Chapter 8: Welcome Back, Mikhailis

Chapter 8: Welcome Back, Mikhailis "Welcome back, Mikhailis," Elowen's soft voice echoed through the grand hall, her golden eyes watching him with a hint of curiosity that he could see very much clearly. Very curious with my items now, aren't you? Mikhailis couldn't help but grin, brushing a hand through his messy hair as he took in the sight of her, standing regal and beautiful as always but with that unmistakable warmth she reserved just for him somehow. Wait, they are not that close yet, though. Is it just my imagination? "Thanks," he replied as he took a deep breath, feeling the fresh air that is clearly different from the modern world. "Brought a few things with me." He gestured toward the containers he had painstakingly packed. "You know, just the essentials—research gear, my AI, solar panels... and, of course, a portable air conditioner." He chuckled at the last part, knowing how out of place that sounded in this ancient, magical kingdom. Elowen raised an eyebrow. "I see you've come prepared." "Yup, can't be a prince consort without a little comfort, don't you think?" Mikhailis said with a wink, trying to hide the slight tension he felt. Even though he had prepared for this moment, stepping fully into his new life was still daunting. It's not an easy thing even for this eccentric prince. Well, former prince now. She chuckled on the sight of him, he could see her eyes glimmering with something he couldn't quite place. "I suppose not." Mikhailis exhaled slowly. The weight of his decision to leave his old life behind had lifted, replaced by a strange sense of peace. It's a feeling that he hasn't felt for quite a long time. This was real now, and for the first time, he felt like he was exactly where he needed to be. "Alright," he said, clapping his hands together and rubbing them as if ready for a big task. "Where do we start?" Elowen smiled, a small but knowing smile that somehow captivates him, and turned her head slightly toward the entrance. "Vyrelda," she called out firmly but gently. And through that call, the door swung open, and Vyrelda Thaeloris, Elowen's personal guard, strode in with her usual confident air. She shot a glance at Mikhailis, but her expression as skeptical as ever which made Mikhailis make a wry smile. "Your Majesty," Vyrelda greeted Elowen, though her gaze lingered on Mikhailis, still sizing him up as if he's an intruder. "Vyrelda will show you around the inner castle, Mikhailis," Elowen said, her tone formal now, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. She's enjoying this girl's suspicions towards me, isn't she? "She'll introduce you to the key areas of the castle and help you settle in." Mikhailis raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly toward Elowen. "You sure she's the best person for this? I mean, I get the feeling she's not my biggest fan." Vyrelda's lips twitched slightly, as if she was trying to suppress a smirk. "Trust me, I'm not," she said bluntly. Wow, no restraint at all, huh? "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to do my job." She tilted her head toward the containers Mikhailis had brought with him. "The guards will inspect your... items before they're taken to your chamber. Standard procedure." "Right, right," Mikhailis nodded, glancing at his belongings. There's nothing dangerous, so it's fine, I guess. "Just be careful with them, alright? Some of that stuff is fragile. Especially the aquarium. It's got my precious ant in there." He grinned, knowing full well the oddity of the situation. His brother's face flashed through his eyes for a moment. That's a good thing. Mikhailis raised his hands in a surrender pose. "Noted. I'll be on my best behavior then," Vyrelda gave him a final, pointed look before continuing the tour, leaving Mikhailis to wonder just how much he would need to prove to her. He wasn't particularly bothered, though. Winning people over was half the fun. Especially if it's a beauty like her. ___ While Mikhailis toured the castle, his containers remained in the grand hall, waiting to be inspected by the guards. They approached with caution, unsure of what to expect. The items Mikhailis had brought were unlike anything they had ever seen—sleek, black cases that clicked open in ways they didn't understand, strange gadgets with glowing screens, and wires that seemed to have no immediate purpose. One of the guards, a tall man with a rather stern face, opened the first case and frowned. "What is this stuff?" Another guard leaned in as he peered at the contents. "Looks like... tools? But none I've ever seen." "Definitely not weapons," the first guard muttered. He reached out and carefully picked up one of the instruments—some sort of small, intricate device with several moving parts. "This must be part of his... research?" As they moved through the containers, they came across more of the same—lab equipment, books filled with diagrams of insects, and strange devices that hummed softly when touched. "What do you think this is?" one guard asked, holding up a small, sleek box with buttons on one side. The other guard shrugged. "No idea. Just be careful. It looks harmless but it might be bad if we broke it, we don't want to make any trouble," Elowen, who had been observing quietly from the side, stepped forward. "Are any of these items dangerous?" she asked. Her tone is calm, but they could feel the queen's curiosity. The guards shook their heads in haste. "No, Your Majesty. They seem harmless. Just... foreign." Elowen nodded, feeling satisfied. She had expected as much from Mikhailis. His eccentric nature extended to every part of his life, even his belongings. But as the guards reached the last container, something unusual caught their eye. "Wait," one guard muttered, his hand hovering over a delicate piece of fabric nestled in the corner of the container. "What... is this?" "Hm?" Elowen immediately tensed up. As expected, does he hide something dangerous? The guard carefully lifted it out, revealing a piece of black lace, intricate and beautifully made. The fabric shimmered slightly in the low light of the hall. It's clearly a piece of clothing for woman. And considering that he's going to be a prince consort, it's obvious for who he brought that piece of clothing for. Elowen, seeing what the guard had found, couldn't help but laugh softly. "Well," she said, her voice filled with amusement. "It seems our prince consort has a rather... refined taste." The guard, flustered, quickly set the lingerie back into the container, his face turning red. "I-It doesn't seem dangerous, Your Majesty," he stammered. Elowen smiled and laughed, her laughter fading into a soft chuckle. "Of course, it's not dangerous. But it does tell me a little more about him than I expected." The guards exchanged awkward glances as they finished inspecting the rest of Mikhailis's items, careful not to disturb anything further. As they closed the last container, Elowen shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Wild, indeed," she murmured to herself. "I suppose he's as unpredictable as he seems."