~Aurora~

　　"Great. Also, we have the person you told you needed, Emeric. I've never been so curious…" I tilted my head to the side. What were they talking about? The men smirked at each other, another man appeared behind Roman after he called his name.

　　"He is the royal interior designer, my lord. You may talk to him about your preferences."

　　"Mhmm. But it's not me who will be helping with the rebuilding, Roman. So, as we all know, women are way too good at decorating. I respect their tenderness, contributing to their aesthetic sense."

　　"Huh…?" Roman chuckled at my reaction,

　　"Don't you get it, Luna? Prince Emeric is letting you re-design the pride of the kingdom!" My eyes almost popped out of my skull. No way he would allow me to!

　　"That…that's considerate!"

　　"...Luna?" Quietly uttering between our talk, the royal interior designer asked as we all chuckled,

　　"Can't you guess, George!? We are looking at the future King of Whispering Pines Lycan Kingdom with his werewolf Queen and alpha of Darkforest pack!" Roman was making me blush with his words!

　　Ah…what a present for us all.

　　And soon enough, both our pack and his kingdom were united without hesitation from either side. His kingdom people have welcomed us with open arms!

　　Three months later, everything has settled around the Kingdom. The Darkforest pack was a separate territory, yet within the kingdom as well. Accessible for leadership and most importantly, for me to check onto my pack, it was the most feasible decision. A political strategy by Emeric as well.

　　"Hello, Princess." As I was gazing at my pack, with a separate compound wall of its own around, within the kingdom, Emeric circled his arms around me. I sighed into his touch. His beautiful nature had rubbed off on me as I couldn't help but tend my whole being and life to the people. This was the life I've always been trying to have as well. This is the best feeling…!

　　"Your pack has always been pretty." He complimented the infrastructure.

　　"We are modest that way," I replied,

　　"That is what I liked about the Darkforest pack since the beginning, my love. The pack represents the mind, the character of their Alpha. And the Darkforest pack was always blessed with great rulers, for ages, generations."

　　We have read about it all. Our leisure was spent in knowing more and more about each other's past and everything connected. That was how we spent our time together…when it's not anything else…

　　"Don't get me started on how great this Kingdom has always been, Emeric. You're the best gift to your kingdom."

　　"That was such a nice thing to say, my love."

　　Suddenly, Emeric parted from the hug. I didn't think much of it, until…he cleared his throat,

　　"Honey, I was thinking— oh my goddess…" I slapped my hands to my mouth.

　　He was on his knee, with a ring box in his hand as he…

　　"Aurora Fangborn…It's been a year since I've known you. I've seen you grow into a wonderful woman and I can't see a future without you in it. I'll grant you everything to keep you happy and give you my soul, my loyalty and everything that belongs to me.

　　You've already won the hearts of my people. It is only about time that we tie the knot and you make me the happiest person in the whole wide world. I love you, Aurora. Please marry me—"

　　"Yes, oh my goddess. Yes!" I screamed in pure joy!

　　Happy tears trickled down my cheeks as he slowly put the ring over my finger. I admired the proposal he's given me. But,

　　"One second," the table had a tissue box as I quickly took a tissue, tore it to a ribbon and asked him to show his hand as well,

　　"Aurora, you don't have to do this…" He chuckled at my decision.

　　"I want to propose to you too. But I don't have grand resources at the moment! So please…accept me with this little…souvenir…"

　　"You don't even have to worry about a real ring at this point, Aurora. You can tie me up with you with a paper ring and I'd still follow you around till the end of our lives like a puppy."

　　"Oh Goddess…don't make me so emotional!"

　　"I love you, Aurora."

　　"I love you too, Emeric. Words can't describe how happy I am to announce to the world that I am yours. Let's flaunt it."

　　"We should. And we will. It's all up to you."

　　Since I was given power to tailor the engagement party as well, I orchestrated a grand ceremony all inclined towards major interests of our guests. Our guests, Alphas, Emperors and rulers from far and near nations will be our audience for the event, a week after.

　　On the beautiful day of our engagement, we have received countless blessings from all nations. Everyone was there. They congratulated us and we smiled at them until our cheeks hurt.

　　It was the most beautiful day of our lives.

　　But behold…

　　[THREE YEARS LATER…]

　　Lying on the bed as the pain was slowly spiking up, I held the hand of my husband. He was staring at me, eyes filled with worry and concern for me!

　　"You can do this, my love. Bring him to this world…" I was trying my best.

　　Just when I thought we wouldn't have another best moment in our lives, I was proven wrong on the third of August, on this day, with us welcoming our little prince…

　　"Well, hello there…my little prince!" The father, my mate, held our firstborn in his hands. He looked so tiny and vulnerable in his father's hands!

　　At that moment…I wished my parents were in the scene as well. While Emeric was showering his child with love, my parents would have showered their only child with love as well. My father would especially tell me, "You are such a brave little warrior, Aurora. I'm proud of you."

　　And my mother would say, "You can lean on me for anything, my love. Even if you had a child, my own baby always comes first for me. I love you, my little girl…"

　　Oh…how desperately I wanted to hear those words from my parents.

　　Hearing my sad thoughts, Emeric turned to me while his smile was fading softly. I burst into tears at his expression. He kissed me, he praised me and thanked me for everything.

　　And that was how my life had turned out to be.

　　I've endured so many things, have been used with, played with and hurt by many. But somewhere between all those dark moments, I still found hope. I found strength in myself.

　　And Maia…of course.