After Story 25. [After Story] The Reception
The wedding was over.
Dozens of people lunged for the bouquet Yun had thrown.
Verdandi managed to snatch it up and held it high like a championship trophy.
Thema, Verdandi’s aide, clapped enthusiastically, saying something like, “As expected, Your Majesty’s victory is assured.”
It was both absurd and adorable, making everyone burst into laughter.
After all the commotion, it was time for the reception.
The newlyweds made their rounds, greeting guests, while everyone offered warm words and blessings.
Serenade and I also exchanged words with Kuilan and Yun, talking about various things—congratulating them on their happy union, offering advice about married life, and more.
There was so much to talk about, but not enough time. The two had planned to visit Bringar Duchy on their way back from their honeymoon.
Once the reception came to an end, the exhausted couple departed in a carriage amidst everyone’s well-wishes.
And with that, the reception hall transformed into an afterparty.
People gathered in groups, pouring drinks and making toasts. Reunited with old friends, there was no way alcohol wouldn’t be involved.
At the center of the festivities, the children were huddled together, squirming about.
“…”
Sid had dressed in formal attire for the occasion.
Under his neatly tied bowtie, his little shorts looked adorable. Watching him answer the adults’ questions with such composure, I felt a surge of pride. He had grown up well—our godson.
“Groarrr!”
“Kyaaa!”
Meanwhile, Emerald Cross and Sapphire Cross were hissing like angry kittens.
The five-year-old twins, dressed in a brown suit and a yellow dress, were unbearably cute. But for some reason, they were on all fours, hissing at anyone who approached them.
Why was there such a drastic difference between them and Sid…?
“Oh my, how adorable.”
“Should Uncle and Auntie give you some cookies~?”
The Rompeller twins, already heavily intoxicated, approached them without a care for their own safety.
“Raaawr!”
“What the—?! How are they so fast?!”
In an instant, the little twin devils had climbed onto them, completely overwhelming them.
Now that I thought about it, the Rompellers were twins, too.
“Were you guys like this as kids?”
“Of course not—ahhh!”
They tried to answer but were swiftly taken down.
“Kids, behave!”
At Sid’s firm words, the Cross twins obediently returned to his side.
Alongside Sid were Kellibey’s grandchildren, Mikhail’s children (!), and various other second-generation kids, all gathered around him. They followed Sid like kittens drawn to a can of treats, with him naturally taking on the role of their leader.
‘…Will my kid listen to Sid too?’
I glanced at Serenade’s round belly.
Imagining my child among the second-generation group made my head feel a little hazy.
I couldn’t wait to see them!
“How is Sid so mature…?”
“Teach us your secrets, Lilly!”
“Rather than that, let’s all share parenting tips together!”
Parents struggling with child-rearing gathered in earnest.
Lilly, the representative of model-child parents, and Evangeline, the representative of problem-child parents, led the discussion. Serenade subtly edged closer, clearly eager to hear some advice.
Smiling, I gently patted Serenade’s shoulder before heading off to another table. There were still many comrades I hadn’t greeted yet.
“Khah~!”
A woman with brown hair sat alone at the next table, drinking.
I smirked and took a seat across from her, clinking my glass against hers.
“Why are you drinking alone, Violet?”
“Gasp! Your Highness…!”
She was once the world’s greatest illusionist and now the leader of the Gambler’s Club theater troupe—Violet.
Her violet-colored disguise had completely faded, leaving her hair a natural brown.
Maybe it was time to start calling her something else. What, like Brownie?
Violet downed her drink in one go and, her face turning red, confessed,
“The percentage of married people among our old comrades is skyrocketing. Before I knew it, I started drinking in frustration!”
“Ah, now that you mention it… The Gambler’s Club is all paired up too, aren’t they?”
The older members, Orange and Lime, had gotten together at some point and married a few years back.
Both were remarried, and their ceremony had been small, so I couldn’t attend in person. But I had sent them a generous gift.
On top of that, the younger members, Scarlet and Cobalt, were dating.
As soon as the war ended, they’d been all lovey-dovey, and they were still a sweet couple to this day.
“All my old comrades are pairing off one by one, and even within the troupe, I’m surrounded by sickeningly happy couples…”
Violet muttered miserably.
She had achieved overwhelming popularity as a bard in the rebranded Gambler’s Club, but her love life seemed to be in shambles.
“There was a time when even reptiles found me attractive, but now I can’t even get a single prospect…”
Violet sighed as she poured herself another drink.
I chuckled.
“You sure you’re not still hung up on those reptiles?”
“Of course not…! I mean, well, both of them were definitely charming, but…”
Violet grumbled.
“Um…”
A voice cautiously called out from beside her.
We turned to look, puzzled.
Standing there was a young beastkin man.
Among the beastkin, who shared traits of various animals, he was a rare kind—his face and limbs still bore scales.
The young man hesitated, clearly unsure of himself. Then, screwing his eyes shut, he thrust out a blank sheet of paper.
“I’m… I’m a fan! Violet, ma’am! Could I get your autograph?!”
“Uh, ah! Sure…”
Flustered, Violet fumbled for a pen and signed the paper.
