Hello again. It's me, Veravos Spade—the villain-killing, broody, sarcastic Dark Fairy King. You know how I met Scarlette. How the romance began. Blah, blah, blah. I won't bore you with a recap.

But did you really think the story ended there? That we just rode into the sunset and lived happily ever after? Please. That's not how any of this works.

We're not skipping over rainbows or making friendship bracelets. That's a leprechaun's job—and I'm definitely better-looking than one of those.

So, why am I King? Because I can be.

In case you forgot—like most of the Kingdom has—Scarlette used the Baltimorean Emerald, a powerful gem, to rewrite reality and save me from being completely consumed by darkness.

Problem? She wasn't very specific. I'm still a Dark Fairy. She's still the first Love Fairy. And I'm not the kind of fairy who goes "bippity boppity boo."Scarlette? Somehow, worse.

I should be more upset. But considering she made the wish mid-battle—I'll let it slide.

So now, we rule this shiny new world we apparently manifested: the United Fairy Kingdom. Not born of bloodline or conquest, but of magic—a rewritten reality shaped by a desperate wish, right before the Emerald was flung into a land without magic.

Now, Love Fairies, Light Fairies, and Dark Fairies live together.

In peace? Depends on your definition.

Love Fairies think peace means smothering everyone with obsessive affection. Scarlette and I call that a free-will violation.Light Fairies believe peace is hiding every uncomfortable truth. I call that lying.Dark Fairies think peace lies in death, decay, and the great cosmic reset. Population control, basically.

So, yes. A mess.

Getting the throne? Easy.Keeping it? That's where the headaches begin.

We can't just hand it off. History tried that. You could call them textbook cases of what not to do as a monarch. For simplicity, I call them the Three Idiots.

One twisted reality into illusion—replacing truth with fantasy.Another drowned the world in silence, ruling through fear and an iron voice.The third? He drenched minds in a devotion so absolute it passed for love—but was really just control.

They're gone now. But their damage lingers, like cheap perfume in an old ballroom.

To everyone else, they're forgotten.To us? They're warnings.

So if not us, then who? Another liar in velvet robes? No, thank you.

Grumblings aside, I'm content. Still a Dark Fairy. But happy. A stunning wife. A world we built. A throne we never wanted—but refuse to abandon.

Do I love ruling? Sometimes.Is it worth the paperwork? Shockingly, yes.Do I make it look easy? Obviously.

Most days, I rule with a Kitsune draped across my shoulders like a judgmental scarf. Her name's Juniper. Nine tails. Smarter than half my council. Not a pet—a guardian, a snarky spirit animal, and a threat detector all in one. She knows who to bite before they even speak.

Scarlette? A different force entirely. Born of magic itself. Queen of Hearts and Ruin. And my queen.

Unfortunately for her, I'm still Veravos Spade. Her bad boy. Your broody monarch. Occasionally mistaken for the boogeyman.

Here I sit, slouched on a too-tall throne beside Scarlette—my queen, my chaos, my dangerously gorgeous wife.

I pressed both cheeks with my hands. Here we go again.

Scarlette giggled as I rolled my eyes for the fifth time that morning.

"Veravos, be serious. It's time for work again," she said, sitting straighter.

I sighed. "Oh joy. Work. My favorite pastime. Are off days a myth?"

She ignored me. Classic.

Then the gong rang.

Silence.

"Send them in," I muttered to the guards, slouching deeper.

The grand doors creaked open. And so began the royal parade of nonsense.

Minor disputes. Petty grievances. Endless bickering.

The worst? A trio of Love Fairies from a laundry shop, sobbing because an enchanted Light tunic bled magic into their red garments. Everything turned pastel pink.

Separate your colors, people. That's laundry, not sorcery.

But I endured. Because that's what kings do.

We deal with the fallout when people misplace their common sense.Silly fairies. All of them.

Eventually, the sun dipped low, and the throne room finally emptied.

I heaved a sigh as Scarlette looked up.

"Come on, was it that bad?" she asked.

"That's it. I'm taking an off day," I declared, arms crossed.

Juniper, ever the mirror, lifted her nose in sync with mine.

I pushed myself off the throne and strutted out, Kitsune still slung around my shoulders, guards clambering behind me.

I could already sense Scarlette shaking her head at me. No big deal.

Because that is how you exit a room.