Chapter 541: The Dance of Blades

No other high elf could epitomize the beauty of silver hair as she did.

Only one could appear so silently, and that was Vereesa.

"Ah!" Even though she was fiery passionate tonight, intent on showing Duke her beauty, suddenly, the alluring Aleria became as shy as an ostrich, burying... her face in her hands.

Duke stood agape, "What in the name of the Light?"

"I've overheard, but seeing with my own eyes... I can't believe that our dignified, wise elder sister would act this way!" Vereesa teased, her tone making Aleria feel like she was on fire.

Suddenly, Vereesa embraced Duke from behind.

His heart raced as if his sword performed a flourish in its sheath. Aleria nearly fell, her protest coming out surprisingly sultry.

Peeping through her fingers, Aleria shot a glare at Duke... or rather, at Vereesa behind him. "Kalamannsida!" In Common, it roughly translates to, "You little wretch, showing off, are you?"

Vereesa giggled, "No, I've simply fallen for the same boy named Duke, just like you."

She then whispered something in Thalassian, a prayer that combined poetry and music. Simplified, it meant: "I am humble; please guide me in the future." Classic newlywed speech.

Aleria lightly slapped Duke, who immediately understood. His blade was drawn.

And so, a blade dance between Duke and Vereesa began.

With each swift rhythm, Vereesa moved her slender waist, her fingers gracefully poised against Duke's chest, as if parrying his advances.

Their dance was intense, combining elements of the waltz from Duke's past world with sensual movements, alluringly mysterious. Her trained figure showed a charm akin to a belly dance, captivating Duke.

Even though she was bested by Duke's blade, Vereesa's confidence remained unshaken, alluring and confident, like a goddess of beauty.

The dance went on until...

After a fierce duel between the sisters, it ended with a sense of serenity.

"By the Spirits, Duke, it seems both my sister and I are ensnared by you," Aleria said, playfully biting Duke's shoulder.

Duke grinned, showing his teeth.

"Good men and women always have admirers, right? It's proof of Duke's excellence," Vereesa remarked, her demeanor soft and gentle compared to Aleria's fiery spirit.

Duke playfully quipped about a mythical charm he placed on them, which Aleria scoffed at, but Vereesa feigned sadness.

Their playful banter continued until dawn's first light.

The next day, Duke was awakened by Vanessa's knock.

"Hey! Beastly Duke, it's morning! You have an important Alliance throne meeting!" Vanessa shouted, not holding back.

Duke was confused by her address. "Wait, Vanessa, what did you just call me?"

"Duke Marcus!" Vanessa replied from outside, though Gavinrad's suppressed laughter betrayed her.

Quickly dressing and stepping out, both Gavinrad and Vanessa greeted him. Vanessa added that Alexstrasza, who was next door, had left early, but left a note.

Reading it, Duke realized she was surprised he hadn't approached her the night before, hinting at a potential danger if he did due to her volatile sleeping nature. There was a mention of a previous incident where an ancient dragon was severely injured. Duke's perception of the majestic queen crumbled a bit.

The note ended with Alexstrasza stating she could use magic to see past events. She thanked him for the pleasant evening and mentioned the Red Dragonflight's non-interference policy, but then...

It ended in cryptic dragon tongue.

Using a system translation, Duke felt like he had struck gold.

Haha! All my efforts weren't in vain. Thank you, Alexstrasza!