter, we can choose suitable sons for ourselves." Anasterian's words drew low laughter from the surrounding elves, and he laughed as well.

But it had to be admitted that Dath'Remar, once an aristocrat among the High Elves, had possessed exceptional qualities. His insight had been remarkably unique, which was why the Windrunner family was unstoppable. The Windrunner family had enough time to arrange suitable husbands for each of their three daughters. Three daughters alone meant three powerful rangers, and combined with the strength behind their husbands' families, the Windrunner family's rise was already impossible to stop.

"It seems Prince Kael'thas is not particularly interested in marriage." Lireesa was one of the few elves who dared to say such a thing before everyone. She herself was a member of the Silvermoon Council. "Young people like enjoying life. There is nothing wrong with that. Marriage is a cage; it makes men shoulder many responsibilities they did not have before."

Anasterian spread his hands. "I like it too, but shouldn't a man at least fulfill a man's duties? Don't you agree, Velas?"

Velas smiled and tightened his grip on his wife's hand. The greatest fortune of his life had been meeting his true love. "This needs time to temper it. Forcing them together may instead have the opposite effect."

The king sighed and clinked glasses with them. "Yes. Fortunately, we have plenty of time. Sparks of passion will eventually fly."

Sylvanas boredly watched the crowds passing around her. They chatted excitedly, so close to her and yet so far away, like a distant cry that seemed deafening when overheard by chance, only to vanish serenely when one listened carefully.

Like candlelight, she tilted her head, trying to listen, only to meet a pair of eyes.

Lister looked at this strange Banshee Queen, took a bite of cake, then asked when she gave no response, "Are you eating?"

"No." Sylvanas shook her head and brushed aside her golden hair. "You truly seem unworthy of your status, Duke Nalorath."

Lister swallowed the last bite of cake. The chocolate on top had been truly delicious. The elven chefs used fire elementals to keep it in a semi-liquid state, making it exceptionally smooth and silky. This was a spell worth collecting, Lister thought. Perhaps he should make a spellbook specifically to record such spells.

"Write it in a book?" Lister's mutter reached her ears, and Sylvanas mercilessly struck back. "Write it in a book? Of course. Every elf will see your embarrassing table manners tonight. Naturally, it will be written down in books."

Lister glared at Sylvanas irritably. He hated being interrupted while thinking about spells, and her ignorance of magic was beyond imagination. In truth, he had no idea how much fear that gesture caused among those around them. At that moment, he was like a savage young dragon. A moment later, he had his emotions under control. "Whatever. It will not be made public until after I die anyway."

"You truly are as foolish as you look, boy with the hammer." Sylvanas's sharp tongue merely made Lister nod slightly. He still maintained the elegance unique to spellcasters. "Of course I am a very foolish person. When I stake everything on one throw, I rarely consider the consequences. Fortunately, that is often the only way to succeed."

"Your elder sister may marry Kael'thas, or you, or perhaps your younger sister. Tell me what you like, and I will prepare a suitable gift for you." Lister concealed the conflict between them well. To outsiders, the two seemed to be having a pleasant conversation. A gentle smile remained on his face as he greeted every passing elf. "I am someone who values family deeply."

"Human," Sylvanas said, biting down on her thin lips. "Not elf."

Lister shrugged slightly. "I also hope to rid myself of that useless label. Labels are people's fixed impressions of a particular stage in a life. I hate such things. I am Lister, and I will remain Lister. Whether elf or human cannot define me."

The future undead queen finally looked at him properly. "If it is convenient, let us speak outside."

"It will not be anything pleasant." Lister wiped his mouth, his strong fingers crumpling the napkin into a ball. "I would very much like to know how the kingdom truly views me."

The two went out onto the balcony. Sylvanas stood two meters tall and could easily look down on Lister. The surrounding crowd tacitly dispersed, leaving the two of them alone.

Quel'Thalas, the kingdom of elves, the kingdom of magic, the kingdom of eternal spring. Lister stood on the balcony and breathed in the fresh air, his calm gaze sweeping over tier upon tier of floating towers, white marble walls, and layers of trees. All of it came from the Sunwell. Otherwise, this land so close to Northrend could never still be in spring at this time of year.

"Many nobles believe that your existence is a challenge to Quel'Thalas." The queen leaned against the railing as the gentle spring breeze sent her ponytail fluttering. "They want to trip you up and make a fool of you."

Lister shrugged. "If that is all."

"That is all?" Sylvanas's eyes widened. "Do you know what happens to someone who loses their reputation? Quel'Thalas's harshest law is to strip you of your right to live in Silvermoon City. Then you will completely lose..."

"You still understand nothing." Lister spoke calmly. "Not about me, not about mages, not about humans. In your eyes, all this is normal. Yes, noble status is convenient in many ways, but Silvermoon City is too comfortable—so comfortable that it has developed a structured society and completely forgotten the cruelty outside. This world does not ultimately run on nobles. Many times, we have to live like beasts."

"When you fight trolls, they will not say that noble captives deserve special treatment, will they? They do enjoy tender elf flesh."

"Thank you very much for the reminder. I owe you one. If one day you believe I can be of help to you, I would gladly offer my support. This is our private friendship." Lister held out his hand. After hesitating for a moment, Sylvanas lightly touched it. The instant she did, she pulled back as though shocked. Lister's expression remained unchanged as he returned to the hall, leaving Sylvanas alone with her thoughts.