The Paranoid Elf Queen Turned Me Into Her Sister

Volume 4 – Chapter 5: Gold and Silver Elves

While the Imperial Army did have capable and enlightened commanders like Gran, they were few and far between. Since the era of the ancient empire before the Demon Race ever invaded the continent, the empire had lasted for over twelve hundred years. Countless dynasties and noble houses had taken turns ruling, but all the power struggles remained internal, with little impact on the common folk. Among the empire’s citizens, it was common not to know the name of the reigning emperor. For them, what mattered was what they’d eat tomorrow—if they had anything to eat.

There had been a reason the empire once flourished, stretching far and wide, commanding respect from all corners. And there was just as much reason it had now rotted, shrinking into a corner of its former glory.

History showed that all feudal empires would inevitably decay over time. The fall of a great structure always began from within. The empire was a prime example.

Teresa had little faith in the quality of the imperial soldiers—so little that she couldn’t imagine them dutifully guarding their posts if hordes of Demon soldiers poured out of the forest, let alone fighting and dying for a foreign land.

Her conclusion: even if the Demon Race really had begun moving again and started leaking out from Coleman Forest, it was probably just scattered individuals. It hadn’t reached the level of full-scale war.

Still, what exactly was going on inside Ruglian was something she cared about deeply.

Teresa wanted to go see for herself, but her teammates hadn’t arrived yet. She wasn’t the impatient type, so she decided to put the matter aside for now.

After eating dinner at the dining hall—and picking up meals for Yimi and Astrid—Teresa carried the small takeaway bag provided by the cafeteria and began heading back to Crown Manor.

Since both her meal recipients were Elves, she didn’t have to worry about their food preferences. Elves could get by with a simple salad for dinner. Some even found vegetable salads too greasy, preferring just raw vegetables and dew.

That kind of fairy-like lifestyle… was not something Teresa could get behind.

When it came to food, she believed in indulging a little. Eating and sleeping were supposed to be pleasures in life—turning them into suffering seemed completely backward.

So, eat what you like. Drink what you want. Elves didn’t gain weight anyway, so there was no need for restrictions.

While Elf and human taste buds did differ a bit, not drastically so. What humans found delicious, Elves rarely found revolting.

Speaking of which, Teresa had even picked up Astrid’s favorite: a blueberry dessert—and got one for Yimi, too.

“I’m back~” As she slipped off her shoes in the entryway, Teresa noticed an unfamiliar pair of cute little sandals.

Judging by the size… was Wenfu back?

But as far as Teresa remembered, Wenfu never wore sandals. Even in the sweltering summer, she stuck to loafers and thigh-high white socks.

Then again, tastes change. A new semester, a new look. It made sense to wear new shoes.

It’d be nice if Wenfu was back. Teresa had grown tired of jostling through the cafeteria every day.

Though Coleman Academy’s cafeteria was nothing like the packed chaos of her past life, it still couldn't beat the comfort of eating at home.

Especially when she lost track of time reading—her cat-eared maid would bring her meal straight to the second-floor library, both hands folded over her belly, standing sweetly by her side as she watched her eat with a gentle smile.

Did people even realize how premium a cat-eared maid was!?

But upon entering, Teresa didn’t see that familiar figure waiting in the living room, ready to call out: “Welcome back, Teresa~ nya?”

Her return didn’t draw any reaction from the two little ones glaring at each other in the living room.

Teresa tilted her head. Apparently, while she was out strolling and dining, a small uninvited guest had shown up at the manor.

On the sofa sat two Elf girls—one gold-haired, one silver-haired—facing off like rival generals. Neither’s feet could touch the ground, but they both had their arms crossed over their flat chests, wearing the exact same puffed-up expression of bratty defiance.

Teresa didn’t speak right away. She quietly headed upstairs to deliver Astrid’s meal to her door, knocking softly to let her know.

And by accident, she heard something from inside Astrid’s room.

Hmm… it sounded like a wheel rolling back and forth on soft cotton?

Teresa immediately pictured Astrid lying face-down on her bed, rolling around like a wheel.

It wasn’t quite the image one had of a regal Elven princess—but the picture still came vividly to Teresa’s mind.

“Yimi, dinner’s ready~” Back downstairs, Teresa called out and broke the silence between the two girls.

“There’s even an extra portion. If Miss Sophia hasn’t eaten yet, she’s welcome to try some~”

Both turned their eyes to Teresa. Yimi didn’t react much, but Sophia’s eyes flickered with surprise the moment she caught sight of Teresa’s unmistakable Elven ears.

“Extra?”

“Weren’t they all for me?” Yimi interjected before Sophia could speak, her tone slightly more pointed than usual. “There are only three of us in the dorm now. No such thing as an ‘extra’.”

“And where were you during the first semester, huh? You’re just some Wood Elf who popped up out of nowhere in the second term.” Sophia, clearly provoked, pouted in indignation.

“Heh.” Yimi sneered, mocking Sophia’s ignorance.

“What? Did I say something wrong? A few months ago, no one even knew you existed!”

“Wood Elf? Did you seriously just call me a Wood Elf?” The quiet, gold-haired girl finally smiled—but it was a cold, mocking smile.

“What else would you be?”

“No wonder you’re such a backwoods Elf. Mistaking me for a Wood Elf… you really don’t get out much.” Yimi shook her head in mock pity.

“Who’re you calling a backwoods Elf!?”

“Gee, I wonder~?” Yimi tilted her head. Her expression didn’t change, but amusement flickered in her eyes.

“...Stupid yellow-haired Elf.”

