My Celestial Ascension

Chapter 811: Princess Lindsey

Angela and Aisha practiced their sword techniques outside the palace early in the morning. Their movements were fluid and nearly flawless after hours of training.

Despite their rapid cultivation growth from regular dual cultivation with Yuan, their skills still lagged behind. Strength alone wasn’t enough—skill mattered just as much. And unfortunately, sword mastery couldn’t be gained through shortcuts. They could only improve through persistent, focused training.

The others also trained rather than idling away the morning. Valeria guided Vanessa through her sword forms, correcting her stance and swings. At first, Vanessa’s movements were rough, but under Valeria’s instruction they gradually became smoother.

Once the session ended, they bathed in the hot spring to relax before breakfast. Since they had trained right after waking up, none of them had eaten yet.

While they were eating, a female elf entered with an urgent expression.

“Your Majesty, forgive my intrusion,” she said to Mireya. “A carriage bearing the Imperial insignia of the Golden Lion Empire has just entered the kingdom.”

Her tone grew more serious. “Shall we keep watch on them?”

“There’s no need,” Mireya replied calmly. “Escort them to the palace. They’re here on business with me.”

She already knew of their visit—just yesterday Emperor Raghar had sent a letter announcing that Princess Lindsey would be arriving to negotiate a business agreement between their nations.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” The elf bowed and departed, not wishing to interrupt their meal further.

Sylvia, having finished eating, glanced at Mireya with curiosity. “Do you know what kind of deal the Golden Lion Empire wants with us?”

“I have an idea,” Mireya said, “but I’m not certain yet.”

Sylvia sighed. “If it’s Princess Lindsey coming, then it will be a peaceful negotiation. At least she’s nothing like Emperor Raghar’s sons—those men can’t resist beautiful women.”

“I think so too… However, I’ve also heard she’s started a business of her own in the empire, and it’s growing more profitable by the day. Negotiating with someone like that won’t be easy,” Mireya said, setting down her empty plate.

Anna gave her a warm smile. “Have some confidence, Mireya. You’re the queen of this nation—you shouldn’t show any weakness to others.”

“And about that little kitty,” Valeria added with a sly grin, “you have the power to make her shut her mouth. You’ve already destroyed Kaelrath’s pride; the envoy from the Golden Lion Empire is just a girl.”

Mireya chuckled softly. “Relax, everyone. Stop worrying about me. I can handle her in more ways than one.” She stood and made her way to her room—after all, a queen could never greet a foreign envoy looking casual.

Once she left, Yuan turned to Sylvia. “Look after her, and don’t let the princess from the Golden Lion Empire intimidate her.”

Sylvia rose from her chair, hugging him from behind before kissing his cheek. “You worry too much, Yuan. Mireya isn’t weak anymore. If she can kick Kaelrath’s ugly butt, she can handle that little princess without breaking a sweat.”

“I can’t help it,” Yuan said with a small smile, pulling her onto his lap. “I just love you girls too much.”

“And that’s what I like most about you.” Sylvia grinned before pressing her lips to his, kissing him deeply with her arms wrapped around his neck.

Meanwhile, Mireya stepped out of her room dressed in her royal attire—a form-fitting blue robe that hugged her curves, with a crown set with intricate patterns and gemstones that perfectly matched her regal beauty.

“You look stunning, Mireya,” Yuan said warmly, embracing her from behind without disturbing her dress.

“Thank you, dear.” She gave him a light kiss before pulling away. “The servants just informed me our guests are waiting in the audience room. I’ll go meet them—you can do as you please in the meantime.”

“Sure,” Yuan replied with a smile. “But don’t give them a chance to take advantage of you.”

A short while later, Mireya entered the throne room, her expression poised and professional. Princess Lindsey was already there, waiting. Mireya walked to her throne in silence, then settled into her seat and regarded the princess with calm curiosity.

“Princess Lindsey of the Golden Lion Empire,” Mireya began, “welcome to the Royal Palace of the Elven Kingdom. I’ve heard quite a lot about you in recent days—you’ve accomplished much for your empire.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. It’s an honor to know that a great queen like you is aware of me,” Princess Lindsey said, lowering her head slightly in respect.

“Let’s get straight to business without unnecessary chatter, shall we?” Mireya suggested with a polite smile.

“Of course. I prefer being straightforward as well,” Lindsey replied with a matching smile. The princess already found herself liking Queen Mireya’s no-nonsense demeanor.

