Chapter 439: Christmas Special: Nyala’s Birthday [I] [Note: Like I did for my other novel, This Christmas special takes place in an alternate world... basically an OVA stuffed with holiday chaos. Whether you bring Castles, Spacecrafts, or Gacha blessings as your Christmas offering, I’m not picky. It’s Nyala’s birthday after all. Have a very merry Christmas. Hohoho~ Better late than ever right?] "I can’t believe it..." Flare heard her maids whisper behind her, their fingers gently threading through her crimson hair as they styled it with more care than she had ever received. Usually, as the lesser daughter of the Everbright clan... the one who didn’t shine as brightly as her brilliant sisters, Flare was used to being dressed plainly, neatly, decently, but never beautifully. Never like this. But today was different. Today, the son of the Sword Saint... Azel Thorne had personally invited her to his home for Christmas. Her mother had nearly fainted, then immediately barked ten orders at ten different maids to ensure Flare looked flawless down to the cuticle. Flare glanced toward the small gift box on the dresser, wrapped with trembling hands earlier that morning. ’Everyone’s going to be there...’ Her heart squeezed. She bit her lip lightly as a nervous heat worked its way up her neck. Would her humble gift be enough? Azel said to bring "what you think is the perfect gift," but when standing beside the likes of his lovers, his daughters, his powerful allies... how could her little package compare? Still... she would bring it. And she would bring her best self. ’I can’t wait to go there... even if it scares me. I am his lover after all’ ... Azel stretched his arms up, muscles rippling beneath his shirt, and Edna hugged him from behind with a warm little hum... her soft cheek pressing against his back as if she had been waiting hours just to do it. Gwendolyn floated lazily overhead like a smug ghost cat. "What’s this Christmas something again?" she asked, circling Azel while glaring at Edna. "And ugh... can you two stop groping each other in front of me? It’s giving me the creeps. Especially the way she is touching you pervertedly." Edna turned her head toward the ghost and stuck her tongue out. "Says the perverted ghost herself. If you’re jealous, go find your own man." Gwendolyn twitched. She honestly preferred the days when Azel was the only one who could see her. Back when her shameless tendencies were their little secret, and it only looked like Azel was making deeply questionable movements with empty air. But alas... Azel just had to enchant the entire house so everyone could see and hear her now. She didn’t hate it... but adjusting was difficult. "He’s mine as well," Gwendolyn muttered defensively as she floated closer, her pale cheeks tinting red. "My little sweet boy who’s in love with my ghost milkers." And then without shame she lifted her ethereal dress. Her bare breasts spilled out, enormous, pillowy, and bouncing despite having no physical mass. Edna froze, then immediately cupped Azel’s eyes with both hands. "PUT YOUR DAMN CLOTHES ON, GHOST WHORE!" Gwendolyn rolled her eyes, letting her gown fall back into place as she floated upward again. ’Some people were simply born blessed...’ Edna thought sourly as she glanced at her own chest. "We’re having visitors today," Edna muttered, brushing past Azel while fixing her hair. "It’s Christmas, after all... and it coincidentally falls on Isolde’s birthday too." "How’s our birthday girl?" Azel asked as Edna finally released his eyes. "She’s with Anya," Edna answered. "Getting dressed. Honestly, we have too many kids at home now. And Medusa having twins didn’t help." "I’ll be there soon." Azel turned toward the mirror and a faint stubble of a beard had begun to appear along his jaw. "Heh... I’m really getting older." [I think the beard looks very nice on you, hubby.] Nyala spoke shyly. He smiled. ’Thank you, cutie. And happy birthday. We’ll celebrate properly with everyone.’ [I can’t wait! I saw the gifts you, Kyone, and Elarielle prepared... thank you so much!] ’You don’t need to thank me.’ He smirked. ’You deserve everything for being such a sweetheart.’ Her voice melted into flustered silence. Gwendolyn hovered by the ceiling with her arms crossed. "You know I can hear all of that, right?" Edna blinked. "Who... are you talking to?" "That’s a secret." Azel winked and headed toward the door. "Come on, girls... Christmas won’t celebrate itself." ... The living room was chaos in the most heartwarming way. Decorations were scattered across the table, ornaments half-hung on the glowing Light Tree, and children’s laughter filled the entire space. Azel stepped in with hands on his waist as he surveyed the scene. Lillia sat on the floor with a tower of building blocks beside her, proudly showing something off to the twin toddlers beside her. The twins... despite being only a few months old, could walk with incredible stability, could talk in surprisingly full sentences, and had inherited an alarming amount of magical talent. They were almost her height too. The moment they saw Azel enter... "Papa!" Two purple-haired missiles launched at him. The boy reached him first, leaping into Azel’s arms with shining crimson eyes... Raphael Winters, his first son. Immediately after him came the girl... Lysandra Winters, she was delicate but spirited. He caught both easily. "Papa! You look so handsome today!" "Papa, do I look cute today?!" Azel laughed and ruffled each fluffy head. "Thank you, Raph. And Lysa... of course you look cute." Both children turned cherry red. Then they clapped their hands above their heads. "Merry Christmas, papa!" Before Azel could answer, Lillia suddenly teleported, literally onto his shoulders. "Merry Christmas, Father." She stuck her nose up. "You don’t need to worry about my siblings. I’ll make sure they behave today." Azel raised an eyebrow at her pout. He already knew her tricks... switching between Papa and Father depending on which one got her more attention. It used to work. Now... he simply found it cute. He kissed her forehead. "I trust you, cupcake." She melted visibly. He set all three down and then, just in time, Anya walked in carrying Isolde. Isolde’s hair was tied into little curls, a tiny gold crown sat on her head, and her pink princess dress made her look like a literal birthday fairy. Anya placed her on the floor gently. Isolde’s small legs wobbled as she walked... step, step, step toward Azel with her arms reaching up. Azel knelt with his arms open. Isolde giggled, waddling faster until she crashed into his embrace. He lifted her easily and she pinched his cheeks with sparkling eyes. "Pa... pa..." she mumbled. Azel actually blushed. Lillia saw it, puffed her cheeks angrily, and stomped back to Anya for attention. Azel stared at the tiny princess in his arms, then at his other children, warmth flooding his chest. "Alright," he said finally, "everyone... go wear your new clothes. We’re expecting visitors." Gwendolyn floated past him with her hands on her hips. "And I better get a damn outfit too," she muttered. "I refuse to be the only bitch in this house not dressed for Christmas." "Don’t speak like that in front of the kids, Gwen." Azel said with a sigh. ... They were all gathered in the living room now... completely clean, dressed, perfumed, and waiting for the visitors to arrive. Warm lantern light glowed across every corner, bouncing softly off ribbons, wreaths, and hanging ornaments they had spent the morning arranging. The air smelled faintly of cinnamon bread Anya baked at dawn and the gentle floral incense Edna lit near the Light Tree. Edna sat on the long couch wearing a flowing cream-colored dress that wrapped beautifully around her curves. Her silver hair was pulled into a loose wavy bun as she held Isolde close to her chest. The toddler was latched onto her breast, drinking quietly, her tiny hands curled into delicate fists. Medusa was seated opposite her, wearing a stunning deep-violet gown that shimmered with scales whenever she shifted. Raphael and Lysandra... her twin children were latched onto her breasts as well, their small purple heads bobbing softly with every suckling motion. She stroked their hair absentmindedly while murmuring a song only they could hear. Veyra sat nearby, regal as ever, caressing Rene’s hair while the boy rested on her lap. He was half-asleep already, lulled by the excitement and noise of Christmas morning. Anya stood stiffly beside the door like a guard, her posture perfectly straight despite wearing a soft red holiday dress... a dress Edna picked specifically because she thought it made Anya look "adorably harmless." Even though Azel had already told her repeatedly that she didn’t need to stand there, she insisted. "Anya, come here," Azel called from the center couch. She approached him reluctantly, her hands were clasped and eyes lowered to the ground. Once she stood in front of him, he reached out, took her wrist gently, and pulled her down onto his lap in one smooth motion. "It’s Christmas," he said, his tone firm yet affectionate. "A holiday. Ho-li-day. You shouldn’t be working today. You’ll stay here until our visitors arrive." "But my princ—" "That’s an order." Her shoulders dropped. She finally relaxed and settled onto his lap, her cheeks glowing red as she leaned against him. There were plenty of couches in the room... enough for everybody he had invited and a little extra or at least he thought so. It looked like the living room of a noble estate now, despite his insistence that his home was nothing grand. Lorraine sat beside him, her dark skin gleaming under the lights as she nuzzled her cheek