Silence filled the room for a moment.
"Well, that settles it. Jackson, Elizabeth, it's like this every time. Even back when your ancestors served as King and Queen for a short while, in the 6000s," Dorian said with a smile.
"Well, send for us when you want us," Fenrir muttered as he and Selene got up and exited the room.
"I cannot wait for your next invitation," Azazel said with an evil grin as he and Malphas teleported out of the room.
"Don't let them bother you! You two look great! How does it feel to be King and Queen?" Elizabeth asked.
"Awkward." Sora and Brie answered at the same time, causing them to laugh.
"That's what makes you such a great choice, though! It's a shame we couldn't convince the werewolves and the demons to align with our vote," Jackson said.
"Indeed, it is. You have the vampire's support as well, Sora. Don't be a stranger, swing by the settlement sometime. How's Jubelle doing?" Dorian asked.
"Excellent! He's come out of his shell and he's the smartest person I've ever met!" Sora exclaimed.
"That's lovely to hear! You should introduce your party to humans someday as well," Camilla suggested.
"Yes, we've been dying to meet this party of yours. From what Dorian tells me, you have two vampires and an Uthra among you," Jackson stated.
"There's actually two more now, but you'll meet them soon enough." Brie said.
"Elizabeth and Jackson, please show up the night before the next Council meeting. You can stay the night at my mansion and meet the rest of my party, how does that sound?" Sora asked.
"Absolutely! We look forward to it!"
"Expect our notice in the same fashion the King sent his," Brie said with a bubbly smile.
"Excellent." Elizabeth said while giving Brie a hug. Camilla also hugged Brie and whispered, "You too look so amazing together! When are you two going to get married?!"
"Married?!" Brie said a little too loudly.
"Now, now Camilla, let's not scare the young lady. She is only 20 after all. I'm sure Sora will know when the time is right to ask that question," Dorian said while escorting Camilla out of the room.
"I don't think they view time the same way we do," Jackson joked. "They've been alive for over 2500 years. I'm sure back then getting married after a year of knowing someone wasn't that uncommon. You two are just great the way you are!"
Jackson and Elizabeth took their leave and Brie and Sora finally felt a giant weight leave their shoulders.
Sora got down on one knee, and Brie's face turned super red.
"Oh, I was going to say my shoe was untied but these dress shoes don't have laces."
Brie gave Sora a friendly swat across the head.
"Geez! I'm sorry it was just a joke! Help a guy up?" Sora said while laughing.
Brie gave him her hand and pulled Sora in close and gave him a kiss.
"I love you Sora and I think you did an excellent job reading that letter."
"I love you too Brie and thanks." Sora said with a smile.
"By the way, Celeste, was that you with the lightning magic?" Sora asked.
"No. That was an actual blessing from Athena. It happens every time a new King and Queen are sworn in. I hate to rush you two, but it's time to get in front of a camera and introduce yourselves to the world as the new King and Queen." Celeste said.
"What do we say?" Brie asked.
"Just be yourselves and say that you hope that everything will run as smoothly as it did under the great King Joseph Tanguin." Celeste said.
Sora and Brie recorded the video from the throne room, and it was published to every media outlet, news outlet and social media outlet on Exteria.
"Hello everyone! I am Sora Lockheart and this is my lovely Queen, Brie Reinhardt. For those of you who don't know us, we are the heir to the great Uthra King Joseph Tanguin. I'm sure you've all heard of his passing, and we appreciate all the love and support everyone has shown for the Uthra community in this time of sadness." Sora said.
"I know we are young and not married, but I assure you our goals are the same as the late Kings. We wish to keep the world peaceful. We wish to continue to prosper as a united world with equality for all races!" Brie said with her bubbly charm and large smile.
"Our doors are always open. If you, or anyone you know is in need or has a suggestion to better improve the lives for all, please don't hesitate to reach out to us! My Castle is located just outside of Primrose, about 15 miles south. Although we aren't in the middle of a city, that doesn't mean your voices shouldn't be heard!" Sora exclaimed with a smile.
