It wasn't until the next morning that Theresa understood what Wiš'adel had meant. After rising, she gathered her clothes, her beautiful eyes lowered to Wiš'adel, who lay sleeping soundly between her and Felix, a complicated expression crossing her face. Wiš'adel was no longer the innocent girl who used to blush whenever she spoke to her.
"Setting aside emotional factors, perhaps the two of us made the right choice."
Theresa paused before standing up. "Are you referring to the union between the current king and the former Sarkaz king?"
"Yes."
Felix stepped into the dressing room to select his clothes, and Theresa followed him at an unhurried pace. "I want to knit a garment for you by hand."
"What style?"
"The styles worn by the Sarkaz kings throughout history," Theresa said, a faint smile touching her lips. "A Sarkaz king must naturally be distinguished from his subordinates. That distinction is reflected in his power, in his daily life, and in his attire."
Her hand rested lightly against Felix's chest, feeling the steady, powerful heartbeat beneath her palm. She lifted her gaze and smiled. "Before I became the Sarkaz king, I was a tailoress."
"Alright. Since you're interested, take whatever materials you need." Felix considered for a moment. "You can also review the future equipment designs and see whether they meet Terra's aesthetic standards."
Theresa smiled, stepped forward, and gently wrapped her arms around him. "I love you. It has nothing to do with right or wrong. I only know that my body and soul cannot be separated from your existence."
"It's only natural for us to do this. The Sarkaz may not believe there is affection between us, but this gesture will certainly put their hearts at ease."
"So, Your Majesty, who truly holds the position of Queen?"
Theresa winked, her tone teasing. She had yet to dress, and beneath the warm light, her healthy skin still carried the faint chill of having just woken.
"I haven't really considered that before." Felix thought briefly, then nodded. "Whether I'm invited to Yan Kingdom or attend the Summit of Nations next year, as the King of Kazdel, I should bring my family along, just as other rulers do. I have no children, but I can certainly bring a few companions."
Theresa pouted and traced circles over his chest.
"As the former Sarkaz king of Kazdel, I will naturally take you with me." Felix ruffled her hair. She hummed softly before turning to dress.
Watching her graceful figure, untouched by the long passage of history, Felix nodded to himself. The remaining two would be Mostima and Muelsye.
Mostima was often separated from him because of her work and had even been nicknamed the "blue-haired passerby" by the players, a title that left Felix both amused and exasperated. For a formal occasion, he would certainly bring her along. As for Muelsye, whether she should attend Laterano in her true body or as a clone required her own decision. The Holy City of Laterano was free from pollution and Oripathy, making it safe for elves. Still, Felix worried that Kristen's plan to ascend to the space and beyond might keep Muelsye too occupied to leave.
His interaction with Muelsye was far simpler. After kissing Theresa goodbye, Felix picked up breakfast from the cafeteria and headed to the botanical garden. There, he found Muelsye's water clone staring blankly at a report. Judging by the time in Columbia, it was already late at night. Felix coughed softly, drawing her attention. She smiled brightly and leapt at him, soaking him in water.
"What's wrong? I'm about to sleep," the water clone yawned adorably, guiding a ribbon of water to lean against Felix as she studied his profile.
"As the King of Kazdel, I will attend next year's Summit of Nations in person. I'll need a few… family members by my side."
"Hm?" Muelsye blinked, then covered her mouth as she laughed. "Among this family?"
"Mostima, you, and Theresa."
Her eyes shifted thoughtfully. "Mostima, because she was the first with whom you developed that kind of relationship. Theresa, because she was once the Sarkaz king of Kazdel. Then what about me?"
The water clone squeezed out two mock tears. "In my heart, I was clearly the first to give you my feelings, the first to develop unusual feelings for you."
"That's exactly why I'm taking you with me."
Felix clasped Muelsye's hand and smiled. "I wonder if your true body can accompany us to Laterano?"
"Of course I can!"
Felix was speechless. "Aren't you swamped at Rhine Lab? Justin's been messaging me nonstop lately, complaining about the terms of the order. And hasn't the military been pressuring Kristen again and again?"
"Oh my, I can keep my water clone working inside Rhine Labs."
Muelsye smiled through her tears, nestling gently against Felix's chest as she whispered, "I really, really missed you…"
After lingering together for a while, Muelsye yawned once more and, somewhat reluctantly, left a damp kiss on his cheek. She smiled and waved goodbye, her form dissolving into clear water before slipping back into the pond.
Felix rose to his feet. He would not be idle today. Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals was about to arrive at the borders of Kazdel, and as its king, he naturally needed to be present.
He had never taken part in Rhodes Island's activities. Although he was one of its major shareholders, he placed little importance on that title. He would lend a hand to old acquaintances when he could, but he had no desire to interfere in Rhodes Island's choices or decisions.
It had been more than a year since they last parted. Felix still remembered fighting alongside Rhodes Island in Siesta. They had been invited there for business negotiations. Since then, he had not seen them again, though he heard they had returned to Rim Billiton once and stayed in Leithanien for a time.
The moment they learned that Theresa had revived, they rushed over without delay. It was understandable. Many of them had once belonged to Babel. Now that the princess who had led Babel had returned, numerous operators were clamoring to come back to Kazdel.
Since his racial traits had fully transformed into those of the Teekaz, Felix noticed something subtle. Whether it was the operators of Tomorrow's Development, the Sarkaz, or even the players, they all treated him with noticeably greater respect. Was it because his charm had increased? Or perhaps because fragments of information about the Teekaz were recorded in Kazdel's mobile city library.