“In that case, tell me—what sort of business deal does the Golden Lion Empire wish to make with us? I am curious to hear it,” Mireya asked, her brows lifting slightly as she fixed Lindsey with a steady, serious gaze.

After a small, deliberate pause, Lindsey answered, “Your Majesty, our Golden Lion Empire wishes to purchase one thousand Elven Healing Potions from you every month. Currently, there is a severe shortage of high-grade potions in our nation.”

She leaned forward slightly, continuing, “And not just in our nation, but in nearly every other kingdom and tribe. Your people have stopped selling potions for quite some time now, and we are in dire need of them. I’d like to propose that you sell them exclusively to us, and to no other nation or tribe. This would allow both our nations to profit greatly from the arrangement. I hope you will consider my offer.”

Mireya’s smile thinned ever so slightly as she listened.

’So… they want to monopolize the potion market using our craft. A clever way to rake in enormous profits—if it works for them,’ she thought, an uneasy edge creeping into her mind.

After a moment of consideration, Mireya leaned back on her throne and asked, “And what would be my share of the profit? How much do you propose I receive from this… arrangement of yours?”

’Ah, here it comes,’ Lindsey thought, suppressing a small sigh. Her expression remained polite, but her mind was already calculating.

’So the queen is interested in the financial side. That’s good… I can use this to my advantage.’

Putting on her most amiable smile, Lindsey replied, “Your Majesty, I propose you take thirty percent of the profit. After all, we will be the ones handling the selling and distribution. The remaining seventy percent would go to us.”

Mireya’s expression didn’t change, but her eyes sharpened. The sheer arrogance in Lindsey’s words made her want to scoff, yet she kept her composure.

“Thirty percent?” Mireya repeated slowly. “Isn’t that rather small—considering we will be the ones producing the potions? And you are well aware the ingredients required to make them are not cheap.”

Her tone was calm, but there was a distinct edge beneath it, her gaze fixed on Lindsey with a mixture of curiosity and quiet disdain.

“I understand that,” Princess Lindsey replied smoothly. “However, thirty percent is already quite a generous figure. You should think about it—after all, we also have to make some profit.” Her lips curled into an arrogant smile.

“I don’t think I can agree to this deal, Princess Lindsey,” Mireya answered, her own smile widening into something sharper. “We make the potions, not you. If you want a contract, my offer is ninety percent of the profit to us. Then, I’ll sign.”

“What?!” Lindsey’s composure cracked. “Ninety percent?! Are you insane, Your Majesty?! We can’t accept that! There would be nothing left for us!” Her eyes were wide with disbelief.

“Then I’ll be generous,” Mireya said, her tone turning colder. “Fifteen percent for you. Take it or leave it. I don’t have time to argue.”

“That’s far too little!” Lindsey snapped. “Make it sixty percent! We also have to earn something from this—don’t go so hard on us!”

“In that case,” Mireya said flatly, “you may leave my palace, Princess Lindsey. I will not sell potions to you for a price that insults me.”

The princess froze. The Golden Lion Empire had assumed they could exploit the Elven Queen simply because she was a woman. They were wrong—dangerously wrong. Mireya was no longer the naïve ruler she had once been. And she did not fear the so-called might of the Golden Lion Empire, even if it was the largest and strongest on the Beast Continent.

“You’re making a mistake, Your Majesty,” Lindsey warned, her voice low. “For now, I’ll leave. But this won’t be the last time you see me.”

She turned to go, but a cold, disdain-laced voice halted her mid-step.

“Princess Lindsey,” Mireya called, her tone razor-sharp, “are you threatening me?”

The words struck harder than steel. A crushing pressure rolled through the air, pressing Lindsey to the floor as though the throne room itself had turned against her. Her breath caught in her throat.

’What is this?! She’s not even using mana—how can she exert such force?!’ Lindsey thought, panic flickering in her eyes. She gritted her teeth, straining to move, but her body refused to obey under the unseen weight.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty,” she said finally, her voice tight with frustration. “I… spoke too much.”

“Good,” Mireya replied, her voice like ice. “Leave now. And do not repeat this mistake before me again. Next time, you may not walk away. Know your place before you speak.”

With that, she released the pressure. Lindsey’s lungs filled again as the suffocating force lifted. Without another word, she bowed her head in shame and left the throne room, her expression dark and unreadable.