Wish

Alleria returned to Silvermoon City very late. When she rode her Hawkstrider back alone, Vareesa had already been waiting for her at the city Silvermoon City for a long time.

"If you hadn't come back soon, I would have sent out Ranger to look for you." Vareesa and Alleria embraced each other warmly. They both knew it was just a joke, but Alleria was indeed a little late, for which the Regent smiled apologetically.

"Sylvanas and I have so much to say, which is why we've taken up some time."

Vareesa hadn't seen her sister's excited expression in a long time; it seemed the rift between her and Sylvanas had largely melted away. "So, what did your second sister tell you?"

"There's so much to say, it's a long story." The Regent shook his head. "Alright, tell me first how Belorell is doing. Is he alright?" Alleria thought to herself that dealing with those nobles was not an easy task. They always used many questions, as gentle yet dangerous as a spider's web, to completely entangle the naive prey.

"The situation is somewhat... unexpected."

Alleria's smile remained, but her expression had frozen. The only possible outcome of the banquet was either that Belorell would handle the situation calmly, or that he would become awkward due to his unfamiliarity with the social interactions among the nobles. What did "unexpected" mean? Were there other possibilities? Was this a pleasant surprise or something worse?

"Let's talk as we walk."

Every time she passed through the Shepherd's Gate, Alleria felt a sense of triumph, and this time was no exception; she believed she had indeed won.

"Tell me in detail what Belorell did?"

"You should remember the interrogation we had in Eaglewing Square after we learned of Kael'thas's betrayal."

For many, it was a dark memory. Alleria would never forget that she herself had presided over that trial. Those being interrogated were all Kael'thas supporters, stubbornly believing that the Prince's actions were for Quel'Thalas's sake.

"Among those being interrogated was a member of the royal family named Liandara Sunstrider. Do you remember her?"

Alleria no longer remembered who this person was, but the Sunstrider surname was etched into the memory of every Sin'dorei. He was once the object of Alleria's loyalty, and later the object of her hatred.

"You mean, members of the Sunstrider family infiltrated Sathalir's banquet?"

"We can't be sure yet whether Liandara's appearance was deliberately arranged," Vareesa said. "But the woman did appear, and her target was clearly Belorell."

A Sunstrider came looking for Windrunner. Alleria knew without a doubt what was going to happen next. She assumed the former members of the royal family had long since scattered or gone into hiding, but little did she know there was still one in the kingdom who refused to accept reality.

"After Kael'thas's defeat, I did not hold those members of the royal family accountable, allowing them to decide the future of the Sunstrider family themselves. This was already the greatest leniency I could show, but unfortunately, they wanted more than that."

"Please don't misunderstand, sister. The bloodline of Liandara Sunstrider is not enough to support her becoming the Elf King. She is probably just a sacrifice used by those nobles to test you."

"Testing me? Testing what? Do they still dream of returning to the era of Anasterian?" Alleria's anger finally erupted. Being obsessed with the past is foolish, especially since a disaster followed the glory.

"Quel'Thalas is becoming more and more stable now, and many people are eager for a prosperous life. This is normal, so you don't need to be angry."

"You should throw all those people you mentioned into the battlefield. Only then will they understand that everything they enjoy was bought with blood." Alleria shook her head. "I will not allow anyone to forget why we call ourselves 'Blood Elf.' Whatever the nobles want to do, we cannot let them stir up trouble. Go and deal with that Liandara. Give her money or send her to Dalaran, whatever you need to do is get her out of Quel'Thalas."

"Belorell brought her back."

The Regent stopped abruptly, staring at Vareesa with disbelief. They were currently in Murder Row. It was the quietest alley in Silvermoon City, but sometimes that quiet was chilling. "What did you say?"

The silver-haired Female Elf sighed. Her sister's expression was exactly what she'd expected, for she too had been stunned when she learned of the matter. "Belorell brought her back and placed her in the Sunfury Tower. I asked him why he did that, and he said..."

