[Leif’s Pov—Continuation]

I HAVEN’T TOLD MY PARENTS YET.

The words slammed into my skull like a hammer of divine stupidity. I froze mid-step outside the tea hall, smiling stiffly at Madam—uh, Mother Selena—who was still talking about wedding colors. Wedding. Colors.

"Leif, dear, I think Alvar would look divine in navy," she was saying, all calm and composed. "And perhaps you in ivory silk?"

Navy. Ivory.

My brain short-circuited. I could already see it—my father collapsing from shock, my mother fainting into the wedding cake, Alina bullying Alvar and Zephyy eating the rings.

"Y-Yes, mother," I croaked, forcing a smile that screamed panic. "Ivory’s... uh... very bridal."

As soon as her carriage left, I turned to Zephyy, clutching my head like the world’s most dramatic soap opera hero.

"Zephyy," I hissed, "I’M DOOMED."

The false, tiny, smug creature blinked, completely unimpressed. "What’s new about that, master? Wasn’t your life already a continuous parade of doom?"

I groaned, collapsing into my carriage seat like a deflated balloon. "It hurts because it’s true."

Then—STING!

A sharp, invisible prick shot through my spine. My body went stiff.

I sat up slowly, the air suddenly feeling thick. It was that unmistakable, skin-crawling sensation—like being watched. Closely. Intently. By something that knew how to hide.

"...Zephyy," I whispered. "Do you feel that?"

He tilted his head, licking his paw nonchalantly. "Feel what?"

"That ominous energy! That—’your funeral’s in ten minutes’ kind of stare!" I peeked out the window. Nothing unusual. Just the usual bustle of the street—horses clopping, merchants shouting, and a man sneezing loud enough to scare pigeons. But still... that feeling. That uncomfortable prickle that crawled between my shoulder blades.

I scanned the alleys, the passing faces. Nothing. Yet, the back of my neck prickled like ice sliding down my spine.

I exhaled sharply, forcing a laugh. "Maybe I’m imagining things," I muttered, slumping back into the seat. "Paranoia is my new skincare routine anyway."

Zephyy yawned, curling up beside me. "You really should sleep more, master."

"I would," I said, staring blankly out the window, "if my life didn’t feel like the prelude to an assassination attempt."

He blinked lazily. "Sounds like an average Tuesday for you."

I rubbed my temples, sighing. "Whatever it is, it can wait. I’ve got bigger problems—namely, telling my parents before Mother Selena personally marches into the Thorenvald estate and announces my engagement over dinner."

***

[Thorenvald Estate—Later—Night]

I flopped face-first onto my bed like a freshly harvested potato and let out a muffled scream into the sheets.

"I couldn’t."

Nick, who was quietly organizing my wardrobe, blinked in confusion. "My lord?"

I shot up, hair a complete disaster, and dramatically yelled, "I COULDN’T COME OUT TO MY PARENTS!!!"

Nick gasped as if I’d just confessed to treason. "My lord, are you... are you okay?"

I sniffled pitifully. "No! I tried! I really did! I even rehearsed a whole speech in front of the mirror! But then—then Mother blinded me!"

Nick blinked. "Blinded you?"

"Yes!" I wailed, gesturing wildly. "She wore every single Trivium Core Stone jewelry piece from the box I gifted her! Every single one! Necklaces, earrings, bracelets—she was practically a walking gemstone explosion! My retinas gave up halfway through dinner! I forgot how to speak! I forgot why I was there!"

Nick stood there awkwardly, clearly unsure if he should offer sympathy or call a healer. "My lord, should I... fetch you anything to help calm you down?"

I threw my hand out dramatically, palm up. "Yes, Nick. I want love. Which you, sadly, cannot give."

And then—

"MAYBE I CAN!"

. . .

"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! GHOST!!!"

I shrieked, diving behind Nick like a frightened squirrel. He screamed too—because why suffer alone?

Then a shadow loomed from the balcony. The moonlight poured in, outlining a tall, broad figure as he stepped through with effortless grace.

My heart skipped, stopped, and then decided to restart with fireworks.

"...Alvar?!" I gasped.

He smirked faintly, brushing off a speck of dust from his cloak. "How are you, darling?"

I launched myself across the room like a missile and crashed into his chest. "Alvar!! I missed you!!"

He smiled—one of those rare, gentle smiles that made my heart do gymnastics—and kissed the top of my head. "I missed you too, my troublesome rainbow."

