Serafall Leviathan peeked from the doorway, hands clasped together as her eyes sparkled.
There they were — her serious, always-composed little sister sitting in the garden, her head resting on Riser's shoulder, and their baby girl toddling after glowing fireflies with tiny giggles.
For once, Sona wasn't buried in books, wasn't calculating ten steps ahead, wasn't hiding behind her mask of calm. She was laughing softly, her eyes warm, her cheeks faintly red every time Riser whispered something against her ear.
Serafall almost squealed.
"Oh. My. Satans. My So-tan is soooo in loooove~!" she whispered dramatically, hugging herself. "Look at you, all married and happy and… and a mommy! You grew up too fast, So-tan!"
She dabbed at imaginary tears, before grinning. Her little sister, the one who used to scold her for being irresponsible, now had a family of her own — and she was radiant.
Her gaze slid to Riser. She remembered testing him, glaring at him, half-ready to burn him herself if he hurt Sona even once. But now? She couldn't deny it. That boy loved her sister with a fierceness that even she respected. He teased her, yes, but he cherished her. He would fight the world for her.
"…Guess I can't call him 'birdbrain' anymore," Serafall muttered under her breath, smiling.
Then she puffed her cheeks, striking a magical-girl pose in the moonlight. "Still! Aunt Levi-tan will absolutely spoil that baby rotten! Ice-cream breakfasts! Magic shows every night! And matching magical girl costumes for all of us!"
From across the garden, Sona's voice rang out, sharp as ever:"Serafall! I can hear you. Don't you dare."
Serafall laughed, sticking out her tongue before vanishing in sparkles of magic, leaving behind only her giggles in the air.
As she disappeared, she whispered to herself, softly and sincerely:
"Congratulations, So-tan. You really found your happiness."
✨ Epilogue End — Flame and Tide Eternal ✨