The corridors of the servants' wing were narrower than those of the Royal Tier, but under Zarah's meticulous care, they were spotless. The scent of lavender and fresh linen hung in the air, a stark contrast to the smell of old parchment in the King's office. Antares moved through the halls like a shadow, his dark boots silent against the stone.
He reached the door to Zarah's private quarters. Within the palace, she was the Headmaid , a position of immense power, yet she chose to stay here, close to the staff she managed.
Antares didn't knock , he slipped the latch and stepped inside.
The room was warm and humid. A partition stood near the corner, and the sound of splashing water told him she had just finished a bath. Zarah was exhausted; he knew this from Ian's reports. Between coordinating the new maids, teaching the raw recruits how to polish ancient alloys, managing the frenzy of a palace coming back to life and many other tasked she took care of, she was working nearly twenty hours a day.
He saw her silhouette move behind the screen. She stepped out, wrapped in a simple white towel, her dark hair damp and clinging to her neck. She was reaching for a fresh tunic when Antares moved.
He stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back against his chest. The heat from her skin radiated through his shirt. Zarah gasped, her body tensing for a fraction of a second before she felt the familiar, his scent gave him off. She relaxed instantly, leaning her head back against his shoulder.
"My King," she whispered, her voice husky with fatigue. "You should be in your office. Ian will be looking for you."
"Ian knows where I am," Antares murmured into her ear.
Zarah turned in his arms, her eyes searching his. Then, to his surprise, she didn't wait for him to speak. She reached up, cupping his face in her hands, and pulled him down into a deep kiss.
Usually, she was the shy one, the one who waited for his lead, but today there was a fierce possessiveness in her touch. It was a change Antares found himself craving.
After a long moment, he gently broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers. "My love," he said softly, "we need to talk."
He led her to the edge of her bed and sat her down. The atmosphere shifted instantly. Zarah's eyes, usually so soft when they were alone, grew guarded. She could sense the weight of his words before he even spoke them.
Antares didn't sugarcoat it. He told her about his trip to the settlement, about the orphanage, and about Solara. He spoke of the "vision" he had (omitting the System's digital interface) that identified Solara as a vital pillar for the tribe's future. He told her that he had brought Solara to the palace and that he intended to name them both as his Queens.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Zarah stood up, pacing the small room, her towel clutched tight. "A Queen?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. "You were gone for hours, Antares. You went to an orphanage, found a girl with golden hair who sings well, and decided she belongs on a throne beside me?"
"It isn't about her hair or her singing, Zarah. It's about the tribe. She has a connection to the people that we—"
"The people?" Zarah snapped, turning to face him. Her eyes were flashing. "I have spent every waking moment since you woke up ensuring this palace doesn't collapse! I have bled for your comfort, I have managed the lords who look down on me because I was a servant, and I did it because I love you! And now you bring home a girl you don't even know and tell me I have to share my life, my bed, and my crown with her?"
"Zarah, listen to me—"
"No! You listen!" She stepped toward him, her finger poking his chest. "You are not going to treat me like some disposable garbage you come to when you want comfort. I thought we were building something together. Is this what being a King means? That you just take whatever catches your eye in the street?" she paused observing Antares who was starring down."If so then I had rather have you back in bed when you were only mine." she said angrily but sadness present in her tone.
Antares stood up, his own temper flaring for a moment before he suppressed it. He saw the tears shining in her eyes. This wasn't about politics; it was about the fear of being replaced. It's true that polygamy was common practice in the ant tribe but it did not mean everyone was a supporter of the practice.
He grabbed her hands, pulling them away from his chest and holding them firmly. "Look at me," he commanded, his royal pheromones surging, not to dominate or intimidate her, but to ground her. "Zarah, look at me."
She finally met his eyes, her breath coming in jagged hitches.
"You are the heart of this palace my love." Antares said, his voice low and unwavering. "You were there when I was a corpse in a bed. You were the only one who believed I would wake up, not the heavens themselves could ever replace what you are to me. You are my first choice. My only choice for the woman who holds my soul."
He stepped closer, closing the gap until their chests touched. "But the tribe is dying, Zarah. I need to rebuild our kingdom and I need Solara . The 'visions' I had showed me that Solara is the key. It isn't a replacement for you, it is an addition for the survival of our race. I am asking you to be the Great Queen. To lead the household, to lead her and I need you to treat her like your own sister."
