The Feathered Emperor quickly regained her original grace and composure, lightly shaking her head with a smile.
“It’s nothing, just some insignificant grievances. Speaking of which, Edwina, since you came to the Sky City as a descendant of the Holy Empire, why didn’t you travel with the Holy Empire delegation but instead joined the team of the Human United Kingdom?”
Estini squinted her eyes, seemingly inquiring and confirming at the same time.
“May I assume that there is an intention for a mutual alliance between the Human United Kingdom and the Holy Empire, and preparations have been made to announce this to the world? And you, Edwina, are the intermediary?”
“???”
Cold sweat immediately dripped from the corner of the Holy Knight’s temple.
The Feathered Emperor truly lived up to her title. Compared to this ruler who had lived for over three hundred years, Edwina seemed too inexperienced, both in experience and mentality, even though she had grown since their initial encounter. In just a few sentences, Estini put the Holy Knight in a dilemma.
After all, it was Edwina’s own decision to face the Feathered Emperor in this capacity, and the fact that she had been mingling with the Human United Kingdom delegation was undeniable.
Most importantly, Edwina was unaware that the Holy Empire’s delegation had already arrived at the Sky Island. Thus, the significance of her current role as a representative was entirely different.
Given the gravity of the situation, even the usually composed Holy Knight dared not answer casually. Just as she was fumbling to organize her thoughts, Leila and Rene, anxious to say something, the throne suddenly echoed with the hearty laughter of the Feathered Emperor.
“Hahaha! Alright, alright, just kidding. Don’t be so tense. Regarding your situation, Miss Frederica Cecilia, the leader of the Holy Empire’s delegation, has already informed me. Traveling around, I did similar things when I was young~”
Hearing the Feathered Emperor’s words, Edwina breathed a sigh of relief. However, she quickly seemed to realize something, and her face lit up with surprise.
“Wait, is it really my sister leading the delegation this time?”
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“Yes, she arrived just a few days ago, not much earlier than you. For specific details, you can ask the person in charge of the Human United Kingdom when you get back.”
After teasing and retaliating against a certain headstrong Holy Knight, Estini, satisfied with their reactions, turned her gaze towards the two sisters standing there like obedient children with their wings slightly drooping.
“You two, are you called Leila and Rene?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, I am the elder sister, Leila Kulk.”
“I-I am Rene Kulk, Your Majesty...”
Watching the visibly awkward winged sisters, Estini’s smile softened, and she adjusted her posture, leaning from left to right onto the armrest on her right side.
“Don’t be so nervous. As fellow White Feathers, we are all Kulks, one big family. I’m just a bit older, with a bit more experience. In the end, we’re all winged ones with two wings. Relax, relax. I just want to chat with you.”
Perhaps sensing the Feathered Emperor’s warmth and goodwill, and with Edwina timely patting their backs, Leila and Rene, the fledglings appearing before the monarch for the first time, loosened up slightly.
“Yes, Your Majesty. What would you like to talk about?”
“Well... quite a few things. Firstly, your situation. Sigrid has already briefed me. I’m glad that despite the circumstances, you both managed to survive and eventually return home. But there’s one thing I don’t quite understand.”
Estini’s five fingers lightly stroked her smooth chin, casually exposing her fair and slender thighs as she sat comfortably.
“How did you, in just a few short years, advance through two major tiers and witness legends? According to the information gathered within the clan, when you went missing, Leila and Rene Kulk were only at the level of Earth, right?”
“......”
Unexpectedly, right from the start, the Feathered Emperor brought up such crucial and confidential matters. Estini truly knew how to focus on key points.
The two sisters showed expressions of difficulty.
The secret of atavism was something Lady Violet personally instructed them to keep hidden, and even Edwina wasn’t entirely clear about it.
It’s not that there’s some taboo involved; on the contrary, if the secret of the ancestral bloodline of angels and divine beings were to be revealed, their value would undoubtedly soar, far surpassing their current status as “two young legends.”
This was an important opportunity that could purify the entire clan’s bloodline and significantly enhance the overall strength of the winged people.
Even now, the Feathered Emperor had summoned them the day after their arrival. It was hard to imagine what would happen after exposing an even deeper secret.
Especially if too many people knew that their transformation came from Lady Violet’s power, regardless of how the situation evolved, it would inevitably bring endless trouble to that esteemed lady.
So, it must not be revealed even a bit.
“Is that so... you’re unwilling to talk about it.”
The astute Feathered Emperor, Estini, already understood their attitude just by seeing the expressions of the two sisters, and she immediately showed a hint of regret.
“My apology, Your Majesty...”
Although Leila apologized anxiously, Estini did not force the two sisters to speak. She just smiled and naturally shifted the topic.
“It’s okay. I respect your privacy. Whenever you feel like talking about it, just let me know. Now, let’s talk about something else.”
“When the disaster occurred, both of you were probably participating in the ‘Trial of Adulthood.’ Most brothers and sisters who pass the trial become members of the ‘Wings of Freedom’ and participate in various aspects of the country’s construction and battles. Since you both managed to come back alive under those conditions and even witnessed legends, I presume there’s no need to continue the trial.”
The Feathered Emperor, for once, changed her lazy posture, straightening her body. In the capacity of a monarch, she solemnly extended her hand, inviting the two sisters.
“So, I want to ask, would you be willing to join the ‘Wings of Freedom,’ to serve for me, for the clan, and for the country?”
“..........”
Silence again.
The sisters exchanged glances, hesitating to respond.
An unsettling silence and awkwardness persisted for a long time. Even the usually gentle and amiable Estini couldn’t help but furrow her brow slightly. Standing behind her, the evidently high-ranking maid Ink even directly rebuked aloud.
“Leila Kulk, Rene Kulk, why are you hesitating?! Her Majesty personally invites you, this is an honor that many in the clan dream of but can’t obtain! Do you think just having a legendary-level allows you to disregard Her Majesty’s dignity, or do you secretly blame the clan for not rescuing you first? Understand, there were more than just you who suffered during that disaster...”
The Feathered Emperor didn’t speak. She just waved her hand, and the former immediately paused, closing her mouth resentfully. However, the gaze directed at the two sisters had clearly shifted from the initial softness to a hint of hostility.
“Alright, Ink, there’s no need for this. As I’ve said, the Wings of Freedom are about freedom. We won’t force anyone to join or stay. You can consider it an honor, but it’s never an obligation. Your perspective is problematic, take a moment to reflect on it.”
“...Yes, my apology, Your Majesty.”