The streets of the Bloodburn Kingdom were alive with festivity. Dark banners, each emblazoned with the emblem of House Drake – a fierce dragon breathing fire – flapped in the gentle breeze.
Every corner of the vast city was adorned with crimson and black, representing both the House's colors and the fire from which the dragons were born.
The vibrant heart of the celebrations, the city square, was filled to the brim with citizens, each more eager than the last to welcome back their beloved queen and her consort whom she truly loved.
Never before had they seen such a romantic couple among the royals.
Music, the lifeblood of any celebration, flowed through the streets as bards and musicians played triumphant tunes, while dancers in resplendent outfits performed, their moves echoing the grace and majesty of dragons.
Food stalls were abuzz with activity, offering delicacies that were as much a feast for the eyes as for the taste buds. The smell of roasted meats, sweet pies, and fresh bread wafted through the air.
Among the excited chatter of the crowd, one could hear snippets of conversations.
"The royal consort is still an alien. What if things go wrong?" whispered one woman to another, her eyes brimming with worry
"Aye," responded her companion, her voice dripping with skepticism, "But they passed the Bloodline Union test. That's enough for me."
"Not only that, our royal consort is favored by the devils. He could only bring prosperity to our kingdom!"
Nearby, a group of older gentlemen were engaged in a heated discussion. "I've lived long enough to see many unions," said one, stroking his long gray beard, "but none as unprecedented as this. Still, if our queen believes in this, then so do I."
A young girl, perched atop her father's shoulders, pointed excitedly towards the skies, "Look! Look! They're coming!" she shouted, her voice shrill with excitement.
Everyone gasped as they saw the large silhouette of Flaralis, followed by the Bloodborn Guards on their mounts.
Finally, their kingdom's future was set. Now, all they had to do now was wait.
The queen's study room was well-lit, the only source of illumination coming from the morning sun and the tall candles that stood sentry-like around the room.
The subtle fragrance of incense wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of old books and parchment.
However, right now, the atmosphere in the room was filled with undeniable tension.
A woman with a toned physique and tied-up scarlet hair was kneeling on the plush carpet.
Every second of silence from Rowena was like a dagger to her heart, guilt gnawing at her from the inside.
Rowena's cold words pierced the silence, her voice echoing slightly in the vast chamber, "I never knew you held feelings for my consort when you and Silvan seemed to like each other. Not even I was able to notice anything."
Ceti's voice was barely a whisper, tremulous with emotion, "I apologize, my queen. It only happened during the quest and not before that. But I never intended to betray you. I know I have committed a grave sin, and I am willing to accept any punishment."
Rowena leaned forward slightly, the candlelight casting shadows on her face, giving her a more unsettling appearance, "I trusted you to look after my consort, Ceti. More than that, I saw you as family despite our differences. You were the sister I never had, always being around me when I was a child and being there for me whenever I wasn't feeling good."
Tears glistened in Ceti's eyes as memories of their shared past flashed before her, "I'm so sorry …" she choked out, her voice thick with emotion.
"And that is why I am glad that you not only fulfilled your duty of protecting Asher, but you helped calm down the storm in his heart."
Rowena's words caught Ceti off guard.
Her gaze shot up, confusion evident in her dark blue eyes, "My queen?..."
Rowena offered a small, almost imperceptible smile, "Love isn't something we can control, Ceti. I understand that. While in the past I would have felt angry at you, I have long since come to realize that I care more about his happiness. And if you can be a source of that happiness, who am I to stand in the way?"
Ceti was left speechless, a whirlwind of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Rowena's magnanimity was beyond anything she had expected.
She opened her mouth, attempting to put her feelings into words, but all that came out was a flustered, "I-I..."
Rowena, usually so regal and poised, seemed relaxed in that moment.
She rose from her high-backed chair, the rustle of her gown the only sound in the room. Stepping closer, she gently lifted Ceti to her feet.
"You've been by my side for as long as I can remember, Ceti. After my father's demise, in my grief, I might have been distant," Rowena's voice held a hint of regret.
Ceti blinked back tears, shaking her head, "My queen, you've done more than anyone could have. If not for you, my family and I would have been thrown out of this kingdom and left to die. Your grace has been our saving grace."
Rowena's hands held Ceti's shoulders a little tighter, her gaze unwavering, "I see the love and loyalty in your eyes, Ceti. As for Asher," she took a deep breath, "you have my permission. Love him as you wish. But never be a cause of pain to him."
