"Why don't you ask him yourself?"

Philip turned towards the door along with Felicia, her gaze filled with hope and delight.

A pair of royal boots clucked towards the doors before the gates to her excitement could no longer be contained. He wore a royal red coat, his sword placed it his katana neatly and his hair set in place ever so perfectly.

"Sapph!" She squealed and threw herself at him.

"Your Majesty,"

"...and your cheeky demeanour still lives,"

*The previous night*

Laira sat there, her eyes tearful, not being able to let go of her lover even in death before she opened her eyes to his lifeless body.

To her surprise, her tears turned into golden essence and sank into his skin. She could somehow feel that this was not the end.

The dark was turning into light.

The winter was hiding, just to come out as spring,

The cold was beginning to warm up.

His forehead was free of the pale and lifeless influence as life began to travel downwards from his face to his chest. She pulled his sleeve up in haste, hoping the mark would disappear. Life finally reached his arm before the mark shrunk into nothingness.

Laira took his wrist within her palms and surprisingly, there was a pulse. His body was no longer cold. She suddenly witnessed a flash and screwed her eyes shut.

Child.

She heard a female voice echo through her consciousness, finding herself in a meadow full of flower nymphs.

"Goddess Persephone?!"

"Nature does not consist of rules about life and death but it is about balance,"

"What do you mean, Milady?"

"Sapphirus was supposed to be engraved within nature but he was unlinked only after his father came upon the decision of sacrificing his life was his son's,"

"So nature's balance doesn't get defied,"

"Indeed, and worry not, he shall awaken in the morning,"

Laira's eyes opened, feeling fascinated upon coming across the almighty Persephone. Her emotions were mixed. She did not know whether to be happy or grieve upon his father's sacrifice. She still chose to wait until morning, craving his voice, his touch, his laugh, his colour, his habit, his everything.

Soon, morning fell as it washed through her room, the sun beaming at the two asleep and cushy souls

"Huh!" Sapph gasped as he came back to life.

"Is this heaven?"

He sat up and looked at Laira.

"Wait, do not tell me I-"

Laira did not let him finish and just threw her figurine onto his.

"I don't know how it seemed to be possible but you live!"

Her voice was consumed by cracks as she cried tears of joy.

"I must go to Father!"

Laira clasped his arm before he could turn around and looked at him in utter sorrow.

"What! No!"

Sapphirus broke as Laira broke it to him.

"Sapph, it is not your fault. He wanted this. He wanted you to live, to love, and to raise your children. He wanted you to have what he couldn't have till his last breath,"

"It was my mother,"

Sapphirus frowned in sorrow as he heard that.

"She had to keep magic worth two lives and Felipe couldn't resist the instance of your erased existence so he exchanged all his mysticism to rupture the balance of nature to bring you back to life,"

"Because you are a part of us," Felipe said so as he joined the three of them.

Sapphirus couldn't help but spill tears of gratitude towards him.

"I would sacrifice even my life for a part of myself to stay intact and that part of me is all of you,"

The church bells were silent for the past two days because two warriors had departed. Two fists had been crushed. Two sacrifices exist.

"We should go,"

***

Sapphirus stood before Isaac's casket, in the centre of the abandoned church, that was now renovated in the name of all the warriors who gave their lives within its premises.

Their parents accompanied them as well. After paying their respects, Sapphirus, Felipe, Philip, Nicholas, Graham and Decius carried Isaac to his grave on their shoulders.

"My father,"

Sapphirus spoke, standing before Isaac's grave while the six of them stayed.

"I never got to know him but the moment I laid eyes on him, I realised how much he loved me and in the end, sacrificed himself without any hesitation for a son he was not attached to for 23 years. All he had, was one month and yet, it felt like I knew him for ages. I felt something I was never able to feel ever since the past 23 years. The love of a father,"

He kneeled, his elbow on his knee as he continued to stare at his father's grave.

"It is easy to say that one would die for family. But he did the impossible. He lived for me. He surpassed his lifeline, to spend just one day with me. He was so desperate his desire decreased to one day, out of love, affection and trust. I am and will be forever grateful that I still have a father as honourable as him,"

He placed a white rose before the gravestone and took the stand beside Laira.

