I won't fall for the queen who burned my world-Chapter 144: The Journey Begins

Elysia woke up to the soft glow of dawn filtering through her windows, stretching lazily as reality settled in. Yesterday's conversation—no, declaration—from Malvoria played on a loop in her mind.

"Let's go on a date."

For a brief moment, she half-convinced herself it had been some bizarre fever dream. But no, as she dressed and made her way toward the castle entrance, there Malvoria stood, waiting.

And damn her.

Malvoria was not in her usual regal attire. Gone was the heavily embroidered uniform, the polished armor, the layers of fine fabric that screamed of power and authority.

Instead, she had opted for something far more practical—form-fitting dark trousers, sturdy leather boots that laced up her calves, and a sleeveless black tunic tucked beneath a deep crimson vest, cinched at the waist with a belt that held a dagger and various survival tools.

And then there were her arms—bare, powerful, toned in a way that spoke of years of combat. Her usual layers often hid just how muscular she was, but now, with the exposed skin of her biceps flexing every time she adjusted her gloves, it was impossible not to notice.

Elysia was noticing a lot.

Malvoria smirked, her sharp gray eyes gleaming as she took in Elysia's stunned expression.

"Like what you see, wife?"

Elysia scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You just had to ruin the moment, didn't you?"

Malvoria chuckled, running a hand through her thick red hair, which was tied loosely at the nape of her neck today, looking just the right amount of effortlessly attractive.

Elysia forced herself to look away.

"You look decent, I guess," she muttered.

Malvoria hummed, stepping closer, gaze roaming over Elysia this time. "And you look..." she paused, tilting her head, dragging her gaze from Elysia's boots up to the fitted outfit she had chosen. "Better than usual."

Elysia crossed her arms. "That almost sounded like a compliment."

"It was," Malvoria admitted smoothly.

Elysia narrowed her eyes suspiciously, but before she could come up with a snarky remark, her gaze drifted past Malvoria and landed on the unexpected sight waiting for them.

Not the teleportation circle she had assumed they'd take—but a magical carriage.

A beautiful, sleek thing carved from dark wood and lined with intricate demonic runes, with two massive, black-scaled creatures hitched to the front.

"What the—" Elysia turned to Malvoria. "You planned for us to take a carriage?"

Malvoria, looking far too pleased with herself, simply shrugged. "There's no teleportation circle near the mountain."

Elysia let out an exaggerated groan. "You mean to tell me I'm stuck in a carriage alone with you for hours?"

"Regretting your decision already?" Malvoria teased.

Elysia huffed and climbed inside first, muttering about probably being kidnapped by the Demon Queen anyway, so what's the difference?

Malvoria followed right after, settling into the seat across from her, her smirk never faltering.

The moment the carriage started moving, a thick, heavy silence settled between them. But unlike their usual charged silences filled with unspoken challenges and unacknowledged tension, this one was...

Different.

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Not uncomfortable.

Just uncertain.

Elysia, despite herself, kept sneaking glances at Malvoria.

She didn't look like the untouchable Queen right now. She looked—relaxed. At ease in a way Elysia rarely saw.

What are you thinking?

Before she could stop herself, she found her eyes lingering too long on Malvoria's face. The sharp angles of her jaw, the way her lips curved ever so slightly in amusement—

Malvoria suddenly turned her head.

Elysia snapped her gaze away.

"Do I have something on my face?" Malvoria asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

Elysia cleared her throat. "No. You're just—"

"Stunning? Breathtaking? Irresistible?"

"I was going to say annoying," Elysia shot back.

Malvoria chuckled, shaking her head. "Liar."

---

A few hours into their journey, they arrived at a small village nestled between the rolling hills of the demon lands.

As soon as Malvoria stepped out of the carriage, the energy in the village shifted.

Demons turned to stare.

Some bowed deeply, their expressions respectful, while others whispered among themselves, casting cautious glances in their direction. There was reverence, yes, but also a faint thread of fear.

Elysia watched, fascinated.

Malvoria, for her part, remained completely unaffected. She strode forward with that natural, effortless confidence, like she expected people to part for her—and they did.

Elysia, in contrast, received very different reactions. Well it's the first time she came here and it was not the other village they had been last time.

" It's nice seeing you again." said Malvoria.

Some of the tension in the villagers' shoulders seemed to ease, though they still regarded Malvoria with silent caution.

Well it was a bit awkward and a really long silence.

Malvoria said nothing as Elysia stood back up, but Elysia could feel her watching.

She turned her head, meeting Malvoria's gaze. Something flickered there.

Elysia didn't understand it. Didn't want to understand it.

"We should get what we need and leave," Malvoria said finally.

Elysia nodded, following as Malvoria led them through the marketplace.

---

As they set off again, the energy between them had changed.

Elysia couldn't shake the feeling that this trip was going to shift something between them.

Malvoria was acting different. Or maybe Elysia was the one acting different.

She crossed her arms, sinking into the seat of the carriage, watching as the demon lands passed by.

"Something on your mind?" Malvoria asked, voice low.

Elysia glanced at her.

She considered lying.

But instead, she simply muttered, "I think this is going to be a mistake."

Malvoria raised a brow. "Why?"

Because Elysia could feel something shifting. Because she knew—knew—that if she let this happen, there would be no going back.

Because Malvoria made her feel things she had no business feeling. Maybe she should get out of that carriage and run away it would be the best thing to do in that situation.

She sighed, looking away. "Never mind."

Malvoria watched her for a long moment before speaking again.

"We'll see about that."