Morning came sooner than Kanha would have liked.
A pale light filtered through the silk curtains of her chamber, casting soft patterns across the floor. Servants had come and gone quietly earlier, leaving food and warm tea, but she had barely touched any of it.
Kanha had not left her chambers since the moment she was brought back the previous day.
She sat at the edge of the bed, her fingers clasped tightly in her lap.
Her mind would not rest.
Everything about yesterday replayed in fragments—the garden, the sudden dizziness, Mayora's whisper, the stunned silence around her.
The announcement.
Pregnant.
Even now the word made her chest tighten.
But what unsettled her most was not the pregnancy itself.
It was the silence that followed.
No congratulations.
No excited whispers.
No questions.
Nothing.
The palace had simply… continued.
As if everyone had heard the news and quietly tucked it away somewhere.
As if they were waiting.
Her stomach twisted.
And then there was Kaisen.
His reaction had been the worst part.
That pause.
That silence.
That careful distance in his eyes.
It made her thoughts race in circles she couldn't escape.
Does he suspect something?
Does he regret it?
Does he hate me now?
Her breathing grew uneven just thinking about it.
She stood and began pacing slowly across the room, the hem of her robe whispering against the floor.
Then—
A knock sounded at the door.
Kanha froze.
Her heart jumped violently in her chest.
She hurried back toward the bed, climbing onto it and pulling the blanket slightly around herself before speaking.
"Come in."
The door opened.
And the moment she saw who stepped inside, her breath caught.
"Kaisen…"
He closed the door quietly behind him.
His expression was calm—almost too calm—but his posture held a gentleness she hadn't expected.
He walked toward her slowly.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then he gestured softly toward the bed.
"Sit."
Kanha was already seated, but she straightened instinctively.
Kaisen pulled a chair closer and sat in front of her.
His voice, when he spoke, was softer than she had heard in a long time.
"How are you feeling today?"
Kanha hesitated.
Her eyes searched his face carefully.
"I… I am fine," she said finally.
Then she lowered her gaze slightly.
"Thank you for asking."
Kaisen nodded once.
There was a small pause before he spoke again.
"I owe you an apology."
Kanha looked up in surprise.
"My reaction yesterday…" he continued quietly. "I was too shocked."
He exhaled slowly.
"I did not know how to react in that moment."
His eyes met hers directly.
"Forgive me for that, my lady."
Kanha blinked, clearly taken aback by the sincerity in his tone.
But before she could respond, Kaisen continued.
"And there is something else I must say."
His voice grew heavier.
"I am sorry for placing you in such a terrible position."
Kanha's hands tightened in the blanket.
Kaisen looked down briefly, as though gathering his thoughts.
"You do not deserve to be forced into motherhood because of a mistake," he said honestly.
His voice softened further.
"If you wish… I will speak with Mayora."
Kanha's heart dropped.
His next words came carefully.
"She can prepare something that would—"
"I shall not harm our son."
Kanha's voice cut through his sentence firmly.
The room went still.
Kaisen looked up at her.
Kanha's eyes were bright now, fierce with determination.
"No matter the circumstances," she continued, her voice steady, "I will not harm him."
Her hand rested protectively over her abdomen.
For a long moment, Kaisen simply watched her.
Something thoughtful passed through his expression.
Then he nodded slowly.
"Very well."
He stood from the chair.
"If that is your decision," he said calmly, "then I promise you this."
His voice carried quiet weight.
"I will give you the world."
Kanha's breath caught.
She had expected resistance.
Doubt.
Anger.
But not this.
Not acceptance.
Emotion swelled in her chest so suddenly she could hardly contain it.
Before she could stop herself—
She leaned forward and kissed him.
Kaisen froze.
For a brief moment he did not react at all.
His body remained still, as if unsure whether to move away or remain where he was.
But Kanha did not pull back.
Instead, she deepened the kiss slightly, her hands grasping the front of his robe.
Kaisen closed his eyes slowly.
After a moment, he kissed her back.
Not passionately.
But gently.
Quietly.
Like a man who had already accepted the path ahead of him—even if it was not the one he had planned.
The kiss ended slowly.
Kanha was the first to pull away, though neither of them moved far. For a brief moment they simply looked at each other, the air between them quieter than before. Her lips were still slightly parted, her breathing faintly uneven, while Kaisen's expression had returned to its usual composed calm.
Before either of them could speak—
A knock came at the door.
Both turned toward it.
"Enter," Kanha called, smoothing the front of her robe quickly.
The door opened and one of the palace ladies stepped in, carrying a beautifully woven basket draped with embroidered cloth.
She bowed deeply.
"My lady."
Kanha gestured for her to come closer.
The lady approached and placed the basket gently on the small table beside the bed before speaking.
"This was sent by Precious Concubine Mirha, my lady."
She lifted the cloth slightly, revealing fresh fruits, small jars of honey, and delicate pastries arranged neatly inside.
"She wished to send her regards and asked that you regain your strength."
Kanha's brows lifted slightly in pleasant surprise.
A warm smile formed on her face.
"How thoughtful of her," she said softly.
She nodded to the lady.
"Please send my gratitude to Concubine Mirha."
The servant bowed again.
"Yes, my lady."
With that, she quietly exited the chamber, closing the door behind her.
Kanha looked at the basket for a moment before glancing back at Kaisen.
"There are still kind people in this palace," she said gently.
Kaisen did not comment, but his gaze lingered briefly on the basket before he straightened slightly.
"There is something else you should know."
Kanha turned her attention fully to him.
"I will be leaving with His Majesty," he said.
"We depart for Bukid the day after tomorrow."
Kanha blinked in surprise.
"So soon?"
Kaisen nodded.
"It is necessary."
Then his voice softened slightly.
"You should remain here and rest until I return."
Kanha lowered her gaze thoughtfully, absorbing the information.
Then she asked carefully,
"Will Concubine Mirha be going as well?"
"Yes," Kaisen replied simply.
Kanha paused.
Then she looked back up at him.
"May I go too?"
The question hung in the air for a moment.
Kaisen hesitated.
It was brief—but noticeable.
His mind clearly weighing the thought.
Then he exhaled lightly and nodded.
"…Sure."
His tone was calm.
"You can come."
Kanha's expression brightened almost immediately, a quiet satisfaction flickering across her face.
"Thank you," she said softly.
But inside, her mind was already moving.
Bukid.
If Mirha was going…
Then that woman would go too.