"And here we are..." Mikhailis muttered, his voice bouncing off the walls of the royal chamber.
Alone.
Completely alone.
He let out a small chuckle, though it was more from disbelief than humor.
The large, grand room seed to mock him in its emptiness, the heavy silence pressing down like a weight on his shoulders. Well, this wasn't exactly how he pictured his first few days as Prince Consort.
"But well, it can't be helped, I guess?"
Rewind a bit—this wasn't a surprise. Elowen had warned him about it before she left. The mory of their conversation still felt fresh, almost like it had just happened.
"I'm sorry, Mikhailis," she had said, her golden eyes filled with a rare mix of regret and determination as they stood at the edge of the chamber's doorway.
"Don't worry about it," Mikhailis had waved it off with a smile.
"I know this is all part of the fun ga we call politics. I'm just disappointed I don't get to enjoy more of your company, honestly,"
Elowen had smiled faintly at that, but the weight of her words hadn't lifted.
"It's not that simple. For the next three days, you'll be confined to this room. It's a strategy—a maneuver. Politically, it's crucial,"
Mikhailis had raised an eyebrow, pretending to playfully mock her, though he understood what she ant.
"Confined, huh? What's the matter? Afraid I'll charm the whole kingdom while you're gone?"
Elowen had let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.
"In a way, yes. That's the issue. The title of Prince Consort isn't just ceremonial. Here in Silvarion, people are always looking for ways to take advantage of those in power, and with you being so... unknown, people will wonder how much influence you have. They'll start thinking of ways to use you, to align themselves with you, hoping to sway the crown's power."
"So this is your way of keeping them off my back?" Mikhailis had asked, his teasing tone giving way to genuine curiosity.
Elowen had nodded.
"Exactly. If they think you're stuck in this room, out of the loop, they'll drop any plans to conspire with you. And once they believe you're a harmless, no-good prince consort... well, that's when we'll strike. By the ti they realize you're not what they thought, it'll be too late."
He had grinned at her then, his expression shifting from playful to serious.
"I get it. You don't have to explain everything. I might look like an eccentric ani-loving goofball, but I'm not clueless, Elowen. I'll play the part, and I'll play it well. You have my word,"
Elowen had looked at him for a mont, her eyes softening.
"Thank you, Mikhailis," she had said quietly before leaning in to kiss him on the cheek.
"I'll return every night, but it might be very late. Until then... well, try not to get too bored."
And with that, she had left him alone in the royal chamber, the door clicking shut behind her.
Now, standing in the middle of the room, Mikhailis let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Three days in this room, huh?" he muttered to himself.
"Well, at least she could've left with a manual or sothing."
As if on cue, Rodion's voice chid in from the small device resting on Mikhailis's glasses. The familiar monotone voice filled the room, always dry, always punctual.
Mikhailis chuckled. "You know too well, Rodion."
"Of course she does," Mikhailis said with a grin.
"She's always thinking ahead. But I believe she's not as harsh as you, Rodion,"
Rodion replied, completely ignoring him.
"Yeah, go ahead. Let's make this day as productive as possible."
User Comments
0 comments from readers