The Queen and the Lion - Chapter 17
And then, Aslan realized why he had acted. It was because of the worried expression on Lysian’s face. He didn’t like the idea of her worrying about other men, and he didn’t want to see that worried look. He wanted to eliminate the source of her worry, and this was the result.
He’s fallen hard. Aslan sighed inwardly.
Keeping his feelings in check, Aslan stared at Lysian. He looked like a large dog waiting for its master’s command, but everyone present knew his true nature was that of a savage lion. They watched him with even more caution than they had the boar.
But Lysian didn’t seem to mind. As if to change the mood, she stepped forward and, gripping the leash, said in a calm voice,
“Carry me.”
“As you command.”
Aslan scooped her up effortlessly. She felt incredibly fragile in his arms, as if she would shatter if he squeezed too hard. He held her as gently as possible.
Lysian wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder. She could smell him.
Lysian’s heart raced. Despite being a hardened warrior, the scars on his well-trained body were the only evidence of his prowess; she had never actually seen him in action. Seeing his strength firsthand was exhilarating.
But what was more important was that he had acted on his own accord, without being ordered. As she pondered his reasons for intervening, her heart pounded with anticipation.
Lysian tightened her grip on Aslan’s neck. The thought that he might return her feelings was both exhilarating and terrifying.
Perhaps she was wrong. Maybe it was just a simple task for him, like a post-meal exercise.
But what mattered was that Lysian wanted this strong, beautiful black lion, and she wanted him desperately. She already possessed his body, but that wasn’t enough. She wanted his heart as well.
And Lysian was a woman who always got what she wanted. Her violet eyes gleamed in the darkness as she looked up at Aslan’s copper shoulders. A possessive queen, she yearned for more.
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- The Surrender of Heiban
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The conflict at the border between Heiban and Florea had gradually subsided. Since Aslan was captured, the tide of the war had turned in Florea’s favor. Heiban had continued to resist pointlessly, but it was clear that their resistance wouldn’t last long due to their dwindling supplies. Heiban was originally a nation with insufficient food, and until now, they had been pillaging the food of the regions they had occupied to sustain their army.
However, this meant that Heiban suffered a significant loss if they couldn’t conquer new territories within a short period. It would have been strategically wise to avoid a prolonged war. It was unclear why they had invaded the great nation of Florea in the first place.
“Heiban has surrendered!”
Heiban’s surrender was the inevitable outcome. Upon hearing the messenger’s victory report, the Florean nobles seemed to have a weight lifted off their shoulders. They patted their backs, relieved, with strange smiles on their faces.
“Without General Aslan, they must have struggled.”
“He was one of the most talented young generals in Heiban.”
“What about the prisoners of war?”
“Of course, Heiban will want them back.”
Just as they were praising Aslan, their true intentions became clear. It was obvious that they all wanted to get rid of Aslan at this opportunity. Lysian scoffed. As if!
Before Lysian had taken Aslan as her lover, it might have been different. But now that they had been intimate countless times, Aslan was more than just a prisoner of war; he was the queen’s man. How dare her subjects discuss the treatment of the queen’s man? Lysian’s lips curled into a disdainful smile.
Noticing the queen’s displeasure, the ministers’ voices grew quieter. It seemed that the queen still hadn’t tired of her foreign prisoner. They exchanged glances. The messenger, sensing the awkward atmosphere, quickly reported,
“A preliminary treaty has been drawn up at the border, and the second prince of Heiban will lead a delegation to deliver tribute. We can finalize the details upon their arrival.”
“Not bad.”
Lysian skimmed the list of tributes and replied indifferently. There wasn’t anything particularly valuable, and considering the losses Florea had suffered due to Heiban, she could have demanded more. But Heiban was Aslan’s country. She would only take what was necessary and let Aslan have the rest. As the future queen of Florea, he owed her that much.
With that thought, Lysian leaned back against the massive throne, far larger than her own frame. Her small head nodded slowly and elegantly beneath the crown.
“I hereby accept the surrender of Heiban.”
