After breakfast, the family gathered in one of the sitting rooms. No one mentioned departure directly; instead, they spoke about ordinary things.
His brother discussed repairs to the training ground. His father joked that the estate’s engineers were considering charging them personally while his mother insisted they deserved it.
Even the fox somehow became involved after stealing a biscuit from his brother’s plate.
"You’ve taught it terrible habits, this is going to be really hard to change. I don’t even want to know how many times I’ve said that since coming here."
His brother looked offended.
"I did no such thing, and it’s actually everyone here spoiling her, do not single me out."
The fox continued eating the stolen biscuit. His father coughed into his teacup while his mother looked at him knowingly.
"...Don’t start."
"I haven’t said anything."
"You’ve also been feeding it."
"I refuse to answer."
The room filled with laughter. For a little while, the world outside simply ceased to exist. This feeling was something Atheline knew he would miss.
He finally got what it means to be homesick while still at home. He had only ever heard of it from the many random conversations he had with people.
Then, a familiar ripple spread through space and the laughter gradually faded.
Dark shadows gathered silently in the middle of the room. They twisted together like flowing silk before forming a circular gateway of pure darkness.
The servants instinctively stepped back. The High Elven guards tensed for only a fraction of a second before recognizing the Aether signature.
The Queen had arrived.
The shadows dispersed and she stepped gracefully from the portal. As always, she carried herself with effortless dignity.
Her shoulder-length black hair swayed slightly, contrasting sharply against the snow-white surroundings. Golden eyes calmly swept across the room before immediately finding Atheline’s purple ones.
A small smile appeared.
"There you are," Atheline said while walking toward her. "You found the place, I missed you."
She looked around briefly.
"It wasn’t difficult and I missed you too."
The fox leapt from his shoulder without hesitation, landing neatly in her waiting arms.
"...Traitor."
The fox happily rubbed against her hand as she gently scratched beneath its chin.
"I believe it has chosen."
Atheline sighed dramatically.
"So much for loyalty."
"It has excellent taste."
His brother burst into laughter.
"It betrayed you immediately."
"I noticed."
Lilith turned toward his parents, her expression becoming formal. She placed one hand over her chest before inclining her head respectfully.
"Your Majesty," his father greeted before she could speak.
"Lord. My Lady. Young lord. Thank you for welcoming my husband into your home."
Lord Helmer returned the greeting.
"The pleasure was ours."
"You’ve raised an exceptional man," she said then looked toward Atheline.
"I am well aware." His mother smiled warmly. "We’re simply happy he visited and enjoyed himself."
Lilith nodded.
"I can tell." She glanced toward her husband again. "You seem more relaxed."
"I am."
"You really needed the break."
Atheline smiled.
"I suppose I did."
His father gestured toward several prepared chairs.
"Will you join us for tea before departing?"
She accepted without hesitation.
"I would be honored."
The conversation that followed proved surprisingly comfortable, rather than discussing politics, they spoke about the visit itself.
Lord Helmer asked whether she had been overwhelmed by work during the past three days.
"A little." She answered honestly. "The investigation into the remnants of the rebellion continues."
His father nodded knowingly, Atheline had told him a little of what had been going on with her permission of course.
"They rarely disappear overnight."
"Exactly."
His mother asked about the palace gardens and even the fox. It was clear she was trying to reconnect what she had broken and the little effort warmed Atheline’s heart.
Lilith answered each question patiently. There was a calmness to her that only appeared around people she respected.
Eventually, Lord Helmer looked toward Atheline.
"So."
"Did your visit answer your questions?"
He thought carefully before responding.
"Some but not all."
His father nodded. " That’s all we need."
"Yes."
Atheline stood up, and naturally, Lilith followed.
"If you don’t mind, I would like to show her around?"
His father glanced between the two of them then nodded.
"I suppose a small tour wouldn’t hurt. Do come and bid us farewell when you decide to leave."
Lilith smiled. "We will."
She and Atheline walked out, leaving the three talking amongst themselves. Atheline took her directly to his room.
The moment they got into his room, he fully relaxed. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her lips. She responded with the same ferocity as they devoured each other’s lips as though they hadn’t seen each other for years.
A few minutes later, they separated with a string of saliva keeping them connected. It broke the moment he stepped back.
"I missed you more than you know," she quietly said.
"I think I know how much and I’ll double that."
They both chuckled. He led her to the coach and directed her to take a seat. She took a seat and he sat next to her.
His eyes drifted toward hers.
"There is something I wanted to tell you."
She immediately noticed his tone.
"It’s about the World Tree?"
He nodded.
"It is."
The room grew quiet.
"I touched it and strangely enough the system analyzed it."
Her expression became more attentive.
"And?"
"It reported twenty percent corruption."
She blinked.
"...Corruption?"
Atheline frowned slightly then nodded.
"To make it even weirder the priests detected nothing but I just couldn’t believe that," he shook his head. "The system also said there was nothing wrong. It explained that corruption is a natural part of the world’s balance."
Silence followed. Lilith rested her chin lightly against one hand.
"I thought as much."
Atheline’s eyes widened slightly. She continued calmly.
"People misunderstand the word. They hear ’corruption’ and immediately assume evil."
She slowly shook her head.
"That isn’t how the world functions, there cannot be life without death, growth without decay, and light without shadow."
Her golden eyes briefly met his.
"The Dark Elves..." she smiled faintly. "...naturally possess a slightly stronger affinity with that side of the balance. The same applies to demons."