Miyuna's gaze softened, and the air around them seemed to calm. For a moment, it felt like time itself slowed.
"Aaki and I are friends," Miyuna said gently.
The prince clapped his hands together. "See! Our guess was right!"
The princess grinned brightly. "Yeah!"
Miyuna's calm eyes narrowed slightly. "Come back to listening, I just started talking."
"Sorry, big sis, continue," the two replied in unison.
"Five years ago, I met Aaki," Miyuna began. Her voice carried a faint nostalgia. "I still remember that day… it was beautiful."
"I remember it too," Aaki said softly.
Miyuna's lips curved. "It's good to know you remember the day we met."
The prince and princess exchanged looks. The princess cleared her throat. "Big sis, I think you lost the track."
Aaki and Miyuna both snapped back from the haze of memory.
"Sorry about that," Miyuna admitted.
Her tone shifted as she continued. "Back then… Aaki was taking care of his children."
"His… K-KIDS?!" the siblings exclaimed, eyes wide, voices breaking in disbelief.
Aaki's tone stayed calm. "There's no need to freak out like that." He lowered his voice, softer now. "They're my kids. I found them while I was training…"
A sadness flickered across his eyes. "Two innocent newborns, abandoned in the middle of nowhere." His fists tightened. "How could someone… abandon newborn children like that?"
Miyuna gently placed her hand on his clenched fist, opening it without a word. The princess's eyes glistened, and even the prince's face tightened with sympathy. Miyuna's expression, however, remained unreadable.
"Aaki didn't leave them behind," Miyuna said quietly. "He took them with him."
Her thoughts drifted. Aaki is always like this… saving others, carrying burdens that aren't his. Without complaint. Without asking for anything in return. I…
"Big sis, you there?!" the princess clapped her hands loudly.
Miyuna blinked, snapping back. "Sorry, I was lost in thought."
Aaki studied her. "You okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine," she replied softly.
The prince leaned forward eagerly. "What happened after that?"
"I took them in. I raised them. Trained them… though it wasn't easy," Aaki said, his voice steady but tired. Then, his tone warmed. "They admire Miyuna as their mother. They love her more than anything."
The princess clasped her hands. "Congrats, big sis, you're a mother now!"
The prince muttered, "Wait… does she not know she's their mother already?"
The princess laughed awkwardly. "Oh… yeah… sorry."
"It's fine. She's just excited," Miyuna said with her calm smile.
"Please, lead the story," the prince urged.
Miyuna nodded. "The same day Aaki adopted them… was the day I met him." She paused, her voice taking on a gentler hue. "They were so small, so fragile. Aaki didn't realize they were hungry, but I knew right away."
"I was trying to calm them when she appeared," Aaki said, warmth entering his voice.
---
Flashback
"You seem to be struggling with these little cuties," Miyuna said, her gentle smile glowing like sunlight as she stood before him.
She blocked the sun with her presence, her silhouette framed in gold.
"Where's their mother?" she asked softly.
"I don't know… I don't even know who she is. I just… found them, abandoned. I'm not good with children, but I couldn't leave them." Aaki's voice wavered with quiet sorrow.
"You did a great thing," Miyuna said, relief softening her features. "There are beasts in these lands. Without you, they would've been gone."
"They're safe, but they're still crying. I tried everything…" Aaki muttered helplessly.
"That's because they're hungry," Miyuna said knowingly.
"Oh… I didn't realize…"
"It's all right. Come with me, I'll warm some milk," she said warmly.
Aaki shook his head. "I can do it with magic."
But Miyuna stepped forward, gently taking the babies from his arms.
"What are you doing?" Aaki asked, confused.
"Not everything should be solved with magic," she replied softly. "Food alone isn't enough. They need to be fed with love."
Her words struck something in him. Aaki lowered his gaze. "…You're right."
"It's okay. But if you've taken them in…" Miyuna said, meeting his eyes.
"…Then be a good father."
Aaki froze. "Father?"
"Yes. You took them in. You're their father now. Raise them as your own," she said, her voice firm but kind.
Aaki's chest tightened. He looked at the babies, fragile yet clinging to life. "…I'll try. I'll be a good father."
"That's all they need." Miyuna smiled, the kind of smile that warmed and cut all at once. "Now come. They're hungry."
"…Thank you."
As they walked together, Aaki finally asked, "I forgot to ask your name."
"I'm Miyuna," she replied.
He gave a small smile. "…I'm Aaki."
---
End Flashback
"And that's how we met," Miyuna said, smiling faintly.
The siblings were wide-eyed with wonder.
"We get it now! But what happened after?" the prince asked.
"That's enough for today," Aaki said firmly.
"Eh?! That's all?" the princess pouted.
Miyuna chuckled. "There's more. Much more. But not yet. Some truths are better revealed when the time comes."
"You two are amazing," the prince said, smiling.
The princess took Miyuna's hand and tugged her up. "Big sis, I need to talk to you. Something important."
"Important?" Miyuna tilted her head.
"I'll explain, but come with me first." She pulled Miyuna toward the door.
"Wait! I want to join too!" the prince called.
The princess shot him a smug grin. "Sorry, brother. This is a conversation between girls."
The door closed behind them, leaving Aaki and the prince alone.
The prince turned. "Will Big Sis tell her everything?"
Aaki shook his head, his voice calm but distant. "No. Not yet. When the time comes, we'll tell you both… together."
The prince sighed in relief. "Good. I was worried."
Aaki stepped onto the balcony, looking out at the fading sky.
"Is something bothering You, Master? "
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"…I'm missing someone. Someone important to me."
The prince blinked, curiosity flaring. "Someone important? Who?"
Aaki's eyes darkened with an emotion he couldn't hide. "…Someone I can never forget."