Stephanie stood in front of Ella's residence as she waited for the guards to usher her in, she had told then she was a friend of Ella's from another continent and that the latter was expecting her. "You may come with me ma'am" a lady who appeared to be a maid said to her and she followed her into the large castle-like building, she looked around the hallways and nodded to herself commending the way mortals beautified their homes, from the colors to the marble floors and so on 'the mortals are so unlike we demons, they make use of bright colors a lot, they're not dull colored based like us, they're more like the heaven realm' she thought to herself with a smile.
She was asked to wait for Ella in a large room which hosed a parlor table that was surrounded by sofas, the room seemed to be the guest attendance room "these mortals dare ask the warrior demon princess to wait for a mere mortal noble lady" she said to herself after the maid left and she scoffed. Ella arrived not long after and Stephanie stood up to greet her, they hugged each other and Ella smiled after they disengaged from the hug "what are you doing here Stephanie, I wasn't expecting you" the latter said as they sat down.
"I just thought to say hello, and maybe we can spend some time together, I feel so bored" Stephanie said and Ella smiled "that's good, the weather is promising today so we can take a stroll to the markets or round the city" the latter said and Stephanie nodded in agreement "that would be a great idea" she said and they both stood up. Ella called for a maid who would follow them and hold an umbrella for the duo just in case the sun becomes harsh or it rains, and then they headed out towards the city.
.....
Maya giggled in excitement as she ran along the market road with Riley slowly waking behind her, he was in another world, a world where her soft giggles which sounded like melodies was all he could hear, a world where she was the only one he was seeing, a world where his heart melted at the sight of her cute dimples. He smiled to himself then walked faster to join her, he held her hand and she looked at him "the mortal realm is really beautiful" she said with a very wide smile.
"Of course, it's beautiful whenever you're in it" Riley replied her and she giggled "I want to see the residential areas, I want to see what mortals are really like and I wish to speak to one of them" she said and he nodded in approval "thank you" she squealed in excitement and her dimples looked cuter. When they got to the residential part of the kingdom, Maya was awestruck at the sight of the buildings "wow, mortal houses are so plain, there's no magic or anything but still so beautiful" she said really loudly and Riley bent then placed a finger on her lip "shh, someone might hear you" he said and she looked at him apologetically "it's okay, just don't speak loudly" he said and she nodded.
Maya looked around as they walked while Riley looked at her petite figure; she spotted two ladies right ahead of them with another one slowly tailing behind them, they seemed to be princesses or noble ladies, her face lit up and she turned to Riley "can I approach those ladies, I want to talk to them" she asked cutely and Riley looked up to check out the ladies 'isn't that Stephanie and her mortal friend?' he asked himself and he held her hand "please, can I?" she asked with puppy dog eyes "yes, you can" he replied and before she could free her hand from his hold, the ladies got to them.
"Riley, it's nice to see you again" Ella said to Riley blinking her eyes in a cute manner "mm" he replied simply and Maya looked at him "you know her, Riley" she asked and the latter nodded "hello Riley, who's this" Stephanie asked him before he could reply Maya after she sensed the latter's magical aura "she's my friend" he said and Stephanie eyed Maya. "Riley, you haven't answered me yet" Maya said pouting and the newcomer duo looked at her confused as to why she's acting childish "sorry, this is Stephanie, another friend of mine" he replied her with a smile and Stephanie frowned 'why did Riley smile to this childish weak lady and is even friends with her' she thought in her mind and her eyes went to their interlocked fingers causing her to clench her fists tightly.
'Why on earth is she holding my man's hand' she said and tried to break their hands apart with magic but it didn't work because Riley had countered it, she gritted her teeth slightly and smiled then went towards Riley "can you please join Ella and me on our stroll?" she asked and held his arm which he instantly wriggled out of her hold causing her to frown "I'm sorry, I have to show Maya around" he said and she glared a Maya "Maya, you can join us on our stroll and we'd show you around" Ella said and Maya looked at Riley "can I join them, Riley" she asked and the latter sighed.
