The Paranoid Elf Queen Turned Me Into Her Sister

Volume 4 Chapter 10 – Do You Know Me That Well?

The crystal chandelier emitted a gentle glow, bathing the classroom in a warm light. Once everything was tidied up and the neatly dressed teacher in full suit entered the room, the students all stood in unison, greeted, then sat down.

Felicia glanced doubtfully at Astrid sitting in the row ahead, face calm and frosty, then quickly turned her gaze away.

If she remembered correctly, Astrid usually sat in the same row as Teresa during class, and most of the time, they sat right next to each other. Why were they sitting so far apart today?

Divided into three rows, she was now alone in the middle. Wenfu and Teresa sat behind her, while Astrid sat in the front row. The two had never been this far apart before.

Though not particularly unusual, the change gave off a strong sense of dissonance.

Had something happened between them?

Felicia didn’t know, and she knew better than to jump to conclusions. Maybe they just wanted a change of pace today, or maybe it was pure coincidence. She certainly wasn’t socially inept enough to ask about it outright.

Teresa glanced at Astrid sitting in the front row and recalled how, earlier that morning, Astrid had unusually chosen to eat outside instead of at the dorm. Her expression became thoughtful.

Even the most oblivious person would have noticed by now.

Astrid was likely avoiding her—deliberately keeping her distance.

For some reason, Teresa’s first reaction to this was, “Her rebellious phase has arrived.”

She pondered whether she’d done anything to upset Astrid lately. Had she unknowingly offended her?

Was it when she flipped through her artbook? That was private, and it was indeed wrong of her to look at it—but Astrid didn’t seem like the petty type.

After much thought, Teresa decided to set it aside and deal with it after class.

An adult should have excellent emotional control. Even if her emotions said otherwise, her actions had to stay steady. Despite caring deeply about what was bothering Astrid, Teresa managed to rein in her thoughts and focus on the lesson. Though she could understand the material after a single glance back home, she still listened carefully out of respect for the teacher.

In the afternoon, it was self-study time. Since she and Astrid had selected different courses, they had no chance to meet.

After school, Teresa returned to the dormitory, completed her homework, then went downstairs to eat—only to notice that one person was still missing from the table.

“How strange. What’s up with Astrid today? She’s been out all day, not even coming back to eat?” Felicia asked while casually glancing at Teresa, clearly trying to gauge her reaction.

“I-It must be that Wenfu’s cooking hasn’t suited her taste lately...” Wenfu said a little guiltily. “That’s probably why Astrid didn’t want to come back to eat.”

“No, it’s not your fault, Wenfu. Elves don’t need to eat much anyway. Maybe Astrid hasn’t had much of an appetite these past couple of days or is just in a bad mood—it has nothing to do with you.” Teresa comforted her.

Though that was what she said, weren’t both Teresa and Yimi also Elves?

Still, Wenfu became mentally burdened, wondering if she’d botched a dish and upset Astrid somehow.

“She went to the plaza.”

“Hmm?” Teresa, just as she was sitting down, heard Yimi say this out of nowhere.

“I saw her heading toward the plaza after school today,” Yimi added, then buried her head in her vegetable salad without another word.

The Academy Plaza?

Teresa recalled that aside from the plaza itself, there was a sanctuary there dedicated to the Seven Saints who created the world.

Astrid likely didn’t go just to see the plaza. She must’ve gone to the sanctuary.

But why? Teresa couldn’t figure it out.

To her, it felt like typical teenage angst. Give it a bit of time, and it would pass.

That night, Astrid returned home looking visibly worn out.

Due to emotional turmoil, she hadn’t returned to the dorm after school but had instead spent the whole afternoon praying in front of the Forest Mother Goddess statue at the sanctuary.

She poured all her frustration and confusion out in her prayers—that was always how Astrid relieved pressure.

What she hadn’t expected was to come home and see Teresa, fresh out of the bath, her damp golden hair draped over her shoulders, sitting by the window in just a bathrobe reading a book. Upon seeing her, Teresa smiled as always and greeted her—the familiar warmth of her voice smooth and comforting like milk.

Teresa hadn’t dressed like that with any particular intention—it was just that there were no men in this house, so what she wore didn’t really matter.

“Good evening, Astrid. Hungry?” A simple greeting, yet filled with tenderness.

Astrid quickly turned her head away, refusing to look in Teresa’s direction. She only muttered a quiet “Mm” and went upstairs.

Teresa tilted her head, propped her cheek, and smiled faintly, her gaze falling back to the book before her. Her golden lashes blinked gently, casting soft shadows on the pages.

Back in her room, Astrid exhaled deeply. It felt like the entire day’s worth of prayers had been wasted. She even wanted to head back out at night to pray again to the Goddess.

That night, after wiping the dampness from her legs and climbing into bed, Astrid tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Her mind was full of that golden springtime sight she had glimpsed upon returning.

Fully dressed again, she tiptoed out of the estate and headed straight to the sanctuary under the moonlight.

“Forgive me, Great Mother Goddess, but I must trouble you again. I have many sins to confess...”

***

The next morning, Astrid was still nowhere to be seen—even Wenfu, who usually got up early, said she hadn’t seen Astrid get out of bed.

Teresa lazily stretched and let out a soft yawn, her verdant eyes shimmering with dew-like sparkles.

“Um, Teresa, did you see Astrid this morning?”

“Hmm? Nope. If you didn’t see her, how could I have?” Teresa replied with a chuckle.

