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"He’s growing tired of just being cooped up inside," she continued.

"It’s understandable that he’d want to go out occasionally, don’t you think? Perhaps it would be good for him as well."

There was a silence that lingered for a moment, as if they were each carefully considering their words.

"Pardon my intrusion, Your Majesty," Vyrelda spoke, her voice carrying the weight of caution.

"But wouldn’t that be dangerous? There might be another abduction attempt."

Elowen gave her a brief nod, her brows drawing together slightly.

"Perhaps. But it is unlikely that it will happen again. Since we caught those involved, we have more leverage now. Our position is stronger during negotiations."

"Indeed," Aelthrin said, his voice a little lighter, almost as if he were humoring the idea.

"The technomancers only think of his highness as a convenient carrier—a person who can bring over tools from another world that make life more efficient. They have no idea about his other… influence," he added, his gaze sliding to Elowen with a knowing smile.

"the one where he has captivated our dear queen completely."

A flush of red touched Elowen’s cheeks, but she didn’t respond to Aelthrin’s words, closing her eyes as if contemplating what to say next.

"Captivated indeed," Vyrelda murmured, shaking her head slightly, her eyes narrowing.

"I still wonder what exactly you saw in him, my Queen. What makes him so different? What is it about him that’s so captivating?"

At that moment, from the corner of the room, Serelith held in an elegant laugh, a sound that held a hint of mystery. She brought a hand to her mouth as if to hide her amusement, though in reality, she was attempting to cover up the blush creeping onto her cheeks.

Despite the days that had passed since her night with Mikhailis, she could still feel the warmth in her stomach, the lingering heat between her thighs whenever she thought of him.

"That bastard... Captivating?" She muttered under her breath with a volume that only her could hear.

"Really, it’s a great mystery indeed," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Her voice broke the tension in the room, though Serelith could feel her own embarrassment intensify. Her body seemed to respond to the mere thought of that night, and as her face began to redden further, she quickly cleared her throat, trying to push the memories aside.

"Is there something you need, Vyrelda?" she asked, her eyes settling on the chief of internal security, who was staring at her with a question in her gaze.

Vyrelda blinked, then shook her head.

"No, it’s nothing."

Aelthrin cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to the topic at hand.

"Regarding the matter of his highness wishing to leave the castle… I do think it is possible. We just need to ensure his safety." He paused, his eyes sharpening as he looked at the queen. "But more importantly—"

"His true intentions," Elowen filled in, her eyes narrowing slightly. She knew Aelthris well enough to understand that his words always had layers of reasons behind them. And she knows the most that this man is very skeptical about everything that might endanger herself and the kingdom.

And for now, the wild card that he still couldn’t grasp is Mikhailis.

"Precisely," Aelthrin said.

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"It’s not that I mistrust him—my concerns are for you, my queen, and for the kingdom."

He paused, then allowed himself a small smile.

"That said, I did check for ulterior motives yesterday."

___

Aelthrin moved with purpose through the castle corridors, his steps carrying him toward the queen’s study. It was just after one of his routine meetings with Elowen, and he had something on his mind.

Before he could reach his destination, he found himself face-to-face with none other than Mikhailis himself, who appeared to be coming from the library. The young prince consort had a book tucked under his arm, his expression as carefree as ever.

"What are you doing here, your highness?" Aelthrin asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Just borrowing a book from the library," Mikhailis replied, his tone light. He flashed Aelthrin a smile that had a hint of mischief in it which is a usual expression.

Aelthrin glanced at the book, and his eyes widened slightly when he saw the title.

"An old history of Eldoria?" he said, sounding almost surprised.

Mikhailis met his gaze, and despite the frivolous smile on his face, Aelthrin could see that he had picked up on his reaction.

"Is something the matter, Prime Minister?" Mikhailis asked, tilting his head.

For a moment, Aelthrin hesitated, then an idea crossed within his mind..

And he make a decision.

He turned to face Mikhailis fully, his eyes settling on the young man.

"I have heard about the assistance you’ve been providing the queen, your highness," Aelthrin began, his tone a little more serious.

"You have been of great help to her, yet you have no influence, no power of your own within the castle. Not a single connection, if I may say."

