The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

The common room's low hum of voices and occasional clink of mugs against tables stilled as the door creaked open. All heads turned toward the newcomer. Cloaked in dark, finely woven fabric that seemed to absorb the light, the figure stepped inside, his movements deliberate but unthreatening. The soft thud of boots against the wooden floor echoed faintly, each step measured as if to avoid alarming the gathered patrons.

Mikhailis, slouched in his chair, tilted his head lazily, adjusting his glasses with an air of indifference that belied the sharpness of his scrutiny. The faint glow of Rodion's interface danced on the lenses, invisible to anyone else. His gaze swept over the emissary from head to toe, noting every detail with the precision of a detective piecing together a puzzle.

The man's cloak was finely woven, its hem subtly frayed, suggesting frequent travel despite its luxurious material. His boots, polished yet showing faint scuffs at the soles, hinted at someone accustomed to both formal settings and rough terrain. The clasp of his cloak bore an insignia—a silver crest with intricate engravings, untouched by tarnish, signaling his official status. His hands, clasped in front of him, were clean but not soft; faint calluses on his fingers betrayed a history of handling something more practical than quills.

He's no mere court messenger, Mikhailis mused, adjusting his posture slightly.

This one's seen more than just council chambers. Military training, perhaps?

<Correct. Preliminary analysis indicates disciplined movements and a history of physical conditioning. Likelihood of formal combat training: 72%.>

Mikhailis's lips curved into the faintest of smirks.

And here I thought it was just another pompous envoy. This might actually be worth my time.

The figure stopped a few steps from the table, lowering his hood to reveal a man in his late thirties, with sharp features and graying hair swept back neatly. His eyes, though calm, held a quiet intensity. He bowed deeply, his hands clasped together respectfully.

The emissary stepped forward with deliberate grace, his posture exuding a sense of solemnity and purpose. With a slow, respectful bow that brought his torso nearly parallel to the floor, he clasped his hands in front of him, palms upward as if offering reverence. His eyes, calm and steady, lifted to meet Mikhailis's gaze without a hint of defiance, only an earnest recognition of his station.

"Your Highness, Prince Consort of Silvarion Thalor," he began, his tone even and imbued with a formality that resonated through the room like the toll of a bell. The words were measured, not hurried, each syllable carrying the weight of their significance.

"I bring word from Prince Laethor's court."

He paused, giving Mikhailis and the room time to absorb the declaration. Even the firelight seemed to soften, as though in respect for the moment. The emissary's posture remained impeccable, his hands still clasped, as though awaiting permission to proceed. There was no arrogance in his demeanor, only the quiet confidence of a man who understood the gravity of his task and sought to honor it. His every movement seemed calculated to convey respect, not only for the title Mikhailis bore but for the man himself.

The room seemed to hold its breath. Even the crackling fire in the hearth felt muted. Mikhailis sat up slightly, his expression unreadable.

"That's quite the introduction," he said lightly, his voice carrying just enough amusement to diffuse the tension.

"Let's skip the formalities, shall we? You've got everyone's attention. What's this about?"

The emissary produced a small, ornate insignia from his cloak and placed it carefully on the table. The crest of Prince Laethor shimmered faintly under the flickering light. It was unmistakable, a mark of legitimacy.

"I am Arvel, a trusted envoy of Prince Laethor," the man continued. "I bring urgent matters of diplomacy and strategy. The prince believes your presence here could play a pivotal role in addressing Serewyn's plight."

Lira, standing just behind Mikhailis, arched an eyebrow, her usual composed demeanor betraying a flicker of curiosity. Cerys, leaning against a nearby wall with her arms crossed, narrowed her eyes but said nothing. Estella, seated across from Mikhailis, studied Arvel intently, her fingers drumming lightly on the table's edge.

Mikhailis rested his chin on his hand, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Pivotal role, huh? Flattering. But let's get to the point, Arvel. What's so dire that it couldn't wait?"

Arvel's posture remained impeccable, his tone unwavering.

"Serewyn is on the brink of collapse," Arvel began, his tone calm but weighted with significance.

"The prince's faction faces mounting internal division, a schism deepened by differing ideologies among its members. Moderates push for negotiation with the League, believing temporary concessions can buy us time to regroup, while hardliners argue that any compromise equates to surrender. Meanwhile, the Technomancer League thrives, their influence spreading unchecked like a poison. The mist that blankets our lands, once a mere natural disaster, has become a calculated tool of manipulation, its density and spread coinciding too closely with the League's machinations to be coincidence." He paused, his gaze unwavering as he glanced at each face at the table, measuring their reactions.

Mikhailis leaned back slightly, his sharp gaze never leaving Arvel.

So, they're playing puppet master. But who's really pulling the strings? Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

<Analysis suggests correlation between increased mist density and League-controlled regions. Probability of deliberate interference exceeds 80%, aligning with historical precedents of engineered environmental disruption as a control mechanism. That's what he meant by his utterings>

Arvel pressed on, his voice steady but edged with urgency.

"The mist's effects are devastating—agriculture has failed in key regions, trade routes are no longer viable, and the populace grows restless. Each crisis feeds into the next, creating a cycle of dependency that the League exploits mercilessly. Aid is offered, but always at a cost: high-interest loans, skewed trade agreements, and covert political influence. They infiltrate local governance under the guise of assistance, embedding themselves until removal becomes nearly impossible."

Lira's calm expression tightened, her sharp eyes reflecting an unspoken understanding of the stakes. Estella's lips pressed into a thin line, her fingers tapping lightly against the table's edge, betraying her own concerns. Cerys remained stoic, though the faint furrow of her brow suggested she was weighing Arvel's every word with careful deliberation.

