Mirha woke up later than usual the next morning, the soft light filtering through the windows telling her the sun was already high. She sat up with a jolt, shocked at how deeply she had slept.
She quickly swung her legs off the bed and hurried toward the door, still in her thin, see-through nightgown.
She nearly collided with Arvin, who had just stepped into the room. He caught her gently by the shoulders, stopping her.
"Where are you rushing off to?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Gina…" Mirha said breathlessly. "I overslept. I need to go see her."
Arvin smiled softly and shook his head. "She is doing very well, although she is still asleep at the moment. And you can't possibly want to walk to the Duke's chambers like that."
Mirha glanced down and realized her breasts were clearly visible through the sheer fabric of her nightgown. She stepped back quickly, cheeks warming.
"I was just worried about her," she murmured.
Then her eyes widened. "The baby—"
Arvin stepped closer, gently closing the door behind him. "They are fine."
Mirha didn't quite register the word at first. She sighed in relief. "Oh, thank God."
Then it clicked.
"They?" she repeated, her voice rising with surprise. "She had twins?"
Mirha's smile widened, pure delight spreading across her face. "No way… there was more than one baby inside her. Oh God, what a miracle."
Arvin pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her and pressing a kiss to her hair.
"Yes, indeed a real one," he murmured, voice warm with affection.
He held her for a moment longer, then said gently, "How about you go freshen up, and we pay them a little visit?"
Mirha nodded excitedly, the exhaustion from the previous day forgotten. "Yes, please."
She slipped into the bathing chamber, heart light with anticipation.
Mirha hurried to Gina's chambers the moment she finished freshening up, her heart racing with anticipation.
The moment she stepped inside, the sight stopped her in her tracks. Mayora stood near the window, gently rocking one of the newborns in her arms. Gina was sitting up in bed, cradling the other tiny boy against her chest, looking both exhausted and radiant.
When Gina saw Mirha, her face broke into a tired but genuine smile.
"Mirha…"
Mirha moved closer, eyes wide with wonder. "Gina… oh my lord, how…?"
She couldn't finish the sentence. She simply stepped nearer and gazed down at the baby in Gina's arms. He was so small, so perfect — his lips full and pink, his tiny fingers curled against his mother's skin. Mirha's hand hovered, wanting to touch him, but she hesitated.
Gina noticed and smiled softly. "Please, hold him."
"I'm scared," Mirha whispered, eyes still fixed on the baby. "He looks so precious."
Gina carefully placed the infant in Mirha's arms anyway.
The moment Mirha held him, something inside her chest tightened. He was warm and impossibly light, his little body fitting perfectly against her. She pulled him closer instinctively, her voice barely above a whisper.
"He is precious… too precious. I… I love him already."
Gina's eyes filled with tears of pure joy. She tried to hold them back, but they spilled over anyway, a quiet, overwhelmed smile on her face.
The door opened softly. Queen Mother Raina entered, slightly out of breath, as if she had hurried the moment she heard the news. She bowed deeply to Gina, her usual regal composure softened by deep emotion.
"Your Grace… what a very precious gift you have given Èvana. An expensive gift to the royal family, and to my boy Rnzo."
Gina tried to sit up straighter. "Your Majesty, please—"
Raina raised a hand gently, stopping her. "You must stay down, my dear."
Gina relaxed back against the pillows, smiling gratefully. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Raina's gaze moved to the two babies — one nestled safely in Mayora's arms, the other cradled tenderly by Mirha. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears of happiness.
She had been given four grandchildren in such a short time. The year had been kinder to her than she could have imagined. For a moment, the usually composed Queen Mother looked as though she might float with joy.
--------------------->
One week had passed since the twins' arrival.
Rnzo had insisted that Queen Mother Raina name the boys. She chose Zoran and Amar — strong, beautiful names that carried the weight of the royal bloodline. The infants were kept away from the public eye for now. Raina had gently suggested that the people did not need to see them yet, and everyone agreed. The palace respected Gina's deep paranoia; only the trusted maids who moved with Mayora were allowed to touch the boys. Mirha, Yuma, Mayora, and even Goya took turns helping Gina with her everyday life, offering quiet support as the new mother slowly adjusted to her new reality.
Aside from that, life in Taico had settled into a careful normalcy.
One evening, Mirha walked through the gardens with Arvin, holding little Prince Kilimah in her arms. The baby was clearly amused by the garden butterflies, his wide eyes following their colorful flutter with pure delight. Mirha and Arvin laughed softly at his reactions, the sound light and easy between them.
"I need to sit," Mirha said after a while, her voice tired but content.
Arvin nodded and signaled the nearby guards. "Take the prince back inside."
Once Kilimah was safely carried away, Arvin led Mirha to a quiet garden pavilion and they sat together on the stone bench.
Mirha turned to him. "Has the carriage been sent to pick up my mother?"
Arvin nodded. "Yes. It left this morning."
Mirha smiled, genuine warmth in her eyes. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment. Then Arvin spoke, his voice quieter than usual.
"Mirha… do you love me?"
Mirha turned to him, surprised by the sudden question. She smiled softly. "Where is this coming from?"
Arvin looked at her steadily. "It's just a thought. So tell me, Lady Mirha Launi… do you love me?"
Mirha held his gaze for a long moment, then answered honestly.
"Yes. I do."
Arvin smiled, a flicker of relief crossing his face. He nodded once.
Mirha hesitated, then asked softly, "Do you love me?"
Arvin looked her dead in the eyes, his voice low and serious.
"You already know the answer to that question."
Mirha pressed her lips together. She did know.
Arvin continued, his tone deepening with quiet intensity. "I love you more than you know. Too much, in fact. That's why I must ask you this."
Mirha turned to him curiously, heart picking up speed.
Arvin took a slow breath, then said clearly, "I want you to be my wife, Mirha."
Mirha's mind spun with a thousand thoughts at once.
What would Nailah think?
What would the court say?
What would everyone think of her — the concubine who became the emperor's wife?
Arvin seemed to sense every doubt racing through her. He gently took her hands in his, his voice low and steady.
"Mirha… I know you're thinking of a lot of things right now. I have never asked you for anything before, but I am asking you this. I am requesting you to choose me this time. Choose us."
He held her hands tighter, his eyes never leaving hers.
"It is not that I can never love another woman. Not even the empress. I need you to understand that it is you I love. I want you to be my wife."
Mirha stared at him, heart hammering in her chest. She could see the vulnerability in his eyes — the same man who had fought for her in his own way, even when the world made it difficult.
After a long moment, she nodded.
Arvin, who had been braced for rejection, exhaled sharply and pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her as if afraid she might slip away. Mirha wrapped her arms around his neck and held on just as tightly. Her heart was beating fast, but beneath the fear was something deeper — love, fierce and undeniable. Arvin had always fought for their love. Now, she wanted to fight for him too.
She could feel his heart racing against her chest, his grip on her strong and desperate, as if she truly might disappear. He kept murmuring against her hair, voice rough with emotion.
"I love you… I love you…"
Mirha closed her eyes and held him even tighter, letting herself sink into the moment.