Lucas made sure his demeanor just now had been flawless—gentle, refined, the very image of springtime warmth.
Or could it be that the Tree of Beginning in this world is somewhat… special?
But thinking back to the original storyline, the so-called Tree of Beginning seemed to carry nothing more than an imposing name. Aside from having a natural defensive awareness to ward off intruders, there didn't appear to be any other mysterious qualities to it.
"To be frank with you, Mr. Lucas," Queen Ilene finally spoke, her elegant brows tightening in hesitation.
"I do indeed know of the Tree of Beginning's location. However… this knowledge has been handed down through my lineage from generation to generation. And my ancestors gave explicit instructions that its location must not be lightly revealed to outsiders, for it is said that there lies a very particular secret hidden within the tree itself."
Her delicate features showed a trace of distress, caught between honesty and obligation. Although she genuinely wished to tell Lucas, this was, after all, a rule laid down by her forebears.
"This…"
Lucas paused, taken aback. Not to be told lightly to outsiders? But didn't she in the original story blurt it right out to Ash without much fuss?
Wait—on second thought, that was only because Ash's Pikachu had been abducted by Mew. That forced Ilene's hand, compelling her to reveal the Tree of Beginning's location to help retrieve it.
Lucas's eyes flickered with restrained irritation. He hadn't intended to stir up trouble, but clearly forcing matters might be the more effective approach here.
"However…" Ilene hesitated as she noticed Lucas lowering his head in silence—interpreting his quietness as disappointment, when in truth he was debating whether or not to use his Gardevoir to hypnotize her.
After a pause, she softened and said gently, "How about this, Mr. Lucas? Might I ask you to wait here for a while? I would like to first consult with my father."
In truth, it was only a family injunction. If it did not concern anything too severe, she herself would not mind confiding the truth to Lucas. Still, filial duty required her to seek her father's counsel.
"Then I shall trouble you, Your Majesty." Lucas lifted his head and smiled faintly, bowing politely.
Unless there was truly no other option, he preferred not to resort to force. He did not dislike Ilene—in fact, he bore respect for those rare individuals who carried genuine kindness in their hearts. So long as their aims did not conflict with his, he was willing to treat such people with courtesy.
"Please wait a short while, Mr. Lucas." Ilene inclined her head, a graceful, reserved smile touching her lips. Then, gathering her gown, she turned and walked gracefully toward the inner palace.
"What poise… what a figure… she really is every inch the queen," Green murmured, biting her fingertip as she watched Ilene's silhouette recede into the distance. Her eyes almost watered with envy.
That serene, noble aura; that curvaceous yet elegant form—absolutely enviable. She was, without question, breathtakingly perfect.
And her face—radiant and refined—was perhaps the only one Green had ever seen that could rival the beauty of Lady Caitlin.
Yet when it came to figure, there was no comparison at all. Whereas Caitlin remained slender and delicate, Ilene, being slightly older, had matured into a body that eclipsed her entirely.
"There's no need to belittle yourselves. In the future, neither of you will be any less radiant than she is."
For once, Lucas offered a rare note of consolation, raising his brows slightly as he spoke to Green.
In his personal view, Ilene, Marnie, and Green each had their own unique charms. The younger girls carried that fresh, blossoming vitality of youth—something that even a queen such as Ilene could never emulate.
"Eh? Lucas, did you really just say that?" Green froze, staring wide-eyed at him. It was almost impossible to believe. The man who was usually so sharp-tongued, so biting with his words, had actually comforted her?
"Shut up."
"Ow…"
Green rolled her eyes dramatically and gave an exaggerated huff.
"Lucas, if she refuses to tell us where the Tree of Beginning is, then what will we do?"
Unlike Green, Marnie did not join in the playful banter. Instead, she furrowed her brows with genuine concern.
From what she had observed earlier, this information appeared to carry weight for Ilene.
"We'll see how things unfold," Lucas replied with a calm shake of his head. He had countless ways of extracting the information should Ilene withhold it.
Taking on a queen of a declining kingdom would hardly pose a challenge for him. The only reason he held back was because he did not wish to direct such methods against Ilene in particular.
