Yuma rose to continue helping with the bath, but as she stood, Mirha caught a clear glimpse of the bruise peeking from beneath the scarf.
Mirha's hand shot out gently but firmly, stopping her.
"What is that?"
Yuma's heart slammed against her ribs. She froze.
"In the morning… I put on a smaller gown," she lied quickly. "It bruised my neck."
Mirha stared at the mark. It was already turning shades of purple and yellow — clearly not fresh. She did not believe the excuse for a second.
"Show me the whole thing," Mirha said, her voice low but steady.
Yuma hesitated, fingers tightening on the edge of the scarf.
Mirha's tone sharpened with quiet authority. "It's an order."
With trembling hands, Yuma slowly pulled the scarf away.
The bruise was ugly — dark fingerprints wrapped clearly around her throat.
Mirha's eyes widened, then narrowed. Her voice dropped even lower.
"Who did that?"
Yuma hesitated, shame flooding her face. Then the words spilled out — everything. The hunger, the anger, the way Kaisen had lost control the night before.
Mirha listened in silence. When Yuma finished, Mirha took a slow, deep breath, her expression heavy with disappointment and concern.
"Now why would you do that?" she asked quietly. "And even more… a man with such a temper, and you still agreed to marry him?"
Yuma's eyes filled with tears, but her voice stayed determined.
"I know it is bad… but I beg you. I still wish to marry him."
Mirha paused. She wanted to forbid it outright — the words were already forming on her tongue. But Yuma's face was set with quiet resolve.
Mirha exhaled slowly.
"I will speak to His Majesty first," she said at last.
Then she dismissed Yuma with a small wave of her hand.
Yuma bowed deeply and left the room, the weight of Mirha's disappointment following her out the door.
---
Mirha finished dressing and went straight to Arvin's chambers.
He was sitting by the window, eating fresh fruit when she entered. Arvin turned, his expression warming at the sight of her. He reached out a hand.
Mirha stayed a respectful distance away and bowed slightly.
"Your Majesty… are you aware of what Lord Kaisen has done?"
Arvin's smile faded into careful curiosity. "What do you think about it? I thought it was not a bad idea."
Mirha's brows furrowed. She chose her words with care.
"Your Majesty… Lord Kaisen hurt Yuma. Her neck. That night she told him about Kanha's schemes." Her voice lowered. "I want you to be honest with me. Is he like this? Will he hurt her like this forever?"
Arvin's face changed the moment he heard "hurt Yuma." The warmth vanished, replaced by a cool, serious look.
"And this happened before he proposed?"
"Yes," Mirha said. "And somehow Yuma is still begging me to allow the marriage."
Arvin took a slow, measured breath. He gestured for her to come closer. Mirha obeyed and sat beside him.
He spoke quietly, but with the weight of authority.
"I will not lie to you. Kaisen has always had a fierce temper. It runs in his blood — like his mother's."
Mirha bit the inside of her cheek, tension tightening in her chest.
Arvin continued, "I do not justify what he did. But I know him well enough to say he does not intend lasting harm. His anger flares hot, then passes. Still… it is no excuse."
Mirha's voice was soft but steady. "I only wish we could guarantee he will not hurt her again."
Arvin exhaled slowly. "I will see what can be done."
Mirha hesitated, then asked with quiet curiosity, "How did they die… his parents?"
Arvin paused, then answered with a heavy sigh.
"Uncle Taiyun died from a long illness. Aunt Leema… died of a broken heart."
He continued after a moment, voice lower.
"When we were children, Tando was only five and remembers little. Kaisen and I were close in age, Kain and Rnzo a little younger. Uncle faded slowly, and it destroyed Aunt Leema. She loved him dearly. Watching him slip away each day was killing her. When he finally passed, she was quiet at first. She cared for her sons for two weeks and convinced everyone she was fine. Then one morning… she never woke. She had taken poison the night before. She left a letter saying she could not bear the pain any longer."
Mirha's eyes grew teary.
Arvin reached out and gently brushed a tear from her cheek.
"Now, now, Mirha… do not cry."
Mirha whispered, "That is very sad."
"Yes," Arvin said softly. "It is. But we are past that now. So I promise you — Kaisen does not mean to destroy anyone. His temper is fire, but it burns out. I will speak with him."
---
The next morning at breakfast, the mood was deceptively calm. Arvin took a slow bite of fruit, then spoke without looking up.
"So, Kaisen… about your messenger. Who told you about Lady Kanha's confession?"
Kaisen's smile dropped. He stayed quiet.
Rnzo leaned back in his chair, a teasing edge in his voice. "Yeah, Kai. Where is this mysterious messenger?"
Kaisen exhaled slowly. "It was Lady Yuma. She told me."
Rnzo's expression changed instantly. He knew his brother too well.
"What did you do to her?"
The table went still.
Kaisen was silent for a long moment before answering, voice low.
"I lost control. I shoved her… and choked her."
Kain's eyes filled with quiet disappointment. Kalan looked genuinely confused. Rnzo's voice carried a deadly calm, laced with dark sarcasm.
"Well done. Nothing says 'I care about you' like putting your hands around a woman's throat."
Arvin finally looked up, his face serious.
"Kaisen. This is something you need to work on."
Kain leaned forward, voice steady but heavy.
"Look, Kaisen… pretending to be calm all the time won't erase the rage inside you. I wish you would just acknowledge it instead of letting it explode every time something inconveniences you."
Kaisen said nothing for a long beat. Then, quietly:
"I understand."
Rnzo took a deep breath, his tone shifting.
"Are you marrying her out of guilt… or do you actually fancy the lady?"
Kaisen met his brother's eyes.
"I love her. And I swear I never meant to hurt her."
Rnzo stayed silent, jaw tight.
Arvin spoke last, his voice carrying the weight of finality.
"I trust this must never happen again."
Kaisen nodded once.
"I swear it."
The rest of the breakfast passed in heavy silence.
---
Later that afternoon, Kaisen found Mirha walking alone in the quiet palace gardens. She turned at the sound of his approach and offered a small, polite smile.
"Lord Kaisen."
He bowed respectfully. "Lady Mirha. May I sit with you for a moment?"
Mirha nodded and gestured to a stone bench beneath a flowering tree. They sat side by side.
Kaisen took a breath before speaking.
"I wish to marry Yuma. She has already agreed… but I need your blessing."
Mirha studied him quietly for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"I have no objection," she said gently. "Yuma is dear to me. If this is what she wants, then I am happy for her."
Kaisen hesitated, his expression turning serious. He looked down at his hands.
"There is something I must confess. The night she told me about Kanha's schemes… I lost control. I shoved her. I choked her. I hurt her."
Mirha listened in silence, her face calm but her eyes sharp with understanding.
"I know," she said softly when he finished. "Yuma told me everything. And I wish it would never happen again."
Kaisen looked at her, surprised by her composure.
"You're not angry?"
Mirha gave a small, weary smile.
"I was a little surprised… but I know you are a good man at heart, Kaisen. And I am confident you will take good care of Yuma."
Kaisen exhaled slowly, relief easing the tension in his shoulders.
"I will," he promised. "I swear it."
Mirha nodded once, satisfied with his sincerity.
"Then you have my blessing."
---