AGAIN ABOUT THE HEIR

Leyla woke up that morning feeling much better. The pain in her stomach had subsided, and thanks to the warm compresses and Naru's careful tending, she had even managed to get a decent amount of sleep. However, as soon as she got out of bed, she realized that her problem that day wouldn't be pain—it would be Naru.

He was already sitting beside the bed, leaning on one arm, watching her as if she were a porcelain doll that might shatter if he blinked too hard.

"Good morning, princess." His voice was warm, but also suspiciously gentle.

"Good morning," she mumbled, stretching her arms. "Shall we go to breakfast?"

The moment she tried to get up, Naru sprang to his feet and grabbed her hand as if she were about to collapse.

"Slow down! Don't get up too quickly!"

Leyla looked at him in confusion.

"Naru, I'm not injured."

"I know, but…" He scanned her carefully from head to toe. "What if you feel weak? Maybe you should sit for a bit longer? Or would you like me to carry you?"

Leyla frowned.

"You're not normal."

Still, he let her stand up, but as soon as she headed for the door, she noticed he was walking right beside her, like a personal bodyguard.

"Naru, what are you doing?"

"Following you. What else?" he replied, as if it was the most logical thing in the world.

"And why are you doing it like you're expecting me to faint at any moment?"

"Because I want to make sure you're okay!"

Leyla rolled her eyes but kept walking.

On the Way to the Dining Hall

As they approached the dining hall, Naru remained overly cautious. At one point, as they passed by the staircase, he grabbed her hand and almost panicked as he pulled her back.

"Careful!"

Leyla glanced at the stairs in confusion.

"What?"

"You could have tripped."

"Naru, there's nothing on the stairs."

"You never know! Stairs are dangerous!"

Leyla tried her best not to scream.

By the time they finally reached the dining hall, everyone was already seated—the royal advisors, a few court ladies, and even some high-ranking officials from other noble households.

Leyla took her seat, and Naru immediately made sure to pour her tea, move the fruit bowl closer to her, and remind her multiple times:

"Eat slowly. There's no need to rush."

Leyla could feel the stares on her.

Then, the whispers began.

The advisors exchanged glances. Two court ladies started whispering to each other. Even one of the cooks, who had just entered carrying a dish, paused momentarily and slightly raised an eyebrow.

An uneasy feeling crept over her.

"What? Why is everyone looking like that?" she whispered to Naru.

He simply shrugged.

Then, one of the advisors, an older man with long gray hair, spoke louder than necessary.

"Your Highness, we see that you are… exceptionally attentive to your wife today."

A second court lady cleared her throat and added,

"Yes… Very protective. Is… everything alright?"

Leyla immediately sensed something off in the way they asked.

And then, a third person, a young messenger, couldn't contain himself and muttered under his breath:

"Perhaps… the prince's bride is carrying the heir?"

Leyla CHOKED on the juice she had just sipped.

Naru blinked in utter shock.

"WHAT?!"

Chaos erupted in the dining hall.

As Leyla and Naru continued their playful bickering, while everyone at the table exchanged glances, trying to decipher what was truly happening between the prince and his "wife," someone watched them carefully from the shadows.

At first glance, he seemed like any other servant in the palace—dressed in dark, simple clothing, with his head modestly bowed and an expression that gave away nothing. He was unremarkable. Hired only recently, he had gone unnoticed by most.

But he noticed everything.

His eyes, hidden beneath slightly lowered lids, observed every movement, every blink, every flicker of emotion between Leyla and Naru. He absorbed every word spoken at the table.

Rumors about a pregnancy? Interesting.

The prince's excessive attention toward a human girl? Even more interesting.

But what intrigued him the most was how Leyla was slowly but surely fitting into the palace. Even those who had been skeptical at first were beginning to accept her.

That could be a problem.

His master, Raizen, wanted information—every little detail that could prove useful in his plans.

And this moment, when the prince was vulnerable, when everyone was laughing and chatting casually, was perfect for gathering intelligence.

Servants came and went, carrying food and drink, but he remained. Unnoticed.

His name in this palace didn't matter. His true identity was hidden behind the ordinary mask of a dutiful servant.

But if someone looked closely, they might notice the faint shadow of a smirk on his lips.

Raizen would be very pleased with what he had to report.