Reborn as a Dark Lord (A cozy-adjacent isekai)

Seraphina and I made our way toward the portal, stopping briefly to say our goodbyes. Lady Churl waved us off with her typical gruffness, already eyeing another plate of mushrooms. Urzan and his orcs had resumed their boisterous drinking contest. Triolux was engaged in deep conversation with several ferrokin elders. He waved at us and promised to visit tomorrow.

As we stepped through the portal back into The Shadow's Respite's yard, the cool night air of Everspring greeted us. The sounds of the underground celebration faded, replaced by the chirping of crickets and the distant hoot of an owl.

"That was quite the evening," Seraphina said.

"It was, but if I had eaten one more bite, I'm afraid I would have exploded," I agreed. "Though I could have done without the king making me stand up in front of everyone."

She laughed and pulled me closer. "You handled it well, Lord Commander."

I groaned.

Seraphina laughed and said, "A walk will do us good. Maybe our dinner will settle."

"Dinner? That was three meals in one. I thought I made big feasts."

"It's not the size of the feast." Seraphina patted my shoulder.

We walked through the quiet streets of Everspring, past darkened shops and homes where families slept peacefully. The moon cast silver shadows across the cobblestones. Soon we reached the edge of town where the lavender fields began.

The purple blooms stretched out before us. Their sweet scent carried on the gentle breeze. We followed the well-worn path between the rows, our footsteps soft on the packed earth.

"I like Penelope," Seraphina said.

I lowered my voice. "I do, as well. When I knew her before, she was a little bit odd; she wanted me to do a seance."

"Wow."

"Right? I sometimes look back on my old life and miss it. Not much. I miss a few friends and family. Some conveniences. I don't miss the constant racing around."

"Shh. We're not supposed to talk about this out in the open."

"I know. But I wanted to make a point. Life got pretty confusing when I, um, reached Everspring. There were so many new things to learn and customs to get used to. All of that was a shock, you know?"

"I do. I went through a similar experience."

"Someone I know was a big help in learning how to cope."

"I'm sure Lady Churl and others were a big help."

I stopped walking and took both her hands in mine. The lavender scent hung thick in the air around us. My heart hammered against my ribs as I looked at her face, now illuminated by moonlight. Butterflies danced around my stomach. My hand trembled in hers.

"I meant you," I said. "Seraphina, you helped me in ways no one else could have. I feel like my life truly started again when I met you."

Her head tilted slightly and she squeezed my hands.

"When I first arrived here, I was lost. I had no idea who I was supposed to be." The words came more easily now. "Not the tavern owner everyone expected. Not the person trying to fit into this world. Just... lost."

A gentle breeze stirred the lavender stalks around us. Seraphina's suddenly moist violet gaze never left mine. "Okay."

"You helped me find myself, not the other dark guy, not Vincent, but Varix." I swallowed hard. "The person I was meant to become. The person who could build something good here. I never knew I would be so fulfilled as a simple tavern owner. But that fulfillment is because of you."

"I remember the evening we stood in the back of your shop. You were fascinated with this." I touched the Heart of Shadows under my tunic. "You somehow ended up in my arms. It was the first time I kissed you. The first time we kissed. It was magical to me. I will never forget that moment for as long as I live."

"Varix, this is all very sweet, but what are you getting at? Because I have also felt those things with you."

My throat constricted as I loudly swallowed. "Listen. I love you more than I ever thought possible." My voice cracked a little bit. "Every morning when I wake up, every night when I close the tavern, every moment in between, you're what makes it all worthwhile."

My thumbs brushed across her knuckles as I held her hands tighter.

"I can't imagine living my life without you in it," I said.

"Wait a minute… Are you…?" She trailed off.

I reached into my back pocket, fished out the velvet bag, and shook the ring into one shaky palm.

"I don't know if this is how they do it here." I lowered myself to one knee and presented the ring.

She stared at it, and I couldn't read her face. Maybe this had been a mistake. Perhaps it was too soon. Maybe she didn't want to be stuck with a man who hid a horrifying body beneath their magically altered exterior.

"I…" She started and fell off. Tears filled her eyes. Seraphina touched the ring, and her lips parted. "Extraordinary. I saw a ring just like this–"

"In Crownforge. I went back and bought it for you."

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Seraphina took the ring and examined it. She held it up to the light and smiled. "It's so beautiful. And this is so thoughtful."

"Seraphina Brightstar, the love of my life, will you marry me?"

A tear traced its way down her cheek. "I.. uh. Oh, get up, Varix."

At least she hadn't said no, and hadn't thrown the ring in my face. I stood up and brushed off my pants.

Seraphina reached out with her free hand and took hold of mine. "Many surprising things have happened since I arrived here five years ago. You're the most unexpected of them all. The best of them. Yes, Varis. I will marry you. Happily."

My heart tried to rip itself out of my chest, but it settled for dropping into my stomach and sent a fresh wave of butterflies dancing around. "I love you, Seraphina."

"I love you, too, Varix." She folded herself into my embrace. Seraphina looked up and said softly. "But..."

"But?"

"I have one condition. No, two conditions."

"Really?" I sighed in relief. "If it's within my ability, I'll give you anything you desire."

She pointed her finger at me and touched my chest. "One, I am not living in a tavern. Two, I want to live in an actual house."

