Later that night, the palace had grown quiet.
The celebrations had faded into distant murmurs somewhere beyond the thick palace walls, leaving Mirha's chambers wrapped in a calm, gentle stillness. The lanterns burned softly, casting warm golden light across the room.
Mirha lay curled against Arvin's chest, the sheets loosely wrapped around them. One of his arms rested around her waist while the other lazily traced small circles on her back.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
It was the kind of silence that came after closeness—comfortable and warm.
Finally, Mirha tilted her head slightly, resting her chin against his chest.
"That's everything that happened today," she began quietly.
Arvin hummed, encouraging her to continue.
She explained everything slowly—Kanha fainting in the garden, Mayora announcing the pregnancy, the reaction in the room, and Kaisen's arrival. Arvin listened without interrupting, his fingers still absent-mindedly brushing along her arm.
When she finished, he was quiet for a moment.
"So," he said thoughtfully, "Princess Goya could be right?"
Mirha sighed softly.
"I don't know," she admitted. "I just… don't want Kanha to be thrown under suspicion if she might have truly been wronged."
Arvin looked down at her for a moment, studying the sincerity in her eyes.
Then he leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
"I'll have Heman look into it," he said calmly.
Mirha smiled against his chest, relieved.
"Thank you."
For a moment they stayed there, listening to each other breathe.
Then Mirha shifted slightly and looked up at him again.
"I'm ready to go to Bukid."
Arvin's eyebrows lifted in pleasant surprise.
"Already?" he asked.
Mirha nodded, a softer determination in her expression now.
"Yes."
A slow smile spread across Arvin's face.
"I love you," he said.
Mirha giggled quietly, the sound light and warm.
"I need to go take a bath," she replied, slipping out of his arms and sitting up, gathering the sheets around herself.
Arvin immediately pushed himself up beside her.
"Let's go," he said.
Mirha blinked at him.
Then she laughed again as he took her hand, already pulling her toward the bathing chambers.
The evening air was calm, the palace quieter now that most of the celebrations had given way to smaller gatherings across the estate.
Inside Princess Goya's private dining chamber, lanterns glowed softly against the carved wooden walls. The low table between them was filled with delicacies—steamed vegetables, grilled meats, warm bread, and several small dishes of fruit. A bottle of deep red wine sat between two half-filled cups.
Princess Goya leaned back slightly in her chair, swirling the wine lazily in her cup as she studied the woman sitting across from her.
Yuma.
Goya had specifically asked for her presence tonight.
Not as a servant.
But as someone whose eyes seemed to see everything.
"Eat," Goya said casually, gesturing toward the dishes. "If you sit there stiffly, I'll assume you think I invited you here to interrogate you."
Yuma smiled faintly and picked up a small piece of fruit.
"I would never assume such a thing, Your Highness."
Goya snorted softly.
"Liar."
They both shared a brief chuckle.
Then Goya leaned forward, resting her elbows lightly on the table.
"Now," she said. "Tell me everything that happened while I was away."
Yuma took a small sip of wine before speaking.
She explained everything carefully—Kanha fainting in the garden, Mayora confirming the pregnancy, the reactions of the ladies, Kaisen's arrival at Kanha's chambers, and the strange tension that had filled the room.
Goya listened with sharp attention, her playful expression slowly fading as the story unfolded.
When Yuma finished, Goya leaned back slowly.
"Well," she said after a moment. "That only makes me more certain."
She lifted her wine again, taking a slow drink.
"Kanha planned this."
Yuma didn't immediately respond.
But the silence between them was telling enough.
Goya placed her cup down with a soft clink.
"We need to find a way to bring the truth into the light," she continued thoughtfully. "Before this trap closes completely."
She tapped her finger lightly against the table as she thought.
"How I wish we knew someone who could influence Lord Kaisen."
At that moment, Yuma paused mid-sip.
The wine hovered just beneath her lips.
Goya noticed immediately.
