I have nothing to say until the end, so enjoy.

Chapter 18: Happily Ever After

In the year of 1540, two years after Snow White had left him, James tried to make the best of his lonely immortal life. He had sent his pigeons to watched over Briar Rose. At least, he can grant Ivy's wish in a way. It was soon that he eventually heard rumors and tales about an evil Snow Queen in the Swiss Alps. When James heard of the woman who would roam around the area in a cold deadly storm, one name flashed in his mind: Snow White.

However, one thing bothers him. Why did Snow White turned into the Snow Queen? What in the world has the influence to change her? He needs to know. He needed to asked her some questions such as their son's condition and of course, why has she changed?

'Is she still mad at me?' James ponder in thought.

He believed the letter she wrote him, he can feel that her words were genuine. However, with this new-found knowledge... It was like Snow has completely changed. It wasn't like her. Something was wrong. It's possible that she's under the influences of a spell, just like her father was once before. However, he wouldn't be able to talk to her- not if the spell was stronger. It only meant one thing: he'll have to talk to her through force.

So, five years later, James have been gathering some solders to lead an expedition to capture the Snow Queen. Obviously, the Frog Prince cannot go because of his curse. Plus, he is well-aware that his presence will only make it harder for Snow to cooperate. All he can do is hope that she doesn't do anything that she'll regret later on.

Another five years have passed and James hasn't received any news from the men he sent to confront Snow White. He eventually come to the assumption that they've all perish in the snowstorm and deadly cold. It wasn't until six months later James received something from his doorstep: a mirror shard.

With no answer from his fifth wife, except for this mirror shard, James decided to moved on. Leaving the Forest Kingdom, he returned to his area in the Black Forest. Claiming the secluded area as his own, known as the Exiled Prince Road, he began to experiment his curse to see if there was a way to cure those he touched. Sadly, all of his attempts just ends in failure... And more creepy-looking frogs...

This experiment lasted for thirty years.

Whenever he was lonely, he would visited the Underground Kingdom to see the belongings of his wives. However, that's when he realized something. He can start building and completing the shrines to all his beloved ones! There was nothing to add for Ivy's shrine, but the others... Yes, his other wives can have a more proper shrine. He finally have something worth doing while under his new curse!

So, in the year of 1580, trying to remain calm and retain his composure, James started to dedicate his life to complete the Underground Kingdom with the shrines to all of his love ones. All those times before he would revert back to a frog, those moments before he left... It was done to prepared the shrines so he can continue adding on whenever he had the time.

Agnes received a pumpkin couch where her shoe closet would be. It's such a shame though. All those shoes, all neat and unused, will never be used... Just be on display. It was just sad.

And her library... There could be more books on the shelves, she was always fond with poetry and music. On the wall, there was a statue of Agnes with floral decorations in the background. The Frog Prince made the area looked a bit more lively. And there were many references of other Cinderellas before and after her. Agnes' shrine was finished in the year of 1582.

And James moved on to the next.

Naida's room has remained untouched since the Frog Prince's last visit. He added a dock and everything to gain access to the aquatic area in a more safer and stable manner. The touch of the entrance was also nice. James even added another room for all of Naida's treasure she had collected over her years spent with him. But the one work that James was most happy was the statue of his Mermaid Princess.

It laid outside of the shrine, under the lake... Where Naida's coffin should be. Her shrine was complete in the year of 1585.

After adding some finishing detail, he moved on to complete Odette's shrine.

He first started at the moonlit lake, where his beloved Odette had resided. Near the lake is a beautiful statue of her, made out of translucent crystal, set as a reminder of what a talented dancer she was when they danced before parting. A black and white swan was placed at her feet, to represent who she was in her lifetime. Building from there, James added a room next door. The space stored some of the former Swan Princess' belongings. There was also a small theater-like stage that showed the two of them dancing. Bouquet of roses were scattered on the floor.

Finished with this shrine in 1589, James left to start on his last.

Snow White's shrine was the most difficult of all, so the Frog Prince contacted his old friend, Geppetto. Upon reuniting with his friend, James was delighted of the news that the woodcarver had married the beautiful and benevolent Godmother, Amelia. The same Godmother who was a motherly figure to his second wife, Agnes Koch.

