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Skyster Castle, Windsor Town – Afternoon Light
Soft beams of sunlight filtered through the open windows of Dian's grand chambers. The silk curtains danced in the breeze, and the distant sound of birdsong hummed beneath the silence.
Emily stirred.
Her lashes fluttered weakly, her breath sharp but real. Her lips parted with a dry gasp as light flooded her vision. The ache in her limbs had faded—replaced by a lightness, unfamiliar but welcome.
She blinked.
The world swam into focus.
The first thing she saw was a tall man seated beside her, his gaze quiet, strong, calm.
Dian.
His arms were folded, one hand resting just near hers. Not touching. Just… close enough to feel safe.
Dian's lips parted, about to speak—
But before he could, three voices echoed through the chamber in unison, brimming with emotion:
"Mother!"
Olivia, Gianna, and Emma ran to her side.
Tears spilled freely as they dropped to their knees around the bed.
Gianna took her mother's hand and kissed it.
Olivia cupped her face and began crying, truly crying.
Even Emma—who rarely let tears escape—pressed her forehead to her mother's shoulder and wept.
"My Daughters…?"
Olivia spoke first. "I thought we'd lost you…"
"We were so scared…"
"You're back…"
Emily's lips quivered, her eyes filling.
She reached out and pulled them all into her arms.
"My girls…" she whispered, her voice still hoarse. "My brave, beautiful girls…"
Dian stood up slowly. With a nod toward Suzine, he silently exited—
Leaving the door gently ajar behind him.
---
Moments Later
Once they'd calmed, Emily leaned back against the headboard, now propped up by soft pillows. Her daughters sat beside her, eyes still misty with relief.
"You're… safe," she repeated, as if saying it aloud made it real. "All of you."
Then her eyes scanned the room.
"But… where is this? It's not our home, is it?"
Gianna nodded. "We are no longer in the Kingdom of Elves. We're in the Kingdom of Rikos… at my husband's house."
The word spilled from her mouth naturally—but as soon as she realized it, a soft blush crept up her cheeks.
Emily's gaze lingered.
"...husband?"
A brief silence followed.
Then Olivia, gently, "Mother… she's married."
Emily blinked. "You what?"
Gianna lowered her eyes, shyly. "It was my choice. Entirely."
Emily stared for a long moment—
Then let out a soft, tired laugh.
"Not going to tell me my son-in-law's name?"
Gianna's face turned crimson. "D-Dian Skyster."
Emily nodded, then frowned slightly. "Dian Skyster… wasn't he the one who was ill? Beyond recovery?"
Gianna looked up. "It's a long story, Mother. So this is how it all happened..."
---
Later...
"…So," Emily said finally, her tone thoughtful. "You two are both his wives?"
Her gaze shifted from Gianna to Suzine.
Suzine stepped forward. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"No need for that title anymore," Emily said with a newfound warmth. "I suppose you're family now. And I… I'm no longer any queen."
Suzine smiled, deeply touched.
Emily turned to Gianna again, a spark of playfulness in her eyes.
"So, you met him the first time when he saved you. You fell in love. And married him by taking elven oaths he didn't understand until after you told him." Her eyes glittered with mischief as she added that last part.
Gianna looked down, face completely red. "M-Mother… t-that's enough!"
Emily felt something sweet flutter in her chest at the sight of her daughter's bashful reaction.
"Aww… come here."
She pulled Gianna back into her embrace.
Emma stirred from the side. "Tch… What's so great about him?"
Emily chuckled. "Don't worry, my little girl. You'll find someone good too." She reached for both Emma and Olivia. "Now come here."
She embraced them as well, Suzine joined too. The four of them joined in a long, warm hug. It had been so long since they'd felt anything like this.
Evne Suzine felt as if, she was her mother...
When they finally parted, Emily sat back, smiling. Then her expression shifted.
"What about… Lios?"
Emma's face darkened.
"He poisoned you. Tried to use us as bait. Even used the oaths, making Elder Virenelle to serve his plans. But Dian exposed him—and defeated him in a public duel. He's been exiled now."
Her lips parted, as if to say more. But she didn't.
Emily noted the subtle tension in her daughter's expression. But she didn't push—not yet.
Her thoughts turned back to her son.
"…He was raised to be king," she whispered. "But ambition can twist even the truest blood. Still… I won't carry it as a wound."
She exhaled—a deep, shaking breath.
One that sounded like a chain had finally fallen off her soul.
Then s Question.
"But…" she murmured, "how was I cured? The druids said… there was no cure for the poison."
This time, Olivia answered.
"It was because of Lord Dian. He… had a cure stored in his family vault."
(A lie—smooth, true, told by Dian. When Emma had demanded answers, Dian had provided the story with his 'perfect' acting skills.)
Her voice was steady—well-rehearsed. Her eyes lingered on her mother's lips for just a second too long.
"Hm?…
is something on my face, dear?" she asked, noticing her daughter's gaze.
Olivia straightened, looking away. "N-No! T-there's nothing, Mother."
"Hm?" Emily's eyes drifted across her daughters' faces. They all averted their gaze at once.
None spoke.
Then Suzine stepped forward, voice gentle but clear.
"There was a cure," she said. "But… you couldn't swallow it. Your throat wouldn't respond."
Emily frowned slightly.
"…Then how?"
Suzine hesitated.
Then answered.
"Your cure was… transferred. By mouth. Darlin–I mean Dian… gave it to you. With his lips."
Stillness.
Emily blinked.
Once.
Then again.
A faint blush colored her pale cheeks.
Her hand rose—instinctively—to her lips.
A soft, unfamiliar warmth lingered there.
It hadn't been a dream.
She remembered the sensation—
The way her breath had caught.
The faint, electric taste of something warm and sweet.
His breath…
His presence…
His lips…
It was him.
Dian Skyster.
The man who had saved her.
The man who had kissed her.
The man who had risked everything for her daughters—
And for her.
A slow, delicate smile curved across her lips.
Something fluttered deep in her chest.
Not fear.
Not confusion.
But something she had never known before.
Dangerous. Obsessive. Beautiful.
She didn't know what it was yet.
But she would.
Soon.
And when she did…
She wouldn't let go.
.
.