The company’s branch office was indeed a “building.”
Unlike those lowly shops, it was a complete and imposing three-story building that perfectly combined elven decoration with human architectural structure.
The first floor was a reception and business hall facing the outside, with glass windows displaying crafts, showcases of new inventions, and pamphlets.
On the second floor, dark curtains were half-drawn, giving off a private atmosphere.
There were people standing guard at the entrance—and more than one.
Those people were also elves. But they weren’t wearing guard uniforms.
They were dressed in human-style clothing.
They were very tall, with exceptionally solemn expressions.
Just by looking at them from a distance, Lian felt a slight sense of pressure.
‘As expected of the company’s branch office in the Sea of Trees… How could they afford such formidable guards?’
Lian marveled as she stepped onto the stairs and arrived at the entrance.
The two guards’ gazes immediately fell on her, scanning her from head to toe.
“Are you a visitor?” One of them spoke.
“Yes, I’d like to see the person in charge,” Lian replied. “I’m an employee of the company… I think?”
The two guards exchanged a glance, then turned to say:
“We need to check if you’re carrying any dangerous items.”
“Ah… I have a dagger. Do I need to hand this over?”
Lian pulled the dagger out of her waist pouch… As soon as she took it out, one of the guards snatched it away.
“Uh… aren’t you being a bit rude?”
This rude treatment made Lian frown slightly. But the two guards’ expressions didn’t change at all as they coldly continued:
“Anything else?”
“No.”
Their eyes swept over Lian, and only after confirming she indeed had no other items did they step aside to let her in.
‘What the hell? These guards are too much…’
The hall wasn’t crowded, but the staff were well-trained.
A female receptionist saw her enter and immediately came to her, asking about her purpose.
“I’m from Jingye Village… Did you receive word?”
As soon as the receptionist heard the name of the village, her expression changed immediately.
She beamed a warm smile, took Lian’s hand, led her to a nearby VIP room, and called for a servant to serve tea and refreshments—
“Please wait a moment, esteemed lady. The person in charge is currently entertaining an important guest… He will come see you shortly!”
“Okay.”
Lian sat on the sofa and took a sip of the hot tea.
‘…It seemed the people from Jingye Village had indeed reported what happened there. She just didn’t know if they had followed her instructions and taught the villagers a lesson afterward.’
This soothed some of the anger she felt from the guards earlier.
While waiting, she examined the VIP room’s decor and furnishings—
The furnishings here were very elegant: a painting of the Sea of Trees hung on the wall, and the tea set in her hand was intricately carved white porcelain.
The cushion and sofa she leaned against were also very comfortable…
But more importantly, on a small cabinet beside her was a photo frame—the picture inside was unmistakably Meliya.
She sat on a chair, dressed in gorgeous clothes, smiling gently at the camera.
Next to the photo was a line of small text—
“Meliya Clausel, The Great Founder of the Company.”
“Meliya… The great founder… Ha ha.”
Lian laughed out loud. She put down her teacup, took down the photo frame, and quietly gazed at her smiling wife in the picture.
“…Wait for me one last time. I’ll find Milin soon and take care of those Demon Race. Then our family will never be separated again.”
She gazed at the frame, lost in those tender memories… not noticing the time passing bit by bit.
“Isn’t it taking a bit too long?”
She felt a bit numb from sitting. So she put down the frame and prepared to go to the counter to ask again.
She arrived at the reception hall… The receptionist who had served her earlier seemed to be coming to see her.
Just as she was about to ask about the person in charge, she saw two people slowly descending the stairs.
The first was a well-dressed middle-aged man.
From the silver company insignia on his lapel, he was clearly the head of this branch.
Yet he bent down, holding a duster, respectfully brushing nonexistent dust off the stair carpet for the guest behind him—
“Thank you for your hospitality, Director. I will consider your proposal further.”
Lian’s gaze fell on that person… and she froze completely.
That guest was an elf. Slender, wearing a dark cloak in human style, and a veil covering half her face.
Her golden hair was deliberately dulled by the headscarf and hat.
But as the tips of her white sandals lightly touched the steps, an overwhelmingly majestic presence exploded outward.
Even with a veil hiding her peerless beauty, her extremely elegant every move captivated everyone’s gaze.
Her melodious voice, as if enchanted with some magic, echoed repeatedly in people’s minds and hearts.
Lian was very familiar with everything about her. Because it all belonged to just one person—
Arsenniya Aitixila, the Elven Queen.
‘Oh no no no no no no no—! How is she here!’
Lian quickly lowered her head and turned to leave, but as soon as she took a step, the receptionist behind her called out her name:
“Miss Lian! Where are you going? The person in charge is coming now.”
“So this is Miss Lian? Please wait a moment.”
That director bowed to the queen, then quickly ran down the stairs and blocked Lian’s path.
“Ah, so you are Miss Lian. My apologies for keeping you waiting.”
“…I have something to do. Let’s meet another time!”
Lian tried to go around him, heading for the door—
“—Please wait.”
That enchanting voice sounded again. Lian’s steps froze in place.
‘Damn…!’
“Your name is Lian, right? Please turn around.”
Lian mechanically turned around to face the veiled woman descending the stairs.
This voice contained vast magical power… Lian couldn’t defy it.
But she still tried her best to keep her head down, not letting the gaze under the veil examine her face.
“Lian?” The queen’s voice rose slightly. “This name… is very interesting. Why are you still lowering your head?”
“What are you doing!”
The director beside her wanted to step forward to stop her, but the two elven guards from outside came in and blocked him.
“Please raise your head, so I may have a good look at your face.”
She “requested” again… Lian felt her head wanting to lift against her will. But she still persisted—
“Hehe.”
The queen chuckled. She stepped forward, grabbed Lian’s chin, and forcibly lifted her face.
“You… oh my.”
The queen seemed to let out a soft sigh.
Then she released Lian’s chin and stepped back two paces.
Lian saw her shoulders trembling uncontrollably.
“Hahahahahahahahaha… So the rumors are true! He really does have an illegitimate daughter!”
Then, unable to suppress her emotions any longer, she burst into wild laughter.