"So does anyone have an idea what memory they could showcase in the icy pillar?" Morrigan asked after several minutes of intense silence.

  "I do!" Azrael said with a toothy grin. "How about that time you burned down the training grounds? That was fun! The whole Demon Castle came running to see what had happened."

  "No!" All three princesses spoke up at the same time glaring at the mage.

  "Burned down the training grounds?" Boreas looked at Morrigan in surprise, and she flushed in embarrassment.

  "It happened when I first learned fire magic at age four. I couldn't quite control it at first," she admitted, and inwardly cursed Azrael for his big mouth and lack of tact. It wasn't like they were alone.

  "You learned fire magic at age four?!" the ice demon exclaimed in shock and took several steps back.

  Oh, right. I forgot that normal demon children don't even learn magic that early. Perhaps, I shouldn't have mentioned my age.

  "Morri is unrivaled when it comes to magic. She awakened her innate ability as a baby," Deziara said smugly.

  "I've heard of rumors like that, but I thought they were vastly exaggerated," Boreas clasped at his head, trying to come to terms with the information.

  "Anything related to my little sister's magic abilities is most definitely not exaggerated. No, it is far more likely that it is downplayed," Viana said, and Morrigan noticed that she also looked somewhat smug.

  "I apologize, Your Highness. I feel like I haven't been respectful enough towards you before due to your age. I'll correct my behavior," the ice demon said and bowed. Viana and Deziara nodded in approval, while Morrigan shook her head.

  "Please, let us not make it too stuffy. I'd prefer if we remained on friendlier terms, Lord Boreas," Morrigan said.

  "Whatever you wish, Your Highness," he bowed again, and it was clear that her request had fallen on deaf ears.

  Perhaps, he won't be as bold with his attempts to court me now. That'd be a great weight off my shoulders.

  "Let's return to the problem at hand," Morrigan said, and Deziara perked up.

  "I think I got a good memory that could work," the black-haired princess said, and everyone turned their attention to her. "How about the time I danced on stage during the Nachstern Festival? Even if I didn't win, I'll never forget how everyone looked at me, especially Father and you two."

  "That is a great memory! I think that'll work perfectly," Morrigan said and picked up the brush. It should be no problem for her to recreate the scene since she was there when it happened. And since the memory had to be displayed within the ice, she didn't have to make the details too precise – they just had to be clear enough to understand what was going on.

  So Morrigan drew the dark dragon stage, Deziara twirling in the middle of the stage and a crowd of onlookers watching her. With each brush stroke, she could feel magic drain from her, so she smiled.

  "I think it's working. My magic is being used up," Morrigan said and after a bit more work on the scene within the pillar, she stepped aside and showed it to others.

  "That is pretty accurate," Viana confirmed.

  "It looks wonderful. I wish I could have experienced it with my own two eyes. Alas, I had to stay at home and manage the region while Father went to the Festival," Boreas said as he admired the scene within the pillar.

  "This is great, Morri! Now we just need to fill three more memories," Deziara cheered.

  "I got one," Azrael spoke up and then loudly blew his nose. Princesses looked at him skeptically, waiting for what nonsense would he spout this time.

  "How about that time I fought that demon that–"

  "NO!" All of them yelled, not allowing him to finish the sentence.

  "So picky…" he pouted and went back to blowing his nose.

  "I think you might have better luck drawing one of Lord Boreas's memories," Viana scoffed at the mage.

  "Maybe he'll come up with something," Morrigan said with a chuckle, even if she had very little hope of that happening.

  "I believe I have a strong memory you should be able to draw," Viana said.

  "What is it?" Morrigan looked at her sister hopefully.

  "It was when I danced with my father during the ball of the Nachtstern Festival," she said, and Morrigan instantly remembered that moment. She had looked so happy then – in fact, that was the happiest Morrigan had ever seen her sister.

  "That's a great one!" Deziara confirmed.

  "Yes. Painting it shouldn't be an issue," Morrigan said and got back to work, her brush drawing confident strokes in the icy pillar. She could easily remember her father's grand attire and Viana's beautiful dress as well as the bright light that shone through the ballroom. But most important of all was, of course, her sister's beautiful smile.

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  Each next brushstroke was becoming more difficult than the last, magic demanding more and more energy from her each time. But she still had some magic to spare – she could still go on. Morrigan had to go on and destroy the black orb that stained this place.

  "How about this?" Morrigan said, revealing the second finished memory within the icy pillar.

  "I- Was I really smiling like that?" Viana asked in surprise, her cheeks flushing a bit.

  "You absolutely were. You always get this happy, sappy smile on your face whether Father praises you. It's really cute," Deziara teased.

  "That is a truly beautiful smile, Princess Viana," Boreas said, admiring the painting with unhidden interest.

  "Okay, that one is done. We need two more memories," Viana said sternly, pointedly looking away from the painting.

  "I got one," Azrael spoke up again.

  "Do I even dare to ask what it is?" Morrigan didn't even turn toward her teacher this time.

  "I promise you'll like this one," he whined, and she looked at him skeptically.

  "Well, what it is?"

