I won't fall for the queen who burned my world-Chapter 303: Showing up for my girls

A few days had passed, but the idea of a date with Elysia kept circling in Malvoria’s thoughts, sweet and stubborn as summer wine. It lingered with her even as she woke in the early gray.

Even as Kaelith wriggled between her and Elysia in their bed, tiny hands fisting the covers, her head buried trustingly against Malvoria’s shoulder.

She loved her daughter loved her beyond words or measure, loved the way Kaelith squealed at birds in the garden or demanded "mama" with absolute conviction, loved even her tantrums and her nighttime wanderings.

But sometimes , just sometimes Malvoria wanted Elysia to herself.

Just the two of them. No sticky fingers, no little hands demanding attention, no sudden yells of "cake!" during a kiss.

She wanted an evening to be only Malvoria and Elysia again. The memory of stolen moments when the world was less full and every touch felt rare, precious, something to be hoarded.

Of course, there was no room for daydreams this morning. Malvoria’s desk was stacked with dispatches, requests, and a list of duties long enough to make even Veylira sigh.

And today, she had to supervise the demon soldiers’ training—her favorite task, even when the pressure to appear perfectly unruffled was strong as ever.

She’d given Lara the day off, a "suggestion" Lara had seized with typical enthusiasm, scooping up Aliyah for what she described as "bonding time."

Malvoria suspected that would include sword-shaped sticks, mud, and an entirely unearned number of pastries from the kitchen.

Malvoria, meanwhile, had a regiment to drill, a reputation to uphold, and somewhere in the crowd an audience that meant more to her than any council meeting or parade: Elysia and Kaelith would be watching from the stands.

So she dressed carefully for the day. Black uniform jacket fitted close, crimson sash at her waist, hair drawn back in a sharp tail except for a loose curl that Elysia insisted was "criminally attractive."

She paused at the mirror, smirking at her own vanity. The soldiers respected her more when she looked the part, and it didn’t hurt to catch Elysia’s admiring gaze, either.

She stepped into the sunlit courtyard just as the first group of soldiers assembled, weapons gleaming and armor burnished bright.

They stood in ranks, relaxed but alert, their eyes following her with the warmth of old camaraderie.

Malvoria had fought beside most of them, once—before the crown, before the peace. They’d bled together. That kind of loyalty never faded.

At the far end of the field, the viewing platform had been set with cushions and a sunshade.

Elysia was already there, Kaelith at her feet, bouncing a wooden sword against the flagstones. Elysia waved, and Malvoria felt her chest warm. Her girls, always.

She strode across the yard with a purpose, boots striking stone, cloak fluttering behind her. The soldiers straightened a little, a ripple of anticipation passing through the ranks.

"Good morning, your Majesty!" called Captain Briark, a burly demon with a scar slashing across one cheek and a grin that could outshine the sunrise.

"Morning, Briark. I hope you’re not too tired from last night’s dice games," Malvoria replied, arms crossed.

Briark grinned wider. "I’d never be tired for you, Majesty. But I might be slow for the princess." He winked at Kaelith, who was waving her little sword with deadly seriousness.

Malvoria’s lips twitched. "We’ll see about that. I expect everyone to put on a good show—my daughter is not easily impressed."

There was a wave of laughter, a warm, familiar sound that filled the training ground.

Kaelith, emboldened by the attention, stood up on her cushion and raised her sword in a wobbly salute. "Yah!" she cried. "Fight!"

Elysia clapped, delight sparkling in her eyes. "You heard the princess," she said to the soldiers. "Better not disappoint."

Malvoria turned to her troops, adopting her most fearsome tone—one she reserved only for the battlefield and certain difficult relatives.

"All right! Warm-up. Three laps around the yard. Anyone who finishes after Captain Briark gets kitchen duty."

There was a chorus of groans and cheers, and the soldiers thundered off in a blur of horns, tails, and laughter. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

Malvoria leaned against the railing, arms folded, watching as the group surged past, dust swirling in their wake.

She felt the weight of Elysia’s gaze, looked up, and saw Elysia smiling at her a private, knowing smile that made Malvoria’s heart stumble.

