ANOTHER SURPRISE

The palace dining hall was spacious, illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. The long table was filled with a variety of dishes—from traditional yokai delicacies to meals tailored to human tastes. Leyla enjoyed the sight of the food, but even more, she enjoyed the company.

Of course, when we say "enjoyed," that meant she was ready to endure yet another round of Naru's jealousy.

As she, Naru, and Akihiro ate, the doors suddenly swung open, and Kaito strode in with a wide grin.

"Leyla!" he exclaimed, and before she could react, he was already hugging her. "I can't believe you're back! I missed you."

Leyla laughed and returned the hug. "I missed you too, Kaito."

"Alright, alright, that's enough of this emotional moment," Naru muttered, crossing his arms.

Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Are you jealous?"

"Me? No. I'm just trying to prevent my wife from hugging my relatives more than she hugs me."

Akihiro immediately added, "He said the same thing to me five minutes ago."

"So, he's definitely jealous," Kaito concluded, and Leyla laughed.

"It's funny how every time someone else is friendly to me, Naru reacts as if they're stealing his estate."

"Hey," Naru pointed to himself, "you're not an estate, but you are my wife, and I have the right to be… well, protective."

"That's a sweet way to put it," Akihiro muttered while sipping his soup.

"It's a possessive way to put it," Leyla corrected and nodded toward Kaito. "Come on, sit and eat, you must be tired."

Kaito sat down and picked up his chopsticks, but before he could take a bite, his expression turned serious.

"Actually, there's no time to rest," he said, placing the chopsticks back down. "We need to find the artifact as soon as possible."

Leyla immediately straightened. "Why? Can't we at least relax a little before heading off on another mission?"

Kaito shook his head. "No, because we now know that Raizen is searching for the artifact too."

Naru's expression darkened. "Of course, he is. That's not exactly a surprise."

"But that's not all," Kaito continued. "He doesn't just want the artifact. He wants Leyla."

As if an icy wind had swept through the room, silence fell.

Leyla blinked. "Excuse me? What kind of f*cking surprise is this?"

Naru immediately shoved his bowl aside, placing his elbows on the table and staring at Kaito intently. "Explain."

Kaito sighed. "Raizen has figured out that Leyla is the key to finding the artifact, but apparently, he has another plan in mind. We're not sure what, but everything indicates that he wants to keep her for himself. And we all know what that means."

Leyla crossed her arms. "If you're implying something disgusting—"

"Not necessarily," Kaito interrupted, "but we shouldn't wait to find out."

Naru leaned back, visibly tense. "Fine. Then there's no waiting. We leave as soon as possible."

Leyla looked at Naru and saw the way his jaw clenched. She knew he was angry. She knew this would push him to the edge.

"Naru," she said softly, "calm down."

"Calm down?" He looked at her as if she had just suggested something completely insane. "I can't calm down when someone thinks they can take you."

"But no one is going to take me," she said firmly. "You're forgetting who you married, darling."

For a moment, he just looked at her, then that familiar half-smirk appeared on his lips. "I know exactly who I married. The most irritating, stubborn, and beautiful woman I've ever met."

"It's good you added that last part, or I would've thrown something at you," Leyla murmured.

Akihiro shook his head. "Ah, you two are truly unbearable."

Kaito laughed. "They're the worst couple ever."

"But also the best," Akihiro added.

"Absolutely the best," Kaito agreed.

Leyla rolled her eyes and took a bite of her food, feeling Naru's hand holding hers under the table, his grip just a little tighter than usual.

She knew he was worried. And so was she.

But one thing was certain—she would never let Raizen take her. Never.