Vareesa could even finish speaking, Alleria's anger began to roar and boil, and this discovery filled the Ranger-General with anxiety about what might happen next.

"Belorell said that under no circumstances should members of the Sunstrider family be allowed to end up on the streets."

Alleria averted her gaze from her sister; her anger shouldn't be directed at innocent people. She looked at the spire, faintly visible in the night. "Go and investigate Sathalir's guest list thoroughly. Don't miss a single person."

"You suspect someone has bewitched Belorell?" When Vareesa said this, Alleria gave her a look, as if to say: Isn't that right?

The Ranger-General disagreed. "I think Belorell is just being sympathetic. He's young, and my sister doesn't understand politics yet."

"If it's just out of pity, there's no need to bring him back to Sunfury Tower. Quel'Thalas has countless habitable places." Alleria lightly waved her finger, as if brushing away a cloying speck of dust. "What if the other Sunstrider hear about this and all come to my son feigning pitifulness?"

Indeed, there was one thing the Windrunner Sisters overlooked: if anything happened at Sathalir's banquet, given their connections, it could spread throughout Quel'Thalas overnight.

Belorell may indeed be too young to recognize the dangers involved. But Alleria won't blame him; she'll only help him correct his mistakes.

As she entered the familiar Sunfury Tower, two maids rushed out, looking flustered and even more startled to see the Regent in full military attire.

"Your Highness the Regent..."

"What is this?" Alleria's gaze was fixed on the silk handkerchiefs they were holding, which smelled of a mixture of alcohol and sourness.

The two Female Elf were at a loss for words. They looked embarrassed, exchanged a glance, and lowered their heads. But Alleria recognized them. "I remember you are Belorell's handmaids."

"Yes..." one of them answered.

Alleria frowned and walked straight through them.

"Take it and wash it clean. Don't tell anyone what you saw," Vareesa simply instructed before following her sister. They had just reached Belorell's room when the child came out first, closing the door behind him.

When he saw his mother return, Belorell was initially happy, but a hint of displeasure in her eyes turned his joy into gloom.

"Mother?"

"You brought that woman to your room?"

"The rest area of Sunfury Tower is only open during the day," Belorell replied calmly, showing none of the composure one would expect from a child who has made a mistake.

"I'll send someone to take her to a hotel to rest." As Alleria was about to open his door, Belorell grabbed her wrist immediately.

"Please don't do this, Mother." The young Elf usually wouldn't confront Alleria when she was angry, but this time was different. He wanted his mother to listen to his explanation. "Liandara was being used."

"I know that." Alleria smiled slightly, hoping to put Belorell at ease. "That's why I didn't send anyone to arrest her, but simply placed her in a place that was more suitable for her."

"We can't let her end up on the streets!" Belorell heard the harshness in her mother's words. "Do we really have to suppress all the Sunstrider because of Kael'thas?"

Alleria frowned. "I've never done anything to them, child, nor have I ever intended to exclude them, but I will never allow them to taint the fate of Quel'Thalas again. Leaving Liandara in the Sunfury Tower, in the heart of the kingdom's political center, will only fuel the burning desires of more members of the royal family. They'd love to wrest all power from the Windrunner family at any moment."

"But you know they simply can't do it. They also lack the power to shake the current situation of the Sin'dorei. But their existence still gives some stubborn nobles hope. If Liandara is driven out of the Sunfury Tower tonight, how many people will make a big deal out of it? They will stir up rumors that you no longer follow the Will of the Dath'Remar ancestors."

"The Windrunner family has guarded this kingdom for thousands of years, and no one can question our loyalty."

"But now we are leading the entire kingdom. Our responsibility is no longer to command the army, but to ensure the future of Quel'Thalas. Therefore, all potential threats should be taken seriously, not ignored."

Alleria pondered in silence. "Since you believe that woman in the room, unqualified to succeed the Elf King, will become a threat, why not get rid of her?"

"No. I just think you handled her the wrong way."

