VBNWDW - Chapter 82

Chapter 82

As night fell, firewood had already been set up in Nia City. Roasted meat and fine wine were prepared, and the soldiers, now awake from their slumber, were making their way over.

This was an old tradition in the Roy Kingdom, said to have started during the reign of the first queen. After every victorious battle, the soldiers would be given a day of rest, followed by a celebratory bonfire—a way to comfort the troops.

Metis had left in a hurry last time and couldn't participate. This time, she finally had the chance.

However, she arrived late. She had been discussing matters with Mo Wen and the others until now, so by the time she came, everyone had already had a round of food and drinks and were now singing, dancing, and playing around the bonfire.

But because of this, she didn't draw too much attention, sparing her the trouble of constantly stopping to greet people.

Metis led Yueqing by the hand and sat down by the fire. Mo Wen and Talia consciously sat on either side of them, creating a small distance.

Those who wanted to approach saw this and tactfully stayed away.

Ever since Metis had publicly kissed Yueqing on the city wall, everyone knew that their Queen was in love with a silver-haired beauty. Although they didn't know her identity, her appearance alone suggested she was exceptionally noble, sparking many guesses.

Some guessed she might be a dragon, but on second thought, they found it impossible. A romance between a human and a dragon was an event that had only happened once in thousands of years with the first queen. It was far too rare. Compared to that, they were more willing to believe this person came from somewhere else and had met and fallen in love with their Queen by chance.

Metis didn't know what others were saying. She lowered her head and began peeling chestnuts for the dragon.

Although Nia City was on the border and often plagued by war, it was a good place for business. Besides the Atl Kingdom, other races also brought their goods to trade with the city's inhabitants.

These chestnuts were bought from the elves. They believed in the God of Nature and were favored by nature in return. They could use small magic spells to ripen fruits that shouldn't exist in this season and then sell them to humans at a high price.

The hard brown shell was peeled away, revealing the sweet kernel, which was immediately brought to Yueqing's lips.

The woman seemed reluctant. As she opened her mouth to bite down, she deliberately let the tip of her tongue touch the other's fingertip.

The fingertip was sensitive. A damp sensation was immediately followed by a wave of tingling numbness.

Metis quickly withdrew her hand and shot her a glare.

They weren't in their room. A boisterous crowd was right in front of them, and people were sitting nearby. How could she be so reckless?

The wicked dragon raised an eyebrow. Not only did she not admit her mistake, but she even wore a provocative expression.

The roaring firelight reflected on her cheeks, making the contours of her bewitching face seem even deeper. Her gilded eyes held a teasing smile, as if asking Metis, what can you do to me?

Fortunately, she was beautiful enough. If it were anyone else, they would have been labeled as wantonly flirtatious, but on Yueqing, it was at most the unbridled mischief of an exotic beauty.

Metis stared at her for a moment before her anger dissipated. She coaxed in a low voice, "Be good."

She knew the dragon was sulking. Just a moment ago, Talia had brought over two jugs of fine elven wine, saying she remembered Lord Black Dragon liked it and had prepared it specially.

A certain dragon had nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, feeling that this Duke was far more pleasing to a dragon's heart than the little knight.

But before she could even touch the wine jug, the Queen beside her confiscated it. She pleaded for a long time but didn't get a single sip.

What was most infuriating was that Mo Wen, who rarely drank, saw this and suddenly raised her cup. From across Metis and Yueqing, she proposed a toast to the Duke.

Wasn't she blatantly drinking it for the dragon to see?

A certain dragon seethed with frustration, leaning against Metis's shoulder and stewing in her anger.

"I won't be good," Yueqing refused to be coaxed. She was still chewing on the chestnut peeled by a certain person's own hands, showing the Queen no respect at all.

Metis was helpless. She tugged on the hand she was holding and whispered a few more coaxing words. Before she could succeed, two people approached them.

One was a heroic-looking woman with a high ponytail, dressed only in a simple linen tunic that was both practical and neat. She was the only Gifted among the accompanying soldiers.

Beside her was a man less than 1.6 meters tall, with broad shoulders, thick legs, and a brawny build. It was said he had dwarven blood. He was hot-tempered and belligerent, and aside from the woman before him, he held the highest rank in the army.