With Geppetto's assistance, they began to work on Snow White's cottage. It was the farthest compared to the other shrines, much like his distant relationship to her now. It was built near an apple tree. James knew how much the apple tree meant to Snow White. There, Geppetto built a coffin that is exactly identical to the one his fifth wife was in when she had fallen under the sleeping curse. Under James' request, the woodcarver made a puppet of Snow White- to reenact the scene as if it had never happened. That is why the puppet's eyes remained opened. In the secret room, the place was filled with many mirrors. Something that the Mountain Kingdom Royal Family are connected to.

When finished with the last shrine after five years, James verbally thanked the man since he couldn't physically touch him. Geppetto then left, leaving James a remark that he'll soon become a father.

Last, but not least, James have to complete one more task. There was a place beyond Ivy's tomb. A perfect place to hide the painful end of his future with Snow White. He had brought all of her belongings from the Forest Kingdom down here, in the Underground Kingdom.

As James worked on Snow White's room, he began to recall all those times when he spent with each of his special Princesses. Every detail of them as he worked on all of those other shrines were carved into his mind. Once he was finished with the hallways and the room of his fifth love, he went to the small graveyard at the back on the area.

There, he place a grave for Snow White's mother, Brunhilda. He never met her, only knew her from the Princess. He couldn't stay in the area much longer for it was filled with nothing, but sadness and coldness. By the time he finished the place, the year was now 1600.

After James left the area and closed the doors, he couldn't help, but felt that something was there. The same feeling when he had finished the other shrines... As well as before he kissed Snow White back when they weren't married. Even when he began to add more to the castle's interior, he felt that someone was following him. He looked back, nothing. Was it just his imagination?

That small breeze on his back, the feeling was very nostalgic. As if that gentle wind behind him is giving him a little push, however, whenever he turned around, there was always nothing there. As for his new curse, it was like a grasping chain. A curse that represent the love and hate between the two who thought of him. Both whom he lost love to death. Those two who probably missed him the most, the same with him as they never left his mind. His thoughts trailed to the two of them.

Both Ivy and Snow were Guardians of Flora. The English Ivy, the Flower of Destruction, is one of the flowers of death. Therefore, all four of his wives have died. The Frost Edelweiss, the Flower of Ice, is one of the flowers of life. Therefore Snow White still remains living to this day.

However, he still lose them all. Though Ivy, Agnes, Naida, and Odette died though time, he still lost Snow White through Gwyn's "death". Even though he acknowledged that Snow has forgiven him, he knows that somewhere in her heart, a small tinge of guilt and hatred for him was the reason why she left him. Shaking his head from that negative thought, his mind trailed off to Ivy. He missed her dearly, his first love- the woman who continued to love him even after death.

Once he finished completing the Underground Kingdom with all the shrines and extra decor, he returned to his lonesome cottage on the surface. There, he shall remain on this earth, bitter and alone...

Time has passed until James unexpectedly encountered a stranger in the year of 2001. He caught her roaming around near his cottage and taking his key. One thing's for sure, he can't let her get near the Underground Kingdom. At first, he thought that the young woman was going to steal just like that thief he once saw trying to sneak his way in during the summer of 1920. That did him no good, seeing that his dead body has rotted during those many years. Or worse, this newcomer will disturbed his wives' rest. And he can't let that happen.

He managed to lure the woman to a trap where she'll perish just like that thief! Unfortunately, she survived that fall. Okay, then. He shall give her a serious warning and if she does not heed, it shall become more of a threat.

"You are not welcome here, stranger. I do not know your intentions, but taking my key is the last mistake you'll ever make. This is the fate of those who attempt to venture into my kingdom." for the first time, James used Ivy's powers over the English Ivy to block out some of the entrance. "Don't worry, stranger, your dire predicament is nothing compared to the curse I bear every single day."

He allowed the mist to roll in and disappeared.

The Frog Prince went to the Underground Kingdom later to find that the stranger was gone! Panic spread to his mind. She must have already went in... But how? No matter, he will find the stranger and monitor her. If she is not causing any damage, no harm shall befall on her. Throughout his observation, he found out that this stranger is a detective. For some strange reason the woman was referred as the Detective, not a detective. His watchful eye also found her visiting each shrine and collecting some things to make some sort of potion.

He began to worry when she created the Immortal Wand. What was she planning to do with it? No longer can he just sit back and watch, the Frog Prince confronted the young woman.

"Detective, this has gone on long enough. I am putting an end to this now."

However, to his astonishment, Ivy appeared to him, at his side. He can finally see her at long last!

"James, I am here. Please let it go." her voice was still the same comforting tone as ever.

