"You're leaving late, I see. Did Hongjoong run into trouble?" Seonghwa had spotted Morana seated at the alcove of the window from the gallery and floated down the stairs of their new castle to greet her. He was dressed in a black gown today that dragged a sheer cape behind him and slits up his long legs. The silver of his accessories twinkled below the long sleeves. Matching with him, the girl was dressed in fine fabrics, a long black dress that decorated her with black pearls and feathers. She looked bored out of her mind, with Onyx on her shoulder, staring out of the window. Pebble sat next to her, looking similarly dispirited.

"Eh, I told him he can take his time. Not as if the demons actually await me. On the contrary," his daughter sighed, cradling her cheek into her palm. She watched the snow fall across the courtyard, where Yeosang and Jongho relished their time off. San and Yunho were also out there, combining their effort with the help of a woodworker to build a new swing for Seonghwa, just like he wished for. From time to time, Yeosang pointed out which tree and which branch it might look good on.

The twins had finished their first lessons in the new practice hall this morning. San bundled them up into warm coats afterwards and they ran through the snow outside, building figures and throwing the white dazzle at each other in harmless attacks. The dogs jumped along with them, playing together in the cold.

Morana looked wistful, peering down at their unbothered joy.

Seonghwa's bare feet stepped across the fathomless dazzle of the polished floors. The crystals Eltanin forged this castle of resembled the depths of the night sky, shimmering blue and a deep purple in some places. They glinted with each movement, creating the illusion of walking across the sky itself. A magical sight. The family adoringly settled on the name 'Night Castle' for this one, celebrating Eltanin's creation.

It suited Morana, but at the same time, it suited Seonghwa when it glowed in the night with the shine of the moon. A landmark for all travellers, they were soon doused with gifts from renowned artists and creators. The halls bustled with life as Seonghwa employed demons and elves alike and gave the little goblin children minor tasks, so they could learn the elven ways. Seungyoun was back in his element, and their home was coming along beautifully. Spaces for each of his family members, rooms for Aodhán, Morana and the twins, and the common area. Seonghwa had no crown yet, no throne, but those didn't matter to him for now.

"It's not a good look to be late on your first day," he hummed at his daughter curled up against the window. He sat by her side, observing the expression on her face. She didn't look disappointed or angry. Rather irritated.

"Not down there. I have to make them wait so it's clear I give the orders," she insisted, and Seonghwa chuckled. She was young and the duties of a queen would be tiring on a free spirit like hers. But she wasn't alone with this task. Seonghwa would help her wherever he could and Thistle could accompany her once it was safe, distracting Morana's boredom. For now, Pebble had to suffice.

"I believe in you," Seonghwa offered, and she threw him a fleeting grin. Steps neared them accompanied by the sharp tap of a cane and the girl stood with another huff. Looked out over the cloudy sky and the forest dusted with white snow to remember the sight in the darkness of the caverns.

"Eternity is a long time, isn't it, emmya?" She wondered out loud, and Seonghwa followed her gaze. In the distance, the nearest elven settlement bustled with life. They were still building new shelters and equipping their homes against the harsh winter. The gryphon-borns parted with some of their countless furs to keep them warm and despite their many crude comments, Seonghwa caught a couple of them taking a liking to the elves.

"It is. You may choose it, but you have time to decide yet," he replied.

He couldn't tell where Morana's mind was, as so often. Mingi had a talent for reading her thoughts, but she kept many of them to herself.

Hongjoong rounded the corner, dressed in a long cape over his fitted red uniform. His hair was brushed out of his forehead to perfection and, in a way, he looked a little devilish himself. The demons would see him and know to respect their queen, since she had the most powerful mage at her side. When the clacking of his heeled boots stopped next to Seonghwa and the elf dipped down to kiss his cheek in greeting, Morana discarded her spot. She picked up Pebble before she made a show of brushing down her skirts and tucking her hair behind her ears.