After the two saluted, Metis called out, "Ogechi, Dion."

The woman named Ogechi stepped forward first, lifting the plate in her hands. "The whole roasted lamb is ready. We came to bring some for Your Majesty."

Before Metis could speak, Yueqing's eyes lit up beside her, as if she was very interested in what was on the plate.

Regardless of race, once one reached the level of a human Magister, they no longer needed to sustain themselves with ordinary food and could instead be filled by the elements. For example, the grayish-white flame that appeared around the dragon was a product of her condensing the elements herself.

Therefore, they weren't very interested in most foods, holding a take-it-or-leave-it attitude.

Seeing the dragon show interest in food other than wine was a rare sight. A smile touched Metis's lips. She had the two hand over the plate and then personally cut the meat into small pieces.

Dion and Ogechi didn't speak right away. They sat down beside Duke Ander and waited quietly.

The knife clinked against the porcelain plate, making a crisp sound. In the distance, someone sang loudly, their dance steps creating a rhythmic beat.

Metis first cut a small plateful and placed it in front of Yueqing. Then she looked to the other side and said casually, "I'll have to trouble you both again in a few days."

The two were alarmed. Ogechi immediately spoke up, "This is our duty. Besides, everyone has long been dissatisfied with the Atl Kingdom. It's just that…"

She paused before continuing, "It's just that the lords of the Council were unwilling to send troops, preferring to watch the Atl army provoke us time and time again. Everyone has been holding back their anger. When the news spreads tomorrow, they'll be overjoyed!"

Evidently, the result of the afternoon's discussion was out. They would completely follow Metis's wishes. After all, there were very few people left who could oppose her.

The Maple Family was left with only women and children, the Temple Knights were nowhere to be found, and as for the mages from the remaining Council families, they had fought the empire's mages alone. Although none had died, most were severely injured and still lying in bed.

Meanwhile, the army had been won over by Metis's two decisive actions and had received double the rewards. Naturally, their hearts were with the Queen.

As for Mo Wen and Talia, it went without saying that they fully supported her.

So, Metis didn't have to waste much breath to decide on the measure of continuing the pursuit of the Atl army.

"But…" Ogechi's tone shifted, and she added worriedly, "I wonder if the lords in the city will try to stop us?"

As soldiers, they naturally craved more military merits, but they also feared that the Council families would interfere and they would be called back halfway through the campaign. That would be the most frustrating outcome.

"Pay them no mind," Metis said coolly, placing the rest of the roasted lamb in front of Yueqing. "They're just a bunch of hedonists who only care about peace and pleasure. How would they dare to rashly send out troops, afraid that others might disturb their merry lives?"

Ogechi and Dion nodded instinctively.

Both of them were from commoner backgrounds. One had relied on magic, the other on his mixed blood, to fight their way up from the very bottom. Naturally, they looked down on these people, which was one of the reasons they chose to pledge their allegiance to the Queen.

But after nodding, they felt it was improper and lowered their heads to hide it.

Metis glanced at them and simply said, "Talia, you and Mo Wen will take some people over tomorrow, handle things there, and bring back our military funds."

The words "military funds" were emphasized.

The two who were called upon quickly agreed, knowing full well that the Queen was referring to the gold mine.

When the other two heard this, they didn't dare to volunteer their help, but a sense of stability grew in their hearts. As for how it came about—people who could climb to their positions weren't fools. There was no need to press for details.

After that, they moved on to a few lighter topics. With one side being tactful and the other cooperative, the atmosphere became pleasant and relaxed.

Yueqing sat beside them without speaking. The firelight reflected in her gilded eyes, and when she looked at Metis, they shone like iridescent gems.

Perhaps others hadn't noticed, but the dragon who had stayed by her side and watched her grow, how could she miss these changes?

Her appearance hadn't changed, but her eyes now held a faint trace of the majesty a queen should possess. Her every move was confident and steady, completely devoid of the restlessness of her peers. Even when facing two generals who held military power, she completely dominated the conversation, firmly holding the right to speak.

Yueqing's eyes curved into a smile.

