The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

The air was alive with the sounds of the Fall Festival, the streets adorned in vibrant banners of gold, crimson, and green to mark the celebration of the harvest and the change in seasons. Music from the minstrels resonated in the air, punctuated by the chatter and laughter of the citizens.

Mikhailis sat beside Queen Elowen, dressed in the traditional Silvarion attire—an elaborate tunic in shades of dark blue embroidered with silver accents. It was a sharp contrast to the colorful garb of those attending the festival, and it marked him as the "fool prince consort," a figurehead to support the queen.

As he sat there, his mind wandered back to the night before. The memory of hugging Elowen, her slender arms holding onto him just a bit tighter than usual, surfaced in his thoughts. She had said she was too tired to do anything more, and he respected that—a rare instance of Mikhailis not pushing his luck.

It wasn't that he minded; he valued those quiet moments of closeness, moments where she allowed herself to lean on him. But today, waking up to a surprise festival was something he hadn't expected.

"A festival, huh?" he mumbled under his breath, a lopsided smile tugging at his lips.

"This is quite interesting." He watched as people gathered at the grand square, the venue for the public banquet. Food stalls lined the edges, filled with baked goods, fruits, and the tantalizing smell of roasted meats.

The grand square was bustling with energy. Children ran around with small garlands on their heads, merchants called out their wares, and couples strolled hand in hand, enjoying the festivities. The atmosphere was infectious, even for someone like Mikhailis, who wasn't particularly fond of crowded places.

He leaned back, letting his eyes drift over the colorful decorations that adorned every stall and lamp post. He had to admit, it was beautiful. The entire town seemed to have come alive in celebration, and for a moment, even he could forget the underlying tensions.

Queen Elowen, as regal as ever, was there to attend not to partake, but to fulfill her role—giving blessings and ensuring the people had a memorable day. Her presence alone brought a certain grace to the scene, her smile gentle yet slightly restrained, her eyes carrying a weight that perhaps only Mikhailis could recognize.

He knew that look well, hidden beneath the practiced smiles she wore for her people. She was doing her duty, as she always did, but there was a heaviness there that she couldn't quite conceal.

Mikhailis kept a smile on his face, a perfect mask, as he leaned slightly towards Elowen.

"I guess we're the lucky ones, huh? Just sitting here and looking pretty," he teased.

Elowen turned her head just enough to give him a side glance, her lips curving slightly.

"You're certainly doing your part in looking pretty," she replied, her voice soft but with a teasing lilt.

"Why, thank you, Your Majesty." He bowed slightly, making her smile widen, if only just a bit.

Mikhailis kept watching her, the cloudiness in her gaze not lost on him. Her smile might fool everyone else, but not him. He reached for her hand discreetly, giving it a gentle squeeze. Elowen tensed at first, but then she let out a barely audible sigh, her fingers tightening around his for just a brief moment before she let go. Mikhailis withdrew his hand, acting as if nothing had happened.

He glanced at Lira, who stood nearby, always ready to assist.

Lira's eyes met his, and even without a word, Mikhailis could read her thoughts—Stop joking around. He resisted the urge to laugh at her unimpressed expression.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, behold the regal presence of Queen Elowen! Let us celebrate and have a wonderful day!" Mikhailis called out suddenly, his voice rising above the music. He stood, waving grandly at the crowd, and there was laughter and cheering from the people in response. He glanced back at Elowen, who raised an eyebrow at him.

"What? I'm just making sure they know who's responsible for all this," he said with a grin.

"Of course you are," she replied, shaking her head slightly but with a hint of fondness in her eyes.

Mikhailis returned to his seat beside Elowen, his eyes sweeping over the crowd. It was then he noticed a figure in the distance, moving toward them. Earl Vaelis Drakar—his presence was unmistakable, with his confident gait and a polished smile that could charm anyone. Mikhailis's grin faltered for a second.

Ah, Vaelis Drakar.

One of Elowen's previous suitors, and someone who had also helped save Mikhailis when he was abducted by those technomancers. The guy was undeniably strong, as strong as Vyrelda and Elowen, if rumors were true. Even Rodion had confirmed his strength—a fact that irritated Mikhailis endlessly.

This guy is as annoying as he is dangerous, Mikhailis thought, suppressing a sigh.

