The Return | Cricky [C]

Chapter LXXVII: Change in the Winter Season

The way these weirdos eat, you'd think I starved them. I suppose I should take it as a compliment that they rush downstairs the second the clock hits nine. I've gotten used to pushing Ash out of the kitchen an hour beforehand, or scolding Vinny to wait until everyone has their plate before eating. Moony and her fluffy siblings have more restraint than him. As I brought soup bowls out to the table, I was surprised to catch Yuki's scent on the stairs. Considering how he eats, it only made sense that he did so privately and took guard duty when the others were at dinner. Ricky was even with him. The last time Ricky took him off duty like this, it didn't exactly end well. Forgive me if I'm slightly apprehensive.

"Everything alright?" I asked carefully.

"Just fine." Ricky reassured me. "I have an announcement to make, and I thought it'd be easier if everyone was all together."

"But my brother's still not back." Vinny replied.

"I don't know how long it'll be until he's back, and I don't want to wait any longer. We've all done enough waiting recently." He said. I stepped aside to give him my spot at the head of the table. Ricky holds back from them, tries to make himself seem more inhuman than he really is, but I caught the glint in his eyes. "I've been doing some thinking lately. A lot's changed." Ricky glanced to me at his side. "I put Chris in charge because he knew how to lead, and he meant more to me. Everything I've built here has been a reflection of my life. Chris was important to me, so he needed an important role in the castle. But," He sighed, "demon lords aren't servants. And no one should make a servant of their spouse either."

I murmured his name, only receiving a soft look telling me so lovingly to shut up. Where was he going with this? "So, I've made a decision." He said, "From here on out, Chris will be the master of the house too. You answer to him the same as you'd answer to me. Understood?"

There was some silence. We hadn't discussed this at all. I'd never even had an inclination he'd thought about it. I guess it's funny, isn't it? It wasn't until I relinquished control that it was returned to me. Once the shock had subsided, small smiles lit up around the table.

Ryan scoffed, albeit jokingly, "Yes, Master."

"Masters." Ash corrected him.

"That's all." Ricky began to walk away.

I told everyone to start dinner, releasing Yuki to return to his post as well, before running after my love. He can be such a wonderful pain. Once we were alone, I just had to sweep him up in a kiss. "Always full of surprises."

"I surprise myself, and that's because of you, you know. You have a tendency to say these things that just stick in my brain and I can't shake it. Like when you said you wanted to rule the world as equals. Sitting in a throne right beside mine." He smirked, "So fucking cheesy. And I couldn't stop thinking about it either."

"The more you complain about the cheese, the thicker I'll lay it on." I planted a kiss upon his temple. "Thank you for this; This trust. And the future you've given me."

"This hasn't ever happened before, two demon lords ruling together. At least not in my lifetime. The future is definitely going to be interesting for us. That's for sure."

Ricky says this as if everything leading up to this point hasn't already been a rollercoaster. I'd be happy with everything slowing down, frankly. Our family may have grown, but it'd be a welcomed change if the castle remained quite for awhile. Once I get back from Ville's, no life altering events for at least a month. Is that too much to ask for?

—

I didn't plan to let much change and I doubt Ricky did either. He'd continue to take on the masterly duties pertaining to paperwork and politics, I'd worry about overseeing the servants. I leave for Ville's tomorrow, but for today, I'd help Vinny in the garden. All the magic and wonders in this world, yet nothing can change winter's brutality. He's done what he could to clean up the dead crops and revitalize the few worth saving.