“Can’t even tell yellow from gold. That’s how ignorant you are. If I were you, I wouldn’t open my mouth so easily—you’ll only expose how underfed your brain is.”

“Instead of stuffing your stomach, maybe start by stuffing your head.” Yimi crossed her pale legs, her sharp tongue fully unleashed—leaving Sophia momentarily speechless.

It was proof that reading really helped. At least you wouldn’t lose when trading insults.

“Not yellow? You’re saying you’re gold?” Sophia trailed off mid-sentence, suddenly looking toward the golden-haired girl observing quietly—and her beautiful, fair Elven ears.

“…There. You get it now?” Yimi lazily flicked her slipper with her toes and rested her cheek on her hand.

“...”

Sophia stared in silence for a moment, then turned to Teresa with wide eyes.

“Miss Teresa… are you a Gold Elf?”

“That's right.” Teresa didn’t deny it. “Sorry I only told you now, but yes—I’m a Gold Elf.”

“Then… at the start of last term, the one who saved me from those Beastmen… was that the unawakened you?”

“Mhm, that was me.” Teresa answered without hesitation.

“…Why did you hide it from me?” Sophia lowered her head. She’d long suspected it, but now that she knew the truth—it still stung.

Especially because they were both Elves. Why would Teresa hide it from her?

“It’s… a long story. And also… involves some personal matters.” That was Teresa’s gentle way of saying she didn’t intend to explain further.

“Then… does my sister know?” Sophia asked.

“She does. She’s known for quite a while.”

“Then why didn’t she tell me??”

“That’s not Astrid’s fault. I asked her not to tell anyone. She kept that promise.”

“Then why tell my sister and not me?” Sophia puffed out her cheeks, clearly still sulking.

“I worked so hard trying to find the person who saved me back then…”

“Even after awakening, when we met again—you pretended you didn’t know anything. Was tricking me fun?”

“You’re such a kid,” Yimi muttered, glancing away.

“Tch!” That snapped Sophia’s attention back to Yimi.

“You call me a kid? Aren’t you a little brat who hasn’t awakened yet!?”

“Don’t go projecting your standards onto others, alright? I’m a Divine Child who specializes in spiritual power. Awakening doesn’t work the same way for me.” Yimi spoke with a sage-like tone, acting every bit the senior.

“You must’ve been born in the Forest of Sages, huh? When I was born, Elves still lived in the Forest of Elders, y’know?”

“By age alone—I’m your elder.”

“Ugh…” Sophia didn’t argue, but her face showed clear resistance. After a moment, she seemed to regain her confidence.

“So what if you’re older? Being older isn’t everything. After all these years, you’re still barely taller than me! And soon, when I awaken, I’ll surpass you!”

Click—

…What was that sound?

Teresa blinked in confusion, then looked at Yimi—whose expression had darkened considerably.

Ah. That must’ve been the sound of Yimi grinding her teeth.

This girl really hated jokes about her height.

To be fair—Yimi was already over 400 years old. Though that was still young for an Elf, she was technically an adult. Yet she still acted like a child most of the time.

Like now—throwing petty jabs at a brat like Sophia. Teresa nearly wanted to say, “Aren’t you a little old to be bickering with kids?”

It was hard to believe this 400-year-old had matured at all—though perhaps her memory loss played a part in that.

“You little Moon Elf—do you even know what it means to respect your elders!?”

“Puh-lease. Stop pretending to be some dignified senior. You’re a brat too. Out there, people probably can’t even tell which of us is older.”

“At least I’ll keep growing! Unlike some people who’ll stay tiny forever!” Sophia’s repeated jabs at Yimi’s height finally pushed her over the edge.

“Oh, the Moon Elves sure are shameless. When did your kind get to claim the throne of the Elves? Putting on airs and pretending you were forced to take the crown—talk about a monkey acting like a king when the tiger’s not home!”

“You’re the monkey! Don’t talk like I don’t know history! You guys were the ones too stubborn to follow us—that’s why we took the crown!”

“Hmph. You’re Astrid’s little sister, right? The Moon Elf King’s second daughter?” Yimi sneered.

“So what?”

“Oh, that explains it. The daughter of a usurper pretending to be king… no wonder. Shamelessness runs in the family.”

“You take that back! Don’t you dare talk about my father and sister like that!”

“Calm down. I’m just stating facts.”

Teresa stared at the gold-and-silver duo with exasperation. Sophia’s immaturity was expected—but why was Yimi getting so riled up?

“Grr! You horrible yellow-haired Elf! I’m gonna make you eat those words!” With a flash of her tiny fangs, Sophia launched herself over the table and tackled Yimi, pinning her to the couch.

Honestly, it was embarrassing. Yimi, over 400 years old, was actually losing a scuffle to an unawakened Moon Elf child.

Teresa covered her smiling lips with a hand, suppressing her laughter.

She didn’t intervene—just stood nearby, watching with serene amusement as the two little Elves rolled around on the couch, tugging and wrestling.

“Apologize! Say sorry to my sister!”

“What should I apologize for, you rude little runt!? You’re the one who should apologize for assaulting your elders!”

After all—if she admitted defeat, and word got out that a centuries-old Gold Elf had been bested by a Moon Elf child, she’d have to go live on a different planet.

“Y-you’re still calling me rude?! Just you wait!” Sophia’s hands shot into Yimi’s sides, wiggling over her ribs and tickling her mercilessly. Yimi broke into silver-bell laughter, unable to resist.

Yep. Definitely just a pair of overgrown kids.

Teresa couldn’t help but laugh.