CHAPTER 217: QUEST FOR ME

"Hmm... I understand," Avalin said with a calm nod as she listened to the report from Evangelion, who was currently with the Queen and serving as her communicator.

She walked down the long marble hallway of the castle, her arms full of parchments—most of them filled with her own handwriting. Each scroll was neatly sealed, categorized, and marked for importance.

Her destination was her private chamber, where she planned to organize and secure the most crucial reports in a file. That way, once the Queen returned, she wouldn’t have to sift through a mountain of parchment just to find what required her immediate attention.

Avalin might be known as the Queen’s *shadow*, but her duties extended far beyond simple guarding. She only followed Kaelith directly when the Queen attended high-level meetings—or when there was a chance that blades or schemes were waiting for her in the dark.

Her true work was behind the scenes. Organizing, managing, and ensuring that the threads of governance stayed untangled.

She had been with Kaelith long before her coronation—before the crown, before the throne, back when the idea of "Queen Kaelith" was just a distant dream whispered among the hopeful.

Because of that, she knew everything—how Kaelith worked, what strained her, where her limits lay. She knew the woman behind the title better than anyone.

And so, Avalin’s task was clear: to fill the gaps where the Queen faltered, to smooth the edges of her burdens, and to make sure that the weight of the kingdom never tipped too heavily on her shoulders.

It was a role that demanded silence and precision. But to Avalin, it was more than a job—it was loyalty, carved deep into her very being.

She was walking toward her room when suddenly, a familiar silver head spoke up.

"Teacher."

The black-haired woman raised her brows. "What are you doing here?" Luna should’ve been in the middle of her training at this hour, yet here she was, inside the castle.

Luna simply said, "I finished my training early today, so the instructor gave me permission to return."

Avalin frowned. "Is Josephina not teaching you well?"

Since the Queen’s departure, Avalin had been busy handling matters across the nation. She hadn’t found time to train Luna herself, so she’d assigned the task to Josephina—someone whose skill she had personally assessed and trusted.

However, Luna replied, "Oh, she’s a very strict teacher. She points out my flaws and praises what I do right. Today, she asked me to move several tons of water from one pond to another without spilling a drop. I finished early since I’ve practiced that method for quite some time—it felt more like regular training than a test."

Avalin hummed softly. She had seen Luna practice that technique before. Josephina’s task aligned perfectly with her student’s usual routine.

"Then? Why are you here?" Avalin asked, crossing her arms, her sharp gaze tracing over Luna’s expression.

The silver-haired girl smiled sheepishly, scratching her cheek. "Can you assign me a task? Like... a quest or something?"

Avalin tilted her head slightly, a quiet hum escaping her lips. There was a flicker of surprise in her eyes—Luna rarely made such requests. "A quest?" she repeated, as if to confirm what she’d just heard. "What’s with this sudden request?"

Luna took a small breath before explaining, her voice steady but laced with determination. "I’ve been training under a teacher ever since I arrived in the dragon’s realm, and there’s no doubt that the training has been helping me. But..." she paused, her aquamarine eyes glimmering faintly, "unless I face a real threat—something that pushes me beyond my limits without any backup or guidance—how will I ever know how I’ll perform when it truly matters?"

Avalin stayed silent, studying the girl before her. Luna’s words weren’t spoken out of arrogance but out of resolve.

Luna continued, her tone softening. "I want to be prepared for anything. I chose this path because I want to stand beside Hades and support him when he needs me most." Her fingers clenched lightly at her side as she added, "And for that, I need to grow in every aspect—not just through drills and repetition, but by putting what I’ve learned to the test."

Her eyes lifted to meet Avalin’s again. "I don’t want to keep training blindly. I want to know how far I’ve come... and how much farther I still have to go."

The hallway fell silent for a few seconds, the faint echo of footsteps from distant corridors fading away.

Avalin could sense the unshakable sincerity in Luna’s words, the kind that only came from someone who had already decided their path long ago.

After a brief pause, she said, "I do have a task suitable for you...but what about the young master? He would be upset to know that I sent you on a quest."

"I guarantee you, he won’t say a word. And not like I am going to leave without telling him. So just tell me, what do I need to do?"

....

In a different realm—a realm ruled by elves—stood a mansion nestled in the heart of the capital. It wasn’t overly grand, but it radiated the refined grace typical of elven architecture: slender pillars entwined with golden vines, walls alive with faintly glowing runes, and windows that sang softly when the wind passed through them.

This mansion belonged to the rulers of the land, a family respected not just for their lineage but for their wisdom.

Inside the reception hall, sunlight streamed through crystalline windows, scattering over polished marble floors. Three figures sat comfortably around a circular table—the Queen, her daughter, and her son-in-law—sharing tea and laughter that filled the room with warmth.

The maids had served them delicately brewed tea and an assortment of elven pastries before quietly stepping out, leaving the trio to their conversation.

They talked about Hades’s recent ventures, his lessons, and the little details of daily life that always seemed to amuse Peri.

"I heard you’re being tortured by your new teacher?" Peri suddenly asked, her sharp eyes narrowing as she leaned forward ever so slightly.

Hades couldn’t help but chuckle at her phrasing. "I assume you heard that from Luna..." he said, shaking his head in amusement. "No one’s abusing me, Peri. It’s just that Sir Vulcan’s training methods are... quite harsh."

"Harsh?" Beatrice interjected, her tone tinged with concern. The Queen’s usually calm expression softened as she placed her teacup down. "Please take care of yourself, Hades. You’re still a teenager by human standards. You don’t have to shoulder all the responsibility all at once."

Her voice was gentle, almost motherly, and for a moment, the atmosphere shifted from lighthearted to quietly affectionate.

Hades smiled faintly, appreciating her worry even if he didn’t voice it aloud.

Sometimes, he himself forgot that he was only eighteen—a mere age where most humans were still deciding on their careers, uncertain about which path would grant them stability and peace. Yet here he was, bearing titles, responsibilities, and expectations far beyond what any youth should carry.

"I’ll be mindful not to overdo it," the redhead said with a composed nod, his tone steady but respectful.

Beatrice smiled at him, the kind of smile that carried both fondness and a quiet ache of concern. The warmth between them lingered for a moment before Peri’s exaggerated groan broke it apart.

"Why is it," she began with narrowed eyes, "that when your wives try to convince you to take it easy, you always laugh it off saying you’ve got everything under control? But now, after just a few words from my mother, you suddenly decide to reconsider?"

Hades laughed, a deep, easy laugh that filled the room and drew faint smiles even from the maids outside the hall. "I never laughed off your or Luna’s advice," he said, raising his hands defensively. "It’s just... I never realized I might actually be rushing things a little."

Peri crossed her arms, pretending to pout though a glint of amusement flickered in her eyes.

Training with Vulcan wasn’t the only thing demanding his time these days. As the prince, he had also begun studying governance and leadership under Avalin’s guidance—a realm far less physical but no less draining. He was learning to understand policies, negotiations, and the delicate balance of authority.

Still, he knew he didn’t have to rush. His mother was young, wise, and fully capable of leading for many more years. There was no need for him to push himself into every role all at once.

"Now, now, Peri...you don’t have to feel competitive toward your mother. The bond between me and Hades is quite different, you know."

The younger elf wryly smiled as she said, "Why do I feel I should be alarmed by that bond?"

Both Hades and Beatrice laughed at her antics.

The atmosphere at the residence was quite lively.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. The almost invisible tension between Hades and Beatrice....oof. Well, make sure to leave a comment or review.