No matter what, the Dead King needed to be found. To see whether his method of stealing Poseidon's origin was useful as a reference was her true purpose. Poseidon's insistence on exchanging the staff back was mostly for tracking purposes.
Thea returned to Metropolis and began arranging for her subordinates to search separately for traces of the Dead King. She remembered that this guy had hidden in an iceberg for thousands of years, but if even Poseidon couldn't find him now, it surely wasn't that simple.
In her estimation, the probability of the Dead King hiding in some small pocket dimension was very high. This was also the main reason Poseidon had never found him.
...
After winning the election, Moira's tasks became even busier. Every day, people came in an endless stream to visit the Queen mansion in Star City.
Some came seeking jobs, some presenting scientific achievements hoping for government support, some discussing international situations. All sorts of people nearly trampled down the Queen mansion's door.
Those arguing and seeking positions were easy to handle. Some scientific figures left Moira completely lost, forcing her to pull in her doctorate-holding daughter.
Honestly speaking, Thea was indeed knowledgeable. Leading humanity in climbing the technology tree, she had some involvement in almost all branches of modern applied science, just varying degrees of proficiency. But after two days of handling this, she was exhausted.
She had no choice but to pull in the chubby old man from Firestorm—a titan of nuclear physics, and with his white-haired elderly scholar appearance, he could handle most frauds.
After dealing with various people like a revolving door, they finally endured a month and reached Christmas Eve.
This year's Christmas didn't need such a high-profile banquet. Moira only prepared a small-scale family gathering.
Aside from last year's grand banquet filled with celebrities, this year's small gathering could be considered Diana's first formal entry into the Queen family circle.
Today the warrior goddess dressed extremely properly. Although late December didn't faze her, she still wore a beige wool coat with an over-the-knee skirt and boots.
"Auntie Moira, Merry Christmas." Diana curtsied very gracefully and presented a small gift.
"Diana, long time no see. Merry Christmas." Moira gave her a light hug, expressing her welcome.
For this family gathering, Oliver also brought Shado. Diana wasn't familiar with them, but they were acquainted. The group could chat together.
Moira left the young people to chat idly while she went to entertain some peers.
The Queen family had quite a few relatives. Although old Robert had passed away eight years ago, his siblings were still around. Moira didn't come out of nowhere either—she had her own relatives.
Now with the White House within reach, numerous relatives came to show support. Even for a family gathering, over thirty people arrived in a grand procession.
The older generation gathered to chat, while the young people naturally clustered around Thea's group.
The young miss's beauty was simply unparalleled. However, several relatives didn't dare make moves on her. Local laws allowed cousin relationships... but! Billionaire, academic giant, superhero titles made most people back off.
They were just ordinary people who didn't want to be walking down the street and getting abducted by aliens. A few young men unconsciously found themselves attracted to Diana's spirited aura, trying to extract information and display their own excellence.
How could the young miss let them entertain such thoughts? Without a word—quick as lightning—she turned Diana's head and planted a kiss on her lips. Diana was initially stunned but quickly understood and responded enthusiastically.
The two put on a public display of affection on the spot, causing several relatives to sigh in regret. Why were two such beautiful women in a relationship? What a surprise!
Although Thea's response was a bit intense, they understood the situation. They'd been wondering why this beauty Diana was at the Queen family banquet. The truth left several young men in agony.
Despite the small incident, the Christmas party remained warm. The young people decorated the Christmas tree and hung mistletoe. The usually incredibly lazy young miss today, for once, didn't use magic, rolling up her sleeves to decorate with everyone.
The elders brought various foods—turkey, pudding, chocolate, and red wine—for everyone to taste.
From time to time, citizens dressed in Christmas robes with fake beards, as Santa Claus, came to the house to offer congratulations. Moira gave everyone a gift, completely without airs, just like an ordinary housewife.
"Knock knock." A knock sounded. She could only go open the door again.
"Hi, Moira. Merry Christmas." A refined-looking middle-aged man smiled and greeted her.
Moira's expression changed subtly. Her peripheral vision involuntarily wanted to glance inside, but she forcibly held back.
"Merry Christmas, Mr. Merlyn."
Sensing the abnormality at the door, Thea casually glanced over.
She nearly spat out her pudding. Malcolm had arrived! Not only had he come himself, he'd brought his biological son Tommy and daughter-in-law Laurel. That was already something, but he'd brought Madame Xanadu too!
Having a quasi-goddess like Diana celebrate Christmas was already absurd. Now the youngest sister of the Lady of the Lake was also celebrating Christmas?
Could that wooden carved God handle this?
While Thea stood dumbfounded, Malcolm had already entered the Queen mansion with his girlfriend and son. This guy really came to celebrate Christmas.
Seeing Malcolm bring his "family" and clearly not looking for trouble, Moira relaxed her guard somewhat, chatting with Xanadu half to probe and half to build connections.
Today Madame Xanadu had obviously made some preparations. She'd put away that ethereal mystic aura, just like when Thea first met her a hundred years ago—graceful and noble, with an extraordinary way with words. Even facing Moira, who was already a national leader, she showed no inferiority.
"Who is that woman?" Tommy pulled Laurel over to the young people's side. Oliver asked quietly, naturally referring to Madame Xanadu.
"She's... she's my dad's new girlfriend." Tommy felt a bit awkward. His old man would disappear for several years, then suddenly jump out unexpectedly.
Oliver looked seriously for a few moments. "This woman seems very powerful. She's not an enemy, is she?"
He then looked toward his sister and Diana. In Oliver's worldview, for these strange matters and people, asking his sister was definitely right.
While Thea was considering whether to speak, Diana directly sold her out. "Thea knows best. They even have some connection."
The young miss shot her a traitor's look, quietly set up a small barrier, and explained to everyone, "She's Madame Xanadu, the youngest sister of the Lady of the Lake from Celtic mythology. As for my connection with her, it's that my sword is the Sword of the Lake... that's the connection Diana meant."
The warrior goddess drew her head in. She'd forgotten Thea's own Merlin bloodline couldn't see the light of day. She'd spoken carelessly just now. Fortunately, the young miss covered it up.