Ellendise waited another more week before making her move. In the last week of her time in solitude, Ellendise had spent her time researching information about prophecies and the elven race.
Her knowledge about the races in the novel was superficial at best and it was better to read more thoroughly about them in published books written by famous authors of the Harchen Empire or Mage Tower.
If it were books, Ellendise was not short of it. She had received a private library all to herself for her tenth birthday. Moreover, with the combined doting of her parents, the library she was given was not a small one.
The county was not short on money either and Count Davis Vitron who was busy managing the fief and the knight squad seemed as if he has his hands full, but in reality, he also delved in business just like a few noblemen.
If it was something that nobility craved for, it was money and luxury. The Count was no different. Furthermore, providing the basic expenses and salary of all the servants and knights working at the county needed a source so naturally, the Count had to find other ways to earn income which is why he established a few chains of businesses in the empire.
Ellendise smiled. The Count's wealth allowed her to live easy and extravagantly if she wanted to though most of her allowances were spent on new reading materials.
When she was researching, Ellendise found herself being surprised at the information that she found.
'No wonder the Count was cautious and vigilant.'
The prophecy wasn't just some shitty nonsense since it came from the mouth of an elf priest. If it were a human priest or saint who said this, the Count's reaction wouldn't be the same.
But the prophecy came from an elf, a person from the elven race that were the direct descendants of the Goddess Mortia and were known as creatures of light.
Ellendise hated to admit but elves weren't simply boastful and arrogant just because they were descendants of the Goddess of this world but they were also a race filled with talented people.
Additionally, they were the race who were famous for their talent in divinity. Ellendise nearly ripped the book when she read this.
Divinity studies creation and magic studies anomalies. This was what the book told her. At first, the line sounded off since it should be the other way around.
And yet, the further Ellendise read, the further she understood.
Divinity facilitates the laws of this world while magic focuses on the world's supernatural phenomena.
This also meant that oracles who were gifted in divinity were people of high stations since they were so few that only one exists among a hundred thousand. That was how rare they were. And the Count just so happens to encounter one, informing that 'his daughter' is an unknown entity.
Also, that priest was an elf of all people!
Really, the reputation of these pointy-eared fairies far exceeds her expectations--Ah, that was very insulting to Cestine.
Ellendise coughed. Even though elves were arrogant, they were respected by many.
And the one thing that makes the claims of the elf priest even more credible is one absolute truth.
Elves are unable to lie.
Heh.
"Elves are unable to lie, is this true?" This is what Ellendise asked Rachel and Jill when she called for them after so many days of ignoring them.
"Umm, yes, my lady?" Rachel asked, taking the time to process the question.
"Lady Ellen, elves are unable to lie. This much is true!" Jill immediately answered.
Ellendise called for the other maids and asked the same thing.
"Y-Yes...?"
"Of course! T-The elves are people that are known for being honest!"
"Ah. Yes, my lady. Elves cannot lie. It is against their nature to do so."
"Yes, this is a fact that everyone knows, my lady."
"They might be arrogant but they are the only race who are known to be unable to tell a lie."
"I see." Ellendise leaned back on her chair. She dismissed them and went back to pondering. This time, she only called for both Rachel and Jill to remain.
Ellendise smiled at the two.
"Jill, those earrings that you are wearing are quite pleasant to look at," Ellendise said, her gaze landing on Jill.
"Thank you, my lady."
"Rachel, you aren't wearing any accessories?"
"Well... my lady, it'll be inconvenient for me to wear them when serving you since they might get in the way." Rachel bowed slightly, showing a subservient posture.
"Hm... Is that so?"
"Yes..."
"That's good," Ellendise said, her eyes never leaving Jill while speaking.
"My lady, is there something wrong with my face?"
"No. Your face is very beautiful. I like it very much."
Jill blushed, looking bashful at the compliment. "Thank you very much. But compared to Lady Ellen, I pale in comparison!"
"Yes. I am aware of that. This face is quite lovely. Afterall, I inherited this beauty from the Count and Countess."
"Yes! Lady Ellen is so beautiful and has received both the madam and the lord's best features! Especially the Countess. Lady Ellen looks a lot like the madam."
"I am glad to hear that, Jill." Ellendise picked up a cup of tea, taking one slow sip before continuing.
"Do you also think that those gold earrings that you are wearing would suit me?"
"P-Pardon...?"
Ellendise smiled, placing the cup down. "You said that I was just as beautiful as the Countess. I wonder if wearing my mother's jewelry would also make me look like her..." Ellendise pointed to the earrings with her index finger.
"Those earrings belong to my mother, aren't they?"
Jill stuttered to answer as she looked at Ellendise with alarm. "The madam... gifted this to me, my lady. Lady Ellen, I did not steal it!" She hurriedly bowed her head, frightened.
Ellendise chuckled, amused at her behavior. Isn't this the same as saying that you accepted a bribe?
"Those earrings came from my mother's personal collection. I heard that they are worth ha few pieces in gold."
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