The Incubus System Chapter 989. The Queen's Protector

The Incubus System Chapter 989. The Queen's Protector

Just as the conversation seemed to be wrapping up, a voice cut through the air, laced with suspicion. "Do you want to talk about something else, Mr. Lucio?" It was Elros. He had been standing silently beside the queen, his presence a constant reminder of the security and vigilance surrounding her. His gaze was sharp, his posture rigid, and it was clear he harbored some suspicion towards me, for reasons I could only guess.

I met Elros's gaze, maintaining my composure. "No," I said, giving him a formal smile. "I guess we will continue our conversation later," I added, nodding slightly toward the queen.

Zalira raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Instead, she gave a slight nod, signaling her acceptance of my words. The interaction with Elros was an unwelcome but not unexpected complication. His role as the queen’s protector meant that he would naturally be wary of newcomers, especially those who might seem to be getting too close too quickly.

I turned my attention back to Zalira, bowing slightly once more. "Thank you for your time, Your Majesty. I look forward to our conversation later. For now, if you’ll excuse us, we’d like to greet the newly engaged couple."

Zalira nodded, her expression still thoughtful. "Of course, Mr. Lucio. Enjoy the festivities."

Mia and I descended the steps from the throne, making our way through the crowd toward the couple. The air was filled with a mix of excitement and curiosity, and the music played a soft, elegant tune in the background. As we approached, I could see the couple standing together, surrounded by well-wishers.

Elara, dressed in a gown that shimmered like a pool of moonlit water, was a vision of grace and beauty. Her fiancé, Lord Vincent, stood tall beside her, his demeanor confident yet gentle. The two of them together made a striking pair, their happiness evident in their eyes.

Mia smiled warmly as we reached them. "Lady Elara, Lord Vincent," she greeted, her voice full of warmth. "Congratulations on your engagement."

Elara turned toward us, her eyes lighting up as she saw Mia. "Mia! Thank you so much for coming. It means the world to us." She glanced at me, her gaze curious. “And you are?”

“Damian Lucio. I’m Her Highness’ partner,” I bowed slightly, offering a polite smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Lady Elara, Lord Vincent. Congratulations on your engagement."

"Thank you," Vincent said, his voice steady and warm. "We’re delighted to have you both here. It’s a special night for us."

"It certainly is," I agreed, noting the genuine affection between them. "How did you two meet?"

Elara laughed softly, her eyes sparkling. "It’s a long story, but we met at a diplomatic event last year. We discovered we had much in common, and one thing led to another."

"Fate has a way of bringing people together," Mia said, her voice soft and knowing.

Vincent nodded. "Indeed. We've been very fortunate."

There wasn't much I could contribute as the conversation turned to more personal matters. They spoke of distant cousins and various nobles, names, and titles I wasn’t familiar with. It was a challenge to join in their conversation, so I opted to listen attentively, nodding occasionally to show my engagement. If this were a school prom, I might have excused myself to get some food and spent my time sampling the fancy dishes while observing the crowd. But this was a royal event, and it would be rude to leave Mia alone. I also noticed none of the other partners were leaving their significant others' sides; it seemed like an unwritten rule.

So, I remained by Mia’s side, mostly just listening. Occasionally, I would grab a drink from a passing servant, the chilled wine or exotic cocktails offering a pleasant distraction. Mia would sometimes turn to me, giving me context or explaining a particular family connection, which helped me follow along, but their family tree was intricate and convoluted.

"Do you remember Lady Amara?" Elara asked, her voice filled with warmth. "She hosted that grand ball last summer."

"Really?" Mia replied, nodding. "She’s always been so generous. And her garden parties are legendary."

I listened, trying to piece together who Lady Amara might be. It was clear these gatherings were a significant part of their social lives, but the names and faces were foreign to me. I took another sip of my drink, allowing the cool liquid to steady my thoughts.

"And speaking of gardens," Vincent interjected, "we’re planning to expand ours after the wedding. Perhaps even add a labyrinth."

Mia’s eyes lit up. "That sounds wonderful! I remember getting lost in one as a child. It was such an adventure."

Elara laughed, a light, melodic sound. "You always did have a sense of adventure, Mia."

Mia glanced at me, her eyes twinkling. "Damian, did I ever tell you about the time I nearly got lost in a maze at the royal gardens?"

I shook my head, smiling. "No, you haven’t. Do tell."

Mia launched into the story, and for a moment, the conversation felt more inclusive. But as soon as the story ended, it shifted back to names and events I couldn’t place. It felt a bit like being a guest at a family reunion where everyone knew each other intimately, and I was the outsider trying to fit in.

"Lord Hector was just incorrigible at that ball," Elara continued, her tone half-amused, half-exasperated. "Do you remember, Mia?"

"Oh, I do," Mia said, rolling her eyes playfully. "He always manages to make a spectacle of himself."

Vincent chuckled. "He’s a character, all right. But he means well."

The names and titles swirled around me like a whirlwind. I focused on maintaining a polite expression, nodding when appropriate and sipping my drink. Mia occasionally squeezed my hand or leaned in to whisper an explanation, but it was hard to keep track of all the connections and histories.

At one point, a servant passed by with a tray of appetizers, and I took the opportunity to sample a few.