Night winds blew loudly. Remilia gazed at the scenery below, her expression carrying a hint of complexity.
She had already received news from Giada— the remaining vassals were on their way.
With Giada's speed, they could arrive instantly, but it was obvious she was in no rush.
Remilia suspected the woman already guessed her intentions, which was why she was taking her time.
She glanced at the figures sitting on the bed playing games with Flandre.
Even the terrifyingly powerful Ophis sat off to the side, tilting her head as she looked at the cards in her hands.
It was basically a children's paradise.
Veldiana, dressed in a maid outfit, carefully tended to these little troublemakers.
Even though the sun had already set, she still had to figure out how to coax them into sleeping.
"This really is…"
Looking at the night sky of Itogami Island, Remilia felt incredibly relaxed.
Yes—relaxed.
It was completely different from the heaviness she used to feel at the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
Back then—Patchy's illness, Sakuya's lifespan, Flandre's abilities…
In the entire Scarlet Devil Mansion, aside from Meiling, she was the only one without a problem.
And that worry for her family hung over her like a mountain.
It suffocated her.
She let out a long breath, almost like exhaling smoke.
Now, she could finally relax.
"That's great…"
She murmured to herself, a gentle smile on her face.
Everyone in the Scarlet Devil Mansion was her family. Losing any of them would leave her with an unhealable wound.
But now Flandre's problem was solved, and with Ren's help, Sakuya and Patchouli shouldn't be an issue.
At last, she could let herself breathe.
"What's so great? Future Fourth Primogenitor?"
A small figure suddenly appeared beside her, her voice sharp and sarcastic.
Without looking, Remilia knew it was the Natsuki.
"What? Are you venting your dissatisfaction now, my future subordinate?"
"Who's going to be your subordinate!?"
"Itogami Island will become my Empire. If you work here, you'll naturally be my subordinate."
A teasing smile hung on Remilia's lips.
Her gaze drifted to Avrora's maid outfit.
"How about when you become my subordinate, I make you my maid? How's that, Miss Witch?"
As expected, Natsuki face showed instant annoyance.
If she gave this girl even a bit of sunlight, she'd shine like a sunflower.
Still, having this girl become the Fourth Primogenitor wasn't a bad thing.
Natsuki was at least relieved that this woman didn't have huge ambitions. If she did, she would've already declared war on the three Empires the moment she awakened.
Truthfully, someone who enjoyed peace like Natsuki didn't want a world war.
Especially since she lived on Itogami Island.
"Hmph… even if you become the Fourth Primogenitor, you're still Ren's pet."
Though she approved of Remilia's growth, Natsuki still fired back.
"Exactly, I am my master's pet. What's wrong with that?"
Natsuki: "!!!"
Are you really Remilia!? Did someone replace you!?
Remilia might not dislike Ren and wasn't resistant to him, but she absolutely wasn't the type to willingly call herself someone's pet. She had pride—even childish pride.
For her to admit it openly…
That was a massive shock to Natsuki.
"I wasn't replaced!"
Seeing through her thoughts instantly, Remilia rolled her eyes.
And then—rarely—she spoke her true feelings without hiding anything.
"If I hadn't met him, everyone in the Scarlet Devil Mansion would eventually leave me, one by one."
Natsuki fell silent.
She didn't mock her this time—she simply listened.
"Flandre awakened terrifying powers when our parents died. She avenged them, but after that, her power spiraled out of control. Even her own wings were torn apart by herself."
"Patchouli Knowledge—my lifelong friend. To suppress Flandre's power, she drained her wealth and used all her knowledge to craft the Philosopher's Stone. It repaired Flandre's wings and suppressed her destructive urge, but in doing so, Patchouli damaged her own source of magic. Her life force has been fading daily. All I could do… was watch helplessly."
"Sakuya… a human maid who stayed by my side all her life, helping me more than I can ever repay. Through her, I experienced a kind of affection I had never felt before. Maybe I unconsciously saw her as an elder. But… she cares too much about her humanity. Why cling to a mere century of lifespan instead of choosing eternity? I don't understand…"
She spoke to Natsuki as if she were her closest confidant.
Despite her sharp tongue, Natsuki saw gentle softness on her face—a softness a vampire shouldn't easily show.
Those people truly meant everything to her.
I had someone like that too…
A certain name surfaced in Natsuki's mind.
"Hey, Natsuki…"
"…What?"
"To me, my pride, my life—none of it matters. Because there are things in my life that outweigh all of that. For their sake, I would give up pride, life—anything, without hesitation."
Remilia spoke with absolute seriousness.
Natsuki's expression softened. She turned her head to the side.
"…I understand. Because I'm the same."
"Hehe…"
A light laugh echoed. Natsuki turned her head, but Remilia had disappeared.
"Since you understand, why hesitate? After all this time together, you still choose to speak to us through a false body. Whether it's me, Flandre, or that man—we all know something is wrong with your real body."
"And also… cough…"
Remilia's voice suddenly grew embarrassed.
In Natsuki's peripheral vision, she saw Remilia's flushed face
"Don't you dare tell that man what I just said. Even if I admitted it, I refuse to bow my head in front of him. Remember that for me!"
After saying this, Remilia didn't care whether Natsuki agreed or not and headed straight for Flandre's room.
Looking at the night view of Itogami Island, Natsuki could only shake her head helplessly.
"No need for me to say it. That man already heard it…"
At some unknown moment, Ren's figure had already appeared beside her.
Ren didn't say a word. He simply stood quietly next to Natsuki, looking out at the night scenery before them.
Under the cold, cutting night wind, their hearts instead warmed with a gentle sense of peace.