I pulled Seraphina even tighter against my chest and kissed her. Then I kissed her again. She pulled back and narrowed her eyes at me. "What's wrong with living in a tavern? I've been doing it since I got here." I chuckled.

"I've been living in a shop since I got here. It doesn't mean I love it."

I nodded. "Like I said. Anything you want."

"Thank you, Varix. Will you?" She held the ring. I took it and her left hand. The ring slipped onto her finger. I was pleased that I'd gotten the size mostly right. It was a little loose, but there was a jewelry crafter in town who would fix it.

"I love it. This is a beautiful ring, Varix. I can't believe you picked up on my admiration when I first laid eyes on it."

"Couldn't help it. Your face lit up."

She grinned up at me. "Thank you."

We held each other, Seraphina's head on my chest, and mine against her hair. She smelled of vanilla and lavender. We slowly rocked back and forth, as if to music. I could have spent the entire night just like that.

We eventually wandered back to town, hands intertwined, and speaking of small things. The ferrokin festival was one of the topics, but so were her ideas for our house. I quickly caught on that no such house existed here, and we would need to have one built. I was okay with that, even if it cost me a King's Coin.

As we approached the streets of Everspring, Old Man Guslan stumbled down the road, stopped, looked around, staggered one way and then the other.

"You okay?" I called to him as we approached.

"I think I got turned around," Old Man Guslan said and hiccuped.

"Let's help him find his house," Seraphina suggested.

"Does that sound good to you, Guslan?" I asked him.

"Sure. I'll accept the company. Did you see all that beer at the ferrokin festival?" He hiccuped again.

"I did. Hey, want to hear some news before anyone else?" I asked him.

"Sure. I'd like to hear whatever you have to say." Old Man Guslan stumbled again and careened toward a fence, but I caught and righted him before he struck it.

"Thanks, Varix. You're always so kind." He looked at Seraphina. "You, too."

"Thank you," Seraphina said. "Varix and I just got engaged. We're going to get married."

I nodded.

"Oh, yeah? I thought you two were already married."

"Really?" I asked him.

"Sure. Sure. You're always together. Anyway. Congratulations to you both. Oh. I think I see my house from here."

We turned the corner onto Guslan's street. His small cottage sat nestled between two larger homes, its garden gate hanging slightly askew. He'd painted the shutters bright yellow last spring, claiming it helped him find his way home after particularly festive evenings.

"There we are," Seraphina said. "The yellow beacon calls you home."

Guslan squinted. "Ah, yes. My fortress. Did you know I once hid a case of pickles in my cellar? I forgot about them for years. When I opened a jar, they were the most delicious pickles I ever tasted in my life."

"Fascinating," I said, meeting Seraphina's eye. She sputtered laughter behind one hand.

I helped him with the gate while Seraphina held his other arm. We navigated the short path to his door, avoiding the collection of empty plant pots he'd been meaning to fill for the past three years.

"Keys," Guslan muttered, patting his pants. "Always disappearing. Like socks. Or my dignity."

"Check your left breast pocket," Seraphina suggested. "Something in there is clinking together."

He did and produced the keys with a flourish. "Clever girl. You'd make an excellent princess."

After several attempts, he managed to unlock his door. The interior smelled of pipe tobacco and old books. A cat materialized from the shadows, winding around Guslan's legs.

"Close the door behind us," Seraphina said.

"Right. Will do. Will do."

"Think he'll remember our engagement tomorrow?" Seraphina asked as we walked back toward the main street.

"Fifty-fifty odds. Though his cat might remind him."

She laughed. We'd reached the corner where we'd typically parted ways. Her shop to the left, The Shadow's Respite off to the right.

I pulled her close, my hands settling on her waist. "Thank you for saying yes. I promise to make you happy."

"I promise to make you happy, though I'm not sure my father is going to understand."

"About that. I kind of asked his permission back in Crownforge. He gave it."

"My father was agreeable? I knew he liked you well enough, but this is a surprise."

I lowered my voice and whispered in her ear, "He believes my particular condition may greatly extend my life."

"Now that is wonderful news!" She tilted her face up toward mine.

The kiss started gently, just a brush of lips under the starlight. Then her arms wound around my neck, and I forgot about everything except the warmth of her mouth, and the soft sigh she made when I traced my thumb along her jaw.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing a bit harder.

"Would you like to stay over?" I asked, then immediately felt foolish. "I mean, I know the tavern isn't ideal, but—"

"Why don't you stay at mine instead?" She traced a finger down my chest. "I have an actual bed that isn't above a kitchen that smells like yesterday's stew."

"You make a compelling argument."

"I also have better coffee."

"That's debatable."

She took my hand and led me toward her shop. We walked through the familiar streets, past shops I'd come to know like old friends. The bakery where I bought fresh rolls each morning. The smithy where Ragna and Doan worked.

Months ago, I'd stumbled into this world wearing another man's face, and carrying another man's crimes. I'd been terrified, confused, and sure that each day would be my last.

Now, walking beside Seraphina, those fears felt like memories from someone else's life. The tavern, my friends, and the daily rhythms of Everspring. Though I always had things to occupy my time, sometimes to a fault, I loved this life I had made, and I would love the life Seraphina and I would make together.

I squeezed Seraphina's hand, and she squeezed back.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked.

"Just... how different everything is from what I'd expected."

"Better or worse?"

"Better. Infinitely better."