Mikhailis's smirk flickered briefly as he tilted his head, his mind racing to decipher the implications.

They're not just exploiting a disaster—they're manufacturing a dependency. Clever, but dangerous. And if Laethor's faction can't unite, they're playing right into the League's hands.

<The League's tactics are consistent with hegemonic exploitation models. Primary objective: destabilize to dominate. Without coordinated opposition, Serewyn's autonomy will erode entirely within three cycles.>

"The League's emissaries operate in shadows," Arvel continued, his voice lowering as though aware of unseen listeners.

"They've established a suspected outpost near Verent Vale—an area where the mist's density has inexplicably intensified. This location is pivotal, not only for its proximity to key trade routes but also for its symbolic importance. Neutralizing it could disrupt the mist's spread and send a message that Serewyn will not be so easily subdued."

The words hung in the air, heavy and unspoken. Mikhailis's eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses, though his voice remained casual.

"Go on," he said, gesturing for Arvel to continue.

"The prince's court is fractured," Arvel explained, stepping closer to the table.

"Moderates advocate for negotiation with the League, hoping to stabilize what remains of our resources. Hardliners, however, see diplomacy as surrender. They would rather sever all ties and gamble on complete independence. This division paralyzes our efforts."

"Sounds like a mess," Mikhailis remarked, leaning back.

Why is it always politics with these people?

Arvel's lips pressed into a thin line.

"It is worse than that. The League exploits our desperation. They offer aid with crippling terms—loans that cannot be repaid, trade agreements that strip us of autonomy, and covert influence over our governance. Their emissaries embed themselves in key regions, consolidating control."

Estella frowned, her sharp eyes darting to the map Arvel unfurled on the table. The parchment was marked with annotations—lines, circles, and symbols indicating areas of significance. Arvel pointed to a spot near Verent Vale.

"Here lies a suspected covert outpost," he said.

"The mist originates naturally, but its increasing density cannot be explained by natural phenomena alone. Intelligence suggests an external source amplifies it. If true, neutralizing this outpost could weaken the mist and disrupt the League's operations."

Rodion's voice hummed softly in Mikhailis's ear.

<Analyzing. Likelihood of external manipulation: 78%. Target significance: high. Strategic disruption potential: considerable.>

Mikhailis's smirk grew faintly sharper.

I'm starting to like you, Arvel.

"So, what's the catch?" he asked aloud, folding his arms.

Arvel's expression tightened ever so slightly.

"The outpost lies in contested territory. A strike against it, if mishandled, risks escalating tensions into open conflict. Moreover, infiltrating the area without arousing suspicion requires precision. The prince's forces are stretched thin. We… need your help."

"How flattering," Mikhailis replied with a dry chuckle.

"You're asking us to stick our necks out for your war, but what's in it for us?"

Arvel met his gaze steadily.

"Success would stabilize the region and weaken the League's grip. In return, the prince offers an alliance—a chance to secure trade routes and mutual defense agreements with Serewyn."

Mikhailis's mind raced as Rodion chimed in.

<Potential advantages: regional influence, access to agricultural recovery, strengthened political ties. Risks: exposure of covert assets, resource depletion, possible betrayal.>

Estella leaned forward, her tone cautious.

"And if the outpost is a trap?"

"Then," Arvel said gravely, "we shall all have gambled and lost."

Silence fell over the room as the weight of his words settled. Mikhailis's gaze shifted to each member of his group. Lira's elegant calm remained unbroken, though her sharp eyes reflected careful consideration. Cerys's expression stayed stoic, but the subtle tension in her shoulders betrayed her unease. Estella's lips pressed into a thin line, her mind clearly working through the implications.

"We'll need more than vague promises," Mikhailis said finally, his tone cool but firm.

"If we're to consider this, I'll need specifics. Numbers. Maps. Contingencies. And let's be clear—trust is earned, not freely given. I'm invited here as a researcher in the first place, not to become an additional fighting prowess support,"

Arvel inclined his head.

"Understood. I shall provide everything within my power. But time is not on our side, Your Highness."

Mikhailis's smirk returned, faint but confident.

"It never is."

____

As Arvel departed, the room remained steeped in an uneasy silence. Mikhailis leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. The faint hum of Rodion's data streams filled his glasses, highlighting potential strategies and risks.

Two options: diplomacy or aggression. Can't afford to pick the wrong one.

Noted. Let's not scare the locals by mentioning the bug brigade.

He glanced at his companions. Estella and Lira exchanged quiet words, their expressions thoughtful. Cerys's sharp gaze lingered on Arvel's map, while Vyrelda's arms remained crossed, her skeptical glare fixed on Estella.

"Alright," Mikhailis said, breaking the silence.

"Thoughts?"

Vyrelda's voice was the first to cut through.

"You're trusting a merchant with our lives? What guarantee do we have she's not playing both sides?"

Estella's calm mask faltered slightly, her gaze narrowing.

"My interests align with His Highness's. If you can't see that, it's your problem."

Mikhailis raised a hand, his voice firm but light.

"Easy, Vyrelda. Estella's proven herself useful so far. Until she gives me a reason not to, I'll trust her. And if she betrays us…" He flashed a grin, sharp as a blade.

"I'll take full responsibility."

Vyrelda's gaze hardened, but she said nothing further. Estella's posture straightened, though a faint blush crept into her cheeks. Lira, ever composed, allowed herself the faintest of smiles.

"So, we're doing this?" Cerys asked, her voice level.

"Looks like it," Mikhailis replied. His smirk softened slightly, his tone turning reflective.

"We've been through worse. Besides, I'm starting to think this whole 'prince consort' gig might actually get more interesting."