Lord of Caldera - Chapter 229

Chapter 229: Chapter 229

Is this what an artist’s vision of a muse might look like?

“Is this really the same lady we met before?” Toby murmured, staring at Eldira in disbelief. Even Ray covered her mouth, clearly taken aback, while Max alone managed a small, knowing smile.

“I had the same reaction the first time I saw her like this,” Max said. “But I’m quite used to it by now.”

“Then I suppose I’ve failed,” Eldira said with a playful smile. “My goal was to captivate everyone I meet, even those who see me every day.”

“Even a goddess of beauty would struggle with that, Lady Eldira.”

There was a playful glint in her eyes, and it was clear that Max had grown comfortable around her. She’d likely visited quite often with the Grand Duke during Sylas’s absence.

“But you, as always, remain unfazed,” Eldira said, looking at Sylas. “I thought after so long, I’d surprise you.”

“Well, your appearance alone was quite the surprise.”

“That’s not the surprise I meant.”

“Something else?”

Sylas scratched his cheek, wondering if she was playing the classic ‘Notice anything different about me?’ game. While he scrutinized Eldira, Toby spoke up from beside him.

“Come to think of it, Lady Eldira, you’re speaking the Imperial language rather fluently. Last time we met, you only spoke Elvish.”

“Oh.”

Finally snapping out of it, Sylas realized that she’d been speaking in Imperial the whole time. Eldira, noticing his realization, puffed her chest out proudly with a self-assured smile.

“Yes, I realized that not understanding the language caused a lot of trouble last time, so I taught myself while you were gone.”

Sylas was impressed. Though she said it casually, they hadn’t even been gone a full year, and she’d already mastered a new language.

Is this just a gift of elven learning ability, or does Eldira have an extraordinary talent for languages?

Seeing the admiration in Sylas’s expression, Eldira smiled.

“You only just noticed? For someone so perceptive, you can be surprisingly dense at times.”

Sylas smiled sheepishly at her gentle teasing. They continued chatting, mostly about what had happened since they’d last seen each other.

“Things have been very cheerful in the court lately. Before trade with the humans began, everyone’s faces seemed shadowed,” Eldira shared.

“That’s good to hear. And your friends? How are they?”

“Oh, they’re well! They all tell stories of those days as if they were legends. Among our generation, those tales have become quite popular, even if the elders still scold us for our ‘recklessness.'”

Apparently, the captured elves bore little resentment toward humans, partly due to Count Valdemar’s brutal demise and Sylas’s cooperation. The elves seemed to view those events as a heroic tale: good humans and good elves uniting to overthrow a greedy human tyrant and open a path for exchange between the two races.

“Even that scoundrel tampering with the translation worked in our favor, as most people see the other humans as having been deceived rather than malicious.”

“Well, that’s not entirely wrong.”

Given the monster-filled West, it’s likely that if humans had known the elves were the real victims, they would have been outraged with the count.

‘Valdemar must’ve known that, which is why he manipulated the translation.’

Even a family with power over the West still needed some justification for their actions. If Valdemar had tried to seize the elves’ territory purely out of greed, he would have faced backlash from all sides.

‘Ironically, his deceit allowed the elves to play the role of innocent victims.’

As a result, the elves’ hostility toward humans lessened, and trade flourished, creating an unexpectedly beneficial outcome. When they’d finished exchanging updates, Sylas decided it was time to broach the main topic.

“By the way, did the Grand Duke mention anything before you came here?”

“Mention? Ah, you must mean the marriage proposal.” Eldira clapped her hands as if only now remembering. Sylas met her eyes, his expression serious.

“If it’s something you don’t want, just say so. Don’t worry about the Grand Duke’s feelings; I’ll handle it.”

Eldira trusted him, and if she felt pressured by her father, Sylas was confident she would be honest with him. Eldira looked at him earnestly and replied without hesitation.

“I don’t mind at all! Let’s get married!”

“….”

Sylas held the back of his neck, speechless.

Toby’s jaw dropped. Ray, who had been stirring her tea, froze mid-movement, her spoon clinking against the cup. Even Max, usually composed, pinched his cheek in disbelief. Eldira’s answer had left everyone stunned.

“Why are you all looking at me like that?” Eldira asked, tilting her head in confusion.

“Well, uh… you do understand what marriage means, don’t you?” Sylas asked, barely keeping his composure.

“Do you take me for a fool?”

“In that case, let me ask another question. You do realize I’m human, right?”

“I’m not blind, you know.”

“Well… it’s just…” Sylas stammered, unsure how to respond. Eldira, with her hands on her hips, looked slightly annoyed, while Sylas scratched his head, realizing there was no easy way to phrase this.

“Generally speaking, elves don’t like the idea of marrying humans, right?”

“Yes, usually. There have been exceptions, but it’s not exactly common.”

“And yet you’re willing to marry me? Why aren’t you more reluctant?”

“Oh, so that’s what surprised you.” Eldira nodded, as if finally understanding.

“It seems you’re mistaken about something.”

“Mistaken?”

Eldira began counting off on her fingers.

“To start with, you’re not an ordinary human. You carry dragon blood. That alone prevents anyone from saying you’re beneath us.”

In truth, no elf would dare insult someone with the blood of a dragon. Elves had lived in awe of ancient dragons in ages past. To look down on someone with dragon blood would be an insult to their own heritage.

“Second, you’re the one who led the elves into a new era. Many of my people look upon you favorably for that feat alone.”

Even if a few staunch elders still harbored distrust, younger elves, who knew little of human-elven conflicts, viewed Sylas positively. Stories of his bravery circulated, spread by Eldira’s friends, further lessening any internal opposition.