Reincarnated as The Demon King’s Miracle Daughter

We finally arrived home. I already knew my father was waiting as the black crows stared at me while scanning the surroundings. Each one hand created by my father along with the alarm system I suggested. If an intruder were to enter they would start squawking and flapping their wings rapidly.

"I guess dinner is still available."

Scorin helped me out of the carriage, holding my hand as the door opened. I looked at him like he was already doing too much — but who am I to stop him? I actually enjoy the attention.

"So you staying over for dinner?"

He looked at me with that sarcastic look like I already knew the answer. I guess after two years of being engaged to me some of my personality was bound to rub off on him.

"I'm the one that cooked dinner."

I looked at him for a second then remembered it was Friday night and he always came over to make dinner. I scanned the area trying to find a way out of this but Jessica had already brought the horses to their stables and taken Oralax and Amanda inside. I met Scorin's deep gaze as his face shifted from serious to gentle. A warm smile that always made me feel safe even when it was late.

"I made human meals. Like you always wanted."

All the tension left my body as he draped his draconic royal cape over my shoulders. The cold night winds picked up as Noxx toddled out of the carriage with Nira on top of his head.

"Hurry up Noxx! Dragon boy made human food!"

WOOF!

As they went inside Scorin and I followed them through the front gate and down the path toward the main entrance. He spoke calmly while holding my hand.

"Tomorrow is the ribbon cutting for the train."

I remembered my father mentioning it before work. The grand opening of the new train — built in the Neutral Kingdom over the past two years as a symbol of unity between kingdoms. Each station would be built as it reached its destination, moving through the land one stop at a time.

"So your uncle finally finished it?"

We walked through the entrance and down the hall as we spoke.

"Yeah. He finished it two nights ago. We just finished preparing it for the opening."

We walked down the hall filled with pictures of me and my family — seasons, events, days that mattered. My new family that I had grown attached to without even realizing it. The walls had been repainted violet and black. My mother Lysandra said it felt more relaxing than plain white. We passed the living room where I had my first two Christmases in this world. I thought about those two years — my father Malphas being forced into a Santa suit made specifically for him. He kept asking me why on earth he should wear such a thing. I told him every year it would only make me love him more. He stared into the same eyes he had passed down to me and somehow that was enough. Those two years made this place feel like home as my father slowly learned something that looked a lot like compassion.

"Hehe."

Scorin kept his eyes toward the dining room entrance but couldn't help himself.

"You gonna tell me what made you laugh this time?"

We both stopped before going in. I looked at him like everything was perfect for just a moment.

"Yeah. I just thought about how fast everything changed. You know?"

He looked at me like I was speaking in riddles as usual. Scorin grabbed my hand and walked me into the dining room.

The first person I saw was my mother sitting beside my father. Before we took our seats Scorin looked at my mother and bowed.

"Hello mother. A pleasure as always."

I had long gotten over how much my mother loved that. Like — we haven't even gotten married yet. She wore her beautiful black dress that wrapped around her like a warm hug. Her silver hair tamed and perfect as always. Eyes closed like the world outside didn't exist. A glass of Aetherplum wine in her right hand.

"As always that hospital of yours keeps you there all night. Sending out your fiancé is always an easy task given how much he is already with you."

I looked at Scorin as he pulled my chair out and waited for me to sit down, acting like whatever my mother just said wasn't completely accurate. When things went wrong Scorin was always the one who came through. Like the time I needed a new tool for the

hospital that required metal from titan bones.

I mentioned it once and the next day he came back beaten up but carrying an entire titan arm he found lurking in his neutral lands. He told me it was already on his to-do list.

I sat down and scanned the dining room.

"So where is everyone else?"

My mother settled into her seat waiting for dinner to be served.

"They already ate and left. Riku went with Syrin to plan her next tour and Draxx went with Krazia to train like always."

I looked at her like she was missing someone. Lysandra let out a slow breath like she already knew what I was about to ask.

"Their mothers went on a trip through the Neutral Kingdom — Scorin and his brother

arranged it. I had no interest in going. I live at peace here. Your father on the other hand is handling last minute preparations for the opening tomorrow with Scorin's brother."

She paused for a moment then added without being asked.

