Bonus Short Story

Airia and Friede

On a day much like any other, Airia was spending one of her breaks brushing Friede’s hair.

“Your hair is just like your father’s, you know that?”

“Ehehe, really? I kind of wish it had ended up more like yours, mom.”

“Then why do you sound so happy about being compared to your father?” With a smile on her face, Airia ran the brush through again.

Friede turned around slightly and asked, “Were you two really enemies when you first met?”

“We certainly were,” Airia replied, chuckling to herself. “In fact, he burst into the manor through that window over there. I thought I was going to die that day.”

“But you didn’t, did you?”

“I’m still alive, aren’t I?” Airia mused. And you wouldn’t have been born if I was dead either. She added, “Your father is merciful to his enemies, and he dislikes bloodshed. Even when I pointed a sword at him, he never attempted to retaliate.”

“Dad’s so cool!”

“He really is.”

The two of them smiled at each other, then Friede muttered, “I can’t believe humans and demons used to kill each other in the past...”

“That’s because your father and I did a good job of changing things. Ryunheit was the first to join the demon army and declare independence from the Meraldian Federation.”

In retrospect, that was a rather rash decision. But I had a feeling it would work out somehow. Even back then I knew Veight wouldn’t let me down.

Excited, Friede asked, “And you guys took down the evil Senate together, right?”

Airia turned Friede’s head forward and started brushing her hair again.

“I wouldn’t say everyone in the Senate was evil, but I am thankful to see them gone. Most of the Senators did not approve of a woman serving as viceroy.” Airia frowned as she thought of how she’d needed to wear men’s clothes on the day she’d gone to swear fealty to the Senate. “Fortunately, you won’t have to suffer the way I did. Now that I’m Demon Lord, I can make sure of that.”

“Um...okay?” Friede nodded, not entirely sure what suffering Airia was referring to.

Just then, Veight poked his head into the room.

“Isn’t it about time we got going?” he asked.

“Huh? Oh yeah! Mom, I can go, right?”

Airia placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder and said, “Yes, you’re all set. Make sure you pick out some good clothes for your father.”

“Got it!” Friede got up and gave her mom a mock salute.

Sighing, Veight bemoaned, “Who cares what I’m wearing as long as it covers me?”

“We do!” Friede retorted, pointing at her mother. “Now let’s go!”

“Fine, fine. All right, we’ll be back soon, Airia.”

Airia smiled and gave him a little wave. “Have fun, you two.”

After the door closed, she went to put away her brush, then moved to open the window. Veight and Friede had just left the building and were heading onto the main street. A new chapter in her life had begun when Veight had broken in through that very window, and that same chapter was continuing even now.

“You really can’t predict where life will take you...” she muttered, waving back at Veight and Friede, who were waving up at her. “Hehe.”