I won't fall for the queen who burned my world-Chapter 290: No wedding please

The next morning arrived with gold-streaked skies and Kaelith’s bright voice echoing through the halls.

"Mama! Mama! Mama!"

Elysia didn’t bother trying to stop her. Kaelith was too excited, too proud, and far too enchanted with the word she’d unlocked like a secret door.

She repeated it constantly every time she saw Elysia, every time she tripped over her own feet, every time she discovered a new texture in the castle gardens.

Even now, as they entered the temporary reception hall—newly enchanted and hastily decorated with celestial symbols to honor their arriving guests.

Kaelith was bouncing in Elysia’s arms, grinning wildly and chirping, "Mama!" at everything from a curtain tassel to the fruit bowl.

Malvoria sighed, not unhappily, and muttered, "She’s going to drive us all into a blessed coma."

Elysia just kissed Kaelith’s forehead. "Let her enjoy it. She earned the chaos."

The room had been repurposed from one of the older study wings—polished obsidian tiles softened with layered rugs, the walls hung with newly cleaned banners bearing both the demonic and celestial crests.

A large circular table stood in the center, surrounded by comfortable chairs and cushions.

Veylira was already seated, reading over the guest briefing with a critical eye, while Lara stood near the tall arched windows, arms crossed, head tilted toward the sky.

There was a faint tension in her posture, the kind that didn’t belong to war but something messier: anticipation.

Moments later, the teleportation light shimmered in the corner of the chamber.

Sarisa appeared first—her hair and silver gown flowing around her like starlight captured in cloth. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Her hair was intricately braided and pinned with moonstone clips, but no veil could hide the soft roundness of her belly.

Six months pregnant, visibly radiant, and trying very hard not to waddle.

Behind her came her mother—the Celestial Queen herself, tall and elegant in a high-collared robe of navy and pale gold, her gaze scanning the room with the poise of a woman who had fought empires without raising her voice.

Malvoria stepped forward first. "Your Radiance."

"Queen Malvoria." The Celestial Queen inclined her head. "We are honored."

"We’re glad you’re here." Malvoria gestured toward the table. "Please. Sit."

Sarisa made her way over with grace despite her condition, lowering herself onto the cushioned seat with only a small wince and the exaggerated slowness of someone very used to hiding discomfort.

"I hate this part," she muttered under her breath, brushing her gown into place.

Elysia sat beside her, Kaelith still on her lap and now patting the table excitedly.

"Mama!"

Sarisa blinked and smiled faintly. "That’s new."

"First word. Yesterday," Elysia said proudly.

Kaelith responded with another "Mama!" and then immediately tried to eat the edge of Elysia’s sleeve.

"She’s advanced," Sarisa said dryly.

Across the table, the Celestial Queen raised an eyebrow at her daughter, but said nothing. She turned instead to Lara.

"I assume we are here to discuss what comes next."

Lara didn’t move. "We can talk. But there’s nothing decided yet."

Sarisa gave her a long look. "You were rather involved in the starting of this situation."

"And I’m not backing out," Lara replied, finally turning to face them. "But that doesn’t mean I’m looking for a crown or a chain."

Malvoria let out a slow breath and took her seat, flanked by Veylira and Elysia. Kaelith was now babbling to herself, tracing invisible runes on the table with her drool-covered fingers.

"Let’s speak plainly," Veylira said. "The child Sarisa carries is important. To both of our nations. And while I care more for that child’s health and protection than for titles or formality, the rest of the world may not be so flexible."

Sarisa nodded. "The Celestial court has... expectations."

"I’m sure they do," Lara muttered.

Her voice was calmer than usual, but that didn’t fool Elysia. She recognized the rigidness in Lara’s spine, the tension around her mouth. She was cornered, and trying not to claw her way out of it.

"I’m not asking for anything," Lara said. "No throne. No alliance. No binding ceremonies or sacred oaths."

"Then what are you offering?" the Celestial Queen asked, not harshly—just coolly, as if weighing a jewel in her hand.

Lara’s reply was immediate. "Everything else."

The words hung there.

"I’ll be there," Lara continued. "I’ll raise the kid. I’ll protect them. I’ll teach them everything I know, including how not to set fire to diplomatic robes."

Kaelith laughed, as if approving of this message.

"But I don’t want marriage," Lara finished. "I never did. And I’m not going to do it just because people think it makes things look neat."

There was a pause.

Sarisa didn’t flinch. She didn’t react with hurt or even surprise. She leaned back slightly, folded her hands across her belly, and said, "Good."

That surprised everyone.

Even Veylira blinked.

Sarisa tilted her head. "Do you think I want a marriage arranged for appearances? I grew up watching my mother turn down twelve suitors a year. My favorite uncle married a constellation and dissolved the union three days later because he got bored."

Elysia tried very hard not to laugh.

"I agreed to carry this child because I wanted to," Sarisa said. "Not because I wanted a wedding. You and I were two people who made a strange, bright, half-into a charm decision in my room, and I’m proud of that."

"You’re not insulted?" Lara asked warily.

"I’m relieved. You’d make a terrible spouse."

Lara looked torn between relief and indignation. "Hey—"

"You’re unpredictable, you snore, and you once stabbed a diplomat because he stepped on your cloak."

"He meant to."

Sarisa waved a hand. "Regardless. You’ll be a parent. Not a spouse. And I’m content with that."

The Celestial Queen, watching them like a cat watching two birds pretend they weren’t in love, simply nodded once.

"Then our court will be informed that no binding ceremony is to be pursued. However... the child will need official recognition."

"And they’ll have it," Malvoria said, her voice calm but firm. "From both sides."

Kaelith clapped her hands. "Mama!"

Everyone turned to look at her again.

Elysia kissed her on the head. "You’re going to get so spoiled, little one."

"She’s already spoiled," Veylira muttered.

"She’s perfect," Malvoria corrected.

They spent the next hour talking—less formally now, with Elysia gently bouncing Kaelith in her lap and Lara fidgeting with a knife she’d brought for absolutely no reason.

The Celestial Queen asked about the construction progress. Sarisa commented on the color scheme. Veylira argued about diplomatic language with a tired but respectful tone.

And for once, no one was trying to steal the throne, summon a demon, or shatter reality.

It was, Elysia thought, almost boring.

In a perfect way.

Eventually, the conversation slowed. Sarisa leaned back and rested a hand over her stomach, eyes fluttering closed briefly.

Kaelith had fallen asleep again, this time with her face mushed into Elysia’s collarbone and one hand still loosely gripping a sugar-dusted pastry someone had tried to offer her.

And Lara?

Lara stood again, looked around at everyone—and said, "Just so it’s clear, I meant it. No wedding. Not ever."

There was silence.

Then—

Malvoria, eyes unreadable, simply said:

"Hmm."