"You can, but I'll be coming with you" he said and she smiled "thank you" "you're welcome to join us" Ella said and flashed a smile at him 'these women better stay away from my Riley or I'll destroy them both without thinking' Stephanie thought in her mind and smirked wickedly. "My name is Ella, are you from around here" Ella asked Maya "I'm from the same place as Riley" the latter replied and she nodded "hi, I'm Maya" she said to the Stephanie who simply ignored her hand and tried to start a conversation with Riley but it was to no avail as the latter only nodded or shook his head whenever she said something and she groaned inwardly.
Ella looked at Maya and thought that she had to get the overly beautiful childish lady out of her way, she had to get Riley at all costs and she wouldn't let anyone get in her way, not even Stephanie, 'Stephanie looks interested in Riley, I have to use her till I get him then I'll put her in her place' she thought with a smirk. Poor Ella, if only she knew she was no match for both ladies, not even against the weak Maya. When they got to a certain point, Riley stopped and cleared his throat "I'm sorry ladies, Maya and I have to return now, I have something really important to deal with" he said and Ella thought it would be a great idea if Riley let Maya stay back.
'If she stays, I can use Stephanie to get rid of her' she said in her mind then spoke up "Riley, can you let Maya stay with us for a while, she can join you once we're done" she said but he politely declined "I'm sorry, but she's going with me" he said and Stephanie frowned "we have to go now, Maya" he said and the latter nodded. "Goodbye Stephanie, bye Ella" Maya said waving to the duo who just nodded and she left in the opposite direction with Riley.
.....
HEAVEN REALM
"I've summoned those two shameless sons of ours for a while now but none of them has shown up yet" Richard said angrily as he sat on his throne with Sarah beside him and she chuckled "they'll be here soon, just wait a little longer" she said and he sighed "you see what I mean when I say they're shameless and useless" he said and she laughed "I still don't agree with you, though" she said and he looked at her "I don't like how you take sided with them and leave me hanging" he said and she pouted "I'm not leaving you hanging, my love" she said and he leaned in to kiss her.
"His highness, Prince Dylan arrives" the guard at the door announced when their face was only inches apart and Richard growled "he only arrives now, how punctual" he said and Sarah chuckled again. "Greetings father, greetings mother" Dylan greeted his parents while kneeling after he kowtowed and Richard nodded while Sarah smiled, the emperor was about to talk when the guard's announcement echoed again "his highness, Prince Riley arrives" the guard said and Riley walked in. He knelt down and kowtowed to his parents "greetings, father and mother" he said and Sarah smiled at him too.
"It's good you shameless boys are finally here, I'll deal with the stupid fight you had earlier later on but now there's something very important I have to discuss with you" the emperor said and held Sarah's hand, and the twins noticed this act then smiled to themselves. "Can we sit since it appears to be a family meeting" Dylan asked and the emperor glared at him "no, you useless princes would remain kneeling until I am done" Richard barked at his son and Riley stylishly shook his head 'father has really changed ever since mother returned, could this be love' the latter asked himself in his mind 'I'm in love too but I've only become cold to people who try to harm her or take her away from me and any woman who comes my way' he concluded and shook his head again.
"Sarah and I would be getting married in three days and you both would make all necessary arrangements" Richard said and the brothers looked at each other confused "what!" they chorused with smiles on their faces "are you deaf or you just want me to repeat myself" Richard said and Sarah held his arm "come on Richard, don't yell at them again, do it for me please" she said and he nodded. "Congratulations mother, now no mortal or immortal can ever court you again" Dylan said and winked at Sarah "you naughty boy, keep quiet" she said and quickly smiled at Richard who was about to lash at his son again.
"Congratulations mother, you're now going to be the beautiful heavenly empress and those mortals and immortals would kill themselves just to be your personal guard" Riley said with a wink and Sarah couldn't help but feel like spanking her sons 'why do these boys have to say this in front of Richard, he's already so mad at them' she thought and smiled at them "thank you" she said, then Richard gave them his orders and then dismissed them.
Sarah excused herself and went to her bedchamber to gather herself together and get ready for her long procrastinated almost exiled wedding.