The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Elowen stood at the entrance to the Elder Tree Temple, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the massive, ancient structure before her. The temple was older than any building in the kingdom, its roots winding deep into the earth, its towering branches stretching high into the sky.

The Elder Tree itself was the heart of the temple, a colossal tree that had stood for millennia, its bark as white as bone, its leaves shimmering with a faint golden glow in the evening light.

Vyrelda stood beside her, her usual calm expression unwavering. But Elowen could sense a shift in her friend's demeanor. She could feel it too, the air here was different—thick with the weight of ancient magic. This place always made her uneasy, and after the last visit with Mikhailis, it had only grown worse.

<Analyzing structural integrity...> Rodion's voice buzzed in Elowen's ear, coming from the glasses she wore.

<The Elder Tree Temple remains stable. Age of the structure approximately exceeds 3,000 years. Energy levels detected are consistent with natural phenomena, no immediate threat detected.>

Elowen let out a slow breath. Havint Rodion truly made her life easier. Every time Rodion gave an analysis and a report, she could remember Mikhailis's face that seem very excited when he gave her the glasses.

"Your Majesty," Vyrelda said softly, turning to her with a concerned look.

"Are you ready for the ritual?"

Elowen nodded, though her heart felt heavy. The ritual. A royal tradition, a necessary show of reverence to the Elder Tree every time a royal entered the temple grounds. It was meant to reinforce the bond between the kingdom and the ancient magic of the tree. But today, the ritual felt more like a burden.

As they stepped forward, a group of shrine maidens appeared, their flowing white robes almost glowing in the soft light of the temple. They moved with grace, their faces serene as they approached Elowen and Vyrelda.

"Your Majesty," one of the maidens spoke, bowing deeply.

"We have been expecting you. The Elder Tree awaits your presence."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Elowen offered a polite nod, her gaze drifting to the maidens' delicate hands clasped in front of them. There was an ethereal beauty to these women, something otherworldly in their movements. She couldn't help but wonder if they felt the weight of their duties as much as she did.

"The ritual is prepared," the lead maiden continued.

"Shall we begin?"

Elowen took a deep breath and nodded again. The maidens led them deeper into the temple, the light dimming as they moved further from the entrance. The air inside the temple was cool, the faint scent of earth and moss clinging to the stone walls.

The center of the temple was open to the sky, with the massive trunk of the Elder Tree rising up from the middle of the courtyard. Its bark shimmered faintly in the twilight, its branches stretching high above, creating a canopy that seemed to touch the clouds.

Elowen stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the tree as the shrine maidens began to circle around her. The ritual began slowly, with the maidens chanting softly, their voices rising and falling like the wind through the leaves. Elowen closed her eyes, letting the sound wash over her, grounding herself in the ancient magic of the place.

She raised her arms slowly, palms facing upward as she recited the ancient words passed down from generations of royals. The language was old, its meaning lost to time, but the power of the words was undeniable. The air around her grew heavier, charged with magic.

She could feel the Elder Tree responding, its energy reaching out to her, connecting her to the roots of the kingdom, the foundation of their world.

The maidens' chanting grew louder, more intense. The wind picked up, swirling through the courtyard, rustling the leaves above. Elowen could feel the magic pulling at her, drawing her deeper into the ritual. It was as though the tree itself was testing her, searching her soul for something she couldn't quite grasp.

<Energy levels rising… The Elder Tree's magical output is increasing by 15 percent. Sustained exposure could have adverse effects.>

Elowen gritted her teeth. She had been through this before. She could handle it.

The chanting reached a crescendo, and then, just as quickly as it had begun, it stopped. The wind died down, and the energy in the air dissipated. Elowen lowered her arms, her breathing steady but her heart racing.

"It is done," one of the maidens said softly, stepping forward.

"The Elder Tree has accepted your offering, Your Majesty. You may now proceed."

Elowen nodded, her mind still reeling from the intensity of the ritual. She turned to Vyrelda, who offered her a small, reassuring smile.

"You handled it well," Vyrelda said quietly.

