Ren parted his eyes, finding Zayden sound asleep beside him. The alpha had an arm wrapped around him, as if fearing that otherwise, Ren might leave—or be stolen away.

The omega let out a soft chuckle.

Even though it had been a while since they had confessed their feelings to one another, this man remained the same.

Curling his lips into a faint smile, Ren admired the man before him—his sharp nose, fox-shaped eyes, and coral lips that had pressed against every inch of his body, marking him unmistakably as his mate.

"Why are you looking at me as if you have never seen me before?" Zayden asked, eyes still closed.

Ren gasped, caught off guard. He hadn’t even noticed when Zayden had woken up.

"Huh?" He bated his eyes. "I-I was not looking at you," he argued, averting his gaze and denying Zayden’s claim.

The alpha chuckled, clearly amused. Slowly, he opened his eyes—scarlet red irises glimmering like rubies under the sunlight streaming through the windowpanes.

"Really? Am I not handsome enough to catch your eye?" He raised his eyebrows, pouting like a disappointed puppy.

Ren parted his lips, shocked.

Zayden—not handsome? Who in this kingdom would dare utter such a lie?

Everyone in Revhara dreamed of standing by his side, even for a single moment, just to admire his flawless features once. Countless still hoped to become his marriage partner.

"Well, I sure stared at you all night," Zayden continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "No matter how long I look at you, I just can’t get enough of you."

His words tickled Ren’s ears, like a lullaby. Praises were something he rarely ever heard—despite having done the worst things a human could do. Murder. Humans. Non-humans. None survived the death granted by his cursed eyes.

His heart tightened—then loosened the moment Zayden’s warm fingertips brushed a few silver strands of hair away from his face.

"Why the long face?" the alpha asked softly. "Are you upset because I said I am handsome? Trust me, you’re much better than me."

A chuckle escaped Ren despite himself. Did Zayden truly think he was upset over something so trivial?

Then again, he was the kind of person who would puff his cheeks over silly matters.

Ren nodded to himself.

Zayden raised an eyebrow, baffled.

"What made you laugh?"

"You are just so..." Ren paused, then exhaled.

"So?" Zayden’s heartbeat picked up.

"I don’t know... I-I forgot..."

"How come?"

"It’s just... When I look into your eyes, sometimes, my mind goes blank. Maybe... I happened to like you much more than I express, or say," Ren muttered, his cheeks tinged pink.

Heat rushed to Zayden’s face, turning it a vivid red.

Such a hesitant, yet beautiful confession of love from Ren. He could have only ever dreamed of Ren saying these. Still, here he was, saying everything that crossed his mind without having to rethink it.

"Y-You—" the alpha stammered, words failing him. His pulse quickened, his heart pounding as if it might burst.

Slowly, he reached for Ren’s hand and placed it against his chest.

"Do you feel that?" he whispered. "My heart. It has never beaten this fast. This hard. Not for anyone but you."

Badump.

Badump. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Badump.

Ren swallowed, feeling the frantic rhythm beneath his palm. It was unfamiliar—something he had never experienced before.

That sound...

It matched his own heart perfectly.

A bright grin spread across his face, his eyes growing slightly teary.

"I think... I am in the same state as you," he giggled, the sound echoing softly through the room.

Zayden laughed too, pressing his forehead against Ren’s.

"God," he breathed. "I love you so much." His eyes closed.

Ren closed his eyes as well, smiling.

He had never felt this peaceful, this much happiness.

It was as if life had given him everything he had ever wished for.

A loving partner.

A child of his own.

A family he had only dreamed of.

A quiet life, away from the Temple and all those who mistreated him.

But Ren had forgotten one thing. Before the storm, there was always calm. A calm so gentle, so convincing, that one would never suspect what was about to come.

***

The days passed, and soon an invitation arrived at the mansion.

The Imperial Crown Prince’s marriage.

Zayden reacted far less negatively than he had the first time he learned the Emperor approved of the relationship. Perhaps it was because he had begun to understand—little by little—what it meant to be a father.

A few weeks ago, Eiran had made a request.

He wanted a cat.

Zayden, who had always feared those small, annoying creatures, decided to visit an animal store every day until he grew accustomed to them. Then, a few days later, he returned home with a white-furred cat, its crystal-blue eyes gleaming.

