The sun rose over the Demon Castle, painting the towering walls with soft gold light. The air smelled of smoke and magic, remnants of the battle from the night before. Guards patrolled with alertness, but the tension that had gripped the halls began to ease.
I stepped into the main courtyard, feeling the warmth of sunlight on my face for the first time in days. The chaos of assassins and political intrigue still lingered in memory, but for now, there was calm.
"Princess!"
A familiar voice made my heart leap. I spun around and saw my siblings—older brothers, younger sister, and little brother—running toward me.
My oldest brother, Lucian, embraced me fiercely. "We were so worried! What happened? How did you get here?"
My second brother, Rylan, looked more cautious but just as relieved. "Azrath? He protected you?"
"Yes," I said, smiling weakly, my chest finally unclenching. "He saved me from… from everything."
My younger sister, Elara, threw her arms around my waist, and my little brother, Finn, tugged at my cloak, chattering questions I couldn't keep up with. For the first time in months, I laughed.
Azrath appeared then, silent as always, but I noticed his crimson eyes softening slightly as he watched my reunion.
"You've returned," he said quietly to me. "And they're safe."
I nodded. "Thanks to you."
Darius, standing at the edge of the courtyard, observed from a distance. His golden eyes softened just a fraction, a glint of admiration or curiosity hidden beneath his usual arrogance. He didn't step forward. Not yet.
The tension between the three of us—the Demon King, the prince, and me—was still there, simmering beneath the surface. But for now, it could wait.
I took a deep breath, holding the hands of my siblings. I realized that even after being thrown into countless lives, facing danger, and surviving betrayals, this moment of peace was worth everything.
And as I looked around the castle, at Azrath standing nearby and the human prince lurking in the distance, I knew one thing for certain: my journey was far from over.
But for today… I could finally rest.