The entire Golden Palace of Lanka was decked out in extravagant decorations, with golden drapes and vibrant banners lining the grand halls.
Outside, the capital city around the palace shimmered with festive lights and colorful streamers, creating a breathtaking spectacle visible from miles away.
The festivities extended to every settlement on the island, each city under the rule of Charybdis's four children basking in celebratory splendor.
In Milim's city-state, the Star Dragon's City, a similar scene unfolded.
The streets buzzed with activity, filled with joyous citizens and vibrant displays.
The Jura Forest itself seemed to sing with festivities as Veldora, ever the proud grandfather, boasted his happiness to the monsters he had taken under his protection.
Everything in Lanka was free today, a generous gift from the queen who had paid out all the stock present in the country.
Shops handed out goods with no charge, and stalls overflowed with food and drink.
Music filled the air as performers entertained the revelers, and the sound of laughter echoed through the streets.
Foreign dignitaries began to arrive to offer their congratulations to the immortal queen.
Among them was the "god" Valentine,
the ideological ruler of Ruberios.
The Empress of Sarion, ruler of the reformed elven lands, arrived in a grand procession, her entourage reflecting the elegance and grace of her realm.
Even the "King" of the harpies made an appearance, a remarkable sight given the harpy race's near extinction twice over, once directly by Charybdis and once by a dungeon break.
The harpies had since evolved to include males among their ranks, a change brought about by intermixing with a fallen angel.
Within the palace, a grand feast was laid out in the great hall.
Tables groaned under the weight of sumptuous dishes, from roasted game to intricate desserts.
Musicians played enchanting melodies, their tunes weaving through the chatter of several guests and the clinking of glasses.
Charybdis, seated at the head of the table, radiated an aura of contentment and power.
Her presence commanded the attention of all, her smile warm yet tinged with a sense of supreme confidence.
As guests approached to offer their well-wishes, she accepted their congratulations with gracious nods and thoughtful words.
Lobha, standing proudly by her mother's side, coordinated the festivities with a keen eye.
She ensured that every guest was attended to, every detail perfect.
The air buzzed with excitement and anticipation, the celebration a testament to the queen's enduring legacy and the promise of a bright future.
---
Luminous Valentine, the vampire masqurading as god, approached Charybdis with an air of quiet elegance.
Her regal demeanor was complemented by her ethereal beauty, an aura of royalty surrounding her every move.
As she neared, Charybdis rose from her throne, her expression warm and welcoming.
"Ah, Luminous," Charybdis greeted, extending a hand. "It's been too long."
"Indeed, it has," Luminous replied, taking Charybdis's hand gently. "You look radiant, as always."
"Thank you. Please, sit," Charybdis gestured to a plush seat beside her throne, and Luminous gracefully complied.
They exchanged pleasantries, discussing the state of their respective lives and the ongoing festivities.
The conversation flowed effortlessly, each woman a paragon of power and elegance in her own right.
"You know," Luminous said, her tone turning reflective, "you remind me of the true ancestor. The same indomitable spirit, the same commanding presence. It's almost uncanny."
Charybdis smiled, a glint of pride in her eyes. "High praise, coming from you. I have always admired the resilience of your kind." ,
'translation : love how close they are to cockroaches.'
As their conversation began to wind down, Charybdis leaned forward slightly, her expression growing serious. "Luminous, there is something I must ask of you."
Luminous tilted her head slightly, curiosity piqued. "Oh? What is it?"
Charybdis's aura intensified, her Haki projecting an almost tangible wave of intense desire and determination.
"Join me, Luminous. Join Lanka. Together, you can achieve unparalleled greatness."
The sheer force of Charybdis's will stunned Luminous to her core. She felt the weight of the queen's request, the power behind it pressing into her very being.
For a moment, she was speechless, caught off guard by the intensity of Charybdis's proposition.
"I... I will have to think about it," Luminous finally managed to say, her voice uncharacteristically nervous.
The normally unflappable vampire found herself unnerved by the raw power and conviction radiating from Charybdis.
Charybdis's intense gaze softened slightly, and she nodded. "Of course. Take all the time you need. But know that my offer stands, and my desire for our union is unwavering."
Luminous nodded, still processing the overwhelming experience.
"I will give it careful consideration," she promised, rising from her seat.
"Good," Charybdis said, her smile returning. "I look forward to your decision."
As Luminous Valentine departed, the air seemed to crackle with the lingering energy of their exchange.
Charybdis watched her go, confident that the cockroach will eventually take the bait.
---
After Luminous Valentine departed, the Harpy King approached Charybdis with a graceful bow, presenting a delicately crafted set of earrings, a necklace, and a stunning dress.
"For you, Queen Charybdis," he said, his voice smooth and respectful.
He handed the gifts to Lobha, who accepted them with a strained smile, clearly not pleased with his demeanor.
Charybdis nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you. Your generosity is appreciated."
The Harpy King then took Charybdis's hand and kissed the back of it.
Even though he knew this wasn't the customary way to greet her in Lanka as nobody greeted her this way, she allowed it, remembering that he was just a kid and perhaps not fully acquainted with their customs.
Lobha, however, was less forgiving, her glare sharp enough to cut through steel.
Charybdis only narrowed her eyes slightly, observing the Harpy King's black wings.
While she knew that black wings were the typical color for male harpies, something about his wings felt off.
There was an unnatural quality to them, and his smooth talk of prosperity for their kingdoms did little to alleviate her suspicions.
"Thank you for the gifts and your well wishes," Charybdis said, her voice cool and measured. "I trust your kingdom is flourishing."
"Indeed it is, thanks to your influence and guidance," the Harpy King replied smoothly, his expression sincere but somehow still unsettling.
Charybdis gave a polite smile, though her eyes remained keenly observant. "I'm glad to hear that. Please, enjoy the festivities."
After the Harpy King took his leave, Charybdis turned to Lobha.
"Make sure these gifts are stored properly with the others."
"Of course, Mother," Lobha replied, her voice still laced with irritation as she shot one last glare in the direction the Harpy King had gone.
Once they were alone, Charybdis's expression turned thoughtful. "There was something... peculiar about him," she mused aloud.
Lobha nodded in agreement. "I felt it too. His presence didn't seem genuine."
Charybdis nodded, her decision firming in her mind.
"I'll need more information about him. Contact the intelligence department and have them look into his background and current activities. It's been too long since I've paid attention to the local power shifts among the harpies."
"Right away, Mother," Lobha said, already moving to carry out the order.
Charybdis reclined on her throne, her thoughts turning over the strange encounter.
She had no personal interest in the harpies, but the feeling of deception she got from the Harpy King was enough to warrant further investigation. In her long reign, she had learned never to ignore her instincts.
They had kept her and her kingdom safe for centuries, and she wasn't about to start disregarding them now.
=========================