The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Vyrelda's voice cut through the forest silence, loud and unapologetic.

"I cannot believe this! I panicked! I searched the whole area like a madwoman, and what did I find?" She flailed her arms for emphasis, her golden hair waving around her.

"I found the two of you trapped in the forest and—" she drew out her words, her gaze narrowing, "—having a date!"

Mikhailis let out a soft chuckle, only for Vyrelda to round on him, her eyes ablaze.

"And you! You were supposed to be on your best behavior! Instead, here you are, making the Queen…" she paused, gesturing vaguely between the two of them, "making her act like—like that!"

"Vyrelda, I…" Elowen began, her face flushed with embarrassment, but before she could say anything else, Serelith cut in with her usual sly smirk.

"You're just envious, aren't you, Vyrelda?" Serelith teased, her voice a lilting whisper.

Vyrelda glared daggers at Serelith, who immediately looked away, her lips pressed together to keep herself from laughing.

Elowen took a deep breath, stepping forward.

"I apologize, Vyrelda. It was my carelessness," she said, her voice carrying her usual regal authority. Her apology seemed to drain the tension out of Vyrelda, who let out a sigh.

"Oh… well, as long as you're safe," Vyrelda mumbled, her arms falling to her sides.

From behind Vyrelda, Serelith glanced at Lira, who stood calmly at her side.

"Hey, Lira, did you see that? Her Majesty's face…" she leaned in conspiratorially, "…it's glowing. Shining, shimmering, splendid, wouldn't you say?"

Lira nodded, her elegant demeanor unwavering.

"Yes, Lady Serelith. It's glowing so much that one could assume she just experienced a very… 'glorious' and 'passionate' night… with someone. For the entire night."

Serelith's eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Indeed. They must've been at it for hours, with the whole forest hearing their screams of love, and the stars being their witnesses." She let out a dramatic sigh.

"How romantic. I must say… how envious."

"Don't be like that, Lady Serelith," Lira replied, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"After all, it's the royal duty to make an heir. We should simply wait patiently for our turn—ahem!" She cleared her throat delicately, "I mean, until we find our own love as well."

Serelith giggled, nudging Lira with her elbow.

"Look at her face, Lira," Serelith continued, her voice dripping with amusement. "It's glowing even more now. That silky, shimmering skin... truly the mark of a passionate night, wouldn't you say?"
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Lira nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"Indeed, Lady Serelith. A night filled with love must do wonders for one's complexion." They both watched Elowen's face turn an even deeper shade of red, each word only adding to her embarrassment.

Serelith leaned in again,

"I wonder, Lira, do you think we will ever experience such... passionate love?"

Lira cleared her throat, her own face warming slightly.

"Perhaps... if we are fortunate enough."

Vyrelda, oblivious to their innuendo, frowned slightly.

"What are you two talking about?" she asked, genuinely puzzled, her innocence making the teasing all the more entertaining for Serelith and Lira.

Mikhailis, standing a bit behind them, watched the exchange with amusement, a smile playing on his lips.

These girls are ruthless and merciless, aren't they? he thought.

When they reached Earl Vaelis's group, the Earl wasted no time. He rushed towards Elowen, his eyes wide with panic, but he paused when he noticed her arm looped with Mikhailis', her face flushed, her smile soft.

Behind them, Serelith and Lira continued to exchange whispers, their voices filled with teasing mirth that seemed to set Elowen's cheeks ablaze even further. Earl Vaelis took in the scene, and his face fell, realization hitting him hard.

He had lost.

The Queen had fallen for this man—this strange, eccentric prince who seemed to be always at her side when she needed someone most. Somehow, despite his lack of strength or status, Mikhailis had managed to be there for her in her lowest moments—something Vaelis himself hadn't been able to do.

Taking a deep breath, he straightened, his face composed.

"Forgive me for my lack of supervision, Your Majesty, which has led to this incident," he said, bowing low.