Eiran had been overjoyed, thanking his father over and over again.

Zayden didn’t know what that feeling was called, but he knew this much—this was how fathers felt when they managed to grant their child’s wish.

Perhaps his own father had once stood in the same place.

Perhaps he, too, had forced himself to be happy for the sake of his son’s happiness.

"Uncle is getting married?!" Eiran exclaimed.

Through his lessons, he had begun to understand how the world worked—and, of course, through the things he overheard from Paul and Maria, his Papa’s closest friends, who lacked any sense of restraint when speaking in front of children.

Although sometimes, he did purposefully eavesdrop on their conversations.

"Yes," Ren smiled, lowering himself to meet his son’s eyes.

Eiran’s already bright green eyes glimmered.

"And when are you and Dad getting married?" he asked—the question he had been waiting for the right moment to voice.

Ren’s smile faltered at once.

Marriage.

The word carried far too much weight. To marry again... could he truly do that? Wasn’t it against the beliefs Hianshu had etched into him from the moment he had gained awareness of the world?

An omega could only ever belong to one alpha.

He knew that—yet he had accepted Zayden, who claimed to be his fated mate. And strangely enough, Ren felt the same connection he had once felt with Ilyan, who had also been his fated mate.

Such things were meant to exist only in novels—meeting one’s fated mate twice. And yet, Ren had experienced it himself. He still struggled to believe it.

More than anything... he needed time.

"Come on," Zayden broke the heavy silence that had settled over the room. "We are talking about your uncle. Don’t bring us into this. We are happy as we are for now. Alright?"

"Young Master," Hannah said gently, smiling as she stepped in, "you should be mindful of your surroundings. These matters are not something to discuss in front of others."

Eiran puffed his cheeks before nodding.

"I am sorry..." he mumbled, lowering his head.

Ren reached out, gently ruffling Eiran’s hair. The child immediately leaned into the touch, his small shoulders relaxing.

"It’s alright," Ren said softly. "You didn’t do anything wrong."

Eiran peeked up at him, hesitant. "Really?"

"Really," Ren nodded. "You asked because you were curious. Curiosity can never be a bad thing."

Zayden watched the interaction quietly, something warm settling in his chest.

Moments like this—small, ordinary, peaceful—were things he had never imagined himself having. A child who looked at him with trust. A partner who spoke gently instead of fearing him. A home that felt lived in rather than a mansion colder than the snowstorms during winters.

"Uncle’s wedding," Eiran suddenly said again, excitement bubbling back despite his earlier embarrassment. "I should wear something nice, right? Papa, can I wear black? Uncle said he likes black."

Ren chuckled. "I am sure he would like anything you wear."

"Actually, black is not appropriate for a wedding. What about blue? Brother loves blue as well," Zayden suggested.

Eiran hummed, pondering for a moment.

"Hmm... Alright! And can I bring the cat?" He added earnestly.

Zayden stiffened.

"Hey, let’s not push our luck."

Eiran giggled, clearly pleased.

As laughter filled the room, Ren’s gaze drifted away, settling briefly on the invitation resting atop the table. Gold-embossed letters gleamed under the light—formal, elegant, final.

A wedding.

For Soren, it was a beginning.

For Ren, it stirred memories he had carefully locked away.

Zayden noticed the subtle shift. He didn’t say anything—didn’t reach out, didn’t ask. Instead, he simply moved closer, close enough that Ren could feel his warmth without being overwhelmed by it.

A quiet promise.

I am here. I will not rush you. Ever.

Ren exhaled slowly, grounding himself in that presence.

"Thank you," he said, voice barely audible.

"What for?" Zayden asked, tilting his head to the side, confused.

"For... not rushing me? Not forcing things on me? I don’t know... Maybe for everything you have."

Including not getting mad at me for lying to you, hiding things from you, not once but countless other times.

Ren didn’t dare voice his thoughts.

Zayden chuckled.

"I had to. That’s what a man in love would do, beloved."

Ren smiled, his cheeks flushing a slight pink.

"Come on..." He mumbled, lowering his head.

"Let’s get ready to attend the wedding," Zayden sneakily pressed a kiss on Ren’s cheek before rushing outside the room with Eiran.

"You—" Ren gasped only to exhale. He couldn’t win against him—not like this.