Logout Error: My NPCs Now Worship Me

The moment Kaelus accepted Lilliana's proposal, the world seemed to shift on its axis. Sir Kaelan, who had been holding his breath for the entire exchange, finally exhaled, unsure if he should feel relief or a deeper terror. His princess had succeeded. She had won her throne. But the price was a chain forged of ice and shadow, binding her to a being of incomprehensible power.

Lilliana, for her part, felt a jolt of pure, triumphant adrenaline. She had faced the dragon in its lair and walked away with its hoard. The coldness of his touch still lingered on her skin, a chilling promise of the power she now had access to.

"An excellent decision, my Lord," she said, her voice regaining its composure as he released her chin. "I will begin making the arrangements for the official announcement and the... ceremony."

"There will be no ceremony," Kaelus's voice cut through her plans. "There will be a proclamation. You are my Queen. As of now. Your position is not granted by the superstitions of mortal priests, but by my will alone. That is all the ceremony required."

He was already asserting his dominance, stripping away the traditions she had hoped to use. She adapted instantly.

"Of course," she said with a slight bow. "A simple proclamation will be more than sufficient to convey your absolute authority. I will draft it at once."

"You will not," Kaelus stated. "Rose will handle the proclamation. Your duties begin now. You are a member of my court. You will reside here, in Oakhaven. Sir Kaelan may remain as the captain of your personal guard. The rest of your retinue will return to Lyria."

He was isolating her. Cutting her off from her power base, forcing her to rely on him and his own people. It was a classic power play, and she recognized it instantly.

"As you wish, my Lord," she conceded, her mind already calculating her next move.

Kaelus gave her one last, long look, then turned and opened a [Gate]. But before he stepped through, he paused. "A word of advice, my Queen," he said, the title laced with a subtle emphasis. "My court is not like the one you are used to. My Guardians are... possessive. Tread carefully. Not all the monsters in my service have claws and fangs."

With that cryptic warning, he vanished, leaving Lilliana and Sir Kaelan alone in the silent, empty plaza.

"By the gods," Sir Kaelan breathed, finally rushing to her side. "Your Highness, are you alright?"

Lilliana took her first full, deep breath since Kaelus had appeared. A slow, triumphant smile spread across her face. "I am more than alright, Kaelan," she said, her grey eyes glittering with ambition. "I am the Queen of the most powerful being in the known world. Now, the real work begins."

The Great Tomb of Nexus…

The scrying mirror in the throne room shattered into a million pieces.

Gravity stood with her hand outstretched, her knuckles white, her entire body trembling with a cold, silent fury. The other Guardians backed away from her, sensing the dangerous aura of distorted space that was emanating from her.

"A... human... QUEEN?!" she finally hissed, the words dripping with a venom so potent it could have dissolved steel. "He accepted! He accepted that insignificant mortal's pathetic political maneuvering!"

"Now, now, Gravy," Spidy purred, though her own smile was tight and her crimson eyes were narrowed to slits. She was absently stroking one of her new daggers. "Our Lord is wise. He must have a reason for keeping such a... pet."

"She is no pet!" Flora chimed in, her voice losing all its sweetness and taking on a dangerous, chilling edge. "She spoke of an heir. An heir! As if her filthy, mortal womb could ever be worthy of carrying our Lord's divine legacy! The very thought is blasphemy!" She looked down at the Seed of the World Tree, which she now kept in a small, enchanted pot. "Perhaps the new 'Queen' is allergic to pollen. A fatal, tragic allergy."

The three most powerful female Guardians were united for the first time, not in loyalty, but in a shared, incandescent jealousy directed at this new mortal rival. They saw her not as an asset, but as an infestation. An insect that had crawled its way onto their god's throne.

Rose, the Head Maid, watched them, her expression unreadable. She felt a flicker of the same jealousy. She, too, desired to be the closest to their master, to be the most indispensable. But unlike the others, her mind was already moving past the emotion and onto the new political reality.

"Your anger is unproductive," Rose stated, her calm voice cutting through their rage. "Lord Kaelus has made his decision. To act against this human queen would be to defy his will. And none of you wish to do that."

The three of them fell silent. Rose was right. Their loyalty to Kaelus overrode even their jealousy.

"The situation is not a loss," Rose continued, her strategic mind at work. "It is merely a complication. This 'Queen Lilliana' believes she can play the game of politics. She does not realize she is no longer in a mortal court. She is now in ours. She is a new piece on the board. A piece that can be... managed."

A slow, cunning smile spread across Rose's face. "Let her have her title. Let her play at being a queen. We will watch her. We will test her. And the moment she makes a mistake, the moment her 'utility' fades... we will be there to report it to our Lord. And he himself said what happens then."

The others considered her words. The rage began to subside, replaced by a cold, calculating resolve. They couldn't attack the Queen directly. But they could undermine her. They could set traps for her, test her loyalties, and wait for her to fail. The vipers' nest was formed, and they were all waiting for the new arrival.

Oakhaven, the Queen's Manor…

Lilliana was in her study, a map of the Dominion of Nexus spread out before her. She was already working, analyzing the territory, identifying potential resources and security weaknesses.

There was a soft knock on her door. "Enter," she called out, not looking up.

The door opened, but it was not Sir Kaelan. It was Rose. The Head Maid glided into the room, carrying a silver tray with a porcelain teapot and a single, elegant cup.

"Your Majesty," Rose said with a perfect, serene smile and a slight bow. "I am Rose, the Head Maid of Lord Kaelus's household. I have been tasked with overseeing your transition and ensuring your comfort. I took the liberty of bringing you some calming chamomile tea."

Lilliana looked up, her grey eyes meeting Rose's. The two most cunning, non-elemental minds in Kaelus's service were now in the same room. An unspoken battle of wits began instantly.

Lilliana knew this was a test. The tea could be poisoned. It could be drugged. Rose's demeanor was polite, but her eyes held the cold intelligence of a master inquisitor.

"Thank you, Rose," Lilliana said, her tone gracious but firm. "That is very thoughtful. Please, set it down."

Rose placed the tray on the table. "My Lord has also instructed me to provide you with anything you require. Scribes, servants, information... you need only ask." Her offer was generous, but the underlying message was clear: Everything you get will come through me. I am the gatekeeper.

"Your efficiency is commendable," Lilliana replied, giving nothing away. "For now, I require a detailed report on the region's agricultural output for the last five years, a census of all skilled artisans within the Dominion, and the full military disposition of the Baharuth Empire's eastern command. Can you provide that?"

Rose's smile didn't waver, but a flicker of genuine surprise showed in her eyes. She had expected the new queen to ask for gowns, jewels, or other frivolities. Instead, she had made a series of high-level strategic and economic requests. This human was more serious than she had anticipated.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Rose said smoothly. "I shall have the documents delivered to you by morning."

"Excellent," Lilliana said. She then looked at the teacup, a silent challenge passing between them. With a steady hand, she picked up the cup, looked Rose directly in the eye, and took a long, slow sip.

The tea was delicious. And, as far as she could tell, completely harmless.

She had passed the first test. She had not shown fear or suspicion. She had accepted the offering, demonstrating trust, while simultaneously establishing her authority and intellect with her requests.

Rose bowed again. "If that is all, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave. I trust you will find your new home... accommodating."

The Head Maid departed, leaving Lilliana alone once more. Lilliana set the teacup down, her heart beating a little faster now. Kaelus's warning echoed in her mind.

Not all the monsters in my service have claws and fangs.

She had just met the most dangerous one of them all. And she knew, with absolute certainty, that this was just the beginning of her own private war for survival in the court of the Silent Sovereign.