After all, she had conducted herself with nothing but grace and sincerity—traits that failed to spark any real enmity or intrigue in Lucas's mind.
Time slipped by, and half an hour later Ilene returned.
Green blinked, momentarily thinking she must be imagining things, but Ilene's cheeks did indeed seem faintly flushed.
"Forgive me for making you wait." Ilene composed herself, though her eyes flickered briefly toward Lucas before swiftly averting, her voice soft and controlled.
"It is no trouble, Your Majesty. Have you and your father reached a decision regarding the Tree of Beginning?" Lucas asked with an easy smile.
"I have spoken with my father," Ilene nodded slowly, "and he has agreed that we may disclose the location to you, Mr. Lucas. However, there is one condition…"
"A condition? Please, Your Majesty, speak freely." Lucas's lips curved in a light smile, serene and untroubled.
As long as she was willing to negotiate, everything was workable.
That was Lucas's confidence. After all, he was a member of Team Mask, the acknowledged heir of the prestigious Blackthorn clan, and the strongest executive in Team Rocket. What demand could possibly stump him?
"It is this, Mr. Lucas…" Ilene's hands brushed nervously against the ends of her golden hair, her gaze lowered as if to mask her nerves. "…Do you… already have a wife?"
The words, spoken so delicately, fell into the hall like a stone into still water, stilling everything in its wake.
"What?"
Both Marnie and Green cried out after a stunned pause, their voices breaking the silence.
That question carried a meaning so obvious it was impossible to mistake.
Naturally, the two girls understood exactly what Ilene was suggesting.
Ah… so that was it. No wonder she claimed the location of the Tree of Beginning could not be told to outsiders. But if Ilene were to marry Lucas, then… he would no longer be an outsider, would he?
Green stared at Ilene in shock, mingled with newfound respect. This woman really has some nerve…
She had thought Ilene a gentle, benevolent queen, but hidden beneath that grace was a bold, calculating intent.
Was this her play? To make Lucas stay—no, not as king, but as consort, as her husband?
Marnie's reaction, however, was far colder. Her face darkened, her eyes flashing with anger as she glared at Ilene.
She had liked the queen a moment ago—until, in the blink of an eye, this shameless woman dared to try and steal her man!
Outrageous!
"Your Majesty, such jokes are best left unsaid." Lucas finally regained his composure and shook his head with a chuckle.
"This is no jest, Mr. Lucas. I am quite serious," Ilene answered earnestly, her voice tender yet sincere.
When she had spoken with her father moments ago, it was he who had raised the suggestion. Though it had embarrassed her deeply, Ilene had considered it carefully and found the idea not unreasonable.
She was, after all, the queen of Rota. Her kingdom might be faded, but her status as noble queen remained intact.
Lucas, on the other hand, was scion of the Blackthorn family—the clan who created Blackthorn City and named it after themselves. In truth, their union would be a match of equal standing.
Moreover, she did not find Lucas disagreeable—in fact, she felt an immediate, favorable impression of him: refined in demeanor, well-spoken, and extraordinarily composed.
As queen, her duty was to think first of her kingdom's future. And compared with an uncertain, politically arranged marriage to a stranger, why not make her own choice for once—to place her trust in someone she could at least respect?
"I am twenty years old already. In the eyes of my royal kin, it is more than time for me to choose a partner, to marry, and to raise the next generation," Ilene confessed softly. Shame tinged her words, yet speaking them aloud gave her a strange boldness.
"Marriage is no trivial matter," Lucas replied tactfully, frowning faintly. "You do not truly know me, Your Majesty. And even if we were suited, I would never remain here. I have no intention of settling in this place."
"I understand that Mr. Lucas has his own dreams and pursuits," Ilene said, smiling wistfully. "I do not seek to chain you here. Feelings can grow slowly, over time. For me… simply having the chance to share in conversation with you would be enough."
On her refined features rested a shadow of helplessness. What hope did a queen who could never freely leave her castle have for true love?
She had already abandoned that dream. To find someone she could tolerate, someone who seemed right—that was more than enough.
