The Smiling Death
Chapter 428: Spending Time With The Queen (1)
Currently, Amon stood in front of a huge door. Beautiful designs were crafted onto its surface, giving it a regal appearance.
Amon took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He raised his hand and knocked on the door.
With a respectful tone, he said, "Your Majesty, it’s me, Amon. I have come as you had asked."
A calm voice came from inside.
"Come in. The door is open."
Amon pushed the door with his hands. It slid open with a soft metallic sound.
Inside, the room was vast. It was larger than the one Amon was staying in for the night.
Not only larger, but far more beautiful and luxurious.
Tall, arched windows lined the walls, draped with heavy velvet curtains in deep royal hues—crimson, violet, and midnight blue—embroidered with golden thread.
It was night, so mana lamps were placed along the walls. Only one was lit, casting a soft glow rather than a bright light. It was enough to see everything clearly, while shadows danced gently along the carved walls.
At the center stood a grand canopy bed, slightly raised on a polished platform. Its four posts were intricately carved with vine patterns, and silken curtains flowed gracefully from the canopy.
A long mirror framed in gold stood near a dressing table, cluttered with delicate items such as perfume vials, silver combs, and jeweled hairpins.
On one side, a glass door stood slightly open. Cold wind drifted inside, and moonlight poured into the room, bathing everything in a pale glow.
There was also a private sitting area—a sofa placed near the wall.
Seated there was Queen Celestia.
In front of her was a small wooden table, upon which rested a bottle of wine.
She wore a black nightgown—a long, flowing garment made of soft silk, designed for comfort and modesty.
It covered her from neck to ankles, with loose full-length sleeves and a high, delicately embroidered collar.
The fabric draped lightly over her form, maintaining a graceful shape while allowing ease of movement. It caught the soft lamp light, giving off a faint glow– simple yet elegant.
Even so, it could not fully hide her striking figure. Her posture was composed, one leg crossed over the other as she sat elegantly.
Her long silver hair was tied in a loose ponytail that rested over her shoulder, and her crimson eyes were focused on the wine glass in her hand.
Without looking at him, she spoke calmly, "Don’t just stand there. Come and sit here."
Amon blinked slightly, then nodded. "Ah... yes."
He walked toward her and sat beside her, maintaining a respectful distance.
Celestia let out a quiet sigh and leaned back against the sofa.
With a relaxed expression, she said, "I like the night. I am mostly free at this time. No work, no interruptions. Just sitting here alone, drinking sweet wine while enjoying the view outside. Feeling the cold wind against my skin as the moonlight pours in."
Amon listened quietly, then nodded. "It’s... actually peaceful."
Celestia glanced at him briefly. "You think so too?"
Amon gave a small smile. "Yes. When I was a kid and living in a village, I used to go on walks with my parents. The villagers would sleep early, so there was no light... the only thing that lit up the village was the moon and the stars."
He turned his gaze toward the open window.
"The village was beautiful. Just a handful of houses, farms, and trees around it. Everything was calm. And the cold wind brushing against us..." His voice softened slightly. "I wish I could experience that again. But... in big cities, there are always people awake and places that never sleep."
Celestia nodded faintly. "True... the calmness you seek can only be found in a village. I suppose... I should visit one someday and take a proper vacation."
Amon smiled lightly. "That’s nice. Actually, in the Astron Dukedom, Duchess Elizabeth is planning to build a village for the people from the island. I will have a house there too. You can come as my guest in the future." He added with a playful tone, "Hehe~"
Hearing that, a faint but genuine smile appeared on Celestia’s face. "Sure. I will take you up on that offer."
She took a sip of her wine.
Then she looked at him. "Would you like some?"
Amon hesitated for a moment. He was eighteen now, old enough to drink something mild like wine.
And he had never tried it before. Even in his past life he never drank any kind of alcohol. So it will be his first time.
With a polite smile, he said, "I would be happy to share a drink with you."
Celestia leaned forward and placed her glass on the table. Another glass sat beside the bottle. She lifted the wine bottle and opened it.
Amon raised a hand slightly. "Wait, I can take it myself—" He wanted to stop her from doing such thing. He could do it by himself.
But she ignored him and calmly poured wine into the second glass before handing it to him.
"Thank you," Amon said, accepting it.
He brought the glass to his lips and took a sip. The cool, sweet liquid spread across his tongue.
He let out a soft breath. "Hah... it’s good. I like its taste. Its really a fine wine...actually it taste like a sweet juice."
Celestia observed him. "It seems you like it. This one is very expensive. I like its taste."
Amon nodded. "Yes, it is."
He finished the glass and poured himself another.
Celestia then leaned slightly forward, her gaze settling on him.
"Now... will you tell me about what you saw and experienced on the island?"
Amon paused for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I will tell you everything in detail."
’Here we go again,’ he thought inwardly.
Amon began recounting everything, occasionally taking sips of wine in between.
Celestia listened attentively, her red eyes fixed on him.
She didn’t interrupt. She listened to every word.
While Amon’s cheeks started to turn slightly pink. It seemed like he was getting drunk.