---
In Fiona's Room – Heaven Realm
Fiona stood frozen in front of her dressing table, her brush falling from her hand.
"No…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Behind her, Xander leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed, his face unreadably cold.
"No, what?" he asked, tilting his head. "Do you think my brother Ren is not suitable for Goddess Irin?"
Fiona turned to face him, visibly shaken. "That's not what I meant…"
"Then what did you mean?" Xander's eyes narrowed.
"I… I just know that Irin… she loves Dylan. I can feel it. I've seen it in her eyes."
Xander's gaze turned sharper. "And you think it's right? That a goddess… marries a Demon King?"
Fiona's fists clenched. "Love has no superior or inferior, Xander. It's not about status. How can you say that?"
He stepped forward slowly, his presence overwhelming. "Are you sure Dylan really loves Irin? Or is this just a part of his larger game?"
Her heart skipped. "What…?" she whispered, her voice cracking with disbelief.
Xander's smirk was subtle but chilling. He said nothing more—just watched Fiona's shocked expression with eerie silence, like he had planted a seed of doubt and was now simply watching it grow.
---
In Heaven Garden
Lia stood alone by the fountain, the gentle trickle of water the only sound that calmed her rapidly racing thoughts. She stared into the water's reflection, conflicted.
Irin is on the Heaven Realm's side now… but is that right? Ren brought her back… but she deserves freedom. Not another cage—even if it's golden.
She sighed, hugging her arms around herself when a familiar voice broke the silence.
"Why are you here alone?"
Lia turned to see Ren approaching. She quickly masked her expression and smiled. "I'm fine. Just thinking."
Ren looked at her closely, sensing her unease. "Where did you go after we returned from the Truth Pond?"
Lia's smile faltered. "I… I…"
Ren's voice hardened. "Did you go to the Blue Moon Kingdom?"
She panicked. "No! I didn't."
But Ren's gaze narrowed. He didn't believe her.
"I went to my hometown," Lia lied quickly. "To visit my parents."
There was a long silence.
Then she bowed. "I need to prepare for the Goddess Inauguration ceremony. Please excuse me."
She walked away swiftly, her heart pounding. Behind her, Ren stood still, his eyes dark with growing suspicion.
---
At Fiona's Parent's House
A warm breeze fluttered through the open windows. Fiona's parents were overjoyed by her surprise visit.
"Why didn't you inform us, sweetheart?" her mother asked, laying out special dishes on the table.
"I wanted to see you both. And… to collect a few of my belongings," Fiona replied with a smile.
"I kept them safe in your room," her mother said, eyes twinkling.
Her father looked around expectantly. "Where's your husband?"
Fiona chuckled. "I'll bring him next time, Father."
Later, as the meal wound down, her mother asked, "Is it true… our little Irin is the Goddess that was born 25 years ago?"
Fiona nodded slowly. "Yes, Mother… even I was shocked when I learned."
Her father's brows furrowed. "But she grew up right here in our town… how could we not have known?"
Her mother looked anxious. "Are they accusing us of hiding her identity? Will there be trouble for our family?"
Fiona reached over and held her mother's hand. "No, Mother. No one is accusing us. The Heaven Realm is relieved to have found their Goddess. We've done nothing wrong."
Both her parents sighed in relief.
---
Later, in Fiona's Room
Fiona packed her belongings, her mind still swirling with Xander's words.
As she opened a dusty box at the bottom of her wardrobe, she found old memories—photos, letters… and then something that made her breath hitch.
A small diary with Irin's name on it.
She opened it slowly, flipping through the fragile pages until she found something dated years ago:
> "Today, I will finally confess to Ren. I've loved him for so long… if he accepts, I'll tell Fiona everything."
Fiona's hands trembled.
"Irin… you loved Ren?" she whispered, disbelief and pain intertwining. "He was your first love…?"
Tears welled in her eyes, the truth slicing deeper than she expected.
---
Mariano's chamber
Irin sat on the window ledge, her arms wrapped around her knees. Her mind wandered back to the nights under the Blue Moon sky, to Dylan's touch, his warm voice, his proposal. The memories made her smile… and cry.
"I love him…" she whispered.
Footsteps echoed, and Irin quickly wiped her tears, composing herself just as Mariano entered the room, looking pale and weak.
"Mother, Where did you go ? I was waiting for you " Irin rushed to her. Mariano nearly collapsed, but Irin caught her just in time.
"You're not well," Irin said, guiding her to sit.
"I'm just… getting old," Mariano murmured. "Two days now… I've felt this weakness."
She clutched her chest.
"There's pain?" Irin asked, alarmed.
"A little… nothing to worry about. I visited the Heaven Healer," Mariano replied gently.
Irin immediately went to prepare medicine and helped her mother drink it.
As the warmth returned to Mariano's cheeks, she asked, "So, how's your Goddess life treating you?"
Irin looked away. "I liked my old fairy life better."
Mariano softly touched her hair. "Why, my dear?"
"A goddess has rules to follow. It's not like being a carefree fairy…"
Mariano chuckled. "Being a goddess doesn't mean being a prisoner. You can be independent, Irin."
Irin lowered her gaze. "But I've decided to stay in the Heaven Realm now."
Mariano's voice grew gentle. "And what about Dylan?"
Irin's breath caught. Her eyes filled again.
"You knew?" she asked.
"A mother doesn't need words to understand her child," Mariano said with a knowing smile. "I see the sorrow in your eyes."
"Yes…" Irin whispered. "I love him. But a goddess can't marry a demon."
Mariano's voice grew soft, yet heavy. "Who says that? Love is pure, my dear. But…"
Irin looked up hopefully. "Then… I can?"
Mariano nodded faintly. "Yes… you can. But the world won't accept it. Especially not the Heaven Realm. They will resist. They fear it will shatter the fragile peace."
Irin stood up slowly, her tears falling freely. "I understand…"
She walked out the room, head held high, heart in chaos.
Behind her, Mariano whispered with pain in her voice, "You didn't hear the whole truth… Yes, a Demon King and a Goddess can marry… but only if their bond is true… and only if they're strong enough to face the world."
---
To be continued...
---