Her sharp eyes narrowed slightly.
Slowly, Yuma took the drink and placed the cup down.
Goya tilted her head.
"Do you know a person?" she asked.
Yuma didn't answer right away.
Instead, she reached for the wine again and poured herself another cup.
Goya watched every movement.
The silence stretched.
Finally Y,uma spoke.
"Mirha."
Goya waved her hand dismissively before Yuma could even finish.
"I know her too," she said quickly. "But she would be against it."
Goya leaned forward again, her curiosity now fully awakened.
"No," she said. "Who do you know, Yuma?"
Yuma remained quiet.
Goya's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Do you want to keep secrets from me now?" she teased.
Yuma sighed.
The kind of sigh that meant resistance had already failed.
"Lord Kaisen," she finally admitted, "has been visiting my chambers lately."
Goya froze.
Then her eyes widened dramatically.
"You must be joking."
Yuma raised both her hands slightly in surrender.
"I wish I were."
For a moment Goya simply stared at her.
Then suddenly—
She burst into laughter.
A loud, delighted laugh.
"Oh this palace never disappoints!" she said between giggles. "The drama writes itself!"
Yuma couldn't help but laugh too.
Goya leaned forward excitedly.
"Alright, alright," she said, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Now you must tell me everything."
Yuma shook her head, amused.
"There isn't much to tell."
Goya pointed her finger at her.
"I refuse to believe that."
Yuma chuckled softly before speaking again.
"All I can say," she said slowly, "is that he is really struggling."
Her voice grew more serious.
"Kanha put him in a terrible position."
Goya nodded immediately.
"She always does," she muttered.
Yuma continued.
"She is cruel," she said quietly. "And selfish."
Goya didn't argue.
Instead, she leaned back again, thoughtful now.
"Yes," she agreed. "That sounds like Kanha."
Yuma's fingers traced the rim of her wine cup.
"I just want to save him," she admitted.
Goya's eyes lifted sharply.
She studied Yuma for a moment longer this time.
Her tone softened slightly when she asked the next question.
"Do you love him?"
The room fell quiet.
Yuma paused.
Not in shock.
But in consideration.
She stared down at the dark wine in her cup for a moment before answering.
Then she lifted her gaze, her voice steady and certain.
"No."
Before Princess Goya could add another teasing remark, the chamber doors opened.
Both women looked up.
Kain stepped inside.
The warm lantern light caught the gold embroidery of his formal robes, though the stiffness of the banquet had long faded from his posture. He looked more relaxed now, his hair slightly loosened and his expression softer than it had been during the festivities.
Yuma immediately rose from her seat.
She bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty."
Goya waved her hand lightly.
"Oh stop being so formal. We were only gossiping."
Yuma smiled faintly at that, though she straightened properly again.
Kain glanced between the two women, curiosity flickering across his face.
"Am I interrupting something important?"
Yuma shook her head.
"Not at all."
Goya leaned lazily against the table, lifting her wine cup again.
"Goodnight, Yuma," she said warmly.
Yuma returned the smile.
"Goodnight, Your Majesties."
With another graceful bow, she turned and walked toward the door. The soft rustle of her robes faded as she stepped out into the corridor, leaving the chamber quiet again.
The door closed behind her.
Kain slowly turned his attention back to his wife.
He crossed his arms loosely.
"Late night gossip?" he asked, one eyebrow lifting slightly.
Goya pushed herself off the table and stood.
"Only the ones that matter," she replied playfully.
She began walking toward him, her fingers already moving to loosen the laces of her corset. The long evening had clearly exhausted her patience for formal attire.
Kain watched her with quiet amusement.
The tight fabric loosened as she untied the final knot, letting out a relieved breath.
Goya rolled her shoulders slightly.
"Finally," she muttered.
Then she reached for Kain's hand.
"Come," she said, tugging him gently. "Put me to bed."
Kain couldn't help the small smile that spread across his face.
Without protest, he followed her.