A usual day in the royal court

"Greetings, your majesties." All eight heads of the great noble house bowed and pressed their hands on the chests to salute. The king responded with a smile, gesturing for others to sit as he and his wife took a seat on the throne.

"Greetings, members of the Silvermoon Council. Please, have a seat." Everyone returned to their place and sit down. Lireesa received King Anasterian's glimpse from time to time.

Her heart raised to her throat as she couldn't fathom what the King wanted from her. Receiving the attention of the monarch could either be a very good gift or a terrible curse.

"Before we deal with some situations in our kingdom, let's first discuss how we must respond to the tragic event in the past weeks. The horrific massacre our kingdom has suffered is absolutely unforgivable. The culprit responsible must be judged." King Anasterian announced the topic, his eyes never leaving a single person here.

"Yes, your majesty. The utter tragedy must have someone to be responsible." It was from the House Duskwither. Lireesa snorted at his shameless remark. Instead of pursuing the trolls, the topic became who was responsible for the inaction.

The king merely raised his eyebrows and didn't say anything. He knew someone would speak against this statement.

"How disgraceful! We have investigated all the patrols and guards. None proves there is a dereliction of duty. House Duskwither, your attitude might chill the heart of those who paid dearly to guard our kingdom." Grand Magister Salordar bellowed while his eyes lay on Lireesa.

"What do you mean, there is no proof? Then, make one so that people divert from focusing on our council." Dar'khan Darathir said calmly. And his words enraged Lireesa, turning her eyes cold.

No one spoke afterward as everyone paid attention to Lireesa's reaction. Although Lireesa wasn't responsible for the security the event took place, she was the representative of the military in the council. Lireesa's mouth twitched as the thoughts of haggling with the old disgusted her.

Her chilly wind somehow reached Dar'Khan as he rubbed off his goosebump. His statement naturally sparked outrage from the members who were related to the military.

"Your excellency's statement is alarming. If we keep on doing this instead of concentrating on the real issues, I suggest we disband this useless council." Lireesa said with a sonorous voice. Although she was only a guess currently to the council, her influence wasn't something which could be ignored. House Wrymrider representative's expression seemed to support her.

After all, for the warriors, they could give everything; in return as long as the respect and honor they deserved were given, they had no regret. Every person related to the military would feel this deeply.

"Now, this method is too repulsive. And regarding this issue, I'm sure Lady Lireesa would explain more about it." King Anasterian gave her a nod as a sign.

Lireesa stood up and gave a speech. "Your excellencies, since the tragic event consumed all of my energy, I wasted time on the bed recovering. But here I stand again after launching an expedition to retaliate for our losses the moment I woke up. 1500 rangers participated and apart from some injuries to an extent, no one is killed."

This news detonated the council members, as their faces changed from astonishment to worry but they still continued to listen to Lireesa's talk.

"The operation was a tremendous success. Regarding the event, I'll describe it at a later time. Right now, your excellencies have good news to deliver to the public and there is no need for the previous act. I highly protest such a despicable move regarding falsification and hope the council will stop this ill practice."

Drithir parties didn't suffer too much from this loss. Frankly, everyone was aware of the undercurrent between the king and Drithir. However, all pretended this farce didn't exist. The possible solution of sacrificing was mainly due to public pressure as the news began to spread the truth.

Rather than Windrunner's solely suffering the disaster. It had now been designated as Quel'Thalas's tragic event. Lireesa before hated these politics for a reason. Lireesa-now was no different but she willingly participated to gain more benefits for the safety of her House of Windrunner.

Now that every member was aware Lireesa had solved the crisis unintentionally, their face still wasn't well with another impending problem. What if her action brought a full-blown war?

No one spoke, much less criticized Lireesa's impulsive action while they praised her inwardly as expected of a Ranger-General, a swift victory was obtained. Seeing the silence still looming, Lireesa recounted the events in detail.

Although the king and the queen had heard the summarized event before, they still listened with relish. This time was in a more detailed report of the event. Lireesa knew the way high-level leaders worked and she didn't like it.

It wasn't strange for them to use the method Lireea really abhorred. At least she comforted herself, unlike the human kingdom where the nobles wouldn't care like executing them directly or stoned to death in public. Or tortured them to the extent where they would confess anything that was desired in the first place.

In Quel'Thalas, they just merely relieved them of a duty but the accused had to stay hidden from the public in order to avoid being shamed. The moral values of the elves disallowed killing.

Lireesa and the King knew someone in the council was the actual conspirator but they had no evidence. Maybe the King didn't understand why someone was aiming at his throne but Lireesa did.

Dar'Khan was getting older like everyone in the council did and was unwilling to die. Unlike the old Lireesa and the King who were able to face death calmly, Dar'Khan couldn't.

When he knew for a fact that a demigod could continue living his life, he became greedy. Although the hope was very slim, there lay a chance waiting for him to grasp it. As long as he could possess the power of the Sunwell, he would become a veritable Demigod. Or so was his conjecture.

That was the only hypothesis, Lireesa had in her mind for the reason Dar'Khan would become a traitor in the future. Looking at the current tragic event possibly planned by him from behind just to achieve his goals, sacrificing hundreds of compatriots didn't faze him at all.

What if his lifespan neared a critical point, would he exchange kingdom for his life? The answer was obvious; during the Scourge Invasion, without his internal destruction of a protection array system, elves would never suffer a catastrophe to an extent.

Her daughter, Sylvanas's image popped up in front of her. The former mischievousness transformed into a ruthless Queen though she gained more simps from the players. But in this life, Lireesa must abolish Dar'Khan before or make herself strong enough to ignore any threats.

