The early sun peeked over the edge of the valley, casting a gentle glow over the still-growing settlement. Despite the magic and manpower available, finishing touches required time. Kujo, however, wasn't outside overseeing any of it.
He was buried in paperwork.
Stacks of reports sat on his desk, some handwritten, others magically printed. Border assignments, supply lists, construction rosters, and countless small requests from every faction under his protection.
He sighed, scratching another signature at the bottom of a security scroll, when the door opened without a knock.
Fiore walked in, her armor neatly polished, her cape fluttering slightly as she moved to stand by the window.
"You're not sleeping enough," she said bluntly.
"I can sleep later," Kujo replied without looking up.
"You've been signing reports since dawn."
"Responsibility doesn't rest."
She crossed her arms. "Why are you really doing this?"
He blinked, then slowly looked up at her. "Because I want to fix what my family broke."
She didn't move.
He frowned slightly. "Was that not the question?"
She smirked faintly. "No. I meant the paperwork."
Kujo blinked again. "Oh… Right. That. Well… because no one else is doing it. I can't just let this place collapse. These people need structure. It's not noble or poetic—it's just what needs to be done."
Fiore nodded once, but she didn't look convinced.
Just then, the door opened again.
Zafira entered, her presence smooth and graceful as always. Her long white hair cascaded behind her, the gold and blue of her outfit gleaming softly in the light. She walked like someone who had been raised in temples, her posture flawless, her eyes unreadable.
"Prince Kujo," she said with a respectful nod. "May I speak privately?"
Fiore looked to Kujo. He nodded.
Fiore left without a word, closing the door behind her.
Zafira approached the desk but didn't sit. She folded her arms gently under her chest and looked at him with calm purpose.
"I would like to become your wife."
Kujo nearly dropped his pen.
He stared at her, searching her face for a hint of a joke. There was none.
"Why?" he asked, genuinely confused. "Why do so many of you want to marry me?"
Zafira smiled softly. "You gave me something I never thought I'd have again: freedom. And more than that, you gave it not with expectation, but with quiet sincerity."
She stepped closer. "You don't understand, do you? Among demons and cursed breeds, kindness is rare. When we see it… we don't forget."
He rubbed his temple. "Still, marriage is… a lot. And you're a dark elf. You're closer to elves and humans than monsters. You don't owe me anything."
Zafira chuckled. "That's where you're wrong. I'm not here alone. My people follow me. And my people follow authority. You have become that authority. They watch you. They listen to you. And if I marry you, they will be bound to you completely."
His eyes narrowed. "So this is political?"
"Partially," she admitted. "But I also think you're cute."
He choked slightly.
She tilted her head. "You're strong enough to protect what matters to me. And practical enough to lead. I could do far worse."
He leaned back in his chair, exhausted. "Do you know how many marriage proposals I've had in the past week?"
Zafira smiled slyly. "And do you know how many kings reject offers like that?"
He groaned. "I'm not a king."
"You might as well be."
He looked at her seriously. "If I accept… that means I take responsibility for all of your people. Their safety. Their survival. Their future."
Zafira stepped forward, resting her hand gently on his desk. "Exactly. And that's why I want it to be you."
He hesitated. "I'm a little drained on proposals right now…"
She leaned in just slightly. "Then get a harem and breed us all."
Kujo's face turned red instantly.
"I—That's not—!" he stammered, waving his hands.
Zafira laughed—a warm, throaty laugh that echoed in the chamber. "I'm teasing. But only a little."
He sighed and slumped in his chair. "Just… let me think about it."
"Of course," she said, turning gracefully toward the door. "But don't think too long. Loyalty only grows stronger with action."
As the door closed behind her, Kujo buried his face in his hands.
He had no idea how to be a husband.
But apparently, the whole settlement was determined to make him one.
The sun was beginning to dip behind the hills, casting long shadows across the training field on the south side of the growing settlement. The air buzzed faintly with energy as two women sparred at high speed—blades ringing, wind cutting.
Kujo stood in silence near the edge of the field, arms crossed, watching them.
