This was the most amusing situation Tristan had ever been in. How in the bloody hell did a simple quest suddenly turn into a marriage arrangement? It just didn't make sense!

What was the reason that the queen was so insistent with her intention of arranging his marriage? Moreover, it was also the first time for Tristan to hear someone mention the word Blood Monarch. It made him curious yet also wary. He absolutely had no idea about the queen's true intent towards him.

Still, the main point was, what in the actual world was going on? Did the queen know something about this strange body of his?

Alas, before Tristan could get deeper into his contemplation, the sharp voice of a woman broke him out of the trance.

"Mother, that is absurd!!"

Intense panic was visible on Serene's face as she shouted involuntarily. Her body shuddered at the thought of her mother marrying Tristan, the thought of calling the damned elf 'Royal Father' will be such a nightmare for her.

Thinking about the probable possibility, another shudder instantly enveloped her - further solidifying her will to reject this idea with everything she had.

On the other hand, Tristan watched the situation with a blank expression. It really was such a weird situation no matter how strange this world had been towards him.

This definitely not normal, is it?

To be sure, Tristan shifted his gaze to the side, to see the reaction of the Kingsblade captain and the queen's adviser. As expected, he could clearly see that the always cool Captain Raika and the calm Elder Anmar were also making unusual expressions.

Unfortunately, the crown had spoken its royal decree.

The queen swiftly ordered everyone to leave the place, except the two people relevant to the matter - Tristan and Serene. Making sure the coast was clear, the queen casually returned to her throne and spoke in a tone that made Tristan's eyebrow rose.

"Tristan…"

"Yes, Your Excellency?" responded Tristan in a serious manner. The tone of the queen's words signified that she was about to ask something monumental.

"Do you find my daughter attractive?"

"..."

Tristan lost his bearings for a second, before he quickly schooled his expression. He took a glance at the still kneeling princess and said, "Yes, very attractive."

"Then, what about me? Do you find me attractive?" asked the queen with the familiar teasing smile.

Once again, Tristan was speechless by the level of flirtation this supposed queen could launch.

"Yes, Your Excellency. You are very attractive as well."

At this moment, Tristan was wrecking his own brain. He was unable to think if this was a trick question or a genuine one. He was afraid to answer differently, therefore he basically gave the same answer. In all honesty, all these questions really blew his mind.

The beautiful smile appeared once more on the queen's face, as if she was genuinely happy with his answer. Afterwards, she opened her mouth again.

"It's settled, then. We will do what I say."

Even so, Tristan would not let this be decided just like that, not this easy. He stared at the ruler of Vanyar Kingdom and was about to argue when he realized the queen gazed at him.

In an instant, Tristan felt as if a strong force pressed on him, suffocating him. A strong aura exuded out of the queen's being through her simple stare. This was stronger than any he had ever felt before. Even the Aesir, the old wizard, nor the Arcadian King were not comparable to the level of aura she was currently emanating. At this moment, he realized that the queen was on a completely different level.

Without Tristan realizing, sweat was pouring down his cheeks and his knees felt extremely soft that he could hit the floor at any time. A little more push, and Tristan would fall down with a thud.

The attitude the queen was currently showing him was with only one intention - to give him one important message. You will do as I say.

It was Serene's shout that interrupted her overbearing aura, relieving Tristan from his agony.

"Mother! Please tell me why! Why so sudden?!"

The queen closed her eyes at her daughter's question. She kept her eyes shut for a moment before opening them again.

"My daughter, the time of the elves in this world is coming to an end. We are dwindling, and you, as the princess of the kingdom, must know this."

The queen's serious remark that came so sudden made Serene lower her head. The queen ignored her as she continued her series of words that sounded like a song that echoed the mind.

"The leaves are falling, the seas are raging, and the forests are drowning. Blood will rise and the Monarch will lead through the mist."

There was a hint of sorrow through the queen words

Then, the queen shifted her gaze to Tristan and said, "Tristan, I actually don't care if you are a human or an elf. However, I believe you are the man mentioned in the prophecy. With the fact that the Blood Monarch has appeared, it means the end of us, the elves, is near."

Tristan could definitely perceive the seriousness in her words. The queen wasn't joking.

"I have spent many days praying in the shrine, and the god has spoken. We, the Vanyar, will do whatever it takes to support you to become the monarch. In return, you will take one of us as your mate, or rather, wife."

Tristan was speechless - he lacked the words to answer. There were only two possibilities in what might be true. What the queen said was the truth, or she was completely insane.

One meant he was now at the mercy of a powerful, probably crazy, elf. While the other meant a lot of pain and work had to be done.

Both were bad news for him.

Perhaps he really should not think too negatively about this and just chill, at least the silver lining is he got to have one of these two beauties as a wife.