Thirteen and Cranky followed behind Erasmus, who was taking them to the most well-protected area of the palace.
They had passed through several guards along the way, each one surprised to see the two people following their King.
Their destination was none other than the Inner Palace, where Queen Miriamele resided.
Thirteen had wanted to meet the Queen, assured that only she had some answers to his questions.
"Make sure to not provoke my wife, okay?" Erasmus said in a teasing tone, which made the corner of Thirteen’s lips twitch.
He had no idea how the Queen was treating her new "husband," but Thirteen had a feeling that if the two were to ever share a room, Erasmus would be sleeping on the floor, not the bed.
When they arrived at the inner chambers of the Queen, the teenage boy suddenly felt the blood inside his body stir, as if reacting to something... or someone.
"Wife, I’m here," Erasmus declared as he opened the door.
Queen Miriamele had already dismissed her maids, prepared to meet with important people.
The moment Thirteen’s gaze landed on the Queen, he saw the sweet smile on her face.
Her eyes visibly brightened the moment she saw Zion, and a feeling of warmth and happiness spread inside of her chest.
"Please come here, my child," Queen Miriamele said softly.
Thirteen didn’t need to be told twice because something inside of him was desperately crying to be with the beautiful woman in front of him.
He walked slowly at first, but his steps grew firmer, quicker, as he made his way toward Queen Miriamele’s side.
As soon as he came within her reach, Thirteen found himself being held in a loving embrace by the beautiful woman, who looked like a Goddess in his eyes.
"Finally," Queen Miriamele said, as her body shook. "My Endymion, you’re finally here."
Thirteen felt as if the blood inside of his body was in jubilation at this moment. He felt warm, happy, and at peace, not wanting to pull back from this tender hold that was making him feel drowsy.
It was as if all the exhaustion and problems he was facing suddenly melted away in the face of this motherly love, which made his entire body relax.
A minute later, Thirteen’s soft, sleeper breaths spread inside the room.
Azrael frowned, but he understood that the Queen didn’t do anything to Thirteen. If Queen Miriamele had done something to hurt the teenage boy, Azrael wouldn’t hesitate to attack, even if they were supposed to be allies right now.
Erasmus was also surprised. But since the Queen and them were allies, he had no reason to believe that she would bewitch Zion or put him into a Charmed State.
Of course, he knew that this was impossible to happen since Zion was immune to those kinds of things.
"Do you... want us to leave?" Erasmus asked.
Queen Miriamele nodded. "I’ll call for you after Zion wakes up."
"Okay." Erasmus then patted Cranky on the shoulder. "Don’t worry. She won’t harm him."
Cranky hesitated for a bit before he reluctantly followed Erasmus out of the room.
Once they were truly alone, Queen Miriamele planted a kiss on Thirteen’s forehead and patted his head.
Her motherly instincts and feelings of love were overflowing right now.
Queen Miriamele’s firstborn had been taken away from her, only to be used for an experiment that would give King Astrion the power he desired.
For many years, she only wished to hold her daughter, to love her, to care for her.
But this wish had been denied.
She had no choice but to watch as her daughter entered a cycle of suffering.
Fortunately, someone took pity on her and saved her without hesitation.
That person was Zion Leventis, the person who was now in her arms.
Ever since he had saved her daughter, she already treated Zion as her own child.
The older brother of Rhia, who was now living happily with the Leventis Family.
She was being showered with all the love in the world that Queen Miriamele was unable to give her.
Fortunately, even from far away, she could still see her daughter’s daily life, and watching it had long become the Queen’s favorite pastime.
Of course, she could also see Zion’s, for her bloodline now flowed inside his veins.
She had nothing but love for Zion, her daughter’s savior. And now that he was here with her, she would shower him with the love she had been keeping for many years.
"Sleep, my baby," Queen Miriamele said softly as she laid Zion gently on the bed. "I will watch over you."
Once again, she hugged him tenderly and lovingly, soothing all the aches and pain that the teenage boy was suffering from.
And just like all babies who were safe in their mother’s arms, Thirteen slept soundly as the Queen pulled him closer to her chest and patted his head lovingly.
Suddenly, a small shadow appeared behind Thirteen, and Tiona materialized in her snake form.
She and Queen Miriamele stared at each other for nearly a minute before the black snake moved closer to Zion and looked at his peaceful sleeping face.
"Well met, Tiona," Queen Miriamele said with a smile. "I’ve wanted to see you too."
Tiona flicked her tongue and gave a short hiss, as if telling Queen Miriamele that the feeling was mutual.
"I also want to see my daughters-in-law," Queen Miriamele stated. "It’s time for them to meet their second mother-in-law."
Tiona didn’t make any comment. Whether the Queen could meet them would depend on her Master’s wishes. Follow current novᴇls on novel[f]ire.net
Thirteen had been staying up late for the past few days, compiling all the information that was being gathered by the Head Researchers of Artem.
He had already warned Erasmus about the plot of rebellion by the two other Celestials, who were currently rallying and arming their private armies for a civil war that would be happening in the near future.
This was why Thirteen needed a position of power. With it, he could better prepare for the worst-case scenario that would dampen his plan on putting the world of Artem, under Erasmus’ and his complete control.