Asher's eyes widened, trying to process Rowena's words, "King?..."
Rowena's hands were still tenderly cradling his face as she responded, "Yes, Ash. Our kingdom is on the cusp of tumultuous times. More than ever, our people need hope. They need strength."
"But... are you sure?" Asher's voice wavered with uncertainty, though inwardly he felt the idea enticing since it could also help fulfill his goals.
"You've accomplished so much," Rowena's voice was filled with admiration, "You've earned the Deviar, put an end to Agonon, and took down countless Hunters. Your name is on everyone's lips, friend and foe alike. You have the respect, now you just need the authority to lead."
He took a deep breath, trying to wrap his head around the gravity of the situation, "And what about you? Wouldn't this undermine your rule or create issues? Has there ever been a consort in the past who became a king?" Asher once again remembered the history of the Bloodburn Kingdom and no consort became king or queen except for exceptional emergency cases.
Rowena gave a soft smile, her eyes shining with conviction, "Titles are just titles, Ash. I'm offering you the title of king, but power is something you'll have to build on your own. As king, doors will open for you. Opportunities will present themselves, and you'll have the leverage to seize them. So it will be up to you whether you can prove to everyone that you are worthy of that title. And once you do, people will flock towards you while our enemies won't dare cross you."
Asher nodded slowly, his eyes glowing with sincere gratitude, "I understand...and thank you, Rona. Thank you for believing in me," His gaze met hers, filled with determination, "I promise you, I will realize the vision you've always held for our kingdom."
However, her declaration only made his heart heavy with complicated emotions as he knew Rowena was putting her trust and faith in him by doing this while also taking a huge risk.
Which monarch in their right mind would willingly let someone else have a direct claim to the throne? In a world like this, all or almost none of them wouldn't.
Rowena's voice shifted, adding a weight of caution, "But before you thank me, Ash, remember that the titles comes with a mountain of responsibilities."
Asher responded with a chuckle, a touch of determination f in his eyes, "I'm aware, and I promise to bear them all."
Her face then softened as she said, "There's one more reason I decided on this."
Asher, sensing her change in expression, raised a brow. A flicker of realization danced across his eyes, "Don't tell me you..."
She nodded slowly, her gaze deep and sincere, "As a consort, you're bound by traditions and law, never allowed to marry anybody else. But as a king, you can have consorts. I know how much Isola and Ceti mean to you. I couldn't let them, or you, live in the shadows forever."
Asher felt a profound warmth wash over him. Cradling her face in his hands, his voice was laden with emotion, "Rona... you're too thoughtful. To think this far for my sake, for their sake. I truly am the luckiest man alive."
She smiled, placing a tender kiss on his hand, "Making you happy, seeing you at peace, is more than enough for me, Ash. I do this not just as a queen but as your wife."
The corners of his mouth lifted in a soft, grateful smile. However, behind those eyes, memories stirred, shadows of moments that had long been buried. The weight of the past was never too far away.
Rowena hesitated for a brief moment, her fingers wrapping around Asher's hand, "There's just one issue."
Asher looked at her, concern evident in his eyes, "What's that?"
She took a deep breath, her words measured, "Isola is the princess of the Umbralfiends. Your union with her can be easily justified as a political marriage, an alliance, which our kingdom will readily accept. However, Ceti is a different story. Not only is she my Battlemaster, but her origins as a refugee combined with the fact that she carries the blood of our age-old enemies make it a very difficult situation. The people will find it hard to accept, and your position as king could be questioned."
Asher's eyes darkened, the weight of her words sinking in. He muttered, frustration evident, "So you're saying that Ceti and I can't be together, not officially?"
Rowena quickly shook her head, squeezing his hand for emphasis, "No, that's not what I meant. It's just not the right time now. But once you establish yourself, once your influence in the kingdom grows to a point where your word is seen as law, then things might change. But reaching there, Ash, it won't be easy. Even my father took a lot of time before he reached that level."
Asher sighed, the weight of responsibility once again pressing down on him. But then his face hardened, the fire of determination shining through, "I've never shied away from risks, Rona. If it's for Ceti, if it's for us, I'll do whatever it takes. Anyway I have to do it to fulfill my role as the king."
Rowena warmly smiled and said, "I already know you will. As for Isola, do you want me to pressurize her kingdom to let her marry you? I doubt the umbralfiends, especially her parents would be happy about this even if she agrees to it."
Asher shook his head as he said, "No, that could only make things difficult for Isola and our relations with them to sour. I will try to handle it my way."
"Then I will let you take care of it," Rowena softly nodded and then her expression softened as she snuggled closer to him, wrapping her arms around his broad chest, "But now, just stay with me here like this."
Asher's lips curved as he suddenly got up and threw away the sheet covering their naked bodies.
"Ash?" Rowena felt her heart racing upon seeing his face hovering above her with a zealous smile. Could he be planning to…But right then she felt something thick and warm rubbing her sore pussy.
Asher grabbed her hips as he said with a smirk, "The night is still young and as I said we have to make sure our union will have a perfect outcome, right?"
Rowena blinked her eyes, unable to believe he was already feeling energetic for another round while her legs still felt somewhat numb and the throbbing sensation was still down there.
"Hannng!~"
But before she could say anything, she felt his thick meat shaft ramming into her pussy while lifting up her hips and making her back arch like a bow.
And for the next couple hours, he kept filling her womb to the brim with his milk and she had lost count of the times both of them came.
However, she was sure she was never going to forget this eventful day and this week was one of the happiest times in her life.
—
On the morning of the day after the week ended,
The first light of dawn bathed the landscape in crimson hues, reflecting off the calm waters of the pond.
Asher stood, lost in thought, the fiery-glowing phoenix feather in his hand seeming more like a fading ember than the blazing inferno it once was.
Every time he held the feather, memories would flash before his eyes: the sickly beauty, the intensity in her eyes, the warmth of her body in his arms before she broke down into oblivion.
It was an inexplicable sadness that felt like a stone in his heart, pulling him into a pool of mixed emotions.
He couldn't understand why he kept feeling bothered by it, especially when he never knew that woman.
The strange part was she even thanked him despite being a demon. However, to be banished from the heavens…What did she do? He also remembered the strange vision he had at that time and all of this felt quite puzzling to him since he felt that he was somehow involved in all this.
She was the first celestial being he had ever interacted so closely. Just remembering her eyes...They were truly a level far above mortals even though they resembled one.
A gentle rustling of leaves broke him from his reverie as he quickly put away the feather and turned around with a smile to see Rowena coming out from the house, her body wrapped around by a light black fabric.
"Why did you get up so early? For a moment I was worried you left," Rowena said with a hint of petulance in her eyes while her hands gripped the side of her arms.
Asher lightly smiled as he said, "Where would I go without you? I just came here to appreciate the early morning air and I didn't want to disturb you. You needed rest after not being able to rest for the last three days."
Seeing him wink with a knowing look, Rowena's cheeks became painted with a reddish hue as she briefly looked away.
"Do we really have to leave today?" Asher asked with a raise of his brow.
Rowena walked up to him and hugged him with a warm look on her face as she said, "I wish we could freeze this moment, live a simple life, away from the burden of the crown."
Asher's gaze lowered as he nodded softly, his heart resonating with her words.
"But without power, this dream would remain just that, a dream and I can't let my people be vulnerable. For now, let's cherish every second we have while making sure nobody can ever stop us from fulfilling that dream one day," Rowena said with an intense yet warm gaze.
Asher nodded with the same intense and determined look in his eyes, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
