THE EMPRESS'S PALACE
Evo and Elizabeth, together with the elven captain, walked through the grand corridor of the Empress's palace, heading toward their meeting. Elizabeth and the knight moved through those corridors completely at ease; for Evo, however, the situation was quite different.
– What does the Empress want with me? – Evo wondered internally, a little worried.
He was certain he hadn't done anything to displease her, and the two had never met in their lives. They had no connection whatsoever. There was no reason for her to summon him, and that was exactly what bothered him. Something told him he was walking straight into trouble.
They continued in silence for a few minutes until they reached a reserved room. The elf stopped in front of the door, and Elizabeth and Evo halted just behind him, waiting.
Toc! Toc! – The elf knocked gently on the door.
– Empress, the two of them are here as ordered!
– Enter – a voice was heard from the other side of the door.
That seductive voice stirred something inside Evo. It conveyed serenity and wisdom. Evo didn't even need to pass through the door to know he would have to be ten times more careful in that woman's presence.
The guard turned the doorknob, giving the two permission to enter.
– Miss Elizabeth and our guest, please come in! – He stepped aside respectfully, while Elizabeth smiled brightly and rushed through the door.
She entered hurriedly yet gracefully, her eyes fixed on the center of the room, where two large, beautiful sofas faced each other, separated by a crystalline table. Between them stood an elegant light-blue armchair, positioned at the far end between the sofas. Seated there was a woman: Ilytrha Eldarvon, Empress of the Elven Continent.
Her long, sun-golden hair cascaded down to her waist. Her emerald-green eyes shone with wisdom and power. Her presence purified the room, bringing a sense of tranquility even greater than that of the continent itself. Her voluptuous, sinful body stood out; her large breasts were emphasized by the tight-fitting dress, with a V-shaped opening at the center.
When Elizabeth saw her, she walked over and hugged her tightly, their emotions overflowing, revealing just how happy they were in that moment.
– Aunt! – Elizabeth buried herself in Ilytrha's arms, who embraced her with a gentle smile.
– My Eli, it's so good to see you! – she said, her words filled with longing.
Only the two of them knew how much they had suffered. The troubles of the past, left behind by Elizabeth's mother and Ilytrha's sister, still lingered. To the people of the kingdom and many nobles, Ilytrha was Elizabeth's mother. This was a secret known only to a few, all of them supporters of absolute trust in the Empress.
They pulled apart smiling, and Elizabeth sat down on the sofa beside her.
– How is your life as an instructor going? – the Empress asked, full of curiosity.
Elizabeth adjusted her posture on the sofa and looked into her aunt's eyes.
– It's going very well!
– My life is always full of surprises.
– The art of teaching has given me many gifts. I always meet new talented people, and besides teaching them, I also learn from them.
– It's a mutual exchange.
Elizabeth smiled genuinely as she shared everything she had lived through so far on the human continent.
Elizabeth had arrived on the human continent at the age of twenty-five, and since then, she had never returned, only exchanging a few messages from time to time. This was their first reunion after centuries apart. One could easily imagine the happiness and longing they felt for each other. To Elizabeth, her aunt was her true mother. As for her biological mother, she didn't even care to know how she was doing. She no longer hated her, but she no longer cared either. She had been abandoned without explanation, with all the problems left behind for them to bear.
Seeing her niece happy and enjoying life, Ilytrha felt truly grateful. She had always wanted the best for her.
– I understand!
– I'm glad you're enjoying everything.
She leaned forward and took Elizabeth's hand.
Elizabeth accepted the affection gladly, but her expression soon turned melancholic and bitter. She could enjoy her life because her aunt had made it possible. Otherwise, she would be the one in the position of Empress, a role that was originally hers by duty. Her aunt had embraced all those responsibilities and freed her to live as she wished until she was mature enough.
Her expression darkened even more when she realized she was there, reproaching her mother, while doing the same to her aunt. She felt like a hypocrite.
Seeing her niece's downcast expression, Ilytrha knew exactly what she was thinking. She was about to speak, but Elizabeth did so first.
– I just gave myself a little more time, until I inform Freya and they find someone suitable to take my place.
– At most four years, and I'll be back to fulfill my responsibilities as I should.
Elizabeth spoke with conviction, looking directly into her aunt's eyes.
She knew she could no longer leave things as they were. It was her responsibility, her duty.
