Maxwell sighed softly as he relaxed on the medical bed, looking at his arm and shaking his head. It was a bittersweet feeling to him, he finally best Drazernon and saved his kingdom, but he had slight regret for what he did to help finish him. He gently stood out of bed and winced was his arm slightly moved, being held in place by a sling and slightly stinging since they had to shove it back into place. Saria walked in and smiled as she saw her brother getting up. “I was just coming to check on you. They did a good job on the sling.” She said softly and smiled as she examined her brother, both relieved that the world was safe for the time being. Maxwell nodded as he gently moved it just to keep it from seizing up and sighing again as he looked at her. “What about you and Inferno? You got hit really hard on the neck by his armored wing and I’m surprised you even lived through it.” He said, a concern in his voice as he looked at his sister and noticed it was bruised but she seemed okay.
“After everything life has thrown at us, a pathetic cheap shot like that won’t stop me. He tried really hard to knock me down, but it takes more than a simple attack to get me down. It hurts a little but I’m not going to let it take me down.” She smiled and showed no matter what happened, nothing would kill her mood or feeling. “As for Inferno, he’s fine. The doctors are checking him still to make sure that ritual didn’t screw up his ability to function. He killed Drazernon without much effort but we don’t know any lasting effects. They also said they could work to help recover his eye to, so Inferno should be okay.” She smiled happily as maxwell followed her out and walked down the hall. They enter another room and see Inferno sitting on the bed and watching the doctor as he did his tests, the young prince not fighting it at all, seemingly way too tired to do such. He just let the doctor work as he glanced at Maxwell and Saria, waving softly at the two. Maxwell walked over and smiled as he lightly sat beside him and watched his little brother. “Hey there kiddo. You doing okay?” He asked the boy, glad he was still standing even after everything he went through.
“Yeah… I’m decent.” He told maxwell, his eyes shifting away a bit as he still felt pain from what happened. “He cared about me… and could never show it. Was it my fault he did it?” He asked, looking at the ground as Saria sat on the other end and wrapped her arms around him in a motherly fashion and shook her head. “No dear, it’s not your fault. I know you guys don’t remember much, but I remember a time he said he loved all of us. I never would’ve imagined that the change was caused by a deal with a demon though.” Saria said as she hugged the boy tightly and didn’t let him go, letting Inferno rest against her for comfort as the doctor finished his tests. “Well, young lord Inferno is healthy and doesn’t show any signs that the ritual has affected him at all. I’d say you guys were quick enough to prevent an issue from truly happening. The world owes you, and rightfully so, if it wasn’t for you guys, the world would be gone.” The doctor said and was grateful, he was scared and knowing that the royals stood their grounds to the bitter end helped him calm down, he sighed gently though. “You four are crazy though. Even though you two, master Ornstein and Lynx are all capable, going alone against a demon lord was not what I was expecting. That’s going to be a moment history remembers forever.”
“Some would wish to forget, but we can’t forget something. We need to remember this for the rest of our days so we never have to repeat it.” Maxwell said and nodded as he stood. He bid them farewell and headed out of the medical wing, entering the main hall and looking around, it was so peaceful. Draco was leaning against a pillar talking to Bael, both looking at Maxwell with a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness, we started wondering when you’d come back out. You spent a few days in there and we grew worried it was more than a shattered shoulder.” Draco said and walked over a bit and smiled softly, Bael following. “I can’t believe it’s over.” Draco continued as he watched Maxwell while they walked through the hall and made their way to the throne room, Bael nodding with a sigh. “I wouldn’t say it’s over. Drazernon is dead but there’s still the matter of Draga’s suspicion, he said Alucard might not have died, and there’s no telling if Silcia or Wesker will try and finish what Drazernon started. I hope we truly brought an end to his demonic control but we won’t know for a while.” Bael said as he watched the prince.
“If it does, we’ll just put an end to it. If we can beat Drazernon, we can beat anyone that comes after him. I’ll make sure my siblings truly change their ways though. That fight showed me that people can change on a whim, and I trust my siblings enough to change, even if it’s not immediately.” Maxwell smiled as he walked, some thoughts crossing his mind as he did, Draco looking around. “Speaking of changes your majesty, if possible could you meet me in the courtyard in a little?” Draco asked him, Bael chuckling as he watched them. Maxwell smiled and nodded before Draco bowed and left, leaving Bael with maxwell. Maxwell looked at the human and sighed gently. “What about you? What do you plan to do now, since everything was ripped from you I can’t imagine it’ll be easy.” He asked the man, feeling sorry for him having to lose so much just for the sake of victory.
Bael sighed adjusted his shaded glasses as he looked at the ceiling before smiling softly. “They’d want me to continue fighting the good fight, if I just stopped here, they’d never forgive me. I’ve already spoken with your mother about it, and I’m going to be a permanent member of the royal guard, and if need be, I’ll be a retainer of a Royal of choice, so if any of you have a child who needs a guard, I’ll be taking that role. That’s how I’ll repay your guys for killing the man who ruined my life, I owe you everything.” He said, Maxwell smiling seeing Bael able to have a happier attitude despite all the stuff he went through, nodding gently as he did. “That’s great news, I’m glad to hear you’ll permanently be a member of the guard, because we could use someone as strong and deadly as you.” He said as Bael chuckled and nodded, before bowing to the prince and leaving as well. Maxwell sighed softly and walked towards the throne room once again, seeing Marz, Lynx and Mar there as well. Maxwell looked at his family and nodded before opened the throne room and seeing their parents there smiling, Verius standing besides Nomad to greet Lynx, who immediately ran over and hugged the tall golden furred panther. “Dad, I’m so happy you’re here… I was scared I’d never be able to see you again if we failed.” Lynx said, tightly holding on as the older panther smiled and held his son. “I’m so proud of you Lynx, you showed great skill for such a young boy, and fight to the end to save our world. I’m such a proud father.” He held him tightly.
