Extra 1: Happily Ever After

As the sun slowly rose, the light touched the leftover debris and the buildings half-fixed. Birds chirped happily as they flew around in circles without a care. At the first light, men and women collectively groaned as they forced themselves out of bed to start a new day. 

Construction had already begun and each person was hard at work putting brick to brick together. No longer was the work by hand unless there was no helping it. Each neighbor helped the other as an unbreakable bond had been forged through the war and the struggles they faced together.

Children, those with horns and those without, ran through the crowd laughing as they dodged the adults who were hard at work. Those in their paths wanted to raise their fist to shake it at their rudeness, but when they saw how happy they looked, they could only smile themselves.

It was hard not to smile after they overcame what seemed to be the end and became better because of it. With the new King in charge, those in the slums no longer had to starve or die from disease, but could elevate through the social classes if they were willing to work for it. Border relations became much more lax, allowing many tourists and immigrants to come in from other allied kingdoms. Some demons from the war decided to stay in the capital, and although there was still prejudice and fear on both sides, they were both able to tolerate each other enough to live as equals.

For the first time since creation, demons and humans could live together without worrying about hiding from the rest of the world.

All of this was made possible through the hard work of three individuals.

A King, a Royal Magician turned Queen, and…

Their best friend and son whose statue and plaque were erected in the city center for everyone to see.

Demons would always come to visit that statue to leave gifts and say their thanks. It was only because of his desire to unite humans and demons that they could now have a place to live safely. They would never take advantage of this safety and worked hard to preserve it in his honor.

While everyone was hard at work, there were two people in the palace nestled deep under the silk covers. The room was lavish, but not overly gaudy, perfect for the two who were interested in minimalism rather than loudly showing off their wealth.

Cyrus lay holding his queen in his arms as he gently traced his fingers along her skin. He was accustomed to waking up at the first light, but now that he had finally gotten back the only person he had ever wanted at his side, he didn't mind waiting for the other to wake up even if he had duties to fulfill. 

He didn't even care if it meant staying in bed watching her sleep until noon.

My eyes fluttered as I finally woke up, but since I didn't have the energy to leave, I snuggled in closer and groaned. "Why is it too early…"

Cyrus glanced over at the curtains which revealed a sliver of light, "It's noon."

"Mmmn… Noon…" I struggled to wake up, "Wait!? Noon??"

"It appears so."

I rubbed my eyes sleepily, "Don't you have a kingdom to manage?"

He hugged me tighter as he responded nonchalantly, "Eh, Caldwell and Gonza can handle the paperwork."

I chuckled, "What kind of King are you?"

He kissed the top of my head, "I told you I wouldn't leave your side except to let you maintain privacy on the-"

I cut him off quickly, "-Okay, okay. But just how long can you maintain that promise?"

He chuckled and tilted up my chin to look him in the eyes. I could see the shimmers from his irises as he smirked, "It's a promise I will keep until I die."

Seeing the heartfelt answer in his eyes, I snickered and reached up to tap his nose, "That might be sooner rather than later if you don't do your work. Caldwell and Uncle Gonza might stage a mutiny."

"I think they would run away rather than put in all that effort to overthrow me." He laughed, "That's why I keep denying their vacation requests. I can't have my hardest workers escape my grasp." 

I rubbed my nose against his, "You little tyrant."

"Hmmm? A tyrant, huh?" He suddenly flipped me over and pinned me underneath with a devilish smile, "I can show you just how gentle of a tyrant I can be."

I pulled his face closer to mine, "I don't mind a rough tyrant."

"Oh?"

He lowered his head and started kissing me passionately. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him even closer. Just as his hand slithered up my thin nightgown, the door was tossed open.

"MAMA! PAPA!" Astra burst into the room, "You gotta get up! Zephyr's ceremony is today!"

I quickly covered myself with the covers as Cyrus fell back onto the bed with a frustrated sigh. "Astra! I told you not to barge in! We are indecent!"

She stared at me with an innocent expression, "You're less indecent now than when you had me create the dream of men at the bath-"

"-OKAY!" I clapped my hands to silence her, "T-That's enough. We don't need to mention that."

Cyrus propped his head up with a slight scowl, "Hmm. I remember that."

