The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Chapter 127 The Prince Consort's Backstory

"Are you awake?"

Mikhailis turned his head to see Elowen sitting by the fire, her golden eyes watching him with a mix of curiosity and concern. He gave her a crooked smile, his voice slightly hoarse.

"I see... I lost consciousness after getting too excited, huh?"

Elowen smiled gently.

"It's fine. You did great, Bug Hero." Her tone carried a hint of amusement.

"Don't tease me, wifey," Mikhailis muttered, shaking his head lightly. He glanced around, noticing the Chimera Ants patrolling the perimeter of their makeshift camp, their forms just visible in the dim light.

"I guess... I wouldn't be able to have this much excitement back on Earth, huh?"

He fell silent, his gaze turning introspective as he watched the flames. The warmth of the fire contrasted with the chill of his thoughts. Elowen's expression softened as she moved closer, eventually settling behind him, her back pressed against his. The two sat like that, sharing warmth, their breathing slowly syncing. The quiet between them was filled only by the crackle of the fire.

"Is it perhaps the right time to hear your story?" Elowen's voice was soft, hesitant, as if she feared breaking the delicate peace between them.

Mikhailis chuckled, his eyes still on the fire.

"It's not a pleasant one, though," he warned. He let out a slow breath before starting.

"There's a kingdom called Ruslania..."

He began to tell her about his homeland, the Kingdom of Ruslania. It was a small monarchy in Eastern Europe, built on the remnants of Ruthenia. Rich in culture, and steeped in a blend of Eastern Slavic and Byzantine influences, Ruslania was a land of both tradition and modernity.

"You know, there's a saying: 'Cursed are those who feel the oceans but can express just a drop.' I think that's what my life felt like. All those emotions, all that longing, but no one to share it with. All those resources, such a rich and life of luxury, but with no luxury to feel anything,"

He reached for Elowen's hand, his fingers brushing against hers. He could feel the warmth of her skin, the slight jolt as her body stiffened in surprise.

"I was so overjoyed when you summoned me. At first, it was because of the fantasy world—a dream come true for someone like me. And then, of course, there was you—a mature, beautiful queen standing before me." He chuckled, his voice turning soft.

"But the more I got to know you, the more I realized... we share something, don't we? That feeling of being alone, of having no one who truly understands. A feeling that only those who is 'a stranger at one's home' could understand,"

He closed his eyes, leaning his head back slightly, feeling the comforting pressure of Elowen's back against his.

"You're noble, yet hypocritical. Strong, yet vulnerable. Regal, yet... just as lost as me. And somehow, that made me feel complete." He smiled, his heart feeling lighter as he spoke.

"I don't know if I'm making any sense, but... you filled a void in me. You made me feel like I wasn't alone anymore."

Silence settled between them, the warmth of their shared contact spreading through him. He looked up at the cave's entrance, where the night sky had darkened, the stars beginning to peek through the clouds. The sky was beautiful, vast and endless, just like the feeling in his chest.

"That's why, Elowen," Mikhailis said, his voice filled with quiet determination,

"I've decided to be your husband. And I'll fulfill my duties—I'll provide everything you want, everything I can give." He lifted his hand towards the stars, his fingers splayed as if trying to grasp the distant lights.

"I failed to be the support my brother Dimitri needed. But for you, I want to be different. I want to support your dreams, your wishes. I might be strange, but this feeling—it's the most genuine thing I've ever known."

He felt Elowen's hand squeeze his gently, her warmth seeping into him, anchoring him in that moment.

"I see..." she whispered, her voice barely audible, but it carried a depth that resonated in the stillness of the cave. And in that silence, Mikhailis felt something bloom within him—a connection, a promise, a new beginning.