Miyuna was in her room, lost in thought.
"Aaki will prepare the prince for the battle… and I…"
She let out a deep sigh.
Suddenly—
A loud blast echoed through the palace.
At the training ground, Aaki was observing the prince and princess when the explosion shook the main gate.
Two masked kids had knocked down several guards and rushed inside. Just as they were about to reach the palace entrance—
Aaki appeared in front of them.
With a swift motion, he slashed a gust of wind, sending both kids flying back.
The prince and princess came running toward the scene.
Without hesitation, both kids charged forward, throwing straight punches at Aaki—but he stopped both of their fists with his palms… and threw them back again.
The prince stared in amazement.
"Wow… how impressive. They charged at Master without even a second thought."
Aaki stepped closer to them.
"Is this how you behave?"
Both kids stood up and shouted,
"Anyone who dares to lay a hand on our mother shall die!"
"We're here to rescue our mother!"
"Your mother…?" Aaki began—
But before he could finish, both kids launched a massive flame attack toward the palace.
Suddenly—
A sharp sound echoed.
SNAP!
The flames vanished mid-air.
Behind the fading fire… stood Miyuna.
"Mother!!" both kids shouted at once.
Everyone froze.
"W-What?!!" the prince stammered in disbelief.
"Big Sis…?!" the princess whispered, shocked.
Aaki's eyes widened.
"…Their mother?"
Miyuna stepped forward, then knelt down and opened her arms.
Both kids ran toward her and hugged her tightly.
"Mother… we finally found you…" Their voices trembled with emotion.
Miyuna hugged them back just as tightly.
"Oh… my little babies have grown so much…"
"They're really Big Sis's kids…?!" the princess muttered in shock.
Aaki suddenly smacked his own head.
"What was that for?!" the princess exclaimed.
The prince walked up to Aaki.
"It's okay, Master. I understand—you're heartbroken. Big Sis already has someone."
"Don't worry, I'll find a beautiful princess for you… one without kids."
Aaki immediately smacked the prince's head.
"Shut it, idiot."
The prince pouted, holding his head.
"I was thinking for your good…"
"Don't jump to conclusions without understanding the situation."
The prince blinked.
"What does that mean?"
Miyuna stood up.
"I'll explain."
She looked at them calmly.
"These two… are Aaki's and my children."
"WHAT?!!" the prince shouted.
"I think I'm having a heart attack—"
The princess fainted.
The prince quickly caught her.
"Don't worry about her. Please continue."
"Mother… is this guy our dad?" both kids asked, staring at Aaki suspiciously.
"Yes," Miyuna replied calmly. "Don't you remember him?"
Aaki let out a small sigh.
"What a world… my own kids don't recognize me."
"That's your fault for leaving too early," Miyuna said, poking him lightly.
Aaki knelt down and opened his arms.
"Come here, my little precious ones."
Both kids crossed their arms.
"Not happening."
Aaki froze.
"What? Why?"
"A good father doesn't leave his children. You're not our father."
Miyuna stepped in.
"Hey, that's not good manners, kiddos."
Then she turned to Aaki.
"Aaki."
"Yes?"
"Go heal the injured guards and repair the palace gate. I'll take the kids inside and talk to them."
Aaki nodded.
"Understood."
The prince, still holding the princess, looked confused.
"Big Sis… what am I supposed to do?"
"Come with me," Miyuna said.
He followed her inside.
Inside the room, Miyuna gently woke the princess. Aaki arrived shortly after.
"Big Sis… did I hear everything right?!" the princess asked.
"Calm down," Miyuna said. "I'll explain everything."
She gestured toward the children.
"These two are our children. The first one is Yuuya, and the second one is Reiyu."
She then introduced them.
"Yuuya, Reiyu—this is your uncle, and she is your aunt."
"Really, Mother? We have an uncle and aunt too?" they asked excitedly.
The princess immediately knelt down and opened her arms.
"Come here, my sweet little nephews!"
Both kids ran and hugged her.
"Hey, I'm here too!" the prince said, kneeling. "Come here—your cool uncle will get you anything you want!"
The kids laughed and hugged him as well.
Aaki stood quietly in the corner, watching.
"…Mother would have been so happy to see this."
Miyuna looked at him gently.
"Yes… she would have been."
Then she said softly,
"Go. Apologize to them."
Aaki hesitated.
"Do you think they'll forgive me?"
"Of course they will," Miyuna replied with a warm smile.
Aaki walked toward them slowly.
"I… I'm sorry…" he said, his voice trembling.
"I left too early…"
"I know I should have stayed with you… I know I made a mistake…"
He knelt down, lowering his head.
"I'm really sorry, Yuuya… Reiyu…"
The two children slowly walked toward him.
Then—
They hugged him tightly.
"Don't ever leave us again…"
"Do you know how much we missed you…?"
Aaki's eyes widened, then softened as he hugged them back.
"I'm sorry… I promise… I'll never leave you again…"
The prince and princess watched, their eyes filled with tears.
Miyuna stepped forward and wrapped her arms around all three of them.
"It's okay now… everything is fine…"
Yuuya looked up.
"Mom, we're hungry. We haven't had your cooking in a long time."
"Me too! I really want your food," Reiyu added.
Miyuna smiled and patted their heads.
"Alright. Mama will cook for you."
The prince raised his hand with puppy eyes.
"Well… Big Sis… I want your cooking too…"
"Me too," the princess added quickly.
Aaki coughed lightly.
"…Yeah, me too. You could just say it directly."
The prince smirked.
"Oh? So Master wants Big Sis's cooking too, huh?"
Aaki smacked his head again.
"Shut up, idiot."
The room filled with laughter.
And Miyuna… stood there quietly, smiling as she watched them all together.