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

I looked around, but no one else seemed to have noticed that the new arrivals were royalty.

"Please." King Alister held up a hand. "No formalities. Not tonight. We're simply three travelers who heard about a remarkable feast."

"But how did you…? I thought you were on your honeymoon."

"We just arrived back. Triolux sent word through the portal in Crownforge," Princess Elowen said. She reached for a platter of roasted vegetables. "We couldn't resist the opportunity to see this legendary underground city."

"And to enjoy a meal without the weight of ceremony," King Alister added. He selected a piece of bread and tore it in half. "Just for a few moments."

They attacked the food with enthusiasm. King Alister bit into a piece of spiced meat and closed his eyes in appreciation. Princess Elowen sampled the ferrokin's recreation of human dishes with obvious delight. Even Kara, usually so controlled and watchful, allowed herself to visibly relax as she ate.

"Penelope," King Alister said between bites, "you look well. The change suits you."

Penelope shifted in her seat. "Thanks, Your Majesty. Freedom agrees with me."

"I imagine it does." He turned to Seraphina. "Princess Elowen has expressed interest in your work with enchanted gems."

"Oh?"

"I have some ability with magic," Princess Elowen said. "I'd love to learn more. It is such a unique skill."

"I'd be honored to teach you," Seraphina replied. "Anytime you wish to visit Everspring, you're welcome at my shop."

The two women fell into an animated discussion about various gems and the properties that could be inscribed on them. Princess Elowen pulled a small notebook from her robes and sketched a few small diagrams as Seraphina explained her techniques.

I leaned closer to the king. "King Alister. About this Lord Commander business—"

"Ah, yes." He set down his fork. "You're going to tell me it won't work."

"It won't… how did you know? Nevermind. It doesn't matter. I run two taverns now. I don't know anything about village councils, or military hierarchies, or trade, or a hundred other things. I don't think I'm cut out for the job-"

"Which is precisely why you'll excel at it." King Alister interrupted me as he selected another piece of meat. "Those who seek power rarely use it wisely. Those who avoid it often wield it best."

"But I don't even know what the position entails."

"Very little in peacetime. Attend a few meetings. Make your voice heard when it matters. Delegate the rest."

"Everspring doesn't need—"

"Everspring has grown beyond a village," King Alister corrected. "The census confirms it. The town will be officially recognized shortly."

I opened my mouth to argue further, but he leaned in and lowered his voice. "The beauty of power, Varix, is that you can shape how others treat you. Set your own terms. Demand simplicity. People will listen because they must."

"That seems—"

"Practical? Yes. You've already proven you can unite different people. Orcs, humans, goblins, and now ferrokin. That's the leadership Everspring needs."

I blew out a long breath. The king had made up his mind. I knew that look. Arguing further would accomplish nothing.

"Fine," I said. "But I'm setting very specific boundaries about how much of my time this can take."

"As is your right." King Alister grinned. "And I wouldn't expect anything less. Now. Let us have a toast–"

The king nearly dropped his glass as an enormous roar echoed all around us. It sounded like a beast as tall as the crystalline roof was about to attack us. It roared around us again, closer this time. Also, this time, I recognized the sound.

I smiled at the king and said, "That would be—"

My words were cut off as Frostfire soared overhead. A burst of snow erupted around her as she flew in a tight circle, massive wings beating at the air, sending the snow out in a large circle. She swooped down toward the ground, but before her claws touched, she transformed into her human form. She wore a simple tan shift and little else.

Behind her, under the cover of a dozen children who had been pelting him with questions, Kieran turned on his heel and hustled toward the portal. He kept his head low and used the ferrokin tables to duck behind for cover. Frostfire's eyes darted around the massive festival before she proclaimed, "I am hungry!" Kieran made his escape through the portal.

We chatted, ate, and drank more. The wine was lovely, as was the ale they had brought from the capital. Dwarven, if I wasn't mistaken. As the festivities wore to a close, the king leaned forward and let us know he needed to leave soon. Alister dropped his hood and shrugged out of the traveling cloak. The princess did the same. They strode toward the center of the festive area where Frostfire had made her appearance, and the orcs had performed the Vraruk-Chor.

Conversation around us sputtered to a sharp close. All eyes followed the pair.

The ferrokin quickly cleared a table and shoved it toward the king.

"Hey, it's the king!" one observant man yelled from the back.

More shocked gasps rose around us.

Alister stepped up, with Kara holding her hand out so he could steady himself as he climbed up. Princess Elowen took to the bench and stood a foot lower than him.

"Hello." The king greeted the assembled mass of people and ferrokin. Voices increased in wonder as they whispered the king's name and speculated that the woman could be none other than Princess Elowen.

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"Pale king here!" Urzan bellowed. "Hello from orc, king!"

King Alister chuckled and waved at the table of orcs.

The villagers rose to their feet and started to drop to their knees, but the king waved them off. "No, no. Please. Stay seated. I promise not to take up much of your time."

"Good to see you, King Alister!" a voice boomed from the back.

King Alister squinted.

Baron Swiftwood rose from a table. Next to him, his wife Melisant sat, bearing a smile and looking remarkably well. The color had returned to her face, and she no longer looked as emaciated.

"Ah. Baron Swiftwood. I trust we are meeting under better circumstances?" I winced, remembering how King Alister had called him out the last time he had been in Everspring.

"Yes. Much better, Your Majesty. My love has returned to health. What more can a man ask for?"

Several people clapped.

"Most excellent news, and I'm glad you're here, baron. Is Roland Hightown about?"

"Here, your majesty," Roland called from a table near ours.

"Excellent. Then I won't have to repeat myself. Now, Baron Swiftwood, Roland, and Lord Commander." He pointed directly at me.

"Shit."

"Stand up." Seraphina poked me.

