The alley fell into a gentle hush after Lazira’s departure, the distant murmur of the night market feeling worlds away. Aiden remained behind Selvara, his strong arms wrapped securely around her from behind. She leaned back against his chest, eyes softly closed, simply basking in the warmth of his embrace. Her breathing was still a little unsteady, one hand resting over his on her belly where their child grew.

For a long moment, neither spoke. The world narrowed down to just the two of them — the steady beat of his heart against her back, the faint scent sex lingering between them, and the quiet comfort of being held.

Aiden slowly straightened, gently turning her around to face him.

Selvara kept her gaze lowered at first, cheeks still flushed from everything that had happened. Then, shyly, she lifted her pale white eyes to meet his. That same infuriatingly smug yet tender smile played on his lips — the one that always made her heart skip a beat, no matter how much she pretended to hate it.

Aiden didn’t say anything at first. He simply reached out and began fixing her disheveled uniform with careful, almost reverent movements. His fingers buttoned the few buttons she had missed on her white shirt, smoothing the fabric over her breasts and adjusting her red blazer until it sat properly again. He brushed a stray lock of her silver-white hair behind her pointed ear, then smoothed the rest down gently.

"You’re a mess, Selva," he teased softly, voice warm with affection. "Look at you... all rumpled and cute after I had my way with you. Anyone would think you just got thoroughly loved in a dirty alley."

Selvara huffed, though there was no real bite in it. "Hmph... whose fault is that, My Lord? You’re the one who dragged me here and... and did all those shameless things." Her ears twitched as she added quieter, "But... I didn’t exactly stop you."

Aiden chuckled, his hands lingering on her waist as he straightened her skirt one last time. "No, you didn’t. In fact, you were quite eager by the end. Swaying that pretty ass for me, begging so sweetly..."

"Idiot..." Selvara muttered, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she leaned into his touch, letting him fuss over her like she was something precious.

When he was satisfied with her appearance, Aiden cupped her right cheek gently with one large hand. Selvara instinctively nuzzled into his palm, her eyes fluttering half-closed. She pressed her own right hand over his, holding it there.

"You’re beautiful, Selva," he said softly, thumb brushing her cheekbone. "More so than before. Carrying our child... it suits you. You glow."

Selvara’s breath caught. Her pale eyes shimmered as she looked up at him. "My Lord... you always say such embarrassing things. I’m just... me. A demon who let herself get swept up by a reckless human."

"And I wouldn’t have it any other way." Aiden’s other hand slid to her waist, pulling her flush against him. Their bodies pressed together perfectly, her full breasts soft against his chest.

Selvara didn’t protest. Instead, she cupped the back of his head with her free hand, fingers threading through his hair. She pulled him down into a kiss.

It started gentle — lips brushing, tasting, savoring. Then it deepened. Aiden kissed her roughly, possessively, pouring every ounce of love and desire into it. Selvara melted against him, moaning softly into his mouth as she kissed him back with equal passion.

When they finally parted, both were breathing harder. Aiden rested his forehead against hers.

"I love you," he whispered. "Every part of you. The proud demon general, the shy tsundere, the mother of my child... all of it."

Selvara’s eyes glistened. She clutched his shirt tighter. "I love you too, My Lord... even when you embarrass me in alleys and make my sister want to kill you." A small, shy smile tugged at her lips. "You make me feel... wanted. Safe. Like I don’t have to be the strong general all the time. I can just be yours."

"You are mine," Aiden murmured, kissing her again, slower this time. "And I’m yours. We’re going to raise this child together. Build a bigger home. Make more memories — some embarrassing, some perfect."

Selvara let out a soft laugh against his lips. "As long as you don’t jump off any more dragons with me in your arms without warning."

"No promises," he teased, nipping her lower lip. "But I’ll always catch you. Always protect you. Always love you."

They stayed like that for a long while — foreheads touching, bodies pressed close, wrapped in their own little world. The alley, the market, even Lazira’s departure felt distant. There was only Aiden and Selvara, husband and wife, soon-to-be parents, lost in a gentle, romantic moment that belonged only to them.

Aiden slowly pulled back from the kiss, his forehead still resting gently against Selvara’s. Both of them were breathing harder, lips slightly swollen, eyes locked in a shared, intimate silence.

"We should go where I was planning to take you," he murmured, voice low and warm. "Before the night gets any later."

Selvara nodded, still gasping softly for air, her pale cheeks flushed a delicate pink. "Yes... My Lord," she whispered, her voice husky from everything they had just shared.

