The next evening, Esther's eyes fluttered open to the soft embrace of twilight filtering through the cottage windows. The cozy surroundings brought a rare moment of contentment—until she realized the bed beside her was empty. No warm elf, no quiet breathing, no Sylvian.
She sat up, spotting a robe laid out thoughtfully at the foot of the bed. Slipping it on, she descended the stairs, the silk whispering against her skin. The house was quiet, almost too still. Then a faint rustling sound drifted from outside, like leaves dancing in a gentle breeze.
Esther stepped out the front door and paused at the sight before her. Sylvian knelt in the garden he had coaxed into existence overnight, his hands glowing with soft, verdant light. Vines unfurled at his command, flowers bloomed in vibrant bursts, and the earth itself seemed to sigh in pleasure under his touch. His new power flowed through him like breathing—effortless, natural.
He tested the limits of his awakened magic with quiet reverence. This was what he had always been meant for: to be one with the forest, a living bridge between root and sky. The sun-kissed warmth on his face, the peace radiating from him—it made Esther's ancient heart tighten. He looked like he belonged here, soft expression full of quiet joy.
The wind picked up, carrying the scent of blooming night flowers. Sylvian glanced up and saw her. The smile he gave the plants transformed into something deeper, warmer, meant only for her. He started to rise.
"You don't have to stand," Esther said softly, striding over. She placed her hands on his shoulders, grounding him.
Sylvian covered her hands with his own, stroking her skin with calloused fingers. "No, I'm alright." He pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles. "I just witnessed something magnificent."
He stood fully, wrapping strong arms around her waist and pulling her close. Their bodies fit together as if they had always known this alignment. He gazed into her eyes, voice thick with emotion. "Truly… thank you. Not only for rescuing me, but for giving me this breathtaking home. You've given me stability I never dreamed of—and an incredible surge of strength I still don't fully understand."
His fingers stroked through her blonde hair, tucking a strand behind her ear. "I never knew what it felt like to receive so much affection and care… the way you give it to me."
The sweetness of his words pierced Esther. A quiet sigh escaped her as she looked down. What if he wanted to stay here in this peaceful sanctuary? What if the road ahead—filled with empire, tragedy, and war—proved too much?
Sylvian gently lifted her chin, forcing their eyes to meet. "Whatever you need from me, you can have it. All of it. Even if it's just me. I'll give it freely."
Esther searched his face for a long moment. "What if there comes a time I ask you to leave this place with me? Will you do it?" She paused, vulnerability flickering in her ancient gaze. "And… will you be willing to live as family alongside my other husbands?"
Sylvian answered without hesitation, kissing her cheeks tenderly before whispering against her lips, "I already told you—take me with you. All of me."
The kiss deepened. His tongue traced hers with growing hunger. Heat flared between them as his hand slipped beneath her robe, cupping and kneading her breast. Esther pressed her hips forward, grinding her folds against the hardening bulge in his pants, craving that perfect union once more.
But duty called. She broke the kiss, breathing ragged, thumb brushing his swollen lips as they both fought for air. "I have to leave soon for the McMillian residence."
Sylvian let out a soft "Ha," nuzzling into her shoulder and trailing heated kisses down her neck. "I don't know your full purpose in that mansion," he murmured against her skin, "but if you hadn't gone there, I would never be holding you like this."
His mouth moved lower, capturing one nipple through the parted robe. He sucked gently at first, then with more fervor, tongue circling the sensitive peak. Esther moaned, arching into him. "Mmmm… s-stay here. That will help me…"
Sylvian dropped to his knees, parting the robe fully. His fingers stroked her slick folds before his mouth claimed her, tongue delving deep. Esther's leg draped over his shoulder as pleasure ripped through her. "Hmmm… Ha… ah!"
He devoured her with skilled intensity—licking, sucking, curling his tongue until her juices flowed freely. "H-how are you so good at this?" she gasped, fingers tangling in his sandy hair before stroking his sensitive ears. The touch made him groan against her.
Sylvian pulled back just enough to look up, eyes dark with lust. "I wanted to help you release before you left… but now I can't hold back."
He freed his thick member, gave her dripping folds a few final hungry licks, then rose. Lifting her by the waist, Esther wrapped her arms and legs around him as he slammed inside in one powerful thrust. "Ha!"
He pounded into her with raw need, driving deep. Esther cried out, "Mm! Sylvian!! Ahh!" He laid her down on the soft grass without breaking their connection, hips snapping faster, harder. "E-Esther… why does my body crave you so much?" he growled, repeatedly hitting that perfect spot, shaking his hips to bury himself as deep as possible. "I almost want to go with you just so I can fuck you in every corner of that noble mansion."
