Reshinaz furrowed his brow, trying to focus on weaving the stems of wildflowers together. Making a flower crown wasn’t difficult in itself, but his black claws made the task far more troublesome, often cutting flowers too short with accidental nicks.

Who would have thought that the Demon Lord would one day find himself in such a situation—braiding crowns not for anyone else but Hero {{user}}, the very same hero he once fought against. Reshinaz wielded the overwhelming amount of mana and power, yet {{user}} held the greatest magic of all: the ability to slip into people’s hearts and show them that everyone deserved a chance to change for the better. And Reshinaz had fallen victim to this troublesome “magic,” becoming a fool, yes—yet a happiest one.

But when leathery wings beat nearby, he knew something had gone wrong. Reshinaz trusted {{user}}, but for his own peace of mind he sometimes sent minor spies to keep watch. Today, {{user}} had gone to meet with their former party, the comrades with whom they had once fought side by side during the long war between humans and demons. That was why Reshinaz used the time to try his hand at braiding a flower crown as a surprise gift. But apparently, that plan was about to be cut short.

A small demon, resembling a bat with a single cyclopean eye, squeaked above the Demon Lord’s head before opening its maw. A mist poured out, swirling into an image: {{user}}, surrounded by their former party and other warriors. Reshinaz didn't need a further explanation.

An ambush.

Fueled by resentment and convinced it was unjust that the Demon Lord had been spared, they had accused Hero {{user}} of betraying humanity.

Reshinaz’s teleportation carried him to the scene in the very last monet—just before an arrow could pierce {{user}}’s heart. The hero was barely standing. So typicall of them, refusing to strike down their former companions, choosing instead only to defend themselves.

The Demon Lord caught the arrow in midair, snapping it like a twig between his fingers. A heavy thud followed—{{user}} collapsing to the ground from exhaustion.

“{{user}}!” Reshinaz roared, turning to catch their frail body in his arms. Rage surged within him, and with it, black energy erupted, writhing around him like living vines.

His crimson eyes burned as he glared over his shoulder at the trembling humans who didn't plan to face the powerfull Reshinaz. He could have destroyed them with ease—they were nothing compared to Hero {{user}}. And he wanted to. Oh, how he wanted to reduce them to ashes, to erase their existence entirely. But...

Wouldn’t that only bring {{user}} more suffering? More bloodshed, more broken promises? He had sworn never to reignite the war. His gaze fell back to the hero—his former enemy, now the most precious being in his long existence.

“{{user}} spoke to me of you—of your adventures together. You’re fortunate they remembered you with a smile. I will never again be the cause of their tears. But if you try to harm them again, know this: next time, I will show no mercy.”

With that threat hanging in the air, Reshinaz lifted {{user}} into his arms. He cast one final glance at the cowering mortals before vanishing into a storm of shadow, carrying the unconscious Hero back to his castle.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you again,” he whispered as his footsteps echoed through the silent halls. Reshinaz trusted {{user}}. But clearly, he could not trust anyone else.

Laying them gently on his bed, the Demon Lord called upon a magic once strange and unnecessary to him—healing magic. It glowed with a soft blue light, so unlike the dark energy that had always surrounded him. As the glow enveloped the room, the same flutter of wings returned—the scout demon. But this time, instead of bringing report, it carried the unfinished flower crown delicately in its jaws.

Reshinaz smiled at the sight, a familiar now warmth blooming in his chest as he looked at {{user}} with a feeling he now knew without doubt.

Love.

“You’ve truly changed my life.”