Evo, controlling his desires, took a deep breath and walked toward the Empress, who was watching him with curiosity. She did the same as the fairy and Elizabeth had done, trying to uncover his secrets, but without success. This had become common among those who encountered Evo—a young man who attracted attention simply by his presence and filled people's hearts with curiosity.
Now calmer, Evo approached her and bowed, one hand over his chest and the other behind his back.
– I greet the Empress, the brightest light of the Elves – he proclaimed in the most respectful manner possible, even reciting the traditional words of the elven people, all to remain on good terms with her.
The Empress, seated on her armchair, found the way the young man behaved quite attractive. She narrowed her eyes further, scanning Evo from head to toe, yet found nothing.
Feeling that intense gaze trying to pierce his defenses and look inside him, Evo inwardly broke into a sweat as he adjusted his posture. His eyes returned to the woman before him, who wore a delicious smile on her lips. Looking at her made Evo's heart stir. That milf was dazzling; his heart begged him to claim that woman as his own and crush any fool who dared lay hands on her.
Evo was possessive—he just wasn't consciously aware of it yet. It was only a matter of time before he finally laid his hands on one of these women.
The room fell into a somewhat awkward silence. Elizabeth alternated her gaze between Evo and her aunt, who stared at each other without saying a word. In a way, it felt suffocating.
– Student Eylam, I thank you for the greeting, and I am impressed that you know the customs of my people – Ilytrha broke the silence.
Evo, admiring the woman's beauty, smiled gently and nodded.
– I'm honored by your praise, but I did nothing deserving of it.
– I merely did the minimum expected when visiting another culture – he said lightly, maintaining his smile as he looked into the Empress's green eyes.
In a way, she was charmed by Evo's manners. Besides being handsome, he was extremely polite.
Ilytrha let out a soft chuckle and gestured for Evo to sit.
– Young man Eylam, please sit!
Evo nodded and replied as he took a seat.
– Empress, you may call me simply Evo. There's no need for so much formality.
– Even though your position is far above mine, I don't like excessive formality.
– Being treated like this by such an adorable lady makes me feel distant.
Evo adjusted himself on the sofa, returning his attention to her.
She was enjoying every second spent with the young man. His presence was pleasant and made the atmosphere lighter.
– Very well, Evo!
– I'll follow your suggestion and call you by your name only.
She paused briefly as a maid entered and served tea to everyone present.
– Thank you – Evo thanked the maid for the tea, receiving a gentle smile with flushed cheeks in return.
The maid soon left, her face still red, casting one last glance at Evo, who returned the look.
Elizabeth, seeing that, didn't like it at all. Unconsciously, she gripped the hem of her dress tightly. She didn't understand that feeling—she had never felt anything like it before and now didn't know what to do. Obviously, she couldn't tell anyone; it would cause a huge uproar and only bring her more trouble. She would have to resolve it on her own.
On the other hand, the Empress, who also noticed the maid's reaction, chuckled inwardly and turned her attention back to Evo, who sat there elegantly. His way of dressing, his gestures, his manner of speaking—everything about him was extremely refined, worthy of true nobility. Ilytrha was fascinated by it.
– You're quite popular, Evo. Just look at the state you left my maid in! – she said with a playful smile.
Brrrrrr!
Evo nearly spat out the tea in his mouth.
He looked at Ilytrha with a mix of embarrassment and apprehension.
– Hahahahahah! – Ilytrha loved his reaction.
She quickly realized that every second beside him was never dull. Everything he did somehow brought joy.
– Ahrrrr – Ilytrha wiped away a tear that threatened to fall.
– I'm just teasing, Evo. Her reaction is normal around someone as handsome as you.
Evo blushed slightly at the sudden compliment. He was used to hearing such words from the academy girls, whom he didn't care about at all. But hearing it from a mature woman with such a sinful body before him—especially the Empress herself—made things far more complicated.
– Thank you, but it's not that much! – Evo waved his hand as if she were exaggerating.
Elizabeth, who had been watching Evo more intently, began to rein in her jealousy and return to normal before anyone noticed.
Ilytrha, sipping her tea, glanced sideways at Evo, who mirrored her gesture. She set the cup down on its saucer and turned her attention back to him.
