---
Back Alley
The soft whisper of wind rustled through the narrow alley of Winster Town, brushing against the moss-streaked walls. The sunlight shimmered through the gaps in the wooden roofs above, casting golden slants over two entwined figures.
Emily's head still rested on Dian's shoulder, her breaths finally steady, though a faint pink still clung to her cheeks. The euphoric daze that had clouded her moments earlier had faded into warmth. But Dian wasn't about to let her off that easily.
He chuckled, a teasing glint in his eyes.
"You really came that hard… just from a kiss, My Dear?" he whispered beside her ear.
"H-Hey!" Emily squeaked, a fist thumping weakly against his chest. Her punch lacked any real strength—it was more a flustered response than actual annoyance.
Dian giggled softly, clearly enjoying her embarrassment, still holding her by the waist.
"It's not fair..." she murmured under her breath, looking away.
And she wasn't wrong. It wasn't entirely her fault.
It had been years since Emily had touched or been touched by a man—young, warm, and full of love. All her years had been spent in dutiful travel, bound by responsibility, with no room for personal indulgence. But now… she'd found someone who made her heart flutter, someone she could finally give herself to without restraint. Add to that Dian's lethal skills—especially that wicked [Lust Incarnate]—and her reaction became all too understandable.
Dian gently tucked her loose hair behind her pointy ear. "We are getting late. Let's go," he said with a smile.
"Mhm," Emily nodded. She took one step forward, and—her hand wrapped around Dian's arm.
The scene paused there, for just a second.
The sun shone between them. Her flushed face. His amused one. Her legs still slightly wobbly, her steps tentative. But her eyes? Clear, soft, gleaming with newfound affection.
Then, just outside the alley…
The two of them reappeared at the stall.
Emily held tightly to Dian's arm, clinging to him. Her smile radiated with so much joy, it was almost blinding. And Dian, still holding her by the waist.
The shopkeeper blinked when he saw them. For a moment, he had feared they'd left without collecting their prize.
"Ah! You came back! For a second I thought—" he paused.
Dian gave a warm smile. "We just… needed some air."
The shopkeeper chuckled knowingly but didn't pry. "Well then! You earned a perfect score—six out of six! That means you get to pick two plush toys from the shelf. Go ahead!"
Emily stepped up to the wall of plushies and scanned them. Her eyes sparkled as they landed on a certain one.
A large wolf-shaped plush.
It was not too different from the wolves on Earth, save for the magical horn on its forehead and the silvery-blue sheen of its fur. Regal, wild, yet protective—it instantly resonated with her.
She picked it up gently and hugged it.
"Now pick one more," the shopkeeper prompted.
But Emily shook her head.
"Just one is enough," she said with a soft smile.
The man blinked. "No—miss, you—."
But Emily just hugged the wolf closer. "This one is special. That's enough."
The shopkeeper scratched his head but shrugged, still beaming. After all, today had been a good day for business.
As they walked back toward the group waiting at the café, Dian glanced at her.
"Why didn't you pick the second one?"
Emily glanced up at him. Her smile widened, her fingers tightening around the plush.
"Because I only made one true shot," she said, her voice tender. "The others… that was all you. So this one? It'll be the reward for both of us. Just one. Ours."
Her words struck Dian deeply. It was the way she said "ours"—like she was already imagining them together, a family, something more.
She looked away quickly, cheeks redder than ever. Her pointy ears twitching non-stop.
Dian couldn't stop the smile that bloomed on his lips.
Her words… they touched something inside him.
---
Fountain Square café
A soft breeze drifted past as the group—Suzine, Gianna, Emma, Olivia, and Lena—noticed them.
From a distance, none of the girls had sensed anything off. But as Emily came into view—clinging to Dian's arm, radiant, flushed, practically glowing—something shifted.
Her gait was still light and wobbly. Her hold on Dian? Firmer than ever. There was a new intimacy in the way she leaned into him, like her heart had latched onto him completely.
Emma's brows twitched.
Olivia tilted her head slightly, noticing the subtle shift too.
Suzine and Gianna's faces reddened a little. "D-Don't tell they—..." they whispered under their breath.
Unaware of the gazes, the two made their way toward the table with ease.
Seeing Emily all normal and now more close, intimate, Dian asked with a light grin, "Nervous?"
"Hm?" Emily tilted her head, confused. "Why would I be?"
"Oh," Dian mused. "You just kissed your daughter's husband and now all clingy. Would your daughter be alright?" He teased.
Emily didn't pause her steps. Instead, she smiled. "But would she be not alright? Aren't we already yours?" Her smile widened. "You thought I didn't know about the stakes of the bet?"
"Hm." Dian nodded. Her behavior had completely changed. The shy, blushing mother was nowhere to be seen. Only a confident woman with her priorities sorted.
And Emily's priority was only one—Dian.
Dian gave a soft laugh, smiling at her words. He too wasn't worried about introducing a new wife, especially not when it was all sorted before.
---
1 week ago…
The sun was setting slowly. Dian's training had ended for the day. His body was dripping with sweat, and he lay on the soft grass, catching his breath.
A voice broke the silence—intimate, close, familiar.
"Husband~." Gianna spoke as she gently placed a small towel on his face and sat beside him.
Dian's fatigue seemed to vanish at once. A smile appeared as he wiped his sweat. "Hm? Where is Suzine?"
"Why? Can't I come alone?" Gianna pouted.
Dian laughed. "Of course you can, dear. It's just that you two have been glued together lately—it felt a little odd."
Gianna chuckled. "Haha… I'm kidding. Sister Suzine is handling some things. But I… needed to talk to you. Alone."
"Hm?" Dian raised his eyebrow. "Of course, what is it?"
Gianna looked serious. "First, you have to promise you won't deny anything I ask."
Dian laughed softly. "Why would I deny my beautiful wife?" But seeing her firm expression, he gave in. "Okay, okay. I promise."
Gianna beamed, then looked down.
"My mother… Ever since I was little, I watched her. Strong. Unmoving. A great queen. But… she's suffered so much for the kingdom, for the royal duties. And now, after everything, she's different. Free. She smiles and laughs. And when she looks at you—"
She paused.
"There's a new light in her eyes. So…"
Dian's eyes widened. Don't tell she is gonn—
"I want you to take Mother as your wife too," she finished.
A comical smile tugged at Dian's lips. Isn't this a bit surreal?
Noticing his smile, Gianna smirked. "And don't think I haven't noticed the way you look at her."
Dian laughed softly. "Is looking with loving eyes a crime?"
Gianna leaned into him. "But... really. I know she'll love to be your wife. After everything, she deserves happiness."
Dian hugged her. "Don't worry. I'll make her the happiest woman in the world."
Giggles filled the evening air. Shadows stretched long as the sun dipped beneath the horizon.
---
Back to present.
Dian offered a wave to the group waiting at the table. Emily reluctantly let go of his arm but kept her body close as she sat beside him.
She dropped onto the chair, lifting the wolf plush into her arms, hugging it tightly like it was a piece of Dian himself.
Her chin tilted up. Her posture? Straight, confident—like someone who had just claimed a prize… and was ready to protect it.
The girls glanced at each other.
Emily just grinned.
She didn't say anything.
But she didn't need to.
The plush in her arms said it all.
.
.