The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

<Colony report commencing. Growth rate of the worker ants is stable, currently maintaining a population of 100. Soldier ants have increased to fifty, while the frog variant is exhibiting promising attributes. It is estimated that the frog variant will be suitable for reconnaissance and light-duty tasks within the next 24 to 48 hours.

However, current soldier and worker ants remain limited in combat capabilities. While the queen has shown strategic developments, the practical efficiency in offensive action still falls below expected metrics. Current assessments deem them viable for stealth and surveillance roles rather than direct conflict.>

Mikhailis sighed, stretching his arms behind his head.

"Yeah, that's about what I expected. I mean, sure, they're evolving fast, but right now, they couldn't even take out a guard unless he was dead asleep," he said, shaking his head.

"We've got a long way to go before I can start calling them real soldiers."

<Affirmative. Progress towards militaristic capability is underway, but far from completion. Strategic implementation for non-lethal surveillance remains a feasible course of action. This isn't going to be an easy endeavor, Mikhailis.>

Mikhailis leaned back, nodding slowly.

"I know, I know. This is just the beginning. Still, it's exciting to see them growing."

It had been two days since that messy incident with Elowen, and he had somehow managed to dig himself deeper into a complicated web of relationships. Serelith had suddenly started greeting him more frequently, sometimes appearing in the mornings with her sly smirk, acting as though their night together was just another chapter in her spellbook.

And then there was Lira—Mikhailis couldn't deny that her touch and her presence had grown more... demanding. She'd sometimes dismiss the other maids from the room just to entice him, and they'd share moments that were dangerously intimate.

But all those complicated ties would have to wait. Mikhailis rubbed his temple, looking over the numbers on his computer.

"Anyway, are you almost done with that analysis, Rodion?" he asked, his eyes flicking across the screen filled with rows of data.

<Analysis 98% complete. Countdown to finalization: five... four... three... two...>

Mikhailis smirked.

"Gotta love that dramatic countdown."

Just as Rodion was about to finish, a soft voice came from behind him.

"Mikhailis?" Elowen asked, her tone curious.

He turned, meeting her gaze. There she was, standing with her elegant bearing, her silver-white hair cascading down her back. Her golden eyes reflected the light of the room, and for a moment, Mikhailis found himself taken aback. She seemed calm today, her usual regal aura slightly relaxed.

"You're back early," Mikhailis said, blinking in mild surprise.

Elowen nodded, stepping into the room.

"Yes, the situation in the city has calmed somewhat. We managed to extract all the needed information from the captured technomancers and the maid. It seems we now have the upper hand for diplomatic negotiations," she explained.

Mikhailis smiled, gesturing to the screen.

"Well, come take a look at this," he said. Elowen moved closer, and Mikhailis shifted his chair to give her space to see.

The screen showed a spreadsheet filled with color-coded rows—green, yellow, and red. He pointed at the data, his finger moving across the screen.

"This," he began, "is our tax collection data. Rodion and I have been working on running some numbers, checking for discrepancies. These green rows? That's good. People paying their taxes properly. The yellow ones, they're not keeping up as they should, but it's not too bad."

Elowen's eyes narrowed slightly as she scanned the data, her gaze settling on the red rows.

"And these?" she asked, pointing at the red sections.

"Those are the nobles who are faking their tax payments. Corruption, money swindling, the usual nonsense," Mikhailis said with a smirk.

"The numbers don't lie. With Rodion's system, we managed to find where things didn't match up—the expenditures and revenues just weren't adding up. It's all here, clear as day."

Elowen studied the screen, her gaze lingering on the names displayed in red. Mikhailis watched as her expression shifted, a look of recognition crossing her face.

"These names," she said slowly, "they've been under suspicion for some time now."

Mikhailis nodded.

"Exactly. And this is the proof you need, Elowen. These guys are playing dirty, and now you've got the receipts to prove it."

Elowen was silent for a moment, her eyes fixed on the screen. Then she turned to Mikhailis, her expression one of genuine appreciation.

"This... this will be useful," she said.

"For both diplomacy and internal politics."

Mikhailis grinned.

"Glad to hear it." He turned back to the computer.

"Rodion, hold off on printing this stuff. Let's put it down on Silvarion Thalor's custom medieval paper instead. Don't want this causing an uproar if it's accidentally found in a printer tray somewhere."

<Understood. Initiating manual documentation using the monkey robot. Preparing traditional parchment and ink for transcription. Process commencing.>

Elowen watched as Rodion's mechanical appendage—a small robot that resembled a monkey—sprung to life, carefully grabbing the parchment and ink, beginning the meticulous process of transcribing the data onto the custom paper.