I quickly planted a few kisses on his cheek to placate him, "Don't forget how excited I was to see you there. I asked her to remove your clothes, remember?"

Astra piped up, "See! That's much more indecent."

"Urg…"

I can't argue with that…

Billy stood in the doorway oddly shy, peeking around the corner to see if it was alright to come in. When I noticed him I motioned for him to come in, "I see you are wearing the suit I got you."

He nodded with slightly flushed cheeks and entered, "T-Thanks… It's uh… It's the first time I had someone buy me something so nice."

Astra stood proudly to the side with her own dress matching him, "Billy did my hair. Isn't that nice of him?"

He looked aggrieved, "You forced me too…"

"I'm glad to see the both of you getting along so well." I chuckled and motioned to Astra, "Can you grab Mommy's robe so I can get up?"

"Yes, mama!" 

She hopped over and grabbed it from the dresser. After she brought it and handed it to me, I covered myself up and stepped out of bed with a yawn. She then jumped over and grabbed Cyrus's robe and gave it to him. He took it with a smile and ruffled her hair. Billy stood off to the side, his eyes dark as if he was standing in the shadows. He always wore such a moody expression, and while it scared off others, I couldn't help but be reminded of Lovi.

I walked over to Billy and grabbed his cheeks, "You resemble her so much…"

He made a face as I squished around his cheeks, "Ughhhh…"

Despite his quirky attitude, Billy had longed for familial love and acceptance as he had never fit in with his own family. After being tossed out of his family home and barred from any communication, meeting Astra had surprisingly a good effect. Despite her practically enslaving him, she did offer him a family in return.

As he was secretly enjoying the squished cheeks, Astra asked in a princess-like tone, "Who are you talking about, mama?"

"Lovi. Do you remember her?" I stopped squishing his cheeks, "Ah… I forgot that you actually called her Hephie."

Uncharacteristically, Astra fell silent. She spoke in a small voice, "I don't remember Hephie much… But I remember the day she left…"

Just as Astra's bottom lip started to tremble, she was scooped up. Cyrus started tossing her up into the air until she suddenly burst into laughter. Finally getting a smile from her, he swung her around. Astra hung off Cyrus's arm, swinging while laughing. Seeing such a sight brought a smile to my lips.

"Okay, okay. Mama and Papa have to get ready now. We can't miss Zephyr's ceremony."

After shuttling them out of the room, I closed the door and locked it. Suddenly, I was embraced from behind. I could feel the fervent lips kissing across my skin, leaving it ablaze with passion.

I flushed red, "W-We have to get ready."

I could hear the smirk in his tone, "We have enough time."

"Oh, jeez." I turned to face him and wrapped my arms around his neck. My eyelashes fluttered, "Don't be too rough, Mr. Tyrant."

…After we had finished "getting ready", we met in the palace hallway in front of the main doors. Astra tilted her head, "Why does Mama look so tired?"

I cleared my throat, "Where's your sister?"

Astra pointed up, "She's cocooning again."

I let out a sigh and looked over at Cyrus who nodded in understanding. As I created an ice chunk, he hopped on top of it as I raised it to the ceiling. When Lene felt him approach, she tried to burrow further away, but he was able to pull her out.

As I lowered them both, Lene let out a whimper, "Sleeeep…"

I reached out to squeeze her cheeks as he held her in his arms, "Come on, Lene. Don't you want to go see your brother's ceremony?"

"Lene can't see!"

"Then you can be there to give him support." I pulled my hands away and nodded to the rest, "Let's go, shall we?"

We got into a carriage that brought us to the Academy. Billy kept demanding spiders from Lene, which triggered the anger of Astra. I ignored their fighting as I held Cyrus's hand.

Even if it was a chaotic carriage ride, I had never felt so much peace.

Eventually, we entered the Academy's gates where we were able to climb out. The breeze quietly blew my hair as I stared at the new building.

It was more modern now, everything that had been destroyed was now upgraded. Although I was happy to see everything fixed, there was still a sense of sadness from losing a great thing you could never get back. When my eyes caught sight of where the rubble pile once was, my hand was suddenly tugged. I was pulled out of my thoughts and looked over at Cyrus who was smiling affectionately at me.

A smile surfaced on my face to reflect his, "The old style was better. It had more character."

"I agree."

