The lounge was quieter now. Shimmer and Runner had run off somewhere in town, probably chasing down fruit stands or trying to convince some merchant that they were princesses in disguise. But inside the warm-lit lounge, Vastarael sat surrounded by the five women who had etched themselves into his very soul. They all sat together.
Vastarael rubbed the back of his neck as he explained what happened in his Sacred Trial.
"So... that all about my Sacred Trial."
Five sets of eyes turned toward him, the atmosphere shifting with sudden gravity.
"The Mutated Siren was cursed. It was immortal but suffering. He couldn't die. Every second was pain."
Elyonari brought a hand to her chest.
"You… released him?"
"I gave him what he wanted. Who knew that he'd give up so easily?"
There was a moment of stillness.
"That's why you're our leader, Veneri," Phaenora said softly, her eyes more serious than playful this time. "You are kind but cold at the same time."
Vastarael gave a tired smile.
"That's also why we can't keep drawing attention. The Mopherian Pantheon is watching closely. If they see how far we've all come, they'll start adapting and soon, they will counterattack our capabilities."
Adelasta agreed.
"We know. We won't fight all-out unless we must. The more we show, the more they'll have to study. They may not be Omniscients but they're observant."
Narisva leaned back with a snort. "And you're not wrong, Darling. I'd rather not hand the Mopherian Pantheon a personalized playbook."
"Good."
Vastarael nodded, then grew quiet. His gaze dropped to the floor for a moment.
"But that's not the only reason."
Elyonari tilted her head. "There's another?"
"Yeah. The truth is… I've been reckless. Every time something goes wrong, I jump in. Every time someone's in danger, I charge forward. And you all worry. You always do. I see it in your faces, even when you try to hide it. Narisva, you have a whole continent to protect. Xypelia needs you. Elyonari, you're Mintherenia's High Priestess. You literally are the voice of the World Tree. Phae, Adelasta, you've both been by my side through everything off. But now…"
He turned toward Asenane. "Erna."
Her eyes widened a bit. Vastarael almost never called her by her original name. It always hit differently when he did.
"You… have changed in more ways than just physically. You've survived death. Yuu became a Divine Dragon. That's not small. And I know it's sudden, but… I want you to be Monarchess of Dynasty Richinaria."
"What?"
Adelasta gave a small smirk. "He's serious."
Narisva laughed. "About time he made a decision that doesn't involve a near-death experience."
"But… why me?"
Phaenora's fingers tapped her chin.
"Because we're all basically unfit for the job."
"I have a continent," Narisva said, raising her hand lazily.
"I'm a High Priestess. That's a full-time job," Elyonari added with a small smile.
"And I'm an Omniscient," Phaenora gestured to herself. "I literally exist to be his shadow, not his paperwork wife."
"I…" Adelasta sighed. "Politics is what I deal with. And I love my Veneri, but not enough to spend my days as a Duchess and a Monarchess. It's not possible."
Asenane sat in stunned silence as the reality began to settle.
"I… guess I don't have an excuse now."
"You don't," Vastarael said gently, taking her hand. "But I won't force it. If it's too much, I—"
"I'll do it. I want to. For you. After all, it's not that I have anything worth doing so... it's okay. Since Adelasta is the Grand Duchess, she can teach me."
Vastarael smiled. Then he stood up, took a breath and slowly lowered himself onto one knee. All five of them froze. Dynasty Monarchs and Monarchesses never kneel down to anyone, even to gods. Their pride would never allow it. But...
"What are you doing?" Adelasta asked in shock. "Wait—"
"Is this—"
"He's kneeling," Elyonari whispered.
"Veneri, what the hell?"
Phaenora looked genuinely startled for the first time.
"I mean this. I've fought monsters. I've suffered. I've stared at cosmic beings. But the five of you… are my greatest battle. My greatest peace. My reason for every breath."
He looked at each of them.
"Adelasta, even when you're cold, I know you burn fiercely underneath. You've always protected me in ways no one else ever did."
Her cheeks flushed a deep red, though she looked away with a huff.
"Of... course..."
"Narisva, you're chaos and beauty wrapped in one. You never let me get away with lies, and you always meet me eye to eye. Thank you."
Narisva cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably. "Whatever. Don't make me cry."
"Elyonari your soul is purer than all of us. You've calmed me more times than I can count. Honestly, if it wasn't for you, I doubt Adelasta and I would be together. Remember when I won against her for the first time when I was seventeen and you saw? If it wasn't for your advice, we wouldn't be together."
She placed her hand over her heart, nodding silently.
"Phaenora, you're my shadow and mirror. You see what I can't, and you never leave me behind. Thank you for being with me for all these years."
"Of course," she whispered, blinking faster now.
"And Erna, you came back stronger. You've carried pain I'll never understand and still smile through it. I want you beside me as my queen."
He looked up, teary-eyed. "I love you. All five of you. You are more than enough. You are everything to me. And uh... I hope you'll always be with me despite how careless and daring I am. So, what do you say? Are you five willing to be with someone like me?"
"..."
"I kind of expected an answer. Was that too much for you? My knee is hurting like shit right now. My body is refusing to kneel because of my status you know..."
Adelasta bit her lip. Narisva covered her mouth with her hand. Elyonari reached for his cheek. Phaenora wiped her eyes. Asenane choked back a sob. Then all five moved at once. He was pulled into a storm of hugs, tears, and laughter. Narisva punched his shoulder before hugging him tighter than she ever had. Adelasta held him from behind, burying her face in his back. Elyonari kissed his forehead. Phaenora nuzzled into his neck, giggling through tears. Asenane just held his face.
And in that moment, Vastarael Richinaria, leader of the Sentina Erideae, wielding the Divinity of Time, Monarch of the Aeterium, didn't feel like someone all-powerful. He was simply a man who had five women who loved him enough to stand with him at the end of all things.
And to him, that was more than enough.