"Ivy, my love?!" James was shocked. If he can see her, then that must mean that Briar Rose has... "Everyday, I yearn to be with you again- but how?"

"I do not know. But I stand beside you in life and in death." she place a hand on his shoulder in comfort.

It was strange for him to feel her, despite she is a spirit. With no reason to fight the Detective, James removed his hood so she can see his face.

"My curse is immortality- seeing everyone I love die. You now hold the Immortal Wand, Detective. Please, put an end to my suffering." he closed his eyes as he knew that his misery is about to end...

The Detective raise the wand and aim it at the Frog Prince. As his immortality is removed, his human body started aging, reverting back into a frog. His spirit leaves his frog body until he stood beside Ivy as a spirit. James was in awe as he looked at his hands and then at his Princess. She took his hand.

"My Princess Ivy, I will be with you as always, forever, happily ever after."

"The curse is undone- the transformed frogs have reverted back into humans. Take the Prince's locket and free the Chancellor's daughter." as Ivy explain to the Detective, James gave her his locket. "Thank you and goodbye, Detective."

Their spirits then vanished. Well, not vanished... More like, moved on.

However, before he can join with Ivy, there was just one more thing he has to do...

Later, on the next night, the Detective was searching for clues for her next investigation and it had led her to those doors beyond Ivy's tomb.

"I've used my power to break down this barrier. Beyond that passage you'll find clues to your next investigation." James' spirit disappeared as the ice on the door shattered from his magic.

After the Detective has gathered all the information she needed, James appeared to her one last time.

"Detective, one last thing you should know before your next case. Long ago, a disastrous event devastated Snow White. I don't know how, but I know that she has become the Snow Queen, seeking for a cure. Though she is doing this out of a mother's love, her actions will only cause her to regret them later on. Please, Detective, save Snow White from herself. Bring back the woman I know and loved. I missed her as much as the others, but she's the only one who remains living."

"I will."

"And... Can you grant me a favor, Detective?"

"Of course."

"There is a young boy around the age of eight. Both Snow White and I treasure him so much. I believe the reason why Snow is acting the way she is now... Is to save him at the cost of destroying herself. If the boy happens to be awake..." James paused, then smiled. "Actually, can you give Snow this letter?" he gave the Detective the letter Snow White had given him before her departure to the Mountain Kingdom.

"Yes, but why?"

"To remind her of something important in case she had forgotten." James answered. "Thank you, Detective. I wished you good luck and farewell."

With that remark, he disappeared, finally joining Ivy.

Ivy was patiently waiting for him until James arrived.

"There you are. Come on, let's go." Ivy hold his hands.

"Where?"

A mischievous smile of her own starts to spread, "Oh, you'll see."

James started to smile. It used to be him who said it to Ivy and his other wives. Not the other way around.

The afterlife was a new world to him- a place where he can finally be at peace. To be honest, he had wanted this feeling ever since he married each of his wives. They have stopped in an area, a very humble-looking cottage, much like the one he owned back in the World of the Living.

"Why are we here, Ivy?" James questioned.

"Close your eyes." the Princess giggled.

"Okay." James covered his eyes as the door opened.

Ivy pushed him inside until she told him, "You can open them now."

James gasped at the sight in front of him. All his other three wives are there! Agnes, Naida, and Odette!

"Welcome home, James!" they all replied in unison.

The Prince smiled. Home. He finally has a place to call home and live contently with all of his love ones.

"Don't forget about me!" a familiar chief came in.

"Mattis!" James exclaimed as he hugged the fatherly figure to Agnes.

"Brother." a voice spoke up.

James turned around, "Phillip!"

"It's great to see you again." the younger brother gave him a hug.

This was great. No, this was far from great. It was a miracle! At last, he is reunited with all of his family. All he wished now is that his family down on earth, Snow White and Gwyn, to live a peaceful life... Like him, to live Happily Ever After...

So sad that this story has come to an end, but I will tell you, I had a great time and the fun in making it. Thank you for sticking to this story till the very end to all of you Dark Parables fans!

I'd like to thank SailorSedna052, AgentChan, Diamond1984, PhantomGirl17, alexc1209, PromptDreamer-PSAscience, Peaceful Defender, the entire Dark Parables wiki community for their awesomeness in creating the wiki for good source and friendly, cool people, and Blue Tea Games and Eipix for the having the series in the first place and continuing it! Take care you all. And for those of you waiting for my fan-made Dark Parable stories... Just know, you'll be having a VERY special Thanksgiving tomorrow!