"So long,"

***

"I am well aware she's always here,"

Felicia stood in before Sophia's grave as everyone else left after paying their respects to her as well.

Philip stepped forward and slithered his hand on her arm, towards her palm before intertwining his fingers with hers.

She rested her head on his shoulder. He placed a long kiss on her head in front of her crown before withdrawing from her and leading her to face him.

"I need to have a word,"

"What is it?"

"I don't think it is fit enough to be shared here,"

They headed to the gardens of Felicia's palace and took their seat on the edge of the fountain. He sighed before he spoke about something that would change both their lives forever.

{Please play this song before reading further, for a better experience}

"Felicia, when I first met you, I remember you saving me from muggers and fighting them off before treating my wound. That was the first time I felt something strange because, like the other girls, you did not pay affectionate heed to me at first. I kept wondering about you that day and even had a nightmare because of the conflict I had fallen into. I do not know why but I chose to keep those things a secret,"

"Ever since I took that decision, I have fallen for you with every passing day, every hour, every moment. It was hard to understand what I wanted because I was always afraid of my feelings. I did not know what love was until I met you. When I took the decision to tell you how I truly feel, I was dominated by fear. I felt like every thought of mine was getting crushed by it. I felt helpless until we shared our first kiss and all my fears turned into my strength,"

"But last night, when I held you in my arms while you almost stopped breathing, my heart sank as I broke down. I pleaded and cried for the gods to return you to me. I almost decided to kill myself when that happened. You woke up and it felt like my life was restored and I have been the happiest since that moment. You inspire the best parts of me. You encourage me. You power my love more than anyone else. I have never fallen in love as I have fallen for you. So..."

Philip grew silent for a moment and took out a ring box from his coat and got on his knee. Felicia's mouth fell agape as she realised what he was about to say.

"Would you do the honours of being my queen? Even if you already are one?"

He opened the box, revealing a beautiful diamond ring. Felicia chuckled as she heard the last question and exhaled sharply.

"Yes, your highness,"

Philip smiled upon hearing that as he got back up and slipped the ring around her ring finger. He leaned closer to her face as she did as well and shared a loving kiss with her. On withdrawing, he connected foreheads with her, looking at her in the eyes and smiling upon finally achieving what he truly needed. Felicia was reminded of all the times she spent with him, in happiness and sorrow as tears of joy trickled down her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around his shoulder as he pecked her forehead and closed his eyes.

"Just like the first one,"

*5 years later*

"Helius! You do not know how powerful I am!" Grace's little shoes shuffled into the grass as she held her wooden toy sword in her hand, taking a similar position Felicia took while fighting the demon off, her black hair waving along with the wind lightly as her ocean eyes scanned the girl in front of her.

Yes, her story had turned into a legend among children. Every kingdom lived within the light of her saviour after what she did for them. Women were not restricted those privileges anymore and any of them could become a warrior if they wished to.

"Oh, we will see about that!" Henry cried as he also rushed towards her with his little toy sword, his short blonde hair and green eyes glistening.

"Children! Breakfast is ready!" A familiar voice called out.

"Felicia it's alright, let them play for a little bit more," Philip said, bringing in all the firewood required for the warmth.

"Yes, of course, they've been playing around for only about 2 hours now?"

Philip rolled his eyes and just headed in.

"Come on," Felicia neared the children before the two giggled and took her hands. She wore a sea-green gown, her hair braided on the side.

"Mummy, when will I get to see Judith?"

"In a few moments little bee,"

"Father told me the same thing and I can not wait either!" Henry exclaimed.

"Henry! I have a little surprise for you!" Felipe called out.

"Coming Father!"

The two rushed in before Felicia and she began helping the maidens in picking up the children's toys as a carriage pulled up before the garden passage, Cecilia, Sapphirus and Laira.

A child hid behind Laira, afraid to approach Felicia.

It was the little peal's first-ever visit ever since she was born.

"Is that?"

"Judith"

Felicia kneeled before Laira, taking a peek at the little girl's head poking out from behind her gown.

"Greetings to you little Judith,"

Laira looked down at her as she placed her palm on her head, petting it lightly. Judith looked at Felicia while peeking back at her.