Watching her, the beastkin youth exclaimed excitedly,
“Last year’s performance was truly moving! Especially the part where you defeated Night Bringer and the colossal monsters and saved the world—I couldn’t help but tear up…”
“…”
I shot Violet a sharp look.
She broke into a cold sweat.
This little rat… Was she really performing plays where she single-handedly saved the world?!
“…Well.”
I smirked and patted Violet on the
“It’s not exactly a lie.”
“Heh, hehehe… Thank you, Your Highness…”
As Violet handed back the signed paper, the beastkin youth accepted it with a deeply moved expression.
“Thank you! I’ll treasure this as a family heirloom!”
“Th-That’s a bit much…”
“No way! Violet, ma’am, you’re the hero of my heart!”
The young man scratched the back of his head.
“Facing such enormous foes, yet standing your ground instead of running away like an ordinary person… I think that’s truly incredible.”
“…”
“Thank you for the autograph! I’ll come see your next performance!”
Blushing, he quickly turned and fled.
I chuckled, watching him go.
“You really are a hit with reptiles.”
“…”
No response.
I glanced over and saw Violet staring blankly at the young man’s retreating figure.
Oh?
I lightly smacked her on the back.
“Violet!”
“Huh?! What?!”
Startled, she snapped back to reality. I jerked my chin toward the beastkin youth.
“You gonna fold?”
The moment I used poker terminology, a spark of life returned to the face of the retired gambler.
Gone was the successful theater director and bard—what replaced her was the cunning, scrappy gambler of old. A small, sly, and somehow endearing smirk curled her lips.
“Like hell I’m folding! You always raise first!”
She shot up from her seat, grabbing two glasses on her way, and hurried after the young man.
I watched her approach him, offering a drink, then turned away.
I hoped she found a good connection.
My dear daydreamer.
As I continued wandering the hall, exchanging greetings with old comrades…
“Oh, Junior, Hecate.”
I spotted the two chatting and laughing nearby, so I approached them.
Junior and Hecate were both dressed comfortably, their outfits subtly matching, as if bought from the same boutique.
Still as close as ever.
“Quite the long journey from New Terra.”
“Ah, Your Highness!”
Hecate greeted me politely, while Junior beamed.
“Of course we had to come. When else would I get a chance to visit the shops?”
With the Jupiter Foundation now fully active, Junior had been busier than ever as one of its officers.
Deciphering ancient documents, excavating historical records, planning large-scale projects…
As she said, there was barely any time for shopping.
“I had to save up all my unused vacation days for something like this.”
“Well, this wedding is a historically significant event too. Be sure to observe and record it properly.”
“Yes, sir~!”
We chatted about Hecate’s orphanage, the atmosphere in New Terra, and other things.
After a while, I glanced around.
“So, aside from Damien, it looks like everyone made it.”
Most of our comrades from the Monster Front had managed to attend.
Only Damien was unaccounted for.
He had mentioned heading north.
I wondered where he was now.
Just then, Junior suddenly exclaimed,
“Oh! Speaking of which, I heard news about Damien from some folks from the Ariane Kingdom!”
“Oh? Really?”
“Yeah. Among a group of explorers trying to cross the northern mountains, there was apparently a young man traveling with a snake…”
Before magic disappeared, people used to be able to traverse the continent’s northernmost, frozen mountain ranges.
But now, without magic, crossing them had become nearly impossible.
“…”
Out there, in the farthest reaches of the north, Damien was continuing his own battle.
All I could do was hope his journey ended safely.
We continued our conversation, catching up on lost time.
And then—
“Ugh…!”
From somewhere nearby, a sudden groan echoed.
A familiar voice.
Before I even had time to think, my body reacted first. I sprinted toward the sound.
“Serenade! Are you okay?!”
Serenade was struggling to stay upright, with Daram and Elize quickly supporting her.
As I reached her side, she gave me a strained smile, her face covered in cold sweat.
“I’m… I’m fine, my love. It’s just that, all of a sudden, my stomach…”
Lilly and Evangeline, who had been standing nearby, both shouted at the same time.
“I think she’s going into labor!”
“What?!”
The expected due date was still weeks away—yet labor had begun!
The reception hall instantly fell into chaos.
Members of the Leaf Wolf Tribe rushed over, guiding Serenade to an inner chamber.
Holding her hand tightly, I followed them inside, shouting—
“Priests! Can you assist us?! And we need a midwife—someone find a midwife…!”
At that moment, everyone’s gaze shifted in unison.
Their eyes landed on Zenis, who was standing alongside Rosetta, Torkel, and Hannibal.
Zenis, caught off guard, stammered.
“Wait… I mean, I’m not exactly a professional midwife—”
Before he could finish, Lilly gave a firm nod, while Evangeline beckoned him over with a casual wave.
If those two were vouching for him as a midwife…
Zenis looked utterly betrayed, but after a moment, he let out a deep sigh. Then, rolling up his sleeves, he followed along.
“Alright, alright. The world’s greatest midwife, Zenis, is on the job!”
Rosetta and Zenis rushed forward.
With the encouragement of everyone gathered in the reception hall, Serenade, clutching my hand tightly, was led into the inner chamber.
With the help of the priests, she lay down on the bed.
She smiled up at me, and I wrapped her hands in mine, smiling back.
And then…