Kingdom Building Game: Starting Out With A Million Upgrade Points!-Chapter 151: The Emperor’s Return Part Two

Illena, the current empress of the Bloodbane Empire, soon strode into the grand hall as well. She wore an emerald gown that shimmered under the light of the grand chandeliers almost enhancing her beauty.

With her head held high, she approached Arkanos, her eyes locking onto his.

"Welcome home, my Emperor how my heart has ached to see you," she said, offering him a bow and a soft, knowing smile.

Leaning in, she whispered so only he could hear, "We should have tea later. I have a surprise for you."

Arkanos arched a brow slightly at her words, but before he could question her, Illena's gaze shifted toward the woman who had brought the entire hall to silence.

Her expression remained composed, but there was a look of curiosity in her eyes as she gazed at Selene.

"A Spirit?" Illena mused, tilting her head slightly. "Is this another one of the summoned champions I've heard so much about?"

Arkanos shook his head. "No my dear. This is my mother."

For a brief moment, Illena blinked, clearly caught off guard by his words.

Her gaze moved between Arkanos and Selene, assessing the truth in his statement.

However, as an empress, she was not easily shaken. She quickly regained her composure, offering Selene a polite bow.

"A pleasure to meet you, my Lady," she said. "Your presence is… unexpected."

Selene, who had been watching their little interaction, smiled in a way that made Arkanos feel strangely unsettled.

"My, my, I wasn't expecting my son to have such a stunning wife."

Selene remarked, hovering closer to get a better look at Illena. "Strong-willed, poised, and with such... striking features."

She paused, then turned to Arkanos, a mischievous look in her golden eyes.

"You know, she reminds me a great deal of myself."

Arkanos exhaled, already anticipating where this was going.

Selene let out a soft chuckle, placing a finger against her chin. "It seems you and your father have quite similar tastes, my dear son."

Illena arched a brow at that, glancing toward Arkanos with curiosity. "Oh? Is that so?"

Selene laughed lightly, clearly entertained by his reaction. "I suppose, you should take it as a compliment. Though, I must say, it's rather amusing to see my son married to a woman who could very well have been my twin in another life."

Illena smirked slightly, unfazed by Selene's teasing. "If you are implying that I remind you of yourself, then I will take that as a sign that I am worthy of my position."

Selene gave her a slow, approving nod. "Oh, you are definitely worthy. In fact, I would have personally chosen you myself, had I still been empress."

Illena let out a quiet chuckle, her confidence unwavering. "I will take that as a high compliment, Lady Selene."

Selene then turned back to Arkanos, tilting her head slightly. "I wonder, do you see it as well? Or was this purely an accident?"

Arkanos met locked eyes with her and spoke

calmly. "I do not concern myself with such trivial details."

Selene sighed dramatically, shaking her head. "You've grown so serious. You were such a charming little boy once."

Arkanos simply exhaled, not engaging with her provocation.

Selene leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as she added, "Though, if you really do have the same tastes as your father… then I suppose I can expect my future daughter-in-law to have quite the fiery personality."

Illena, picking up on her implication, smiled playfully. "You assume I will allow him to have another wife?"

Selene let out a soft laugh, clearly enjoying the banter. "Oh, my dear, if he is anything like his father, you may not have much of a choice."

Arkanos, tiring of the conversation, interrupted. "Enough."

Selene smiled, clearly amused by his impatience. "Alright, alright. I'll stop teasing… for now."

Illena gave Arkanos a knowing look before stepping beside him, placing a hand lightly on his arm. "Shall we move to the inner chambers? I imagine there is much to discuss."

Arkanos nodded, glancing briefly at Selene before motioning for the knights to resume their duties. "Yes. We have much to talk about."

As they began moving, Selene walked beside him, whispering just loud enough for him to hear. "I do hope your father isn't the only thing you inherited from him, dear son. It would be such a shame if my grandson lacked a proper Bloodbane's… stamina."