– I'm telling the truth!
– Honestly, I can count on my fingers how many people I've met who are as attractive as you, and in my judgment…
She tilted her head slightly as Evo focused on her.
– You are without a doubt the most beautiful among them, and my standards are quite high.
Ever since he arrived, Evo's heart had been in a difficult state. He constantly tried to control his emotions, forcing himself to think of anything that didn't involve that woman. But she wasn't helping at all. Her constant compliments only made things worse.
Evo, who had seemed perfectly normal until then, now showed a faint blush on his cheeks. It was almost imperceptible, but to attentive eyes, that redness on his pale skin was clearly visible.
– How cute – Ilytrha murmured inwardly.
Each time she teased Evo and toyed with his emotions and reactions, it gave her immense satisfaction. Watching that poised young man have his defenses broken filled her heart with delight.
– Thank you – Evo murmured softly.
– You're welcome – the Empress replied playfully, and Evo quickly caught on to her little game.
He pressed his lips together lightly, maintaining his composure.
– This woman is enjoying messing with me! – he thought, looking at that mischievous milf.
– She's very different from Elizabeth, who's more shy.
– This woman is full of swagger, saying whatever she wants straight to your face.
Evo ended his thoughts and decided to get straight to the point.
The longer he stayed there, leaving everything in that elf's hands, the more she would drag things out, merely teasing him.
Of course, Evo would love to stay there all day with that delicious milf, but now wasn't the time. He had many things to do—especially figuring out what those bastards were plotting.
Evo sighed and placed his cup back on the saucer, glancing at the table. Then he turned his attention back to her, who was calmly enjoying her tea with a playful smile.
– I've decided! – he thought.
– Ilytrha Eldarvon, you'll be added to my list as well.
– My list of women I'll take for myself, no matter how long or difficult it may be.
– You will be mine!
With that thought, Evo returned to the matter of his summons.
He sighed again, adjusted his posture, and turned slightly toward her, keeping his eyes aligned with hers.
– Empress, it's wonderful to be here talking with you, but… – Evo paused, looking at her.
– What was the reason you called me here?
– From my perspective, I don't see any reason why I should have been summoned.
– Could you tell me the reason?
Evo crossed one leg over the other, leaning back against the sofa.
Ilytrha made a small sound as she took the last sip of her tea and set the cup down on the table.
– Hm…
– I wanted to clear up a doubt with you, Evo.
She looked directly into his eyes.
– What would that doubt be?
– I'll answer as best as I can – Evo replied calmly, mirroring her posture and meeting her gaze.
The elf nodded, seeing his sincerity, and asked:
– Evo, do you have the ability to see something extra that others generally cannot see?
Her voice carried a mysterious tone with that question.
Evo narrowed his eyes, analyzing the nature of such a strange inquiry. Seeing how serious she was, he leaned back against the sofa, arms crossed, staring up at the ceiling.
He pondered the Empress's words:
"Something I can see that others generally can't…"
It was an unexpected question, and Evo didn't know how to answer it.
– Something I can see? – he murmured, repeating the words.
The only two things that came to mind were his high sensitivity to mana, which allowed him to distinguish the nature of spells, magic, and anything directly related to mana, or the "Eyes of Pride," which showed him the truth of things to a certain extent—depending entirely on his mastery and power. The stronger he became and the greater his mastery over the ability, the more would be revealed to him.
After analyzing everything within himself, only those two answers seemed possible. But then came the real question…
Evo turned his head toward the Empress, who waited silently for his response.
– Her question…
– Does she know about my abilities and my secrets? – he asked himself, becoming even more guarded.
He had nearly forgotten to stay on alert around that woman. Even before entering the room, he had warned himself.
But because of her relaxed and light nature, he had almost fallen into a trap and said more than he should have.
– Evo! – the Empress called, noticing his distraction.
Hearing his name, Evo regained his senses.
– Well, Empress… your question caught me a bit by surprise – he said honestly.
– To be sincere, I've been trying to find the best possible answer and reached a conclusion.
He focused firmly on her as he leaned slightly forward.
– So, the best answer I can give you is…