The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Chapter 89 The Disturbing Prophecy

Elowen stood at the entrance to the Elder Tree Temple, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the massive, ancient structure before her. The temple was older than any building in the kingdom, its roots winding deep into the earth, its towering branches stretching high into the sky.

The Elder Tree itself was the heart of the temple, a colossal tree that had stood for millennia, its bark as white as bone, its leaves shimmering with a faint golden glow in the evening light.

Vyrelda stood beside her, her usual calm expression unwavering. But Elowen could sense a shift in her friend's demeanor. She could feel it too, the air here was different—thick with the weight of ancient magic. This place always made her uneasy, and after the last visit with Mikhailis, it had only grown worse.

Rodion's voice buzzed in Elowen's ear, coming from the glasses she wore.

Elowen let out a slow breath. Havint Rodion truly made her life easier. Every time Rodion gave an analysis and a report, she could remember Mikhailis's face that seem very excited when he gave her the glasses.

"Your Majesty," Vyrelda said softly, turning to her with a concerned look.

"Are you ready for the ritual?"

Elowen nodded, though her heart felt heavy. The ritual. A royal tradition, a necessary show of reverence to the Elder Tree every time a royal entered the temple grounds. It was meant to reinforce the bond between the kingdom and the ancient magic of the tree. But today, the ritual felt more like a burden.

As they stepped forward, a group of shrine maidens appeared, their flowing white robes almost glowing in the soft light of the temple. They moved with grace, their faces serene as they approached Elowen and Vyrelda.

"Your Majesty," one of the maidens spoke, bowing deeply.

"We have been expecting you. The Elder Tree awaits your presence."

Elowen offered a polite nod, her gaze drifting to the maidens' delicate hands clasped in front of them. There was an ethereal beauty to these women, something otherworldly in their movements. She couldn't help but wonder if they felt the weight of their duties as much as she did.

"The ritual is prepared," the lead maiden continued.

"Shall we begin?"

Elowen took a deep breath and nodded again. The maidens led them deeper into the temple, the light dimming as they moved further from the entrance. The air inside the temple was cool, the faint scent of earth and moss clinging to the stone walls.

The center of the temple was open to the sky, with the massive trunk of the Elder Tree rising up from the middle of the courtyard. Its bark shimmered faintly in the twilight, its branches stretching high above, creating a canopy that seemed to touch the clouds.

Elowen stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the tree as the shrine maidens began to circle around her. The ritual began slowly, with the maidens chanting softly, their voices rising and falling like the wind through the leaves. Elowen closed her eyes, letting the sound wash over her, grounding herself in the ancient magic of the place.

She raised her arms slowly, palms facing upward as she recited the ancient words passed down from generations of royals. The language was old, its meaning lost to time, but the power of the words was undeniable. The air around her grew heavier, charged with magic.

She could feel the Elder Tree responding, its energy reaching out to her, connecting her to the roots of the kingdom, the foundation of their world.

The maidens' chanting grew louder, more intense. The wind picked up, swirling through the courtyard, rustling the leaves above. Elowen could feel the magic pulling at her, drawing her deeper into the ritual. It was as though the tree itself was testing her, searching her soul for something she couldn't quite grasp.

Elowen gritted her teeth. She had been through this before. She could handle it.

The chanting reached a crescendo, and then, just as quickly as it had begun, it stopped. The wind died down, and the energy in the air dissipated. Elowen lowered her arms, her breathing steady but her heart racing.

"It is done," one of the maidens said softly, stepping forward.

"The Elder Tree has accepted your offering, Your Majesty. You may now proceed."

Elowen nodded, her mind still reeling from the intensity of the ritual. She turned to Vyrelda, who offered her a small, reassuring smile.

"You handled it well," Vyrelda said quietly.

"There must be some mistake."

Myria shook her head.

"I wish there were. But the prophecies of the Elder Tree are never wrong."

Elowen took a step back, her mind racing. How could this be happening? How could she protect Mikhailis from something she couldn't even see?

Elowen swallowed hard.

"Do not... tell Mikhailis about this," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Then there is another thing as well, your majesty," the Saintess continued.

"There is more?"

"Yes," The Saintess closed her eyes.

"The prophecy mentioned an upcoming war, and how the war is not as great as the great war, but still, threatening for the kingdom. I believe that this should be conveyed to you, as soon as possible, my queen..." The saintess once again opened her eyes, and stared straight to Elowen's eyes.

"I see... I'm grateful for the warning, Saintess. I believe that is all," Elowen turned her back and started walking.

The Saintess does not ask her to stop. But she continued.

"If you want to seek further, follow the ritual and stay in these two days, Your Majesty. And perhaps, you will get the vision you wanted,"

Elowen stopped, then continued her steps.

Vyrelda, who had been silent throughout the conversation, stepped forward, her brow furrowed with concern.

"Your Majesty... are you alright?"

Elowen shook her head, her eyes unfocused.

"I... I don't know."

"Perhaps we should return to the castle," Vyrelda suggested gently.

"You need time to process this."

Elowen nodded slowly, her mind still reeling.

"Yes... perhaps that's best. Wait. No..."

Then Vyrelda could see, the determination building within the queen.

"We should stay, I need to know answers,"

Elowen uttered as she gazed at the skies above her, the face of the man that had unexpectedly stolen her heart in such a brief duration appeared in her mind.

"Mikhailis..."