My Celestial Ascension - Chapter 799: Mireya’s Mother’s Portrait

Chapter 799: Mireya’s Mother’s Portrait

There was a palpable tension in the chamber. The flicker of enchanted lanterns cast long, shifting shadows across the polished wooden walls, and the silence was heavy—almost suffocating—as every eye in the room turned to Sylvester Florence.

He sat with the composure of a man who knew the weight his words carried. Slowly, his golden eyes swept the council before he spoke.

“Ignoring, for the moment, the fact that Her Majesty has brought back our people from the human continent,” Sylvester began, his tone deliberate and measured, “have you all taken notice… that she has also brought outsiders into our midst? Humans… and even a few demihumans?”

The words dropped into the room like stones in a still pond. A faint murmur of discontent rippled among the elders.

In the Elven Kingdom’s structure, the Council of Five—Sylvester among them—held the authority to decide on matters in the Queen’s absence, and in certain situations, even the Queen herself was bound to seek their approval. While Mireya had often acted without consulting them, traditions dictated that any matter concerning the kingdom’s safety and sanctity required their consent.

Camilla Rose, sitting with a posture of quiet elegance, tilted her head slightly. “Indeed, we have noticed,” she said, her voice even, though her eyes gleamed with curiosity. “And from what I’ve been told, the Queen seems to be rather… ’familiar’ with them. Especially the young man.”

She didn’t show it, but inwardly, Camilla’s mind was spinning. Who was this human that Mireya would bring into the palace—a place sacred to elvenkind alone?

“I’ve heard the same,” Davis Lavinder said, his tone edged with irritation. “But what I can’t understand is ’why’. Why would she tarnish the sanctity of the Evergreen Palace by bringing ’outsiders’ here? Humans, no less!”

A few heads nodded. The atmosphere thickened with disapproval.

Sylvester leaned forward slightly, letting his voice take on a subtle gravity. “Indeed. Bringing outsiders into our most sacred ground is… unforgivable. Even if it is the Queen herself.”

His expression remained calm, but behind his composed mask, his thoughts were sharp as blades.

’Everything is falling into place. This will be the perfect leverage to strip Mireya from the Evergreen Throne. Soon… very soon… the Florence family will rule Elarindor. My son will be crowned the first King of the Elves, and history itself will be rewritten.’

Inwardly, he allowed himself the faintest grin. ’And it will all be because of your own foolishness, Mireya. You’ve handed me the weapon to destroy you.’

After a deliberate pause, Sylvester’s gaze swept across the other four council members. “What do you propose we do? Should we confront the Queen without delay?”

Davis was the first to respond, his voice sharp. “In my opinion, we should confront her ’immediately’. We cannot overlook such blatant disregard for the laws our ancestors set in stone.”

Camilla Rose’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she nodded. “I agree. The longer we wait, the more difficult it will be to challenge her decision. We should address this before her… companions… entrench themselves any further in our kingdom.”

“My thoughts align with the others,” Council Elder Tharion finally spoke, his deep voice breaking the silence. He had been quietly observing, but his eyes now glimmered with resolve.

“Me as well,” Elder Nymeria added, her tone deceptively soft, though her words carried weight. “This is a matter of great importance. We should move without delay.”

She rose from her seat, her long silver hair swaying behind her like a banner.

Sylvester stood as well, a cold satisfaction glinting in his eyes. “Since we are all in agreement, let us confront Queen Mireya at once. She has shown herself unfit to rule. It is time to remove her from the throne and place someone capable of leading the Elven Kingdom to true prosperity.”

A slow, deliberate smile spread across his face—one he didn’t bother to hide. Inside, he was burning with excitement.

’This is it. The moment I have been preparing for all these years.’

He had been laying the groundwork for this coup since the day Mireya left the kingdom in the hands of the council. And now, she had given him the perfect excuse to strike.

’I wonder if Mireya will be able to handle this storm,’ Camilla Rose thought as she followed the others out. ’If she cannot… she has no right to the Evergreen Throne.’

—

Meanwhile, inside the Elven Palace, Mireya guided Yuan and his companions through its sprawling halls. Her voice was warm as she recounted the long history of the palace, from the foundation of the kingdom to the great battles of the past.

The palace itself was a marvel—a seamless fusion of elven craftsmanship and nature’s touch. Vines of silver-leaf ivy curled across the walls, and moonstone lanterns cast a gentle, magical glow.

Stopping before a grand gallery, Mireya gestured to the long rows of portraits. Strikingly, there was not a single male among them. Every ruler, every face in the paintings, was female.

“This is our tradition,” Mireya explained with quiet pride. “The Elven Kingdom has always been ruled by women—and always will be. It is a legacy older than our written history.”

Her steps slowed before a particularly breathtaking portrait. The figure in the painting was a golden-haired elf of extraordinary beauty, seated upon the Evergreen Throne. She held a blade in her hand, her posture regal, her gaze unyielding—a warrior and a ruler in one.

“She is my mother,” Mireya said softly. “Former Queen Valeryan Sylara Moonshade.”

