The King, His Spear, and then there's the Shield
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Summary: In the distant future, Ameri watches Iruma receives his coronation. But the one sharing the King's greatest moment will not be her. She watches on with sad eyes, took a deep breath and left the grand hall. As always, she's married to the demon world. And it's her duty to keep it safe. Asmodeus X Iruma. One shot.
A/N: Just a short one to unclog my brain cells. Ameri-centric. Maybe some angst sprinkled here and there.
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It wasn't supposed to be this way.
Her red crimson eyes glistened with tears, transfixed as she watched the ceremony with a forlorn expression. It was only months ago when unbridled joy came outpouring from her chest; the news of Iruma's ascension to the throne having spread like wildfire throughout the realms and with it, Ameri's heart and soul soared to heights unimaginable; celebrating the success of this human whom she nurtured, cared for and advised from both distance and near alike.=.
The news came after their defeat of a notorious criminal organization, one that's hell-bent on the return to origins, on spreading and sowing chaos throughout the lands. The threat have been particularly great that time. The demons having found a way to completely dissolve the thin barrier that separates the human world from the demon world.
The success of their undertaking would have plunged both worlds into unprecedented chaos. But thanks to Iruma and his twelve misfits, the crisis had been averted. Their accomplishments far-reaching that even the other demon king candidates and their crown-hopefuls abdicated, recognizing the candidates from Babyls as the true heirs to Derkila's demon world.
When Leiji, the last of the candidates still running also stepped down, Iruma's ascension was sealed and the thirteen crowns shook their heads in bewilderment as all candidates from the four corners of the realm swore fealty under the banner of the Sullivan household, refusing no one else but Iruma as the true king on the empty seat.
The revelation of his humanity means little to the demons. For following his ascension to rank 8, Iruma gained a unique ability to siphon mana from the land itself courtesy of his ring of gluttony. And this ability have been taken by some in the demon realm to mean that Iruma himself have been chosen by the land to be its next molder, the grand architect of the demon realm and the shaper of its future destiny.
Her heart swelled with pride at the thought as more scores of demons, some of those even used to be their enemies and rivals, flocked to Iruma's banner. And this time, the former thirteen crowns are now kneeling in front of the young adult as he sat on his golden throne that have been empty for so long.
And yet…
A wave of sadness threatens to overwhelm her joy. She felt warm wetness pooling at the edge of her eyes as her ears picked up the unmistakable voice of Asmodeus Alice, the self-proclaimed spear of the demon king, the man who's never to leave his side; the merciless sharp spear that strikes down his master's enemy.
"Ah… what joy Iruma-sama! I can't believe this moment has finally come to pass!" Ameri resisted the heaviness and ignored the drowning feeling in her chest as Iruma reached out a hand under Alice's chin, caressing it and gazing upon him with such eyes that she coveted; those innocent blue electrical eyes that now has been tinged with confident purple. Those were the eyes that used to look only at her.
"Rise, Azz-kun, you deserve to stand here…by my side." Iruma's voice, now slightly deeper with age pierced the veil of darkness that threatens to consume her as the human lord ushered the Incubus demon to his side, caressing his hand lovingly inviting a blush that crept up the Asmodeus' heir's cheeks.
Willing away her tears, Ameri returned to her musings as she looked at the former student council members standing guard at the side. A small smile played on her lips, remembering the happier, gentler times of a bygone era.
She remembers their moments in the Aquarium, where Iruma would only gaze at her as if she's his only world. Or those moments after school where Iruma's time would only be hers and hers alone.
Those moments…
Are now gone.
How come this hurts so much? When she's the one who walked away? She could have had him in her hands the moment he confessed. But she had to reject him. For her duties lies to the demon realm alone.
Her father have emphasized this much. And deep in her heart she too knew that her destiny is not to be by the demon king's side, but to the demon world as whole, serving as its staunch and steadfast protector… from the sidelines as its shield against all threats.
She could still remember Iruma's broken expression as she walked away from him. And how Alice picked up the pieces of the broken man soon after. Though a small tinge of regret gripped her, she knew deep down that her father is right. And she followed suit like all others in the Azazel family. For they are the guardians of the demon realm. Their duty is to the land and not to one person.
Clutching her aching chest, she shook her head as Alice bent down to give a chaste kiss on the demon king's forehead, before resuming a regal position beside the demon lord once more.
Her teeth threatened to pierce her lips, a twinge of jealousy burned at her soul, clawing at her heart as she clenched her fists to calm the torrential outpouring of emotions- the all-encompassing feeling of regret has returned this time.
What if she only accepted his proposal at that time?
Would she be the one standing beside him now? Would she be the one receiving those smiles and the trusting look that could melt even the coldest of ice and sate even the hottest of flames?
She's left with no answers.
"Sullivan Iruma! For saving this world and demonstrating time and again your dedication for the welfare of others as well as this land, we, the thirteen crowns hereby accept your ascension to the throne. As head of the three and the leader of the thirteen, the demon realm quakes at your feet, where you go, we will follow. What you command, we shall execute. Unto you we entrust the future and under your guidance, we pledge loyalty. As of this moment, you are now the demon king. Accept this crown as symbol of your custody to this world and your absolute sovereign authority across the lands." As Ameri watched Sullivan crowned his grandson in front of the innumerable horde, her jealousy fades away.
The constricting feeling of drowning in her chest ebbed as her trepidations and emotions were quelled by renewed sense of pride and admiration for the man. The great lord Sullivan's short speech has reminded her that despite it all, Iruma have been nothing but selfless to those around him.
And his kind and gentle nature have always drawn not just her but other demons as well. With that thought, resolution and will burned like fire within her.
She may no longer be at his side, but as one of his 13 crowns, she too will help him protect this land from its enemies. For if Asmodeus is the spear, she will become the shield. And whether from a distance or beside him, she cannot deny the greatness and the impact of Iruma's character.
"Maka-chin!" A voice pulled her out from her thoughts. "Iruma-chi wants everyone together! You coming?" As Valac's face came into her view, all tension left her body at the prospect of meeting everyone.
Maybe fulfilling her duties this way won't be so bad after all.
She doesn't know what the future will hold. But just like everybody else, where the demon king takes the world, she will follow.
For she is the shield. Not just of Iruma but of the demon realm itself.
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A/N: Ughh my apologies for not updating my other stories. I'll try to get to them little by little. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this little one shot. As always, feel free to tell me what you like or don't like about it. Until next time.