The moonlight spilled softly through the curtains, bedroom in a bright calm. Gina lay with her head on Rnzo's chest, her fingers tracing idle circles against his skin.
"Rnzo," she said gently, "has Kaisen finally proposed to Mirha?"
Rnzo chuckled lowly. "I don't know. But if he did, I'm certain I'd be the first to hear of it."
Gina smiled at that, eyes bright with excitement. "I can't wait for them. Will Mirha move here when they marry?"
Rnzo shook his head, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "No. He'll probably take her back to Father's estate in Magili—he inherited it, after all. Or perhaps to Kamaya. He spends more time there than in Taico these days."
Gina's smile faltered for a moment. "That's far," she murmured.
"Yes," Rnzo said softly, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze, "but wherever he takes her, she'll be happy. You know Kaisen—he'd give her the world if she asked."
Gina's expression softened again, her lips curling into a warm smile. "Then I'll be content with that."
Rnzo kissed her forehead. "You're too fond of her."
"She's the closest thing I have to a sister," Gina replied, closing her eyes. "And everyone deserves a love like yours."
Rnzo laughed under his breath. "Then Kaisen better take notes."
The soft scent of fresh blossoms filled the chamber when Gina awoke. Sunlight slipped through the curtains, and beside her lay a bundle of wildflowers tied with a silk ribbon. She smiled faintly—until she noticed Rnzo was nowhere near.
Pulling on her robe, she stepped out and found him at the end of the corridor, already dressed in his formal attire, speaking quietly with one of his attendants.
"Where are you going?" she asked, her tone serious and a little sleepy.
Rnzo turned, his expression softening the moment he saw her. He walked back, cupped her cheek, and kissed her lightly. "Good morning, sweetheart."
"Where are you going?" she repeated.
He sighed with a small smile. "Back to the Imperial Castle. Arvin's holding a council meeting, and I have to attend. I'll return late in the evening. You can sleep… or wait for me," he added with a teasing smirk.
"Take me with you," Gina said, crossing her arms.
Rnzo chuckled quietly. "Sweetheart, you can barely walk properly," he teased. "If I took you, everyone would think I've been mistreating my wife."
Gina's cheeks flushed red, and she hid her smile. "Then at least buy some of the good fruits for Mirha and The Princess Goya I'm sure Kanha has had these before," she said, emphasizing the word with a playful glare. "The ones that don't taste like poison."
Rnzo laughed softly, clearly amused. "Yes, my lady." He leaned in, kissed her forehead, and whispered, "I'll be back before the moonlight."
She watched him leave, the echo of his boots fading down the marble corridor, and smiled to herself.
When Rnzo arrived at the Imperial Castle, the guards at the gate bowed deeply, each offering their congratulations for his recent marriage. He acknowledged them with a polite nod, his stride confident but unhurried.
One of the Emperor's guards approached, gesturing respectfully. "Your Grace, allow me to lead you to the council chamber. His Majesty and the others are already seated."
Rnzo raised a hand, stopping him. "Where is Lady Mirha?"
The guard straightened quickly. "Her Ladyship is in the garden, playing chess with Princess Goya."
"Just perfect," Rnzo said with a faint smile. He turned to his men. "Bring the gifts."
They followed him through the garden paths until the two ladies came into view beneath the shade of flowering trees, the chessboard between them. When they noticed him approaching, both rose immediately. Mirha bowed low, and Princess Goya gave a graceful curtsey.
"Ladies," Rnzo greeted warmly. "My wife sends her greetings and wishes you both well. She asked me to deliver these gifts—some fruits from the southern coast—as a token of her missing you."
He handed them the baskets, each wrapped carefully with ribbons and soft cloth.
Mirha's face brightened with genuine delight. "Please thank the Duchess for me, Your Grace. She is far too kind."
Princess Goya added with a playful smile, "Truly, this is far too generous."
Rnzo chuckled lightly. "You think this is too much? Trust me, my ladies—it's not nearly enough."
They laughed softly, and with a courteous bow, Rnzo excused himself. "If you'll pardon me, duty calls."
He turned and strode toward the council hall, the sound of his boots fading behind the rustle of leaves.
The tall double doors of the council chamber swung open, and Rnzo stepped in, his cloak swaying behind him. The room fell into a low murmur — the smell of incense mixed with parchment and candle wax filled the air.
