Celeste sheepishly rubbed her nose. "Hehe~ It's because I saw all the uncles leaving."
This young woman was the same Celeste Sunstrider who had been a mere child years ago. As time passed, the once doll-like little girl had grown into a graceful and slender maiden.
Dath'Remar doted on his precious daughter, pouring everything he knew of the arcane arts into her education. Celeste did not disappoint him; her talent for the arcane even surpassed that of her father and her elder brother, Dath'Remar's eldest son, Dannas.
However, Dath'Remar had never made his daughter's talent public, even constantly reminding her to maintain a low profile. Celeste had strictly adhered to her father's warnings, never revealing her true arcane proficiency in front of outsiders.
But as she grew older, she became increasingly puzzled by her father's decision to hide her strength and talent. If hiding from the outside world was meant to avoid the notice of Tyrande and the anti-Highborne factions, hiding it even from their fellow Highborne was something she struggled to comprehend.
Enjoying the relaxing sensation of his daughter massaging his head, Dath'Remar closed his eyes with a smile. After a long silence, having considered everything clearly, Dath'Remar suddenly opened his eyes and called out softly, "Celeste."
"Yes?"
"You must have guessed it by now. The time to act is fast approaching."
"I know..."
After a moment of silence, Dath'Remar took a deep breath. "You've grown up. I know you have many views that differ from mine, yet you have never once publicly questioned the things I've asked of you."
Celeste's expression shifted, and her hands stopped their gentle massage. "Father..."
Dath'Remar smiled and waved a hand. "Don't be nervous. Father isn't blaming you. Having your own opinions is a good thing. Now, listen carefully, Celeste."
He pulled his daughter's hand in front of him, giving it a firm pat as he spoke with heavy significance. "I do not intend to take you with me for the execution of this plan. Tomorrow, I will arrange for someone to send you to Moonshadow's Rest."
"What?!" Celeste cried out in surprise. "But—"
"Let me finish." Wisdom flickered in Dath'Remar's eyes. "For noble families like ours, placing multiple heirs in separate locations is a common choice. You should know this.
"For the future of the Highborne, Dannas and I are destined to walk a path with no visible end. This is my responsibility as the leader of our people, and it is Dannas's responsibility as my eldest son and the primary heir of the Sunstrider family.
"But you are different," Dath'Remar said with a smile. "You have never displayed any value to the outside world—not even within Highborne society. No one will watch your movements too closely.
"If—and I say if—both your brother and I fail, our fate will be beyond doubt."
Dath'Remar looked solemnly at the tearful Celeste and formally entrusted her. "If that time comes, you, Celeste Sunstrider, must bear the heavy burden of continuing the Sunstrider legacy. This is your duty and obligation as the second-in-line heir of this family."
Celeste was exceptionally bright, but she had been carefully shielded by her parents and brother since childhood. Though she had experienced the "death" of her mother during the War of the Ancients, she had never personally set foot on a brutal battlefield. Compared to the steady and calculating Dannas, Celeste's brilliance was still focused on "small cleverness"—cleverness in a non-derogatory sense.
Gently reaching out to wipe the tear tracks from his daughter's face, Dath'Remar spoke with great reluctance. "If it were possible, I would wish for our family to always remain together, supporting one another. But the current situation does not allow me such luxury. For the preservation of our family's legacy, we have no choice."
Sniff.
Celeste sniffed, and a brilliant smile broke through the tears on her face. "I understand, Father. But I believe you and my brother will surely succeed. After all... you are my dearest family, and I know your capabilities well."
Dath'Remar breathed a long sigh of relief. "Ha~ I think so too. If that day truly comes, perhaps we will meet again in a brand-new home."
"Yes! Celeste will be looking forward to that day!"
...
The following evening, at the teleportation tower.
Celeste carried a small bag of luggage. Under the feigned indifference of Dath'Remar and Dannas, she waved with a smile and stepped into the portal leading to Moonshadow's Rest.
Watching his daughter depart, Dath'Remar's expression appeared normal, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of sorrow. If the plan went poorly, this parting would be for a lifetime. Thinking of Celeste living alone in the future, Dath'Remar felt as though his heart had been suddenly gripped tight.
"Father."
Though Dannas also looked reluctant, he calmly patted Dath'Remar's shoulder. As the years passed, the once impulsive Dannas had become much more mature and steady. Through his close interactions with the heirs of other Highborne families, he had essentially solidified his position as the next leader.
Dath'Remar took a deep breath, heavily exhaling the longing and uncertainty in his heart. "I know. Let's go."
In the shadows of a corner in the teleportation tower, a slender, fully armored figure wearing a full-face helmet suddenly emerged. Silently watching the Sunstrider father and son depart, a hint of confusion flickered in the faintly glowing Night Elf eyes behind the helmet.
A woman in similar iron-helmeted attire appeared behind her, half-kneeling. "Mistress, do we need to notify Naisha to track and investigate Celeste Sunstrider?"
"No need." A slightly raspy, low feminine voice came from the lead helmeted woman. "I can roughly guess Dath'Remar's intent. This is a Highborne custom. That girl hasn't shown herself to be anyone important; let her go."
"Yes."
Looking up at the sun as it gradually dipped below the horizon, Maiev murmured to herself, "Eliminating lingering concerns? It seems you've made your resolution. However..."
Turning her gaze toward the Great Temple of Elune in the center of Astranaar, Maiev's brow furrowed behind her helmet.
Tyrande's attitude is strange. She didn't take this opportunity to press her advantage. Has some unknown change occurred in Astranaar during my time away?
Though Maiev acted recklessly, she was, after all, a successor carefully cultivated by the former High Priestess, Dejahna. Her mind was quick; she was simply more emotional and prone to using her muscles instead of her brain when agitated.
"Oh my~ isn't this Lady Shadowsong? I have finally found you."
A slightly flip greeting came from behind. Maiev lowered her arms from across her chest and turned calmly toward the speaker.
"Who are you?"
The man with squinted eyes froze for a moment, then scratched his head sheepishly. "Apologies, apologies. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Alfonso, Secretary to the Lord of Moonshadow's Rest."
Alfonso performed a standard bow of respect, hand over his heart. "Lady Shadowsong, Lord Andreas Moonshadow invites you to Moonshadow's Rest for a discussion in the near future."
Maiev's gaze sharpened, and she asked in a deep voice, "What does he want to talk about?"
"Naturally..." Alfonso's squinted eyes opened slightly wider. "About the undercurrents surging within Astranaar."