The little queen who once feigned composure but was actually timid and wary had, through trial after trial, begun to shine with a dazzling brilliance, like a polished gem.

What dragon could resist polishing a sparkling gem with her own hands?

If she had listened to the System's nonsense and locked the little queen in a castle, forced to look at a cautious puppet all day, then she would have truly regretted it.

The dragon was pleased with her decision and took another bite of roasted lamb.

The lamb, roasted by some master chef, was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The spices were rich, and there was no gamey taste at all. With each bite, juices gushed out.

Even the picky dragon was satisfied, finishing plate after plate.

Seeing how much she liked it, Metis had another whole lamb roasted and brought over. Compared to the dragon's original form, this whole roasted lamb was minuscule. There was no need to worry about her overeating. As long as the dragon was happy, that was all that mattered.

And so, the dragon ate while watching Metis. To an unknowing observer, it was as if she were pairing the meal with the sight of Metis, and she managed to finish more than half of it in one go.

When Metis turned her head, she saw Yueqing leaning against her, humming something under her breath.

At first, she thought the woman was just too full and didn't pay much attention. After all, Duke Ander and the others were discussing matters concerning the Atl Kingdom. The Queen and the knight had always lived in Anthelia, and their knowledge of the enemy nation came only from books and a few words from traveling merchants. They weren't as familiar with it as these people, so she listened intently.

It wasn't until a breath blew past her ear, causing her loose strands of hair to rise and fall, brushing against her earlobe, that Metis couldn't help but tremble and divert a sliver of her attention.

That woman showed no sign of restraint. Leaning on Metis's shoulder, hidden in the shadows, she took advantage of the fact that others couldn't see and began to misbehave.

A warm breath once again curled around her earlobe.

Metis patted the back of her hand, trying to hint that she should behave, but she hadn't expected to fall into the hunter's trap, losing another hand in the process.

She subconsciously tried to pull away, but her wrist was held even tighter, leaving faint red finger marks on her pale skin.

"The general stationed in Carmon City seems quite young. Which noble family is he from? He caused a huge ruckus in the city as soon as he took office…"

"That fellow is very unpopular. If it weren't for his family's influence, he probably would have been ousted long ago."

Hearing this, Metis grew thoughtful. If that was the case… Before she could think it through, Yueqing took her hand again.

This person was strange. She wouldn't even hold hands properly. Her fingertips slid over the inside of her wrist, then deliberately hooked her palm.

The lines on Metis's palm were clear and simple, just three fine lines. Yueqing traced them one by one, from beginning to end.

Metis found it ticklish, but the woman held her fast, not letting her move.

Further down, her cool knuckles were grasped, and a warm temperature enveloped her fingertips.

This gesture was undeniably intimate. After all, Metis had experienced it before; she was no longer ignorant.

Perhaps noticing her daze, Yueqing chuckled softly. She let go, only to pinch Metis's knuckle with her fingertips. Here, the bone was covered by only a thin layer of skin, and faint bluish veins were visible.

Yueqing traced circles on the joint, as if grinding it gently, pulling at Metis's thread of clarity.

"Your Majesty?"

Seeing her silent for a long time, the person beside her couldn't help but call out. They couldn't see the mischief happening under the table—that was a secret belonging only to Metis and Yueqing.

"I'm fine. The fire is making it a bit stuffy. Please, continue," Metis casually made an excuse to brush it off.

But the excuse was a good one, as it conveniently concealed her flushed cheeks.

Metis's skin was fair and delicate. Unlike the people around her, whose fair skin couldn't stand up to close inspection and was often dotted with tiny freckles like rough white paper, hers was more like pristine, elegant white porcelain, dusted with a faint layer of peach-blossom pink.

Perhaps the bonfire was indeed too large and too hot. Metis couldn't help but pick up her wine cup and take a small sip.

That person didn't know when to stop, tapping Metis's fingertips as if playing a piano.

Fingertips were strange places. Touching them yourself produced no sensation, and even pulling or pressing them hard didn't do much. But if they were touched lightly, or even just grazed, it felt intensely ticklish and numb, like being zapped by a tiny electric current that lingered for a long time.