"Your blue patient is in the guest room. Your apprentice fell asleep in the chair beside him. She wouldn't leave until she knew he was alright."

I looked at my plate for a second.

"And Oralax?"

"Exhausted. Out cold. He's fine."

Scorin placed my food on the table along with his own. Noxx toddled back into the dining room and Scorin served him and Nira at their own corner. Then he lifted the cover from my plate and revealed what he made.

Oven baked chicken with rice and beans.

The comfort food I had been craving for years but the Human Kingdom had been gatekeeping the ingredients.

"I hope you enjoy it."

He stepped back as I started eating, trying not to look like a mess in front of my

mother. I wanted to wolf it down but one

look from Lysandra reminded me whose daughter I was supposed to be. I wiped my mouth and looked up at her.

"So what's happening tomorrow? I heard I need to show up for the ceremony?"

Lysandra turned toward me from the head of the table. Her hand trembled slightly for just a moment before she composed herself.

"The first stop the train makes will be here at the Demon Kingdom. The station placement is determined by the train itself. Once it arrives you come straight home. Are we clear?"

I looked at her like she was being dramatic. Nothing had happened in two years. Everything felt peaceful. But something about her tone made the warning land differently tonight. I picked up my water and took a slow sip.

"You honestly think Ragalia will do something? He's been quiet for two whole years. Maybe he moved on. All of his people were dealt with back then too. You really think someone would join up with a corrupted hero like him?"

She finished her Aetherplum, set the glass down, and stood from her seat.

"Just know that danger is always out there for you my dear. Even when the days are quiet those who seek revenge against your father will return. They won't come the same way twice. They build from nothing and come at you from angles you didn't expect. That is how humans are, Sophia."

I looked away without a single rebuttal. Because she was right and we both knew it. Humans find the smallest window and push through it with everything they have.

"Yeah… I get it. Sleep well. I love you."

She walked through the door with her answer trailing softly behind her.

"I love you too darling. Don't stay up too late."

Scorin came back over with his backpack on — stuffed with things I had long stopped asking about. Every time I did he got defensive. Don't touch it. Don't open it. Blah blah blah. Keep your silly bag, dragon boy.

"Time to go?"

He gave me a warm smile and a hug right there in my chair. Having someone close made everything quiet for a moment. He pulled back and I didn't want to let go but he still had to help his uncle with the final preparations for tomorrow.

"Yeah. I'll pick you up in the morning."

Jessica appeared right on time to take my plate and cup to wash and put away. Scorin didn't wait to be asked — stepping back just enough to give me the chance to walk him out myself. I stood and took his right hand and we walked to the door in silence. Nothing needed to be said. The connection was already there.

"Just don't be late. You know I hate being late to things."

I opened the door and he stepped out onto the front steps. His wings spread open as the night wind picked up like it had been waiting for him.

"Don't worry. Everything is going as planned."

He waved goodbye and kicked off the ground, his dragon wings spreading wide as the

night wind caught him and carried him in the right direction. I watched until he disappeared into the dark sky then closed the door and headed upstairs to call it a night.

Noxx and Nira were already sprawled across my bed like they owned it.

"I missed you both too."

I went to the bathroom to clean up and get ready for bed. But my mother's words kept drifting back into my head. Danger is always out there. Always be ready.

I stared at myself in the mirror for a moment. Basked in my own cuteness until I got bored. Shut off the lights and went to bed.

Deep in the Beast Kingdom, Ragalia was already moving.

Five shadows stood in the darkness behind him — not all of them human. Different faces he had collected during two years of grinding in silence. They waited without a word, eyes fixed on him.

"Alright. The time has come. The plan starts the moment the Demon Saint boards that train."

Ragalia stood with his back to them, facing the wall. His new armor caught the low light — gold and black, blessed by the goddess after he hit the new level threshold. A black cape draped over his back. His white hair moved slowly in the wind coming through the window.

Their base sat deep in the Beast Kingdom, completely off the radar. No one knew they were here. That was the point.

THUMP!

His hand slammed against the wall.

My face stared back at him. My innocent smile. My red eyes.

He wanted to tear them out and put them in a glass jar like a trophy.

"This time…"

His voice dropped low.

"I am going to take something that belongs to him."

A pause.

"Malphas."