Around the long polished table sat Emperor Arvin at the head, his expression composed yet slightly weary. To his right was General Kain, tapping his fingers lazily against the table. Kaisen leaned back in his chair, sharp-eyed and silent, while Lord Heman reviewed a scroll in front of him. Queen Mother Raina sat gracefully near Arvin, her calm presence softening the tense room. At the far end, Lord Tando and Lady Kiara whispered to each other, both looking far too cheerful for a council session.
When they saw Rnzo enter, Tando immediately spoke up with a grin. "Finally! Look who decided to show up — did you forget we had a meeting or were you still on your honeymoon?"
Kiara smacked his arm lightly, whispering, "Tando!"
Rnzo smirked as he closed the door behind him. "Yes, I'm here — and well rested, thank you."
Kaisen rolled his eyes. "We can tell."
Raina chuckled softly, rising from her seat. "Oh, leave the boy alone," she said with a mother's fondness. She walked over to Rnzo and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Welcome back, my dear. How is Gina?"
Rnzo's expression softened instantly. "She's well, Your Majesty. Happier than ever. She even confessed she loved me."
The room fell into a brief stunned silence — and then, predictably, Tando leaned forward. "Are you sure you didn't threaten her life first?"
Kain burst into laughter, and even Arvin's lips twitched before he looked down, trying to suppress a smile.
Rnzo shot Tando a glare but said nothing, only rolling his eyes as he took his seat. "Your humor is as dreadful as your reports, Tando."
"Still better than your punctuality," Tando fired back, earning another smack from Kiara.
Arvin raised a hand, his tone calm but commanding. "Enough. We have matters to discuss, gentlemen. I need to be in Malaka by evening, so let's make this brief."
The laughter faded, and the atmosphere shifted back to business. Arvin leaned forward slightly, his expression turning serious. "First order — Nailah will be leaving for Bukid in three weeks to deliver her child. Her safety is our priority. The roads have been unpredictable lately, and I will not risk anything happening to her."
He paused, scanning the room. "Rnzo, I want you to ensure that the route to Bukid is secured. I'll assign a detachment of my best guards, but you will oversee the arrangements personally."
Rnzo straightened. "Understood, Your Majesty. I'll make sure everything is ready before her departure."
Raina's hand tightened slightly on her shawl. "She'll need a healer and at least one lady from court to accompany her. Childbirth away from the capital is… unpredictable."
Arvin nodded. "I've already spoken to the physicians. They'll leave with her at dawn."
Tando muttered under his breath, "And I thought newlyweds were the only ones who travelled for special occasions."
Kain sighed. "Tando, if you value your tongue—"
"Let him be," Rnzo cut in with a smirk. "He speaks like someone who's never been in love."
Laughter returned briefly to the room — light, fleeting — before Arvin brought it to order again. "Enough chatter. Let's proceed with the next matter: the upcoming council visit from Kamaya's envoys."
And as the discussion deepened, Rnzo's thoughts drifted momentarily — not to politics or travel routes, but to Gina's laughter that morning, her sleepy eyes, and the way she'd whispered his name.
He smiled faintly to himself, unnoticed by the others.
Kaisen had been quiet for most of the meeting, his expression calm but thoughtful. When Arvin announced Nailah's departure to Bukid, Kaisen finally spoke, his tone measured.
"Your Majesty," he said, "before Empress Nailah departs, I would like to speak with her privately."
The room grew still for a moment. It was unusual for Kaisen to make personal requests — especially one involving a royal lady.
Arvin turned to him, curious but composed. "Of course," he said after a pause. "You may speak with her before she leaves. I'll have her informed."
Kaisen inclined his head respectfully. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Tando leaned over to Kain, whispering just loud enough for Rnzo to hear, "Since when does Kaisen ask for private talks? Something's brewing."
Kain smirked. "Maybe not brewing — maybe blooming."
Rnzo said nothing, but a knowing look flickered across his face. He knew exactly what was on his brother's mind. Kaisen's request wasn't about Nailah herself — it was about Mirha. He wanted to ask for her hand, but he was going through the proper way: speaking to the Emperor's wife before presenting his proposal to the throne.
Raina, ever perceptive, watched Kaisen with a quiet smile. "Then I trust your words to her will bring comfort, not burden," she said gently.
Kaisen bowed slightly. "That is my hope, Your Majesty."
Arvin dismissed the topic with a wave. "Then it's settled. You'll have your chance before she departs."
The discussion returned to matters of the empire, but Rnzo's mind wandered. He hid a faint smile — his brother was finally ready to make the move everyone had been waiting for.