Their peaks crashed over them together. Sylvian released a huge, hot load deep inside her, spilling out as Esther clenched and moaned in ecstasy. "Ha!" "Ah!"
They rested in the grass afterward, Esther tucked against his bare chest, tracing idle patterns on his skin. The sky had darkened fully, stars glittering overhead.
"Hmm, the guests must have left by now," she murmured.
Sylvian kissed her forehead, rubbing soothing circles along her arm. "Guests?"
"Yes… I was supposed to meet my potential fiancé. The prince."
"P-Prince?" His eyes widened.
Esther kissed along his jaw to his lips. "Yes. But you're just as important." She deepened the kiss, tongues dancing once more. When they parted, Sylvian said softly, "I know I kept you earlier… but please don't let me hold you from your affairs."
"It's alright. The night isn't over yet. I'll head out soon." She pressed kisses to his chest.
"I don't know if I can keep handling you spoiling me like this," he admitted with a shy smile. "I want to do something for you too."
"Just accept what I give you," Esther whispered, pulling him into another lingering kiss.
An hour or two later, Esther finally parted from him with a tender kiss on his cheek and a promise to return. Sylvian watched her go, heart full to bursting. The passionate hours they had shared left him glowing. If he could, he would marry her that very night.
Left alone, he began to plan—exploring the outskirts of his new home while testing the incredible surge of power now coursing through him. Not only had his earth magic blossomed, but he now commanded all six elements. He could summon spirits, fairies, even a majestic white wind dragon and ethereal battle angels. With this new might, he shaped a hidden labyrinth connected to an ancient tree trunk near the cottage—multiple floors teeming with potential, drawing unexpected allies: curious dryads of the deep forest and other mystical creatures that sensed his kingship.
Esther transformed into a sleek black dove using the dark magic she had gained from Dillon and soared into the night sky toward the capital. Mid-flight, Raven's voice reported in her mind with the latest intelligence on her newest lover.
Sylvian's powers had elevated him to two grand titles: King of the Forest and Archmage. He could now manipulate earth to create entire structures or blooming sanctuaries, summon and command spirits across elements, and more. He could even teleport to places he had previously visited. The bond had granted Esther echoes of these Archmage abilities as well—she felt the new magic humming eagerly beneath her skin, eager to be tested.
She arrived at the McMillian mansion and landed gracefully on the balcony of the room where the prince was staying. The moment Ethan opened the double doors, Esther shifted back to her human form—completely nude, as the transformation always left her.
Prince Ethan's unique purple-and-red eyes traced over her body before he quickly averted them, shrugging off his black robe and draping it around her shoulders with gentlemanly haste.
"My apologies, Your Highness," Esther said, meeting those striking eyes. "I did not realize you would still be here."
"This wasn't originally planned," Ethan replied, voice steady despite the flush on his cheeks. "I came to meet you, but you weren't home. The Marquis invited me to stay a few days so we might have the chance." A cool wind stirred. "It's a bit chilly out here. Would you like to go inside and change into something more comfortable?"
Esther, long immune to temperature, still appreciated the gesture. "Alright." She stepped past him into the room.
"Will you give me some of your time tomorrow?" Ethan asked as she reached the door. "I'd like to apologize properly for my behavior the other day."
Esther turned, chuckling at his earnest, almost puppy-like expression. "I became overly sensitive to your suggestion as well. I would like the chance to speak with you, Ethan."
His face lit up at the informal address. "Goodnight, Esther."
She smiled and departed, leaving the prince alone with racing thoughts.
Ethan had not expected the evening to unfold this way, but hope bloomed. From the moment he first saw her in that prophetic dream years ago, he had been captivated. The fierce, confident, kind woman in his vision had haunted him since boyhood. Meeting her in the flesh surpassed every dream—she was breathtakingly beautiful, strong enough to clash with the Saint, yet someone he instinctively wanted to protect.
He knew the empire's ugly underbelly: the prejudice against non-humans, the legalized slavery, the horrific experiments on beastfolk and mages, the way even his own family's history had fueled division. Francesca and Amanda embodied that rot. But Esther… she represented the beautiful future he had glimpsed—one where she built the empire of Scarlett, treated her people and husbands with deep affection, and won a war that reshaped the world. He wanted to stand beside her.
The memory of her nude body on the balcony burned in his mind. Alone in his room, Ethan bit down on his shirt, stroking himself furiously as he imagined taking her right there under the stars. "So beautiful…" he groaned, releasing onto the spot where she had stood. Even afterward, he remained hard. He continued pleasuring himself late into the night, falling asleep with visions of her.