Queen Of Adis

Helèna discreetly clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. She couldn't believe that she was being reprimanded by a dog. Once she married the Dark King and became the new Queen, she would shred that mangy dog into pieces.

She squeezed her tears out and sobbed to get the crowd's affection. "Your Majesty, I beg you to be merciful towards the church ministers and punish this lowly woman's ignorance, instead. I-I only wish to share King Adis' burden."

The people took pity on her, especially the chief priest. After a wild but unforgettable night with Helèna, Damien fell in love and he swore that he would do everything to make her wish come true.

Damien ignored Fang's warning and helped Helèna to stand up. He held her protectively then spoke to Adis. "Your Majesty, this maiden's power is really important to Trium Regum. The church does not wish to hurt the Queen's feelings, so the King can consider taking this maiden as a concubine or even your personal companion."

Zen stepped forward and spoke, "Priest Damien, the church people used to think that marriage between a holy maiden and a demon is deplorable. The church and nobles even made a big deal out of it in the past. So, why the sudden change of heart?"

Damien seemed to be trained to answer such a question. "After that tragic war, the church realized the unrivaled power of the Dark King. We also anticipated that many maidens from different realms would covet to be part of the Dark Palace's harem, so the church decided to let it go."

Zen nodded as though he was convinced with the response.

Aquarius finally joined the discussion. He wished for nothing more than to get this over and done with. "For argument sake, if we grant her wish, how would a mortal like her be able to survive the harsh environment of Umbra without disintegrating?"

The churchmen looked at each other, refusing to be the bearer of any news.

Damien stood his ground and spoke confidently. "The church supports the equal co-existence of human and non-human beings. We have always wanted to bridge the gap between the dark realm, as we did to the water realm. However, our attempts were in vain due to the miasma around the land. Since then, the church has been... experimenting with different kinds of items and magic spells, so humans would have the privilege to visit Umbra. Thanks to the funding of some of the nobles, we are able to finish the prototype and we will be offering it to the holy maiden as her reward."

A strong gust of dark wind came and swept Damien and his cronies away. The clergymen immediately cast holy barriers to protect them from the dark magic.

Adis finally snapped. "You insignificant humans! You dared to act as though you are the highest and most privileged beings in the entire realms despite your uselessness and puny abilities. I shut my eyes from all the crimes you did to my people because the late Queen of all realms, my mother, loved your feeble existence. Now, I've been lenient because my Queen wishes to live in peace. And yet, you dared to plan on invading my realm and began an experiment without my knowledge?! Killing all of you is not even enough to calm this King's anger!"

Bolts of black thunder came down, creating horrifying dents and cracks on the Light Palace, and killing some of the ministers that were too weak to cast their holy barriers for too long. As if it was not enough, hailstorm came next, pouring huge chunks of black ice on the land without mercy.

Zen was currently panicking and crying like a child because of the damage that befallen to his palace and a huge amount of money that he needed to fix everything. Zen's loyal aide, Isaiah, already fainted and his soul was slowly leaving his body due to the same reasons.

"Ah, stupid big brother, please spare my palace. Punish those fools somewhere else. Nooo! My goddess of love and beauty statue, please hold on!"

Aquarius, on the other hand, moved fast and snatched Haru from Adis and enveloped her with his powerful protection barrier.

The entire Light Palace was in pandemonium. Warriors of Light came and immediately evacuated the civilians.

In the middle of chaos, Haru suddenly ran away from Aquarius and out of his barrier.

"Adis!"

Haru loudly called out while running towards him. She hugged him tight despite the thunder sparks and dark mists around his body. She needed to wake him up from his anger. If innocent civilians got involved and killed from his rampage, the great elders would definitely use it against him, and endless chaos might ensue.

She held Adis' face in her small hands and stared at his face. His demon eyes we're bloody red, veins and dark spells appeared on his face, and his fangs were jutting out. He was slowly transforming into his demon self.

"Adis wake up. It's me, your Haru," she softly called out to him.