Elowen shook her head.

"It's all right, Vaelis. It wasn't your fault. It was my own carelessness." She paused, her face growing serious.

"Now, let's move forward. I've seen signs of the outbreak. We must hurry to the northern province."

She turned, glancing towards Vyrelda, who nodded.

"I've heard the report. The carriage is repaired. Vyrelda's group found it and brought it back. We can use it again."

Vaelis stayed silent for a moment, watching her. She had returned to her usual demeanor—strong, regal, composed. He forced a smile, bowing again.

The sign of her cloudy eyes that he has thought the chance for him to court her once more has gone.

With a much more stronger bond with this eccentric man called Mikhailis.

He then let out a sigh.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will make the necessary arrangements." He turned and began to assign new orders, his voice steady.

As Vaelis went to organize the march, Serelith leaned towards Lira, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"We need to make sure we're in the same carriage with them," Serelith whispered.

Lira looked puzzled.

"Why?"

Serelith rolled her eyes, sighing dramatically.

"Imagine, Lira. If I were Her Majesty, and there was no one else in the carriage… and it was soundproof… I could definitely do whatever I wanted, enjoying the thrill of being surrounded by people who had no idea what I was doing."

Lira frowned, her lips curving into a wry smile.

"Not everyone is as perverted as you, my lady."

Serelith raised an eyebrow, her smile widening.

"Could you promise me you wouldn't do the same thing, then?"

Lira fell silent, her cheeks slowly turning pink. After a long pause, she sighed, her lips curling into a sheepish smile.

"Perhaps… not."

"See?" Serelith clapped her hands together, her smile triumphant.

"That makes the two of us. But… I'm afraid we have a third pervert among us." Her eyes slid towards Elowen, who was trying—and failing—to ignore their conversation.

Elowen turned, her regal smile plastered on her face.

"What are you two discussing?" she asked, her voice sweet.

"By the way, you will both be riding with Earl Vaelis, correct?"

But Serelith and Lira both spotted it—the redness of her elven ears. They pointed at her in unison, shouting, "There! You're lying, Your Majesty! Your ears are red!"

Elowen's hands flew to her ears, her face flushed.

"I'm not! I don't know what you're talking about!"

Serelith smirked.

"As expected… you're planning on… certain activities inside the carriage, aren't you?"

Watching from behind, Mikhailis couldn't help but laugh. He'd never really seen Elowen interact like this—laughing, joking, letting herself be teased. It was nice. Despite her embarrassment, she was enjoying herself, and so were Serelith and Lira. And Vyrelda, even if dense to their innuendos, still smiled along.

Rodion's voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

<Are you enjoying the view of your wife and your two affair partners having a good time together, Mikhailis?>

Mikhailis sighed, shaking his head slightly.

Do you always have to ruin the mood, Rodion?

____

Inside his carriage, Vaelis let out a heavy sigh, leaning back against the plush seat. His frustration was palpable; the weight of his failure gnawed at him, making every breath feel heavier. He closed his eyes, hoping to escape into the darkness, to drown out the growing sense of inadequacy that plagued him. He tried to shut out the laughter and camaraderie he'd witnessed—the closeness between Elowen and Mikhailis, something he had desperately wanted but could never seem to achieve. The ache of unfulfilled longing twisted inside him, and the realization of his own shortcomings seemed to grow sharper with every passing moment. But the sound of the door opening snapped him out of his thoughts, pulling him abruptly back into the present, his exhaustion replaced by a reluctant awareness.He turned, and his eyes widened in surprise as he saw Vyrelda stepping into the carriage, her expression clouded with a hint of something he rarely saw—uncertainty, perhaps even frustration. A shiver of unease ran down his spine as he registered her demeanor. It wasn't often Vyrelda looked like this, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of danger lurking beneath her presence.

"Um… Lady Vyrelda?" he stammered, his voice uncertain. "What are you doing here?"