The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort-Chapter 275: The Exhausted Eccentric Prince

The quiet of the forest enveloped Mikhailis and Cerys as they slipped through the shadows, guided by the faint glow of his glasses. Rodion’s meticulous mapping ensured they avoided every potential passerby and noisy branch. It was almost unsettling how seamlessly the AI integrated into the world, despite its origin.

Too seamless, Mikhailis thought, a hint of pride laced with wariness.

Beside him, Cerys walked with a relaxed confidence, her steps silent and measured. Her earlier weariness had evaporated, replaced by a teasing energy. She glanced at him, her green eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

"You look like you’ve been hit by a carriage," she whispered, her tone both playful and sincere.

Mikhailis let out a quiet chuckle, adjusting his collar. "I’ll have you know I was a willing participant in last night’s… activities. A gentleman doesn’t complain."

Cerys smirked, brushing a stray strand of crimson hair from her face. "You call looking half-dead being a gentleman? Maybe I should’ve gone easier on you."

He gave her a sidelong glance, his grin widening despite his exhaustion. Bold talk from someone who passed out first.

<Do remind her that her unconscious state was a direct result of excessive physical exertion,"> Rodion interjected, his tone as matter-of-fact as ever.

Not now, Rodion, Mikhailis thought back, stifling a groan.

They reached the inn without incident, slipping inside with practiced ease. The common room was dark, the faint embers of a dying fire casting flickering shadows across the walls. Mikhailis paused at the base of the stairs, glancing at Cerys as she headed toward her room.

"Get some rest," she murmured, her voice softer now. "You need it more than I do."

He nodded, watching as she disappeared into the dim corridor. Turning toward his own room, he muttered, "Rest sounds like a dream."

The door creaked softly as he pushed it open, stepping into the familiar space. The faint scent of lavender lingered in the air, a comforting reminder of Lira’s meticulous attention to detail. He had barely taken a step inside when a familiar voice greeted him.

"Good morning, Your Highness."

Mikhailis froze, his hand still on the door. Lira stood by the window, her elegant figure silhouetted against the pale light of dawn. Her long black ponytail cascaded over her shoulder, and her piercing gaze met his.

"You look terrible," she said, her tone calm but with a trace of sarcasm.

"Good to see you too, Lira," he replied, closing the door behind him. "Always a pleasure to be greeted with such warmth."

She approached him with measured steps, her sharp eyes scanning his face. "You’re pale, disheveled, and clearly exhausted. What happened?"

Mikhailis waved a hand dismissively, sinking onto the edge of the bed. "Just a rough night. Nothing a good nap won’t fix."

Lira raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Rough night? Or reckless decisions?"

He leaned back, throwing an arm over his eyes. "Can’t it be both?"

She sighed, crossing her arms. "You’re impossible. If you won’t take care of yourself, at least let me help."

"Lira, I’m fine," he said, though his voice lacked conviction. "Just need a little time to… recuperate."

Her gaze softened slightly, though her tone remained firm. "Rest now. You have a meeting soon, and I’ll not have you collapsing halfway through it."

Mikhailis chuckled weakly. "Yes, ma’am."

_____

Later that morning, the largest room in the inn buzzed softly with the murmur of footsteps and the faint scrape of chairs as Mikhailis and his companions gathered. The room, dimly lit by the morning sun filtering through thin curtains, carried an air of subdued tension. Mikhailis settled into the head seat, his movements deliberate despite the exhaustion etched into his face. Beside him, Cerys leaned back in her chair, her eyes sharp and alert, while Lira, poised as always, stood beside him with her hands clasped lightly in front of her. The rest of the group took their places around the sturdy wooden table, their expressions a mix of curiosity and unease. The weight of unspoken questions hung thick in the air, waiting for someone to cut through the silence.

Mikhailis let out a small sigh and leaned forward, clasping his hands together as he surveyed the room. "Alright," he began, his voice steady but carrying the edge of lingering fatigue. "Let’s get down to business." He straightened, a subtle shift that seemed to draw everyone’s attention. The murmurs quieted, and all eyes turned to him.

"The envoy from Serewyn’s Prince Laethor has provided some preliminary details," he continued, his gaze sweeping the room to gauge their reactions. "Specific numbers, comprehensive maps, and contingency plans—those were our terms for even considering their proposal. I made it clear we won’t commit to anything without full transparency." His tone sharpened as he emphasized the last words, leaving no room for doubt about his resolve.

As he spoke, Rodion’s faint glow illuminated the side of his glasses, a subtle presence that only Mikhailis noticed. The AI’s real-time updates streamed quietly across his lens, offering a reassuring backdrop to the conversation. The projection was invisible to the others, but its impact on Mikhailis’s confidence was palpable. He gestured slightly, as though tapping into an unseen resource. "I’ve confirmed that they’ve agreed to provide everything we asked for: detailed forces on both sides, maps of Verent Vale, and risk assessments."

