Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

A sudden beeping echoed through the room, a silver screen appearing in thin air above her gaze. The next moment, a silver-haired Valkyrie sitting at a wooden desk appeared. "Your Highness, Epsilon reporting for duty!"

The queen's response was delayed, her lips parting with a pleasured moan as Delta's skilled hands worked their magic on her tense shoulders. "Nnn..." Her gaze shifted towards Epsilon, whose face flushed with a mix of admiration and envy. "Epsilon, how did they fare? I trust you've reached Romantica by now?"

Epsilon's cheeks grew darker, her eyes trying to avoid the queen's exposed body. Their long years together caused a strange relationship to blood between the lonely queen and her most trusted Valkyrie. "Your Highness, we have taken control of Utgard Keep and the pass. The prince managed to secure a force of three hundred orcs and their chieftain, Grom'Gaius, who seems to be smitten with the prince."

"Oh?" The queen interrupted Epsilon while leaning forward, a teasing smirk on her lips as she showed she enjoyed teasing Epsilon and the other Valkyrie. "Continue speaking, my lovely Epsilon."

Delta's hands continued their rhythmic movements, and her face and breathing remained unaffected by the scene unfolding before her. Her face remained stoic, yet she occasionally cast a wistful glance towards Epsilon, who squirmed uncomfortably in her seat.

"The battle cost the lives of twelve Valkyrie and fifty Drakkur soldiers, while most of the knights of Utgard perished." Epsilon held a small piece of black slate and seemed to read from it to give her notes and report. "The prince rested for two days to let his forces recover and used that time to reorganise the orc army under Grom'Gaius and train with the Valkyrie.

Then, he plans to depart towards the east with five hundred soldiers. Though I am not sure of his final goal, it seems he will take back the port city and save the presumed dead Alan Nelphim, the cousin of Bill Nelphim. It seems that the information on the two is incorrect.

Although the official documents state Bill is the lord of Westrin, it seems they made a strange deal allowing Alan to become the acting lord while Bill would survey the western territory. After speaking with the countess, this deal seems to be official and written more than a decade ago."

Before Epsilon could speak anymore, the Queen interrupted her. "Epsie, you don't need to rush. Take time and make sure to breathe. Your little face is turning blue!" It seemed she wanted her little Valkyrie to learn how to break up her reports.

Epsilon took a deep breath, her face turning red from embarrassment. "My apologies, my queen. I was just eager to give my report."

The queen smiled warmly as she looked at Epsilon. "I know, do not worry." Then she looked towards Delta, who continued massaging her back. "Delta, you can stop now."

Delta nodded, pulling her hands away.

The Queen sat up on the bed, looking at Epsilon. "Continue your report."

Epsilon took a deep breath, then continued reading her notes. "The prince also spoke with the countess about something strange, though my ability seemed to get blocked by interference, which I have confirmed to be the woman who appeared on the ship. Her name is Helliana, and she seems to be someone close to Royal Knight Lorem and the Prince."

'Oh? It seems that my son has talented people lingering around him. Soon, I might be unable to snoop on their progress—how sad... Though another phoenix, it seems my son has many women who seek him.'

"What else?" The Queen asked.

Epsilon nodded. "I believe he plans to retake the port City, then head towards the capital. I am unsure of his plans, but I will continue watching him."

The queen nodded. "Good job, Epsilon. I am proud of you. What of his relationship with Vela, is he treating her right?"

There was an awkward silence. It caused both Delta and the queen to become suspicious. 'Is there something going on? Is he mistreating her now that he's gained official power!?' The queen's mind raced, but the truth seemed different as a small smirk formed on Delta's face from the look of Epsilon, who became as red as a beetroot.

"Epsilon?" The Queen asked in a commanding voice. "What is it?"

Epsilon cleared her throat. "It seems that the prince and Vela are...intimate."

"Oh?" The queen smiled widely as if she'd discovered the world's best-kept secret. "How intimate?"

Epsilon shifted uncomfortably. "I believe that you should expect a grandchild before the end of this campaign... The average amount of times they have engaged in coitus over the past two weeks is close to four times a day..."

Delta burst into laughter. "Four times a day!? What stamina does that man have!?"

The queen smirked. "You two, don't get jealous." Then she looked towards Epsilon. "Are you sure it is only four times? It seems like my son is holding back."

