'Why did she suddenly change her mind? Wasn't she angry before?'
Liam looked at Fiora, who was actively dodging his eyes and bowing to Duke Cromwell.
'I can't let this chance slip. Sorry, Liam, help me a little bit this time. I promise to repay you in the future.'
Fiora saw Liam's look and felt a little guilty. But as she said, this opportunity was too good for her future.
After all, even after having solid talent in magic, she was still almost betrothed in a political marriage by her father.
Now that she was kidnapped, although marriage wasn't possible, maybe her father would directly send her as a concubine to other nobles.
So, wasn't it better to be a concubine of Liam?
'I can even gain access to the Twilight Tower. And this guy clearly wants me anyway. So, I am doing nothing wrong.'
She justified herself. In this world, sometimes, people need to be practical.
Although she felt guilty, she swore she would help Liam in the future.
"Okay, you don't have to say so much. You have the guts to kidnap someone's daughter at her wedding and don't have the guts to admit it? Just go take a bath and meet me outside. We cannot let Her Majesty wait too much."
Duke Edward was annoyed at Liam trying to chicken out now. Maybe he needed a little more challenge.
After scolding Liam, Duke Edward quickly left the training hall without waiting for a response.
Even Mother Emma didn't say anything but silently took Fiora's arm and disappeared from his view, leaving Liam alone.
However, Liam still heard her whispering in Fiora's ear before she disappeared,
"Hehe… I didn't know my son was a tsundere. Isn't he cute? Haha…"
The faint laughter of his mother and Fiora echoed in Liam's ears, making him almost vomit in anger.
'Who the fuck is tsundere?'
He really wanted to shout at the top of his lungs, but finally controlled himself.
'Damn you, Fiora. In the end, you betrayed me for a reward? Just wait and see what I'll do to you.'
Liam cursed under his breath and quickly rushed off to bathe. After all, as his father said, he couldn't keep Her Majesty the Queen waiting.
Especially not when he knew she was no ordinary royal; she was a genuine villain, drunk on power and secretly plotting with his father to usurp the throne.
And even when it was discovered later on, she managed to survive behind.
'Sigh… why can't I ever catch a break?'
***
The Kingdom of Elarion was located on the Sarin Continent, the second-largest continent on Dwarka.
It bordered two kingdoms to the east, Morlen in the northeast and Redmere in the southeast, while the endlessly stretching Forbidden Forest dominated the west.
To the south lay the Unhinged Lands, scarred by the recent fall of the Helion Empire, and to the north stood the formidable Drakari Empire.
The Arcane Citadel, which Fiora hoped to attend, was located within the Drakari Empire and was renowned throughout the continent.
Regardless, in the novel The Return of the Emperor, it was described that Queen Seraphine Vaeloria of the Kingdom of Elarion was secretly an elf.
She seemed to have a deadly feud with the Drakari Empire due to her banishment from their royal bloodline, a secret she kept hidden from the world.
And from what Liam knew, she was extremely scheming, ruthless in ambition, and terrifyingly patient.
She could do anything to attain her goals, even if it meant killing her own husband to remove an obstacle or seize more power.
'And it seems it was because of her that my father decided to start a coup that almost succeeded.'
Liam recalled while looking at the broad back of his father, Duke Edward Cromwell.
In fact, although he had read about this world in the novel The Return Of The Emperor, it was from the perspective of the protagonist Adrian.
So, he wasn't sure about many intricacies around him.
"Duke Cromwell, you are here? Ah, please come this way, Her Majesty the Queen is waiting for you."
Just when Liam was busy musing over things, a sweet voice from the maid in front brought his attention back. It seemed they had finally arrived at the place.
"Please."
Duke Edward walked ahead with the head maid, while Liam followed behind toward the audience chamber, a grand hall in the palace where the Queen held her hearings.
"Your Majesty!"
As soon as Duke Edward entered the chamber, he immediately lowered his head and displayed noble courtesy.
Liam also followed his father's example, bowing respectfully, when he heard a crisp female voice from the front, filled with interest.
"So, is this the son who dared to kidnap a bride of the Greymont family in full view of the public?"
The voice was sweet and slightly mature, laced with a hint of laziness. However, Liam could clearly sense the amusement hidden within it.
"Yes, Your Majesty. My son acted recklessly, without considering the consequences. I sincerely apologize that this fiasco has reached your ears."
Duke Cromwell said, rising to his feet and offering an honest apology to Queen Seraphine. Then, he turned to Liam and subtly signaled with his eyes for him to do the same.
However, before Liam could do what his father asked, Queen Seraphine suddenly laughed and waved her hand from her throne,
"Haha… no need, no need. It isn't that serious. I am just intrigued by his guts. Your son is really something else, huh?"
She said while giggling a little, not taking it to heart. Seeing her smiling, Duke Cromwell also visibly relaxed as that meant the issue had already been resolved.
"It is just a reckless youth. Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely teach him discipline after we return."
Duke Cromwell said, placing his hand on his chest.
While they were busy talking with each other, Liam finally lifted his head and saw Queen Seraphine for the first time.
She sat gracefully on the throne, her platinum-blue hair cascading in soft waves, calm emerald-green eyes paired with a beautiful smile, and her slender, voluptuous figure draped in flowing silver-white robes that shimmered faintly under the light.
'She looks breathtaking!'