A month passed quietly.
Not peacefully.
Just quietly.
The kind of quiet that meant something was building underneath everything.
Morning light slipped through the curtains.
Soft.
Thin.
Gold at the edges.
Leah stood in front of the mirror.
Hand resting over her stomach.
Four months now.
Not small anymore.
Not hidden anymore.
A clear shape beneath fabric that no longer fit the same way.
She tried the first dress.
Pulled at the side.
Paused.
It didn't close.
She tried again.
Same result.
A breath left her.
"…It doesn't fit."
Another dress.
Too tight.
Another.
Worse.
She stopped.
Still.
"…Nothing fits anymore."
Silence behind her.
Izana stood near the bed.
Already dressed.
Already composed.
Watching.
Not the dresses.
Her.
A pause.
Then—
"…Don't wear it."
Leah glanced at him through the mirror.
"…I have to wear something."
His voice stayed calm.
Controlled.
"…Not that."
She turned slightly.
Frustration flickered now.
"…Then what?"
Izana walked forward.
No rush.
Never rush.
He opened the wardrobe.
Looked once.
Then pulled one out.
Simple.
Elegant.
Loose enough.
Intentional.
He held it up.
"…Wear this."
Leah blinked.
"…Since when do you choose my clothes?"
"…Since yours stopped fitting."
Silence.
Then a small exhale from her.
Not annoyed.
Just resigned.
"…That's unfair."
"…It's accurate."
She took it from him.
When she returned—
it fit.
Comfortably.
Softly.
She turned slightly in the mirror.
Ran her hands down the fabric.
"…Better."
Izana nodded once.
"…Yes."
A pause.
Leah looked at him.
"…You planned that."
"…Yes."
"…You didn't even ask."
"…There was no need."
She shook her head slightly.
But her mouth curved faintly.
Still there.
He stepped closer.
Slow.
Careful.
Adjusted her sleeve.
Small detail.
Like it mattered more than it should.
Then his gaze dropped.
To her stomach.
A pause.
"…You've grown."
Leah looked down too.
Hand resting over it.
"…I know."
Silence.
Then—
"…Do I look—."
She stopped.
He answered immediately.
"…No."
A beat.
"…You look exactly how you should."
Then quieter—
"…Perfect."
Leah didn't speak for a moment.
Then nodded slightly.
"…Okay."
A knock came.
Before either of them moved—
the door opened.
Dante.
Leaning on the frame.
Arms crossed.
"…We're leaving in an hour."
His eyes flicked to Leah.
Then the dress.
"…Better than the last attempt."
Izana didn't look at him.
"…Leave."
Dante smirked slightly.
"…Already in a mood."
Then stepped aside.
Because behind him—
another presence arrived.
Silence shifted instantly.
Elias.
Older.
Measured.
His eyes sharp even when calm.
He looked at Leah first.
Then Izana.
"…So this is what delay looks like."
Izana's gaze didn't change.
"…Nothing is delayed."
Elias stepped in fully.
Slow.
"…You're late for everything that matters."
Dante let out a quiet breath like he expected this.
Leah glanced between them.
Careful.
Elias's eyes moved to her stomach.
Paused.
"…Four months."
Leah nodded slightly.
"…Yes."
A long pause.
Then—
"…Good."
Nothing more.
But it carried weight.
Always did with him.
Izana stepped closer to Leah again.
His hand adjusted her hair.
Small.
Natural.
Then—
without warning—
he leaned down.
Pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Leah blinked slightly.
"…You're doing that again."
He didn't respond.
Just another kiss.
Her cheek this time.
Leah gave a soft breath.
"…Iz."
Another pause.
He ignored it completely.
Lower.
A kiss to her shoulder.
Leah turned slightly.
"…We have to leave."
"…We will."
Another kiss.
This time closer to her jaw.
Leah tried not to smile.
Failed slightly.
"…You're distracting me."
"…Good."
Elias cleared his throat once.
Sharp.
Dante looked away immediately like he didn't want to be involved.
Leah lowered her voice.
"…Stop it."
Izana finally paused.
Looked at her.
"…Why."
"…Because your grandfather is right there."
Elias spoke immediately.
"…I can hear you."
Izana didn't even turn.
"…Then listen elsewhere."
Dante almost laughed.
Leah pressed her lips together.
Trying not to.
Failing slightly.
Izana's hand moved down.
Rested over her stomach.
His thumb brushed slowly once.
Then—
he leaned closer.
Lower voice.
"…They're quiet today."
Leah blinked.
"…You're still talking to them."
"…Always."
Elias exhaled through his nose.
"…Unbelievable."
Izana ignored him completely.
Leah shook her head slightly.
"…You act like they answer you."
"…They do."
"…No, they don't."
"…They will."
Leah smiled faintly.
"…You're impossible."
"…No."
"…You are."
A pause.
Then—
Izana leaned in again.
Another kiss.
Soft.
To her stomach this time.
Leah let out a small laugh.
"…Stop kissing them."
"…No."
"…They're not even born yet."
"…That's why."
Elias finally spoke again.
"…If you two are done—."
Izana straightened slightly.
Still holding Leah's hand.
"…We're leaving."
Dante opened the door.
"…Finally."
The car waited outside.
Black.
Still.
The air already different.
Heavier.
Dante opened the door for Leah.
Izana guided her in immediately.
Careful.
Always.
Elias watched this.
Silent.
Measuring.
Then got in his own car without comment.
The drive was quiet.
Not peaceful.
Just controlled.
Leah's hand rested over her stomach.
Izana's hand over hers.
Constant.
Dante spoke once.
"…Everyone will be there."
No answer.
"…Including people you don't like."
Izana finally spoke.
"…I know."
Elias from the other car ahead.
Unseen but present.
Waiting.
Always watching.
The building came into view.
Large.
Cold.
Built for power.
Not comfort.
Cars lined up outside already.
Men standing.
Waiting.
And as Izana stepped out—
it happened instantly.
Silence.
Then—
bows.
Everywhere.
Fast.
Clean.
Even rivals.
Even those who should never bow.
All of them lowered their heads.
Respect.
Fear.
Recognition.
Elias stepped out behind them.
Saw it.
Didn't react.
But his eyes sharpened slightly.
Like it confirmed something he already knew.
Leah stepped out last.
Careful.
Izana's hand found hers instantly.
And the entire space shifted again.
Because now—
they saw her.
And no one looked too long.
Not at her.
Not at him.
Izana leaned slightly toward her.
Low voice.
"…Stay beside me."
"…I will."
A pause.
Then softer—
"…Don't let go."
Leah nodded.
"…I won't."
Elias walked past them without a word.
Dante followed.
The doors opened.
And the banquet began to swallow them whole.
But for now—
Izana's hand stayed locked with hers.
And that alone was enough.