"Haaahh…"

A heavy gasp escaped Mikhailis's lips as he collapsed onto the bed, his body drenched in sweat and every muscle in his body screaming for rest. His heart pounded like a war drum, and his limbs felt like they had been through a marathon.

"What was intense..."

Elowen, beside him, was sound asleep. Her breathing was deep and steady, completely at peace, as if nothing had happened. She looked serene and so peaceful as if she just went a night with her true beloved one. Her hair is a mess over the pillows but still very beautiful as the moonlight painting her very gorgeous brown skin with a soft glow. But Mikhailis… Mikhailis was a mess.

What did I get myself into...?

He thought back to the moments before, the way her body had moved with such strength and intensity. He had known that she's a queen, a warrior at heart, someone who bore the weight of an entire kingdom. He already recognize her toned body that has the hint of a great warrior. But this? He hadn't been prepared for this kind of stamina. Her endurance was off the charts.

Everything had been perfect at first. It was passionate, sensual, like heaven on earth. But somewhere around round three, Mikhailis began to realize something wasn't quite right—no, not wrong, just… overwhelming!

She's a beast! How the hell did I not notice? I mean, she's well-toned, sure, but damn!

Mikhailis could barely keep up, and that was saying something. He had always prided himself on his own fitness, after all. He wasn't some fragile prince lounging around all day—he worked out, he trained, he had stamina! He also trained with the best soldiers of his kingdom back then! He was strong! Or at least, he thought he did. But Elowen had shattered that illusion in just one night. He had gone from feeling on top of the world to being utterly drained, as if his very soul had been sucked dry.

His body ached in ways he didn't think were possible. He shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position, but every movement sent another wave of exhaustion through him.

"Haaaah…" another sigh escaped, this one heavier than before.

He glanced over at Elowen, still fast asleep, and couldn't help but smile despite his exhaustion. She was incredible, powerful in ways he hadn't imagined. He admired her strength, but right now, he just wished she had a little less of it.

I mean, seriously… there's strong, and then there's this. I'm not even sure how I'm still alive right now. But well, it's sure a 'great experience'

Just then, Mikhailis instinctively tapped the side of his glasses, activating the device. The familiar interface flickered to life before his eyes, and then came the voice he hadn't heard in a while.

<Are you still alive, Mikhailis?>

Rodion's monotone voice filled the quiet of the room.

Mikhailis rolled his eyes, even though he couldn't help but chuckle at the timing.

"Barely. Damn it, Rodion, do you know the thing about privacy? I just went through a life-altering experience here."

<Life-altering, you say? I would describe it as… fascinating, Mikhailis>

Rodion's tone remained as flat as ever, though Mikhailis could sense a hint of sarcasm.

Just who the hell created this guy. 

Wait, it's me, isn't it?

"Right. Fascinating. That's the word I'd use to describe being sucked dry by my own wife. I feel like a freaking raisin, Rodion."

<Noted. Shall I mark 'drained' as your current status?>

Mikhailis groaned.

"Don't you dare. Can't a man get some rest after… after…" he trailed off, too tired to even finish the sentence.

<You seem to be at a loss for words, Mikhailis. How unusual. Shall I record this moment for future reference?>

"Rodion…" Mikhailis warned, though he was too exhausted to put any real weight behind it.

<Of course, I respect your need for privacy. After all, you programmed me with a very intricate understanding of boundaries, Mikhailis.>

The AI's voice remained annoyingly calm for Mikhailis tonight.

"Boundaries? Yeah, sure. Says the AI who just casually checks in after… you know what? never mind." Mikhailis sighed, shaking his head.

"I can't believe I'm having a conversation about this with an AI I built."

<It's a testament to your genius, Mikhailis. Not many can say they argue with their own creation.>

"Yeah, genius…" Mikhailis muttered.

"It's more like insanity at this point. I'm having a debate about my… experiences with an AI. Great. What's next? You going to give me performance reviews?"

<I wouldn't dream of it, Mikhailis.>

Mikhailis chuckled despite himself, rubbing his temples as he lay back. He closed his eyes, the exhaustion still heavy in his bones, but there was a strange comfort in the familiar banter with Rodion.

After a moment, he opened his eyes again, staring at the ceiling.

"Did you… Did you analyze everything, Rodion?" he asked, his voice quieter now.