Nomad walked over and tightly hugged Marz and Maxwell, this being the first time since the battle ended that she was able to stand there and embrace them, both the fox and the wolf hugging her back, both tearing up as she held them. “I knew you’d succeed, you boys are just like your father, strong and won’t give up. I’m so proud of you two.” She said, as the boys hugged her, crying softly, happy that they were able to be with her again after the painful battle. Drax nodded as he rubbed Mar on the back and smiled. “You did good to. You may have just recently joined our family, but you’ve made us proud son. Be happy of what you accomplished.” He said, the jackal smiling at the gruff and powerful dragon king, nodding as he hugged him suddenly, Drax smiling in surprise and hugging him back. “Thanks Dad… it means a lot.”
Once they were all calm and Maxwell was able to stand before his parents, he took a deep breath and nodding. “Mother, Father… now that this fight is over, I’ve wanted to tell you guys something that me and Marz discussed before we made our way here almost a month ago. Me and him were talking about being the next king, and who should take the role. After witnessing everything and having many oddities happen leading up to this, we wanted to share that I don’t think I’m fit to rule, and Marz has decided he doesn’t want to, he wants to stay as a soldier so he can help those in need without holding such an important title. Before you freak out though, I’ve done some thinking, and seeing as he doesn’t share an influence like my other siblings do, I think, with time and practice, Inferno should take the position of king. He may be young and inexperienced, but I think we can all guide him to be a good king. He shares a lot of the good traits my father possessed, just by looking I can tell he’d be a wonderful king with the right guidance.” Maxwell told them, in a respectful and very dignified manner, both his parents surprised by their choice, Marz showing he agreed with his brothers idea.
“If you truly think that’s a good idea, I think I can say I trust your judgement. But if you really think he’ll be suitable, it falls on you to make sure he is. If he doesn’t, you’ll need to find a solution. But if you can guide him down the right path as king, than I have no complaint.” Drax said firmly but smiled, his wife agreeing as they watch their sons, Maxwell nodding softly before bowing gently. “Than I won’t argue, if you both think you’re not suited, or just don’t want it, than Inferno can hold the crown prince title. You boys should go rest now.” He said, rubbing his sons heads and sending them off, lynx watching and smiling at their choice, it was noble of them truly.
Maxwell walked out and looked around, seeing everything has settled for the time being and nodded as he headed to the courtyard as he had promised Draco. When he arrived, he saw Draco leaning his right shoulder against the tree watching the sunset as the sun fell behind a mountain, the day slowly coming to a close as he did. Looking at the kingdom of darkness, that name was no longer fitting, it looked happier, if even slightly. Maxwell walked over and smiled at Draco, who turned and smiled softly as he looked at him. “Glad you came by… this is kind of embarrassing for me honestly, considering we just finished a battle and you’re just recovering, but I’ve… been having some thoughts lately, about us.” He said, awkwardly shuffling something behind his back as Maxwell blushed slightly, he didn’t know why though. “I know it’s random to hear a common knight such as myself say such a thing, but I’ve felt this way ever since we started working together to fight Drazernon, and… I think this feeling of mine is, if I’m not crazy, along the lines of love.” He said pulling out a small box from behind his back, Maxwell gasping and covering his mouth with his free hand, his face lighting up.
“Draco…” He said, shocked, and happy, many emotions working their way into his heart as he watched in shock with a wide goofy smile, almost as if he thought he was dreaming. Draco silently got down on a knee, right under the tree, a few petals falling as the season was in the process of changing, it was all to perfect. “Prince Maxwell, would you do me the honors of… being my husband, and fighting by my side for the rest of our lives.” He asked gently, a smile on his face, a genuine smile, which was rare for him. This wasn’t fake, this wasn’t a dream, this was the first time in a long time Draco had truly felt an emotion, the emotion of love, and he loved maxwell. He couldn’t explain it, he just did.
Maxwell took a moment to process it, his smile never waning as he hugged Draco tightly, and smiled happily as Draco hugged him back, both their grips tight on one another. “Draco… of course I’d marry you. Of course!” He said happily and hugged him tightly. After a moment both of them pulled apart slightly and looked at one another, both were very red in the face and grinning, albeit a bit shy. Maxwell close his eyes and gently pulled Draco into a kiss, gently holding the dragon by the back of his head and around his back, Draco holding him tightly as they kissed, Draco was relieved that Maxwell said yes, as they soon pulled away from the kiss, Draco sliding the ring onto the prince’s finger. “You’ve made me the happiest dragon alive tonight Maxwell, thank you.” Draco said happily, and nodded with a couple tears in his eyes, it was genuine emotion.
“You’ve made me very happy to Draco. This feels like the start of a wonderful journey, a story we can live… together.” He said and hugged him again, both embracing happily as they stood in the moonlight beneath the tree, leaves falling around them as the wind blew gently. The timing was perfect, and neither could be any happier than they were right now.
![The special couple [chapter 4]](https://va.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2434/2434301_YusukeNakamura_e6cdada3-d33e-4978-b801-11a09d86200b_noncustom.jpg "The special couple [chapter 4]")
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