Setting aside Tomorrow's Development, the Sarkaz were now utterly loyal to him, with no possibility of betrayal. Felix even felt that if they were ordered onto the battlefield, they would not hesitate to give their lives.
Because of past concerns over loyalty, he had never formally established a Kazdel army. The only two forces whose loyalty could be guaranteed were the Saviadel Legion and Giles's Goliath City Defense Army. Beyond those, Kazdel had no other standing armies.
Now, however, it seemed necessary to invest more effort into this matter.
Felix handled official business in his office for half an hour. During that time, Ines entered and shot him a reproachful look.
"Why didn't you wake me last night?"
"?"
"Do you really think Wiš'adel and Miss Theresa together could handle it? I just didn't expect Miss Theresa to actually…"
"Ahem… I'll call for you tonight?"
"Even if you don't, I'll still come knock on your door."
Ines paused, letting the matter drop. "Duke Windermere is ready. When we go to Londinium, he will serve as our inside contact. At the same time, he is aware of Loughshinny's identity and is willing to hand over the territories of the defeated nobles for her to occupy."
"Your Highness, your envisioned three-way conflict depends on Vina successfully entering Londinium and suppressing the nobles' rebellion. I believe that unless Vina takes decisive action against those rebellious nobles, it will be difficult to achieve the expected results in the short term."
"Royalty cannot endure forever." Felix leaned back in his chair. "Terran hearts are unpredictable. Where are the nobles and knights who once swore loyalty to her father? Do you think they were all traitors?"
"The majority of people in this world remain silent. Don't be deceived by those nobles who appear to be thriving, dancing upon Vina's father's grave and enjoying power for over a decade. Do you truly believe there are many like them? Most nobles and knights continue living as they always have. For them, the king they once served is dead, and the whereabouts of his children are unknown. Under such circumstances, what would be the point of stepping forward to sing a different tune?"
Felix spoke calmly. "I will assign a small team to Vina so she can infiltrate Londinium and join forces with the resistance. Our targets are the Military Commission led by Theresis and the royal court."
Ines bowed. "Your Highness, please grant me command of the Venus."
"Very well." Felix gave a brief nod. "You will command the Venus and the land battleships. Ulšulah will oversee the skyships. The two of you should conduct battlefield simulations."
"Yes!"
Ines bowed once more.
"By the way, Your Highness… it's nearly time. Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals is almost here."
"Good."
Through the corridor's glass windows, billowing smoke could be seen in the distance. Rhodes Island, absent for so long, slowly traversed the land of Kazdel before coming to a halt several dozen kilometers from Tomorrow's Development.
"Rhodes Island, you are cleared to dock near Kazdel Mobile City," a staff member in the command center said into the microphone.
"Thank you, Venus." The reply sounded youthful, yet it carried a steady confidence that inspired trust. "We expect to dock in ten minutes."
Felix stepped onto the deck, where several senior staff members with lighter duties were already waiting. Theresa stood behind him, smiling, though a trace of unease lingered in her eyes.
The closer she came to home, the more apprehensive she felt. The thought of facing her former subordinates stirred complicated emotions within her. From Felix, she had learned that Amiya had inherited her will and founded Rhodes Island to heal the sick and save lives across this land. That knowledge filled Theresa with guilt. Was it right to entrust such a heavy burden to a child? Would it crush her? Wouldn't Amiya grow weary?
The transport aircraft descended slowly onto the Venus's tarmac. The moment the cabin doors opened, the little rabbit could not wait to rush out. She bit her lower lip and flung her arms wide, like a tiny spirit longing for an embrace.
"Miss Theresa!"
"Amiya."
Theresa knelt and gathered Amiya into her arms, her expression soft with affection. Amiya pressed her face against Theresa and laughed. "You still smell the same as always, Miss Theresa! I Miss you!"
"You've grown up, Amiya."
Theresa sighed inwardly and gently stroked her head. Amiya giggled shyly. Only then did she remember to greet Felix, but she froze when she saw his current appearance.
"Brother Felix, what happened? Could it be… a fallen of the Sankta?"
"This isn't a fallen one."
Kal'tsit studied Felix with a probing gaze, something complicated flickering in her eyes. She let out a faint sigh. "I didn't expect you to reach this level."
"Becoming stronger is enough."
Felix smiled.
Kal'tsit shot him a cool glance. A faint flush crept onto her cheeks before she turned her head away from the man whose presence was difficult to ignore. Instead, she looked at Theresa, who had been quietly observing from the side.
"It's been a long time, Kal'tsit."
"…It has, Theresa."
Before her old friend, Kal'tsit's usual composure wavered, replaced by a slightly awkward smile.
"Oh my, we're all long-lived beings. There's no need to dwell on such trivial matters."
Theresa smiled and gently pulled Kal'tsit into an embrace, as though comforting a child.
Felix watched the scene with a grin and promptly began recording it.
"Your Highness…"
This time it was Scout and Logos who addressed him, followed by the Sarkaz operators.
"Though we serve Rhodes Island, our loyalty is yours. If you have any request, we will go through fire and water to fulfill it."
"There's no need for that. Don't make it sound so grave."
Felix patted their shoulders lightly.
Logos glanced at the HR lady standing behind Felix, who narrowed her eyes in response.
With a faint smile, Logos quickly looked away and smoothly changed the subject.