Chapter 49: Alleria's and Sena's bickering

Lireesa leaned on the edge and forgot her previous contemplation, enjoying the precious magnificent nighttime. The breeze brushed over her and her hair waved. Lireesa fixed her hair and combed it back to clear her sight. From afar, it appeared the silver hair beautiful elf watched the night wonder and her sensual body under the starlight brightened as if the goddess descended from heaven. Her skin beamed with luster and holiness; worship was the only thought for the spectator around. Windrunners who caught sight of the splendor from the lady exclaimed in their heart. Her ladyship had never once lost her gorgeousness even if her loved one was gone.

Lireesa's eyebrows and her eyes were distinctive from the feminine character exuded by her. The two displayed a sense of heroism and determination contrasting the womanly aura from her innate beauty. The temperament wasn't naturally born but through many struggles and accomplishments, would it appear outside. The disparity between the two characters didn't result in conflict and destroy Lireesa's attractiveness. It merely shrouded Lireesa and raised her inexplicable aura causing others' desire to pull off the curtain away. Mysteriousness was one charming factor that fascinated more admiration.

The night was peaceful in contrast to Lireesa's heart. Lireesa's restlessness came from the frontline report where she hadn't really known the trolls' reaction yet. It scratched her entire mind from calming down. Her concentration went adrift and she thought of several stuffs during her serene moment under the night sky. What else could she do except to have her trust in her subordinates. Although the plan was concise and free from loopholes, variables, and other factors would exist no matter her accountability. Azeroth mythologies had proven even gods failed their conspiracy. She knew there was no use worrying more. Instead of wasting her energy on anxiousness, Lireesa should have a rest and it was the optimum support she could give. Should her plan go south, she was ready by then full of vigor.

Preceding nightlife slowly dissipated as Lireesa saw many lights dim across the horizon. Very few remained and these lights were necessities. It appeared many went to slumber and Lireesa wondered how long had the time passed. Although there was no sleepiness, she decided to go down from the balcony. Except for some guards and maids on night duty, the hall clattered with her footsteps. Silence caused even a slight noise to thump loud. Her servants saluted when they saw her making Lireesa helpess. As someone who came from the modern world, Lireesa didn't like this feeling especially the arrogance unconsciously radiated due to her servants' actions.

It was like the emperors and kings in the past life, when many worshiped and dared not contradict. As they saw people serving them always, the complacency and arrogance from being superior seeped deep into their bones. When they lost everything suddenly or they met someone who had no respect or admiration for them, none were able to adapt and began to feel like the whole world should revolve around them. This was the peculiar danger every monarch or high-ranking personnel faced. In the modern world, even if the classes weren't differentiated, hierarchy existed. Likewise, those sitting on the chairs participated in a nation's decision-making process. Power tended to corrupt people easily and responsibility was the only medicine that made people sane. Unfortunately, many dwelled and were lost in the sea of pleasure.

So, the best Lireesa thought would solve her circumstances and prevent herself from corruption was the fundamentals of humanity. She responded back to her servants' salute by lowering her head slightly and nodding back at them. She smiled when they smiled. All her responses were genuine although her act wasn't to the point of lowering herself too much, because she couldn't allow her status to drop in her subordinates' hearts. They must still be in awe of her. Everything must be in balance and the control over these actions determined her reputation. She avoided becoming overconfident and arrogant, appearing respectable and gracious to the outside.

Lireesa entered one of her daughter's rooms and found her two elders asleep on the bed. Although she'd allocated several rooms for each girl, Sylvanas and Vereesa slept together. Since her second daughter was eager for morning practice every day and hadn't even once suspended, Sylvanas could simply wake up reluctant Vereesa and force her to train together. No need for Sylvanas to travel across the hall wasting energy for Vereesa. Lireesa returned back to the entrance and looked up, noticing the room was Vereesa's. She patted her head amused, picturing the scene of Vereesa being bullied. Lireesa was definitely not intervening, because the morning training was all for good.

She treaded imperceptibly beside the colossal bed and bent her waist over. Looking over Sylvanas's cute sleeping face from above, Lireesa had the urge to photograph and saved the precious snap of future queen Sylvanas. Too bad, the camera wasn't available in her manor and the majority of them were placed in the royal castle in Silvermoon. However, she still recorded the scene in her memory, where she had confidence, it would come out and amaze everyone. Her fingers lightly brushed Sylvanas's blonde hair and caressed her forehead. Lireesa brought over the blanket her second daughter had kicked away and kissed her forehead fondly. She moved her sight to the next and couldn't help but curled her lips.

Vereesa turned her back against Sylvanas and her whole back showed distance from her elder sister. Lireesa had to walk over to the other side and saw Vereesa's face. Although the hair was disheveled covering some of her face and her arms underneath her pillows, Lireesa still realized Vereesa pouted in her sleep. Her body language distracted Lireesa from other thoughts except for deep love. She understood Vereesa exuded the word 'I'm dissatisfied' by her sleeping posture. Lireesa couldn't help but crave to knead her cheek like a ball. Luckily, she took a deep breath and controlled herself. Vereesa didn't play in her sleep, not requiring Lireesa to move her blanket. Lireesa moved away some strings of Vereesa's hair and kissed lightly.

Lireesa moved back to the entrance and mouthed: "Sweet dream, darlings." Lireesa closed the door gently and soon went away. Vereesa and Sylvanas normally would always hear and become alert if someone was nearby. Therefore, even the maids avoided around whenever they slept in order to not disturb them. Sylvanas and Vereesa weren't the slightest bit affected by the movement caused by their mother and didn't wake up. Perhaps, Lireesa's strength was stronger than theirs and they were unable to detect her; or it might be they knew unconsciously Lireesa was their mother.

