The palace halls were quiet that evening, as though the whole world held its breath.
Himeka's heart beat too loudly in her chest as she walked toward the chamber. For days she had been battling this thought, this yearning. Every night she lay awake, whispering to the darkness: If I can't hear his voice, then at least… let me feel his warmth.
She paused outside the door, her hand trembling on the handle.
If he pushes me away… I don't know if my heart could bear it.
But if she didn't try, she would drown in the emptiness.
With a shaky breath, she pushed the door open.
---
As always, he was there.
The Emperor sat by the window, moonlight pouring over his white hair and pale skin. His crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dark, fixed on the night sky. He was beautiful in the way a frozen lake is beautiful—perfect, untouchable, still.
Himeka closed the door softly behind her. The click echoed in her chest like a drumbeat.
Her bare feet padded softly across the floor. She stopped just behind him, her hands twisting in front of her.
"…You always look at the moon," she whispered, her voice unsteady. "But tonight… would you let me look at you instead?"
He didn't turn. He didn't answer.
Her chest ached, but she stepped closer, so close she could almost feel the chill of his aura brushing against her skin.
Her hands trembled. Her breath came quick and shallow.
Do it, Himeka. Just once. Even if he never allows it again… let yourself try.
Slowly, she reached out.
Her arms slipped around his shoulders from behind.
For a moment, the world stopped.
Her cheek pressed lightly against his back. His body was firm, solid, warmer than she had ever imagined. He smelled faintly of ink and steel and the cool scent of rain.
Her heart fluttered wildly, butterflies bursting in her chest.
"…Please," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Don't push me away."
The silence was unbearable. She could hear only the pounding of her own heartbeat.
But he didn't move. He didn't shove her off.
Her eyes filled with tears as a shaky laugh escaped her. "Y-You're letting me…?"
She squeezed him tighter, pressing her face into his shoulder. "You're really letting me."
Her body trembled, not from fear but from the flood of emotions she couldn't hold back. Relief. Joy. Longing.
The Emperor remained still, silent as ever. But for Himeka, this was everything.
Because silence was not rejection.
And in that silence, she found the courage to whisper the words her heart had been screaming for months:
"…I love you."
Her tears dampened his robe, but she didn't care. She clung to him desperately, as though he might vanish if she let go.
"For so long, I thought you hated me," she murmured, her lips trembling against his back. "But you didn't. You just… let me exist beside you. And that kindness… it's more than I ever dreamed I'd have."
Still no response.
But he hadn't pulled away.
And for Himeka, that was enough.
She closed her eyes, her lips curving into the most genuine smile she had worn since leaving Barmouth.
"From now on… even if you never say a word, I'll keep holding on to you. Because you're mine. And I'm yours."
Her arms tightened, butterflies filling her chest until she could hardly breathe.
That night, as the moon watched over them, Himeka found her first fragile piece of happiness.
Not in words. Not in promises.
But in the simple miracle that he had allowed her to stay.
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End of Chapter 8
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