"I am pleased you agreed to share this last meal of mine in the Lunareth Kingdom with me , your majesty," Lord Volkov spoke, leaning back in his chair, his fingers absentmindedly playing with a stick at the corner of his lips. His gaze was fixed on the Queen as he continued, "I was, alas, coming here to meet the famous Queen."
*'Even though it's with the other members of the castle*' Elara heard the Lord's words echo in her mind. She remained calm and collected, not betraying the thoughts that simmered beneath her composed exterior. She responded coolly, "Likewise, Lord Volkov. And I am glad you are not holding any grudge against us. It was a sincere and heartfelt welcome by the King to me for planning those tournaments ."
As Elara spoke, her eyes shifted momentarily toward Theron, who looked caught off guard by her statement. His eyes flickered toward the hand she had placed on the table, waiting for his. Hesitantly, he brought his hand closer to hers. Before their hands could meet, Lord Volkov interrupted, his voice dripping with amusement.
"Well, I actually do hold a grudge, but it most certainly isn't towards you," he said, his eyes narrowing as they turned to Theron, who was now fully engaged in the unspoken tension. Theron's hand rested in Elara's, both cold to the touch. Theron could sense the reluctance in her grasp, knowing neither of them wished to prolong the contact. Yet, Elara held on, her expression giving nothing away, leaving him wondering what game she was playing - and if it was good or with other intentions .
A soft, powerful laugh escaped Elara's lips, the sound smooth and controlled. She met Volkov's gaze, unshaken. "Oh, do not please. It was a small gesture for his wife." Her eyes lingered on Theron as she spoke, her tone suggesting far more than the casual remark she made.
"A small gesture?" Lord Volkov's voice dropped in mock disbelief. "I beg to differ. Anyway, I do not remember you being a violent person. Enjoying the spill of blood from other humans ."
The statement hit hard, and all eyes turned to the Lord, who had now made a bold claim about the Queen. Elara's hand slipped away from Theron's, and her full attention shifted to Lord Volkov. The atmosphere in the room thickened as the Queen Mother swept into the room, always the one to ease the mounting tension.
"Don't play mind games with us, Lord Volkov," the Queen Mother said, her voice smooth yet firm. "You've never met the Queen of Lunareth. This is your first time. I remember she banned you before Theron, my son, decided to keep the peace between kingdoms and invite you here. You are the new King of Duskfall, aren't you? Broken bonds should be rebranded, and I know people change. I still believe that. Aren't I old-fashioned?"
The Queen Mother placed a hand over her chest, laughing slightly as others awkwardly smiled, unsure how to react. However, Elara and Theron, as well as Lord Volkov—now revealed as the King of Duskfall—remained unaffected.
"King? You never -" Theron began, his voice laced with surprise as he tried to divert the conversation of Elara and Volkov once being allies, but Volkov interrupted him, cutting him off mid-sentence.
"I wasn't intending on informing anyone," Volkov said coolly, standing up. "Not here at least. But I was planning on inviting you—"
"Unfortunately, we cannot come," Elara interjected, her voice sharp as she stood up, her eyes locking with Lord Volkov's .
Evelyn, caught in a fog of confusion, could only stare, unsure of the unfolding situation. Given, on the other hand, silently hoped the Queen would see through Volkov's now deceiving act and see his good intentions towards them and the Kingdom, even as the man projected a two-faced, villainous air. Everyone in the room had their own plans—Elara had hers, Theron was scheming, and Volkov, well, he was playing games. But for once, it seemed his true allegiance was directed not at the throne but at the woman who had been the peacekeeper of kingdoms while she still had full control of Lunareth Kingdom .
"We have a lot of work to do ; as the Kingdom and its people need their Queen and King," Elara continued, her gaze shifting to Theron as she said the word "King". She turned to Volkov and, with a faint, ghost-like smile, added, "I have been neglecting my people. Now it is time I step up as a Queen."
Some in the room were proud of her bold statement, while others felt their hearts race in their chests—if it were possible, some might have sworn their hearts leapt from their throats.
"I completely understand, Your Majesty. And King Theron, thank you for believing in the greater good and welcoming me back," Lord Volkov said with a respectful bow. "Queen Elara, I would like to pass my gratitude to you, too."
With that, he bowed as well, and so did Theron and Elara in return. "Bonum, iuro numina," Volkov said at the end of the exchange, before raising his head, his eyes locking with Elara's.
Given watched the interaction closely, silently praying that all would unfold in their favor.
"Well, let us walk you out, King Volkov," the Queen Mother said, though the bitterness in her tone was unmistakable. Her granddaughters, and those who knew her well, could detect it beneath the words. The Queen Mother's smile was thin, but it carried a weight of meaning that only a few could understand.
As Lord Volkov prepared to take his leave, Evelyn stood up, her curiosity piqued. "Your Majesty, if I may, what was it you said lastly? Was that the Lythoplyon language?"
Lord Volkov smirked, his gloved hand resting on his chest as he responded, "I'm afraid I can not tell you , Princess Evelyn. It's something only the Queen of Lunareth will understand . Perhaps if you win her favor , she might reveal the language to you and maybe it's meaning too." His eyes shifted to Elara, a silent challenge gleaming in them. Then, with a final bow, he turned and followed the Queen Mother as she led him out of the room.