He gestured to Rodion’s projection on his glasses, the faint glow casting a subtle light over his features.

<The envoy has agreed to provide the following:

Specific Numbers: Detailed reports on the forces involved on both sides, including the League’s strength and Serewyn’s contributions.Maps: Comprehensive maps of Verent Vale, highlighting strategic locations, suspected outposts, and environmental hazards.Contingency Plans: Backup strategies for unexpected challenges, including potential traps or ambushes.>

Mikhailis leaned forward slightly, his eyes scanning the faces around the table, gauging their reactions. "We’ve made it clear from the beginning," he began, his voice calm but resolute, "our mission is agricultural aid—not war. Lending our strength to someone else’s fight? That’s not what we’re here for." He paused, letting his words sink in, his gaze lingering on Lira and Cerys before sweeping over the rest of the group. "This isn’t our battle, and it never was." His tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt, yet there was a quiet empathy in his delivery that softened the edge, ensuring his words didn’t alienate or dismiss. The room seemed to exhale collectively, the tension in the air easing slightly.

The room buzzed with quiet murmurs as the group processed his words. Lira was the first to speak, her tone calm but firm.

""Waiting for Prince Laethor aligns with our agreement," Lira began, her tone calm and deliberate, yet carrying the weight of her conviction. Her sharp gaze swept over the group as she continued, "We entered this arrangement with clear terms, and we shouldn’t deviate from our original purpose. Agricultural reforms were the focus from the start, and they should remain our only focus." She crossed her arms, her posture unyielding, yet the glimmer of concern in her eyes revealed her underlying thoughts. "Our neutrality isn’t just a shield—it’s our responsibility to maintain it, especially in a place as politically volatile as Serewyn. Letting ourselves be pulled into someone else’s conflict is the quickest way to undo everything we’re trying to accomplish here." Her words hung in the air, resonating with an undeniable truth that left the room in a contemplative silence."

Cerys nodded, her voice measured. "Engaging in conflict risks everything. Neutrality is our strongest position. We’re here to help, not to choose sides."

Others chimed in, echoing similar sentiments. The consensus was clear: they would not be drawn into the political turmoil of Serewyn.

____

The sharp sound of a knock pierced the subdued atmosphere, halting their conversation mid-flow. The group turned as one, their attention shifting to the door just as it creaked open. The innkeeper stepped inside with an air of subdued formality, his gaze respectfully lowered as he approached Mikhailis. In his outstretched hand, he held a sealed letter, its wax insignia unmistakably bearing the mark of the envoy, Arvel.

"A message for you, Your Highness," the innkeeper murmured, bowing slightly as he handed the letter to Mikhailis.

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Mikhailis took the envelope with a faint nod, his fingers brushing over the smooth surface of the wax seal. He turned it over, inspecting the symbol for a brief moment before cracking it open with a deliberate motion. The room seemed to hold its breath as he unfolded the parchment, his sharp eyes scanning the contents quickly.

"More correspondence from our cautious friend," he remarked dryly, the corner of his lips tugging into a wry smile. His voice, though light with sarcasm, carried an undercurrent of curiosity. He cleared his throat, straightened in his seat, and read aloud:

"To His Highness Mikhailis and esteemed companions,

Due to the sensitive nature of our mission, I must request your presence in the city nearest Serewyn’s capital. Prince Laethor will join you there in two days’ time for further discussions. Stealth is paramount; an escort would draw unwanted attention. My deepest apologies for any inconvenience."

As he finished, he let the letter rest on the table, his fingers tapping lightly against the wood as his mind worked through the implications. The group exchanged glances, the tension palpable.

"A city near the capital," Mikhailis murmured, leaning back in his chair. His tone was laced with both intrigue and skepticism. "They’re really leaning into the whole stealth operation, aren’t they?"

Cerys leaned forward, her brows knitting together in concern. "It’s a bold move. Moving closer to the capital increases the risk of exposure. Any wrong step could compromise the mission."

Lira, ever composed, added with her characteristic calm, "It also underscores the importance of this meeting. If the prince himself is attending, it may mean he values our involvement more than we initially assumed."

Mikhailis nodded slowly, his gaze shifting toward the window where the first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains. "Rodion," he said quietly, the name slipping from his lips with ease. "Map out the safest route. Prioritize discretion—no main roads or high-traffic areas."

<Acknowledged. Calculating optimal path. Results will be available shortly.>

As the group exchanged final thoughts and began to disperse to prepare for the journey ahead, Mikhailis lingered in his seat, his eyes distant. The faint glow of dawn painted the horizon, casting long shadows across the room. His fingers brushed absently against the edge of the letter as a weighty thought settled over him.

Agriculture may be the reason we’re here, he mused silently, his gaze narrowing with a mixture of determination and unease, but something tells me this mission is about more than crops.

He crossed his arms, his gaze narrowing as determination settled over him. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it with the same sharp mind and unrelenting resolve that had brought him this far.