<Indeed. I observed the entire interaction.>

Everything, huh... I wonder if I should be happy or not knowing that.

Rodion paused briefly, noticing Mikhailis's line of sight stopping at Elowen that is sleeping in a deep slumber.

<It's fine, Mikhailis. You needn't worry about interruptions. According to her pulses, Elowen is in a deep sleep, quite satisfied and completely at peace. She will not wake anytime soon.>

Mikhailis couldn't help but smile.

"Good. I'm glad she's at peace."

Well, more like I'm glad that she's-

<You're just glad she's satisfied, aren't you?>

Rodion chimed in, guessing right what is inside his mind.

"Did I put too much private information about me in your data set, I wonder? Or was the personalization too advanced that you seem to be capable to read my mind without any telapathical technology implemented?" MIkhailis retorted, but it didn't stay long.

His gaze once again return to the sleeping queen.

<Do you think she's similar to your brother, Dimitri?>

Rodion's sudden shift in topic caught Mikhailis off guard.

But it's not strange for his partner to realize it.

He tailored his AI, to be his partner, with not just the specs of a highly intelligent AI, but to also capable in reading and processing emotions.

It's like having a very intelligent and capable brother or friend that acts as your secretary.

His brother, Dimitri, the crown prince of Ruslania. Mikhailis hadn't thought about him in a while. But well, it's not strange to be reminded of his own family. He does left them in the modern world, on earth, and even disguise his own death in order to make his existence completely erased from that world. 

He stared up at the ceiling, his mind wandering for a moment before a faint smile tugged at his lips.

Brother, huh...

"In some ways, yeah. She's got that same sense of responsibility, the same weight on her shoulders."

<Perhaps you've noticed it too, then,>

Rodion continued.

<She moves with the same burden Dimitri carries. She's close to depressive, Mikhailis. The weight of ruling, of being everything for everyone, is suffocating her. I can see it in her posture, in the way she hesitates, even in moments of intimacy.>

Mikhailis felt his chest tighten at Rodion's words. He had noticed it too, but hearing it said out loud made it more real, more urgent.

"She's been through a lot, I guess being a queen is not a job anyone could just take," he murmured.

"She's always putting others first. The kingdom, her people… She never thinks of herself,"

What he uttered is about Elowen, but the figure that appeared inside his mind is the image of his brother. 

<It's more than that,>

Rodion added, his voice still calm but laced with an unusual depth of understanding.

<She's suffocating under her responsibilities. The weight of the crown has taken more from her than she lets on. Every decision, every moment, she carries the kingdom on her back. And she's doing it alone. Perhaps, even the lineage of the dark elves that she bears also gave a bigger burden towards herself as well,>

Mikhailis stared at Elowen, her peaceful face resting against the pillow. He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"I should've seen it sooner. Well, what the hell am I saying? I just arrive at this world, aren't I?"

<You did, Mikhailis. That's why she chose you. You're her escape, her refuge. But you need to be more than that now. You need to help her carry the weight, or she'll crumble under it. But sure that is, if it's what you want. I'm tailored to follow what you wish>

Mikhailis's heart ached at the thought. Elowen was strong—stronger than anyone he'd ever known. But even the strongest had limits.

"Even the strongest. Has limits, huh..." he whispered.

"I'm a husband now, Rodion. I guess for now, I'll be there for her,"

Rodion's voice softened slightly, the AI's typically clinical tone replaced by something almost human.

<I know you will, Mikhailis. She needs you, perhaps more than she'll ever admit>

Mikhailis smiled, feeling a surge of determination.

<Just a suggestion, Mikhailis, but it might be wise to adjust your posture slightly—sleeping on your back with your legs elevated will help your muscles recover faster. Hydration is also key, so don't forget to drink some water before you pass out.>

"You're right, thank you as always, partner,"

As he lay back, the exhaustion finally pulling him toward sleep, Mikhailis closed his eyes with a sense of purpose. Elowen had given him an escape he has been searching for all these times, and he would do the same for her. He would make sure she never felt alone in her struggles again.

But sure, everything needs to be according to what the eccentric entomologist's favors.

And behind Mikhailis, his AI, always know, that if everything turn south, his master would be his utmost priority, even if he need to sacrifice everything his Master cherishes.