The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

<Correction. It is possible that the prophecy has been misunderstood. The mention of 'the Queen' may not necessarily refer to Elowen, but rather to the Chimera Ant Queen residing beneath Silvarion Thalor.> Your next read is at empire

For a few seconds, Mikhailis remained silent, staring into the fire. His brows furrowed as he processed the implications of Rodion's words.

The Chimera Queen, not Elowen...?

.

.

Of course!

He blinked, then let out an exasperated groan.

"OH! Damn! Why didn't I think of that earlier?!"

<It is indeed perplexing how your mental faculties are so easily clouded, Mikhailis. To add more clarity, allow me to explain the current situation concerning the Chimera Queen.>

Rodion's words were laced with just enough sarcasm to make Mikhailis roll his eyes. He looked over at Elowen, who was watching him with a raised brow, curious but clearly confused.

"It's all right, Rodion, go ahead. Fill her in."

<At present, a clone of Mikhailis, housed in the giant royal Chimera egg, has matured to the physical state of a toddler. This clone has been emitting pheromones, attracting monsters in the region. These attacks occur in predictable intervals and have been the primary cause for the defensive maneuvers constantly being implemented around the nest.>

Mikhailis's face grew more serious.

"So that explains why it was said that my life in danger, huh..."

<Precisely. The presence of the clone close to the Chimera Queen presents a significant risk, potentially resulting in your demise, albeit indirectly. That is why, Mikhailis, I have been actively ensuring there is sufficient distance between the Chimera Queen and your clone, implementing various countermeasures.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Based on available data, the approximation of the prophecy indicating your demise likely pertains to this connection. Estimated probability: 90%.>

Mikhailis nodded slowly, his gaze lowering as he processed Rodion's explanation.

He murmured to himself, "That... makes sense."

Elowen, who had been listening intently, raised a hand, her brow furrowed.

"Wait, wait—can someone please tell me what exactly is going on here?"

Mikhailis sighed, a sheepish smile on his lips.

"Rodion, show her everything."

Rodion's chip within Elowen's glasses activated, and the visual projection appeared before her eyes. She gasped as she saw an expansive network beneath Silvarion Thalor—a complex labyrinth, a massive hive, built right under the castle. It was illuminated by the glowing markings of the ants, a pulsating, living nest. Rodion's voice echoed through the glasses, explaining further.

<This nest was formed through a series of controlled experiments and bonds established between Mikhailis and the Chimera Ant Queen. Through careful testing and regulation, we managed to tame the Queen and her offspring, ensuring complete loyalty to Mikhailis. They have built their nest beneath the castle, carefully integrated so as not to harm the castle structure or the environment surrounding it.

The Queen and her colony act solely under Mikhailis's command, and the nest itself has been designed to coexist without causing any damage to the people or disrupting the natural ecosystem.>

Her eyes widened in wonder as she took it all in.

"Wow!" she exclaimed, barely containing her excitement.

"Is this... real? This huge? We have such an army under us?"

<Correct. Currently, there are approximately 300 Worker Ants and 120 Soldier Ants, along with various variants that have developed. Chimera Ants, true to their name, can adopt characteristics of species based on the genetic material the Queen processes.>

The display zoomed in, revealing a single large egg that appeared to have a cavity within, almost like a cradle. Elowen's curiosity peaked as she saw what lay inside—a sleeping child. The egg was filled with a blue fluid that shimmered, the toddler peacefully floating in it.

"What... is a child doing there?" she asked, her tone softening, her heart melting a little at the sight of the young, innocent face.

The view sharpened, and realization dawned on her. The shape of the eyes, the slight curve of the lips—they were familiar.

Too familiar.

Her eyes widened.

"Wait... that's... that's you, Mikhailis!"

Mikhailis rubbed his neck, giving her a sheepish smile.

"Yeah... turns out our friendly neighborhood Chimera Queen decided to lay an egg, and it ended up containing a clone of me. Perhaps because of our bond and me being the one who nurture her?"

"A... clone? So it's like another version of you?" Elowen asked, her voice rising slightly, filled with shock and intrigue.

Rodion intervened.

<Technically, it is more akin to an empty vessel—an empty shell. Mikhailis's consciousness has the capacity to transfer into it. There have already been occurrences where he 'woke up' within the clone's body while the real body remained empty, akin to an inanimate shell.>

Elowen's lips parted, and she glanced at Mikhailis, who nodded slowly.

"Sometimes I can... sort of transfer myself there," he added.

"The queen treats that clone as a 'Chimera King.' Apparently, my presence has caused a reaction, and whenever that body matures, the pheromones it emits attract all sorts of monsters. That's why we're always getting attacked." He sighed deeply.

"So it seems the prophecy wasn't about me dying directly but, rather, the danger was due to this whole cloning situation."

Elowen blinked, her face growing blank as she processed the weight of the revelation. She closed her eyes, her body stiffening before letting out a long sigh.

"So I... got all worked up over a misunderstanding...?"

Mikhailis, watching her eyes getting emptied like an airhead, couldn't help but laugh. He tried to cover it up with a cough, but it only made it worse, laughter bubbling up uncontrollably.

"M-Mikhailis!" Elowen stammered, her cheeks reddening, flustered.

She quickly turned, giving him a playful slap on his chest.

"D-Don't laugh!"

But his laughter only grew louder, and Elowen huffed, her face flushed in a mix of annoyance and embarrassment.

She pinched his cheeks, pulling at them until he managed to utter, "Ouch, ouch, sorry!" between his laughs.

Finally, Mikhailis grinned, rubbing his sore cheeks.

"So, how about it, wifey? Still worried that I'm going to lose my life?"

Elowen pouted, her lips twitching.

"Geez... do you really have to rub it in like that? Stupid husband."

He leaned back, still grinning cheekily.

"It's part of my charm."

She was still on his lap, and the closeness between them felt warm—comforting, as if the world had narrowed down to just the two of them. The tension of the last few days seemed to dissolve, giving way to a sense of serenity that neither had felt in what seemed like an eternity. The cave, though dimly lit, seemed to disappear around them, leaving only the soft glow of the moon and the stars above.

The sky was perfectly clear, the countless stars shimmering with a gentle light that bathed them in tranquility, almost as if the universe itself had paused to grant them this moment of peace.

The cool night air brushed against their skin, contrasting with the warmth they shared, and for a moment, it felt as though everything that had weighed them down was lifted, leaving only the unspoken connection between them.

The way Elowen's gaze softened as she looked into his eyes, her lips parting slightly, spoke volumes of the emotions they both harbored. Her fingers resting on his chest seemed to convey a silent promise—a longing for the comfort and safety they found in each other.

Elowen's gaze softened as she looked into his eyes, her fingers still resting on his chest.

"Mikhailis..."

Her eyes lowered to his lips, and she took a deep breath. She didn't say anything more, but she didn't need to. Mikhailis could see the longing in her gaze, the way her eyes flickered with emotions she could no longer hold back. Without wasting another moment, he leaned in, his lips finding hers.

It was soft at first—a gentle press of lips that conveyed all the unsaid words between them, the fear, the love, the longing. Then the kiss deepened, and Mikhailis wrapped his arms around her, pulling her even closer. Her hands moved to his neck, fingers tangling in his hair as she responded with a fervor that made his heart race.

For a moment, it felt like time had stopped—the worries, the dangers, the prophecy—they all melted away, leaving just the two of them under the starry night, wrapped in each other's warmth. And for that fleeting instant, there was nothing else they needed.

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