The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Chapter 100 The Knight's Question

Cerys raised an eyebrow, her piercing red eyes narrowed as she spoke.

"Your Highness, what in the world happened here?"

Mikhailis sighed, putting on a sheepish smile as he stepped forward.

"It's… well, it's a bit of a long story," he started, scratching the back of his head. He needed a good, solid story—something convincing but not overly elaborate. He needed to make this feel like a genuine mistake, an unplanned adventure. He met Cerys's gaze, then glanced at Aria and Callen, the two siblings standing slightly behind him, visibly shaken but trying to stay composed.

"You see," Mikhailis began, "I was at the market, just wandering around and enjoying the sights. And then… I stumbled upon these two." He gestured toward Aria and Callen, his voice softening as he continued.

"They were being harassed by some local thugs. They were clearly in trouble, and I couldn't just… stand by and watch."

Cerys's eyes remained narrowed, her skepticism evident.

"And that led to… this?" She gestured to the unconscious guards and the general chaos around them.

Mikhailis nodded, his face earnest.

"I know it looks bad. It was reckless of me to get involved. But they needed help. These thugs—they were extorting them. Aria and Callen here, they're siblings. They've been targeted by some gang that's been taking advantage of vulnerable families in the capital."

Aria, catching on to Mikhailis's story, nodded quickly. Her face still showed signs of fear, her eyes wide as she spoke, her voice shaky.

"It's true… They've been after us for a while now. My brother and I… we're just trying to make a living, but they won't leave us alone."

Callen, his face bruised and tired, looked at Cerys, his eyes filled with a mix of exhaustion and desperation.

"They… they said they'd hurt my sister if I didn't do what they asked. I… I didn't know what to do."

Mikhailis put a comforting hand on Callen's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze before turning back to Cerys.

"I couldn't just walk away," he said earnestly.

"I know I acted rashly, and I apologize for any trouble I may have caused. But I couldn't ignore people in need."

Cerys stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. The silence stretched between them, the tension thick as Mikhailis waited for her response. He could feel Lira's eyes on him, her skepticism almost palpable. Serelith, on the other hand, looked more amused than anything else, her lips curling into a slight smile as she watched the scene unfold.

Finally, Cerys let out a long sigh, her shoulders relaxing slightly.

"Your Highness," she began, her tone stern, "while I understand your intentions were… noble, you must understand the risk you took. You put yourself in danger, and by extension, the entire kingdom with this. You cannot afford to act so recklessly. You're not accustomed to battle, after all,"

<It seems like you're getting rather underestimated as a powerless man by the lady knight, Mikhailis>

*I know. *

Mikhailis nodded, his expression contrite.

"I understand, Cerys. And I'm truly sorry. I'll be more careful in the future."

Cerys studied him for another moment before turning her gaze to Aria and Callen. Her eyes softened slightly as she took in their disheveled appearance.

"These two," she said, her tone more gentle now, "will need protection. If what you say is true, then they're at risk. We'll take them to a safe house, under the protection of the knights."

Mikhailis nodded, a small smile forming on his lips.

"Thank you, Cerys. I knew I could count on you."

Cerys let out another sigh, shaking her head.

"You're lucky I'm willing to clean up your mess, Your Highness. But know this—if you pull something like this again, I won't be so forgiving."

Mikhailis chuckled, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

"Understood. I'll try to keep out of trouble."

As Cerys turned to give instructions to the other knights, Lira stepped closer to Mikhailis, her eyes narrowed, her voice low so only he could hear.

"You expect me to believe that story, your highness?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

Mikhailis gave her a charming smile, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"What's not to believe? I'm just a humble prince consort trying to help people in need."

Lira rolled her eyes, a sigh escaping her lips.

"You're impossible, Your Highness."

Serelith, who had been watching from a distance, sauntered over, her expression one of amusement.

"Oh, I don't know, Lira. I think our dear prince consort makes a rather dashing hero, don't you?"

Lira shot Serelith a withering look, but Mikhailis just laughed, shaking his head.

"Alright, alright, enough teasing. Let's get these two to safety."

The journey back to the palace was uneventful, the group moving quickly through the dimly lit streets. Cerys led the way, her posture stiff and her eyes constantly scanning their surroundings, ever vigilant. Behind her, Mikhailis walked alongside Aria and Callen, with Lira and Serelith bringing up the rear.

Aria glanced at Mikhailis, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and gratitude. She leaned closer, her voice barely a whisper.

"How did you come up with that story so quickly? I thought we were done for."

Mikhailis smiled, his gaze fixed ahead as he spoke.

"I've found that the best way to get out of a tight spot is to keep things simple. People respond to stories they can understand. Besides," he added, glancing at her, "it's not entirely untrue. You were in trouble, and I did step in to help."

Aria shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips.

"You're something else, you know that? But this whole 'knight protection' thing… Is it really for our safety, or are you just trying to keep an eye on us?"

Mikhailis chuckled softly.

"A bit of both, maybe. Let's just say it's better for everyone if you stay out of harm's way."

Aria nodded, her expression thoughtful. She glanced at Callen, who was walking silently beside her, his eyes downcast.

"Thank you," she said quietly, her voice filled with sincerity.

"For everything."

Mikhailis gave her a gentle smile.

"Just stay safe, alright? We'll figure out the rest later."

As they reached the point where they would part ways, Cerys motioned for two of the knights to escort Aria and Callen to the safe house. The siblings exchanged a look, their expressions a mix of fear and hope, before turning to Mikhailis.

"Thank you, your highness," Callen said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't know what we would've done without you."

Mikhailis nodded, his expression soft.

"Take care of each other. You're safe now. Maybe,"

With that, Aria and Callen were led away, disappearing into the day with the knights by their side. Mikhailis watched them go, a sense of satisfaction settling in his chest. He had done what he could for them, for now.

As they began their journey back to the palace, Lira walked beside Mikhailis, her expression filled with a mix of frustration and guilt. She let out a long sigh before speaking, her voice soft.

"Your Highness… I'm sorry. I should've been more vigilant. I let my guard down, and you ended up lost in the market. I failed you."

Mikhailis glanced at her, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Lira, it's alright. I'm not upset. In fact, I'm glad it happened."

Lira looked up at him, her eyes widening slightly.

"Glad? But… you were separated from us. You could've been hurt. If the queen heard that you get into danger again..."

Elowen perhaps would prevent me from going outside again, or perhaps assign more guards with me, isn't she...?

<I believe she will, Mikhailis>

Stop guessing what I'm thinking, Rodion.

But well...

Mikhailis shook his head.

"I got to see the city, Lira. I got to see the people, the way they live, the magic that's woven into their everyday lives. It was… incredible. It's one thing to hear about it, but to actually see it, to be part of it… It made me realize why Elowen works so hard to protect this place. Why you all do."

Lira stared at him for a long moment before her expression softened, a small smile forming on her lips. "You really are something else, your highness,"