Kaelith, meanwhile, had lost interest in the soldiers and was busily tying her ribbon around Elysia’s ankle. "Pretty!" she declared, satisfied with her handiwork.

Elysia looked at Malvoria, mischief in her eyes. "Should I be worried that she’s preparing me as a ritual sacrifice?"

Malvoria laughed. "She’s just marking her territory. Be grateful she’s not using cake."

The soldiers finished their laps, breathless and grinning, lining up for drills. Malvoria snapped into commander mode, demonstrating stances and combinations, her blade flashing in the sun.

She led them through forms, pushing them harder, enjoying the sweat and the camaraderie, the way laughter and grunts mingled in the morning air.

Every so often, she glanced toward the platform. Elysia watched her intently, head tilted, lips curved in a smile that was half admiration, half fond exasperation.

Kaelith copied every move with her wooden sword, nearly toppling off the cushion each time she spun.

After a series of sparring matches during which Malvoria let Briark win only to see Kaelith cheer for the "big demon"—the soldiers gathered in a loose circle.

Someone shouted, "Let Lady Elysia try!" and the rest immediately took up the call.

"Elysia! Elysia!"

Elysia’s face went red. "Oh no, I’m just here to spectate."

"Nonsense!" Briark called. "She’s the true secret weapon. Show us how you keep the queen in line!"

Malvoria tried to hide her grin. "Don’t you want to show off for the troops, darling?"

Kaelith clapped. "Mama! Fight!"

Elysia gave Malvoria a look that said she’d pay for this later, then rose gracefully from her seat, handed Kaelith to a nearby attendant, and rolled up her sleeves. "Fine. But only because my daughter commands it."

The soldiers cleared a space, eager as children at a festival. Malvoria faced Elysia, offering a wooden practice sword. "First to three touches?"

Elysia accepted, raising her weapon. "Try to keep up, your Majesty."

They circled each other, laughter in their eyes, the soldiers shouting good-natured encouragement.

Malvoria let Elysia land the first point with a well-placed tap to her hip, and the soldiers erupted in cheers.

The second round, Malvoria feinted and caught Elysia’s blade in a quick twist, earning a mock gasp from Kaelith, who was now bouncing up and down in excitement.

The third round lasted longer, both of them more focused, moving with a rhythm born of years of partnership—dancing more than dueling.

In the end, Elysia lunged and managed to tap Malvoria’s shoulder. The soldiers cheered; Kaelith shrieked with pride.

Malvoria bowed low, surrendering the match. "The queen concedes."

Elysia grinned, flushed and breathless, and leaned in to whisper, "You let me win."

"Never," Malvoria whispered back, brushing her lips quickly over Elysia’s knuckles. "You’re just better."

The soldiers whistled and clapped. Briark stepped forward, bowing with exaggerated formality. "Your Majesties, if you ever tire of ruling, we have a spot open on the fencing squad."

Kaelith, not wanting to be left out, toddled onto the field, brandishing her little sword and shouting, "Fight! Fight!"

Malvoria scooped her up and spun her around, both of them laughing. "I think the princess has decided to join the ranks," she declared.

The morning passed in a blur of drills, mock battles, and family chaos. Elysia joined the soldiers for a drink afterward, sharing stories and laughter, while Kaelith demanded piggyback rides from everyone who’d stand still long enough.

At noon, the sun blazing overhead, Malvoria called an end to training. She watched as the soldiers dispersed, still laughing and teasing, as Elysia wiped sweat from her brow and Kaelith draped herself over her mother’s shoulders, declaring herself queen of the training yard.

Malvoria felt a surge of gratitude—a sense that, for all the mess and madness, for all the duties and demands, she would not trade this life for any other.

Elysia caught her gaze, eyes soft, and mouthed, "Date night?"

Malvoria grinned, shaking her head as she closed the space between them. "No, not just a night. I want our date to be all day maybe tomorrow. I’ve already cleared my schedule. No duties, no interruptions. Just us."

Elysia’s eyes widened in delighted surprise, and Kaelith, sensing excitement, giggled and clapped her hands from Elysia’s arms.

Malvoria leaned in, her voice a low promise, "I want to remember what it’s like—just you and me, Elysia. All day. Are you ready?"