Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva-Chapter 770 - 12: The Maid Corps of the True Red Royal Court
"Songstress Idrylia, a veteran songstress with quite a tenure, predating 'Emerald Serpent' Yulanduoja by two generations of songstresses, probably a contemporary of Lady Isabella. Even though she's not young, Elves don't show their age, and she looks only about 28-30 years old today."
"Seeing you all is very gratifying..."
After Ores introduced Idrylia, the latter looked over the young songstresses present with a kind gaze. She spoke at a measured pace, much like dignitaries giving formal speeches, a habit likely developed from her career.
Many years ago, this songstress was the most promising candidate in the federation to break through to the Moon Level and ascend to the Sunlit Level. Unfortunately, as she aged, these expectations faded, and now she is semi-retired and rarely performs on stage anymore. frёeωebɳovel.com
After a few welcoming words and with Ores linking arms with her, Idrylia met with each songstress at the event. Then she offered some encouraging words before announcing her departure.
"With me here, you probably wouldn't be able to liven up the place, so I won't disturb your gathering of the young. I'm taking my leave." She said with a smile, then nodded to Ores and left with a retinue of attendants dressed in gold hair and silver-blue garb.
After bidding farewell to Idrylia, Ores returned to the dining room and started to share how she came to know Idrylia.
"When I was very young, I was brought to meet senior Idrylia. But back then, I was just one of many children, not noticed by the adults. It was later, after I grew up a bit and awakened my songstress Talent, that I was noticed by senior Idrylia."
"Since then, she has taught me a lot about the cultivation of a songstress and life experiences." She reminisced for a while, and during this time, the others also shared their own experiences of awakening their talents.
"Looking at it this way, Hexia truly hasn't had it easy." Ores said to the black-haired girl sitting opposite her, a look of sympathy in her eyes.
"Well, it's been okay. It's all in the past." Truth be told, Hexia didn't like being looked at with pity, sometimes thinking that playing up one's misfortunes wasn't a good thing.
The several songstresses present, Prin and Audrey, already knew Hexia from before and were clear about her past. They didn't mind it now, but to Blanchi, who just found out, Hexia always seemed composed and discovering her difficult childhood was surprising. In comparison, her own family was ordinary, but she had a rather good life, with normal and friendly friends at least.
After the topic shifted, Ores enthusiastically introduced the variety of fine foods prepared for the invited songstresses. It was evident that she took pride and joy in this, and she was well-practiced in organizing such dining events, having led many before.
As they ate and chatted leisurely, they gradually relaxed with each other. However, a few pairs remained somewhat aloof, like Yianqing and Ores, and Audrey with Prin. These pairs rarely engaged in conversations with each other and would avoid each other when talking.
The purple cat-eared songstress, Ailu Kelu, was the most lively, showing great interest in the assorted dishes and incessantly praising them, making Ores quite pleased. Then, Ores had her maids offer additional gourmet dishes to this cat-eared performer.
After lunch, the seven songstresses moved to another drawing room to sit and have tea while playing a simple card game—not a card battle, but with physical playing cards.
After playing, Ailu Kelu had Blanchi join her in building card houses with the exquisite silver-embossed cards, while Ores drew Hexia's attention to the famous paintings she collected. Puling reluctantly conversed with Audrey at the urging of Yianqing.
After touring around, Hexia and Ores returned. The Ice Spirit songstress then summoned her maids to bring out delicious, rare Transcendent fruits, astonishing Blanchi, who had never seen such expensive fruits before.
Elsewhere, after exchanging a few words with Hexia, Prin said farewell to Ores and left, followed soon by Yianqing's departure.
"What did she say to you?" Audrey approached with intense curiosity as soon as Prin left.
"Just that I should grow up quickly and not idle away my time," Hexia replied with a wry smile.
"Was she like this when you knew her before?" Audrey enquired.
"Not really, Prin used to be a lively and spirited band singer, if we set the songstress identity aside." Hexia reminisced.
"Her personality was more approachable and full of vigor," she added.
After hearing this, Audrey was silent for a moment and then shook her head, "I don't know what to say, but Prin's behavior in the Central Star Domain isn't quite as you described."
"We interacted briefly when I first started school last year; she was reasonably normal back then. But later, she communicated less and less with me, and then there were the Star Cluster conflicts. I was completely unprepared for the competition to come so soon, so I was easily defeated."
"That was a significant blow to me." Audrey bowed her head, looking like a dejected swan, or perhaps a downcast white duck.
"It's okay, no worries. Just work hard and catch up," Hexia reassured, patting the back of the disheartened songstress without knowing that Ores was observing the scene from not too far away.
The remaining five continued chatting leisurely, occasionally sipping tea and playing games together until the afternoon when they finally left.
Upon returning to her Mansion, Hexia's suppressed sleepiness promptly surfaced. After briefly instructing Geyin, she retreated to her bedroom to catch up on sleep.