"It's fancy and convenient, isn't it?" Mikhailis remarked with a chuckle.

"This little guy's got a knack for calligraphy."

Elowen smiled, shaking her head slightly.

"You keep giving me more, Mikhailis. Information, resources... I keep gaining from you," she said softly, her eyes meeting his.

Mikhailis shrugged, his expression light.

"You're my wife. No need to be so formal with me. We're in this together, right?"

Elowen hesitated for a moment, then nodded, a small smile playing at her lips.

"Yes, I suppose you're right," she said.

Mikhailis grinned, standing up and offering his hand.

"Now, come on. Let's go finish that movie we were watching while Rodion does his thing."

Elowen raised an eyebrow, taking his hand.

"The one about the four kingdoms at war? You really enjoy those dramatic tales, don't you?" she asked.

Mikhailis chuckled, leading her over to the couch.

"What can I say? I love a good story. Plus, that game-based drama has got everything—politics, magic, different races, and a whole lot of chaos. What's not to love?"

They settled onto the couch, and Mikhailis grabbed the remote, resuming the movie. The scene on the screen was a dramatic standoff between the leaders of the four kingdoms, each one representing a different race—humans, elves, dwarves, and a race of beastmen. The tension in the scene was palpable, and Mikhailis could see the excitement in Elowen's eyes as she watched.

They sat in comfortable silence, the drama unfolding on the screen. The movie had its fair share of intense moments, but there were also scenes that were quite the opposite—soft, romantic moments, and even some that were far more risqué. Mikhailis noticed the way Elowen's eyes seemed to linger during those scenes, her body shifting slightly closer to his.

He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer. She didn't resist, instead leaning into him, her head resting on his shoulder. One particularly steamy scene came on, and Mikhailis could feel the heat in the room rising. The characters on the screen were locked in a passionate embrace, their movements deliberate, their expressions filled with desire.

He felt Elowen's breath hitch slightly, and he turned to look at her. Her cheeks were flushed, her gaze fixed on the screen. Slowly, she turned her head, her eyes meeting his. There was something in her gaze—something vulnerable, something wanting.

Mikhailis didn't hesitate. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. Elowen responded immediately, her hands moving to his chest, her fingers gripping his shirt. The kiss deepened, their breaths mingling, the intensity of the moment matching the scene playing out on the screen.

They pulled away for a moment, both of them breathing heavily. Mikhailis looked into her eyes, his hand moving to cup her cheek.

"You know," he said softly, his voice barely a whisper, "for all the drama and chaos, moments like this make it all worth it."

Elowen smiled, her eyes softening. She leaned in, her lips brushing against his as she whispered,

"Then let's make the most of this moment."

And they did. The movie played on in the background, forgotten as they lost themselves in each other, their passion igniting once more. The world outside, the complexities of their relationships, the challenges ahead—none of it mattered in that moment. It was just the two of them, sharing something raw, something real.

Time seemed to blur, and they lay together on the couch, their bodies entwined, the warmth of their shared intimacy lingering in the air. Mikhailis glanced at the screen, noticing that the movie was still playing, the characters now engaged in yet another political debate. He chuckled softly to himself, shaking his head at how quickly the tone had shifted.

He looked down at Elowen, her silver hair spread across his chest, her eyes half-closed, a contented expression on her face.

"These political debates are nothing compared to what we've just been through," Mikhailis said with a smirk, his fingers gently playing with her hair.

Elowen smiled, her eyes still closed.

"Maybe they could use a little more passion," she replied, her voice soft and playful.

Mikhailis laughed, nodding.

"I think that might solve a lot of their problems. Imagine if those dwarves and elves decided to kiss and make up instead of arguing over territory."

Elowen chuckled, shaking her head.

"I don't think it would be quite that simple. But still, one can dream."

They watched in silence for a while longer, the tension from earlier replaced with a warm comfort that wrapped around them like a blanket. Mikhailis could feel Elowen's breathing slow, her body relaxing against his, and he smiled to himself.

Suddenly, Elowen shifted, pulling herself up slightly and reaching for the remote.

"Rodion," she said, her voice carrying a note of authority. "Pause the movie."

Mikhailis blinked, looking at her with a puzzled expression.

"What's up? Did something happen?"

Elowen looked at him, her golden eyes reflecting the dim light of the room. She seemed hesitant, almost as if she were weighing her words before speaking. Finally, she took a deep breath, her gaze softening as she looked at him.

"Mikhailis, there's something I need to ask you," she said, her voice gentle but firm.

Mikhailis raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at his lips.

"Alright, go ahead. You know you can ask me anything."

Elowen hesitated for a moment longer, her eyes searching his.

"Tell me," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "tell me one thing that you want."