Her tone carried both reverence and sorrow. “She was a legend—a warrior without equal. It is said she could call upon the power of the Crimson Moon itself, striking down her enemies with unmatched might.”

Mireya’s expression hardened slightly as she continued. “Her final battle was against a malevolent dragon that descended upon our kingdom, intent on destroying both our people and the Mother Tree. She fought for ten days and ten nights without rest, sword in hand, shaking the very continent with the force of their clash.”

“In the end… she slew the beast, piercing its heart with her blade. But she paid the ultimate price. The dragon’s breath burned her beyond recognition, and though she stood victorious… she did not live to see the next dawn.”

Mireya’s gaze lingered on her mother’s image, her eyes shimmering faintly.

In the end, Mireya’s mother collapsed upon the battlefield, exhaling her final breath with a proud grin on her lips. She had given her life to protect her people and her kingdom from the malevolent dragon.

Yuan and the others stood in silence, deeply moved by the tale. They were in awe of her bravery and her selfless devotion. She had not hesitated to face death if it meant her people would live. Truly, she was a benevolent ruler—one whose sacrifice would forever deserve reverence.

“Your mother was truly brave… and remarkable. If she were alive, I’d have liked to meet her,” Yuan said with a gentle smile, his gaze lingering on the grand portrait of Queen Valeryan.

“For what? To get into her pants too?” Mireya teased with a small chuckle, though her tone carried a faint trace of melancholy. She then sighed deeply, her eyes softening with longing.

When her mother had fallen, Mireya had been only fifteen years old. From that day, the heavy weight of the Evergreen Throne had been hers to bear. She ruled with determination, emulating her mother in every way—protecting the people, preserving the kingdom.

And yet… the very people her mother had died to protect had begun to rebel against her. That betrayal pierced deeper than any blade, making her mother’s sacrifice feel tarnished.

’I promise you, Mother… before I pass the throne to my sister, I will purge every trace of corruption from this kingdom. I will wash away its filth in blood.’ The vow burned in Mireya’s heart like steel fresh from the forge.

Shaking away the heaviness in her chest, she led Yuan and the others to the throne room, where the legendary Evergreen Throne awaited.

When they entered, the vast chamber was mostly empty—save for a few elves tidying the space.

“Your Majesty, welcome back,” one of the elves greeted, bowing respectfully.

The others followed suit before resuming their work. Mireya acknowledged them with a slight nod, then gestured toward the throne itself.

“This,” she said, “is the most famous seat of power in all the Beast Continent—the Evergreen Throne.”

“Magnificent!” Yuan breathed, his eyes widening in awe.

The throne was shaped like the young leaf of the Mother Tree, yet crafted with such artistry and precision that it seemed almost alive. Every curve reflected the grandeur and authority of a true ruler—a masterpiece born from the heart of the elven people.

“If you want,” Mireya said with a soft smile, “you can sit in it. I don’t mind.”

Before Yuan could respond, she stepped forward, took his arm, and gently pulled him toward the throne.

“Now sit. You’d look even more handsome sitting here.”

She pushed him down onto the Evergreen Throne, her eyes studying him. A moment later, her face lit with a smile so bright it was impossible to miss—the excitement in her expression was almost tangible.

“Indeed… you look very handsome sitting on the throne, Yuan. Like a ruler who was born to rule.” Mireya’s lips curved into a soft chuckle as she lowered herself onto his lap. “And I am the Queen—to stand by your side and support you.”

“You praise me too much, My Queen.” Yuan replied with a quiet laugh, wrapping his arms firmly around her waist before leaning in to kiss her deeply.

While the others wandered the throne room, their attention was drawn to the countless artifacts on display—rare treasures unique to the Elven Kingdom, each with a story and power of its own.

The serene atmosphere shattered in an instant.

The great doors burst open without warning, and five elderly elves strode in, each wearing regal green robes. Their expressions carried dignity, but also an unmistakable air of arrogance.

“Blasphemy!”

The furious cry came from Sylvester, leader of the Elven Council, his voice echoing sharply through the chamber. His face was twisted in outrage as he jabbed a trembling finger at Yuan.

“How dare an outsider sit on the Evergreen Throne?! And not just any outsider—but a human!”

“This is unacceptable!” Davis barked, his eyes blazing with fury. “He must be executed at once! Only then will the wrath of our ancestors be appeased for this insult!”

“Indeed! Such insolence cannot go unpunished!” Elder Tharion growled, his tone as sharp as the glare he cast at Yuan and Mireya.

Sylvester raised a single hand, and the other elders immediately fell silent. His piercing gaze locked onto Mireya, his voice dripping with venom.

“Mireya… explain yourself. What is the meaning of this disgrace? How can you allow a ’human’ to defile the Evergreen Throne? Answer me—now!”

The air in the room grew heavy as Mireya slowly rose to her feet. Her eyes narrowed to icy slits, her tone colder than the winter wind.

“It’s ’Your Majesty’ for you, Elder Sylvester,” she said, each word deliberate, almost sharp enough to cut. “Do not forget your place in ’my’ palace.”