Dancing on the golden ashes

At that moment, I wished time would stop—it was the happiest moment of my life. This new world had, at last, become my home. We had a little party of our own, and the cake was especially delicious—unlike anything I remembered from my old world.

I wondered if it was because of the local ingredients or if my taste buds had changed. I could feel the food practically disintegrate the moment it entered my stomach. It didn't provide me with any energy, but it wasn't as bad as I had feared. At least I could still enjoy something sweet from time to time. After the constant taste of nothing but meat, I had been craving vegetables or desserts.

After several hours, a messenger arrived to announce that the festival was fully prepared.

"Are you ready, Gaon?" Eun-Woo asked seriously. Among everyone, I felt he understood me best—always observant, always attentive. I hesitated for a moment, feeling a familiar pang of worry. Social anxiety had always been a part of me, making it difficult to be around others. Massive gatherings like this were exhausting, but this was for my people. I had no choice but to push through and shake off my unease.

"Yeah, let's go. I'm excited to see what everyone has prepared," I said, a hint of genuine excitement stirring in my heart. Even in my wildest dreams, I had never imagined this day would come. To think that I, Lee Gaon, a simple girl who only knew how to play video games, would now stand as the ruler of a massive empire. And to have so many people look up to me… Just what had I done in life to deserve this? Haha… I mocked myself in my mind.

Still, I couldn't ignore the subtle shift within me. My thirst for revenge—once all-consuming—was starting to wane. I realized that as long as I had people around me, as long as I could protect and care for them, the horrors of my past seemed to matter less. But I couldn't let it all go. Not yet. Not until those who had wronged me were gone—especially Jeong Suhan. My grip on the desire for vengeance remained firm, even as a small part of me longed to let it slip away.

"Come on, big sis Gaon, let's go together," Jieun said cheerfully, tugging at my arm. We all left the room, with Malrang perched comfortably on my shoulders.

As we stepped into the main square, I was greeted by a breathtaking sight. The entire city had been transformed—beautiful lanterns adorned every corner, casting a warm glow, and the air was filled with the lively sound of music and laughter. The festivities had turned the place into a scene straight out of a bygone era, as if we had stepped back hundreds of years to a time when kings still ruled the world.

"Amazing..." I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible over the cheerful sounds around me. This moment felt perfect. For a fleeting second, I wished this celebration would never end.

"The empress is here, everyone gather around!" a short teenager shouted. I recognized him—Kim Taemin. His story was a tragic one. His parents had sacrificed themselves to protect him when their entire family was summoned to this world. Because of that, I allowed him to stay in the city despite his young age. At just fourteen years old, he was remarkably talented, though a bit cowardly.
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The crowd quickly turned their attention to me, and to my surprise, everyone dropped to their knees, bowing deeply before me. Panic rose in my chest. One of the first rules I'd established while building this empire was that I wasn't a god—I didn't want to be treated as one. This empire of the Undying Flame was for friends and comrades, not for worshippers.

"Please, stand up," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "This empire is for those who are my equals, my friends. Why are you kneeling and bowing to me? I don't want to be that kind of empress."

"We bow because we respect you and your strength," the guard who had questioned me when I returned spoke, his forehead still pressed firmly to the ground. "Thank you for training so hard and coming back to us. We are most glad that you are safe and unharmed, and we promise to protect the empress."

As if on cue, everyone rose to their feet, their eyes burning with determination.

"WE VOW TO FOREVER SERVE THE EMPIRE OF THE UNDYING FLAME AND TO PROTECT AND RESPECT THE EMPRESS JUST AS MUCH AS SHE RESPECTS AND PROTECTS US. WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE EMPIRE. WE ARE ETERNAL!" they chanted together in unison, their voices booming into the night sky like a tidal wave.

The emotions hit me all at once, overwhelming and indescribable. In my entire life, I had never felt anything like this. For the first time, I felt the weight of their trust and unwavering loyalty. Despite my appearance—despite looking like a demon—they had chosen to stay. They…

"Thank you..." I said, my voice trembling as my eyes filled with tears. "THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SERVING THE EMPIRE AND RESPECTING ME! I PROMISE TO FOREVER PROTECT YOU AND MAKE THIS EMPIRE A PLACE YOU CAN ALL PROUDLY CALL HOME!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, my voice echoing through the entire city.

The crowd erupted into a thunderous cheer, their voices merging into one overwhelming roar of celebration. And with that, the party began.

Music filled the air as skilled musicians played lively tunes. Others showcased their abilities, creating stunning displays of light and magic that painted the night sky in vibrant colors. The magical atmosphere wrapped itself around the city, lifting everyone's spirits. Everywhere I looked, there were smiles and laughter. The people were happy.