Fiore moved like lightning. Her blade struck with precision, her footwork honed to perfection. Every movement was efficient, deliberate. Her expression was calm, focused.
Across from her, Kyrie panted with effort. She summoned energy blades from her wings, dodged low, spun, countered. She wasn't at Fiore's level—not yet—but her progress was real. She was learning to keep up.
Kujo smiled faintly. It was good to see them training. It reminded him that even though the world was still a cruel place, there was growth happening around him.
"You've done good work," came a gruff voice from behind.
Kujo turned to find Wordric approaching from the trees. The werewolf chief carried his usual relaxed confidence, though there was a gleam of pride in his golden eyes.
"She's shaping up fast," Kujo replied, nodding toward Kyrie.
"Not talking about her," Wordric said. "I'm talkin' about this place. These people. They're all yours now."
Kujo exhaled. "It's more than I expected."
"Well, then," Wordric said, clapping his hands together once, "let's get you introduced to someone who might help shoulder that weight."
He stepped aside, and someone stepped forward.
She was a beastwoman with a lithe, athletic build and tiger-striped tan skin. She had large black wolf-like ears, sharp yellow eyes, and short spiky black hair. Her hands and feet were clawed and covered in black fur, and she had a thick, fluffy black tail. She wore a torn black bikini top and bottom with white bandages wrapped around one thigh. Black fur cuffs decorated her wrists and ankles, and her outfit left most of her body exposed.
"Yo," she said with a grin, eyes sparkling. "Name's Chusi."
Kujo blinked. "You're Wordric's daughter?"
She winked. "You expected someone more... feral?"
"A little."
"I can be," she said with a fangy smile, "but I'm mostly chill."
Wordric gave Kujo a pat on the back. "I'll give you two a few minutes. Don't break her heart, yeah?"
Kujo coughed lightly as the wolf chief walked away.
Chusi looked him up and down, tail swaying behind her.
"You're smaller than I thought you'd be," she said.
Kujo raised an eyebrow. "That's not really how you open a proposal discussion."
She giggled. "I'm being honest. You're lean. Not bulky. But you've got that energy. Alpha without being loud. I like that."
He rubbed his temple. "Alright. You asked for a few minutes. You've got them."
She bowed playfully. "Fair enough. First of all, thanks for saving our clan. You didn't have to. But you did."
"You're welcome," he said simply.
She took a step closer. "So… let's get right to it. Am I up to your breeding standards?"
Kujo turned red instantly. "That's not—! That's not the problem!"
Chusi tilted her head, ears flicking. "Then what is?"
"I…" He took a breath. "I want to be with someone who actually likes me. Not just because it's convenient. Or because it helps with politics."
She blinked once, then smiled.
"Well, that's easy."
He looked at her carefully. "What do you mean?"
"I like you," she said without hesitation. "Didn't expect to. But here we are."
"You don't even know me."
"Sure I do. I've been watching. The way you lead. The way you treat everyone with respect—wolves, elves, even vampires. You saved people and never asked for anything back. You're not like the monsters I've known all my life."
She scratched behind her ear. "And let's be real—you're cute. Not the hot, cocky warrior type. But the tired, stressed-out underdog who somehow makes everyone follow him anyway."
Kujo blinked.
"You've got that look," she added, "like you're just barely keeping it together, but doing it for us. That hits harder than muscles."
He stared at her for a long second, then rubbed the back of his neck.
"I didn't expect any of this," he admitted.
Chusi grinned. "Neither did I. But hey—life's short for our kind. Might as well be honest."
He exhaled, then smiled faintly. "Alright. Let me think about it. I'll give you an answer in two days."
"Cool," she said, stretching. "If you say yes, I'll be yours. If you say no, I'll still help out. But fair warning—I'm not good at quitting once I set my sights on someone."
She gave him a playful salute, then trotted off toward the training field to join the others.
Kujo stood there for a long moment.
His harem was growing. Not because he was trying—but because somehow, his kindness had filled a void so many others had long forgotten.
He was no longer just a prince in exile.
He was becoming a leader.
And soon… he'd have to choose what kind of man he wanted to be for all of them.