He watched as Vaelis approached them, his polished boots clicking against the cobblestone, his head held high like he owned the place. There was something about the way he carried himself that always put Mikhailis on edge.

Vaelis approached them, bowing elegantly before addressing Elowen.

"Your Majesty," Vaelis began, his tone smooth, almost too smooth.

"A splendid festival, truly. It is a privilege to witness the joy of our people under your gracious rule."

Mikhailis resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The man was good, he'd give him that. Vaelis's gaze flickered towards Mikhailis for a fraction of a second, and there it was—that subtle smirk. Mikhailis kept his own expression light and casual, as if he hadn't noticed anything.

"Ah, Earl Vaelis," Mikhailis said, his voice dripping with cheerfulness.

"Welcome, welcome. Always a pleasure to see someone with such refined taste in festivities."

Vaelis chuckled, but his eyes never left Elowen's. "Indeed, Prince Consort. I wouldn't miss it for the world." He turned his attention back to Elowen, his expression softening.

"Your Majesty, may I have the honor of a dance?"

Mikhailis's jaw clenched, though his smile remained intact.

This guy really is bold.

He watched Elowen, her eyes widening just slightly, hesitation written on her face.

"A dance, Earl Vaelis?" she repeated, her voice calm, though there was a trace of uncertainty.

Mikhailis leaned back in his seat, pretending to be nonchalant.

"Oh, a dance? Sounds lovely," he said with a lazy smile, though internally, he was cursing Vaelis's timing.

He knew what the man was doing—a public dance with the queen would definitely stir rumors, and it seemed Vaelis was betting on that.

No.

This guy.

He noticed that Elowen is acting strange.

Vaelis extended his hand, his smile charming but his eyes challenging, as if daring Mikhailis to intervene. Mikhailis just smiled back, though every fiber of his being wanted to punch that smile off Vaelis's face.

Elowen hesitated for a moment longer, then slowly placed her hand in Vaelis's. Mikhailis could hear the murmurs from the crowd, whispers already starting to spread. He watched as Vaelis led Elowen towards the open area designated for dancing, the people parting to make room for them.

"Of course," Elowen finally said, her voice steady, though Mikhailis could sense the reluctance there. Vaelis bowed his head slightly, a triumphant smile touching his lips as he led her towards the dance floor.

Mikhailis watched them go, his smile still in place, though his eyes held a sharpness that only Lira, standing beside him, could recognize.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Your Highness," Lira said quietly, her voice carrying a hint of concern.

"Hmm?" Mikhailis turned to her, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her eyes searching his.

Mikhailis let out a chuckle, leaning back in his chair.

"Me? Of course. Just enjoying the show, Lira." He gave her a wink, but his tone lacked its usual cheerfulness.

But inside, his thoughts were anything but relaxed. What a wonderful day, he mused sarcastically. Watching Elowen dance with Vaelis, seeing the crowd's reaction, hearing the whispers—it all left a bitter taste in his mouth. But he wasn't going to let it show, not here, not now.

"Rodion," Mikhailis muttered under his breath, barely audible to anyone else.

<Yes, Mikhailis?>

"Keep an eye on our dear Earl Vaelis, will you?"

<Affirmative. Though I must say, the probability of him attempting anything beyond public affection is currently low.>

"Yeah, yeah. Just keep watching," Mikhailis replied, his eyes still on Elowen and Vaelis as they moved across the dance floor, the murmurs of the crowd growing louder.

<As you wish. Though, I must admit, your jealousy levels are reaching statistically significant heights.>

Mikhailis snorted, shaking his head slightly.

"Oh, shut up."

He watched as Vaelis spun Elowen gracefully, her dress fanning out elegantly. She looked beautiful, as always, and seeing her smile—even if it was for Vaelis—brought a pang of something Mikhailis couldn't quite name.

He sighed, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees.

Just hang in there, Elowen.

He wasn't going anywhere. No matter how charming Vaelis was, no matter how many rumors this dance would spark, no matter what she's facing, he'd be there for her—and he'd make sure she knew that.

As the music continued to play and the crowd watched the queen and the earl dance, Mikhailis kept his eyes on them, his smile unwavering. The festival might have been for the people, but this dance—this little game between him and Vaelis—was personal. And Mikhailis was not one to back down easily.