No one's POV:
The halls of Solvanyr's throne room had never been so quiet. It was the silence that came before a storm, or perhaps after one. When all the bodies were counted and the victors stood atop blood-slicked marble floors, breathing in the scent of conquest and betrayal. But now, it smelled not of blood. It smelled of rosewater and saffron, incense curling into the golden canopy of the high-arched ceiling. And in the center of it all stood Kael.
Not the General. Not the Demon Commander.
But the King.
His crown was a simple circlet of obsidian and silver, forged from the very sword he'd once wielded into battle, melted and remade as a symbol of the war he'd ended. His black cape with the golden insignia of House Varynth trailed behind him like a shadow.
But even shadows turned soft when his eyes found Auren.
The audience chamber was filled with nobles. Those who pledged allegiance with trembling voices or wide, reverent eyes. Kael only had ears for one voice now. One soul who had wrecked the course of fate. One person who had unraveled everything Kael thought he knew about power, devotion, and love.
And Auren stood there, wearing the deep navy ceremonial robe trimmed with silver thread, looking like a misplaced star among mortals. The robe swayed around his frame as he walked forward. No longer stumbling, no longer afraid, but steady.
The crown bearer stepped forward, offering the smaller coronet meant for a Consort.
Kael raised his hand.
"No."
Gasps echoed across the hall like ripples.
Kael turned, his voice cool but commanding. "The man who stood with me. Who defied our enemies and uncovered the rot at our core. Who walked through fire and blood for this kingdom, for me... will not be named merely a Consort."
The System pinged.
System Notification: Excuse ME?? Does this count as a proposal or an executive override of all traditional royal protocols? Because SAME.
Kael extended his hand to Auren. "You will stand beside me as my equal. As my Empress."
Auren's breath hitched, and for once, the system didn't interrupt. Not even a beep.
He took Kael's hand.
And as they stepped forward, hand in hand, the golden light of the high glass dome bathed them both. Cheers erupted. Hesitant at first, then louder, then deafening. Rose petals were cast from the balconies, fluttering like soft flames.
As the High Seer began the rites, the system whispered inside Auren's mind.
System 707: Status Check: World Stability—Unusually High. Host Safety—Guaranteed. Emotional Overload—Imminent.
System 707: Also... you soft bitch. You love him.
Auren didn't argue. Not this time.
Later That Night
Kael kissed him like the ceremony hadn't ended. Like the world hadn't changed. Like they were still just two men stuck in a mission, in a storm, in a room where love had to be carved in stolen breaths.
But this wasn't stolen. This was theirs.
Kael held Auren against the gilded sheets of the royal bed, fingers brushing the new jewelry adorning his wrists. Platinum cuffs that matched Kael's own.
"Still feels unreal," Auren whispered, nuzzling into Kael's chest.
"It's real." Kael kissed his temple. "And it's ours."
System Notification: Mission Chain Complete.
Objective 1: Investigate the Queen ✓
Objective 2: Survive ✓
Objective 3: Don't get railed into a political puppet — FAILED SUCCESSFULLY
Reward: Skill Retention: [Shadow Analysis - Rank B]. Souvenir retained: Kael's ring.
System 707: And that's a wrap, baby. First World: Cleared. Prepare for System Transfer in 48 hours.
System 707: Try not to cry. Or do. I'm crying. Just in binary.
Somewhere, Far Away
The ??? POV flickered to life.
A pair of obsidian eyes stared through the dimensional rift, lips quirked in something dark and unreadable.
"So this is how you begin to remember me again..."
The voice was soft. Dangerous.
"Let's see if you'll love me in the next world too. My bun."