Arkanos halted mid-step, his eye twitching slightly.

Selene simply laughed, placing a hand over her lips in feigned innocence.

Illena, watching the interaction, shook her head with mild amusement. "It seems your mother is quite the handful."

Arkanos sighed. Then turned toward his assembled knights, "You may disperse. Rest well. You will all be rewarded accordingly tomorrow."

The knights pounded their fists to their chests in salute. "For the empire!"

As the soldiers began filing out in an orderly fashion, Arkanos's expression darkened slightly. "Before dawn," he continued, "we shall carry out the executions of those awaiting judgment. The traitors must be made an example of."

A few knights exchanged glances, then they nodded. "It will be done, Your Majesty."

With that, the last of them departed, leaving only the high-ranking members of the court, his wives, and his mother in the grand hall.

At the side, Sephira, clicked her tongue softly. Folding her arms beneath her ample bust, she narrowed her eyes at Illena.

"Empress, I wonder," Sephira spoke smoothly, "is it not rather selfish of you to hoard our husband immediately upon his return?"

She shifted slightly as she gazed at Arkanos with an expectant look. "Each of us is equally in need of his warmth."

Illena turned her golden eyes toward Sephira and offered a composed smile.

"Hoarding? My dear Sephira, I was merely welcoming him back as any devoted wife should."

She traced a finger against Arkanos's sleeve in an absentminded yet possessive manner. "Surely you wouldn't begrudge your Empress of that much?"

Sephira scoffed lightly, clearly unimpressed. "Oh, not at all." Her she said with sarcasm. "I simply find it amusing that you would claim priority when we have all waited just as long."

Selene, who had been listening quietly until now, chuckled. "Ah, the struggles of a man with too many wives." She glanced at Arkanos, her smirk deepening.

"It seems your father passed down more than just his empire to you."

Arkanos ignored her, rubbing his temple as he looked between Sephira and Illena.

He knew where this was going. His wives were always territorial when it came to his attention, and after an extended absence, it was only natural for them to be more demanding than usual.

"Enough," he said. "I will not entertain pointless bickering." He turned to Illena. "We will have tea later as you requested." Then, his gaze moved to Sephira, his voice softening just slightly. "And I will spend time with all of you accordingly."

Sephira let out a small hum, as if weighing his words, before flicking her gaze away. "Hmph. See that you do."

Selene chuckled again. "My, my. How very diplomatic of you, my son. But tell me—" she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping into a teasing whisper— "who will be the lucky one to share your bed tonight?"

Arkanos exhaled, rubbing his temple as he gave his mother a pointed look.

"You do realize asking such a question of your own son is highly improper? I was always under the impression that spirits were a more… calm and refined race."

Selene smirked, floating just slightly closer.

"Oh, my dear, you must have me mistaken for one of those dull, ancient spirits who spend centuries meditating on the meaning of existence." She let out a soft laugh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I was once an empress, and before that, a woman with her own desires and passions. You may have my blood, but don't assume to know all there is about me."

Arkanos sighed, shaking his head. "I should have expected such an answer."

Selene only grinned. "Of course, dear son. You should expect nothing less."

....

...

Later that evening, in the depths of the imperial palace, Arkanos sat across from Illena in a chamber meant for private gatherings.

The walls were lined with dark crimson drapes embroidered with gold, and the air carried the subtle scent of rare imperial jasmine—Illena's personal favorite.

A set of porcelain teacups rested between them, delicate yet elegant, filled with a deep amber liquid that steamed gently in the dim candlelight.

Illena lifted her cup, taking a slow sip before placing it back onto the saucer.

Her golden eyes never left his. "You look troubled, my love," she finally said, running a delicate finger along the rim of her cup.

"Tell me, what weighs on your mind?"

Arkanos leaned back, his crimson eyes momentarily drifting to the flickering candlelight. "Many things. My return, the affairs of the empire, the upcoming executions… and now, my mother's awakening from her deep slumber, and the inevitable upcoming war."