against his palm. Her attachment had mellowed over time, but she still sought comfort and touch like a kitten. ’At least her tendencies have come down... a little,’ Azel thought. He had invited everyone early because they were doing the gift exchange before breakfast. The girls agreed they wouldn’t force each other to bring specific gifts so the rule became simple: bring what you believe is the perfect gift. "Well?" Gwendolyn floated in slow circles overhead, wearing a flowing black dress she somehow conjured. "Are our guests showing up or not?" Just then, the doorbell rang. Azel didn’t even turn his head. "Come in." The door opened, and the first to step in was Flare Everbright. Her dress flowed like shimmering stardust, hugging her waist and flaring gently at the legs. Her hair was styled perfectly, and for a moment, the entire room fell silent at how radiant she looked. Flare’s eyes found Azel then darted away instantly as her cheeks burned. ’The last time we were together... he f-fucked me until I couldn’t breathe.’ Her thoughts spiraled, making her grip her skirt tightly. ’I loved it... b-but I can’t say that. I’d sound like a pervert.’ She bowed gracefully, sat down, and clutched her small gift box nervously. Next to arrive was Sybil Astra, who blew Azel a flirtatious kiss the moment she saw him. "Hey~ hubby~" "Hey, Sybil. Merry Christmas." He waved casually. She plopped onto another couch, blushing like a high-school girl with a crush. Anya’s entire body stiffened and she scrambled off Azel’s lap. "I-I’ll go drink water, my prince." Before Azel could coax her back, Veyra stood up, lifted Rene off her lap, and sat smoothly onto Azel’s instead. "You have gotten fatter," Azel said without hesitation. She blushed deeply, staring straight ahead. "Sorry we’re a bit late!" Charlotte and Esther entered next... two elegant, purple-haired beauties who immediately brightened the mood. They took a seat on the long couch. Then... shockingly Sylvia, the Elf Princess, walked in with Alvinus trailing behind her. Alvinus bowed so deeply his forehead nearly touched the floor. "MERRY CHRISTMAS, BOSS!" "Welcome," Azel nodded. Sylvia curtseyed gracefully. "Thank you for receiving us on this wonderful day. Merry Christmas." She and Alvinus sat beside Charlotte and Esther. Then came Rain, Emilia, and... most surprisingly the Sword Saint himself, Steven. "Ah, welcome, old man," Azel grinned. Veyra stood up so Azel could move, and he went to hug Steven tightly. "It’s been a while," Steven said, patting his back. "You’ve grown so much. And you have children now as well..." "I did tell you you’d be a grandfather soon," Azel smirked. Emilia approached, and Azel patted her head affectionately. "Merry Christmas, Emilia." Then Rain stepped forward, cheeks flushing before she suddenly kissed him on the cheek. "M-Merry Christmas..." They took seats, and the room felt alive. Yet one more knock sounded. The door opened... and the Royal Princess Naelia Starbloom entered, radiant as the morning sun. At her left was Ira Valein, and at her right, her younger sister Elizabeth. Edna stiffened when she saw her daughters. Her fingers trembled around Isolde but she quickly regained composure. Her daughters noticed and softened, smiling gently. Naelia walked straight to Azel, placed her hands around his waist, and hugged him tightly. "Meanie... It’s been so long since we saw each other." She squeezed him. "Merry Christmas." She pulled away, took a seat, and Ira followed with her own gentle hug. Elizabeth bowed shyly before sitting closest to Edna. The two sisters and one best friend gazed at Isolde in Edna’s arms. They instantly recognized her. ’So that’s my little sister...’ ’She’s... so cute.’ ’Why is she cuter than us?’ Edna adjusted Isolde... and the toddler abruptly raised her arms. "Papa!" Azel immediately lifted her from Edna and held her up. "This is Isolde... our birthday girl today," he said proudly. Isolde giggled and smacked his cheek lovingly. "But we also have one other birthday girl... and a few more guests." Everyone turned when Anya quietly closed the door. Azel’s aura shifted. Divinity flooded the room like soft golden mist and three magic circles spiraled open on the floor. And then... the Goddesses appeared. The room fell silent. ... Nyala, Kyone, and Elarielle appeared in the center of the room in a swirl of brilliance... three vast magic circles blooming beneath them like radiant flowers. Light spilled across the walls, washing over couches, decorations, and people like warm sunlight after a long winter. And immediately, everyone felt it. A pressure so overwhelming it made the heart tremble. A purity so intense it felt like inhaling divinity itself. Rain gasped softly. Sylvia’s fingers froze over her skirt. Charlotte and Esther straightened unconsciously. Even Steven, the Sword