Aiden turned toward the entrance of the alley, but Selvara stayed close. She stepped to his right, slipping one arm through his and holding onto it possessively. Her other hand reached down, gently taking the same hand and pressing his palm firmly against her belly.

Aiden smiled softly and began rubbing slow, affectionate circles over her tummy.

They shared a quiet, understanding nod — no words needed. Then they stepped out of the shadowy alley together and into the lively night market street.

Lanterns cast a golden glow over the bustling stalls. The air was filled with the aroma of grilled meats, sweet pastries, and fragrant spices. Couples strolled hand-in-hand, families laughed, and vendors called out their wares. Yet for Aiden and Selvara, the world felt smaller, warmer.

Aiden walked forward with calm confidence, his gaze scanning ahead. Selvara stayed pressed against his side, looking up at him with soft, adoring pale white eyes. Her head occasionally rested against his shoulder as they walked, one hand still holding his arm tightly while his palm remained lovingly on her belly.

"You’re glowing tonight," Aiden said quietly, glancing down at her with that signature smirk, though his eyes were full of genuine affection. "Even more beautiful than usual."

Selvara huffed, but the corners of her mouth curved into a shy smile. "Hmph... flattering me after what you just did in that alley. Shameless as always, My Lord."

"Only for you," he replied, rubbing her belly a little more deliberately. "Our baby is lucky to have such a strong, beautiful mother."

Selvara’s ears twitched, and she nuzzled closer, hiding her deepening blush against his arm. "Don’t say such things in public... People will hear."

"Let them," Aiden chuckled. "I want the whole world to know how much I love my wife and our child."

Aiden and Selvara continued their slow, intimate walk through the lantern-lit market street. His hand stayed protectively on her belly, while she held onto his arm, occasionally resting her head against his shoulder. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Do you remember how we met?" Aiden asked softly, glancing down at her with a gentle smile.

Selvara blushed instantly, her pointed ears twitching. "You mean... how shamelessly you kissed me in the middle of that fight, right in front of everyone... just to make me remember you?"

Aiden chuckled warmly. "I don’t regret that at all."

Selvara’s cheeks burned brighter as she looked away. "Of course you don’t... pervert."

"But not that meeting," Aiden continued, his tone turning thoughtful. "The other one... or I mean... you know. It’s still confusing sometimes."

Selvara smiled softly and leaned more heavily against him. "Yeah... There was this fight — I don’t even remember what it was about anymore. You were trying to help someone... or something. We fought. And then when we met again, you confessed to me like an absolute idiot." She let out a small, embarrassed laugh. "Who does that? I was genuinely trying to kill you for real that time."

Aiden chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "Can you blame me? The moment my eyes landed on you... my heart shot straight past the seven heavens. You looked so beautiful — strong, fierce, untouchable. I couldn’t help myself."

Selvara blushed harder, burying her face against his arm. "You’re so cheesy, My Lord..."

Aiden smiled, pulling her a little closer. "But you’re beautiful."

She looked up at him shyly, her pale white eyes shimmering under the lantern light. "And... you’re very handsome."

Aiden’s smirk returned. "What was that? I didn’t quite catch it."

Selvara flinched, turning her head away quickly. "Nothing! Just your imagination, idiot..."

They walked a few more steps in comfortable silence before Aiden’s expression grew more serious. "You know... I’ve been thinking about this a lot since we met again. Our first meeting... it feels like it already happened before. But not in this. Like this whole life... it’s familiar in ways I can’t explain. But different. Like echoes of something we already lived."

Selvara’s steps slowed slightly. She nodded quietly, her voice soft. "I feel it too. I don’t remember everything... but when I think about it, there’s this sad, heavy feeling in my chest. Like I’m scared to remember. Like something painful happened... but also something very precious."

Aiden nodded, his hand gently rubbing her belly. "Exactly. It’s like we’re getting a second chance. Or maybe... we never really lost the first one."

Selvara squeezed his arm tighter, leaning into him. "Whatever it is... I’m glad we’re here now. Together. With our baby on the way."

Aiden smiled, but then he suddenly stopped walking.

Selvara stopped too, looking up at him in slight confusion. "My Lord?"

That familiar smug, affectionate smile was back on his face. Selvara followed his gaze — and her eyes widened, her cheeks exploding into a deep blush as she understood exactly what he was planning.

A big, jewelry store stood just ahead, its display sparkling with delicate rings, necklaces, and enchanted charms under the soft lantern light. Selvara’s heart fluttered with overwhelming joy as she realized what this "shop" he had been looking for truly was.

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END OF Chapter : 340 : HOW WE MET!

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