Waiting at the castle doors were the King and Queen, along with Celeste. As Sora's party landed from their teleportation, they all immediately bowed.
Brie was the first to stand up, and she presented them with the Elven Scepter, Monstrosity, which she found in the dungeon she met Sora in.
"I believe this belongs to you. Ironically, this is from a dungeon on the night I first met my soon to be husband. I know coming here was a risk and I'm grateful Celeste convinced you to allow me to come. The truth is, I'd die for Sora and I'd die to ensure the safety of the Elves and the Chimera. Just like Master Rook did," Brie said with her usual, bubbly charm.
"How did you know Master Rook? Clearly the girl is lying." the King stated arrogantly.
"She's not your majesty. I am Leila Fury, you might remember me," Leila stepped out from the back.
"Sora, Brie and their party risked their lives to free me from the Monolith, a dungeon the demons trapped Rook and me in for over 2,500 years. The demons exterminated my race, yet I'm in a party with one. Just like not all gods and goddesses are good, humans, Uthra, vampires, it doesn't matter, there is good and bad in all. Brie and Sora offered to save Master Rook, but he declined and passed on a message to Sora's parents in the afterlife.
"And who exactly are your parents, young one?" the Queen spoke smugly.
"Aprhodite and Cyrus Lockheart," Sora said politely.
"Well Celeste, how do we know he is telling the truth?" the King asked.
"Let him use his left eye's magic on you. He can show you the past," Celeste said calmly.
"You want me to lie about my left eye?" Sora immediately started speaking telepathically.
"You're not lying. You're using your illusion magic to cast a real memory. If you don't, they're going to kill Brie," Celeste said calmly.
"And why didn't you mention any of this beforehand?" Sora asked, annoyed.
"Would you have come?" Celeste asked, equally annoyed.
"Good point. Ok, I got this. Thank you for all your help. I think I can show a minute illusion now. He was red with a black beard right?" Sora asked.
"Yes, dumbass. How could you forget?" Brie said while laughing.
"Wait, why are you so happy?" Sora asked.
"Because it's like I've always told you–It's like you've lived under a rock. At least now I know why. Of course they were going to kill me unless we had a good reason to keep me alive. Thankfully, we have multiple reasons and one of them is you, so please, show them what they need to see so we can finally get married!" Brie said joyfully.
"I'm sure you are quite powerful and although I am a god, I ask you to please lower your magical defenses so that I can accurately portray the past," Sora said with a polite bow.
The King and Queen looked toward Celeste, who gave a polite bow.
'Eye of Lockheart,' Sora thought. He didn't want to give his spells away.
The King saw the exact scene from when Brie grabbed Sora's hand:
Brie grabbed Sora's hand, pulling him towards her, preventing him from leaving the room as the rest of the party walked through the exit.
"You should ask Rook to say hi to your Mother," Brie said shyly.
Sora smiled and nodded.
"I wasn't finished. You should ask him to say Hi to your parents and have Rook let them know that--"
Brie paused as a single tear fell from her cheek. Sora looked at her with a smile as Brie wiped the tear from her cheek. Before Sora could speak, Brie took a deep breath and said, "Let them know that I love you, Sora."
She started tearing up and Sora grabbed her quickly and hugged her. Her kind, nervous smile and tears showed how much saying those three words weighed on her.
"You really mean it? I love you too," he said as gave a kiss.
"Yes. When I didn't say it back to you, I wasn't 100% certain I loved you. But when you used your linking magic to link to me and wouldn't let me take it back, I remembered my conversation with Sasha on the way here."
"Well, it's ok if you don't love me yet, you know that right?"
"I love you Sora. Sasha told me everything. About the seal you two made, about how you're always worried about not just me but everyone in the party."
"So much for the seal," Sora laughed.
Brie chuckled. "Anyway… after what Rook said about finally being able to see his wife and child--I just couldn't imagine life without you! You said you dreamed about your mother— in school we learned that in ancient texts, gods and goddesses can visit anyone they wish while they sleep. So, if you saw her, I think she would be happy to know about us."
Sora smiled. "You're right, she is the goddess of love. Maybe that's why we found each other."
He gave her a hug and Rook noticed the two hadn't moved to the next floor.
"You too will make a great King and Queen someday," Rook said with a smile.
"Hey Rook. Could you do me a favor when you reach paradise?" Sora asked.
"Certainly, my friend, what is it?"
"Can you please tell Aphrodite and Cyrus that their son and his soulmate are happily in love? I'd really appreciate it!" Sora said excitedly.
"Of course my dear boy! Now please, hurry! I fear the other trapped here with me is either no longer here or worse, dead!"
Brie and Sora smiled, thanked Rook and headed to the exit.
*****
"Amazing. Truly amazing Mr. Lockheart. Brie, please, come inside. I believe we can set aside our differences, as long as Master Bishop can verify that it was indeed Rook!" the King said proudly. "My name is King Xavier Fang. My wife is Queen Mina Fang. Welcome to Meadowsong!"
'I have to do that again? What the hell…' Sora thought, rather annoyed at the whole charade.