Lireesa, bored and indolent, decided to return to her bedroom and lay down, even if she had difficulty sleeping. When she entered her room, Lina was still sleeping as she expected. Her youngest daughter always slept in Lireesa's room, although she herself had a big cozy room. Whenever Lireesa asked her the reason, Lina sold cuteness and begged her. Lireesa never got old with Lina's trick and she was also willing to oblige. Ella warned her not to indulge too much in her doting, yet Lireesa knew her pamper wouldn't destroy Lina's character because once she matured Lireesa had already laid down several plans for Lina in the future. Poor Lina who thought she had a complete grasp of her mother's mentality didn't know, and never discovered Lireesa's black-belly.

Having changed her pajamas, Lireesa lay down gently and cautiously beside Lina to avoid disturbing her daughter's sleep. She hugged Lina's belly over and pulled her in her arms. Lina mumbled sweet inexplicable words and became silent again. Lireesa never got old of this feeling and thought, perhaps her motherhood had increased due to Lina. Maybe after a year or more, Lireesa might already regard herself as a qualified mother. Lireesa nudged her nose lightly on Lina's back and smelled the milky soothing fragrance. Childish, innocent, worry-free, and kind. These words floated over her mind and Lina's energy affected Lireesa to become sleepy. She suddenly missed her eldest daughter Alleria and Sena who accompanied her. Afterward, the room soon turned quiet except for the regular tender breathing sound.

.....

"Achoo!" Sena sneezed loud and received glances from everyone. She rubbed her nose and looked upward at the exquisite night sky. The subordinates beside her asked in worry if the ranger-captain in front of her caught a cold. Normal coldness wouldn't affect the fight professions as their physique already strengthen several times compared to the original average person. Now that the level 9 ranger, who was the acting commander of the whole operation, sneezed suddenly, they were also preparing for the remedy should Sena become inactive. If Sena knew their thoughts, she would curse them and wonder if they were really her subordinates, not her hidden adversaries instead.

"Hmm, it's impossible for me to get sick. Don't worry." Sena waved her hand lightly and added. "But, perhaps according to my superstition, if one sneezes it means there is someone who dearly misses you."

"Oh, who might that be?" Alleria asked subconsciously and afterward regretted it. Sure enough, Sena's reply enraged her. If Sena wasn't stronger than her, more mature than her, Alleria swore revenge would be on the spot.

"Of course, who else but your lovely mother." Sena snickered and lay down on the grass. "She might be feeling lonely when I'm not there. As someone who accompanied her for many years, my guess can't be refuted."

"Ah! Captain Aunt, what did you just say?" Alleria groaned and cut Sena's bragging. She shook her head to show how unbelievable Sena was at the moment. "It must be me. I'm her biological daughter! Mother is worried about my safety since this is the first time, I have experienced war. So, get your illogical thoughts out!"

"Huh! Call me Captain or call me Aunt. Choose one. I've told you for so long and you never listen." Sena pointed her fingers and scolded Alleria several times. "To your little idea, I'll say you didn't sneeze but I did. So, sorry. Lireesa definitely misses me. And how dare you speak to me that way. Don't you know your superiors?"

"I know my mother is your superior. Maybe she remembered you because she misses me." Alleria didn't give in causing Sena to stutter and be speechless. With a complacent face, Alleria mocked Sena who couldn't help but want to thump Alleria's forehead and teach her a lesson, but she didn't dare because she didn't want any opinion of Lireesa on her due to her action. This girl knew what her inner thoughts were and bullied her senior.

"You, You little bastard! You're making your commander irrational." Sena cursed.

"You're making the whole group speechless, Captain Aunt." Alleria retorted without hesitation.

As soon as the two began spewing out loud, her subordinates glanced at one another and started to tread away from them, who were still in their world of rage. The rangers around shrugged and continued their individual responsibilities, except that they had to force themselves to ignore the two who wrangled with each other non-stop. They were helpless with the two's bickering and this had continued since they left Windrunner's manor. Provided the two weren't related to Lady Lireesa, the rangers themselves had already taught them a lesson. At least, that's what they desired currently. But the two in front were big bosses. One was quasi-legend and they weren't sure who bullied who. Another was the eldest daughter of their lord who would inherit her mother's legacy and become their own leader in the future.

Alas, this was a disaster for the rest of the rangers at the moment. Initially, they were amused with the two, but now their ears were already cocooned by Alleria and Sena. Not long the cluster of air blew around them and the dragonhawk lightly landed a few meters away. The rider descended and strode quickly toward Sena. Fortunately, the timing was excellent and the rangers noticed the two's quarrel subsided. The dragonhawk scout looked around and noticed the ecstatic faces of the rangers around. She even forgot what she was saying next and her lips twitched. Again? she thought. She didn't feel strange at all and was desensitized after many times.

As she neared Sena, she quickly saluted and reported her own finding. "Captain, we discovered movement just 60 km away from our position. Because it's dark, we cannot estimate their numbers accurately, but based on the lights and the sound we've heard so far, I believe there were around 2000-3000 trolls."

Sena acknowledged she heard the report and let the scout stay around currently. She turned her head toward Alleria and asked: "What do you think?"

Alleria was deep in thought and asked the scout, "Are other elements aware of the situation?" The two-heating atmosphere instantly disappeared with the seriousness of the situation. If the scout hadn't seen the dispute between the two, she might have thought they were two genuine confidants. Big bosses would always have a peculiar style. Relieved the two never affected the overall situation.

Edit: 60 km, the author had no idea why it became 70 and a mile. XD