The Farewell

The royal carriage, drawn by unicorns, waited outside Emerald City’s outer gate.

Today was Felicia’s departure for school.

As the Elven Kingdom’s eldest princess, many came to see her off, but the core was the family of three bound by blood.

Selina gazed at Felicia, dressed for travel, her heart stirring with unease and a tinge of sorrow.

Their recent time together had solidified Felicia’s place as her sister.

To say she was ready to let her go would be a lie.

Having accepted Felicia as family, their hearts naturally held care and attachment.

But Selina wasn’t a child; she knew departures couldn’t be stopped. The sadness was fleeting.

All she could do was offer her heartfelt blessings before Felicia left. Words often touched the heart more than gifts.

“Sister, safe travels. Write to me when you reach the academy.”

A simple farewell, yet Felicia felt the depth of her sister’s affection.

Getting Selina to embrace her identity and family was Felicia’s greatest achievement this visit.

Moved, she leaned down, kissing her sister’s forehead.

As expected, Selina flushed red.

Seeing her sister’s blushing cheeks and shy, watery eyes, Felicia felt an overwhelming joy.

“I wish you could come to the academy with me,” she sighed wistfully.

Then she could see her sister daily, not just on special occasions requiring leave. Emotional bonds needed nurturing, and time’s unpredictability was their biggest obstacle.

But Karina had said Selina was too young for Tianqi Academy—she’d need to wait until she was seven.

Two more years to endure.

“Be safe. Send a magical messenger to confirm your safe arrival. If you face any grievances at the academy, tell me. Your mother will always be here,” Karina instructed gently.

Karina balanced her roles as ruler and mother perfectly. As a sovereign, she was wise; as a mother, she radiated tender care.

A truly remarkable woman, worthy of the elves’ adoration.

Felicia nodded, giving a final wave to the crowd with a poised smile.

As her heels clicked onto the carriage, the door closed, and the unicorns pulled away, leaving only her receding figure.

Selina stared at the shrinking silhouette, unmoving. A pat on her shoulder broke her reverie, revealing Karina’s loving face.

“What’s wrong? Reluctant to let her go?”

“…Yes.”

Selina paused, then nodded.

“Oh? Rare for you to admit it. I thought you’d stubbornly claim otherwise,” Karina teased, her emerald eyes glinting with surprise.

“If I’m reluctant, I’m reluctant. It’s my true feeling—why hide it?” Selina countered calmly.

Perhaps after being disarmed by this mother-daughter duo’s sincerity, Selina was learning their ways. Her openness showed she truly saw them as family.

The farewell crowd had been dismissed, leaving only mother and daughter.

Selina glanced at the horizon, confirming Felicia’s figure was gone, then turned to head back.

Karina followed seamlessly, trailed by head maid Felin and Cuibis.

In the private carriage, Selina faced Karina and spoke calmly, as if long decided.

“I plan to enroll at Tianqi Academy in two weeks.”

“Oh? Not staying longer? Tired of home, or eager to chase after Felicia?” Karina teased.

“No, honestly, I love this home—it’s warm and comforting. But I can’t stay in this cozy room forever. Since I’ve accepted my princess identity, I must bear its responsibilities. I’ve accepted you as my mother and Felicia as my sister…”

“But I haven’t forgotten that my life came from a deal with a god. I cherish you, my sister, and all this. That’s why I must fulfill that deal—to protect what I have.”

Her voice was steady, her gaze natural, but her clear tone carried unshakable conviction.

Karina paused, then smiled warmly.

“You’ve picked up quite a bit of your sister’s style.”

She shook her head with a fond chuckle, her tone brimming with affection.

“But didn’t Sister learn her way with words from you, Mother?” Selina tilted her head, smiling slyly.

Selina was no fool.

Her girlish body lent her a sharp wit.

After being flustered by their tactics multiple times, she recognized their distinct style. She suspected Felicia had learned from Karina—or perhaps Karina had proactively taught her.

She saw through it but only called it out after Felicia left.

In that moment, her eyes sparkled with a girl’s cunning and liveliness, her soul and body finally in perfect harmony, bringing the elven princess Selina to life.

Silence was the ultimate weapon in connection, and this effortless charm might indeed be inherited through blood.

“Alright, alright, both my daughters are grown, wings hardened. I can’t keep you,” Karina sighed. “Sure about leaving in two weeks? Why not stay longer? With your status, you could join the academy mid-term…”

Karina hoped Selina would linger. With Felicia gone and Selina leaving soon, the palace would feel empty.

“No, I’ll go incognito, enrolling as an ordinary girl. You know I have acquaintances there. The princess title draws too much attention.”

Her cheeks reddened slightly.

What a mess. The thought of running into Litiya at the academy, combined with her current identity, flooded her with shame.

If anyone connected her to Kant, it’d be a world-class social death.

Having just found her new home, she wasn’t ready to flee to another continent.