Chapter 207: Cuteness Overload
The cool air of the upper terrace wrapped gently around them, carrying with it the soft hum of the Faerie Realm’s endless magic.
Below, the gala continued in a sea of shimmering light and distant music, but here, high above the celebration, they were enjoying the extreme quietness of the environment. Everything was relaxed and more intimate, and the kind of environment that just soothed any potential nerves.
Queen Elyndra leaned lightly against the railing, her posture no longer the perfectly composed image she had presented before her court. Her wings drooped just slightly, their radiant glow dimmed into a softer, more scattered shimmer.
Jax remained beside her, one hand still resting near her arm, ready in case she lost her balance again.
"...Better," she repeated softly, exhaling as the cool air brushed against her face.
Jax glanced at her, "You’re not used to drinking that much, are you?" He asked, thinking of his own drinking experience from his past life and how Elyndra looked noticeably drunk at the moment.
Elyndra let out a faint, breathy laugh.
"Oh, I am..."
She paused.
"...Just not all at once."
Jax smirked.
"Yeah. That’ll do it."
For a moment, she simply stood there, looking out across her realm.
The glow of the forests reflected in her eyes, her expression distant yet peaceful—like she was savoring the moment in a way only someone who had lived for ages could.
Then... she swayed again.
This time more noticeably.
Jax moved instantly, his hand catching her by the waist before she could tip forward.
Elyndra blinked, clearly surprised by how close she suddenly was to him.
"...Ah."
Her voice softened further, almost drowsy now.
"I may have... miscalculated."
Jax sighed lightly, though there was a faint amusement in his expression.
"You think?"
She looked up at him, her gaze unfocused but warm.
"...Demon King."
"Jax," he corrected.
She smiled faintly.
"...Jax."
There was a pause. Then, quietly, "Would you... walk me back?"
Jax raised an eyebrow, "To your room?"
She nodded slowly, her wings shifting weakly behind her.
"...I don’t think I should attempt it alone."
Jax didn’t hesitate.
"Yeah. Come on."
He adjusted his hold slightly, letting her lean more comfortably against him as he guided her away from the terrace.
The walk through the palace was calm.
Quieter than before.
Most of the attention remained on the gala below, leaving the upper halls nearly empty save for a few attendants who immediately stepped aside upon seeing them.
None questioned it or interrupted them.
The sight of their Queen being escorted by the Demon King, supported gently, not forced, was enough to keep them respectfully silent.
Elyndra leaned into him more as they walked. Her steps were slower now, her usual grace softened by the haze of alcohol.
"...It has been a long time," she murmured.
Jax glanced at her.
"Since?"
"...Since I allowed myself to relax like this."
Her lips curved faintly.
"Queens are not often afforded such luxuries."
Jax shrugged slightly as they continued walking.
"Then you should do it more often."
She huffed a quiet laugh.
"...Perhaps."
Eventually, they reached a section of the palace far more secluded than the guest wing.
Ancient magic lingered in the walls, subtle but unmistakable. At the end of the corridor stood a pair of tall doors, formed from luminous white wood intertwined with silver vines.
Elyndra lifted a hand weakly.
"...There."
Jax nodded and stepped forward, the doors opening silently at their approach.
Her chambers were... breathtaking.
Even compared to everything else in the palace. The room was vast, yet not overwhelming, designed with a sense of calm rather than grandeur.
A massive bed rested at the center, formed from the same luminous white wood as the throne, its canopy woven from soft glowing vines that draped gently around it.
Large open windows overlooked the endless forests of the Faerie Realm, the view unobstructed and radiant.
Soft light pulsed through the walls themselves, responding subtly to Elyndra’s presence.
Jax guided her inside.
"Alright," he said calmly. "Let’s get you to bed."
Elyndra didn’t argue. If anything, she seemed... compliant. He helped her sit at the edge of the bed before gently easing her back.
Her wings folded awkwardly for a moment before settling beneath her, the glow dimming further as her body relaxed into the soft surface.
Jax pulled the covers over her. For a moment, he just looked down at her, seeing the powerful Faerie Queen just now lying there slightly flushed, her breathing slow, her expression softer than he had ever seen it.
"...You’ll be fine," he said quietly.
He turned slightly, reaching toward the nearby crystal lamp and then stopped as a hand caught his wrist.
Jax glanced back and Elyndra was looking at him, her eyes half-lidded, but focused.
"...Wait."
Jax raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
She hesitated, just for a second and then she pulled him down slightly.
Not forcefully, but enough, and kissed him. Lingering for a brief moment before she pulled back, her expression unreadable for a second.
"...I’ve heard," she murmured quietly.
Jax blinked once.
"Heard what?"
Her lips curved faintly.
"...About your nights."
Ah.
Jax exhaled lightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"News travels fast here."
Elyndra’s gaze softened.
"...It does."
She looked at him for a moment longer.
Then, almost reluctantly, "...I was jealous."
The words were quiet, barely above a whisper, but Jax could hear it clearly, though he didn’t respond immediately.
Instead, he reached outand gently brushed a strand of her hair from her face. Then leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"...Get some rest," he said calmly.
Her eyes fluttered slightly.
"...Mm."
The tension in her body faded. Her grip on his wrist loosened and within seconds, her breathing evened out, as she fell asleep.
Jax straightened slowly, watching her for a brief moment longer. Then he turned. The crystal lamp dimmed with a soft flicker as he extinguished it.
The room settled into a gentle glow and without another word, Jax stepped out of the chamber.
The doors closed silently behind him as he made his way back through the calm palace corridors, leaving the Faerie Queen to rest.
And returning to his own room.