And, so was I.

I was genuinely surprised that somehow, they had already managed to invent alcohol in this world. Just how fast is everyone evolving? What's next? Will we soon have television again? Maybe even computers?

Hours later, the festivities were in full swing, and everyone who was allowed to drink had already gotten pretty wasted. Seong-Hoon and Eun-Woo weren't exceptions—they were both laughing and dancing together, thoroughly enjoying themselves. It was amusing to watch them let loose for once.

I had taken a few shots of soju myself. I missed the taste. The warm, nostalgic burn was a reminder of the old world.

"Yup, that's the good stuff," I murmured happily, savoring the familiar sensation. The alcohol did its job, making it easier for me to relax and go through the night.

For the kids, an entirely different area was set up—dedicated to those who were underage. It was lively in its own way, with a massive playground, sparring matches, and little showcases of their powers. There were cakes, juices, and other treats, and for now, it seemed to be enough to keep them happy.

I found myself smiling as I watched them. Their carefree energy was infectious, and after a moment of hesitation, I decided to join them.

"Empress!" the kids shouted in unison, their faces lighting up with excitement as I approached.

"I've come to check up on you all," I said with a warm smile, though I could already sense trouble brewing when Jieun gave a subtle nod to the other kids. That mischievous look in her eyes had me on edge.

"Empress, can you tell us any stories from your travels?" one of the kids asked eagerly.

"Yeah! We wanna hear how you beat up bad guys and monsters and how you got those big wings and horns!" another chimed in, their enthusiasm growing.

"Can I touch the tail? Can I?!" one persistent girl asked, tugging at my dress as she bounced in place.

Suddenly, it dawned on me—I had made a grave mistake. Kids were dangerous, relentless, and impossible to reason with. My instincts screamed at me to run, but before I could make a move, they all jumped me.

"Hey—what are you—?!" I exclaimed, but it was no use. Giggling and chattering, they forced me to the ground. I sighed in resignation as they pinned me with their boundless energy, making it clear I wasn't escaping anytime soon.

For the next hour, I entertained them with stories of my travels—how I fought monsters, faced off against villains, and gained my wings and horns. They listened with wide eyes and gasps at all the right moments.

By the end, they had me summon the dragons and let them ride. I had no choice but to comply unless I wanted to spend yet another hour under siege. My demon beasts graciously took on the task, giving me the freedom to escape.

Finally, I'm out… I thought, letting out a long sigh of relief.

"Big sis." A familiar voice called out to me, and I turned to see Seong-Hoon, slightly drunk, making his way toward me. His usual carefree grin was replaced with a somewhat awkward expression.

I stiffened slightly, still feeling a little uneasy around him after the whole snowflake incident and the strange emotions it had stirred.

"Big sis, would you please allow me to take you dancing?" he asked, his voice surprisingly soft and sincere.

"Huh? Me and you dancing? Are you crazy, Kim Seong-Hoon? Or is it the alcohol talking? Haha!" I laughed, attempting to brush it off, but my words seemed to have the opposite effect. His innocent expression turned unexpectedly serious, his gaze unwavering.

"No, it's just me," he said firmly. "It has nothing to do with alcohol." His eyes burned with a strange sense of dedication that caught me off guard.

"I—" I began, about to refuse, when something massive pushed me forward, sending me stumbling straight into his embrace. Startled, I glanced back to see Malrang in her towering form, a mischievous grin plastered on her face. Her gleaming eyes radiated pure mischief.

That damn fox... Just you wait, I thought, already plotting my revenge.

I turned my attention back to Seong-Hoon, only to realize how close our faces were. The proximity felt stifling, awkward—but oddly, I didn't pull away. Perhaps it was too late, or perhaps… I simply didn't want to anymore.

"Shall we dance then?" he asked softly, his voice almost a whisper.

Before I could reply, the crowd around us grew silent, and the music shifted to a slow, elegant instrumental piece. My heart thudded in my chest as Seong-Hoon gently took my hand and placed his other on my waist.

I was a terrible dancer—always had been—but my current agility saved me from embarrassing myself completely. Somehow, I managed not to step on his toes. The rhythm came naturally after a while, and we moved in unison under the glowing lanterns.

To my surprise, more people joined us, filling the square with life as they danced around us. The warm glow of the festival enveloped us, and the energy of the moment was contagious.

Yet, as we danced, I felt something shift inside me. A strange warmth bloomed within—a feeling alien to me, one I couldn't quite name. But whatever it was, it left me both unsettled and… at peace.