Much later, when the noise faded and the congratulations finally loosened their grip on the house, their bedroom became quiet again.
The door clicked shut behind them.
For the first time that night, it was just Nisa and Do-Hyun.
No Halmoni announcing destiny.
No Arisoo crying into cushions.
No Ji-Ah yelling dramatic blessings.
No Madam giving medical orders like royal decrees.
Just soft lamplight.
And them.
Nisa sat carefully on the edge of the bed, one hand resting absentmindedly over her stomach, still looking like she hadn't fully returned from shock.
Do-Hyun stood a few feet away.
Staring.
Not speaking.
Not moving.
Just staring at her like she had personally become sunrise.
Nisa lifted one brow.
"…Why are you looking at me like that?"
He blinked.
"Because I'm trying to understand how you did this."
She almost laughed.
"We both know how."
"No, I mean this." He gestured helplessly. "How did you become more beautiful in one day?"
"That is not science."
"Neither is what I'm feeling."
He crossed the room slowly and knelt in front of her.
No jokes now.
Just awe.
His hands settled gently on her knees.
"I'm scared," he admitted softly.
Nisa's face changed.
Tenderness replacing teasing.
"Why?"
"Because I'm happy."
She smiled.
"That makes no sense."
"It makes perfect sense." His voice shook a little. "I've wanted things before. Success. Money. Attention. New watches. But this…"
He glanced down at her stomach.
"This is the first thing I've wanted that feels bigger than me."
Nisa's eyes filled. "You're going to make me cry again."
"I'm already crying internally."
"You cry externally too."
"I'm expressive."
She laughed softly and touched his cheek. "You'll be a good father."
He turned and kissed her palm. "I want to be."
"You will."
"What if the baby hates me?"
"The baby is half you. It may arrive dramatic."
He gasped. "Then it will be talented."
She laughed harder now, the sound warm and loose.
He stood and sat beside her on the bed, close enough that their shoulders touched.
Then closer.
Then closer still.
He pressed a kiss to her temple.
Then her cheek.
Then the corner of her mouth.
Then paused. "May I kiss the mother of my child properly?"
"You're very formal tonight."
"I'm overwhelmed."
She turned her face toward him.
"Yes."
He kissed her softly.
Not rushed.
Not playful.
Slow and grateful, like he was trying to memorize joy.
When they parted, he rested his forehead against hers. "I love you."
She answered instantly. "I know."
He pulled back. "That was cold."
"It was accurate."
"Say it romantically."
She sighed dramatically, fixed his collar though he was wearing sleep clothes now, then brushed his hair back from his forehead.
"I love you too, Do-Hyun."
He melted so visibly it should have been studied. "There. I'm ruined."
"You were already ruined."
"True."
He suddenly slid down from the bed to kneel in front of her again.
Nisa stared. "…What now?"
He looked at her stomach with solemn respect.
Then leaned forward and kissed it through the fabric of her dress.
"Hello," he said seriously. "I am your father. Ignore any rumors."
Nisa covered her mouth laughing. "You're insane."
"I need to introduce myself early."
He kissed her stomach again.
"I have excellent hair. Hopefully you inherit that."
Another kiss.
"If your mother says I'm annoying, know that she pursued me first."
"I did not," Nisa said.
He looked up. "History is written by fathers."
She grabbed a pillow and hit him lightly.
He fell backward onto the carpet dramatically. "I have been attacked in front of my child!"
She laughed so hard tears formed.
Then she reached down.
"Come here."
He took her hand and climbed back onto the bed, this time pulling her carefully into his arms.
She settled against his chest.
The room went still.
His hand covered hers where it rested on her stomach.
He spoke quietly into her hair.
"We're really doing this."
"Yes."
"We're going to have a little person."
"Yes."
"They might have your eyes."
"Hopefully."
"They might have your patience."
"Hopefully."
"They might have your taste in men."
She tilted her head up. "Then we'll worry."
He grinned.
She kissed him again to stop it.
Outside, the mansion remained loud with secrets, rivalries, and plans.
Inside this room, there was only warmth.
Only breath.
Only the strange, shining happiness of two people realizing their future had just knocked softly…and been let in.
--------
Morning entered the mansion with sunlight, birdsong, and the kind of peace that usually means trouble is merely late.
Yesterday had been Ha-Joon and Min-Ji's engagement.
In theory, today should have been full of congratulations, compliments, expensive flowers, dramatic praise, and endless retelling of the event.
Instead…
everyone was talking about Nisa's pregnancy.
Which meant Min-Ji had awakened furious.
The dining room was already crowded.
Nisa sat wrapped in comfort she did not ask for. A shawl over her shoulders, two cushions behind her back, warm tea at her side, sliced fruit arranged like art in front of her.
"I can move by myself," she said.
"No," Arisoo replied, adjusting the shawl tighter.
"You must rest," Madam added, sliding another bowl toward her.
"Eat."
Halmoni lifted her chin proudly.
"She carries the future. Feed her until she glows."
"I already glow," Nisa said.