"Haru, go back to Aquarius. These people need to be punished. Enough is enough!" Adis snarled.

The sparks around him were causing minor cuts and bruises to her body but it instantly got healed by Aquarius' blessing. However, it didn't mean that she couldn't feel the pain. Her body was glowing in bright azure as the Geyser of Life was in overdrive due to the excessive dark energy around her.

She stood in her tippy toes and leaned closer to him. She whispered against his lips, "You snapped. It's my win."

Adis stiffened... and then the dark energy around him slowly dissipated. The veins and dark spells on his face were slowly fading, his nails and fangs withdrew. The storms cooled down a bit, enough for the citizens to get out of their hiding place and run away from the palace.

"What an awful way to calm your husband," Adis exhaled heavily as he gently chided her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him small kisses on his lips. "Fufu, as long as it worked," she gladly responded.

Adis knew that she was craning her neck too much due to their height difference, so he lifted her body up carefully; left arms under her b.u.t.t.o.c.k.s and the other hand on her back. He moved as though she weighed like a feather.

"I'm sorry I hurt you," he apologized. His eyes filled with worry and guilt as he looked at her intently.

Haru pouted playfully, "Idiot husband, you worried this silly wife. How would you compensate me?"

His free hand grabbed the back of her neck and gently nipped at her cheek. "Whatever you d.e.s.i.r.e, this idiot husband will do it for you."

She chuckled and whispered to his ear. "Fufu, then off to our chamber, my love."

"Mn," he obediently nodded.

"W-wait, big brother!" Zen interrupted before Adis could even move. "What about me? How would you compensate me? My palace is in ruins!"

"Hmph! Who brought me those annoying flies?

"Eh?! But big brother, if I don't get money for repairs, Isaiah will skin me alive. H-how about you lend me some money? I'll pay in installments."

Adis looked at Zen's trusted aide, "If you could really skin him alive, I will give you the money for repairs for free." He said nonchalantly.

Isaiah bowed respectfully, "Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty. I shall send the entire cost to sir Fang, then."

"Hey, why are you agreeing to big brother, you brat! Big brother, you're so cruel!"

Aquarius and Haru laughed to their banter. The Royal family completely forgot the commotion a minute ago.

"K-King Adis?" Helèna unceremoniously called out and interrupted the good atmosphere.

The guests gasped loudly and panicked, wanting to curse at the stupid girl, if not for her status as an oracle-to-be.

Aquarius scowled and stepped forward. The onlookers, especially the women, were surprised as the King of Atlantis was known to be the kindest and the most level headed among the three Kings. "Maiden, if you still have concerns, direct it to the chief priest. You have caused enough damage for today. Leave now while this King is still asking you nicely."

"B-but--" Helèna's rebuttal was stopped by Priest Damien.

"Helèna, stop." Damien shook his head gently. If they won't reconsider their plan, then no one from his group would come out from this palace alive.

Aquarius added, "Chief priest Damien, I demand the complete report of this unauthorized experiments first thing tomorrow morning."

The chief priest nodded in defeat and the remaining of his entourage finally decided to concede for tonight. They all bowed and bid the Royal Family farewell. Damien had to drag Helèna away as her feet refused to move.

After a couple of steps, the crowd heard a serene voice that made them stopped in their tracks.

"Helèna, was it?" Haru tilted her head as if making sure that she said it right. She was still comfortably being carried in Adis' arms. "I suggest that you revisit your plan. Even if you will be ordained as the new oracle and the experiments will be approved, you can never set foot in MY Dark Palace nor you can marry the King of Umbra. As long as I am alive, I will never allow it. This is my final answer. The people present tonight shall be my witnesses."

"But that's against the law!" Helèna completely lost any decorum she had learned and snapped. "According to the law of Trium Regum--"

"I am the Queen of Umbra and currently the ONLY Queen of the three realms. I. AM. THE. LAW!" Haru strongly proclaimed with fierce eyes, daring anyone to say otherwise.