Yuma was in their chambers, preparing for Kanha's wedding. She adjusted the final pins in her hair while Annat played happily on the thick rug nearby, giggling as she reached for a colorful ribbon.
Yuma smiled, scooped the little girl up, and snuggled her close. Annat burst into delighted laughter, tiny hands grabbing at Yuma's dress. They played for a few moments — Yuma tickling her belly, Annat squealing with joy — until Kaisen walked in.
His heart melted at the sight.
He crossed the room, kissed the top of Yuma's head, then gently took Annat from her arms and kissed the baby's chubby cheeks. Annat cooed and grabbed at his collar.
Yuma watched them with a soft smile, but it faded when she noticed Kaisen was still in casual robes.
"Are you not coming?" she asked.
Kaisen shook his head. "I have no reason to go."
Yuma's smile disappeared completely. "I can't go alone with Annat. That isn't fair to us."
She gave him the puppy eyes that usually worked. Kaisen's expression remained firm.
"It's alright, my love. I will stay with our baby. She wasn't going anyway."
Yuma understood immediately. No matter how much time had passed, Kaisen's resentment toward Kanha was non-negotiable. He would never acknowledge her as the mother of his child.
She sighed softly and stood, brushing down her gown. "Very well then."
She turned to leave, but Kaisen's voice stopped her.
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
Yuma looked confused. "I don't think so."
Kaisen handed Annat to the waiting maids and signaled them to leave. The moment the door closed, Yuma asked, "What is it?"
Kaisen stepped close, voice low. "A kiss."
Yuma rolled her eyes with a small smile and leaned in. But Kaisen had other plans.
He pulled her against him and started undoing her gown with practiced fingers. Yuma tried to protest, "I will be late—" but his mouth found her neck, kissing and sucking gently, and the words dissolved into a soft moan.
Not long after, Kaisen had her pressed against the wall, gown bunched around her waist. He thrust into her dominantly, deep and steady, one hand gripping her thigh to hold her in place. Yuma's head fell back, moans slipping out despite her attempts to stay quiet.
"I'll… be late…" she gasped between thrusts.
Kaisen only held her firmer, hips snapping harder. "Then be late."
They reached climax together — Yuma trembling in his arms, Kaisen groaning low against her neck as he spilled inside her.
Afterward, Yuma was panting, legs shaky. Kaisen was already dressing with a satisfied smirk on his face.
"You ruined my gown," she muttered, half-scolding, half-amused.
Kaisen smiled, stepping closer to kiss her once more. "I never liked that gown anyway." He kissed her again, slower this time. "I just wanted to give you your fill before you go out. I love you."
Yuma smiled despite herself. "I love you too."
She quickly bathed, changed into a fresh gown, and kissed both Kaisen and Annat goodbye. Then she stepped into the carriage and left for Kanha's wedding.
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Yuma arrived at the banquet hall just as the formal part of the evening had ended. Nobles were scattered in small groups, chatting and drinking. She immediately spotted Kanha sitting beside Lord Fahit. The two of them were smiling and talking quietly, looking surprisingly at ease.
Yuma made her way through the crowd and found Kiara sitting alone near the side.
She bowed slightly. "How are you, Lady Kiara?"
Kiara laughed. "What's with the formality? Come here."
Yuma smiled and hugged her warmly. As they pulled apart, she felt the unmistakable swell of Kiara's belly.
Her eyes widened. "Again?"
Kiara laughed brightly. "I know what you're thinking."
Yuma shook her head, grinning. "Where is your husband?"
"Tando went to help Rnzo. Zoran and Amar are causing chaos as usual." Kiara smiled fondly. "Where's baby Annat?"
"She stayed home playing with her father. She can get quite fussy in crowds."
"Tell me about it," Kiara sighed. "That's why my daughter isn't here either."
Yuma glanced around. "Where is Princess Goya?"
"She's with Nailah and little Kilimah."
Yuma nodded. "And Mirha? Is she here?"
Kiara's expression softened. "She's been unseen for the past five months. Almost completely out of sight."
Yuma frowned. "I saw her once, about three months ago. She looked thinner. I hope she's alright."
"Ruso is taking care of her. He says she's fine, so we're choosing to believe him."
Yuma bit the inside of her cheek. "I can only hope."
She excused herself and went to greet Nailah. Little Kilimah was sitting quietly on his mother's lap, looking shy. Yuma cooed at him softly.
"He looks like a tiny version of His Majesty," she said with a warm laugh.
Nailah smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Goya joined them shortly after, and the three women fell into easy conversation. Goya spoke about her life with Kain — mostly traveling between estates and keeping busy.
Yuma asked gently, "What about children? Don't you want any?"
Goya shrugged. "I don't know yet. I do have to secure an heir at some point."
Yuma raised an eyebrow. "An heir?"
"It's tradition," Goya explained. "If my brother cannot produce an heir for Lamig, my child could ascend the throne."
Yuma's eyes widened. "Interesting."
Goya waved it off with a small smile. "But I don't care much for titles. As long as my son can live comfortably, that's enough. Besides, Kain is already wealthy enough to feed generations."
Yuma nodded, then asked quietly, "Any news about Mirha?"
Goya shook her head. "None. I hope she's okay."
The women chatted late into the night, catching up on life, children, and court gossip. When Yuma's carriage finally arrived, she bid them goodnight and left for home.
----------->
When Yuma returned to their chambers, the room was dimly lit by a single lamp. Kaisen was still awake, leaning against the headboard with the sheets pooled low around his hips, barely covering his obvious arousal.
Yuma paused at the sight, a small smile tugging at her lips. "How is Annat?"
"Asleep," Kaisen replied, voice low and rough. "She went down easily tonight."
Yuma nodded, relieved. "Good. I'll just freshen up."
She slipped into the bathroom and returned a few minutes later, wrapped in a thin silk robe. The moment she stepped back into the room, Kaisen's eyes darkened with hunger.
"You should get some rest," she said softly, though her voice lacked conviction.
Kaisen said nothing. He simply looked at her, eyes burning, and spoke one word:
"Come here."
The low command sent a rush of heat straight between Yuma's thighs. Her pussy throbbed with sudden, aching need.
She walked to him slowly and stood between his spread legs. Kaisen sat up, pulled her down, and kissed her deeply. Yuma melted instantly, dropping her robe to the floor and wrapping her arms around his neck as she straddled him.
Kaisen groaned into her mouth, hands gripping her hips possessively. In one smooth motion, he flipped her onto her back and settled between her thighs. Their kisses grew frantic, tongues tangling as moans filled the room. He pushed inside her with one deep, possessive thrust.
Yuma gasped, back arching as he filled her completely. Kaisen didn't hold back. He fucked her with slow, powerful strokes at first, then harder, deeper — hours of pent-up obsession pouring out of him. He took her like a man who couldn't get enough, like she was made specifically for him.
And in that moment, he understood his late mother's decision completely.
He would burn the world down for this woman. He loved her dangerously — fiercely, selfishly, completely.
Yuma came first, trembling and moaning his name. Kaisen followed soon after, burying himself deep inside her with a low, guttural groan.
Afterward, Yuma was dozing, utterly spent. Kaisen kissed her cheek tenderly, pulled out gently, and gathered her into his arms. He tucked her against his chest, wrapping his body around hers protectively.
"I love you," he whispered into her hair.
Yuma hummed sleepily in response, already drifting off.
Kaisen stayed awake a little longer, listening to her breathing, his hand resting possessively on her waist.
Then, with a rare sense of peace, he finally let sleep claim him too.