After their bath, the atmosphere between Adrian and the goddesses had shifted. The tension had subsided, replaced by an odd sense of understanding tinged with desire. Each of them dressed quickly, the memory of their shared indulgence still fresh in the air.

The faint sounds of laughter and playful banter filled the room as they gathered their belongings, preparing to venture out into the palace grounds.

Adrian adjusted his tunic, glancing at Lilith, Medea, Ava, and Selene. The priestess, though quiet, seemed more relaxed now, her earlier shyness was now replaced by a bit of confidence.

Ava, of course, was still greedily eyeing the more valuable trinkets in the room, while Medea kept a sharp gaze on her, clearly still on edge from their earlier disagreements. Lilith, as always, was in high spirits, grinning at everyone as if the entire world was her playground.

After all, she just 'fed' off their pleasure.

"We should head out," Adrian said. "Queen Alannah might be waiting for us, and we've already taken more time than expected."

Lilith stretched her arms lazily, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. "Right, right. Wouldn't want to keep the Queen waiting, now, would we?"

They made their way through the winding hallways of the palace, eventually emerging into the bright sunlight of the courtyard. They were greeted by Zarpha's lush gardens, the scent of fresh flowers and the midday sun.

Queen Alannah was already there, lounging on a stone bench, her long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders as she sipped from a golden goblet.

The Queen looked up at their approach, her green eyes lighting up with recognition. She set her goblet aside and rose gracefully, looking regal as always. "Ah, Adrian. Ladies," she greeted smoothly. "I trust you've made yourselves comfortable?"

Adrian nodded, offering a polite bow. "Yes, your Majesty. We appreciate your hospitality."

Alannah smiled, her gaze drifting over the group. "Wonderful. Since you're all here, I thought it might be time to show you around Zarpha. Last time you and Lilith were here, there wasn't time for it, and I'm sure your companions would enjoy seeing the city."

Before anyone could respond, she gestured to the guards standing at attention nearby. "Prepare the chariot," she ordered. "We'll take our guests on a proper tour of the kingdom."

Adrian exchanged a glance with the goddesses. Lilith, as usual, looked amused, while Medea seemed indifferent. Ava's eyes, however, gleamed with curiosity at the mention of Zarpha's riches, and Selene stood quietly with a neutral but intrigued expression.

The Queen's chariot was soon prepared, and they all climbed aboard, with Alannah taking the reins. The chariot pulled away from the palace, its wheels clattering over the stone streets as they made their way through the bustling city.

Their first stop was Zarpha's grand marketplace. The streets were alive with activity, vendors calling out their wares, children darting between stalls, and merchants bartering with customers. The vibrant colors of the stalls and the rich aroma of spices filled the air, creating a lively, chaotic atmosphere.

"This is Zarpha's heart," Alannah explained as they rolled through the market. "Our people are known for their craftsmanship and trade. You'll find the finest textiles, jewelry, and goods from all over the kingdom here."

Lilith leaned closer to Adrian as she observed the bustling market. "Ava must be drooling by now," she whispered with playful mischief. "Look at her—she's practically eyeing every gem and bauble like it's her next meal."

Adrian chuckled softly but didn't deny it.

Ava, seated beside him, was indeed captivated by the marketplace, her golden eyes darting from stall to stall, her fingers twitching as if eager to claim something for herself. She didn't even bother hiding her fascination.

As they continued, the chariot passed through the training barracks. Rows of soldiers were drilling in the courtyard. Alannah slowed the chariot slightly, allowing Adrian and the goddesses to watch.

"These are Zarpha's finest warriors," Alannah said with pride. "Our army may not be the largest, but they are well-trained and fiercely loyal."

Medea watched the soldiers with interest, her eyes narrowing as she assessed their movements. "They're disciplined," she remarked, her voice thoughtful. "But they could use some refinement in their hand-to-hand combat. They rely too much on their weapons."

Alannah raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Is that so? Perhaps you could offer them some training while you're here."

Medea shrugged but didn't respond, though Adrian could see the wheels turning in her mind. The goddess of wrath was always eager for a challenge.

They continued their tour, moving past the city's vast fields, where farmers worked tirelessly to harvest crops. The golden wheat swayed in the breeze, and the distant mountains framed the horizon, giving the landscape an idyllic, pastoral beauty.

"It's peaceful here," Selene said softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she gazed out at the fields. "Far removed from the chaos of the world beyond."

Adrian nodded in agreement. "Zarpha has always been a sanctuary. A place to regroup and gather strength."

As the tour continued, Lilith, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up, her tone playful yet pointed. "Tell me, Queen Alannah," she began, leaning forward slightly. "I've noticed that while you seem to run things quite smoothly here, the King himself is somewhat... absent in the day-to-day affairs. Why is that?"

Adrian stiffened slightly, glancing at Alannah. It was a question he had been wondering about himself but hadn't dared to ask.

The Queen's expression remained composed, but there was a flicker of something—perhaps sadness or frustration—in her eyes.

"The King... prefers to remain in the background," Alannah replied carefully. "He trusts me to handle the kingdom's affairs. His focus is... elsewhere."

Lilith raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Elsewhere? How mysterious."

Alannah's lips tightened slightly, though her tone remained diplomatic. "The King has his reasons. Zarpha has thrived under my leadership, and he sees no need to interfere."

Adrian sensed there was more to the story than Alannah was letting on, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he glanced at Lilith, who was still watching the Queen with a curious gleam in her eye.

"Perhaps he's just... tired," Lilith mused aloud. "Ruling a kingdom must be exhausting."

Alannah's gaze sharpened slightly, though she remained composed. "He's a man of many burdens, Lilith. Sometimes those burdens require him to step away."

The conversation lapsed into silence after that, and the chariot continued through Zarpha's bustling streets. Adrian couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the King's absence than Alannah was letting on, but he knew better than to pry further.

He respected the Queen too much to push her on such a delicate subject.

As they neared the palace once again, Alannah finally spoke. "I hope the tour has given you a better understanding of Zarpha's strength," she said, her tone regaining its warmth. "This city has stood for generations, and it will continue to stand, so long as we remain vigilant."

Adrian nodded. "It's a strong kingdom, your Majesty. We'll need its support in the days ahead."

Alannah smiled, though there was a hint of weariness in her eyes. "Zarpha will always be your ally, Adrian. You know that."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.