Five years later

Birds were chirping pleasantly as a gentle sun shone from the sky. Reylor sat on a bench in front of a grand castle, Lucy beside him, peacefully resting her head on his shoulder.

“It’s come a long way, hasn’t it?” Reylor mused.

“Mhmm. It feels like we are actually a kingdom again. It’s not, nor ever will be, the same—but I guess that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Power brings out the worst in a lot of people, and my, or should I say our, family was no different.” Lucy’s cheeks turned a happy shade of pink as she snuggled up closer to him.

In the wake of all that had happened, the shade population had not only stagnated, but had begun a steady decline. In some areas it could be argued that the beasts had even been wiped out. As for political matters, the Shildwell castle had been rebuild, though artisans were still working on the finishing touches. With aid from the Praefectus Empire, the other territories were also in the process of being rebuilt. Additionally, there were plans to annex the Otium region into the Shildwell Empire, though the process would be taken slowly, over the course of decades, at least.

Meanwhile, Eric had returned to his home village and Flint was working directly under Brent, who had acquired the position of head general and advisor to the Queen.

“Hey Lucy, did you hear that Khes finally made it in?”

“Hehe, no, but I’m not surprised he found a job there. Ever since Votran Academy hired Aileen as a special class instructor, he’s been pounding at the doors to get a job there as well.”

“Yep. But do you know what they hired him as?”

“No, what is his position?”

“Pest control”

“Snort” “Ahahaha!” Lucy leaned forward as she shook with laughter. “That. Is so. Funny!”

“Haha, yeah.” Reylor leaned his head back with a smile, continuing to bask in the spring atmosphere. “I hear he’s already making a name for himself, though. Though, not always in flattering ways, if you consider the screams of new students catching sight of his rodent legion.”

“Stop. Making. Me. Laugh!” Lucy said, out of breath and tearing up.

“That being said, we both know Queen has plans for him. He does possess quite the unique skillset.”

“Ahh, that’s true,” Lucy assented, leaning back after finally getting a chance to catch her breath.

“Ah!” “What is it Charlene?” “I found him!” “Huh, you mean… Wait! Charlene! That’s the king! Stop!”

“Pitter patter, pitter patter” “Whoosh”

A guard stepped out—the last remaining guard of the original Shildwell household—but Reylor raised his hand, telling him to stop as a little girl ran up to him and jumped on his lap.

“Hello?” He said, looking at the girl so boldly claiming his lap for herself. Her dark brown hair fell down her neck in tight curls, and her violet eyes spoke of joy and excitement.

“Your highnesses, please forgive us!” A middle-aged woman bowed to the ground before them, quivering in fear. “She was looking for her friend, a-a-and thought it was you. Please, forgive her!”

“Rise.” Reylor spoke, and the peasant lady stood up, though still trembling, but Reylor paid her no mind as he returned his attention to the girl on his lap. “What is your name, little girl?”

“Char-lene,” she said, looking up at him with an adorable smile.

“…But,”

She put her hand up to her mouth, making it appear that she had a secret to tell him. He lowered his ear to where she was. “But you can call me Elany.”

THE END

Acknowledgements:

My Parents for funding my education, and thus affording me the time to write.

My ex, for encouraging me to write (while we were still together…)

Friends and family who have also been supportive of this endeavour

Mike Lima, Minu, and others for your comments—it may seem simple to you, but to me this feedback has been super encouraging!

And finally, all my RRL readers, followers, and favoriters. Thank you all!