Epsilon nodded. "I can only say he seems to prioritise Vela, maybe because of how insecure the princess seemed with all the women around her. Though he hasn't avoided his other women... sleeping with most of them in order, each woman apart from a few have the same number of times as the princess... but rather than night, he takes them anywhere they tend to be."

Delta looked towards the queen. "Does this mean that we need to prepare for the prince to return home with a harem of women?"

The queen shook her head. "No, I am sure my son will settle down soon. Vela is his first wife, and that is all that matters. From my research, he has roughly eleven or twelve women. Though I am curious to know if he will take them all as concubines..." She looked towards Epsilon. "Have you heard any of the women discuss marriage?"

Epsilon nodded her head. "All of them have mentioned it. However, I believe he intends to take them all as his wives. But I am unsure how he plans to manage a harem of women without causing issues between them... He seems to care deeply for each of them."

The queen nodded. "Yes, he seems to be very kind. He will make a great king one day. But a husband... ah, my lovely Vela will struggle for his affection." Then she looked towards Delta. "Delta, it is time for you to gather my forces.

We are going to clean up the mess created by that witch; I order you to clean all monsters across the capital and southern areas that lack defence and leave Drakkur and the Glade to defend their territories."

Delta nodded, bowing deeply before leaving the room.

The queen looked towards Epsilon. "Epsilon, it is time for you to return and wait for the prince to reach the capital city. I will send a few of your sisters to support you and offer reinforcements. You will lead the forces I send to you. This is my trust in you. You understand, right?"

Epsilon nodded. "Of course, my queen. I will do as you ask."

The queen smiled, looking at Epsilon with a warm gaze. "Do not worry, Epsilon. I know you will do well. I have always trusted you."

The queen nodded. "I know you won't. Now go. I will contact you when I reach the capital city."

Epsilon bowed her head deeply. "Yes, my queen." Then she disappeared from the screen, leaving the queen alone with her thoughts.

"It seems that Asura is more of a Casanova than I gave him credit for. Though I thought Garret did well with two or three, this boy seems to have even taken the heart of the sword saintess and most of my female Royal Knights..." She looked towards her bed with a warm smile. "I wonder how many children he will give me?

I hope he gives me at least five or six!" Then she fell onto her bed with a wide grin on her face. "I can't wait to see my lovely Vela again."

The queen, unable to give birth, normally looked forward to the day Vela told her she was expecting. The first true pregnancy in their royal bloodline in thousands of years. Tightly wrapped in her quilt, she seemed to sleep easier than usual.

***

In the morning, Asura woke up with Vela wrapped around his body like a koala bear, tightly clinging to his body as if she feared he would disappear if she let go. He gently stroked her hair, enjoying the warmth of her body pressed against his. He loved her soft skin and gentle breathing as she slept peacefully.

"This girl is becoming a little too aggressive in bed." He chuckled. "But I don't mind it at all." Then he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I love you, my little Vela."

Vela opened her eyes, looking up at him with a sleepy gaze. Her hands rubbed them while she tried to greet him with her normal morning weakness. "Mmm, morning, hehe."

Asura smiled warmly, kissing her lips. "Morning, you little monster."

Asura nodded, getting out of bed and stretching his body. Then he walked to the bathroom and quickly washed himself before heading back into the room, where Vela waited for him, still wrapped in her quilt, looking at him like a lost puppy.

He walked over to her and began helping her get dressed.

"Like a real princess, aren't you, Vela?" He whispered, helping brush her hair and apply her moisturiser.

She giggled and nodded. "I am your princess, Asura." Then she looked towards him with a teasing smirk. "Don't forget it!"

He gave a serious look, placing a hand on his chin before nodding, leaning forward and kissing her lips. "I wouldn't dare forget it."

Before the two could continue their morning flirting, the door suddenly knocked with two loud bangs—however, without waiting for them to respond, the door slammed open, and Xavida charged inside, rushing to the bed and leaping into the pair. She hugged Asura while her feet kicked Vela away. Xavida's nose pressed against his chest while sniffing his body.

"Xavida, what are you doing!?" Vela asked with a frown on her face as she watched Xavida cling to Asura.

Xavida looked towards Vela with a grin. "Hugging my husband and baby daddy!! Haha!"