Instead, he felt a sudden, intense breeze brush against his body before abruptly vanishing. Crystalia, on the other hand, had already released her own magical energy, surrounding her body with a golden aura and repelling her mother's magical pressure with her own.
The entire palace manor trembled as the two magical pressures collided, causing the earth beneath them to shake.
Sensing the subtle tremors around her, Queen Selene quickly withdrew her magical energy, dispelling the immense pressure that had engulfed the entire palace manor, followed by Crystalia doing the same.
Orion acknowledged Queen Selene's display of strength with a nod. "It seems like you are okay," he responded.
Queen Selene returned his nod. "Yes, I feel much better than before. Though I don't think this scar will heal anytime soon, I can manage," she replied, reaching up to touch the scar left behind by the pseudo-divine artefact.
"What did you do with the collar?" she asked.
"I kept it somewhere safe," Orion replied. "Also, I want to ask about the other pseudo-divine artefact. With its effects, we might gain an edge in dealing with any enemy we encounter in the future," he added.
Queen Selene nodded, understanding Orion's intentions. "The other Pseudo Divine artefact is in the Palace Vault within the Palace Manor. I'll send someone to retrieve it and hand it over to you before you leave," she responded.
Considering the events that had transpired yesterday, there was a chance that the next individuals coming across their territory would be looking to attack and take control of what they had rather than seeking a place to settle like the Four-eared elves. As such, they needed to be prepared and ensure such a scenario did not happen.
Nevertheless, Queen Selene was aware that Orion had given the Divine blood he had obtained to her, which Crystalia, Flintor, and the Crystalforge Elite Guards had taken to reach the limit of their race's potential.
This sacrifice had been enough to break her free from the pseudo-divine artefact and allow her strength to reach the peak of their race's potential. Additionally, Orion had sought the help of a god for her sake, which had been the main reason why all of this was possible in the end.
Despite this, even without Orion's actions, she would have still handed the pseudo-divine artefact over to him and given him more if he had asked for it.
"Alright," Orion responded. Looking at Queen Selene, he noticed that the light in her eyes shone far brighter than before. He shifted his attention towards Crystalia and saw she looked more radiant than she had previously.
Hopefully, she wouldn't be picking a fight with anybody at home for the time being.
…....…..
Two hours later
Knock!! Knock!!
"They're finally here," Queen Selene said as she rose from the bed.
"Mother, stop, I'll open the door for you," Crystalia chastised Queen Selene for attempting to get up.
"Silly child, I've been asleep for several hours and sitting for several more, so I need to stretch my bones slightly. Also, did you forget that I have also gotten stronger and am not recovering from an injury?" Queen said with a smile as she flicked a finger against Crystalia's forehead.
Crystalia held her forehead displeased as she watched her mother walk towards the doors. She opened it and retrieved a bluish crystal-like box, resembling a jewel box, from the guard she had ordered to bring it.
"Alright, you can return to your position," Queen Selene responded before closing the door as the guard nodded and walked away.
Queen Selene then approached Orion and handed the box over to him. "Here you go. This box has been made and enchanted by the Crystalforge clan's best craftsmen, so not only is it difficult to destroy, but as long as it's closed, no one can sense what's inside," she said.
Orion received the bluish crystal box and opened it. Sure enough, the collar that had previously restrained Queen Selene and sealed her abilities was inside.
As Orion inspected the box's contents, Queen Selene turned to Crystalia. "Can you wait outside and give us a minute alone, Crystalia?" she asked.
Crystalia shook her head. "Don't tell me that you want to start hiding something from me just after you have gotten better?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at her mother with a frown appearing on her lips.
"Please, can you wait outside and give us a minute alone," Queen Selene pleaded, sighing deeply.
Crystalia's shoulders dropped low in response. "Fine, I'll give you guys a minute just because you said please. Also, I need to get more fruits since the ones here have already finished, so I'll be back in ten minutes," she said, standing up from the bed with the plate in her hand and walking out of the room.
As the door closed shut, leaving Queen Selene and Orion alone in the room, Queen Selene immediately bowed down towards Orion. "Thank you," she said, her voice tinged with emotion.
Witnessing the scene before him, Orion immediately raised Queen Selene up, straightening her back to her previous position.
However, Queen Selene moved out of his grasp and bowed again.
"I know that I shouldn't be doing this; however, at this point, it's safe to say that without your presence, none of us would have survived, whether in or outside the mountain. And up to this very moment, time and time again, you have helped us, especially me this time, in ways which I don't think I could ever repay," Queen Selene said, her voice firm and unshaken despite the emotions within it.
Orion sighed deeply. "If that's the case, then I will accept your gratitude as repayment," he replied, smiling.
When Orion responded, Queen Selene's head snapped upwards, revealing her reddish eyes filled with many emotions, as though they were on the brink of overflowing with tears.
She closed her eyes to compose herself before leaning in to kiss the side of Orion's cheek, murmuring, "Thank you."
After the kiss, she wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. Orion also reciprocated, wrapping his arms around her and helping her calm her emotions.