Ever since recovering part of her memories, her biological clock hadn’t been as strict. She believed that life should include indulgence—good food, desserts.

Bitterness and sweetness made life complete, and sleep was also a very important part of that enjoyment. If she could avoid waking early, she would.

That was why she got so upset when Yimi disturbed her sleep.

“Do you think Astrid’s been acting a bit strange lately?”

“Not really. I think she’s fine.” Teresa seemed unconcerned. “It’s normal for young people to feel lost and change a little.”

“You talk like you’re so mature, Teresa.”

Wenfu pouted.

Yimi glanced at Wenfu but said nothing and continued reading her newspaper.

These two didn’t know it, but Yimi was fully aware—this rotten Elf was old enough to be their great-grandmother.

“Ah, I just remembered! Is Astrid in love?” Wenfu, sitting in her special cat-eared chair with her arms crossed, suddenly had an epiphany.

“Hmm? In love?”

“You didn’t know, Teresa? That day Astrid was asking Felicia tons of questions about love at the table. I’m sure she’s fallen for someone!” Wenfu wore the smug expression of someone finally in the loop. “Astrid is totally in love!”

“...”

Felicia, sipping her soup nearby, nearly choked.

She wiped her mouth and decided it was best not to speak.

Classic Wenfu—always clueless. She didn’t even know who Astrid had feelings for, and while her guess wasn’t wrong, only Felicia truly understood who Astrid was likely in love with.

As for why Astrid suddenly started acting up or whether she had figured out her own feelings—Felicia had no idea.

“Astrid, in love?” Teresa thought for a moment. That... might actually be the case.

Elves were slow to develop feelings, but she was still a young girl in the throes of awakening emotion. Being interested in love or having someone she liked wasn’t unusual.

“It must be true! I wonder what kind of person Astrid’s fallen for.” Wenfu’s eyes sparkled like stars, full of romantic dreams. To her, love was something incredibly beautiful.

Teresa took a more reserved view. From when Astrid met Dylin to now, less than a year had passed. While their relationship hadn’t reached that level, she didn’t think it was time for a new direction already.

After clearing the dishes, they headed off to school with laughter and chatter. No matter the world, young people were always so full of life and vigor.

After Felicia and Wenfu entered the classroom one by one, Teresa suddenly heard someone call her from behind.

“Miss Teresa, may I have a moment of your time?”

Hearing this, Teresa turned around, puzzled. Behind her stood a fair-skinned young man with one hand over his chest, bowing politely.

“And you are?” Teresa didn’t recognize the youth.

“Miss Teresa, do you remember that rose-colored letter from the other day?” Though the young man tried to appear calm, his hand trembled slightly from nervousness—it had been over his chest the whole time, even after the bow was done, as if he’d forgotten to lower it.

“Oh, that was you? Then I suppose I should call you... Buwen?”

“I’m honored you remember my name.” Buwen was stunned to hear his name so smoothly spoken, then deeply moved.

“Mm. Your letter stood out.” Rose-colored paper, rose-scented wax seal—it was clear this boy was attentive and likable.

“Did you read my reply, Buwen?”

“Yes, I did.” Buwen nodded earnestly.

Teresa got the picture.

Anyone who came back after a clear rejection was the persistent type.

After all, this was a school—not a workplace. Here, it was all youthful passion and no cunning schemes.

“In your letter, you mentioned that my views on love may differ from yours. But I believe that love at first sight is also a valid start to romance.”

“Perhaps it seems hasty to you, but I swear—my feelings for you are sincere, not just based on appearance.”

“You once pretended to be human, didn’t you? I think we’d have a lot in common.”

“I’m not like those others who confessed just because of your looks—I think I genuinely understand you.”

This kid was getting too serious.

Teresa sighed inwardly, wondering how to politely refuse this passionate young noble when she spotted Astrid standing nearby, looking a little lost.

“Oh, Astrid! Where were you this morning? Come here, come here~” It was rude to talk to someone else during a conversation, but Teresa threw Buwen an apologetic glance, then waved the silver-haired Elf over.

“?” Hearing Teresa call her, Astrid hesitated, then walked over to Teresa’s side.

“Buwen, this is my classmate and teammate, Astrid. I’m sure you’ve heard of her?”

“Ah, hello, Astrid. I’ve long heard of you.” Looking at the golden and silver-haired beauties before him, Buwen’s gaze toward Astrid lacked any heat. He simply greeted her politely. He did seem rather loyal.

“Hello.” Astrid glanced between Buwen and Teresa, not understanding why Teresa had suddenly pulled her over.

“Buwen, you say you know me well?”

“Ah? Yes.”

“Then, can I ask—do you know what my favorite food is?”

“Huh? ...Of course. It must be vegetable salad, right?” After all, Elves all liked that.

“And you, Astrid?” Teresa cast a sultry glance at Astrid, making her cheeks flush. She replied almost instinctively.

“Mango fruit tea, and... sweet cake.”

“Bingo~ Correct!” Teresa immediately leaned into Astrid’s arms. “Still, Astrid knows me best.”

“...”

Astrid froze, her usual calm expression slightly dazed.

“Then, Buwen, do you know what flavor I hate most?”

“I suppose... sour? I also—”

“Bitter,” Astrid interrupted before she could finish. She had seen Teresa pour out unfinished bitter tea multiple times.

Maybe even Teresa hadn’t noticed—but Astrid had been paying attention to all those little details in her life, inferring her habits and preferences.