The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Mikhailis leaned back in his chair, lazily tracing the edge of an unopened letter. The royal seal of Serewyn glinted in the candlelight, and he knew immediately it was from Prince Laethor. He took a deep breath, finally breaking the wax seal with a flick of his wrist, and unfolded the parchment. His eyes danced across the carefully constructed lines, noting the coded language that hinted at their upcoming rendezvous. The time and place for his departure to Serewyn were subtly embedded within the text, as if this were some kind of secret espionage mission. He smirked.

"This prince…" he muttered, a hint of amusement in his voice.

This guy really thinks he's in some kind of spy novel.

<Mikhailis, while the letter might seem amusing, do not forget the gravity of this journey. Prince Laethor is cunning, and the dangers are very real.>

Mikhailis shrugged, his eyes skimming over the details once more.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it, Rodion. Just because it's a secret mission doesn't mean we can't have a bit of fun along the way, right?"

<I would recommend against considering this mission a 'fun adventure.' The risks include ambush, political sabotage, and perhaps worse—an alliance manipulated to entrap you.>

Mikhailis chuckled, shaking his head. Rodion's always so serious. He folded the letter, slipping it into his pocket as he stood, stretching out his arms. The coded words and the secrecy had piqued his interest—there was a thrill to it, like stepping into a game where the stakes were higher than usual.

"Don't worry so much, Rodion. I'll be careful. But you know me—I never miss a chance to make things interesting."

<Interesting. Yes, you seem to have a predilection for adding unnecessary danger to situations.>

Mikhailis snorted, reaching for his glasses and putting them on. The lenses flashed as Rodion synced up, his presence palpable in the glow.

"Alright, alright. Let's get to work. We've got some arrangements to make, don't we?"

<Affirmative. Starting with a plan to ensure your safety.>

Mikhailis glanced out of the window, the moon high and bright. He tapped his fingers on the edge of the table, the wheels turning in his mind. It wasn't every day he got to dive headfirst into political intrigue like this. And honestly, it wasn't just about helping Serewyn; the adventure itself was part of the allure. But he understood the dangers too.

He paced around his chambers, his gaze wandering over the various trinkets and items that had somehow ended up in his possession—from books to figurines to framed photos of insects. He smiled at one of the frames, which held a detailed picture of a stag beetle.

Well, can't bring you along this time, buddy.

<We need to remain discreet. The fewer people that know about this journey, the better. I suggest we send a reconnaissance unit—Chimera Ant soldiers would be ideal. They can scout the route to Serewyn, ensuring that no threats lie ahead.>

Mikhailis stopped, considering Rodion's suggestion.

That's not a bad idea.

He smiled, his eyes glinting as he spoke.

"Alright, Rodion. Deploy a small squad of Chimera Ants to scout. Make sure they're quiet about it. We don't want to leave any hints that we're on our way."

<Understood. Deploying Chimera Ants immediately. The reconnaissance will commence at once.>

"Good," Mikhailis said, grabbing his coat and throwing it over his shoulders. He glanced at his gaming console, considering whether to bring it along for the journey. Nah, probably not this time.

<You know, bringing nonessential items is not recommended. Focus on what is crucial for your survival.>

"Oh, come on. It's not like I'm planning to play video games in the middle of a diplomatic crisis." Mikhailis smiled, then paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

"But maybe just one book… you know, for the boring bits."

<Your priorities are… as unconventional as ever.>

"And yet, you still stick around," Mikhailis quipped, smirking.

Rodion remained silent, though Mikhailis could almost sense the virtual eye-roll from the AI. It was time to make sure everything was set for their departure.

But then a maid knocked softly on the door, drawing Mikhailis's attention. He walked over and opened it, finding a young maid standing there with a polite smile.

She handed him an envelope sealed with the familiar mark of the Prime Minister.

"Now this is interesting,"

He nodded in acknowledgment, taking the letter from her before she bowed and left.

____

In another part of the castle, Queen Elowen sat surrounded by her closest advisors. Prime Minister Aelthrin stood by the map table, his stern gaze fixed on the markers indicating different points of interest across their kingdom. Vyrelda and Serelith stood by, both in their respective stances—Vyrelda with her arms crossed, a frown on her face, while Serelith looked almost amused.

Elowen took a breath, her gaze steady as she addressed them.

"Mikhailis is set to journey to Serewyn. Prince Laethor personally requested him, but it turns out that everything we've seen so far—the courtship, the dinners, the theatrics—was a farce. Mikhailis was the real target all along. Prince Laethor believes that Mikhailis holds the key to saving his struggling kingdom. He's going to help Serewyn stabilize their economy, but more importantly, gain access to their alchemical expertise. It's a chance to bring great benefits to Silvarion Thalor—but there are risks."

Vyrelda's frown deepened.

"Risks that involve throwing Mikhailis into the lion's den. Are we sure about this, Your Majesty? The prince has proven unpredictable, and there's no telling what he may be planning."

Serelith gave a sly smile.

"Oh, come now, Vyrelda. You're underestimating His Highness. If anything, I think he'll end up making Laethor regret ever inviting him." She giggled, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

Elowen glanced at Serelith, the corner of her lips twitching slightly.