I stood.

"Friends, meet Lord Commander Varix Vel'naris. I have raised him to this title due to his service to this town, the races he has brought together, and his work with the ferrokin and their beautiful city."

Cheers greeted the announcement, and my face flushed hot and red.

"Let us not forget, without the help of Varix, the dark sorceress Thalindra would still be roaming the lands."

"''Ee 'ad help!" Lady Churl yelled.

I couldn't help but laugh along with others.

"You are correct, Lady Churl. If not for her, Thalindra may well have escaped. You are a shining example of the good that resides in us all."

Lady Churl flicked her hand dismissively, but the corners of her mouth twitched upward at the king's recognition.

"Did you say town?" A young voice rose from the back.

King Alister pointed in the voice's direction. "That is correct, sir, erm-"

"Oh, um. I'm Milo."

Milo stood beside Jesarra. Her hand cracked against his shoulder. He rammed his body sideways into hers, sending her stumbling off balance. Siblings.

"Milo has the right of it. From this moment forward, the crown will recognize Everspring as an official town. This designation means that larger trade routes will expand to include your roads, allowing for more merchants to pass through. I have also signed a decree stating that the roads, bridges, and ports along this route will be repaired or upgraded as needed. While this effort will take place across the entire realm, Everspring and a few other locations will be prioritized on the list."

Cheers met the king's words.

"One other matter of note," the king continued. "Our relationship with the fine ferrokin will deepen. I have given my permission for them to create a place for themselves a few miles from Everspring."

King Alister leaned over and said something to the princess. She looked up at him. He offered his hand, and she joined him on top of the table.

"Friends. I am pleased to introduce you all to my wife, Princess Elowen Dawnwatcher of the Radiant Territories."

"Human ugly! But! Pale King make good choice!" Urzan yelled. The other orcs at the table nodded. Moktar's eyes widened as he appeared to be momentarily captivated by her presence.

The princess shot the king a scandalized look, but couldn't help but laugh behind her hand. After the cheers died down, she spoke in a loud and clear voice.

"People of Everspring, ferrokin of the underground city, I bring greetings from the Radiant Territories. My homeland has long prided itself on tolerance and learning; yet, what I see here surpasses even our greatest achievements. The king speaks of trade routes and official recognition, but I see something more valuable. A living example of cooperation. I look forward to returning, not as royalty making an official visit, but as a friend eager to learn from you all. Also, we were fortunate enough to witness the orcs' performance from behind one of the buildings. Perhaps next time someone can teach me this dance? It looked astonishingly fun!"

"Moktar teach Vraruk-Chor!" Moktar stood up and yelled.

Urzan smacked his friend and said something in Orcish. The other orcs roared with laughter.

"I look forward to it!" Princess Elowen shouted back.

Behind us, a plate clattered to the ground. All eyes turned to find Frostfire, in her human form, piling a platter with food.

"Sorry," Frostfire said before she shoved a pastry in her mouth.

"Thank you all for your devotion to Everspring and the surrounding area. And thank you, friend orcs, for taking a chance on residing in our fair lands. May our friendship with your tribes stand the test of time."

"Is no problem!" Urzan yelled back. "Tell Varix stay home! Stop going places! Make big heat! Orc miss bit heat!"

My hand involuntarily rose to shield my face and I looked away as the festival erupted in laughter.

When I looked back up, the king met my eye and winked. He stepped down from the table with Princess Elowen's hand in his. The crowd parted as they made their way through the festival area. Ferrokin children rushed forward to touch the king's cloak, and he patted their metallic heads with genuine affection.

Baron Swiftwood approached him with his wife, Melisant, on his arm. She looked much healthier than she had a few weeks ago, and color had returned to her cheeks. The baron bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty, I cannot thank you enough for—"

"No need, baron," King Alister cut him off gently. "We all make mistakes. What matters is that we learn from them."

"Indeed, Your Majesty. Thank you again."

The procession continued toward the portal. Princess Elowen stopped to speak with several ferrokin artisans who showed her their metalwork. She examined each piece with genuine interest, asking questions about their techniques.

Moktar had moved to stand near the portal entrance.

"Moktar glad princess come! Next time, Moktar show Vraruk-Chor proper!"

Princess Elowen smiled. "I shall hold you to that promise."

She beckoned him closer. Moktar leaned in. The princess lightly pressed her lips against his cheek. Despite her smile, her nose wrinkled and her eyes tightened at the corners as she fought to maintain her composure. Orcs weren't exactly the finest-smelling creatures around.

King Alister's eyebrows lifted in mock scandalized surprise.

Moktar straightened and touched his cheek where she had kissed him. His deep green cheeks were somehow flushed red.

The other orcs threw cheers and jeers at him. Urzan said something in Orcish that made the others laugh, but also almost led to a fistfight between him and Moktar.

The king turned back to address everyone one final time. "Remember this night. Not because royalty graced your celebration, but because Everspring is a shining example of what the entire kingdom can become."

Lady Churl's voice rang out from somewhere in the crowd. "Reckon the king talks too much! Get on with ya before the food gets cold! Er. Your Majesty."

King Alister only looked slightly appalled as laughter erupted throughout the festival area. King Alister chuckled and shook his head. "And on that note, we take our leave. Farewell, Lady Churl."

"Yeah. 'Til next time," she said, then broke into a low, chortling laugh.

Kara emerged from the shadows near the portal, moving with her usual fluid grace. She nodded to the ferrokin guards who had quietly taken positions around the area. The king and princess stepped through the shimmering gateway, followed by their shadow walker protector.

The festive atmosphere resumed immediately. Musicians struck up another tune, and the dancing began anew. I turned to Seraphina. "Would you like to go for a walk through the lavender fields?"

She slipped her hand into mine. "I'd love to."