Saint himself, stiffened... not out of fear, but instinctive reverence. The goddesses’ faces were expressionless, ethereal, untouchably beautiful. Their presence alone could silence an army. But that divine severity only lasted a heartbeat. Because the moment their eyes landed on Azel... They softened. Nyala vanished from her position and reappeared directly in front of him, leaning forward with a girlish smile that could melt a nation. Her shimmering golden eyes went straight to Isolde, who was nestled in Azel’s arms with her crown tilted slightly crooked. "So, hubby... this is your daughter who shares my birthday? Hehe~" she said, voice sweet enough to make the lights flicker. Azel simply patted her head, and she practically dissolved into sparkles. Kyone didn’t speak at all... she just walked calmly to the place Azel had been sitting and sat herself down with the composed authority of a queen. Elarielle followed right after, puffing her cheeks, but still climbed onto Kyone’s lap. ’It’s her birthday... I’ll allow it,’ Elarielle thought begrudgingly. The entire room stayed frozen. Emilia finally managed to stammer. "A-Azel... who is that?" No... her soul wanted to scream WHO ARE THEY?!?! But she could only form the first step of the question. "Oh, I forgot to introduce them." Azel said casually, as if he wasn’t about to destroy everyone’s worldview. Her clothes shifted with a pulse of divine magic, turning into a gleaming gold-lined outfit. Then he raised a hand toward Nyala. "This is the Goddess of Light, Nyala... and she’s my wife." "HUHHHHHHHH?!?!?!" The sound practically shook the house. Flare nearly fell off the couch. Sybil’s mouth formed a perfect ’O.’ Elizabeth blinked rapidly like her eyes were glitching. Only one person was not shocked. Rain. She burst out laughing immediately. "I knew it! The goddess is horny as hell!" Nyala puffed her cheeks and turned her head sharply, but the movement only highlighted her beauty even more. Her dress glowed like woven dawnlight. Her skin radiated faint luminescence. Everyone of Azel’s lovers who looked at her felt the same single, crushing thought: ’How are we supposed to compete with a literal goddess?’ Nyala smiled gently and addressed them all: "I’ve been watching all of you... thank you for loving Azel, for supporting him, for being with him. You all make me very happy." Warmth filled their hearts. Even those who disliked each other felt a momentary peace. Then Nyala looped her arm around Azel’s possessively, cheeks rosy. Azel cleared his throat. "Alright, let’s begin the main event of today—" But someone screamed. "WAIT!!!" All eyes turned toward the staircase. Selene came sprinting down the stairs at full speed, holding a present so tightly her claws were trembling. Her tail wagged left and right uncontrollably as she jumped the last two steps and landed in the room with dramatic flair. "My lord! I have arrived!" Azel smiled softly. "Welcome, Selene. I almost thought you wouldn’t show up." Her tail wagged harder, and she hurried to squeeze beside Naelia on the couch, almost flattening Esther in the process. Azel clapped his hands once. "So, as I was saying... we’ll be doing the Gift Sharing Event before breakfast. I prepared gifts for everyone, and as you all saw in the letters, you were asked to bring your own gifts as well." Everyone nodded, though more than half the room secretly thought: ’When did he get gifts for all of us...?’ Still, the excitement settled like snowfall across the room. "The Gift Sharing Event officially begins." ... "We’ll go in accordance of who arrived first." Azel said while turning his head toward Flare. The entire room shifted their attention to her, and her cheeks turned a heated pink as if someone had lit a candle beneath her skin. "How about it, Flare?" She stood slowly and carefully, like any sudden motion might get her killed in front of a room full of rivals, mothers, goddesses, princesses, and one very smug ghost hovering overhead. Something materialized beside Azel with a quiet shimmer: the Throne of Merek, a comfortable sitting platform he’d taken from his inventory just for moments like these. It wasn’t magical but it gave him an imposing presence that made every girl straighten instinctively. Azel sat with Isolde in his arms while Nyala settled gracefully onto the armrest, like she owned both the chair and the man in it. Her divine aura made Flare tremble the closer she got, because standing near a goddess especially one who openly adored Azel was terrifying. Flare stopped a few steps away and summoned a single wrapped present from her storage ring. She held it forward with both hands, her eyes shifting nervously to Nyala. "I—I’m sorry I couldn’t get anything for you, my goddess..." she whispered with a stiff bow. Nyala only laughed softly, the sound like chimes in warm