Amon’s feet landed on the marble floor.
Click!
This time he didn’t fall.
"Hah... she really pushed me... it’s not like I wouldn’t have gone." Amon stretched his arms in the air.
And yawned loudly.
"Yawnn~" He blinked his eyes a few times. Sleep was already in his eyes. He was too tired from last night’s adventure.
’Seriously... I was pulled inside the gate by a weird monster... then while coming back I was pushed from behind by the queen.’ He thought dejectedly.
He didn’t even get much time to explore there.
Every time he tried, a monster attacked him.
He walked toward the door.
No reason to stay here anymore. He glanced at the teleportation gate one last time and then pushed open the door.
Once outside, he gazed at the two guards again.
Snorr!
These two were literally snoring.
A young boy entered the room they were guarding and then came out. Yet they didn’t even get to know it.
’Queen Celestia should really change these guards. She needs to make her security harder.’ He shook his head.
Well, it’s not his problem anymore.
He was feeling lazy. Wanted to sleep. So he turned left for his chamber but stopped.
"Oh shitt... I don’t remember the way..." Amon muttered in a low voice.
Sighing, he continued his journey toward his lost chamber.
After half an hour, he found his room.
---
As dawn broke over the horizon, casting a golden glow through the palace windows.
Amon stirred from his deep slumber. His body still ached a little from last night’s fight for survival.
He stretched lazily, his muscles protesting the intensity of his pain. Despite the exhaustion that threatened to pull him under the sheets again, Amon forced himself up.
Queen Celestia might have already returned. That meant he needed to talk with her again, as she said.
Also, Selena had asked him to come to the dining hall for morning breakfast.
’Gotta get ready fast!’ Amon declared inwardly, pushing his sleep aside.
Just after he finished his bath and dressed casually, a knock came on his door.
Knock! knock!
"Sir Amon. Are you awake? I have come to guide you to the dining hall. Lady Selena has summoned you."
It was Butler Bernard’s voice. He had come to take Amon.
It seemed he was aware that Amon won’t be able to find the way to dining hall.
He slid open the door and smiled at Bernard.
"Good morning, Uncle Bernard! Well, I am ready. Let’s go!"
"Yes," Bernard nodded respectfully and led Amon through the long corridor.
Going downstairs, on the ground floor, to the left side.
After walking for a while, they reached the dining hall. As expected, it was grand. Majestic.
The beautiful long wooden table was located in the middle of the hall. Its edges were carved with designs. A red carpet rested upon the wooden surface of the table.
Chairs were arranged around it. At one end, which looked like the seat of the head, the Queen. Just beside it on the left side, Selena sat elegantly.
She was wearing a dark blue plain gown made of silk. It flowed down like a waterfall. Yes, it didn’t make her beauty any less despite being simple.
’Why does she look so beautiful in anything?’ Amon thought while gazing at her.
’And didn’t she tell me that there aren’t many people in the palace? Then why such a big hall and table for breakfast? Must be for guests... not for usual use.’
Using his brain on silly thoughts, Amon strode toward Selena.
"Morning, Senior!" Amon greeted her cheerfully.
Selena replied softly, "Good morning. I hope you slept well last night."
Amon slid the chair beside Selena and sat on it.
When he heard her, his thoughts ran back to last night’s adventure... which nearly killed him.
’I should not tell her that. Don’t want to hear her tantrum... wait! Will she even show it? I mean, she cares about me... right?’ Amon questioned himself.
Did his Senior care about him? Would she be angry knowing he put himself in grave danger, just out of curiosity?
"–Amon... Amon!" Selena’s calm and soft voice broke Amon out of his deep thoughts.
"Oh Senior! Sorry... I was thinking about something," he scratched his cheek and gave her an apologetic smile.
"What were you saying, Senior?" Amon asked. There was a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Selena looked at Amon’s dark eyes.
"Mother came back early this morning. She will join us for breakfast." As Selena finished her sentence.
Amon’s smiling face cracked.
’So she really came.’ He felt fear crawling inside him.
He could only wish that she wouldn’t punish him. Just when he was going to respond to Selena–
He heard the grand doors of the dining hall opening.
A hush fell over the hall the moment those grand doors fully parted.
All servants inside the hall lowered their heads in respect. The guards straightened, their earlier relaxed stance turning sharp, bowing to their ruler.
Selena got up from her seat.
Amon swallowed.
There she was.
Queen Celestia stepped in with measured grace, every footfall silent yet commanding, like the world itself cushioned her steps in reverence. Her high heels clicked against the marble floor with each step.
Her dark gown flowed behind her like liquid night, threads of silver embroidery shimmering faintly under the morning light.
The deep royal black hugged her elegant frame perfectly, accentuating her mature curves in a way that was both regal and impossibly alluring.
Her long silver hair cascaded freely down her back, smooth like moonlit silk, swaying gently with each deliberate step.
Crystal-red eyes surveyed the hall with calm authority... but those very eyes held a terrifying depth. Beautiful. Hypnotic. Untouchable.
Amon felt his spine stiffen as if invisible chains pulled him straight.
But even with fear inside him, he couldn’t stop thinking, ’She is too gorgeous... a milf— no, what am I thinking, don’t‐’
Selena bowed gracefully.
"Welcome back, Mother."
Celestia nodded slightly, her gaze shifting toward Selena with an unreadable warmth. Then her attention moved. Slow, steady, inevitable. Toward Amon.
Amon froze, his half-raised hand still mid-greeting as his brain lagged behind.
Her gaze met his.
Amon felt his soul leave his body and go hide under the table.
’Wait! I need to greet her properly.’
Her eyes held no anger. Not yet, but there was unmistakable dominance in them. As if she was recounting every foolish thing he did last night.
Every. Single. One.