Sora and Brie both stood up, took a bow and said, "Please say a prayer for the late King. He was a great man and an inspirational figure of peace. We hope to see you soon!"
Cheers filled the streets of the vampire settlement, Prosperia and Haven. Brie and Sora heard all the cheers outside of the castle after their video was released.
The werewolves didn't bother with televisions much, nor did the demons, but they could honestly care less. They followed their own respective Kings.
Sora, Brie and the incognito Celeste said their goodbyes and gave thanks to all the Uthra who assisted them over the last week. They also invited any of the castle's workers to work at the new castle. Many of them obliged and set off in their vehicles to the coordinates Sora provided.
"We should have asked the other Council members if there was anyone they'd like to send to our castle!" Brie said embarrassingly.
"You're right, but I don't exactly want a bunch of demons and werewolves scouring my Castle floors. We know what their true motives are." Sora said with a frown.
"Good point. I'll text Elizabeth. I'm sure there are some humans who would love to serve." Brie said as she looked at her phone.
"Oh shit. I never told my parents about the Queen thing." Brie's face filled with panic and fear.
Her face quickly lit up. "They're… happy for me! Thanks Sora! They can't believe you're the mystery 'boy,' though. They want to meet you!"
"Well, invite them over sometime next week or we can go to Primrose. It's up to you." Sora said while giving her a kiss.
Sora and Brie stopped at their castle and told the staff to pick their own rooms, get accustomed to the place and to take a week off. The staff was thrilled and thanked them sincerely.
When they returned to the mansion, the party made sure to have EVERY television turned on with a different station playing.
"Sora, also known as the world's sexiest man, shocks the world by revealing a secret girlfriend!"
"Sora and Brie are the new King and Queen– with us, our Vampire King, Dorian Ashwood and his lovely wife Camilla with more!"
"Brie Reinhardt? Who is she? How did she land Sora?"
"The world's most eligible bachelor is no longer a bachelor. All we know about Brianna Reinhardt and more!"
"Hey system, please turn the televisions off."
"Ha, ha. Very funny everyone," Sora laughed as the televisions turned off. "Seriously though, that was pretty good."
Leila popped champagne and said, "It's not every day a new King and Queen are blessed by Athena! Congratulations!"
The party decided to hang out, reminisce and enjoy the company of each other rather than clear a dungeon.
"It's so strange to think that when we met you, you were this unbelievably gorgeous guy who had no social skills," Sasha joked.
"I know! He was so much more fun to mess with back then. Did I tell you he knelt down and pretended to tie his shoe, like he was going to propose?" Brie said with a laugh.
"Good one," Sasha said as she gave Sora a fist bump.
"How exactly are we going to let the world know we have a dragoness and a goddess in our party, though?" Jubelle asked.
"Well, if there's war, we won't be afraid to let Leila cut loose. I think we just keep the goddess thing to ourselves for now. We can just introduce her as an Uthra if she's in her goddess form," Brie said with a smile.
"That's a good idea. I'd like that," Celeste said gleefully. "I'm sick of always hiding in some other form. With this group, I can be myself!"
"Yes, and everyone would believe you're Uthra! You are certainly more beautiful than even our most beautiful women!" Levi bragged.
"Are you hitting on the goddess, Levi?" Leila joked.
"No, no! I assure you, I'd never!" Levi said in a panic.
"Oh, so you wouldn't hit on me. I'm not your type then?" Celeste said sternly while she folded her arms.
Levi froze and his entire face filled dark red.
"Too easy," Celeste said while bursting out in laughter.
The group laughed and continued to celebrate.
*****
Meanwhile, deep within Obsidian Hallow.
"Your orders, my Lord?" Malphas asked Azazel.
"Nothing… for now." Azazel said with a giant grin. "The time will come where we strike."