---
The sun had fully risen, casting golden light over the bloodstained hills of Rael's state. Cleanup crews were already at work tending to wounded soldiers and burying the fallen. The scent of smoke still lingered in the air, but the chaos had subsided. Peace, for now, had returned.
Rael sat alone in his private chamber, a warm cup of untouched tea on the table before him. The weight of the night's events settled on his shoulders—his pride, his power, and above all, his son's silent tears still burned behind his eyes.
A knock echoed.
"It's open," Rael said.
Shinomi stepped inside, dressed in clean robes now, though the tension in his posture hadn't faded. He stood respectfully before Rael, but his expression remained unflinching.
"Sit," Rael said after a pause.
Shinomi did.
Rael stared at him for a long time. The silence stretched until he finally spoke.
"You saved my state, Shinomi. You saved my people. I won't deny that."
Shinomi said nothing.
Rael exhaled deeply. "And... you love my son."
Shinomi's eyes didn't waver. "I do."
"Even though you hated him once?"
Shinomi lowered his gaze briefly. "Yes. I don't know when it changed. But it did."
Rael looked away, eyes sharp and tired. "I've been a soldier longer than I've been a father. Maybe I raised him too harshly. Maybe I... never really knew how to understand a gentle-hearted boy like him."
Shinomi's hand curled slightly on his knee.
"I still don't understand how two boys can... find something like that," Rael said, voice gruff. "But... it's not for me to understand anymore."
Shinomi blinked.
"If he wants to marry you... I won't stop it," Rael said finally. "You have my permission."
Shinomi's chest rose, stunned silent for a moment.
"But," Rael continued sternly, "this doesn't mean I've accepted everything else yet. The kingdom is still stirred. The king hasn't made his stance public. Until everything is settled and you have the king's blessing—you two will not meet."
Shinomi's jaw tensed.
"He's still my son. And you..." Rael looked him in the eye, "...you're still the man who once wanted to kill him. You don't get everything at once, Shinomi."
"I understand," Shinomi replied softly.
Rael stood and walked to the window, arms crossed behind him. "When this chaos settles... you can come back. And if you're still standing beside him, then I'll bless it with my whole heart."
Shinomi stood and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lord Rael."
As he turned to leave, Rael added without turning around, "One more thing."
"Yes?"
"If you break his heart... you'll face me next. No war. No soldiers. Just me."
A soft, uncharacteristic smile tugged at the corner of Shinomi's lips. "Understood."
---
Outside, Ren stood in the courtyard, hands clasped tightly as he stared up at the tower.
When Shinomi descended the steps, their eyes met across the distance.
Shinomi gave him a small nod.
Ren's breath caught. He understood what that nod meant.
Not yet... but soon.
And in that moment, their love—shaken by war, judged by a kingdom, caged by duty—stood unbroken.
They would wait.
Because for the first time, waiting meant hope.