"You're confident in him, Serelith?"

"Absolutely," Serelith replied, winking.

"I think he'll keep things interesting, at the very least."

Prime Minister Aelthrin cleared his throat, drawing their attention back.

"Your Majesty, the risks are still considerable. This is not merely a diplomatic venture—it's a foray into another kingdom's internal instability. We could end up with His Highness Mikhailis caught in a trap, and by extension, Silvarion Thalor might be implicated."

Elowen nodded solemnly.

"I understand, Aelthrin. But Mikhailis knows what he's doing. He's not alone; Rodion will be assisting, and they have already begun preparing." She paused, her gaze softening.

"Besides, I trust him. And I trust that he will make the right decisions when the time comes."

Aelthrin sighed, glancing down at the map.

"I hope you're right, Your Majesty. If anyone can navigate this without losing their head… it's probably him."

Vyrelda's expression shifted slightly, her concern evident but tempered by her loyalty.

"If Mikhailis is truly determined, then I will ensure that he has the best protection available. He will not go alone, and he will not be unguarded."

Serelith's eyes twinkled.

"See? Now that's the spirit. Mikhailis will be fine. Besides, he's got that weird charm of his—he's practically impossible to get rid of."

Elowen smiled faintly, the tension in the room easing just a little.

"Alright. Thank you, all of you. We'll do everything we can to ensure Mikhailis's safe return."

____

Later that evening, Mikhailis was called to Prime Minister Aelthrin's study. He entered with his usual laid-back air, giving the prime minister a casual wave.

"Hey there, Sir Aelthrin. You called?"

Aelthrin, seated behind his desk, looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly at Mikhailis's nonchalance.

"Yes, Your Highness. I wanted to speak with you before your departure."

Mikhailis tilted his head, curiosity piqued.

"Oh? Don't tell me you're going to try to talk me out of it. Because I'm pretty sure the queen has already made up her mind."

Aelthrin sighed, shaking his head.

"No, I'm not here to dissuade you. I know that once you've set your mind to something, there's little anyone can do to change it." He paused, his gaze softening.

"I just wanted to tell you to be cautious. The journey to Serewyn is dangerous, and I fear that Prince Laethor's intentions may not be as straightforward as they seem."

Mikhailis blinked, a little taken aback by Aelthrin's tone.

Is he actually worried about me? He smirked, leaning against the doorframe.

"Well, that's new. I thought you'd be happy if something happened to me. Less trouble for you, right?"

Aelthrin's expression remained serious as he stood, stepping closer to Mikhailis.

"Perhaps once, I might have felt that way. But things have changed. You've become important—to both the kingdom and to Queen Elowen. Your presence here matters."

Mikhailis stared at him, surprised by the sincerity in the prime minister's voice.

"Aelthrin…"

The prime minister bowed deeply, his voice firm.

"I truly hope for your safety, Your Highness. Know, that you have became one of the most important piece of this kingdom,"

"Please, be safe, Your Highness."

Mikhailis stood there for a moment, the gravity of Aelthrin's words sinking in. He nodded, a small smile crossing his face.

"I appreciate that, Aelthrin. I'll make sure I come back in one piece. Wouldn't want to disappoint everyone, right?"

Aelthrin straightened, giving a curt nod. "Indeed. We are counting on you."

With that, Mikhailis left the study, his thoughts lingering on the prime minister's unexpected display of concern.

Maybe things really have changed.

____

Back in his chambers, Mikhailis sat down, his glasses still glowing with Rodion's presence.

<Risks are escalating, Mikhailis. Serewyn's political landscape is volatile, and Prince Laethor is desperate. There could be traps or hidden agendas waiting for us.>

Mikhailis sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Yeah, I get it, Rodion. But we have our own agendas too, don't we? We can't afford to pass up the potential benefits. And besides, you and I can handle whatever they throw at us."

<Confidence is useful, but overconfidence is dangerous.>

"Noted. Which is why you're going to send the Chimera Ants ahead, right?" Mikhailis grinned.

"Nothing like a little scouting to make sure we don't step into anything nasty."

<Already deploying the units. They will cover the route to Serewyn and gather any pertinent intelligence.>

"Good. Just make sure they're stealthy. I don't want anyone getting wind of our plans before we even leave."

<Stealth protocols initiated. Your safety, despite your cavalier attitude, is my priority.>

Mikhailis smiled, leaning back.

"You really are a worrier, aren't you, Rodion?"

<Correction: I am merely analyzing the data and responding appropriately.>

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say." He glanced at the bag he was packing, throwing in a couple of his favorite books, followed by his gaming console.

He heard Rodion let out a virtual sigh.

<Nonessential items. You have an unusual concept of 'necessities,' Mikhailis.>

"Hey, if we're going to be stuck in enemy territory, I need something to keep myself entertained. You don't want me getting bored, do you?"

Rodion remained silent, but Mikhailis could almost sense the exasperation.

A few moments later, Vyrelda and Cerys arrived at his chambers, both dressed in practical travel gear. Vyrelda, her expression as serious as ever, gave him a stern look.

"Are you ready, Your Highness?"