Nick, who had been standing frozen in the corner this whole time, coughed awkwardly. "Um... should I... leave?"

Before I could answer, Zephyy hopped onto his shoulder like a furry stowaway. "I’m coming too," he declared flatly.

And just like that, the two of them bolted out of the room as if chased by an angry ghost.

The door clicked shut, and silence settled—a soft, glowing silence filled with the sound of my heartbeat. I turned toward the balcony, still catching my breath. "Did you climb up here? How did you even get past the estate guards?"

Alvar chuckled, his thumb brushing slowly over my cheek. "For you, Leif... climbing walls and dodging guards is child’s play."

His touch was warm, his gaze even warmer. I felt my face heat up like I’d swallowed sunlight. I smiled and wrapped my arms around him, resting my head against his chest. His heartbeat was steady, deep, and grounding.

He rested his chin on my hair and murmured with that faint, teasing tone of his, "So... you even managed to charm my mother, hmm?"

I snorted softly, still pressed against him. "She was adorable, Alvar. I was terrified at first, but she ended up ordering every pastry in the hall for me. I think I cried a little."

A soft laugh rumbled through his chest. "She said the same thing."

I blinked, looking up. "She cried too?"

He chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "No. She said you were adorable."

My breath caught, and for once, I didn’t have anything witty to say. His fingers trailed along my jaw, slow and deliberate, as his voice softened.

"She told me she finally understands why I chose you."

***

[Lief’s Chamber—Moments Later

"...I’ve already sent another letter to His Majesty," Alvar murmured, his voice low and smooth against the quiet. "He’s summoned me for an audience tomorrow. Once he grants permission, we’ll be married—immediately."

I lay sprawled across him, my leg hooked lazily over his, his arm draped possessively around my waist. "Hmm..." I hummed, my cheek pressed against his chest. "Do you think His Majesty will actually agree?"

"Of course," he replied, as he traced lazy circles on my hip. "He has to agree. And if he doesn’t..." His tone dipped, sly and dangerous. "Well, I have a few ways to blackma— I mean, convince him."

I lifted my head and squinted at him. "Right. Convince. "

He only smirked.

I sighed, sinking back into his warmth. "At least you only have to deal with His Majesty. I still have to tell my parents."

Alvar’s hand stilled. "...You haven’t told them yet?"

"I wanted to," I mumbled, fumbling with one of his shirt buttons, "but I couldn’t. I completely froze."

He chuckled softly, the sound rumbling under my fingers. "My brave, fearless Leif—defeated by his own parents."

"Don’t mock me," I said weakly, still playing with the button until it popped open.

Alvar caught my wrist, smiling faintly. "Careful, my love. That’s a dangerous road you’re walking."

I blinked up at him innocently, feigning confusion. "What road?"

He chuckled, the sound soft and rich. "The one that usually ends with me forgetting my self-control."

I felt my ears burn and quickly looked away.

He laughed quietly at my flustered state and brushed his fingers through my hair. "So... how was your day, hmm?"

I pouted and ignored him, tracing idle shapes on his chest instead. "My day was good though... aside from that weird, ominous stare I felt earlier."

He tilted his head, brows furrowing slightly. "Ominous stare?"

"Yeah," I murmured, still distracted by how smooth his skin felt under my fingertips. "It felt like someone was watching me. Not directly, but... I don’t know. Like a prickling in my spine. Maybe I was just imagining things."

For a heartbeat, he didn’t reply. His hand on my waist tightened ever so slightly—as if he’d sensed something I couldn’t.

"Did you see anyone strange around you?" he asked, voice low and cautious.

I slipped my hand beneath his shirt, brushing my fingers against the warmth of his chest. My cheeks flushed. "No... just normal people. No one weird," I said softly.

He went silent after that, eyes distant and thoughtful. The air between us grew quiet—but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was filled with a strange tenderness.

I looked up at him, my voice barely above a whisper. "Kiss me."

He blinked. "...What?"

I smiled mischievously. "You heard me."

A slow smile curved his lips before he leaned down and kissed me—gently at first, then deeper, his hand tracing up my spine. His warmth wrapped around me like a blanket; I never wanted to leave.

When he pulled back, his breath ghosted against my ear. "Should I stay?"

I nodded, curling into his chest. "Yes. You can leave early morning."

His arms tightened around me, his voice a quiet promise. "Alright... whatever my love says."

Outside, the wind rattled softly against the balcony doors. Inside, the world faded away—until it was just the two of us, hearts steady, warmth shared, and silence speaking everything that words could not.