Ceti's dark blue eyes widened, the weight of Rowena's words sinking in, "Is that... really possible?" her voice barely above a whisper. She also could sense the intensity in her voice when she warned her not to be a cause of pain to him.
Rowena sighed, her gaze softening, "It won't be without challenges. Publicly, Asher can't take you as his woman, not now. But in the shadows, away from prying eyes, you're free to be with him."
Ceti's wistful smile lit up the room, "For someone like me, an outcast, that's more than I ever dared hope for."
"You are not an outcast to this kingdom because you have a place by my side," Rowena said firmly yet with a hint of warmth in her eyes, making Ceti blink her eyes as she nodded softly, feeling a warmth spreading across her chest.
Rowena then looked to the side and said, "You may come in."
The doors to the study opened with a heavy, echoing thud.
Ceti's eyes darted towards the entrance, where the tall figure of King Moraxor, with his regal bearing and long black hair flowing down his back, walked in.
Beside him was Isola, the glow of her fair twilight blue skin matching sharply with the dark richness of her blue garment.
Both of them bowed before Rowena before raising their heads.
The atmosphere in the room shifted subtly. The air grew tense, thick with unspoken words and anticipated confrontations.
Isola and Ceti exchanged glances, and Isola could already guess that Ceti was probably here for the same reason. However, now wasn't a good time to ask her what happened.
Taking the cue, Ceti bowed gracefully, "I'll take my leave," she murmured, her exit swift and quiet, leaving behind the three towering figures in the dim room.
Rowena, her posture a picture of regal elegance, confronted Moraxor.
His eyes, piercing yet wary, met hers, "It seems," he began with a throaty voice, indicating he was carefully choosing his words, "that I need not explain my daughter's recent... activities with your consort."
Rowena's gaze, however, didn't waver towards him. Instead, she focused intently on Isola, whose sapphire blue eyes held a serene, yet resolute, shine.
Moraxor saw these two women having some kind of stare-off, and for some reason, he hadn't felt this much tension in a room in a long while.
Silence stretched between the three before Rowena finally broke it, "I'm well aware. And, Isola," she paused, her tone surprisingly gentle, "I'm indebted to you. Despite our history and your people's sentiments towards my kingdom, you went out of your way to help my consort and aided in his safe return. But most of all, you gave him what he needed when I couldn't in my absence. For that, you have my utmost gratitude."
Isola's lips formed a light smile, her poise radiating a quiet strength, "Your Majesty," she responded, "there's no debt between us. I merely did what my heart believed was right. But I also know I have betrayed the faith you placed in me. I am willing to right my wrongs as you wish."
Rowena narrowed her eyes and said, "All is forgiven because your wrongs only made things better."
Isola blinked her eyes, and she was at a loss for words to see that Rowena wasn't the least angry at her.
Rowena gave an almost imperceptible smile as she added, "And if what you said is true, then I would like you to continue to follow your heart and be there for him."
Moraxor, who was silently listening to them all this time, clearly taken aback, blinked in disbelief.
Rowena's calm acceptance was unexpected, given their history and the war that took place not long ago.
He'd entered, braced for a fierce confrontation, yet was met with understanding instead.
Did she really not care that his daughter was in love with her consort? Is she not holding any grudges because of the war?
Or what if she was doing this to get Isola on their side and use her against her own kingdom?
As a queen, that wouldn't be a bad move at all.
Moraxor couldn't help but be skeptical, considering everything that happened in the past.
"I am afraid things won't be that straightforward. Isola's mother and her people are already expecting her marriage with our General Vraxos," Moraxor said as a matter of fact, drawing a sharp glance from Rowena.
Rowena's brow furrowed in response. She was well aware of such traditions, but she couldn't let it be.
She responded icily, "That doesn't matter. What matters is your daughter wishes to be with my consort. Or does her feelings not matter to you?"
Isola opened her mouth to speak, wanting to ease the sudden tension in the room, but her father interjected before she could get a word in, "No. I respect my daughter's feelings, and I truly want to believe that your consort loves her. But I don't know him well. I also want only a worthy one to take my daughter's hand. That is why I want to propose a duel between Vraxos and your consort. If he wins, there will be no objections from my side nor her mother's."
Moraxor's tone was firm and contained the protective instinct of a father.
The room fell silent. Rowena's eyes darted to Isola, searching for her feelings on this matter.
Isola gently nodded, letting Rowena know of her feelings on this matter.
Rowena sighed softly before looking at Moraxor with a steely glint in her eyes, "Then this duel shall take place if that will convince everyone how worthy my consort is."
