I won't fall for the queen who burned my world-Chapter 112: You can’t run from the truth

Malvoria stepped out of her chambers with a satisfied smirk still tugging at her lips, the lingering heat of the conversation with Elysia making her feel... pleased.

Not just because she had successfully rattled the stubborn princess—though that was certainly an enjoyable bonus—but because Elysia hadn't denied her words.

She hadn't said no.

She hadn't told Malvoria to stop.

And that, more than anything, told Malvoria everything she needed to know.

As she shut the heavy door behind her, exhaling through her nose, she turned—

Only to come face-to-face with her mother's knowing smirk.

Malvoria froze.

Her expression dropped into something flat and unamused.

Her mother, standing there with her arms crossed, one elegant brow raised, looked entirely too entertained for Malvoria's liking.

"Well, well," her mother hummed, tilting her head slightly. "Took you long enough."

Malvoria blinked. "What?"

Her mother simply smirked wider, her golden eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, don't act dumb, my dear," she drawled, waving a hand. "I saw the way you left that room. You were practically glowing."

Malvoria's eye twitched. "I was not—"

"Smiling. Looking content." Her mother's smirk widened. "Dare I say, satisfied?"

Malvoria groaned. "Mother—"

Her mother let out an amused chuckle, stepping closer with that infuriatingly smug look. "So," she continued, completely ignoring Malvoria's irritation, "when can I expect grandchildren?"

Malvoria stared at her. "Excuse me?"

Her mother sighed dramatically, placing a hand over her heart as if she were suffering. "You've been married for some time now, Malvoria. And yet, no heir in sight. No adorable little demon running around causing trouble."

Malvoria scowled. "We are not discussing this."

Her mother tutted. "You can't avoid it forever."

"Watch me," Malvoria muttered, rubbing her temple. "Leave me alone, I have work to deal with."

Her mother only smirked wider, clearly enjoying herself. "You know, you're starting to get softer."

Malvoria paused.

Her gaze flickered back to her mother. "What?"

Her mother's eyes gleamed. "Oh, don't look at me like that, dear. It's obvious." She stepped closer, her voice lowering as if she were sharing some great secret. "You care."

Malvoria scoffed. "I do not."

Her mother hummed, unconvinced. "You cooked for her."

"Once—"

"You fed her," she added, smirking. "And don't think I didn't hear about you carrying her back from that mess with the rebels."

Malvoria's jaw tensed. "I was being practical."

Her mother gave her a look. "Were you?"

Malvoria exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Mother, please—"

Her mother grinned. "You're getting adorable, Malvoria."

Malvoria groaned.

If she could vanish from this conversation, she would.

Malvoria turned on her heel with the intent to escape, her long strides carrying her swiftly down the hall.

But, of course, her mother followed.

She could hear the amused click of her mother's heels as she walked behind her, matching her pace effortlessly, like a predator toying with its prey.

"You can run from this conversation all you like," her mother called after her, "but you can't run from the truth, dear."

Malvoria groaned, picking up her pace.

Her mother simply laughed.

And that was how they reached Malvoria's office—her supposed sanctuary—except now, it was infested with the one woman who could never leave well enough alone.

As soon as Malvoria slammed the door behind them, her mother took a leisurely seat across from her desk, draping herself over the chair with the air of someone who owned the place.

Then, with mock innocence, she clasped her hands together and sighed.

"I will only use her to have an heir."

Malvoria froze.

Her mother smirked. "Wasn't that what you said?"

Malvoria scowled. "Don't start."

Her mother tilted her head, looking far too entertained. "Let's see, what else did you say?" She tapped a finger to her chin, pretending to think. "Ah, yes. 'There is nothing between us but duty. She means nothing to me.'"

Malvoria's jaw tensed. "Mother—"

"'She is just a pawn in my kingdom, nothing more.'"

Malvoria growled lowly, but her mother only grinned.

"And my personal favorite," her mother continued, voice dripping with amusement. "'I feel nothing for her.'"

Malvoria slammed her hands down on the desk, glowering. "Enough."

Her mother laughed. "Oh, Malvoria. You are adorable when you're flustered."

Malvoria pinched the bridge of her nose. "I am not flustered."

Her mother simply smirked. "Keep telling yourself that, dear."

Malvoria let out a long, exasperated sigh, dragging a hand down her face as she refused to meet her mother's gleeful gaze.

She should've known this would happen.

The moment her mother sensed any weakness, any shift in Malvoria's usual composure, she would pounce.

And now, here she was, lounging in Malvoria's office as if she belonged there, repeating every cold, detached statement Malvoria had made about Elysia, word for word, like a performer reciting her best lines.

Her mother wasn't going to stop.

Not unless Malvoria gave her something.

Malvoria inhaled deeply, leveling her with a glare. "I have work to do."

Her mother sighed dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. "Oh, of course. Work. So diligent. So responsible." Then, her grey eyes sparkled with mischief. "So in denial."

Malvoria twitched. "I am not in denial."

Her mother hummed as if she didn't believe her in the slightest. "And yet, you're reacting so much. Funny, considering how little she's supposed to mean to you."

Malvoria's fingers curled against the desk. "Mother—"

"Tell me something," her mother cut in smoothly, tilting her head, "if she truly means nothing, why did you cook for her?"

Malvoria froze.

Her mother's smirk widened. "Ah. Now you're quiet."

Malvoria scowled. "That was nothing."

"Oh?" Her mother raised a brow. "You, the great and mighty demon queen, decided to personally make a meal for your wife, something you haven't done for anyone in years... and it was nothing?"

Malvoria ground her teeth. "Yes."

Her mother leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "Fascinating."

Malvoria exhaled sharply through her nose, trying to control her irritation. "If you are only here to amuse yourself at my expense, you can leave."

Her mother merely grinned, completely unaffected. "Oh, Malvoria." She sighed, shaking her head. "This is so much better than I could have hoped for."

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