SECRETS THAT REMAIN HIDDEN

Naru stood up effortlessly, his smile as wide as the world, as if he had been waiting for her to speak. He didn't want to pressure her, but he knew the time had come to reveal more, to let her free herself from her fears.

Leyla remained crouched, still trying to calm herself after everything they had been through, but her mind held more questions than answers. She couldn't ignore the fact that Naru had known about her for a long time, long before they met at the temple. And that unsettled her.

"Naru... I have to ask..." she began, her voice quieter than usual, the silence between them making her words heavier. "Why didn't you tell me? Why did you hide the fact that you knew who I was?"

Naru directed his gaze at her but didn't respond immediately. He stood thoughtfully, as if measuring each word before speaking. "Because it's not simple, Leyla," he finally said, his tone serious, almost mysterious. "You... you're not just you. This world... your origins, your being... everything is connected to something much greater. And I didn't want to burden you too soon."

Leyla looked at him, her gaze enigmatic, trying to piece together the puzzle. "Origins? What do you mean connected? Are you saying I'm not just an ordinary lawyer?"

"You are not ordinary. And you never were," he replied, his eyes serious but also tinged with a sadness that felt like a warning. "Your name, your destiny—it was all determined before you were even born. The secret you carry isn't something I wanted to throw at you all at once. The time for you to learn was meant to come when you were ready."

Leyla swallowed hard, feeling her heart skip a beat with fear. "And what does that mean for me?"

"It means that your presence here is no coincidence," Naru said, looking at her with an expression that was both cautious and gentle. "Your role in this world… it's far more important than you realize."

Leyla tried to process everything, but she felt like she was standing at a crossroads, where every step led into the unknown. "And now what? Am I just supposed to believe all this?"

Naru approached and placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling. "You don't have to believe it right away, but you will one day. Now is not the place to reveal everything. Maybe it's not even the right time."

"So, you're still not telling me everything?"

"Not yet," he answered, his tone confident but also slightly worried. "Trust me, Leyla, everything in its own time. And as long as you're with me, I won't lie to you. Just trust me."

After he finished, Naru left the room, his cheerful demeanor impossible to hide. Leyla still sat at the edge of the bed, thinking about everything she had heard. What did all of this mean for her life? Was she truly ready for the truth that was coming, or was she just drifting in a whirlwind she couldn't control?

As they walked through the palace corridors, Naru was in high spirits, as if there was no trace of the seriousness he had carried in his eyes moments ago. He glanced at Leyla sideways, teasing her with full confidence. "So, we're really married now, huh?"

Leyla shot him a sarcastic look, trying not to match his enthusiasm. "Yeah, really," she replied with exaggerated calm. "Just don't ask me about it. I don't think we've even defined what that means yet."

Naru smirked, clearly pleased with her response, but he didn't let it go. "But seriously. How are we going to handle this?"

Leyla sighed, exasperated. "Why can't you stop asking these questions?"

"Because... well, I love teasing you," he said, his voice playfully mischievous yet honest.

"And right now," she said, trying to keep her temper, "as if that's the most important thing in the world."

Naru grinned and quieted down, as if realizing this was a moment to step back. And as they approached the breakfast hall, it became clear that their dynamic was growing into something deeper, yet also more complicated. No one in the palace knew what was truly happening between them—everyone saw them as husband and wife, but they knew that their reality was far beyond that simple label.

As they passed the palace staff, all eyes were on them, though no one acted surprised. But Leyla still felt embarrassed, as if everyone knew more than they actually did. She walked past them, deep in thought, while Naru kept teasing her with the questions she hated the most.

As they entered the grand dining hall, Leyla felt the atmosphere shift. The gazes were fixed on them, even if no one knew all the details. Their interactions were filled with unconscious excuses, playful remarks, and, of course, hints that did not go unnoticed by those around them.

Naru, however, was in his element, teasing Leyla and deliberately avoiding any serious discussions about what they had just experienced. Instead, he radiated his usual joy, playing a game she clearly wanted to avoid.

Leyla cast a quick glance at him, trying to hide the obvious nervousness tightening her chest. "Naru, stop," she sighed. "I think there will be plenty of opportunities for you to tease me… if you just let me eat my breakfast first."

Naru grinned, but he knew she was enjoying it. "So, we're still not serious, huh?" he asked, playing with her nerves. "We haven't defined what this 'marriage' means, or are we going to turn it into something... truly real?"

Under the table, Leyla clenched her fist, a flicker of frustration running through her veins. She pressed her lips together to stay composed, aware that she was facing things she wasn't ready for. Yes, marriage… how did that sound now? Like she had fallen into a deep hole with no clear bottom.

"Naru, you have no idea how confusing this is," she said calmly, though deep inside, she felt uneasy. "Who would have thought that you—"

"Would fall in love with you?" he interrupted, smiling with far too much confidence. "Come on, Leyla. Can we at least acknowledge that in conversation?"

Leyla burst into laughter, completely unaware of how all their conversations, no matter how casual they seemed, were actually shaping a dynamic between them. As Naru teased her, she realized she wasn't even sure what she wanted. And, honestly, she was embarrassed to admit that her presence here wasn't as unique as she had believed—when everything around her reminded her of the predictable games she had tried to avoid.

As they sat at the table, the palace staff brought out an array of dishes, but Leyla had little appetite. Even as she maintained her indifferent mask, she couldn't ignore the way everyone was watching her, how they all knew she was now part of this world while remaining mere observers in a game she had no full control over.

Naru turned to her, sensing how difficult it was for her to find balance in all that was new. "You know, maybe you should start relaxing. Here, we are all… connected in some way. This world—you can be a part of it," he said, his voice warm but with a hint of seriousness.

"I know," Leyla replied, looking at him. "But this is... just so different. You are..."

"You've simply stepped into my world," Naru said, now with a serious expression, though his voice carried no pressure. "And honestly, I think you like it here. You just need to trust yourself."

Leyla looked at him, fully aware of the weight of his words. Yes, her heart was confused, but not out of fear… rather because she had no answers to the questions that haunted her.