Rnzo arrived back at the Northern Palace just as the lanterns were being lit. He moved quietly through the chambers, fatigue on his shoulders but warmth in his eyes.
When he stepped into their room, he found Gina awake, sitting by the window with a book resting forgotten in her lap.
She looked up, and her face brightened instantly.
Rnzo smiled, shrugging off his jacket as he walked toward her. He leaned down and kissed her—slow, gentle, lingering—his hand brushing the side of her cheek.
"How was your day?" he asked softly.
Gina exhaled dramatically. "Boring. I wish I had gone with you."
Rnzo chuckled, following her gaze down to her feet. "You know exactly why you couldn't go."
Gina blushed and nudged him playfully. "Don't tease me."
Rnzo laughed under his breath, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I'm going to take a shower."
Gina raised a brow. "Then go."
Rnzo laughed again—then without warning, slipped an arm under her legs and another behind her back. Gina squealed as he lifted her effortlessly.
"Rnzo!" she protested, though smiling wide.
"You said 'go,'" he replied, carrying her with him as she hid her face against his shoulder, laughter echoing softly down the hall.
After their bath, Rnzo and Gina lay curled together beneath the soft blankets, the glow of the lantern dimming the chamber in warm amber light. Gina rested her head on his chest, lazily tracing circles on his skin as they talked about everything and nothing.
"Has Kaisen asked Mirha yet?" Gina asked suddenly, her voice gentle but curious.
Rnzo opened one eye, amused. "He's… in the process," he said. Then he tilted his head to look down at her. "Why are you so invested, hm?"
Gina pouted a little. "Because…" She shifted, propping her chin on his chest. "I just have this feeling that Kanha might ruin it for Mirha. Kanha is so convinced she'll marry Kaisen—it's strange. Almost… obsessive."
Rnzo chuckled softly. "There's nothing in Kaisen's way. You don't have to worry about Kanha." He brushed her cheek with his thumb. "Kaisen knows what he wants."
Gina nodded, though her brows remained faintly drawn. Still, she relaxed into his warmth. After a moment, she looked up and saw Rnzo's eyelids growing heavy, his breathing slowing.
She smiled to herself as he drifted to sleep, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat under her ear soothing her own worries—for now.
After a while, Princess Goya arrived—unexpected and elegant—as Kanha was still having breakfast with Queen Mother Raina. Raina's face brightened in surprise.
Kanha's stomach dropped.
A cold sweat prickled her skin.
Her mind began racing.
Did Goya come to report her? Did she already tell someone about yesterday? Who else knows? How do I fix this?
She needed to salvage her image—fast.
But when Goya reached the table, she didn't even glance at Kanha.
Not a nod.
Not a polite smile.
Nothing.
She bent down and kissed Raina on the cheek sweetly, greeting her like she was the only other person present. Then she sat—still pointedly ignoring Kanha, even after Kanha greeted her with forced grace.
Raina noticed the tension, but wisely kept silent.
"I had an unfinished match of chess with Mirha," Goya said lightly. "I wanted to come play with her."
Raina giggled. "Only if you find her, dear. She said she was going shopping earlier."
Goya nodded and left for Mirha's chambers.
When she reached the door, she heard laughter—Mirha's laughter.
Goya exhaled in relief. She's okay.
The moment she stepped inside, Mirha was adjusting her clothes. Goya immediately pulled her into a hug—Mirha didn't hesitate to return it.
Mirha giggled, "What's wrong?"
Goya didn't want to bring up Kanha or yesterday's cruelty, so she simply said, "I missed you," and giggled too when they pulled apart.
She glanced at Mirha's outfit. "Where are you going?"
Mirha smiled mischievously. "Wellllll… I may have lied about going shopping. I just wanted an excuse to dress up and circle the castle before coming back."
Goya burst into laughter. "We can still go together."
Mirha's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Goya nodded.
Once Mirha finished dressing, they stepped out—only to immediately run into Kanha standing in the hall like a shadow waiting for its moment.
Goya moved to walk past, but Mirha stopped out of politeness, so Goya stopped as well.
Kanha spoke, her voice syrup-sweet but trembling underneath.
"I know what happened yesterday was very out of character. Even for me. Princess, I would like to apologize for that… lash out you witnessed. See—even Mirha has forgiven me."
She reached out and gently took Mirha's hand, holding it as if they were dear friends.
Mirha looked at her, stunned at how shamelessly Kanha lied.
Kanha had not apologized.
Not even once.
Let alone Mirha forgiving her.
But Goya's expression didn't soften—not even slightly.
She stared Kanha down and said coolly:
"Remind me… when did I ask you to speak to me, hmm? Look, Lady—" she emphasized the title with disdain "—you are on my way. If you could move, it would please me."
The fake smile Kanha had been wearing shattered instantly.
She released Mirha's hand like it burned.
Goya turned sharply, using the moment to pull Mirha along—leaving Kanha standing in the corridor, her face crumbling.
Kanha's ego burned hotter than the tears still clinging to her lashes.
Her nails dug so deep into her palms she almost broke skin.
She kept her face still—expression neutral—until Goya and Mirha disappeared from sight.
Then the mask cracked.
She inhaled sharply. This is going to be harder than I thought.
