The next morning dawned over Marivelle with a softness that made even the familiar streets feel magical. Sunlight spilled through the windows of their apartment, reflecting off the glass ornaments they had collected over the months, casting tiny rainbows across the walls. Liana stirred under the warm blankets, turning to see Eren still asleep beside her.
She reached out instinctively, brushing a hand across his cheek, smiling at the peaceful expression on his face. "Morning," she whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.
"Mmm… morning," he murmured, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close. "Did you dream of adventures?"
"Of us," she replied softly. "Of everything we could do together."
Eren chuckled, nuzzling her hair. "Then we'll make them real. Every single one."
---
After breakfast, they decided to explore a part of town they rarely visited—a quiet lane lined with small art galleries and antique shops. Liana's eyes sparkled at the delicate paintings and handcrafted trinkets, while Eren quietly admired her fascination, letting her wander freely while always staying close.
"This is beautiful," Liana said, holding a tiny ceramic bird in her hands. "It feels like… something alive."
"Just like you," Eren said softly, taking her hand. "Always noticing the beauty others overlook."
She blushed, laughing softly. "You always know how to make me melt."
Their stroll continued until they reached a small park tucked behind the galleries, a secluded space filled with blooming flowers, tall trees, and the gentle sound of a fountain. Liana and Eren found a bench beneath an old oak tree, the sunlight filtering through leaves and painting patterns across the ground.
"Do you ever wonder what life would have been like… if we'd never met?" Liana asked quietly, her fingers intertwined with his.
Eren shook his head. "No. Every moment before you led me to you. Even the hard ones, the lonely ones—they brought me here. To this. To us."
She smiled, resting her head against his shoulder. "Then it was worth it. Every struggle, every fear… it was worth it."
---
As the afternoon faded into evening, they wandered back toward the riverside, where preparations for the lantern festival continued. The town was alive with soft music, laughter, and the glow of hundreds of lanterns hanging from strings above the streets. Liana and Eren joined the crowd, helping children release small lanterns into the river, each carrying wishes and dreams.
"Make a wish," Liana whispered, her eyes reflecting the golden glow of floating lights.
Eren's fingers brushed hers as they held the lantern together. "I already have," he said softly. "And it's you."
Her heart swelled, and she pressed a kiss to his cheek, laughing softly as he pretended to pout at the lack of a proper kiss. "You're impossible," she teased.
"And you love it," he replied with a wink, pulling her into a warm embrace.
---
Night descended, and the first stars appeared, mirrored by the floating lanterns on the river. Liana and Eren found a quiet spot on the riverbank, away from the crowd, where they could sit close without interruption. Wrapped in a blanket together, they shared whispered stories, laughter, and small secrets.
"You know," Liana said softly, resting her head on his chest, "I've never felt so safe. So… home."
Eren kissed the top of her head, holding her tightly. "That's because home isn't a place. It's a person. And I'm yours."
Her fingers traced patterns on his hand. "Forever?" she asked, voice barely a whisper.
"Forever," he replied, voice steady, certain. "Every day, every moment, always."
They stayed like that for hours, talking, laughing, and dreaming under the moonlight. The river reflected the glow of lanterns and stars, creating a world suspended in magic and serenity. Each shared smile, each touch, each gentle word reinforced their love—a love once forbidden, now radiant, unbreakable, and eternal.
---
As the night deepened, they returned home, exhausted but elated from the day's simple joys. They cooked a quiet dinner together, flour and spices dusting their clothes, laughter spilling into every corner of the kitchen. Afterward, they settled onto the balcony with warm drinks, blankets wrapped around them, and the soft hum of Marivelle below.
"Do you think… life will always be this peaceful?" Liana asked, resting against his chest.
Eren's arms tightened around her. "Life has its storms, love. But as long as we face them together, it will always feel this… right. This full. This ours."
"I'm glad it's us," she whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.
"And I'm glad it's you," he replied, holding her close.
The hours passed with quiet conversation, gentle touches, and playful teasing. The world beyond Marivelle faded into insignificance. There was only them, their laughter, their love, and the infinite promise of tomorrow.
---
By the time they finally drifted to sleep, wrapped in each other's warmth, the lanterns on the river still glowed faintly in their dreams, a reminder that happiness could be created, cherished, and preserved. Their love, once tested and forbidden, was now eternal—radiant, joyful, and unshakable. Every heartbeat, every glance, every whispered word promised that no matter what the future held, they would face it together, always.