EX

Leyla stood at the exit of the castle, hand in hand with Naru. She was finally leaving. Her heart was racing, excited to return home, but she couldn't just go like that.

Without thinking, she turned around suddenly and closed the distance between herself and Raizen.

He looked at her, surprised, as she approached.

And then, she hugged him.

It was a warm, sincere hug—without words, without explanation. A hug that carried gratitude, understanding, and perhaps forgiveness.

Raizen remained frozen for a moment, unprepared for such an action. Then, he smiled and slowly placed his hands on her back, returning the embrace.

Of course, Naru immediately jumped into the scene.

"Alright, alright! That's enough!"

Leyla laughed and pulled away as Naru stepped between them, inserting himself as a barrier.

"What now?" Raizen grinned.

"I don't want to watch this!" Naru waved his hand dismissively. "Come on, princess, before you change your mind."

Leyla smiled at Raizen one last time before turning and heading toward the exit.

Raizen watched them as they disappeared beyond the gates.

And then, he was alone.

Silence settled over the castle, but it wasn't as cold as before.

He slid his hand into his pocket and leaned against the wall.

It felt like someone had shoved a dagger straight into his heart, but he didn't feel anger.

He loved her.

Maybe not in the way that Naru did, but he loved her.

And now, he had lost her.

But at the same time, he knew she was happy. That she was leaving with the one she loved. And that was enough.

Leyla had changed his life.

He had started to feel alive again. He was no longer just an empty shell consumed by hatred and revenge.

And now… now, he even felt happy.

Happy about the baby.

Her and Naru's baby.

He imagined that little life, a being he hadn't even met yet but already knew he would love in his own way.

"I can't wait to meet you, little one," he murmured to himself, a faint smile appearing on his face.

Naru and Leyla finally arrived at his palace.

Before they could take a few more steps, a familiar figure burst out from inside.

"LEYLA!"

Akihiro practically flew toward her, lifted her into his arms, and hugged her so tightly she thought he might break her ribs.

"Welcome back, princess! You can never leave us again!"

Naru immediately scoffed.

"Alright, alright, put her down, it's not like she married you."

Akihiro just ignored him and spun Leyla around once more.

"Hey, calm down, Akihiro! I'm pregnant, I don't want to throw up on you!"

He immediately set her down, though he didn't move too far away.

Then Kaito joined them.

"Oh my god, you survived! They let you out of hell!" Kaito pulled her into a warm hug and whispered, "You know I was ready to burn his entire castle down for you."

Leyla laughed.

"I know, Kaito, I know."

Kaito then glanced at Naru, who stood to the side with his arms crossed, frowning.

"Naru, brother, you didn't tell me you were bringing her home. I could've at least thrown a party!"

"Kaito…" Naru was already losing patience.

"No, seriously! We should have a big gathering! Oh, Leyla, what do you think about a party in your honor? We could—"

"There will be no party!" Naru cut off his enthusiasm.

Kaito just laughed and pulled Leyla inside, with Akihiro following.

Naru watched them, confused.

"Hey! Hey! Where are you taking my wife?"

Leyla turned over her shoulder and sarcastically called out,

"Naru… I hate to tell you this, but… they love me."

Naru froze in place.

He watched as Leyla disappeared into the palace, led by Akihiro and Kaito, while he… he was left alone outside.

"This… this isn't fair," he muttered to himself.

Inside the palace, Leyla sat in the massive lounge with Akihiro and Kaito, laughing at their jokes and their retelling of everything that had happened while she was gone.

"Oh, Leyla, you have no idea how much I missed you," Akihiro said dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "The palace was so quiet… too peaceful without you."

"Yeah, Naru was acting like a ghost," Kaito added.

"Naru and a ghost? That sounds kind of scary," Leyla laughed.

"He was depressed. No joke, we were all worried. But look at you now! Alive, healthy… and pregnant." Kaito pointed at her belly, and she rolled her eyes.

"Alright, guys, I really need some rest. I can barely stand."

"Of course! Go to your room, your bed is waiting for you!" Akihiro nodded.

Leyla stood up, smiled at them, and started toward her room… but then she stopped.

Oh.

Her bed.

Her husband.

Wait.

"Actually…" she turned back to them. "He… he's not my husband anymore."

Akihiro and Kaito exchanged glances and then burst into laughter.