We walked inside the main atrium with Astra and Billy running circles around us. Lene shuffled behind, yawning uncontrollably as she struggled to stay awake.

"Ah! King Cyrus!" Della came rushing over, when she saw me, she paused, "R-Reika… Good day…"

"Mmn." I averted my gaze from her and drew closer to Cyrus.

After everything that had happened, I still had yet to let go of my feelings of abandonment.

I know it wasn't her fault, but I couldn't help feeling betrayed. Even after I got my identity back, she still fiercely protected the body that I couldn't reenter even now.

I know she still loves me…

But I…

I still feel this way…

She seemed to notice my offstandish attitude and let out a heavy sigh. Forcing herself to smile, she motioned, "We reserved a seat at the front for all of you."

Cyrus politely smiled back, "Thank you, Della."

We were led to the front and took our designated seats. Lene sat next to me and leaned against my shoulder, promptly falling asleep. Astra demanded to sit on Cyrus's lap to "see better" and Billy sat at his side grumbling. Cyrus reached out to rub his head, which immediately caused his irritation to disappear. As Cyrus held my hand, we watched as everyone entered the atrium and took their seats.

Aldrich walked out, followed by a tall woman with platinum blonde hair and opaque blue eyes. Hazel followed beside him, wearing her knight's uniform with a grace that no noble or aristocrat could hope to achieve. She was no longer the same girl with no presence as she once was.

She was now a glorified knight that everyone looked up to.

Aldrich spoke, "We are gathered here today because I have officially announced my intent to retire from the position of Headmaster. Thus, I would like to ceremoniously announce the next Headmaster for Alora Academy in front of you today. As Headmaster, not only do you need to understand the needs of every student, but you also need to be strong enough to protect them. This person is the one who deserves this position more than anyone."

Zephyr walked out to the center of the stage, each step with a clear purpose that turned heads to him. He stood in front of the crowd with his horn on display, a pair of fox ears, and a wagging tail. I couldn't hide my overwhelming pride and affection and clutched my chest with moist eyes.

Hazel stared at him with a gentle smile as she pulled out a wooden box and handed it to Aldrich who opened it. In his hands was a medallion that was passed on to each new generation of Headmasters. Aldrich turned to Zephyr and placed the medal on his chest, "For your bravery in defending the Academy and protecting those who could not defend themselves, I can say without a doubt that you will always put those in the Academy before yourself. No one is better suited to become the next Headmaster than you."

My eyes started to burn as Zephyr stood on the center stage, proudly puffing out his chest. After all these years, he never learned the meaning of humility. He turned to the crowd to show off his medal.

Aldrich turned to everyone and spoke, "I proudly introduce the 253rd Headmaster of Alora Academy… Zephyr Marlow."

I burst into tears as applause rang out in the audience. I jumped to my feet to clap while crying hysterically, "That's my baby! That's my little boy!"

Zephyr flushed from my cries, but even if he looked embarrassed, nothing could hide the gleeful expression on his face.

In a world that once hated demons, now there was one in charge of the renowned Alora Academy.

The event, that was attended by almost every single person in the capital that filled the entire building and even outside, was a historic day for the entire world. No one wanted to miss such an important ceremony.

After the ceremony concluded, Zephyr had come off the stage with Hazel beside him. I smothered his cheeks and forehead with kisses as he tried to push me off. "G-Get off you trashy woman!"

Despite trying to sound harsh, it was clear he was forcing himself.

I pulled away with a pout, "Is that any way to talk to your mother?"

"Aiyah…" He stuck out his tongue, "Who is my mother?"

"It's me, obviously."

Cyrus joined my side, carrying a sleeping Lene, "Which makes me your father."

Zephyr crossed his arms, "Nuhuh. You are my son. I'm older than you, boy."

He lifted an eyebrow, "Are you? You don't act like it."

"OI!"

"Why are you discussing age?" I chuckled, "Are you all forgetting that I'm older than both of you?"

Billy chuckled under his breath, "Grandma."

I flicked his forehead with a grin, "Brat."

Astra poked her head out from behind Cyrus, "I still can't believe they thought you were responsible enough to become Headmaster."

"What are you talking about?" Zephyr gave her his characteristic toothy grin, "I'm the Great Demon Zephyr. There's no one more responsible and capable than me."