The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Chapter 272: The Lecture After Passion (1)

Mikhailis lay sprawled on the soft forest floor, his back pressed against the cool, comforting earth while the silvery moonlight filtered gently through the dense canopy above. His shirt clung to his chest, damp with sweat from the exertions earlier, yet his body hummed with an energy so potent it bordered on unnatural. The sensation was a mix of exhilaration and absurdity, leaving him wide awake despite the late hour. Beside him, Cerys lay fast asleep, her crimson hair spilling like a fiery halo across the forest bed. Her face was serene, her breathing soft and even, a stark contrast to the intense, fervent moments they had shared not long ago.

He glanced at her, his eyes softening as he adjusted her cloak to cover her better against the creeping chill of the night. A flicker of guilt crossed his features, but it was tempered with a hint of pride that he couldn’t entirely suppress. Did I overdo it? She’s completely out. Sleeping like the dead... or maybe just utterly exhausted, he mused, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

His head tilted back, eyes tracing the patterns in the canopy as he exhaled deeply.

"Did I gain some kind of invincible stamina?" he muttered aloud, half-joking but genuinely curious.

Rodion’s voice appeared from his glasses, the soft, faintly glowing projection casting a subtle light that blended seamlessly with the moonlit surroundings. The AI’s voice, calm and precise, carried its usual tone of understated amusement.

Mikhailis groaned and dragged a hand down his face, resisting the urge to argue.

"Rodion, you’re about two seconds away from being decommissioned for good."

Rodion retorted smoothly.

A dry chuckle escaped Mikhailis as he turned his gaze skyward.

Why does my AI companion have to be so smug? And why do I always lose in these exchanges?

Still, the energy coursing through him was undeniable, and as much as he wanted to lie there and let the forest’s symphony lull him, his restless vitality made the idea laughable. He sighed, surrendering to the inevitable.

"Alright, if you’re going to haunt me anyway, at least make yourself useful. How’s the castle? How’s Elowen holding up?"

Rodion’s glow brightened briefly, signaling its shift to data retrieval.

Mikhailis raised a brow, intrigued.

"Free time? How’s she spending it?"

He blinked, caught off guard.

"Monitoring me? Should I be worried?"

A slow grin spread across Mikhailis’s face.

"Discretion? Since when do you care about protecting my dignity?"

Mikhailis laughed softly, though he kept his voice low so as not to disturb Cerys.

"Fair point. Thanks for sparing me that drama."

"What else?" he prompted, leaning back and folding his hands behind his head.

"How’s the kingdom holding up?"

Rodion’s form flickered as it transitioned into a more formal report mode.

Mikhailis’s brow furrowed slightly.

"And the challenges?"

So, the usual headaches, he thought, absently brushing a hand through his hair. The mental image of these issues laid out like a kingdom management game floated through his mind, complete with neatly labeled stats and progress bars. He almost chuckled at the absurdity of it.

"Let’s brainstorm," he said, sitting up and dusting off his shirt.

"Any ideas for improvement?"

Rodion’s glow brightened slightly, indicating it was processing.

Mikhailis nodded thoughtfully.

"Both sound solid. What about internal matters?"

Mikhailis leaned back against the tree, staring up at the star-filled sky. Despite the apparent peace, his mind was already racing, piecing together the implications of Rodion’s latest updates.

"Rodion, let’s focus on agriculture for a moment," Mikhailis said, his voice soft but laced with curiosity. "You mentioned progress in the fields, not just the underground chambers. Explain that in detail." Stay updated with Freewebnovel

Rodion’s glow flickered, shifting to a more detailed overlay as it relayed information.

Mikhailis raised an eyebrow.

"Nutrient banks? You mean, they’re essentially fertilizing the land on a grand scale?"

The young prince consort couldn’t suppress a grin.

Efficient, adaptable, and damn near perfect for this kind of work. I really hit the jackpot with these little guys.

"How’s the yield looking so far?" he asked, eager to hear more.

Mikhailis whistled low, impressed.

"So we’re not just feeding the kingdom—we’re pushing boundaries. What about climate predictions? You mentioned the ants gathering data?"

Mikhailis leaned forward, a spark of excitement in his gaze.

"That’s incredible. Have we started coordinating these insights with the farmers?"

A slow smile crept across Mikhailis’s face. "We’re not just feeding people; we’re building resilience. That’s the kind of progress I like to hear." He paused, tapping a finger against his knee thoughtfully. "What’s next? Are there areas for improvement?"