Zarah's shoulders slumped. The anger was drained out of her, leaving only a weary sadness. "You're asking me to be a politician, Antares. I just wanted to be your wife."
"You are both," he whispered, kissing her forehead. "I cannot do this without you. If you tell me no, if you tell me you cannot bear it, I will find another way. But I am asking for your support. I need my heart to be strong so I can be the King the tribe needs."
Zarah leaned her head against his chest, closing her eyes. She stayed there for a long time, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Finally, she let out a long, shuddering sigh. "She is really that important?"
"She is."
"And you won't... you won't love me any less?"
"Never."
Zarah pulled back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. A small, bittersweet smile touched her lips. "Then I will support you. I will manage her just like I manage the rest of this palace. But if she makes you unhappy, Antares, I don't care if she's a pillar or a queen,I'll throw her out of the gates myself."
Antares laughed, the tension finally breaking. "Don't worry, she is loyal to me and the tribe." he said as he looked in the eyes of his fiercest supporter.
Water was still dripping of her body and Antares couldn't resist the urge of kissing her, "I want you." He said, his voice firm but seductive. Zarah could only nod, she was also lusting over Antares.
-------------------------------
Zarah screamed out in pleasure, her body trembling as Antares fucked her from
behind. The sensation was overwhelming, and she felt herself losing control. His
rough hands gripped her hips tightly, guiding her to meet each of his powerful
thrusts. With every movement, a rush of intense pleasure coursed through her.
As he increased the speed of his thrusts, her moans became more and more
desperate. "Yes... yes... Antares... don't stop..." she gasped between breaths. Her legs
began to shake uncontrollably, and she knew she was close to the edge.
"Cum for me my queen," he whispered in her ear. That was her limit. A powerful
wave of ecstasy washed over her, and she cried out his name one last time before
collapsing onto the bed. She felt the warm sensation of his seed slowly making its
way down her back, tracing the contours of her spine before dripping onto the
bed beneath them.
"Gods, that was great," Antares said, breathless
"Let's do it again," Zarah murmured, her voice a sultry purr.
Antares groaned softly, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.'Fuck, I've created a monster,' he thought. They had gone five rounds already , he was drained and he wasn't willing to go for the sixth round.
The spirit was willing, but the flesh was spongy and bruised.
"Tomorrow," Antares said, looking at Zarah. "Plus we have to go and meet your new sister." He said he stood up stretching himself.
----------------------
An hour later, Antares stood in the private dining room. This was not the cavernous, cold Great Hall, it was a smaller chamber lined with warm, polished wood and soft, glowing amber crystals. A circular table sat in the center, laden with the finest fruits and roasted meats the palace kitchens could produce.
Solara was already there, standing near the window. She had been dressed in a gown of soft, pale blue silk provided by Ian. Her golden hair was braided with silver thread, and she looked every bit the Queen the System claimed she was, though her hands were trembling as she clutched a silk handkerchief.
The door opened, and Antares stepped in, with Zarah at his side. Zarah was dressed in her formal black-and-gold Head of Household attire, her hair pinned back, her expression unreadable and professional.
Solara froze, her eyes darting from the King to the imposing woman beside him. She instinctively moved to bow, but Zarah stepped forward before she could sink to the floor.
"Don't," Zarah said, her voice steady. "The King says you are to be a Queen. Queens do not bow in their own dining room."
Solara looked up, surprised by the firmness in Zarah's voice. "I... I am Solara. I am honored to meet you, Lady Zarah. The King has told me much of your... your importance."
Zarah looked the girl up and down—taking in the golden curls, the expressive eyes, and the tattoo on her arm. A small, sharp glint appeared in Zarah's eyes, but she didn't show aggression.
She simply nodded.
"I am the one who keeps this palace running," Zarah said. "And if you are to stay here, you will learn to do the same. Sit. The food is getting cold, and we have much to discuss."
Antares took his seat between them, feeling the crackling energy in the room. It was the start of a new era for his household, a delicate balance of power, love, and duty. He looked at Zarah, who gave him a subtle, supportive nod, and then at Solara, who gave him a shy, hopeful smile.
The "Seeding Ritual" and the expedition the surface were still ahead, but for tonight, the King's house was finally beginning to come together.
But he had a feeling that the coming days were going to be particularly exhausting but he was willing to face everything head on.