– Don't worry, Eli. It's not as bad as you think!
– You can enjoy yourself as much as you want!
– I don't mind staying here in your place.
Elizabeth shook her head firmly in deep refusal. She would no longer leave her duty in her aunt's hands. She had enjoyed her freedom long enough. It was time to face reality.
– I can't leave things like this anymore! – Her conviction was strong as she straightened her posture, exuding a presence worthy of such a position.
She would face everything with her head held high.
Seeing her little Eli now grown, the Empress's eyes filled with pride at how much she had matured into an incredible woman. Wanting to set the topic aside for the moment, she curved her full lips into a mischievous smile and asked:
– Let's leave that aside for now!
– Now answer me something, my dear Eli.
She leaned closer and asked softly:
– Have you already found a husband for yourself, dear?
Elizabeth's porcelain-white face was stained by a deep blush of embarrassment. In her mind appeared the image of a daring young man she knew, but she quickly pushed those improper thoughts away. She shook her head fiercely in denial.
– N-no, Aunt!
– I haven't had time for those things.
She replied softly, her cheeks still flushed.
Watching her niece's behavior, the Empress thought to herself:
– Maybe she has met someone, but there must be complications.
– Well! – She shrugged.
– I'll find out soon enough.
Setting the matter aside, she glanced at the closed door and raised an eyebrow, sensing something amiss.
– Why hasn't he come in? – she wondered silently.
Turning her attention back to Elizabeth, she asked:
– Dear!
– Someone came with you, didn't they?
– Why didn't he come in with you?
Elizabeth snapped out of her thoughts and noticed Evo's absence, realizing he was still outside with the guard.
– Does he know the truth?
– If he had come in and seen our interaction, he would have found out.
– Not that it would matter. I trust him, and I know he would keep this secret, but the issue is…
– He left me alone with my aunt, as if he already knew the truth and wanted to leave us more at ease.
– If he already knew, how did he find out?
The secret was extremely well guarded. The few people who knew would never speak of it. Moreover, Evo had never interacted with any of them, only with me, and I never told him.
– Eli? – the Empress called, seeing her niece staring fixedly at the door.
Elizabeth snapped out of her thoughts and turned her attention back to her aunt.
– Aunt, why did you summon the student Evo Eylam here? – she asked, genuinely curious.
The two of them didn't know each other. So why?
At the question, Ilytrha's expression became calm as she processed the name.
– Evo Eylam, right? – she repeated softly, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
– I wanted to confirm something with him.
– Could you ask him to come in, dear?
Elizabeth nodded and stood up, heading toward the door.
Whatever her aunt wanted with him, she would find out soon enough.
OUTSIDE
Evo had stayed behind, giving Elizabeth privacy. He knew the two were related after seeing Instructor Elizabeth's surname, but he soon realized his mistake.
– Fuck! I should've gone in with her – he cursed internally.
– It's obvious she'd get suspicious.
– If she questions me, should I tell the truth?
– Or should I make something up?
He tilted his head in doubt and sighed resignedly.
While he stood there, Evo felt several emotions coming from inside the room: happiness, longing, anger, and finally suspicion. That last emotion was directed at him, allowing him to perceive the truth.
The "Eyes of Pride," one of his abilities, allowed him to sense people's emotions, and when those emotions were directed at him, he received a clear signal.
Footsteps approached the door. Evo sighed, expecting a barrage of questions from the elf. The door opened.
They stared at each other for a few seconds that felt like an eternity. Elizabeth seemed to study Evo, trying to uncover his secrets, but she soon let it go and offered him a gentle smile.
– Evo, come in!
– The Empress asked you to enter.
She invited him with a smile, stepping inside and leaving space for him to pass.
Evo nodded calmly and stepped through the door. The moment his eyes landed on the Empress—
Thump!
His heart trembled.
His blood surged, racing wildly as he looked at her. Evo gathered all his strength to calm himself; otherwise, things would quickly spiral out of control.
What Evo felt at that moment was pure arousal. A primitive desire to grab that woman, throw her onto a bed, and devour her until neither of them could take it anymore. His masculine, lustful desire reached its limit as he gazed upon that milf.
The only other times he had felt like this were when he first saw Freya and Ravina. A fierce urge to claim them as his forever. She was the third woman to awaken this feral instinct raging inside him.
– Calm down, damn it! – he shouted inwardly.