"If you would allow it, Mr. Lucas, then let us at least set an engagement between us. And… as for the location of the Tree of Beginning—whether you agree or not, I am willing to entrust it to you."
Her voice trailed off gently. In that moment, she had laid down her dignity, revealing herself with startling humility.
"…So low…"
Green muttered in disbelief. Anyone could see the degree to which Ilene had lowered herself. It was practically a plea for Lucas to accept her as his husband.
This was unthinkable—far too unthinkable. For all that she was still a queen, a daughter of royalty, how could she abase herself so?
"Perhaps being a princess—or a queen—is not quite the blessing people imagine," Green whispered at last, seeing now the truth behind Ilene's glittering façade.
Indeed, her crown shone bright, but her choices were shackled. Bound to her royal duties, Ilene had never had freedom, not even the freedom to choose her own future partner.
Lucas studied her more closely. So, she would tell him regardless of his answer?
Truly, this woman's bearing did not fall short of her title. Her beauty was refined beyond compare, her presence noble and serene, her form both elegant and opulent.
Taking her as a wife would hardly be a loss—in fact, it would be quite the gain.
Lucas's gaze shifted to Marnie. After all, she was his present companion, and he owed it to her to gauge her reaction first.
This world had no strict laws enforcing monogamy. Polygamy was rare, but not impossible.
"Humph!"
Catching his glance, Marnie turned her head aside with a huff. Still, she felt a flicker of reassurance. At least the scoundrel had remembered to seek her opinion.
She did not say anything to make it difficult for him. Instead, she left the decision to him.
Lucas chuckled softly. For all her prickly temper, Marnie had never once created true trouble for him when it came to important matters.
"I will first contact my father, to discuss the matter of an engagement," Lucas said at last, turning back to Ilene with an easy smile.
For he was still heir of the Blackthorn clan, even if he was now branded an infamous executive of Team Rocket. Whatever else, marriage was no small affair; his father had to be informed.
Though the time was not right for a grand ceremony—since his identity was no secret, the League already knew who he was, and such an event would only draw unwanted trouble—nonetheless, his father's blessing was required.
"…"
Green clicked her tongue in disbelief at his audacity, while Marnie merely rolled her eyes.
She had foreseen this outcome.
"Very well!"
Ilene, on the other hand, brightened visibly. Her delicate face blossomed with a serene smile, radiant as spring itself.
"With your circumstances, there was no need to concede to such formality," Lucas observed with a faint smile.
"I am queen of Rota. It is my duty to uphold the dignity of my crown," Ilene answered softly. She could cast aside her title to seek personal happiness, yes—but that would be far too selfish.
"Such noble resolve," Lucas murmured with quiet admiration. Words were easy, but to live by them—to truly shoulder such burdens at only twenty years of age—was rare indeed.
"Hello? Who is this?"
At that moment, a stern, commanding voice answered through the receiver of his phone.
"Father, its Lucas."
Lucas glanced once at Ilene, then allowed a smile to curl across his lips. It had been five full years since he had last spoken with his father, Cassius Blackthorn.
Not from coldness, but because he never quite knew how to face the man. Having been taken by Ho-Oh since childhood, his sense of belonging to the Blackthorn clan had always been fragile. And yet, Cassius's love for him had been steadfast and profound.
Thus, Lucas's feelings for his father were complicated indeed.
"Lucas? Is it truly you? Where are you now?"
The voice on the other end trembled with sudden shock, breathing halted, then surged with emotion.
"I am in Kanto at the moment, Father. And… I have brought you two daughters-in-law. I intend to arrange our engagements first."
"…Two?"
Cassius's stunned voice echoed through the receiver.
Nor was he the only one left speechless. The three young women present all froze as well.
Ilene's brows knit faintly as her eyes flickered toward Marnie and Green, finally settling on Marnie. Yes… it must surely be this one.
She did not feel overly surprised. Born into royalty, she knew well that men of power often had multiple women. It was not a concept alien to her. But…
Lucas had yet to give her any clarity. Would she be the first wife—or the second?
Not the right moment to ask, she sighed inwardly. Better not to press this now…
(End of Chapter)