Epilogue

◇Flio’s House—Flio and Rys’s Bedroom◇

Rys sat in front of the table mirror on the dresser, doing her hair like always, when Flio entered the bedroom. “Rys,” he said, “do you have a moment?”

Rys put the brush down and turned to face her husband, smiling happily. “Yes, what is it?”

Flio stepped up and placed a single magic gem on top of the dresser. It was mounted firmly on a small pedestal and was about the size of a fist.

“My lord husband,” Rys said, regarding the gem with a curious expression. “What is—”

Flio raised his arm and a magic circle appeared. The gem began to shine, projecting lights which glinted and sparkled. “Oh?” said Rys, her eyes shining as well. “Could this be...?”

“Yeah!” said Flio, as chill and easygoing as ever. “I tried making my own version of Miss Junia’s Magicworks. What do you think?” This was the same magic Junia had used the other day at the climax of the Calgosi Coast Festival to send lights into the night sky. These lights were much smaller, but they were every bit as brilliant.

Rys hurried to turn off the magic lanterns that lit the room, leaving it illuminated only by the miniature Magicworks. “My lord husband,” she said, cuddling close, “this is splendid...” Her eyes were starting to mist up.

Flio gently wrapped his arms around her. “Rys... The demons and humans of this world are still at war, but I am sure the day is coming when we can learn to get along with one another. Just like you and I have gotten so close.”

Rys nodded. “Yes... If anyone can do it, it would be you...” But Flio shook his head. “My lord husband?” she asked, puzzled.

Flio held her in a kind embrace. “I can’t do it on my own,” he said. “I’m going to need everyone’s help to end the war. Rys, can I count on your support?”

“Of course!” she answered without a moment’s hesitation. “If it were for you, my lord husband, I would offer my life its—” Flio cut her off, kissing her on the lips. Rys closed her eyes. The touch of Flio’s lips was so gentle, so warm. Rys allowed herself to give in to the sensation.

Flio pulled back from the kiss and held Rys in his arms. “I wish you wouldn’t talk about offering your life,” he said. “I need you, Rys. I need you to stay with me.”

“My lord husband...” Rys wrapped her own arms around Flio. “Don’t worry,” she said. “Wherever you go, I shall follow. I will always stay by your side.”

“Rys... Thank you.” Flio pulled Rys into another kiss, which he held for a long time, as Rys clung to him. The two lay back on the bed under the gentle light of the Magicworks.

◇ ◇ ◇

Flio awoke the next day to the rays of the morning sun peeking through the curtains. Next to him, Rys was sound asleep, a smile on her face. The room was unlit. It seemed that the Magicworks display had ended. As Flio was thinking, Rys noticed that her husband had awakened and roused herself.

“Good morning, my lord husband,” she said, pressing her cheek close to Flio’s chest. The two lay in each other’s arms tangled in the blankets for some time.

“Oh,” said Rys, “you have a delivery to Klyrode Castle to make today, don’t you, my love?”

“That’s right. I’d like you and Balirossa to come along... Wyne too.”

Rys smiled mirthfully. “Of course,” she said. “If we left Wyne alone in the house, we would return to find all of Blossom’s vegetables devoured like a plague of locusts got to them.”

Flio smirked knowingly and nodded his head. “Yes, exactly. Also, it seems like your lembon cakes are quite the hot item in the castle. They put in another big order for them.”

Rys leaned over onto Flio’s chest. “You know, my lord husband...” she said. “Cakes aren’t exactly what I was hoping to make with those lembons...” She started blushing shyly as she spoke. “I await the day we can put them to their proper use...”

Rys had bought a vast quantity of lembons because she was worried that she might crave sour foods when she became pregnant. Flio, of course, was fully aware of what was on her mind. “Yeah,” he said, turning a little red himself. “I’ll do my best to make it happen.”

Wordlessly, Rys leaned in even closer. For a while, the two held each other quietly as the Magicworks gem on the dresser twinkled in the morning light. It was going to be another busy day.