I won't fall for the queen who burned my world-Chapter 149: We have places to see

Malvoria woke before sunrise, as she always did. Instinct, discipline, a lifetime of war and responsibility ensured that sleep never held her long. But this time, as she sat up, she found herself hesitating.

A rare occurrence.

Elysia was still deep in sleep beside her, silver hair spilling across the pillow like a cascade of moonlight. Her face, usually sharp with defiance or amusement, had softened into something unguarded, something Malvoria had never quite seen before.

Her lips were slightly parted, her breathing slow and steady, and—Malvoria's lips twitched—she was making an expression that could only be described as comically ridiculous.

A faint scowl, as if even in sleep she were battling against something infuriating. Then, to Malvoria's surprise, Elysia muttered something incoherent under her breath before shifting slightly.

Malvoria leaned in just enough to catch the next words.

"...Damn demon... bossy... thinks she's so hot..."

A smirk tugged at Malvoria's lips. Oh?

Elysia huffed in her sleep, her brows knitting together as if locked in an imaginary argument. "Malvoria... smug... annoying..."

Malvoria rolled her eyes but found herself unwilling to look away just yet. You insult me in your sleep, princess? How charming.

She should turn away. Get up. Focus on the day ahead.

But she didn't.

Instead, she allowed herself a few stolen moments of silence, watching Elysia as the first hints of dawn painted soft gold across her silver hair. If only you knew how you looked right now—completely unguarded, completely at peace.

It was dangerous, this moment. Dangerous, the way Malvoria felt something stir in her chest.

Before she could linger too long, Elysia stirred, blinking up at her with bleary confusion.

Malvoria immediately straightened, standing as if caught doing something incriminating.

"Get up," she said, voice sharp and commanding, as if she hadn't been staring at her sleeping form just moments ago. "We have places to see."

Elysia groaned dramatically, flopping onto her back with all the grace of someone refusing to acknowledge the morning. "Even on a vacation, you're a control freak."

Malvoria scoffed. "Vacation? Who said anything about this being a vacation?"

Elysia peeked at her through one half-open eye. "So, what, you planned a mandatory hike for your dear wife? How romantic."

Malvoria arched a brow. "You seemed eager yesterday."

Elysia grumbled something incoherent before finally sitting up, running a hand through her tangled hair.

Malvoria's eyes flickered to her bare shoulder where the fabric of her sleep shirt had slipped, exposing the faint marks left from their more... intimate moments.

Heat curled at the base of Malvoria's spine, but she forced her gaze away.

Elysia stretched with a yawn before looking at Malvoria with barely concealed suspicion. "Fine, fine, I'm up. What's the plan?"

Malvoria turned toward the small storage space where their supplies were kept. "We leave in an hour. Get ready."

Elysia groaned again but dragged herself up, muttering under her breath about "unreasonable demon queens" as she trudged toward the bathing area.

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Malvoria smirked. "Do you complain this much every morning?"

Elysia shot her a glare over her shoulder. "No, just when my alleged wife makes me get up at an ungodly hour to go traipsing through the mountains."

"You should be honored," Malvoria teased. "Not many people can claim they've been woken up by me."

Elysia scoffed. "Yeah, I feel so special." She grabbed her fresh clothes and moved toward the small washing area of the cabin. "I'm showering first."

Malvoria leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Go ahead."

Elysia paused mid-step, suspicious. "What? No argument?"

Malvoria shrugged. "It's not like I haven't seen you naked before."

Elysia made a strangled noise, face instantly heating. "That's—that's not the point!"

Malvoria smirked. "Oh? Then what is?"

Elysia scowled. "The point is you're annoying."

"And yet, you keep spending time with me." Malvoria's smirk widened.

Elysia huffed and disappeared behind the door, slamming it shut with unnecessary force.

Malvoria chuckled, shaking her head. Too easy.

As she waited, she busied herself preparing their packs for the day ahead, adjusting straps and ensuring their supplies were balanced properly. She'd take most of the weight, naturally—Elysia was strong, but Malvoria was far stronger.

The thought of Elysia struggling under the weight of a pack was amusing, though. Stubborn as she is, she'd probably rather fall on her face than admit she needs help.

Malvoria sighed, shaking her head. Why am I thinking about her so much?

She was used to battles, strategy, conquest. Not... whatever this was. But as she adjusted the straps of Elysia's bag, something unfamiliar settled in her chest.

She was helping her. Not because she had to, not because it benefited her kingdom, but because she wanted to.

That realization was unsettling.

By the time Elysia emerged, hair damp and skin freshly scrubbed, Malvoria had already packed their things. She watched as Elysia pulled on her boots, adjusting the laces with sharp, determined movements.

"You're sulking again," Malvoria observed.

Elysia didn't look up. "I am not."

Malvoria smirked. "You are. Because I didn't let you carry anything."

Elysia tied the last lace aggressively. "I can carry things, Malvoria."

Malvoria hummed. "Mmm."

Elysia glared. "You don't believe me."

"Oh, I do," Malvoria drawled. "I just prefer to let you believe that I don't. It's more entertaining that way."

Elysia groaned, rubbing her temples. "Unbelievable."

Malvoria chuckled and tossed Elysia's pack at her. "Don't pout. You can carry that."

Elysia caught it and shouldered it with exaggerated dignity. "Good. Finally."

Malvoria shook her head with amusement. "You're lucky I find your tantrums amusing."

Elysia stuck her tongue out at her before brushing past and stepping outside.

Malvoria followed, feeling—annoyingly—lighter than usual.

As they walked, she found herself stealing glances at Elysia. At the way the early morning light kissed the silver of her hair, at the sharp defiance in her every step.

And at the way—despite everything—Elysia had taken the bag without question. Without real complaint.

Malvoria let out a slow breath.

Perhaps this hike would be more interesting than she had anticipated.