"So you're saying that kicking her out of the Sunfury Tower was too cruel?" Alleria asked, glaring at the door as she spoke. "Then do you have a better way?"

"I... I have indeed thought of that." Belorell nodded, his confident expression strikingly similar to Nathanos in Alleria's memories, except he lacked his father's confidence. Alleria knew he was afraid she wouldn't agree with his methods; in fact, the Female Elf was indeed prepared to oppose him.

"Then tell me your plan, child," Alleria said. "I'd love to hear your insights."

"As everyone knows, Quel'Thalas has stood in Eversong Forest for thousands of years. Every Elf, every family, and even the Sunstrider, holds absolute faith in this sacred place, which is the spiritual anchor for everyone."

"Wait, you don't mean to..." Vareesa couldn't hide her shock. She didn't intend to interrupt Belorell, but she felt that if she didn't, Alleria might unleash her rage upon the entire Sunfury Tower, and her sister's intervention would only make things worse. "What nonsense are you talking about, child? Have you forgotten Kael'thas?"

"Kael'thas does not represent the entire Sunstrider family, Aunt. Whatever sins that Prince may have committed, the other Sunstrider are children of the Sunwell."

"Absolutely not." Alleria's voice was high-pitched, but exceptionally cold. "Bringing a Sunstrider to the Sunwell will only cause panic. Whether he's going on a pilgrimage or something else, no Sin'dorei citizen or Quel'dorei wants to see Sunstrider on the Holy Land again."

"You can use this," Belorell said. "You didn't imprison the Sunstrider on Isle of Quel'Danas; you gave them a chance to atone for their sins and repent for Kael'thas's transgressions. Seeking forgiveness by the Sunwell is far better than living a life of aimless wandering."

Alleria slowly turned her head toward Belorell, surprised that he could say such a thing.

"If you grant them this opportunity—to see the Sunwell again, and bestow it upon them generously as a gift—perhaps they will see it as a chance for redemption, and instead of thinking about how to restore the monarchy, they will choose to become devout believers."

"But what about the potential risks?" Alleria said. "How can you guarantee that one of them won't become another Kael'thas?"

"We can try, we just need to give one person the opportunity first. Liandara fits the bill; while she's dissatisfied with your rule, she's not a disloyal radical," Belorell said, explaining why he brought Liandara back. This woman was weak; even he could handle her, she had no chance of becoming a second Kael'thas. "Liandara isn't the only one who wants to improve the Sunstrider family's situation. Many Sunstrider share the same desire. You now have the power to make their wishes come true. Liandara's example will at least let them know that you care about their needs. Just try it once. If it works, we can decide whether to repeat the process."

Alleria's displeasure gradually dissipated. Vareesa's initial suspicion also vanished, filling Belorell's heart with hope.

The Regent glanced at the closed door again, and said to his child with some surprise, "What you say makes a lot of sense. But what are your reasons, child? What did Liandara... or those nobles do to make you think this way?"

Belorell had never expected her mother to ask that question. "Of course it's for Quel'Thalas, Mother."

"No." Alleria shook her head. "It will be at least hundreds, even thousands of years before you sit in my position. In short, you are not ready to get involved in politics. That's not the real reason."

"I don't want anyone to undermine the Windrunner family to build a good future for Quel'Thalas, for the sake of our family."

"I agree with you, but that's still not your reason. Why did you choose Liandara? Was it just because you happened to meet her? I think there's a deeper reason. Tell me, Belorell, what is your real reason?"

Alleria waited with the patience typical of Ranger, sensing that Belorell seemed to have gotten something from Liandara, and she had to find out.

"She reminds me of my father."

So that's how it is! Alleria was stunned.

"Many of her words reminded me of him. The Sunstrider family's hidden secrets, and the injustice she suffered because of Kael'thas's betrayal. She..."

Alleria hugged her son tightly. "Not anymore. You're right, Belorell. We're going to find your father soon, right away."