"I'll see about it. If I am hanging out with you forever, I definitely need Thistle with me," she chirped savagely, and Seonghwa had to chuckle.

"You are welcome to. My loves also received my blessing. The stars will grant your wish."

Hongjoong looked between them, trying to guess what this was about, but Seonghwa just smiled at him.

"Take care, you two."

"I'll be back soon," Hongjoong promised before he offered Morana his arm and guided her through a portal exuding heat. A moment later, Seonghwa was alone on the landing. He peered out at his joyous family once more before he walked down the remaining stairs to find the rest of his household.

Wooyoung was in the kitchen, loudly arguing with a cook about the condition of some pie. In his hunger, he insisted it was done baking already, and the exasperated servant tried to convince him he would upset his stomach if he ate the ingredients raw.

Mulberry was with them and his demanding squawk took Wooyoung's side. Seonghwa had to chuckle to himself.

He was soundless as he approached and found Wooyoung bundled up in his warm fuzzy coat and his green scarf. Mulberry stood behind him at the door to the kitchens, glaring with his yellow eyes. Clearly, Wooyoung was on a mission to provide food for everyone playing outside, but he wouldn't settle for simple bread. His cheeks were flushed and his hair was tied up into a short ponytail, making him look unexpectedly more mature and handsome.

"Bothering the cooks, darling?" Seonghwa announced his presence and Wooyoung wasn't even surprised.

"Seonghwa, please! Tell them it's best we eat something warm outside," he whined, tucking himself to Seonghwa's side to use his best pout on the poor cook. She was exhausted with him and the maids kept giggling at the handsome gryphon-born, not helping the head chef's case.

"Warm, but done! Your Majesty, please understand. He is demanding we hand him the unfinished pie," she pleaded at the emperor, and Seonghwa giggled into his hand. He pulled Wooyoung into a soothing hug, apologising for not taking his side.

"Wooyoung, we don't want you to feel sick. She cares for you. Do you happen to have any other warm meal he could enjoy with the others?" He said the last part towards the chef and instantly, a maid jumped to her aid with an array of fresh pastries lined up neatly on a tray.

"While he was arguing, I reheated some of those we baked earlier. They are nice and warm now," she offered, and Seonghwa nodded at her with a grateful smile.

"Thank you. Take these, Wooyoung, hm? You can have the pie later once it's done," he told Wooyoung and the gryphon-born gave in, too happy with Seonghwa's gentle touches to defy him.

"Thank you," he said politely as the maid handed him the pastries in a basket and she ducked into a bow with a deep blush.

"And apologies for disrupting you. We'll leave," Seonghwa assured the head chef, and she mouthed a thanks at him when he grinned back and pushed his troublemakers along. Finally, the cooks could go back to work.

Wooyoung snacked on one of the pastries on the way outside, and Mulberry also stretched his neck to reach into the basket.

"Is Aodhán outside with you?" Seonghwa wondered, since he hadn't seen his son in a while.

Wooyoung shook his head and replied with his mouth full.

"Went to his room to practise the lute that little beakless chick. I swear, he's Hongjoong's child after all."

If it weren't so obvious in his appearance, Seonghwa would also wonder sometimes. The snow made it impossible to play the lute or read outside since Aodhán got cold so easily, so he retreated by himself to study. Hongjoong must have checked in with him before he left.

Seonghwa accompanied Wooyoung to the door leading to the upper gardens. He wasn't allowed to look while they finished the swing, but he could hear the laughter of the twins and Jongho's voice rumbling in some long-winded story. The cold wind rushed under his dress and Wooyoung was hasty to dash outside with his snacks, announcing his presence and getting hailed as their life saviour from all ends.

Leaving them to their fun, Seonghwa crossed the hall to find Mingi instead. The demon had discussed the demons with Morana earlier, giving her tips and telling her about his experiences, but he had declined accompanying her. Perhaps once she could make some changes, he would feel more confident, but he didn't want either of them to get in trouble if he were there.