"Thank you," Elowen replied, though she wasn't sure if she believed it.

Together, they made their way further into the temple, toward the inner sanctum where the Saintess of the Elder Tree awaited. Myria Elthea. The woman who had called them here. Elowen's heart tightened at the thought of her.

As they entered the sanctum, they were greeted by the soft, melodic voice of the saintess. "Your Majesty," Myria said, bowing deeply.

"It is an honor to welcome you back to the Elder Tree Temple."

Elowen's eyes narrowed slightly as she regarded the saintess. Myria was beautiful, with long green hair that flowed like water, and eyes as green as the forest. She looked serene, her expression calm and composed. But Elowen knew better than to trust appearances.

"Saintess," Elowen greeted her coldly, not bothering to hide the suspicion in her voice.

"It has been a long time since we last met."

Myria's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I was hoping our last meeting would have gone differently."

Elowen's jaw tightened.

"You mean the last time Mikhailis and I were invited here, only for him to be abducted by the Technomancer League along the way while we were under your protection?"

Myria lowered her gaze, her voice soft.

"I understand your concerns, Your Majesty, and I assure you, I had no knowledge of the attack. The temple was compromised, and I failed to protect you both. For that, I am truly sorry."

Elowen's eyes flashed with anger.

"Sorry isn't enough, Saintess. You let my husband be taken right under your nose. And now you expect me to trust you?"

Myria let out a long sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly.

"I cannot undo the past, Your Majesty. But I ask that you listen to what I have to say. There is… a prophecy.

"One that concerns the Prince Consort."

Elowen's heart skipped a beat in the mention of Mikhailis.

"A prophecy?"

Myria nodded, her expression grave.

"Yes. It came to me in a vision not long after your last visit. The Prince Consort is in grave danger, My Queen. If nothing is done, he will die."

Elowen felt the blood drain from her face.

"What… what are you saying?"

"The vision was clear," Myria continued.

"There will be a predicament, a trial that the Prince Consort must face. And if he does not, his life will be forfeit. I cannot say when, but it will come soon,"

Elowen's breath caught in her throat. She could barely process what the saintess was saying. Mikhailis… dying? It was unthinkable. She couldn't lose him. Not after everything they had been through.

"You cannot be serious," Elowen whispered, her voice trembling.

"There must be some mistake."

Myria shook her head.

"I wish there were. But the prophecies of the Elder Tree are never wrong."

Elowen took a step back, her mind racing. How could this be happening? How could she protect Mikhailis from something she couldn't even see?

<Recording this conversation… Prophecy registered.>

Elowen swallowed hard.

"Do not… tell Mikhailis about this," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

<Understood. Conversation logged. Information withheld from Prince Consort.>

"Then there is another thing as well, your majesty," the Saintess continued.

"There is more?"

"Yes," The Saintess closed her eyes.

"The prophecy mentioned an upcoming war, and how the war is not as great as the great war, but still, threatening for the kingdom. I believe that this should be conveyed to you, as soon as possible, my queen..." The saintess once again opened her eyes, and stared straight to Elowen's eyes.

"I see... I'm grateful for the warning, Saintess. I believe that is all," Elowen turned her back and started walking.

The Saintess does not ask her to stop. But she continued.

"If you want to seek further, follow the ritual and stay in these two days, Your Majesty. And perhaps, you will get the vision you wanted,"

Elowen stopped, then continued her steps.

Vyrelda, who had been silent throughout the conversation, stepped forward, her brow furrowed with concern.

"Your Majesty… are you alright?"

Elowen shook her head, her eyes unfocused.

"I… I don't know."

"Perhaps we should return to the castle," Vyrelda suggested gently.

"You need time to process this."

Elowen nodded slowly, her mind still reeling.

"Yes… perhaps that's best. Wait. No..."

Then Vyrelda could see, the determination building within the queen.

"We should stay, I need to know answers,"

Elowen uttered as she gazed at the skies above her, the face of the man that had unexpectedly stolen her heart in such a brief duration appeared in her mind.

"Mikhailis..."