The wine couldn't alleviate the stuffiness. The tip of her tongue unconsciously pressed against her teeth.

The thoughts that had been suppressed for the sake of official business surged up again. She was, after all, a young person new to these things. She had only managed to restrain herself because of the expedition. In the carriage, she had almost been unable to stop, saved only by a timely knock on the door…

But once these things were left unfinished, they were impossible to forget. They piled up, more and more, and with a nudge from the alcohol, they came flooding in like a tide.

The wine in her cup was gone. The person beside her spoke pitifully, "Metis, let me have a taste. Just one sip."

It was one thing to misbehave here, but she just had to squeeze her fingers between Metis's, lacing them together and shaking them.

She didn't look like a dragon at all. Even a little dog wagging its tail on the roadside was better behaved.

"Metis…" she drew out the word, her gilded eyes covered in a layer of mist, like a shimmering, clear lake, hazy yet brimming with moisture.

The distant clamor was shut out, and the sounds around them became clearer. She could almost hear the pause in every word, the emotion within, the deliberately rising tone at the end.

At times like this, one was always especially clear-headed. More firewood was added to the fire pit opposite them, and the flames piled up like a small mountain, burning fiercely. Many soldiers were drunk and had collapsed on the ground, waiting for the clean-up crew to carry them back to their tents.

A warm breath brushed against her neck. Metis belatedly realized and turned her head to the side. "You've been drinking?"

Although the black dragon loved to cause trouble, she was usually well-behaved at crucial moments. Why would she be acting up like this now?

But as she said it, she found it strange. Yueqing had been sitting next to her the whole time. How could she have touched any alcohol?

Metis frowned instantly.

Hearing this, the people beside them paused their conversation. Ogechi spoke cautiously, "To remove the gamey taste, we sprinkle some strong liquor on the lamb when roasting it."

Normally, no one would care. Even high-proof liquor would have mostly evaporated after being roasted over a large fire. Even a three-year-old could eat it without issue. But one mustn't forget, this dragon's tolerance for alcohol was extremely low. Even a small sip of fruit wine could knock her out for days, and she had eaten a great deal…

Metis's vision went dark. Looking at Yueqing beside her, she now noticed all the signs she had previously ignored.

The flushed corners of her eyes, her overly moist red lips, and her low, husky voice. Her silver hair was scattered over her shoulders, hiding the thin straps of her dress.

A lofty god had been pulled down to the mortal realm. Illuminated by the firelight, her stunning face carried a drunken weariness, just like a datura flower drenched in rain.

Actually, being drunk wasn't so bad…

The thought suddenly popped into Metis's mind. Before the chaotic thoughts could surge up, she bit the tip of her tongue to regain a moment of clarity, then announced that she was leaving.

The deep night seemed endless. The city walls were hidden in the darkness, concealing yesterday's bloodshed, leaving only the clamor of tonight.

The room door opened. A servant filled the wooden basin with hot water and then left in turn.

Only the sound of water was heard as silver vines bloomed on its surface. The scenery hidden by her clothes was fully revealed.

As if that wasn't enough, the woman grabbed Metis's hand, not allowing her to leave.

The water rippled. It was unclear yet too clear, clear yet not entirely comprehensible.

Slightly bony shoulders, a straight collarbone, and ripe peaches hung with water droplets that continuously fell into the water.

Because she was tall and the wooden tub wasn't particularly wide, Yueqing had nowhere to put her long legs and could only bend them to the side.

Metis averted her gaze. She wanted to run but was pulled down, buried in the undulations she had just seen.

The water's surface rocked even more violently, spilling over the edge of the wooden tub and pattering onto the floor.

"Metis…"

Some people love to cause trouble when they're drunk, with a relentless energy. She hugged the person who had fallen into her arms, and without permission, she leaned down and bit the other's tender, soft lips, licking away the splashed water droplets and leaving her own mark.

Metis wasn't as cooperative as usual. Flustered and unsure how to react, she raised her hands to push against her shoulders.

But the dragon was prepared. The hand on the small of her back deftly slipped under her clothes, stroking forcefully over her firm, delicate waist and pressing her into her embrace. Not only did she fail to escape, but she was held even tighter.

