The rough stone wall pressed against my back as Javrian pinned me in the narrow alley, his silver eyes searching mine with that unsettling intensity that always made me feel exposed.
I turned my head aside, avoiding his piercing gaze.
The distant sounds of the marketplace—vendors hawking wares, children laughing, boots on cobblestone—felt muted compared to the tension crackling between us.
He looked so suspicious, that scar across his face deepening with his frown.
How does he always see through me so easily?
It's like living with a predator who can smell deception from miles away.
"Tell me the truth, Luna," he demanded, his voice low and gravelly.
"What are you planning?"
I kept my eyes averted, pursing my lips as I fought to maintain composure.
"I will tell you, but you have to promise me one thing first."
"I will not. Tell me first," he said, his tone unyielding.
I finally met his challenging stare, glaring back with equal determination.
"No. First promise me."
We held each other's gaze, the air thick with unspoken tension.
Finally, he exhaled in frustration.
"Fine, I promise you. Now tell—"
"Promise me that you will not move when Commander Astoria arrests me," I said quickly, the words tumbling out before I could lose my nerve.
His mouth twitched, and for a moment, I saw something dangerous flash in his eyes.
"What did you just say?"
I lifted my chin, reciting the words again with deliberate clarity.
"I said, promise me that you will not move when Commander Astoria arrests me."
The reaction was immediate and terrifying.
"I will kill that woman," he growled, turning as if to storm out of the alley, his whole body coiled with lethal intent.
Panic shot through me, and I lunged forward, grabbing his collar before he could take another step.
"What are you trying to do? Don't pour water on my plan! Come on, husband!"
He halted—not because my grip could physically stop him, but because he wouldn't use force against me.
Gently, he allowed me to pull him back, turning to face me again.
His hand came up to cup my cheek, the touch tender despite the cold fury burning in his eyes—fury that wasn't directed at me, but at anyone who would dare threaten what was his.
"Listen well, Luna," he said, his voice a dangerous whisper.
"If someone lays a hand on you, I will kill their seven generations.
So you better not do this and simply change your plan."
I stood there, blinking up at him, my hand slowly loosening on his collar as the weight of his words settled over me.
He straightened, turning as if to leave, his decision final.
But I couldn't let him go—not when everything depended on this.
My head dipped down, and I let out a soft mumble, my hand moving to rest protectively over my belly.
"Are you seeing this, my babies?
Your father is not listening to your mama."
He flinched, freezing mid-step.
"What are you trying to do?" he demanded, his voice strained.
I looked up briefly before averting my eyes again, continuing to rub gentle circles over my stomach.
"He always does that—gets angry and does something that hurts mama.
Are you saying, babies, that your father is so irresponsible?"
That broke him.
In an instant, he was back at my side, his hand settling on my shoulder with careful restraint.
"Stop it, Luna.
You know this could be dangerous."
I turned to face him fully, meeting his worried gaze.
"It will not be.
Come on, I can protect myself."
But then, as if he'd learned from watching me, he placed his palm gently over my belly, right where our twins grew.
The warmth of his touch sent a flutter through me, unexpected and disarming.
"What about them, then?" he said softly, his voice losing its harsh edge.
"I'm stopping you because I care for my twins.
You understand, you reckless wife?"
My mouth twitched as I realized he'd turned my own manipulation back on me.
So you can use your brain too, you beast, I thought, catching the slight smirk playing at his lips.
But something about seeing him like this—using my own tactics, yet with such genuine concern—stirred something deeper in my chest.
I placed my hand over his where it rested on my belly.
"Let me do it," I said quietly.
"Once it's done, I will fulfill your one wish."
He halted, blinking in surprise.
"Anything?"
Heat crept up my neck as my mind immediately went to improper places.
Of course he would ask for something perverted—that's what men always wanted, wasn't it?
I took a deep breath, steeling myself.
"Yes, I will," I said, though my heart was racing.
Unable to stop myself, I added quickly, "But I will not do some dirty position—"
My words weren't even fully out when his expression shifted—not into the wicked grin I expected, but something achingly tender.
"You will remember this promise, right?" he said, his voice soft with emotion.
"I tell you in advance that I want our twins to be born in my mother's house, away from this Empire. You will have to live with me in the later months, away from the comforts of the palace. That is all I will ever ask of you."
"Huh?"
The word escaped me as my eyes widened, my heart thumping against my ribs.
The fog of embarrassment cleared from my mind as I realized—he wasn't the pervert here.
It was my own dirty thoughts jumping to conclusions.
But more than embarrassment, I felt my heart swelling with something almost painful in its intensity.
This man, this supposed beast, kept surprising me with his sweetness, making me feel like I didn't deserve him.
I glared at him, which only made him blink in confusion, that adorable lost expression crossing his scarred features.
Before he could ask what was wrong, I grabbed his collar and rose up on my toes, pressing a quick kiss to his lips.
"You better start behaving like a rude man," I whispered against his mouth, "or else I will keep falling for you."
With that, I turned and walked back toward the marketplace, leaving him standing there in stunned silence, still trying to process what had just happened.
Sometimes, the beast really was just a man—and that made me love him even more.