Meeting Queen Celithe Faelith

The following morning, with the uneasy alliances tentatively in place, Aeliana and Lucian prepared to journey to the Elven Kingdom. Lucian, fully aware of the hostility he would face as a Demon Lord, allowed Aeliana to disguise him with a spell.

"Pointy ears," Lucian muttered, examining his reflection in a polished blade. The spell Aeliana cast had smoothed away his harsher features, softened his crimson eyes to a more natural forest green, and added the telltale pointed ears of an elf. "I look ridiculous."

Aeliana suppressed a smirk as she adjusted the spell's finishing touches. "You look… believable. And that's what matters. The Elves don't take kindly to outsiders, let alone Demon Lords. If you want this truce to work, you'll need to blend in."

"The things I do for peace."

Aeliana ignored his sarcasm, raising her hands to summon the portal. Ancient words flowed from her lips as magic shimmered in the air, coalescing into a swirling gateway of light and emerald energy. "Ready?" she asked, turning to Lucian.

He gave a mock bow. "Lead the way, Princess."

 The buildings were carved from living trees, their trunks twisted into elegant spires. Bridges of silver vines connected platforms high above, and waterfalls cascaded down glowing cliffs.

As they approached the royal palace, Aeliana straightened, her demeanor shifting into one of calm confidence. "Let me do the talking," she said softly.

Lucian's lips twitched in amusement. "I'm sure your stepmother will love me."

The palace doors opened, and they were greeted by Queen Celithe Faelith, a striking figure draped in flowing silver and emerald robes. Her golden hair glimmered like sunlight, and her piercing violet eyes scanned Aeliana with a mix of warmth and wariness.

"Aeliana," Celithe said, her voice lilting yet commanding. She stepped forward, embracing Aeliana tightly. "You've been gone far too long. Welcome home, my dear."

"It's good to see you, Mother," Aeliana replied, her voice tinged with affection.

Celithe's gaze shifted to Lucian, her smile faltering as she studied him. Though he wore an elven guise, something in his demeanor seemed off to her. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "And who is your… companion?"

Lucian opened his mouth to respond, but Aeliana quickly interjected. "Mother, this is Lucian. He is…" She hesitated, then squared her shoulders. "He is the Demon Lord."

The warmth drained from Celithe's expression, and the air grew heavy with tension. The Queen's guards stepped forward, their hands on their weapons, but Celithe raised a hand to stop them. "A Demon Lord? You bring him here, into our kingdom, knowing the history between our people?"

"I do," Aeliana said firmly. "Because I believe in what we're trying to accomplish. Lucian has agreed to a truce, to work toward peace between our realms. And he's here as my… partner."

Celithe's sharp gaze flicked between them. "Partner?"

Lucian stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty, I understand your hesitation. The enmity between our people runs deep. But Aeliana has shown me a path I never thought possible. While I cannot deny my past, I am here in good faith."

Celithe's eyes softened only slightly as she turned to Aeliana. "And you trust him?"

"I do," Aeliana replied without hesitation. "I believe in him. In us."

The Queen sighed, her expression conflicted. Then, as if steeling herself, she fixed her gaze on Lucian. "Tell me, Demon Lord, do you love her?"

The question hung in the air like a blade. Lucian glanced at Aeliana, his expression unreadable, before he answered carefully, "I feel a strong connection to her. Stronger than anything I've felt before. She's… changed me, Your Majesty."

The Queen's eyes narrowed. "That's not love."

"It's the truth," Lucian replied evenly.

Celithe studied him for a long moment before speaking, her voice low and firm. "Aeliana is not my daughter by blood, but I have raised her as my own. She is precious to me, and I will not see her hurt." She stepped closer to Lucian, her presence regal and commanding. "If anything befalls on her, it will first befall on YOU, and I will not show mercy."

Lucian met her gaze without flinching. "Understood."

Celithe finally stepped back, turning to Aeliana. "You've chosen a dangerous path, my child. But if this is what you believe in, I will support you—for now. Just… be careful."

Aeliana nodded, gratitude evident in her eyes. "Thank you, Mother."

Aeliana gave him a pointed look. "You're lucky she didn't have you thrown into the dungeons."

Lucian smirked. "Charming family you've got, Princess. I think I'm starting to like them."

Lucian leaned in, his long, dark lashes brushing against her skin as his lips hovered near her ear. "You're awfully quiet, Princess. Is my disguise that convincing, or are you just… distracted?"

His voice was low, teasing, and maddeningly confident. Aeliana tried to muster a sharp retort, but her words caught in her throat as her eyes traveled over his softened elven features.

"Am not," she managed to whisper, though her breath betrayed her.

He looked at her with his long lashes as he placed a longing puppy - dog face begging her to look at him as she giggled a bit that she found him quite are charmer that made her giddy.

"Distracted now, princess?" He teased her until he notices the color of her face became more plump and red. He restrain himself to pinch them, but the urge was there as he closed his fists.

Still, he focuses his attention elsewhere for the desire to flee. He plants a cheeky smooch on her that she felt the need to reciprocate, deepening their touch on one another. Polite, even. As they separate they shared mirroring smiles that seem to reach up to their ears and she knew he was always much of a flirt when they first started seeing each other. 'it seems something never changes.' she tucks a strand by her ear but shying away from his grinning face

"And yet, you don't seem to mind," he stated, looking at her with deep-set eyes purring into her