Chapter 578: The Grand Event, Duke Awaits

Five minutes later, an impeccably dressed Duke stepped before Sylvanas, guilt evident in his demeanor. "Uh, I stumbled upon a hot spring…"

A hot spring? That's his excuse?

Queen Sylvanas was livid. What made it worse was that her eldest sister was there too. It turned out she had been defeated earlier and was now lying beside the spring, fidgeting nervously like a young girl caught in mischief.

"Why are you idling away, Duke? Do you not realize nearly a million citizens of Stormwind await your leadership? Are you willing to let down both King Llane and Marshal Lothar? Is this the true nature of the Alliance hero, Duke Marcus?"

Venting her frustrations, Sylvanas felt much better, realizing her tone bore a hint of disappointment. To her, Duke now seemed no different from the decadent Sun King Anasterian.

Despite her pleasure in seeing her sisters get along with Duke, there was a pang of disappointment. Was it her hope that Duke, whom she esteemed, would be more perfect?

She longed to hear an extraordinary reply from him.

"Because I'm awaiting an event that could reshape the Alliance. If I wasn't appearing idle, our northern adversary wouldn't dare make a move," Duke hinted cryptically.

Vereesa brushed her long, slightly disheveled silver hair. Today, she looked even more radiant in her backless white gown and beige short coat. Even her second sister blushed at her elegance.

"Heh, as the Lady of Windrunner Lake, over fifty strapping men have approached seeking work. Do they take me for a fool or blind?"

"Where are they from?" the Banshee Queen inquired.

Sticking to her native ways, Alleria was in her usual ranger attire, only adding a snug green leather jacket due to the cold. "They're all from the northern Lordaeron continent. They all have plausible excuses, but none realize my youngest sister and I can easily overhear conversations from miles away."

"Is it serious?" Sylvanas instinctively checked her quiver. Since the war's end, she seldom found use for her arrows.

Duke chuckled, pulling the two elven beauties close, causing them to feign annoyance. "It's not combat as you think. Dealing with these spies is pointless. They want to confirm my 'non-interference.' I'm more than happy to spend quality time with Alleria and Vereesa."

"What exactly is going on?"

Gazing north, Duke smirked, "A war without smoke, blades, or magic."

Great, politics and power plays.

Sylvanas knew instantly it didn't concern her – it was unrelated to the Windrunner sisters.

Historically, without experiencing her horrific death, Sylvanas would never have awakened her political acumen. At this moment, she remained the slightly rebellious ranger, enamored with nature and beauty.

"No, no, no! It does concern you somewhat," Duke said with a sly grin, "Do you enjoy living in wooden homes built from felled trees? Are you truly content?"

His words struck a chord not only with Sylvanas but her sisters too. Love and Duke had made them adapt, compromise, and endure. This is the reality when lovers of different races with varied customs unite.

Elves, nature-loving rangers, yearned for their beloved treehouses amid lush forests.

Not just any treehouse, but ones made from ancient elven trees. The feeling of being one with nature, lost in the war-torn Elwynn Forest, was unmatched.

Recalling the joy of sitting on the edge of a treehouse, swinging her legs, humming tunes, Sylvanas couldn't help but stretch out her legs.

Duke glimpsed and admired their slender, graceful legs, marveling at their elegance. The Windrunner sisters, save the youngest, possessed enchanting legs that Duke found irresistible. He quickly averted his gaze, worried about losing control.

Duke knew Sylvanas held no special feelings for him.

Sighing, Duke ceased his teasing, "The World Tree."

At its mention, all three sisters' eyes lit up with excitement.

"If I can owe a huge favor to Alexstrasza, while maintaining our close relationship with the Red Dragonflight, I could obtain one."

The Life-Giver, Alexstrasza, who created the World Tree. If anyone could, it'd be her.

The sisters were lost in dreams of a beautiful life.

Alleria was the first to snap back, "Owing the Red Dragon Queen a massive favor isn't easy, is it?"

"Under normal circumstances, nothing would make them owe me such a favor. But he's different…" Duke grinned mischievously.

For some reason, Vereesa was particularly fond of Duke's roguish smiles.

"Speaking of recent events, you're referring to Lord Daval Prestor of Alterac, right?" Vereesa inquired.

"Exactly! Him!" Duke's eyes blazed with intensity.

The mysterious lord's emergence was stuff for legends. After his territory in the remote mountains of Alterac was razed by the then orc-controlled Red Dragonflight, he managed, with just a servant, to traverse the treacherous mountains and valleys to arrive in Lordaeron just a week prior.