"Oh, honey," Kaito said, tears of laughter in his eyes. "Naru hasn't heard that information. If you think he plans on sleeping anywhere else tonight…"

Leyla sighed.

"So, I have to share a bed with him?"

"Let's be real, you're going to sleep with him for the rest of your life. You just don't have the paper to prove it anymore."

Leyla scoffed and headed to her room.

When she entered, Naru was already inside.

He was lying on the bed, arms folded behind his head, acting completely relaxed.

Leyla stood at the door, crossed her arms, and raised an eyebrow.

"What are you doing?"

Naru lazily opened one eye and smirked.

"Waiting for my wife."

"I'm not your wife anymore, remember?"

He pretended to think, then shrugged.

"Ah, minor details."

Leyla sighed, walked over, and sat at the edge of the bed.

"Alright… but we can't sleep together. That would be weird. I mean, we're not… you know…"

Naru immediately sat up, leaned in, and lowered his voice.

"Leyla… you're pregnant with my child. I think 'weird' left this story a long time ago."

Leyla crossed her arms.

"I don't know… maybe I should sleep in another room."

Naru leaned even closer, his smile mischievous.

"Admit it… you miss waking up next to me."

"No."

"A little?"

"No."

"Not even a tiny bit?"

Leyla pretended to think.

"Maybe just a smidge."

Naru grinned in satisfaction and pulled her onto the bed.

"Then there's no reason to suffer. You're staying here."

"Naru!"

"Leyla!"

She sighed and smacked him with a pillow.

He just laughed and pulled her closer.

"You know… now might be the perfect time to marry you again."

Leyla immediately shut her eyes and pretended to sleep.

"I'm asleep."

Naru leaned in closer.

"Leyla, you can't escape me, princess."

She didn't open her eyes.

"Asleep, asleep, asleep."

Naru just smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Sweet dreams, princess."

In the morning, Leyla slowly woke from her sleep.

Something felt strange… she felt watched.

She opened her eyes slowly and found Naru's face way too close to hers.

"AH!"

She jumped back and pulled the blanket over herself.

"Naru! What the hell are you doing?!"

He just blinked, completely calm.

"Watching you."

Leyla stared at him in disbelief.

"And exactly how long have you been 'watching' me?"

"About an hour."

"WHAT?!"

Naru chuckled.

"I missed watching you sleep."

Leyla groaned and covered her face with her hands.

"You're creepy. You're so creepy, Naru."

He lazily stretched and propped himself up on one elbow.

"Leyla…"

"What?"

"You know… it's a really nice morning, isn't it?"

"Naru…"

"I mean, it's such a beautiful morning… maybe we could…"She immediately raised an eyebrow."What are you trying to say?"Naru crossed his arms and stared at the ceiling, pretending to think."Well, I'm just saying… we've been apart for so long, you know? It would be nice to spend some… quality time together."Leyla saw right through him."Naru… you want sex."He turned to her quickly, way too serious."No!" Pause. "I mean, yes! I mean… maybe… but not so directly."Leyla rolled her eyes and sank back into the pillows."Ah, I don't know, Naru… Are you sure I can do that now? I mean… you know… I'm pregnant and all."Naru immediately got serious."Well… yeah… that's true…""Yeah… maybe we should wait… I don't know… at least eight months?"Naru almost choked."EIGHT MONTHS?!"Leyla shrugged."You know… just to be safe…"Naru groaned and collapsed back onto the bed."This is torture."Leyla turned to him with a mischievous smile."Well, maybe I could reconsider…"Naru immediately sat up."Yes! Reconsider!"Leyla watched him for a moment, enjoying his desperation, then nodded."Alright… fine."Naru leaned in again, just as he was about to kiss her—he suddenly froze.Leyla blinked."What now?"Naru looked troubled."Leyla… what if… I hurt the baby?"She blinked again."What?""I mean… what if it's… I don't know… too rough? And you know me…"Leyla stared at him in disbelief."Naru… that's… not how it works."He was still looking at her seriously."We can't be sure. Maybe we should consult a doctor? Or at least someone who knows more about it?"Leyla sighed, put a hand over her face, and started laughing."I can't believe I'm hearing this."Naru still looked worried."Leyla, this is serious! I don't want to take any risks!"She just laughed and pulled him closer."Everything will be fine, my prince."

He sighed and gave up on the argument."Alright… but if you feel anything weird, tell me immediately."Leyla just smiled and pulled him even closer."Don't worry, prince… everything will be just fine."