When she mentioned her rangers had eliminated more than 10,000 trolls, everyone gasped. The duel part of her was ignored to prevent embarrassing herself. Only the King and the Queen smirked at her funny action as they had already seen Lireesa's shame.

After she finished describing her lengthy events, Dar'Khan stood up and expressed his protest, accusing Lireesa of being unable to control herself and putting the entire kingdom in jeopardy.

To which Lireesa argued, "If Quel'Thalas keep doing this, though it might seem to achieve peace in the long run, you will raise the wolf-like ambition from the trolls. Everyone, don't make yourselves fools; sooner or later there would be war regardless of whether I attack or not. The so-called peace by sacrificing our people doesn't match our Kingdom's name."

"We're all high elves and superior to other races in terms of anything. But there is one incredulous factor that could exterminate us. We lost our aggressiveness where we are required, your excellencies."

"Lady Lireesa, your Windrunners are responsible for the border safety in the south, where trolls thrived. Is it possible because of your guilts, you transfer them by leading yourself in the expedition so that no one paid attention but rather on the trolls." Dar'Khan still attacked relentlessly since he knew Lireesa didn't see him for an eye; he didn't care whether he offended Lireesa.

Lireesa was also unscrupulous, "Your Excellency Dar'Khan, rather than pointing faults at others, we should investigate how these trolls got into our land. Putting these false derelictions of duty aside I found out it could only be unless there's some help from within us, who betrayed our homeland…Could it be, you, Marquis Dar'Khan? Why else were you so anxious then to accuse others?"

"What do you say, Lady Lireesa? My age was way older than you. Have some respect! I've been serving Quel'Thalas for so long, and I'll never betray my homeland." Dar'Khan's expression was sad as if hit hard in spite of his peerless efforts through the ages.

"Oh! Yes, old? But how old, just a couple of hundred years? Do you mean all my contributions and the risks I bare for millenniums were nothing in front of you? While you are staying easily behind, I had to endanger myself and my family to guard Quel'Thalas…" The quarrels had risen to a tit-for-a-tat. Others watched from the sidelines as accusations against both sides began to affect them and their faces changed as they try to find a way to deescalate the two parties.

"Enough! Lady Lireesa and Lord Dar'Khan. You are all contributing to our Quel'Thalas's prosperity. I would not like seeing you conflicting with each other." The King finally prevented this façade from damaging the reputation of the Silvermoon Council further.

"Forgive me, your majesty." x2.

The two cursed in their heart at the pretense of King Anasterian. Who didn't know the one who desired the most for them to fight against one another was the King? Of course, Dar'Khan swore more; Lireesa was fine to be used as a gun barrel because she herself wanted to nail this bastard.

"Reports indicated in the south, trolls will not be able to wage war within 100 years and Lady Lireesa had done a good job in this. Nevertheless, Marquis Dar'Khan's opinion also matters. The consequence, if there were any missteps, would put the entire kingdom in danger. So, this time, I decided Lady Lireesa will receive no reward or punishment. Her merits would negate the punishment. Now that's the end of the matter. What do you say, Lady Liressa?" The King Anasterian said annoying Lireesa to the point her hidden expression nearly cracked.

The old fox still wanted her to work for free. Tsk…Tsk…Lireesa clicked her tongue. As for condolence regarding her husband's death, everyone merely mentioned some words to express their heartache for the loss of a great talent. And Lireesa wasn't frustrated because, since the day the accident had happened, Lireesa received many condolences from numerous families, including the royal family.

Without true friendship and growth since youth, the atmosphere and relation among the high-level were usually cold and distant.

"I have nothing to say, your majesty." What else could Lireesa say except to glare at Dar'Khan in dissatisfaction, who also looked upward at the ceiling. The King watched her childish reaction amused while the queen covered her mouth and chuckled.

Just when the discussion on other topics was about to finish, Lireesa stood out from the big chair and walked to the center while holding a book.

"What is it, Lady Lireesa?" The king asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Your majesty, I have a gift to present," Lireesa handed the book to the servant who paced at her according to the king's order.

"A book?" King Anasterian was confused while the queen beside craned her neck to look. After he looked at the title on the cover, it captured his interest.

"Yes. Not a simple book. I have written everything, all the newly modified doctrines and recent tactics, which are utilized by our Windrunners in this expedition, all in this book. I give to the Majesty this secret in the hope to reduce the casualties of our ranger legion in the future. Although the tactics are new, it has been proven to be effective from our previous battles."

The king's eyes flickered while his hand trembled in excitement. He thought the House of Windrunner was already giving out their secrets. The word 'recent' and 'new' were all the pretense Lireesa gave remained in his head.

"This is indeed a huge gift and blessing of our Quel'Thalas, Lady Lireesa. Representing all the elves, I hereby, salute you, Lady Lireesa." As King Anasterian spoke, he stood up along with the queen and bowed slightly to Lireesa. The rest of the representatives also stood up and acted similarly, even if their inner heart was in the other direction.

Lireesa was stunned and quickly returned the salute; she never dared to imagine to received such a gift from the highest leader. She meekly wanted to accept some simple rewards from the king.

Maybe Lireesa was unaware of the benefits brought out by her as her Windrunner units seemed to not have dramatically increased their combat effectiveness. However, if the same was applied to the conventional ranger legion, the result could be astounding.

"It's my duty as the citizen of Quel'Thalas to contribute to her prosperity and safety," Lireesa replied in an official tone. Afterward, all returned back to their seat as Lireesa rubbed her hands in excitement.

The queen who was scrutinizing her had the corner of her mouth twitched violently. At least, pretended not to be interested in the awards instead of highly looking forward to it.

Fortunately, King Anasterian was too glad to consider Lireesa's slight movement.