  "How about that time you burned–" he began, but once again was cut off by a resounding 'no'.

  I really will have to draw one of Lord Boreas' memories at this rate, but how do I paint something I've never seen before. It might take a lot of attempts to get it right and I am steadily losing my magic reserves. Even a single wasted brushstroke could be the difference between finishing the piece or not.

  "I think it's time for you to draw your memory, Morrigan," Viana said while glaring in Azrael's direction.

  What strong memory could I display? Something I'd be willing to be displayed here for eternity.

  Then she smiled and nodded to herself. She knew exactly what she would draw – the first time she discovered her paint magic ability. How the floor of her living room had turned into grass and how proud Alphegor had been at that discovery. It was no doubt what defined her as a demon – magic that worked together with her desire to paint. Magic that would erase the black orb from existence.

  But as she painted, she felt her magic reserves running out. Deziara noticed her struggles and without hesitation ran up to her and placed her hand on Morrigan's shoulder. Steady stream of magic flowed in her body, and she continued painting using Deziara's magic as her own.

  "There. Done," Morrigan said, breathing a bit heavily. Deziara however looked more tired than her, barely able to stay upright.

  "That ability eats magic so fast – it's ridiculous," she exclaimed but still smiled at the third finished memory.

  "May I inquire about the significance of this moment?" Boreas asked.

  "It was the moment I discovered my paint magic," Morrigan explained, and everyone nodded in acknowledgment. There was no doubt this memory would be strong enough.

  They all admired the three finished memories for a while then turned towards Azrael. Morrigan had little hope that he could actually give her a memory she could work with, but she would try to get something out of him. To her surprise the mage got out of his cocooned position and walked up to her, his gaze serious.

  "I believe I have a memory that would fit here perfectly. After all, currently, it displays the happiest memories of members of the royal family. But one crucial demon is missing," he said and reached down to touch her medallion. It sprang open, and Morrigan saw images of her father and mother inside.

  "You mean… Mom?" Morrigan asked, then frowned. "But I can't draw her, I've never actually met her."

  Azrael shook his head and smiled, then put his hands firmly on her shoulders and turned her towards the painting.

  "Do not worry, Morrigan. I'll help you," he whispered and then she felt herself being taken from the canvas in front of her and instead fell into memories. Azrael was projecting them into her mind with his magic.

  "I do not understand, how can you love somebody you haven't even met yet? That thing inside you is just a hollow shell. There's no soul in there," Azrael said and looked at the beautiful Demon Queen, her long white hair flowing all the way down to the floor while she sat in a soft cushioned chair. Her belly was noticeably swollen.

  "Because it will be my child. My precious child. It doesn't matter what kind of soul they'll get – they'll be my child. That can never be changed," she nodded solemnly.

  "What if they were a human in their past life?" Azrael cackled.

  "Then I'll love them all the more," she said without faltering for a moment, making Azrael lose his smile.

  "Are you serious? You shouldn't be so ready to accept a human child, teacher," Azrael frowned.

  "Aww. Don't be such a grump – imagine all the wonderful things they would have seen in the Overworld. I would love to listen to their stories. Oh, and how wonderful would it be if they came from another world entirely? The things they've seen and experienced!" Queen Eirwen said with a childlike glee.

  "You're crazy!" Azrael turned away from her and was about to walk away when a strong tug of magic pulled him back and he found himself in the Queen's embrace.

  "There, there. There's no need to get jealous, Azie. I'll love you both equally. You can be her big protective brother," she giggled.

  "Who'd want to do that? Guard your own kid," he retorted and squirmed out of her embrace, being careful not to push against her belly. While his face was scrunched up in disgust, the tips of his ears were red and there was an undeniable feeling of happiness in his chest.

  "Morrigan, are you alright?" Deziara asked while she, Viana and Boreas looked worried. She blinked her eyes and realized that tears were dripping down her cheeks.

  "I am alright," Morrigan smiled and wiped away the tears. "Thank you, Azrael. I'm going to need every bit of your energy to finish painting this."

  "I'm out!" Deziara lifted her hands up in defeat.

  "Do not worry, little sister. I have plenty of magic to spare," Viana said and put a hand on her shoulder, channeling her magic into Morrigan's body. Azrael also kept his hand on her shoulder, and she began working on the memory still fresh in her mind.

  Through Azrael I was able to meet my demon mother, if only once. She seemed like such a wonderful person – how I wish I could have spent more time together with her. However, now she'll live on forever in the Garden of Frozen Memories and in my paintings.

  Despite the massive amount of magic each brushstroke took, Morrigan forged on, painting without hesitation or pause. Sometime during the process Viana ran out of magic, but Azrael kept her supplied even if she could see his own strength faltering. But it was enough – she managed to finish the painting!

  "I can't believe my eyes," Boreas gasped as the black orb in the middle of the garden changed into a beautiful blue lotus. Four memories appeared within the icy pillars: Deziara dancing on stage, Viana dancing with the Demon King, Morrigan standing in the grass and painting, and finally, Azrael being hugged by the Demon Queen.

  It is perfect!