Chapter 3: Illegitimate Love

Kabula and Honoka went to a love hotel...

Just a few weeks later, Honoka began to feel off. She missed her period. Nausea hit her every morning. She vomited. She was constantly exhausted.

"No... it can't be..." she whispered to herself, refusing to believe what her body was already telling her. But just to be sure, she bought a pregnancy test.

Two pink lines.

She was pregnant.

Her heart raced as she frantically dialed Kabula's number.

He picked up after a few rings. "Didn't I say we should go no contact?" he muttered, voice low and tired. "If we keep talking, we'll never be able to move on."

"This is an emergency, Kabula."

"Emergency? Don't tell me you're—"

Silence.

"No way... right?" His voice cracked slightly.

"What are we going to do about this?" Honoka asked, her voice trembling.

"Ah, dammit... Dammit..." he muttered, pacing on the other end. "We're not married. The child... will be born out of wedlock. A bastard. The Badilites don't recognize children born outside of marriage."

"Neither do the Namites..." Honoka murmured. "But this isn't fair. We would have married a long time ago—if our families weren't so stubborn."

"Try to hide the pregnancy as best as you can," he said.

"I don't think I'll get very far..."

"Honoka, please."

"You have it easy as a man..." she said, pain slipping into her voice. "This is so unfair..."

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry I can't do more. But please, don't get caught. If anyone finds out... our lives are over."

"The life of the child I'm carrying is already over before it's even begun..." she whispered, tears blurring her vision.

By the end of her first trimester, Honoka had started gaining noticeable weight. There was no hiding it anymore. Her family noticed.

"Why have you suddenly gained so much weight?" Princess Hitomi asked, narrowing her eyes as she held baby Yusha in her arms, her own belly round with her second child, Ame. "No... it's more like... you look pregnant. Honoka, what happened?"

"Nothing. Just leave me alone," Honoka snapped, clutching her aching belly.

Hitomi exchanged a knowing glance with the maids. Without a word, they rushed to inform Empress Kasumi.

Honoka was summoned.

"To think you'd engage in premarital relations..." Empress Kasumi seethed. "Are you trying to disgrace the House of Namidai?! Do you want to tarnish our name?! This is not how a woman expresses her sexuality, Honoka! Didn't I raise you better than this? If you can't keep your pants on, then you should've just married like your sister!"

"That's hilarious," Honoka said, letting out a dry, bitter laugh.

"Huh?" her mother snapped. "You dare laugh when you've hit rock bottom?!"

"With all due respect, Mother," Honoka said calmly, though her voice wavered. "I wanted to marry the father of the child I'm carrying. But you rejected the proposal."

Empress Kasumi froze. "...Kabula of Badila is the father? You had relations with him?!"

"Is this what you wanted?" Honoka asked, tears glistening in her eyes. "Are you happy now?"

"Go," Kasumi said sharply. "Go and get an abortion."

The words cut like a blade.

"What...?" Honoka whispered, stunned.

"Kabula has it easy—he's a man. The Badilites have it easy. We're the ones who bear the shame of having a child out of wedlock. That's something I will never allow. So get rid of it. That's an order."

"I REFUSE!" Honoka screamed, tears now flowing freely. "I REFUSE! THIS IS MY CHILD, AND I LOVE THEM! THEY DESERVE TO LIVE JUST AS MUCH AS ANY OTHER BABY BORN IN A MARRIAGE! IT'S NOT FAIR! KABULA AND I WANTED TO GET MARRIED, BUT YOU ALL SAID NO!"

"HONOKA!" Empress Kasumi shouted back. "You dare raise your voice at me?! If Mother Akela hadn't banned the banishment of daughters, I would've exiled you right this moment!"

Honoka took a deep breath, voice shaking but steady. "You're ashamed of what I'm carrying. Ashamed of your own grandchild. Fine. I won't get rid of them—but I'll stay out of your sight until I give birth. You'll never have to see this child."

"Honoka..."

"Do I have permission to isolate myself?"

"If you're keeping it, then yes. Give birth in secret," Kasumi said coldly. "Your idea is acceptable."

As Honoka left the chamber, she passed her sister in the hallway.

"You've really done it now," Hitomi muttered, arms crossed.

Honoka said nothing, walking right past her.

"I'm going to be inaugurated as Empress soon," Hitomi called after her.

"Congratulations," Honoka replied flatly.

"...Thank you," Hitomi said with a soft smile. "And... I wish you and your child well."

Honoka paused, surprised. She turned to look at her sister, only to see her walking away.

"...Thank you," Honoka whispered, smiling through her tears.

Princess Honoka retreated to Taketomi Island in Okinawa Prefecture—a serene, remote place where time seemed to stand still. The island, known for its white sand streets and red-roofed Ryukyuan houses guarded by lion-like Shisa statues, offered peace.

She stayed in a private villa near Kondoi Beach. The traditional Ryukyuan design gave her a comforting sense of connection—to both the past and herself.

Each day was quiet. Isolated. Reflective.

She prayed. She wept. She repented for her sins. She acknowledged that fornication was a serious transgression, and she sincerely asked God for forgiveness and mercy.

One night, under the full moon, Honoka wandered the island alone. The soft ocean breeze kissed her skin. Stars shimmered above her. The pains of labor suddenly struck her like a wave.

Clutching her belly, she stumbled toward the nearest palm tree. She leaned against it, dizzy and breathless.

"I know I sinned," she whispered. "And I regret it. I really do. I repent, my Lord... But is this justice? That our sincere love was rejected because of some ancient feud? That this innocent child has to suffer for it?"

She clutched her abdomen as another sharp pain hit.

"How I wish I had died before this... and been forgotten, unseen, unknown..."

The tree suddenly trembled.

Fresh, ripe dates fell into her lap.

Honoka gasped.

Then she heard footsteps.

Kabula emerged from the shadows, holding a bottle of water. "God hasn't forsaken you, Honoka," he said gently. "And His justice will prevail. So don't despair. You've always been the hopeful one. You're about to bring life into this world—don't let your heart break now. You're about to become a mother."

Tears spilled down her cheeks as his words wrapped around her like a warm blanket.

"You're the worst," she chuckled weakly. "Why do you always show up so late?"

"...Because that's when you need me the most."

She drank the water. Ate the dates. Regained her strength.

"Thank you, Kabu-chan..."

They walked back to the villa hand in hand.

"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?" Kabula asked.

"No," she smiled. "Seeing a doctor would risk leaking the pregnancy. That's why I'm so glad you have a medical degree. You're the only one who can help me give birth... safely."

Kabula smirked. "Hmm... I think it's going to be a girl."

"Oh? How can you tell?"

"I just feel it in my bones..."