Chapter 78, second part the queen’s decision

Chapter 78: 78, second part the queen’s decision

78

the queen’s decision

Mirevra placed her hands on the table.

"Even if we accept, we need to know whether we can trust him."

Ariselle remained silent.

Seraphina looked at her mother.

"Mother."

The Queen raised her eyes.

"Speak."

"I trust him."

Vaelra let out a small laugh.

"After everything that has happened, you still say that?"

Seraphina did not back down.

"Yes."

Ariselle watched her daughter for several seconds.

"Then tell me everything."

Seraphina took a deep breath and began with their first encounter, telling them how she had been captured.

She told them about the attack.

She told them how the Necromancer had freed her and protected her life during the journey back.

She spoke about Lyria, about the escort to the Medusa territory, and about the moment when Yun Che decided to fight alongside them.

Then she explained the agreement she had made even before the Council accepted him.

"I promised him entry into the mausoleum."

Vaelra closed her eyes.

"I already knew that."

"But you didn’t know everything."

Seraphina continued.

"He could have simply demanded something after saving us. He didn’t. He negotiated."

Ariselle remained motionless. Seraphina then spoke about the three warriors and how he was still capable of accomplishing things that no one else could.

And about Yun Che preparing the resources they needed.

"He could have let those three die, but I told him that they were important to me. Because of me, he not only healed them, but also raised their cultivation for my sake."

Seraphina looked at the elders. The hall became silent. Vaelra then turned her gaze away.

Thesira remained serious. Nysara slowly closed the records she was holding.

Ariselle finally understood. Her daughter was not defending Yun Che simply because he was useful.

There was something more. Trust. Seraphina had trusted him when no one else did, and somehow, Yun Che had returned that trust.

Ariselle looked at her daughter.

"You truly believe that he will protect our people?"

"Yes, completely. And for the sake of our people, I think we should accept him and allow him to take care of us."

The answer left Ariselle silent, and slowly, the three hours passed.

Vaelra remained concerned about the dignity of the Medusas.

Nysara analyzed the resources that could be obtained through the mausoleum and the impact they would have on the war.

Thesira focused on the military possibilities.

Mirevra thought about the future.

And Ariselle tried to consider everything at once.

When the time finally ended, no one had found a better alternative.

Ariselle stood up.

"Let’s go."

The doors opened. Yun Che was outside.

Leaning against one of the pillars, he remained completely calm, as if he were not waiting for a decision capable of determining the future of an entire race.

The white mask continued to conceal his face. Ariselle approached him.

"If I accept, will you fulfill your part?"

"Of course. I always keep my promises."

"You will not destroy Medusa society?"

"I do not intend to interfere with your government."

Ariselle continued looking at him.

"And Seraphina?"

Yun Che remained silent for several seconds.

"Her oath remains valid."

Seraphina lowered her eyes. Ariselle took a deep breath. That was the final confirmation she needed.

She looked at the four elders. None of them spoke, and then she turned back toward Yun Che.

"We accept submission."

Seraphina’s expression immediately changed. Yun Che merely nodded.

"Then it is decided."

Ariselle raised her chin.

"But do not confuse submission with the loss of our dignity. Until you are strong enough to uphold this title, part of the agreement will remain concealed."

Yun Che answered without hesitation.

"Of course."

The Queen remained serious.

"As long as I rule, the Medusas will remain Medusas."

"As I already said, I do not intend to govern your people."

Ariselle nodded. The agreement was concluded. Yun Che closed his eyes for a moment.

"Finally."

Ariselle noticed the change in his posture.

"What happened?"

"It is time for us to form the pact of our agreement."

Silence reigned for several seconds, and neither of them said anything. Each was lost in their own thoughts.

She was still the Queen of the Medusas, but now there was an agreement between them, and according to the young man, they would have to seal their commitment not through a political wedding ceremony, but through a session of Dual Cultivation.

If the circumstances had been different and her people were not in danger, the Queen would never have accepted such an agreement. But since she, the Council, and her own daughter had already accepted it, all the Queen could do was swallow whatever discontent she felt and work for the sake of her people. And if the salvation of her people required her to become the young man’s woman, then she would.

From the moment she became Queen, she had known that she would have to make countless sacrifices, and that her body and her person would not always be under her control.

The Queen led the young man to her chambers. It was the most secluded place in the entire mountain range. She had ordered a golden throne to be built there, and she often simply sat on it so that no one would disturb her.

Before they could enter, the Queen turned toward the masked man and asked, looking into his eyes through the white mask:

"What is your name?"

It was a simple question, the kind someone asked when getting to know another person. She had realized that ever since she met him, she and everyone else had referred to the young man in two ways.

"Now that, technically, you are my... You know... I cannot simply call you Necromancer or Masked Man."

Yun Che merely nodded, unmoved, and a single word left his mouth.

"Yun Che."

After thinking for a moment, he spoke again.

"My name must not be used in public. Calling me Necromancer is fine."

The door to the Queen of the Medusas’ chambers slowly closed.

The sound of the wood fitting into the frame isolated that space from the entire territory.

Outside, soldiers still remained, along with the shadow of the approaching war.

Ariselle walked toward the center of the chamber with firm steps.

Her hair, formed by countless light-green serpents, moved slowly over her shoulders.

The dark-green dress with golden details embraced her body with wild elegance.

Yun Che remained near the door for a few seconds.

The white mask still covered his young, sharp face.

Then he removed it with deliberate calm.

Ariselle observed the face before her without looking away.

Only a few hours earlier, that man had faced the entire Council.

Now he stood before her in a completely different situation.

"These are my royal chambers. No one will disturb us here. Neither the Council nor my daughter. Other than me, no one has permission to enter here."

Yun Che nodded once.

Ariselle crossed her arms, causing the neckline to open slightly more.

"You said you needed Dual Cultivation to seal our agreement, correct?"

"Of course."

"But you didn’t explain exactly how it works."

Yun Che walked toward the center of the chamber.

"Because explaining is different from experiencing it. You will know exactly what to do when circulating energy. My technique is based on instinct and desire."

Ariselle narrowed her green eyes.

"You seem very confident that it will work."

"Then this is the first time I’ve done this."

The answer caused the Queen’s expression to change for a moment.

She approached until she was one step away from him.

"Dual Cultivation depends on spiritual circulation between two people of opposite sexes who are compatible."

"I understand that."

"Your energy will enter my circulation."

"And then?"

"My body will transform part of it into a form of energy that my core can absorb."

"So you are using my energy for your cultivation?"

"Exactly."