"Yueqing!" She was both anxious and angry, forgoing the word "Lord." Her hand slid down in an unintentional movement, but somehow, it ended in a threatening pinch.

The person beneath her let out a muffled groan. Metis paused for a moment, then hurriedly explained, "You haven't had the sobering soup yet."

The last time she had slept for days had left a deep impression on the Queen. She really didn't dare let her continue like this. What if she slept for another four or five days…

It would be too much trouble.

But how could the dragon listen? She raised a hand to hook her neck and bit her chattering lips again, refusing, "I won't drink it."

She lifted her eyes, which rippled with an incredibly alluring charm, and said, "I want you to sober me up."

Metis was lost for a moment. The next second, she was pulled into the water by a siren, losing her senses like countless sailors drowned at sea. But she was luckier than them; at least she could take a brief breath, extending the process indefinitely.

The hot water on the floor gave off a white mist, flowing away through the cracks in the floorboards.

The clamor outside continued. It seemed someone had won a prize, causing even the drowsy soldiers to stand up, clamoring for their reward.

The bonfire still burned, not weakening in the slightest because of someone's departure. The culprit, the whole roasted lamb, was still on the rack, emitting a fragrant aroma.

Duke Ander and the others didn't mind much, only laughing at how low Lord Black Dragon's alcohol tolerance was, no wonder the Queen was so strict with her.

The small room was enveloped in hot steam. The water in the wooden tub sloshed continuously, splashing onto the floor, mixed with someone's panting. As the night deepened, the water in the bathtub, instead of cooling, grew hotter and hotter…

The kneeling knees were flushed a deep red. The dragon, however, was enjoying herself, leaning back in the tub with her eyes half-closed. She claimed to be drunk, but the movements of her hands never stopped.

A fair, well-proportioned hand gripped the edge of the tub with so much force that even the veins bulged.

Floating silver and golden hair intertwined. The scene below was obscured by the rippling water. Occasionally, a splash would land on the opening and closing shoulder blades, like a butterfly's wings, wet with dew, fluttering weakly.

Footsteps sounded outside. Unaware of what was happening inside, the person continued to walk forward.

Yueqing had no choice but to raise her hand and cover Metis's lips, reminding her with a light laugh, "Your Majesty, be a little quieter."

But the activities in the water continued, not only not slowing down but deliberately becoming more intense. The hot water seemed to surge in and then out.

—Knock, knock knock.

Someone knocked on the wooden door and called out in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the sobering soup is ready."

The person inside didn't answer, biting down on the hand covering her mouth, leaving a deep indentation.

The person outside didn't know what to do, so she knocked again and repeated her words.

Wooden things were never smooth enough. Compared to the tenderness of skin, no amount of polishing could stop it from feeling abrasive.

Metis's legs trembled for a moment, and her whole body fell downward, but luckily someone caught her in time, holding her in their arms.

The person outside heard the noise and thought the person inside had finally heard her. She brightened for a moment, waiting for the door to open.

But she waited for a long time, and the door never opened. Her expression turned glum again. Shaking her sore legs, she simply turned and walked away.

The sounds of laughter and merriment startled even the moon out from behind the thin clouds, and its clear, bright light scattered over the mortal world.

The long river that flowed through the plains continued its course, like an hourglass of time, recording the history of ages past and then carrying it away without a trace.

By the bonfire, someone had won the prize and was singing joyfully. The crowd cheered in congratulation.

The knight recorded all of this, thinking she would write it down tomorrow and send it back to Anthelia to share with her mothers. But on second thought, she felt it would be better to write two separate letters.

The water in the bathtub finally receded. What was once a full tub was now only half-full. The rest had spilled onto the floor. Who knew what the person cleaning up tomorrow would think.

But the culprits had no mind to care. The soft bed was now stained with water. Droplets slid down a slender back—was it water that hadn't been wiped dry, or sweat from the current exertion? Or perhaps both. They fell into a palm, where a full handful of water was held, spilling everywhere with the slightest movement.

Metis wanted to lie face down, but a hand gripped her waist, not allowing her to.

It was so wicked, but she couldn't refuse. It went on like this, until the night faded and all things were coated in a cold mist.

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