wind. "There’s no need. I’m satisfied with all of you giving Hubby Christmas gifts. Maybe next year... you can get something for me." Flare’s shoulders relaxed, and she smiled shyly... a very genuine smile. Azel began unwrapping the gift. Slowly, carefully. Inside was... a scarf. It was crimson and hand-knitted. It was a little uneven in stitching, a slight wobble at the edges but the effort radiated from it more than any enchantment could. "I... It might not look like much but—" She froze when Azel immediately wrapped it around his neck. The color complimented him absurdly well, even matching his eyes when the light hit them correctly. "I know you made it yourself," Azel said, fingers brushing the fabric gently. "You put all of your heart into it. I can feel it." Her breath hitched. Her face turned as red as the scarf. For her... a girl always overshadowed by her sisters, those simple words felt like the warmest embrace. Azel extended his hand outward... and a blue glow formed a present in his palm. Wrapped in crimson paper with white straps. Flare took it with both hands and hurried back to her seat, tearing it open like a nervous child. Inside was a sleek designer box and a thick book. "In the box," Azel said. She opened it and gasped. Two golden earrings rested inside... shaped like soft drops of amber infused with a gentle radiance. "Those are Amberlight Earrings," Azel explained. "I melted gold ares myself and infused them with substances I found last year." She lifted them, and the moment they shifted, both earrings shimmered pulsing with a warm glow like lantern flames. The entire room immediately grew jealous. Even Nyala’s eyebrow twitched. "And the second gift," Azel continued, nodding toward the thick book, "contains every enchantment in the world that I’ve learned or discovered. Since you prefer enchantments even after unlocking your mana... I wrote everything out for you." She flipped through... every page filled with Azel’s handwriting. There was detailed diagrams, notes, explanations, practically a lot of stuff. Her hands trembled. "Thank you for the gifts, darling..." she whispered, face burning. "Merry Christmas," Azel said softly. "Alright... Sybil, you’re up next." Sybil stood instantly. Her hair flicked behind her like a cape. Her walk was confident, proud and insufferably sexy. She summoned a very large box into her arms, noticeably larger than everyone else’s. She placed it before Azel. Nyala held Isolde while Azel tore open the top. The first thing he pulled out was... A piece of cloth. Thin. Lacy. White. Her panties. Medusa immediately slapped her hands over the twins’ eyes. Lillia used telekinesis to cover Rene’s eyes and her own at the same time. Rain covered her own face with both hands. Steven coughed violently and Nyala did the needful and covered Isolde’s eyes as well. Sybil didn’t flinch. "My wet panties," she announced proudly. "You’re welcome." Azel pocketed them with a sigh as if this was completely normal behavior. He reached back into the large box and this time pulled out a huge portrait... a full-body painting of himself. The level of detail was insane: the subtle beard stubble, the scar near his collarbone, everything was there. "I did it myself," Sybil said, flipping her hair and placing a hand on her hip. Azel stared at the painting, genuinely impressed. "Thank you." "Lillia," he said, "can you pin this on the wall?" Lillia floated through the air, grabbed the painting telekinetically, and with a few nails carefully placed it above the mantle. "Hey... it looks a lot like you, papa!" she said brightly. Sybil grinned. "I know it does." A small package floated toward her... Azel’s return gift. She caught it gracefully and returned to her seat. Slowly, she tore open the wrapper. The first item she pulled out was... A bikini. A very, very tiny one. The room inhaled sharply. Sybil’s lips curled into a filthy grin and Azel mirrored it. "That’s for when we’re together," he said casually. Sybil hugged the bikini to her chest like it was a national treasure. Next, she lifted a necklace from the package. A small crystal pendant glowed with mana. "That necklace," Azel explained, "stores a memory. Pour mana into it and you’ll see something special." She placed it around her neck. The crystal touched her chest. She poured mana in... And time slowed. Her vision blurred. Then... She could see the two of them under the moonlight, kissing softly. It was a sweet memory. But the memory shifted... to their first time having sex. Azel pushing her against the hotel wall. His hand gripped her hair and his lips were hurriedly claiming her neck as if they were afraid she would run away. Her legs trembled as he slammed his member into her repeatedly, breaking the bed in the process while she moaned his name throughout... It was the night that he destroyed her completely. She gasped and immediately shut the memory off... her face was burning red and her thighs subconsciously pressing together. "Th-thank you for the gift..." she said quietly. "I’ll cherish it forever." The room tried to pretend they didn’t notice her legs shaking. ... ’I wonder what Boss put in that memory.’ Charlotte thought as her fingers tightened around the small package resting on her lap. Her palms were sweaty, and she rubbed them against her dress discreetly. She was up next... and she wasn’t afraid... ’Okay, I am afraid.’ She swallowed. Her heart squeezed painfully. She knew her gift would be far too small for someone like him. Azel Thorne, the man who could casually hand out priceless artifacts the same way one handed out candy canes... and she, a commoner girl, was bringing cookies. But it was what she could afford, she had burned through her cash on investments and even then, who was to say whatever she had bought... he couldn’t buy more? ’Please let him like it even a little...’ "Charlotte, you up next." Azel said. Her heart dropped straight into her stomach. But she stood anyway, forcing her legs not to wobble as she stepped forward. She pulled out her own package... wrapped neatly, though the corners were slightly dented from how tightly she’d been holding it. She held it out with both hands. "It isn’t much." She said softly. Azel took it gently, as if it were something fragile. He tore the wrapper open casually, and immediately... The sweet aroma of baked sugar and caramel drifted through the room. Even Nyala inhaled sharply, her eyes widening a fraction. Homemade Christmas cookies... still carrying warmth from earlier that morning. A batch she’d slaved over for hours, terrified she’d burn them, remake them, burn them again, and remake them a third time. Azel picked one up. He took a bite. His expression softened into a warm, genuine smile. He actually liked it. Then, unexpectedly, he brought another cookie up and raised it toward Nyala. She leaned forward despite holding Isolde securely in her arms, and the goddess of light ate it right from his fingers, her lips brushing lightly before her tongue traced the remnants of crumbs. "They taste so good~ Thank you~" Nyala chimed, a warm smile blooming, and her cheeks tinted like gold/ Charlotte froze. The goddess... smiling at her? Praise from a divine being??? That wasn’t even on the list of things she believed were possible in her lifetime. She felt lightheaded. Then something else pressed into her palm. A package. Azel’s gift to her. It was small... smaller than the others she’d seen so far but she was happy, the idea that he even bothered to get her something at all nearly made her dizzy. She tore it open nervously and revealed a singular black card. It was a sleek glossy card that smelled like wealth, at least to her. She looked closer and her eyes widened. "That’s a lifetime pass to the Starbloom City Spa." Azel said simply, as if he hadn’t just casually handed her a gift that wealthy nobles would fight tooth and nail to own. "You talked about how much you wanted a massage the last time we met, so I did it for you as your Christmas gift. You can take Esther along too." Charlotte’s breath stopped. Her heart squeezed painfully and then, without thinking... She hugged him. Tightly. Her arms wrapped around his torso and her cheek pressed against his firm chest. It was warm and comforting... A place she didn’t want to move from. ’Ah... I really love my boss.’ But then she hesitated. ’What kind of love is this...? I admire him as a superior, yes. But at the same time... if he kissed me right now... I wouldn’t mind. No... I’d probably melt, regardless I would want him to define our relationship before that... Can you kiss some one without any intentions for romance. But this feeling... Do I... really love him?’ Her heart beat faster and louder... it was beating so loud she almost worried others could hear it. She pulled her face away quickly as her cheeks flushed. ’Ah... I’ll just be going.’ She forced a smile... a gentle, awkward one filled with things she wasn’t ready to say and walked back to her seat. Azel inhaled lightly as he prepared to call the next person. But before a single word left his lips... The front door SLAMMED open with the subtlety of a meteor strike. "P... please... don’t start the festivities without me!" a frantic voice shouted from the entrance. Everyone turned. Esme stood in the doorway, panting as if she had sprinted across half the empire. Her hair was windblown, her coat half-buttoned, and she clutched a wrapped present so tightly the paper crinkled. "Oh... what’s going on here?" she breathed, staring at the packed room of princesses, nobles, goddesses, children, and every woman who had ever even slightly fallen for Azel. "Welcome Esme, and Merry Christmas."