Demon Lord: Erotic Adventure in Another World

Meanwhile, in the distant forest of the Elven kingdom...

A beautiful woman floats against a wooden wall, floating in a large bath of hot, steaming water. Her charm and elegance were far beyond a normal person. She resembled Ciela and Orina slightly, with long creamy ears, a soft smile and beautiful green eyes along with her glossy blonde hair.

"My Queen, are you sure that this is the best method? Her Highness Ar'Orina is known for her desire to rise; she will surely not treat Princess Ar'Ciela well."

To the side of the beautiful woman, a blue-haired elven woman with soft blue eyes knelt with a bare body, pouring the queen a dark drink slowly, with a solemn look on her face.

"Runa, do not worry. Neither of those girls is weak or stupid. Orina might seek the throne and display disdain for her sister. However, if given the choice between letting her suffer and helping her, she would choose the latter. Though she might test her out of anger since Orina was the one hurt most when Ciela left."

"My Queen... are you certain?"

"Yes, I have absolute faith in my children, and no matter how much I would love to hold onto her forever, Ciela is not fated to stay with me forever. I believe Ar'Ciela will return home one day, but not now—the spirits of the forest have already conferred to me a vision of the future. I saw our beloved Ciela and her partner, shall bring significant change upon this forest."

Runa's eyes widened in shock, but her queen's expression did not change. "But My Queen, what of the engagement proposition that the council have arranged?!" She gasped, worried because the people arranged were men with the worst rumours and habits.

"There is no need to worry. The council is just trying to use the young one as a political tool. If Ar'Ciela accepts this arrangement, she will be taken away from the kingdom and suffer greatly. Which is not what the spirits or I desire, not to mention that man... the one who has changed her so greatly, will never stand for this. He is not someone we should seek to oppress, Runa."

"But then, how shall we ensure her safety, My Queen? That monster... is too powerful."

"The same way the ancestors did, and the same way the forest has decided to do it, by giving them the blessing of the forest, our goddess doesn't seem to wish either of those girls to suffer. Though Orina might suffer a little, she will come out of this event stronger. I only hope that the man beside Ciela is strong enough now to resist those knights who keep my daughters under watch."

The warm water flowed down her silken hair as Runa began to massage the most luscious and sweet honey extract through her long golden strands. Runa was in a state of shock. Not only was her queen being exceptionally kind to Ar'Ciela, but she began to speak highly of this mysterious man.

"I will prepare for the return of Her Highness Orina. Do you truly believe we will meet Princess Ciela once again, My Queen?"

"Yes, I have full confidence. In fact, I expect to see Ciela again within the next few years, Runa."

"But, My Queen, there is a matter of urgency that I must ask you to consider."

Queen Sarina tilted her head while curling her lips into a faint smile while Runa began to massage her arms, the soft white suds bubbling across her beautiful skin. "Tell me, my dear child, what is the matter?"

"My Queen, the young princess cannot return alone because of the council..."

Runa's face looked concerned as she gently massaged the soft hands of her queen; her delicate features looked slightly recessed because of her current ailment, which made the blue-haired elf show great concern. The truth was Runa was another daughter of the Queen. However, she didn't have a royal rank—instead served her mother as a private servant after being saved from a life of exile.

"I do not care about those fools—they have sold the forest over to that monster because I am sick. I will deal with those fools later. There are no others who I trust more than you, Orina and Ciela—the three of you are my precious daughters."

"But the council has spies everywhere, My Queen."

"They will not get to my girls, not while I still live. I have prepared an army to defend the borders. We will wait until the right moment, Runa. Those fools will never think that I would willingly allow Ciela to leave or reject the proposal, but that useless garbage can dream if he wishes to marry any of my daughters!"

"!!!"

Runa's eyes opened wide in shock, and her heart thumped like a drum as she stared at the eyes of her beautiful queen.

"I will protect my children! That is a promise I will never break. Of course, that includes you, Runa—when we are alone, do not call me 'My Queen'. Call me Mother since Orina is gone; you are all I have."

"Mother, I..."

"If anything happens, you have the right to leave, Runa. But you are also my child, and I want you to be happy. I will do everything in my power to ensure you are free to live the life you desire."

The Queen's green eyes resembled Ciel the moment she made that statement, her long fingers wrapped around Runa's face, and with a gentle smile, she continued. "I swear upon my pact with the goddess of Elves and our beloved world tree. From today on, I acknowledge you as the next successor after Orina. No longer do you need to hide or play the faithful servant to me, Runa."

"But... Why?! I'm not as strong as Orina, and I cannot even control my emotions properly, let alone the forest. Mother, I cannot..."

"You are my child. You have every right to claim the title, and I have the right to choose you, not some old men."

"Mother..."

"I know you are scared, Runa, but trust me, my dear child. You are just as special as they are. Fufu, look at your confused look—forgive me for taking so long to treat you like a daughter I..." *cough* *cough*

"Mother, please stop speaking. You have already spoken enough." Runa's face flushed in shame.

The Queen's expression did not change, and instead, a satisfied smile appeared on her face despite blood dripping from the corner of her lips as she turned pale. Her current state was symptoms of her ailment, and almost no medicine in the elven kingdom could fix it.

"Mother! You must rest now. I will tell the court to send a messenger to Her Highness Ar'Orina; there is no need for you to exert yourself anymore."

"Runa, there is no need... Leave those fools stewing in their cesspool of deceit."

Runa helped her mother out of the pool and brought her to the queen's bedchamber, helping her dry with a firestone before leaving the Queen to rest as she left the room.

She looked back with her eyes drooping.

'Mother... why did you take so long... If I knew this was how you felt, I would never have accepted the deal of those selfish old men... What have I done...'