Chương 138: The Dragon Queen

Teresa entered a room without even knocking. She flung the door open without the slightest hesitation. The gnome flinched. He was not alone. Beside him, a prostitute hurriedly covered herself with the sheets, while the Queen Mother stared at her with a cold gaze.

"Get out, you wench". The woman immediately nodded. She quickly gathered her clothes and left the room without daring to say a single word. The gnome remained motionless, rigid with fear.

"Queen Mother…" Teresa studied him for a few moments.

"You know very well that I didn't bring you to the palace so you could get drunk and visit prostitutes", she said in a controlled tone.

"I saved you from those goblins for a specific reason". The gnome swallowed.

"And what would that be?"

"I want you to write my story". The man's eyes widened.

"Your story?"

"Like that Prinz did with Ugly". The gnome remained silent for a few seconds, trying to understand where she was going with this.

"You want me…to write a book about you?"

"About my deeds. What I have done and what I will do". Teresa took a step toward him.

"But it must only be published after I die". The gnome stared at her with some confusion.

"Why?"

"I want to be remembered as the Dragon Queen". Teresa's tone left no room for doubt. She did not say it as a simple desire. It was what she demanded from history. The gnome hesitated.

"I can try, but…I'm not a writer".

"You've read a great deal. You ran a bookstore. That should be enough".

"Yes…perhaps".

"Then begin". Teresa pointed toward the desk.

"Write down everything I have accomplished up to this day. And whenever you finish a few pages, let me read them first". The gnome slowly nodded.

"Yes, understood, Queen Mother".

"I will make sure you portray me as I truly am". Teresa turned toward the door. Then she stopped.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Get up and start". The gnome stared at her in disbelief. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"Now?" Teresa slowly turned around.

"Yes. Now". Her gaze became even colder.

"I believe you have rested enough. If you wish to continue enjoying the luxuries of this palace, you had better work to earn them". The gnome immediately lowered his head.

"All right…" Teresa watched him for a few more seconds. Then she left the room. As she walked through the palace corridors, Teresa encountered Oscar. The young king was accompanied by four Golden Knights.

"Mother, there you are at last. I was looking for you". Teresa stopped.

"You were looking for me?"

"Yes. I need to speak with you".

"About what, my son?" Oscar gently took her arm and led her a few steps away from the knights, setting her apart from them. He lowered his voice.

"Mother…there are some rumors circulating about you". Teresa tilted her head slightly.

"What kind of rumors?" Oscar glanced around before continuing.

"Some servants claim they saw you with that soldier…Naomi". He paused briefly.

"They say the two of you were locked in the same room all night and that your relationship is too intimate to be that between a Queen Mother and a soldier". His tone became more serious. Then he smiled faintly.

"Of course, I had them hanged". Teresa showed no reaction. Oscar continued.

"You would never give rise to such depraved rumors, would you?"

"Of course not", Teresa replied without the slightest hesitation.

"The accusations are unfounded". Her voice remained perfectly calm.

"Naomi is a friend of mine and a loyal soldier. Nothing more". Oscar stared at her.

"I am simply helping her overcome a trauma she suffered during the journey". The king smiled again.

"I'm glad to hear that, Mother". Oscar placed a hand on her shoulder. Then he walked away with the four Golden Knights. Teresa remained still for a few seconds. Her face betrayed no emotion. Then she resumed walking. In the Southern Lands Felicity, Ethan, and Agnes had been walking through the desert for days. They were exhausted. Thirst and heat had drained their strength, while the sun seemed unwilling to grant them any respite. Ethan carried Agnes on his back. After walking for some time longer, he stopped.

He took the leather flask and shook it slightly. The sound of the remaining water inside was almost imperceptible. He opened it and checked the bottom.

"We can wet our lips for another two or three days…perhaps". Agnes lowered her head onto his shoulder.

"I can't go on anymore…" Her voice was broken with exhaustion. Felicity continued walking without turning around.

"This desert isn't endless". Her voice was calm.

"Sooner or later, we'll find a city. We won't die here". She paused briefly.

"Don't be afraid".

"Of course not", Ethan added. Agnes sighed bitterly.

"You two really are optimistic…" Neither of them answered. They continued walking. Until evening. When the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, they finally decided to stop. They found a cave and took shelter inside to spend the night. The sky was completely cloudless, and the moon illuminated the desert with a pale, almost unreal light. Felicity and Ethan sat at the entrance of the cave, as though standing guard. For several minutes, neither of them spoke. The silence of the desert was almost absolute.

"At least it's cooler at night", Ethan said.

"Indeed". Felicity continued watching the horizon. Then she spoke again.

"Anyway, you can get some sleep beside her. I'll keep watch". Ethan shook his head.

"Thank you, but I'd rather stay awake". Felicity turned toward him.

"Don't you trust my abilities?"

"That's not it".

"I believe I've already proven that I'm a better swordswoman than you". Ethan smiled faintly.

"That's not the problem". He lowered his gaze toward Agnes, who was sleeping a short distance away.

"It's a weakness of mine. When it comes to Agnes, I become paranoid. And very protective". Ethan paused briefly.

"I feel like I have to be the one protecting her personally". Felicity watched him for a few seconds. Then she turned her gaze back toward the moon. It was not even full, yet its light was strong enough to illuminate much of the desert. For a few moments, they remained silent. Then Ethan spoke again.

"I've noticed something we have in common". Felicity did not turn around.

"What?"

"Our optimism, no matter the situation". Ethan looked at her.

"We've both suffered". His voice was quieter.

"And if we weren't optimistic…we'd probably break down. You feel the same way, don't you?" Felicity continued staring at the moon, then shook her head slightly.

"No, I'm not optimistic". Her voice was flat.

"Mine is simply pragmatism".

"Pragmatism?"

"It's logical that sooner or later we'll find a city. The desert isn't endless". Ethan remained silent for a few seconds. Then he smiled.

"Well…it's optimistic pragmatism, isn't it?" Felicity turned toward him. She stared at him with her usual cold, distant gaze.

"You're very stubborn, you know?" Ethan chuckled softly. Felicity turned her attention back to the moon. A few seconds later, she added in a quieter voice:"The only thing we truly have in common is that we've both suffered like dogs". Ethan stopped smiling. Felicity continued.

"Just look at our eyes. Anyone could tell that we haven't lived comfortable lives". Ethan lowered his gaze.

"Yes…anyone could tell". Neither of them said anything else. They remained seated at the entrance of the cave, side by side, while Agnes slept behind them. Above them, the moon continued to illuminate the desert. And as the hours passed, the silence only grew deeper.