Chapter 163: One of A Kind (1)
The first time Kestrel laid eyes on the Queen, she had been struck by her elegance, gentleness, and sheer beauty that seemed to radiate from her. Just being in her presence created this irresistible pull, a feeling that she should be closer to her.
Now, the Queen was positioned gracefully by the window, her crown resting on her head and draped in a flowing white gown. Behind her, a breathtaking view of the Empire’s main city stretched out. Her beauty was still undeniable, but it gave Kestrel an uneasy feeling.
It was as if she was staring at a massive, intimidating creature. Suddenly, Kestrel felt her body tense up, a tingling sensation running down her back and her hands beginning to perspire.
Before, she felt like a naive young animal, oblivious to the powerful force she was confronting, blissfully fearless. But now, as if she’d matured without even realizing it, she could truly sense the overwhelming and somewhat scary presence that stood before her.
"Why are you just standing there?" The Queen turned, her ruby-red lips curving into a smile, speaking in a soft, inviting tone, "Come closer."
Positioned against the radiant window, the light cast half of the Queen’s face into a veil of brightness. The sun’s rays highlighted her tall, graceful figure, making her pale skin seem almost ghostly in its glow.
Taking a deep breath, Kestrel moved beside the Empire’s top ruler. Side by side, they looked out of the window.
"It’s wonderful to see you again, my dear," The Queen said, reaching out to gently touch Kestrel’s hair.
Interestingly, today, the Queen wasn’t wearing her usual gloves. Her touch was warm and delicate. Circling her fair neck, a necklace with a shining ruby pendant hung. The deep red gem, flawless and shaped like a teardrop, rested against her chest.
Drawn to its beauty, Kestrel found herself sneaking a peek at the gemstone.
"How was your latest adventure?" The queen inquired in the same caring voice Kestrel remembered from their previous encounter.
Taking her time, Kestrel began to describe some of her experiences in the Eyehole. She chose her words carefully, maintaining her emotions, and ensuring her story was honest yet tactfully brief.
As Kestrel relayed her encounters with the alphas and betas, the Queen’s reaction was of no surprise. It was evident she had prior knowledge about these issues. Instead of feigning ignorance, she displayed a hint of sadness. "It’s true. The alpha and beta were once inseparable in battle," she remarked with a furrowed brow and a sorrowful sigh. She continued, "But for some mysterious reasons, the population of betas has been shrinking. It’s hard for them to keep up with such loss."
"Despite the Empire’s utmost efforts to safeguard the betas, their numbers keep dwindling as the years roll by."
Kestrel found herself pondering, "The world centuries ago was so different from now. The relationship between the beta and alpha has shifted so much. What events transpired during those ages? What secrets from history have been lost, causing everyone to accept this twisted reality as the norm? Could it be that the present situation is merely a consequence of the Empire’s attempts to shield the beta?"
Changing the topic, the Queen, after a brief pause, posed a sudden question, "Which Polluted Zone are you thinking of exploring next?"
As the Queen uttered those words, the gusty wind from the high altitude delicately fluttered her veil. Hidden beneath that pristine veil, a hint of deep crimson glinted from the heart of her otherwise pitch-black eyes.
Golden rays poured in from the window, and for a fleeting second, in that radiant illumination, the crowned Queen appeared eerily pale, almost ghost-like. Only her eyes, alive with that fiery red shimmer, remained fixated on Kestrel.
It felt to Kestrel as if she had been ensnared. A formidable psychic grip pressed down upon her, demanding nothing but the truth. Kestrel felt an urge to retreat but bit down on her lip, standing her ground.
Even if she lacked the power, she vowed never to let her spirit waver.
"I’m uncertain of my next destination," she replied, locking eyes with the Queen, choosing her words deliberately.
The gem she had procured from the Eyehole now dangled in her bedroom. Although it had been in her possession for quite some time, she hadn’t placed the stone in the wooden box to pinpoint her next adventure—It was as if she had anticipated this very moment.
Somehow, she had sensed that this moment, this face-off of immense willpower, would come.
Those intense, crimson eyes bore into her. Everything around Kestrel—the grand palace, the towering structure, the expansive sky painted with drifting clouds—seemed to blur and then disappear. Kestrel felt enveloped in a boundless, turbulent world, dominated only by the piercing gaze of those blood-red eyes. Those eyes, a blend of allure, eeriness, and fascination, lingered unrelentingly on Kestrel.
