The morning after their narrow escape, the world seemed impossibly bright. The sunlight spilled over the rolling hills just outside the Verden estate, painting the fields gold and the trees emerald. Birds sang as if celebrating their victory, and the gentle rustle of the wind through the leaves whispered freedom into every corner of the forest. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Liana allowed herself to breathe fully, letting go of the fear and tension that had gripped her heart.
Eren sat beside her on a fallen log near the stream, his dark hair catching the sunlight and giving him an almost ethereal glow. His eyes softened when he looked at her, and the faintest smile curved his lips. "We made it," he said quietly, though it sounded like a proclamation of something far more profound.
Liana leaned against him, feeling the steady warmth of his body. "We did," she whispered, her voice still trembling slightly from the adrenaline of yesterday. "I… I never thought we would."
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "But we did. And now… now we can begin."
Her heart fluttered at his words. Begin… as in a new life, a life that was theirs alone. A life free from the shadows of fear, from Darius' schemes, from the suffocating expectations of a world that would never bless their love. The thought made her chest swell with hope, with desire, with a joy so deep it seemed almost too much for her to contain.
---
The forest around them became their sanctuary. Days passed in a soft, almost dreamlike rhythm. Eren and Liana built a small, hidden refuge among the trees—a cabin made from fallen wood and moss, sturdy enough to shelter them but still part of the forest. Every detail of their life together was infused with intimacy: gathering food from the nearby stream and fields, cooking together over a small fire, and whispering secrets into the night.
Liana found herself laughing more than she had in years. The sound startled her at first—so foreign, so light—but it grew freer with each passing day. Eren's laughter joined hers, rich and deep, echoing through the trees, and together, they found a rhythm that was entirely theirs.
"Remember yesterday?" Liana asked one evening as they sat by the fire, her head resting against his chest. "I thought… I thought we might never see sunlight again."
Eren's lips curved into a tender smile. "And yet here we are. Sunlight and all. I promised you, Liana. We endure. And look at us now… stronger than ever, together."
Her fingers threaded through his, holding tight as if she could physically tether her happiness to him. "I love you," she whispered. "I've never loved anyone like this… not ever."
Eren's hand lifted to cup her cheek, thumb brushing lightly over her skin. "And I love you. More than anything. More than fear, more than danger, more than the world could ever understand. You are mine, Liana… and I am yours. Always."
---
They began to explore the forest together, discovering hidden groves, sparkling streams, and secret clearings where the sunlight filtered in through the leaves like liquid gold. Every new place became a memory etched into their hearts: a secret kiss behind a flowering bush, playful splashes in the stream, whispered promises beneath the canopy of stars at night.
One afternoon, while wandering through a field of wildflowers, Liana tripped over a root, falling into Eren's arms. She gasped, cheeks flushed, and he laughed softly, holding her close. "Careful, my heart," he teased. "Or I'll have to keep you safe forever."
Her laughter rang out, pure and carefree. "I don't mind," she said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "As long as it's you keeping me safe."
He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, lingering in the quiet warmth of the day. "Always," he murmured.
---
As the weeks passed, their love deepened in ways that were both tender and thrilling. Liana discovered strength she had never known—strength to face the world, strength to defy expectations, strength to trust in love so fiercely that it could withstand any storm. Eren, too, revealed layers of his heart that had been hidden behind shadows, showing vulnerability, humor, and a quiet devotion that left her breathless.
One night, under a canopy of stars, Liana rested her head on Eren's shoulder. "Do you think… one day, we could live openly?" she asked softly, almost afraid of the answer.
Eren tightened his hold, his dark eyes reflecting the starlight. "Perhaps… but even if the world never blesses us, we have this. This life, this love. And sometimes, that's enough. Sometimes, that's everything."
Tears pricked Liana's eyes—not of sadness, but of overwhelming joy. The world might never approve, might never understand, might never bless their union—but here, now, in each other's arms, they had everything.
---
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. The forest became not only a refuge but a home, a place where they could heal from the shadows of the past and build a future together. They spoke of dreams and hopes, of small pleasures and grand adventures, of the life they wanted to create.
And each night, as they lay together beneath the stars, their hands intertwined, lips brushing in the tender intimacy of those stolen moments, they knew that their love—though forbidden—was eternal. Unbreakable. A bond that would endure all trials, all schemes, all expectations.
A love the world would never bless… yet one they had claimed entirely, freely, and joyfully.