But she needed to get back into Goya's good graces. She had to. Losing face with Raina was one thing—losing face with a princess was political suicide.
She turned stiffly to the maids nearby.
"You," she said sharply, her voice trembling with anger she refused to show. "Prepare a carriage for Malaka. Immediately."
The maids bowed and hurried away.
Kanha didn't wait for them to go far before spinning on her heel and storming toward her chambers—her steps quick, her breaths shallow, her mind already plotting.
She needed a plan.
She needed leverage.
And she needed it before Kaisen left for Malaka.
Queen Mother Raina sat in her study, a cup of jasmine tea steaming beside her as she listened to the trembling maid finish her explanation. The girl expected anger… or at least concern.
Instead, Raina leaned back in her chair, blinked once—
And burst into laughter.
A full, warm, unrestrained laugh.
The maid flinched, confused.
Raina wiped a tear of mirth from the corner of her eye.
"Oh heavens… so that's the storm I sensed at breakfast."
She set her cup down with a soft clink, still smiling.
"So Kanha decided to bare her fangs openly? To Mirha of all people? The most loved lady in court?"
Raina chuckled again. "I always suspected that girl had a volcano beneath all that makeup."
The maid didn't dare laugh, but her shoulders relaxed.
Raina waved a hand. "Oh, don't look so frightened. I am not angry. This palace has been far too quiet lately. A little drama builds character."
She thought about Mirha—sweet, soft-spoken, gentle Mirha—standing there while Kanha exploded.
And then she pictured Princess Goya's unimpressed expression.
Raina laughed even louder.
"Oooh, Kanha must be dying inside… Goya does not forget or forgive lightly."
She sipped her tea again, more amused than before.
"But mark my words," Raina added, her voice softening, "when the quiet ones finally speak, that is when the true storm arrives."
She tapped her fingers on the desk, thoughtful.
"My poor Mirha. And my foolish Kanha. This will get interesting."
Then she smiled—calm, elegant, and knowing.
"As long as no one dies," she said lightly, "I shall allow it."
Mirha and Goya stepped out of the palace gates, the soft afternoon sun warming their shoulders. The bustle of the capital flowed around them—vendors calling, children running, carriages rattling—but with Goya chattering excitedly beside her, Mirha felt lighter than she had in days.
They stopped by a small market stall where Mirha insisted Goya try a sweet rice pastry. Goya tasted it, her eyes widening.
"This is… incredible."
"I know!" Mirha beamed proudly. "I have excellent taste. It's a burden, really."
Goya laughed, shaking her head.
As they walked farther, past the busy parts of the city and toward quieter roads, Goya glanced at Mirha's face—calmer now, but still touched with the sadness she tried to hide.
Goya slipped her arm through hers.
"Mirha?"
"Hmm?"
"Come with me to Kilimah."
Mirha blinked. "K-Kilimah? Now?"
"Yes. Today." Goya nodded with certainty. "I know you said you just wanted to circle the castle and come back, but you need a change of scenery. And Kilimah Estate is so peaceful right now. You'll like it."
Mirha hesitated. "Princess, that is so sudden. I cannot just—"
"You can." Goya tightened her arm around Mirha's. "Besides… I want to show you something."
Mirha's curious expression made Goya smile wider.
"There's a beautiful lake tributary near the estate," Goya explained. "Not the main lake—the hidden one. Hardly anyone knows about it. When I was little, I used to sneak there to play with the water reeds. I want you to see it."
Mirha's heart softened. The idea of quiet water, greenery, and a peaceful distance from Kanha's harsh words felt like a deep breath she didn't know she needed.
She looked at Goya, who waited with bright, hopeful eyes.
Mirha nodded slowly.
"…Alright. I would love to see it."
Goya squealed and hugged her tightly. "Good! Then we leave before anyone can stop us."
Mirha laughed as Goya pulled her toward the carriage.
For the first time that day, Mirha felt genuinely excited.
When they arrived at Kilimah Estate, Goya led Mirha through the back pathway—the stream was closer there, and she was excited to show Mirha the tributary she grew up playing in.
But as soon as the trees parted, they froze.
Kain was already in the water.
Sunlight glinted off his bare shoulders, water dripping down his hair as he pushed it back. Goya and Mirha exchanged one dramatic glance—Goya's eyes widened, Mirha's cheeks instantly turned pink.
Before Mirha could look twice, Goya clapped a hand over her eyes.
"Don't stare at my man!" she scolded playfully.
Mirha burst into laughter, and the sound made Kain open his eyes.
He blinked—then chuckled too, seeing Goya shielding Mirha like a protective wife. Mirha quickly turned away in embarrassment… only to turn directly toward another shirtless body.
One of Kain's colonels stood at the edge of the stream, also half-undressed from training. Mirha panicked, tried to step back—and slipped.
With a splash she fell into the stream.
The colonel immediately jumped in after her, but Goya held up a hand.
"No! It's our turn to play," she declared proudly, as if this were a game she'd been waiting to win.
The colonel looked from Goya to Kain, confused. Kain simply nodded, amused.
"Go," he said, still chuckling.
The men retreated to give the ladies space, and Goya dove into the water after Mirha. Soon the two were splashing each other like children, their laughter echoing down the stream while Kain shook his head at the chaos they brought with them.