"Hi,"

"I used to be as shy as you,"

"I'm not shy, just surprised to meet you,"

"Why?"

"Because you are the legend I read about and wish to be like,"

Felicia smiled at her.

"Well, this legend wishes to meet you properly so don't be surprised, she is your aunt,"

Sapphirus smiled at her as she went closer to Felicia.

The girl had hazel eyes, dark brown hair and wore a baby blue frock along with a flower in her hair. She was so fascinated upon looking at her idol that she asked something no other little girl had asked her before.

"Can I see your hand?"

Felicia got a bit confused. 

"I read in books that your hands are that of steel and honour. They might be wounded but that does not make them weak. Hence, I wish to see your hand,"

Felicia chuckled and raised her palm at the girl.

"Can I?

"I don't see why not,"

Judith placed her palm on Felicia's and felt how rough but strong it seemed to be.

"What do you think?"

"It is just as the books say," Judith smiled.

Felicia picked her up and looked at her with the greatest beam she could possibly have as she glanced at Sapphirus.

"She's got your eyes,"

Sapphirus pulled Laira by her shoulder and placed his head on hers, smiling peacefully at the life he had finally lived.

"Alright, who is ready for breakfast?"

"Oh, I am famished," Cecilia said as they headed in.

Felicia followed after them along with little Judith in her arms.

"When do I get to see the sword?"

"When the time is right,"

*** 

"You have no realisation of what I wish to do to you at his moment," Laira growled as she pulled Sapphirus closer to her face. 

"Oh, then please, make me realise,"

He dived his head into her neck, grazing his lips on her sweet spot, teasing her. 

"Ahh," She moaned as her hands travelled to his back. She wrapped her fingers around the upper opening of his white garment and pulled them in opposite ways. 

His garment ripped in two as she locked their lips together, uniting them as one. She threw it across the room.

He began taking off her gown as well, leaving her in her corset, untying the lace to it as well, freeing her bosoms. 

"You are a work of art,"

Saying that he got off the bed and grabbed the paint once again.

"Oh, be careful with that! This is their palace after all!"

"It isn't like it is their room and that you are not mine to take,"

"Alright, we don't have much time until Felicia keeps Judith occupied. Hurry and get it over with, master,"

 He painted the same colours on her once again and stripped himself completely before invading her tulip without letting her breathe.

"Eek!" She squealed as she felt the abrupt infiltration and began feeling him completely as her hands found themselves on his back from the bottom of his arms again.

"Uhhh! You feel ravaging my love!" He said as he put all his weight onto her, letting the paint smear across his body.

Her nails dug into his back and scratched downwards, leaving four lined scratches on both sides.

He took both her arms and pinned them above her head, increasing his pace. He placed both her tiny wrists into his single palm and grabbed her throat while growling.

"Who dared to grant you permission of painting on me?"

***

"Alright, now for the new handmaiden," Felicia ordered her vizier. The previous handmaiden was getting married and wished to quit in order to become a knight after the wedding. 

The vizier called upon the maidens to escort her and the doors opened as she entered. They left the two alone while Felicia took a look at Ardalia's accounts. 

"So, are you married?"

"Yes,"

"Children?"

"Yes, a little girl, Your majesty,"

Felicia nodded and looked up and widened her eyes as she saw the girl's face. 

She looks exactly like Araklis.

Her astonishment knew no bounds as she closed the scripts and plodded towards her after withdrawing from her seat.

"What is your name?"

"Marianne,"

Felicia was expecting her to say Araklis but realised she had been reincarnated as a  peaceful human rather than a predator who'd scoured the earth for a demon.

"Your Majesty? Your majesty!"

Marianne called out to her before she returned to reality. 

"Oh, apologies, you just reminded me of someone. Never mind that. You can begin next week,"

Saying that Felicia took her leave and headed to her room with a reassuring smile plastered on her lips. She felt something jingling in her gown and looked within the pocketed gaps. She widened her eyes as she pulled put a pendant, with the crest of Araklis engraved within it.

She looked back at Marriane's disappearing figure and smiled as well. They both had only one thought in mind.

I am glad you have the life your dreams once coveted for ages.

~The End~