Moments seemed to elongate into eternity, and thoughts grew hazy, almost compelling Kestrel to kneel and bare her deepest secrets.
In the midst of this vast emptiness, Kestrel felt her spine chill and her hands dampen, but she gathered herself, standing tall against that penetrating gaze.
"I truly don’t know," Kestrel stressed again.
The winds from the outside halted their dance. The white veil softly draped back down, and the fierce red shimmer in the Queen’s eyes dimmed, revealing a calm serenity once more.
"You’ve certainly matured, displaying more resilience than before."
The queen let out a sigh, her expression shifting to a melancholy smile, different from earlier, exuding a combination of astonishment and respect. It was as if she couldn’t believe Kestrel managed to withstand her overwhelming psychic influence.
"It’s been ages since I’ve encountered a young soul as tenacious as you."
Kestrel, her back drenched in cold sweat, took a much-needed breath.
She now grasped the truth: the Queen’s intent was to uncover the mystery of the box.
Engaging in the realm of spiritual minds is always reciprocal; if one stands strong during such a duel, they can also perceive the other’s underlying sentiments. Thus, during their standoff, Kestrel picked up on the Queen’s desperate thirst for some knowledge.
Kestrel made a surprising discovery. Beneath the Queen’s composed exterior, she wasn’t as unshakeable as she seemed. She had doubts, and she was keen to get some clarity from Kestrel. Realizing that even the Queen had her desires and vulnerabilities made Kestrel feel empowered.
After the brief, tense exchange, it was as if that intense moment had never happened. Both of them effortlessly slipped back into a relaxed and friendly chat.
"So, after this latest adventure, you’ve gotten pretty good at teaming up with an alpha during fights, haven’t you?" the Queen asked, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
Kestrel hesitated a bit before answering, "Yes, I guess I have."
"How would you feel about training with multiple alphas? You know, perfecting your teamwork during battles."
The Queen, standing gracefully by the window, leaned forward slightly, pointing a finger. Her voice held a hint of unexpected enthusiasm, "How about we try it out together?"
Kestrel, surprised, pointed at herself, "Wait, you mean, team up with you?"
With a soft smile, the Queen gracefully made her way back to her majestic throne in the grand hall. She took her seat and clapped her hands twice. This gesture summoned Luther to her side.
Kestrel’s eyes widened in surprise. She was aware that the ultimate leader of the Empire, the Queen, was a beta. However, the idea that the Queen might want to engage in beta-alpha combat drills with her inside the royal palace was beyond her imagination.
Reflecting on their conversation, Kestrel realized that the Queen’s suggestions echoed Kaworu’s thoughts. The training approach they both endorsed was remarkably similar.
The initial stage involved pairing Kestrel with an alpha, thrusting them directly into real-time battles.
The next phase was focused on refining teamwork with multiple participants.
Kaworu had once mentioned that this step-by-step approach was the traditional pathway for betas to sharpen their abilities.
Shortly after, a select group of alphas, guided by Luther, made their entrance into the regal palace that crowned the tower.
Among this elite group, Kestrel recognized a few familiar faces from the royal guard. One in particular caught her eye – Rakan, someone she knew. Rakan was easily distinguishable with his psychic incarnation of a dark unicorn and a mechanical arm.
These alphas, standing tall and proud, all knelt simultaneously before the throne, their eyes gleaming with unwavering loyalty and deep respect for their sovereign.
The Queen, however, seemed unfazed by their presence. Her attention was fixed intently on Kestrel. With a slight lift of her hand, she said, "Luther stands with me; the others are at your command."
Puzzled, Kestrel asked, "So, are we allowed to challenge you as well?"
With a playful smirk, the Queen in her pristine white attire lifted the crimson gem necklace she wore. "If any of you manage to even graze my outfit, this gem will be your prize."
The impending battle turned out to be less daunting than they had initially assumed.
Suddenly, it felt as if Kestrel’s vision expanded, giving her access to multiple viewpoints, letting her see through the eyes of several alphas simultaneously. In a heartbeat, a rush of unfamiliar emotions and varying perspectives overwhelmed her.
"I can’t believe I’m witnessing the Queen in person!"
"This is the most exciting moment; it’s such an honor."
"I’ve never seen someone as enchanting as the Queen; I’d lay down my life for her."
"Kestrel, I’ve waited for this. Now, I’m finally by your side as your alpha."
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