Meetings were boring. War meetings especially. I normally didn't attend, but since Liam and I got married, the emperor was kind enough to not immediately send us to battle, so we had meetings we'd go to instead.

We were getting close to wrapping up, deciding where to send troops and everything.

We did eventually settle on smaller scale attacks against our enemies along our western boarder. Divide and conquer.

"Surprised you aren't going Sir Reynolds," a nearby official remarked. He seemed almost snide with it.

"It's Duke Reynolds, not Sir. And I got married. The emperor was kind to allow me time with my spouse," I answered curtly.

Some of the other officials and generals were a bit shocked. "You're married?"

"Yes. It was a lovely wedding," I said warmly.

The emperor chuckled at that, "rather small, but it suit the two of you."

"Is that the reason the new law was passed?" An official asked with obvious annoyance.

The emperor glared at said official, who shivered with fear, "I don't see why who he or anyone else loves matters. They're consenting adults; they deserve the right and support to marry."

"Just strange and barbaric."

Liam seemed plenty annoyed himself, "do you have a problem with my husband or myself? You should just say it bluntly instead of the round about game you're trying to play."

Some people already guessed it was Liam, the few that knew we were dating. Most people were still shocked. Liam wasn't openly gay, and he was a strong military leader.

So people tended to find him being gay strange. I was the rich kid with a good upbringing. He was a poor kid who forced himself through the ranks.

He was a fellow duke. And they couldn't dare say anything.

"What? You like men?"

"I do. Isaiah specifically has all my affections. Now, I ask again, what is your issue with us?"

"It's unnatural-"

I shook my head, "Sam sex attraction is found in a variety of animal and monster species throughout the world. Natural is determined by what is found in nature. Liking men is very much natural."

"Name one-"

"Most fish. penguins, monkeys, apes, dolphins, lions, everything really. So please. If your next leap is I can't bear my own children, there are plenty of sterile people out there. As it goes, even if I liked women I couldn't have kids. I'm sterile."

Which was true. In the game, the protagonist found it out near the end and if you stuck with him, you'd come to adopt a bunch of children.

Just never really seemed important to mention.

And since I was gay, I didn't care in the first place.

The official shut up, glaring.

"Delightful as always I suppose."

The emperor chuckled at that, "are you sure you don't want to be an advisor, i could use the attitude."

I shook my head, smile on my face, "I'm proud to fight for the empire. I prefer doing so on the front lines with Liam."

"You two fight well together. Meeting adjourned. I will see all of you at the next meeting."

Everyone shuffled out, the lot of us greeted by Tim, Elliot and Damon. The three were waiting, and most people passed them by, but they did grab Liam and I and forced us away.

Fun.

We all went to a room to be alone and the royals looked at us. "Did you get harassed?"

"If you're talking about a bad mouthed advisor or soldier, your dad called them out," I assured.

"Besides, I think the two of us can handle it," Liam added.

"Guess so. Besides the close advisors and soldiers, are you two planning on keeping your relationship quiet?" Damon asked.

Liam shrugged, "it's no ones business. If they find out, they find out, but there's no need to scream about it all the time. I love Isaiah and that's all that matters."

The three royals sighed. There was no point worrying over us. After all, we stuck together.

"Well, if anything does happen, feel free to talk to us," the told us, before letting us out. Liam and I just decided to stick around the castle for a bit longer to take a stroll. The emperor didn't mind it.

Even before everything went down, the emperor never seemed the type to judge someone's preferences, just be confused, the only time he ever got mad at me was when I insulted him to his face, so I was pretty understandable he'd be upset with me.

Guards were very pleasant towards us, smiling as we passed. As we eventually wandered through the garden, we came across the koi pond that had broken and mended my heart.

We sat down by it, letting any stress melt away. The wind felt nice against my skin, and I imagined Liam thought it was nice too. He glanced over at me, smiling, grabbing my hand before looking back at the pond.

"I know that we did just get married... but do you want kids?" Liam asked.

"Huh?"

"You mentioned Amor showing you having a daughter... I'm not opposed it adopting kids with you, should the emperor allow it."

I was awestruck, but I couldn't help but feel a swell of happiness inflate in my chest. "I'd love that. We should probably wait until things settle down. Once these battles are over... then it will be safe."

He chuckled, smiling, "you're right, probably not the best place to raise a kid right now. Just know, I'm always open to the idea."

"I know. And I'm happy about that." I pulled his hand up, intertwining our fingers, pressed a kiss to the back of his hand. He simply smiled and leaned into me, giggling a bit. I couldn't help but giggle back, leaning back into him.

If this was the rest of my life, Then me being reborn was the best thing to ever happen.

Liam was the best thing that could ever happen.

To me, to him, to anyone.

I was glad I got to get the chance to know him.