While the ladies chatted along the winding forest path, sharing stories, laughter, and small secrets with each other as they walked, the imposing Living Forest was already coming into view in the distance, it’s ancient trees towering high into the sky.

Due to the sheer amount of concentrated magical power crammed into the bodies of the queens and their companions — power that radiated outward from them like heat from a roaring fire — no monsters dared to wander even within several meters of where the women walked, their survival instincts screaming at them to stay far away from such dangerous and overwhelming individuals.

"My, the monsters living in Verdant Spire are so humble and well-mannered, are they not?"

Sakura commented with a light laugh, as one unfortunate two-headed dog spotted them from a mile away down the path, immediately turned around and retreated back into the bushes without any hesitation or aggression.

Clearly not wanting any trouble with this particular group of travelers.

"Yes, we make sure to properly discipline the local creatures so that they understand the boundaries and the rules of our territory," Elara nodded and explained, her silver eyes scanning the forest around them with a satisfied expression. "They are mostly well behaved as a result, and the ones that refuse to learn the lessons learn the hard way not to cross paths with Amazons."

While they walked, talked and enjoyed each other’s company, Violette watched from behind like a silent guardian.

Like a protective mother keeping an eye on her children from a safe distance, smiling warmly at all of them as if she were watching her own kids grow up and find happiness in the world.

"I can see that all of you are very happy being with Benjamin, and that he brings you joy and fulfillment in your lives, yes?" Violette suddenly spoke up, her voice carrying a note of hopeful curiosity. "I also like him as well because of his reliability and his understanding nature... But I never thought that Sakura would be among his lovers, given her position, power... and her history."

"What are you talking about, implying that I am incapable of such feelings?" Sakura huffed in offense, opening her crimson fan with a snap and hiding her face behind it, her amber eyes peeking over the top edge. "Of course I am capable of love and romance too, just like any other woman. I am not a cold and heartless monster, no matter what rumors you may have heard about me.

"But... I will confess... It was nearly traumatizing for me, having to fall in love with a man that was not my father, Leorin, whom I loved and respected more than anyone else in the world. I felt like a weak woman for needing someone else in my life, for wanting affection and intimacy from a man who was not family."

"Ah, I know exactly what you mean, Sakura. I have felt that same fear and hesitation in my own heart," Elara nodded in agreement, her expression softening with understanding and empathy. "As a powerful queen who is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of an entire tribe of warriors, there is a deep and abiding fear of creating a weak point in yourself... by allowing true love to enter your heart and make you vulnerable.

"Enemies could very much exploit that weakness. Rivals could use it against you, too. I was more risky in my approach, though, once I finally accepted my feelings.

"Whenever Benjamin was near me, I would lose my wits and my composure, then become like a little girl again, giggling, blushing and saying foolish things. It was an addictive feeling, one that I never wanted to end, no matter how embarrassing it was. And he was just so naive and cute when he first came to our village, so innocent and confused about everything around him, it aroused my maternal instincts."

"Indeed, I felt the same way about him in the beginning," Sakura concurred, closing her fan and tapping it against her palm thoughtfully. "I felt like protecting him forever in Shishi-no-su, keeping him safe and happy within my walls, and then simultaneously burning Verdant Spire to the ground so that he would have no reason to ever leave me or return to this place. That was how big and overwhelming my love was for him in those early days. It consumed my thoughts and my dreams. Fufufu..."

Elara smiled warmly at her fellow queen, appreciating the honesty and the vulnerability of the confession. "Yes, yes, I completely understa— Wait just one moment, Sakura. What was that about arson? Did you just casually mention burning my village as an expression of love?"

Violette smiled, her expression warm but her eyes looking a bit unsure and uncertain about the direction the conversation had taken.

"Do... Do you guys genuinely think that Benjamin truly has enough space in his heart to love me too, in the same way that he loves all of you?" Violette asked softly, her voice carrying a note of insecurity and longing. "I would really hate to be a burden to him or to any of you... or even to cause problems in your relationships because of my presence. I have spent so long alone, and I am not sure how to fit into a group like this."

They were still walking while speaking, their feet carrying them steadily closer to the Living Forest.

So Titania turned her head back to address the giantess walking behind them, her violet eyes studying Violette’s face carefully.

"It takes no less than a single good conversation to fall in love with Benjamin, honestly. He has a way of making you feel seen and heard, and mostly valued. But I must ask you a direct question before I offer any advice: are YOU genuinely interested in Benjamin?"

Violette nodded seriously, her dark eyes meeting Titania’s gaze without flinching.

"I do not blame Irina or Lazarus for how I was treated during my early years in this world. They had their own concerns and their own battles to fight, and I was just a new strange creature that appeared out of nowhere.

"And I really wanted to prove my worth to them and to everyone else, so I also went along with their expectations and assignments without complaining. Being mostly treated as a powerful monster and a useful weapon was all I knew, so I accepted it as my role and my purpose.

"However, I needed just one person out there in the entire world to see me as something more than that — to see me as a young, cute girl who needed love and affection.

"I never received that selfish and wonderful treatment until nearly five thousand years later, sitting on an uprooted stone some miles away from my cave, talking to a strange man who had just fought me to a standstill. I cannot help but love him for that, Titania."

Titania smiled warmly at the confession, her expression soft and understanding.

Then she brought her head back to face the path ahead of her. "I see. But don’t forget I’m your senior here... Well, welcome to the family, Violette. You will have so much fun with us, I promise. We’re all a little broken and a little weird, but we take care of our own."

"And you are the most strange of all, Your Highness."

"Why, thank you, Vaelora-- Wait, that wasn’t a compliment!" Titania lashes like an angered cat.

Meanwhile, Elara and Sakura were still quarrelling behind them, their voices rising and falling with playful indignation.

"It was a slip of my tongue, I told you! I did not mean to say that part out loud! It just came out because I was thinking about how much I love him!"

"You lie! I can see the truth in your eyes! So you were genuinely planning on declaring war on Verdant Spire and burning our homes to ash?!"

"Sukoshi dake. Just a little bit, I swear! But it was all because of love. Please try to understand my feelings and forgive me for my intrusive thoughts!"

"Goodness gracious, this is exactly why I isolate myself from the rest of the world and avoid forming close relationships with other rulers. You are all absolutely deranged and I cannot trust any of you."