Mikhailis raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth lifting into a crooked smile.

"Power of my own, huh?" he repeated, sounding almost amused.

"And here I thought my charm was enough."

Aelthrin shook his head.

"Your highness, it would be wise for you to build your own influence. It would make things easier for you, more flexible. Imagine having your own territory to govern—a place where you can enact your will freely, without interference from those who might not understand your methods."

Mikhailis frowned slightly, looking intrigued.

"Territory, huh? And what privileges would come with such influence?" he asked, his tone more serious now.

Aelthrin nodded.

"With influence, you could start with an autonomous governance—a small piece of land you’d oversee. You could build your own guard, have your own military power. You would be able to make connections with nobles, to gain favor where it matters. Nobles respect those who have their own strength, their own wealth and power. They are more inclined to listen, to trust, to negotiate."

He took a step closer, his eyes sharpening.

"With such influence, you could play a more active role in the kingdom’s affairs, not just as a consort, but as a lord in your own right."

Mikhailis looked at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he smiled—a smile that seemed almost too innocent, too easygoing. And yet, his eyes, they glinted with something different, something dangerous.

Accept it. This is a tempting offer for power that could-

"No need," Mikhailis said at last, his voice light, almost casual.

Eh?

Aelthris furrowed his brows.

"But this could-" Aelthris stopped.

He didn’t stop because something happened, it’s because his mind went blank at the moment he gazed straight to the prince consort’s eyes.

"I’m quite content with my bugs and Elowen."

There was something about the way he said it—something in his eyes, in the slight twist of his lips. It made Aelthrin’s stomach tighten, made him suddenly feel like he was standing on the edge of something he didn’t quite understand.

Mikhailis moved past him, his hand lightly tapping Aelthrin on the shoulder as he did.

"It’s best to bring those kinds of things up when the queen is present, don’t you think?" he said, his tone cheerful.

"I’m just a stupid guy, after all—better not get into stuff that’s beyond me."

And with that, Mikhailis walked away, leaving Aelthrin standing there, his heart pounding, his body feeling as though it had been turned to stone.

___

"It seems his highness is equally as captivated by the queen," Aelthrin said, his voice carrying a hint of resignation.

"He doesn’t need anything else—he won’t need anyone else."

Elowen, who was listening carefully, allowed a small smile to touch her lips. There was a warmth in her eyes, a happiness she didn’t try to hide. She could feel the sincerity behind Mikhailis’s words, even if he hid behind his jokes.

In the corner of the room, Serelith was doing her utmost to keep her expression neutral. She could feel her heart pounding, her breath catching at the mention of Mikhailis’s loyalty as that guy not just he coerced her to sleep with him, but he also slept with his personal maid behind the queen.

The memory of their night together flashed across her mind, and she felt her cheeks flush, her pulse racing.

"He’s certainly loyal," Vyrelda said, her voice carrying a hint of disbelief.

"But, for his safety, he should still have guards. It’s unwise to let him wander the city without protection."

Elowen nodded, her expression turning serious again.

"I agree. If he’s to have personal guards, then they must meet some criteria as Mikhailis’s position is quite delicate in the first place... This is quite difficult..." She paused, thinking over the requirements carefully.

"The guard must have no connections to the nobles—no personal ties that could compromise their loyalty. They should have proven their loyalty to the crown through extensive service. No family members that could be leveraged against them. And they must have a history of successful solo missions, with adaptability in unconventional situations..."

As she finished listing the criteria, there was a silence that fell over the room. The expressions on the faces of those gathered ranged from resigned to slightly amused. They all knew what those requirements meant.

"I suppose we have only one candidate," Aelthrin said, a wry smile touching his lips.

"Cerys the Lone Wolf."

Vyrelda let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "I guess that girl is the most suitable candidate, she is the only one who meets those standards. But perhaps his highness might have some difficulties in handling her,"

Elowen made a wry smile.

"It seems so," she said quietly.

"It’s a peculiar choice that might clash with Mikhailis’s carefree character, but it’s his wish in the first place, and we can’t have him go without any guard even if Lira is with him. I guess Cerys it shall be."