In Lahro.

Orion and Palarvina were sitting face-to-face.

A grave look on his face, Orion looked at Deveralna's mother.

Sirius was sitting next to her, wagging his tail.

"You're a very difficult woman. Each time I try to understand you, something different happens."

Stretching her hand to the side, she began to pet Sirius with a smile.

"What? Just because I agreed to it without a fuss?"

"That's precisely the reason that makes it hard for me to understand."

"Of course, I'm relieved you have agreed, but it doesn't make sense."

Placing both hands over his mouth, he sighed.

"Here I was, ready to do everything to make you accept."

With a smile, he leaned on his chair.

"Haha~"

Palarvina leaned to the side, giving her full attention to the white dog.

Procyon had been stuck outside, surrounded by countless lamias that took quite a liking to the primordial wolf.

While Deveralna was stuck in her duties as the Queen of lamias, Orion took this chance to confront the former Queen to give her daughter's hand to him.

But contrary to his expectations, Palarvina immediately agreed to it.

"Is there a reason for this change of mind? I remember you were very much against the idea of Deveralna joining me."

While engrossed in petting Sirius, she answered him.

"You see, I chose my husband. He might have been a mistake, for all I know, but I took him instead of someone forced by my mother."

"I chose him because I fell in love with him."

He nodded. This feeling was the reason he was here in the first place.

"So, I understand my daughter's thoughts to some extent."

"She chose you and no one else."

She finally stopped enjoying the fluffy feeling and straightened. Sirius returned to Orion's side calmly before lying next to him.

"Not only do I risk damaging my relationship with her, but I could also damage the one I have with you."

Lifting an eyebrow, he asked.

"With me? I haven't done much for you since we've met. In fact, I might have caused you more harm than not."

"You jest!"

She exclaimed abruptly while opening her eyes wide. Opening her hands, she lifted a finger each time she spoke.

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"The deal with Lord Florian came to fruition because of your presence."

"My daughter learned about the world through your extensive knowledge, which actually benefited the entire faction."

"Although becoming a Remnant, she only managed to do so because she met with our progenitor. It wouldn't have happened without you."

"For a year straight, she protected our city and the ones surrounding Lahro. While you weren't here, she worked harder than any lamia ever did since our creation."

Closing her hand, she crossed her arms.

"Don't tell me this would have happened without you. That would actually make me doubt your state of mind."

Orion sighed.

"The hard work she put in is her accomplishment alone. You could say that her desire to stay equal to me, or equal to her friends and rivals, is the motivation that pushed her to grow."

"I have not instructed her. To be clear, I wasn't present for the past year."

Palarvina frowned while shrugging.

"You are presenting yourself unfavorably. Do you truly believe Deveralna and your other companions protected this world because they wanted to?"

Lifting her chin, she pondered.

"Well, said like this, it doesn't make much sense. It is obvious they protected our continent through deliberate actions."

"What I'm trying to say is that they wanted to keep the world in one piece for you. So that you would praise them and appreciate the length they would go to defend something you would have."

Looking at the ceiling, Orion smiled.

"That I know. Even without me, they are capable of great feats."

Nodding, Palarvina commented on it.

"Those exploits wouldn't exist without you. You are a cornerstone inside your family, but also for the entire continent."

"And I do not speak lightly. When Deveralna told me that you were considered a Hero by the world itself, it made sense."

"Do not forget that we were born with the ability to sense lies."

Suddenly, Orion understood everything. Dropping his gaze to the lamia, he had a hard time believing his thoughts.

"You read my sincerity... At what point?"

The former Queen leaned over the table and poked his forehead.

"The moment you entered the room. You weren't quite honest with me in the past when you said that you loved my daughter, which caused me to doubt you."

But as she sat back on her chair, she smiled.

"Now, I can feel that your feelings are honest. Deveralna's feelings are far stronger, though. You should do something about this."

"In love, only equality brings prosperity. The length you will go for each other will be different, creating disparities in your relationship."

Surprised, Orion looked at his hands.

For a brief instant, he reconsidered his options but shook his head right after.

"That is something I will work on. There's quite a lot I need to ponder on. For now, all I need to focus on is making her happy."

Sirius stood on his four legs, sensing his master's spirit shooting up.

"She's in her room."

With a nod, Orion stood up.

Walking to the door, the lamia guards opened it as he approached.

"Orion."

Turning toward his mother-in-law, he looked straight into her eyes.

"You have my blessing. I leave my daughter to you."

"And to some extent, this city's fate."

Orion sensed the heavy responsibilities placed upon his shoulders.

His wings phased through his clothes, brilliantly answering his order.

A radiant being covered in light stood at the entrance of the room.

"This is a promise. Nothing will happen to the lamia ever again."

With her jaw lowered to the maximum, she watched in shock as Orion walked away.

"..."

Even the guards were astonished, forgetting to close the door behind him.

...

*Knock*

"Who is it?"

"Q-Queen Deveralna! You have a guest!"

The panicked voice of one of the guards echoed inside her room, catching her attention.

"I am quite busy. Who is it?"

"Me."

Orion opened the door with a smile, his wings fluttering from his movement.

He noticed that his wings were about to hit the door's frame, so he turned them smaller before entering.

"Orion?!"

Throwing her pen on the desk, she slithered toward him at an incredible speed.

Before he could close the door, she was already hugging his chest.

"I wasn't expecting you to visit me! I'm happy!"

Seeing the lamia rub her cheeks all over him, he couldn't help but feel the same way. She was important to him, and he wanted to clarify it.

Not through skin contact, but through his words.

Grabbing her shoulders, he pushed her slightly before closing the doors behind him.

"What I'm going to tell you is private. I would rather not alert the entire city."

Deveralna suddenly focused. Her expression turned serious, expecting a heavy subject.

'His presence here means it is a significant matter. I wonder what it is.'

Feeling the same way he did for Amelia, Karteira, Mia, and Nia, Orion turned around with anxiety building up in his core.

The words of Palarvina remained in his head until he walked closer to her.

His expression was heavy, strengthening Deveralna's mood.

"I've already obtained your mother's approval."

A box warped in his hand. Opening the lid, Orion revealed a golden ring. The ring was a combination of small S-shaped snakes.

But like any other ring, it had a magnificent gemstone embedded into it.

Deveralna lowered her head and looked at the ring.

"Huh?"

Confused, her eyes stared at the purple sapphire.

"I'm here to propose. Knowing your people, they would have made a fuss."

"I'd rather have that for later."

With a light smile, he looked at Deveralna.

"Wait... Is this for me?"

Watching a nod being given by Orion, the realization soon came to her.

"Seriously?"

"I love you. Would you accept this as proof?"

The poor lamia, who was expecting a grave topic, felt the tension leave her body.

"Ha... Haha~"

Laughing weakly, Deveralna began to cry.

"That's quite sudden."

"I know."

Without another word, she extended her left hand toward him.

"Why would I refuse?"

Relieved, Orion slid the ring around her finger, perfectly matching it.

After looking at the shiny ring wrapped around her finger, she hugged his chest. Grabbing his clothes tightly, she kept still for a minute.

"Have I been doing good?"

"I never thought anything different."

"Am I doing fine as a Remnant?"

"Velridar would be proud."

"Am I a nuisance?"

"I wouldn't be here if that were the case."

Orion pushed her shoulders lightly, staring into her moist eyes.

The dark orange that he fell in love with was still present, but even without it, Deveralna was more than charming to him.

He leaned forward before she closed her eyes.

In a quiet room atop the overlooking castle of the lamias, two lovers exchanged a passionate kiss.