Chapter 612: King Alexander and Queen Persephone

Around the same time that Elion was having the best time of his life, late into the darkness of the night, King Alexander sat within the confines of his throne room upon his raised, lofty throne.

He was dressed in light but finely fashioned black-and-gold night attire, his right hand resting against the cold armrest of the throne, fingers curled into a loose fist upon which his tilted head rested.

His eyes were closed.

His body remained completely still, and if not for the quiet breath he took a moment later, one might have thought he was fast asleep.

Or perhaps that he was simply a statue.

In an odd contrast to the grandeur of the throne room, the torches lining the many towering pillars still burned with actual fire, their flickering flames providing the vast chamber with a dim, wavering light.

Mana-powered lights had long since become the more popular choice throughout the Human Kingdom, ever since they had been invented by the kingdom’s genius scholars within the Research and Development department of the Crafters’ Association in Ashford City.

But Alexander had never cared much for them.

He preferred fire, mostly because of the way the shadows danced whenever the flames shifted.

And so, the throne room remained as it had for years.

Then came a soft click.

A moment later, the enormous doors of the throne room began to open with a deep, booming creak that echoed throughout the otherwise silent chamber.

Alexander’s tranquil blue eyes slowly opened.

Without moving from his relaxed position, his gaze settled upon the person who had intruded upon his moment of peace.

The doors closed behind her, and Persephone walked forward, her silky white dress clinging elegantly to her hourglass figure as she crossed the vast throne room.

She didn’t stop until she stood just before the raised dais upon which Alexander’s throne rested, surrounded by several smaller thrones on either side.

"Husband..."

Persephone’s angelic voice echoed softly throughout the chamber as she looked up at him with a light smile.

Alexander looked at her, but he didn’t respond.

A moment later, he simply closed them again, as though her presence held little meaning to him.

Persephone did not seem the least bit offended by his disregard.

If anything, the corner of her lips lifted a little higher.

She began climbing the steps leading up to the dais, her bare footsteps falling softly against the beautiful red carpet embroidered with the Royal Family’s sigil.

"My bed is cold without my King in it." Alexander remained motionless. "Why don’t you come keep your Queen company?"

Her smile became slightly more playful.

"It’s been so long."

She stopped directly in front of his throne before turning gracefully and settling onto his lap, one arm resting lightly around his shoulders while her other hand came up to caress his bearded cheek.

Sadly for her, Alexander didn’t so much as twitch, though this time, he did answer.

"I don’t feel like sleeping tonight."

Persephone immediately scoffed.

"Of course you don’t." Her fingers brushed lightly through his beard. "Neither of us does, and you know perfectly well that’s not what I meant."

As a Saint, it was hardly surprising that sleep rarely troubled Alexander.

If he wished, he could remain awake for decades without suffering any meaningful consequence.

Persephone herself was a Sage.

Going several years without sleep was nothing unusual for her either.

Once again, Alexander remained quiet.

He knew what she meant, of course, but once again, he chose not to speak to her.

Realising that he wasn’t going to say anything, Persephone let the strap of her nightdress slip from her shoulder, exposing her cleavage, and slowly leaned closer, bringing her face toward his as she intended to kiss him.

But Alexander immediately turned his head to the side.

Persephone froze.

A shocked frown appeared on her face.

The two of them had been estranged ever since the birth of their third daughter, but this was the first time Alexander had reacted so strongly to one of her advances.

To say she was shocked would have been an understatement.

For several long moments, Persephone remained sitting on his lap, silently studying her King’s face as though hoping his calm expression might reveal something.

Anything at all, but it didn’t change in the slightest.

In the end, she slowly rose and stepped away from him.

By the time she descended from the dais, her eyes had already begun to glisten.

"I don’t know what I’ve done to upset you, Alexander..." Her voice was much quieter now. "But please don’t treat me like this. My heart can’t handle it."

Alexander said nothing.

Persephone’s fingers tightened slightly against the thin fabric of her dress, following up a statement that immediately contradicted her feigned ignorance.

"I know I haven’t been able to give you the heir you desire, but you can’t place the blame solely on me for that!"

Her voice rose near the end.

But when she looked back up at him and saw those same serene blue eyes staring down at her without so much as a flicker of emotion in them, something in her expression broke.

She almost choked on her own breath.

"Haaaaaa...."

A shuddering gasp escaped her lips before she bit down on them and quickly turned away. Without saying anything else, Persephone began walking briskly toward the doors.

She stopped only when she reached them.

For a moment, she simply stood there with her head lowered.

Then she closed her eyes and waited until the unshed tears threatening to spill over had finally receded.

Only then did she reach for the large handle, and she turned it herself. The massive door opened just enough for her to slip through.

Persephone stepped outside, then quietly pulled it shut behind her.

Once again, Alexander was alone. He went right back to closing his serene eyes, as though nothing had happened.

However, only a moment later, he opened his mouth.

"Show yourself, Michael," he said calmly. "I can sense your presence."

A light chuckle echoed throughout the entire throne room. Its source was impossible to identify.

The sound seemed to come from everywhere at once.

Then, high above near the vaulted ceiling, a brilliant, shimmering light suddenly ignited.

A moment later, a beautiful man who could only be described as angelic appeared in the air.