The elf leader's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his face. He was a stern figure, his sharp features framed by silver hair that marked him as one of the elder elves, though not the oldest I had seen. His gaze flickered to the queen, lingering a moment longer than was comfortable, before returning to me.
"And who are you to make such claims, stranger?" he asked, his voice cold but measured. "You appear suddenly, uninvited, alongside this... woman." His eyes settled on Aurelia the Queen, who stood tall, her gaze piercing and unbothered, as if the entire situation was beneath her.
Aurelia, of course, caught the insult immediately, her lips curling into a dangerous smile. "Woman?" she repeated, her voice dripping with venom. "You have the nerve to speak to me like that? You—"