That night, Mirha shared a quiet dinner with her mother in her private chambers. The food was fragrant and beautifully prepared, but Mirha barely touched it. She sat pushing grains of rice around her plate, her mind drifting back to Kanha's tear-stained face and broken confession.
Launi watched her for a while before speaking gently.
"Mirha… can you eat already?"
Mirha blinked, then obediently took a small bite. After chewing slowly, she set her chopsticks down and said in a quiet voice,
"I will tell His Majesty."
Launi was not surprised. She knew her daughter's gentle heart too well. She simply nodded and said nothing.
Mirha continued, her tone soft but resolute. "But I cannot forgive her."
"You never have to," Launi replied calmly. "Forgiveness is not a debt you owe anyone, my child. Especially not her."
After dinner, Mirha kissed her mother goodnight and walked alone to the emperor's chambers.
She pushed the heavy doors open and closed them softly behind her. Arvin was lounging on the wide couch near the window, reading by lamplight. He looked up, a slow, hungry smile already forming — until he saw the serious look on her face.
"We need to talk," Mirha said.
Arvin set the scroll aside immediately and sat up, giving her his full attention.
Mirha sat across from him and told him everything — Kanha's long years of bullying and humiliation, the physical cruelty, how she had manipulated Nailah into sending Mirha to his bed, and finally how she had drugged Lord Kaisen because he wanted to marry Mirha instead.
Arvin listened in silence. When she finished, he did not look surprised at all.
Mirha tilted her head. "Why aren't you surprised?"
Arvin exhaled slowly. "Because it was always a topic I had investigated. All traces led to her. But because she is Nailah's cousin, we tried to be absolutely certain before it caused a scandal."
Mirha nodded quietly, then asked, "Does Kaisen know?"
"No," Arvin replied. "But now that she has confessed… we will tell him."
He studied her carefully. "Should we punish her for what she has done?"
Mirha looked down at her hands for a moment, then answered softly,
"Do what you want… but not on my account."
Arvin rose, walked over to her, and gently cupped her face. He leaned down and kissed her — first on the forehead, then on the lips, slow and tender.
"I'm sorry," he murmured against her mouth. "I'm sorry that all of that had to happen to you."
Mirha stayed quiet. She didn't know what to say.
After a moment she pulled back slightly and whispered, "I am going to sleep with my mother tonight."
Arvin searched her eyes, then nodded. He kissed her once more, softer this time.
"Goodnight, my heart," he said gently.
Mirha gave him a small, tired smile and slipped out of the room, leaving Arvin standing there, watching the door close behind her.
In the dead of night, the palace corridors were silent except for the soft pad of footsteps. Yuma moved quickly and quietly toward Lord Kaisen's chambers, her heart hammering in her chest.
She knocked lightly.
"Who is it?" Kaisen's voice came from inside. He was still awake.
"It's Yuma," she answered softly.
The door opened. Kaisen looked out into the empty corridor, brow furrowed, then closed it and turned around. Yuma was already inside.
"Is everything okay?" he asked, concern flickering across his face.
Yuma nodded, but her hands were trembling. She wanted to tell him everything — to plead for Kanha's forgiveness — but the words refused to come out. She didn't know how to begin.
Kaisen stepped closer, searching her eyes. Before she could speak, he cupped her face and kissed her.
Yuma kissed him back, helpless against the warmth of his mouth. He lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the bed while still kissing her deeply. When he laid her down and settled on top of her, the weight of him felt both comforting and overwhelming.
Kaisen loved how Yuma could make him forget everything. Her touch was warm, soft, and safe — everything he needed in that moment.
After the kiss broke, Yuma spoke against his lips, voice barely above a whisper.
"It wasn't your fault… You weren't reckless. She drugged you."
Kaisen paused, then pulled back slightly. "I wish you would not lie on Kanha's name to make me feel better. Because I don't feel better when you do that."
He lowered his head again, kissing slowly along her neck.
Yuma swallowed hard. "She confessed, Kai."
He froze. Slowly, he lifted his face to look at her. Her expression was serious — no teasing, no softness meant to comfort.
He pulled back completely.
Yuma reached for him immediately. "She didn't mean— She's sorry, Kai… please forgive her."
Kaisen was quiet for a long moment. Then, in a low, dangerous voice, he said:
"I am going to kill her."
He got up from the bed and reached for his shirt.
Yuma's heart lurched. She scrambled up and ran to the door, pressing her back against it to block him.
"Kaisen, please— not right now. It's the middle of the night. Please calm down."
He tried to move her aside, but Yuma held the door like her life depended on it.
Kaisen's hand shot out and wrapped tightly around her throat, squeezing. Yuma's eyes widened in terror, but she didn't let go of the door.
"Will you move now?" he asked coldly.
Yuma shook her head frantically, tears spilling down her cheeks.
With a growl, he yanked her away from the door and slammed her onto the floor. Yuma gasped in pain but immediately reached for his legs, clinging desperately.
"Please… she's pregnant, remember? Please calm down… please…"
Kaisen stopped.
For a few seconds he stood there, breathing hard. Then he turned away from the door and began destroying everything in sight — smashing vases, hurling chairs, flipping the low table. The sound of breaking porcelain and wood filled the room.
Guards knocked urgently from outside. "My lord, is everything fine?"
"Leave!!" Kaisen roared.
They obeyed instantly.
Yuma slowly got up, wincing, and sat on the edge of the bed, watching him in silence as he raged. It took a long time for the storm to pass.
When he finally exhausted himself, Kaisen walked back to the bed and collapsed, laying his head on Yuma's thighs.
Neither of them spoke.
After a heavy, long silence, Kaisen asked hoarsely, "Why did she do it?"
Yuma gently stroked his hair. "She was heartbroken when she heard you loved Mirha. So… to keep you, she did it."
Kaisen took a deep breath and looked up at her. His eyes landed on the fresh bruises forming on her throat. Something in his expression shattered.
He sat up, cupped her face carefully, and kissed every bruise with aching tenderness.
"I'm sorry," he whispered against her skin.
Then his kisses grew deeper, slower, more desperate. Yuma started trembling under his touch.
When his hands reached for the ties of her gown, she stopped him gently.
"I… I can't. You're still angry."
Kaisen paused, then kissed her once more — softer this time.
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
He stood and walked to the bathroom to wash his face. Before leaving the room entirely, he turned back to her.
"Please stay with me tonight. I don't trust myself right now."
Yuma swallowed, feeling the sharp ache in her bruised throat.
"Okay," she whispered.
As Kaisen disappeared into the bathroom, Yuma sat there in the dim light, heart still racing.
So this… this is Kaisen's rage.