Seonghwa found him in his room, resting serenely with his eyes closed. His chest rose and fell steadily, and he was at peace here. Hongjoong promised to find books at the demon palace today so they could work on changing him back. Until then, Mingi got to take a break.

Mindful not to bother him, Seonghwa whispered in a hushed voice.

"Are you asleep, hawthorn?"

Mingi hummed in response, not moving.

"Just resting my eyes. I can hear it again. Your soul echoing in these walls," he muttered with awe, and Seonghwa was bashful only for a moment. He had nothing to hide. Gladly allowed his song to guide Mingi.

"We have pastries in the gardens if you want to have one before Wooyoung eats them all," he offered, and the demon's lips twitched into a fanged grin.

"I'll be there in a moment," he promised, and Seonghwa quietly slipped back outside. He already arranged with one of the mages working here to line the entrances and walls with magic the demon could see, so he found his way around. He had an easy time locating Seonghwa thanks to the gem he treasured so much, but it would take him some time to map out everyone's rooms inside his head.

Seonghwa wandered back down the corridor, meaning to catch up with his new astronomer, who was moving into the tower and promised to read their stars for them soon, but he spotted Yeosang and Jongho next to the door leading outside, peering around suspiciously.

"Yeosang, Jongho. Weren't you outside just now?" Seonghwa addressed them and they lit up at his sight. Jongho's crystals were a frosty, bright blue.

"Lonan fell and now the twins are crying, so we came to fetch you," Yeosang responded with a wince.

"Oh, no," Seonghwa fretted immediately, not thinking twice as he hastened past them to get outside and soothe his two little angels.

But he only got as far as to Jongho before he was packed around his waist by rock-hard hands and hoisted into the air. His yelp drowned in Yeosang's triumphant laughter as he opened the door to the cold winter and they carried him outside to join the others during their playing.

"We got him!" Jongho howled in success and the twins - very unharmed and giddy with joy - clapped their hands when they spotted their emmya.

San threw him a playful grin and Yunho left his work to run over as well, witnessing the surprised laughter of their elf.

Seonghwa meant to ask them what they wanted to play and why they had to be so dramatic in fetching him, but Jongho answered that question for him. He threw Seonghwa into the mountain of snow they had piled up together, the softest bed yet, and the white dazzle of it dusted the air around him when he landed with a surprised sound. The twins were giggling at him loudly and Buddy came to press his cold nose into Seonghwa's side to check on him, but the elf also had to laugh since he could tell by San's footsteps in the snow that he made sure the pile was secure before he allowed their prank.

Mischievous, Yeosang and Jongho returned to play with the twins together while Wooyoung distributed the food and kept a few pastries hidden without needing to be asked for when the others joined in later to play all together.

*********

And we are done! Can you believe it? Melf main story done? Me neither. Those were the longest books I ever wrote. So much politics, but at least they are back to normal now.

Hence, I am all the more grateful for everyone who stuck around from start to finish to witness this beautiful family with me! They are so dear to my heart and I plan for many more things for them, some surprises too! So please stay tuned on my twitter susimau_s to hear all the news there.

I already have like 7 one shots and at least one spin off as ideas for this, so no worries, we will hear plenty more from them after this... Not as if we could just leave them.

Here's my survey again in case you wanna leave more opinions! Thank you to everyone who gave me feedback on there; I check every response. https://forms.gle/BE73QLVRg3GDJA3k9

For now, however, let's take a break for something else!

I'm publishing two one shots within this week, one a spin off for my MOO Cowgi and the other one for Prayers for the Forsaken Ones, focusing on witch Mingi.

Afterwards, it's time for some vampires, some spooks, a lot of crack. Not the vampires you might expect. I will write a whole Topaz story this time and I would be happy to see you there; it will kick off in two weeks!

Until then, thank you everyone who supported these lovely characters on their journey and we will be back for more!

See ya!