In winter, the thick smoke billowing from chimneys left home earlier than the people.
Liana Serafina stepped out early, a scarf wrapped around her neck.
The Magic Academy had been closed for one year due to the Coronation of the new King, and today was the Magic Academy’s opening ceremony.
“Mom, Dad, I’m heading to school.”
Liana left her empty house.
She knew her family was lucky; many relatives were already starting on their next child, while her parents had only had most of their property confiscated.
“Sorry, but both registered students and unrecorded new students must undergo the Entrance Exam.”
However, security stopped Liana at the gate.
“Wait, what?”
Inside the Imperial Palace, the Demon King sat on a throne inlaid with amethysts.
Seilin sat in the Demon King’s lap, her legs crossed high.
“It is good that the Demon King and Empress are affectionate, but shouldn’t Lady Sephine sit over here? Otherwise, how can we — discuss the matters of the Magic Academy?”
“The matter is settled. No further discussion is needed.”
“Demon King, isn’t this too hasty?” one minister countered.
“The Demon King has already decided, so do not overthink it! Just do your duty.”
“Since it is Lady Sephine’s opinion, I naturally agree,” Astrid said.
“Seconded.”
“Seconded.”
Seilin’s reputation was quite high.
Once the ministers heard it was Sephine’s idea, they stopped complaining.
Part of it was because Sephine was competent, but more so because if things went wrong, she would take the blame, and the Demon King wouldn’t vent her anger on them.
“Then let us end it here for today.”
“All of you, dismiss.”
Even though some courtiers were dissatisfied with the Demon King’s unilateral decision, they left quietly under her pressure.
Now, only Sephine and the Demon King remained.
“You’re usually so active. Why didn’t you speak today?”
Vi asked as she smoothed Seilin’s hair.
Sephine had silver-white hair that reached her waist; it was hard to keep smooth without proper care.
“How can I talk when you’re holding me like this? You’ll make me a laughingstock again…”
Seilin found it hard to speak seriously in this body before her former comrades.
She had tried practicing in the mirror, but perhaps due to the pregnancy or the body’s natural weakness, she became breathless after just a few words.
If she forced herself to keep talking, it sounded like she was acting spoiled.
She lacked dignity this way.
If this continued, she doubted anyone would listen to her properly.
“Your face is so cold… Come closer.”
Vi pressed Seilin’s face against her chest, using her own body to help Sephine stay warm.
“I’ll just go back and grab a scarf.”
Unlike the strong bodies of the Demon Race, Sephine was fragile as a pure-blood Human.
She was like a rose in a porcelain vase — delicate but thorny.
“I need to personally supervise them, or those guys will start opening back doors for people again.”
Sephine always handled large-scale policies personally, especially when it came to selecting future talent for the kingdom’s lifeblood.
“I’ll go with you. Someone —”
“Demon King, we don’t need to be glued together all day, do we?”
“You have our baby in your belly; you must take care of yourself. It’s only safe if I’m there.”
“It’s only been two days, has it not? I have some basic physiological knowledge. Besides, Demon King, have you finished your work? Didn’t you vow yesterday to finish my portion as well? I see there’s still quite a lot left.”
“Then at least let her accompany you.”
“Astina!”
A black shadow streaked across the sky.
A black Magic Dragon descended, transforming into a black-haired woman in a cloak.
She knelt on one knee before the Demon King.
“I await your orders.”
“Protect the Empress. That is your only job.”
“Understood.”
With that, Astina shot into the clouds like black lightning.
“My skirt is flying up!”
Seilin struggled to press her skirt down, but she could only cover part of it.
“Skirts are such a hassle…”
If Vi hadn’t found those thick, skin-toned thermal leggings from somewhere, Seilin would have refused to wear a skirt, citing the cold.
With the leggings on, it didn’t look like she was wearing pants at all — it looked like her legs were bare.
When she arrived, many maids had suggested the Demon King make Sephine dress warmer; a pregnant woman shouldn’t catch a cold, especially someone as frail as Sephine.
“The scarf is here.”
A maid walked over with a scarf on her arm and knelt, intending to help Sephine put it on.
“Ahem.”
The Demon King cleared her throat twice.
The maid wisely stopped her movements and handed the scarf to the Demon King.
Before leaving, she whispered into the Demon King’s ear, “Demon King, you know Lady Sephine’s health is poor and she can’t handle much strain. Plus, she’s pregnant now, so you should know some moderation…”
“I know. You may leave.”
“Yes.”
“What did she say? You look terrible.”
“Nothing. Come here, let me put the scarf on for you.”
The maid had brought a light pink scarf, which matched Sephine’s hair perfectly.
The silver hair and pink scarf made Sephine look like a strawberry cream cake.
Vi couldn’t help but take a deep breath of her scent.
Remembering the maid’s words, she only took a couple of extra sniffs before setting Sephine back on the ground.
“I’m off. Remember to finish the official business.”
Sephine tucked the scarf in deeper and followed the maid out the door.
“Time to work…”
At the thought of the mountain of documents on the desk, the Demon King felt her limbs go weak.
But she had to do it.
She had turned the person into a girl, gotten her pregnant, and then promised that the Maternity
Leave was not just empty words. To go back on that would be too shameless.
Recently, the kingdom’s finances had been struggling.
Winter had arrived, and every region was suffering.
Not to mention, Magic Beasts harassed the borders year-round.
In winter, they lacked food and risked sneaking into the kingdom for a chance to survive.
“I need to send more personnel… But there isn’t enough money.”
As mentioned before, the Demon King was a warrior and lacked truly effective methods for these matters.
She could only place her hopes on Sephine.
This was the first real winter the Kingdom of Magic had faced since its founding, and the road ahead was long and arduous.
“Urgent report!”
“Enter.”
“A letter from Grand Knight William of the Northern Magic Knight Order’s detachment!”
“Read it.”
“Supreme glory to the Demon King. The number of Magic Beasts at the border is increasing, and many large ones have appeared! Ordinary knights can no longer stop their advance. We hope the Demon King will send High-tier Mages to the northern border to consolidate our rule!”
“What a headache.”