"That is marriage. This is legacy."
Do-Hyun stood behind her chair with both hands on her shoulders like a bodyguard hired by emotions.
"If she needs air, I'll provide it."
"She needs you to sit down," Nisa said.
He sat immediately.
Min-Hyuk wandered in yawning.
"Why does breakfast look expensive?"
Seo-Yeon entered behind him, elegant as always.
"Because you slept through family news."
Then she saw Nisa and softened.
She stepped closer.
"Congratulations."
Nisa smiled warmly.
"Thank you."
Min-Hyuk gasped dramatically.
"You're really pregnant?"
"Yes."
He clutched his chest.
"I'm becoming the cool uncle."
"You are already uncool," Seo-Yeon said.
He ignored her and hugged Do-Hyun.
"We must raise this child beautifully."
"We?" Do-Hyun asked.
"No."
Nikki came running in with Type and Yuki chasing behind him.
"I heard baby!"
He stopped in front of Nisa, looked at her stomach seriously, then placed half a biscuit beside her plate.
"For baby."
The room melted.
Arisoo nearly cried.
"My son is generous."
Yoo-Na, entering with coffee, said "He gave away a broken biscuit."
"It's the thought," Arisoo replied.
"It's crumbs," Yoo-Na said.
Then Min-Ji entered.
Hair flawless.
Dress soft pink.
Smile sharpened overnight.
She paused in the doorway, expecting at least some attention.
Nothing.
Do-Hyun was explaining baby names no one asked for.
Halmoni was listing forbidden foods.
Madam was asking if Nisa slept well.
Min-Ji sat down slowly.
"…Good morning."
Arisoo looked over briefly.
"Morning."
Then immediately back to Nisa.
"Do you feel dizzy? Any nausea? Blink twice if Do-Hyun annoyed you."
"I'm blinking constantly," Nisa said.
Min-Ji's fingers tightened beneath the table.
Yesterday had been her engagement.
No one had congratulated her.
Not yesterday night.
Not this morning.
Not even by accident.
She smiled sweetly.
"…I suppose everyone is still tired from the celebration yesterday."
Silence.
Yoo-Na sipped coffee. "What celebration?"
Min-Ji's jaw twitched.
"The engagement."
"Oh," Yoo-Na said. "That."
Mrs. Kang entered right then with Mr. Kang and Hea-In trailing behind.
"My daughter looked stunning yesterday," Mrs. Kang announced loudly.
"Like a princess."
Hea-In nodded.
"With contour."
Mr. Kang sat down. "A successful social event."
No one cared.
The front door opened again.
Footsteps.
Then Ji-Ah entered.
Late.
Bright-eyed.
Carrying a bakery box and chaos.
"Why is everyone gathered like we're voting?"
She stopped when she saw Nisa.
Then gasped.
"You still look pregnant this morning!"
Nisa burst out laughing.
"That is how pregnancy works."
Ji-Ah rushed over and placed the box down.
"I brought pastries for the mother of the century."
Then she glanced around and noticed Min-Ji.
"Oh. You're here too."
Min-Ji smiled tightly.
"Good morning, Ji-Ah."
Ji-Ah smiled right back.
"Was it?"
Yoo-Na coughed into her coffee to hide a laugh.
Ji-Ah slid into a chair.
"What did I miss?"
Min-Hyuk answered.
"Nisa is glowing. Do-Hyun is unstable. Min-Ji is decorative."
"Good summary," Seo-Yeon said.
Ji-Ah opened the pastry box.
"Take one, Nisa. You're eating for two."
Halmoni corrected "For my bloodline."
Ji-Ah nodded. "Yes, yes, for your dramatic bloodline."
Then Ji-Ah looked at Min-Ji as if remembering something tiny.
"Oh right."
Min-Ji straightened hopefully.
Ji-Ah clapped once.
"Congratulations."
Min-Ji smiled at last. "…Thank you."
Ji-Ah continued "On surviving yesterday in those heels. Brave work."
The room broke.
Do-Hyun laughed first.
Then Yoo-Na.
Then Min-Hyuk loudest of all.
Even Ha-Joon, who had just entered silently, paused by the doorway and looked away for a second.
A dangerous almost-smile.
Min-Ji's face hardened.
Ha-Joon took his seat calmly.
Madam noticed him immediately.
"You are late."
"I arrived."
"That is not an apology."
He reached for coffee.
"It can be."
Ji-Ah muttered:
"He's in a playful mood. Ominous."
Ha-Joon looked at Nisa.
"…How are you feeling?"
"Fine."
He nodded once.
"Good."
Do-Hyun placed a hand over his heart.
"He asked with warmth."
"I spoke normally," Ha-Joon said.
"Historic day," Ji-Ah added.
Min-Ji leaned slightly toward Ha-Joon.
"You didn't tell me Ji-Ah would be joining breakfast."
Ji-Ah answered before he could.
"He also didn't tell me you'd still be bitter this morning. Yet here we all are."
Madam set her spoon down sharply.
"Enough."
The table quieted.
Then Halmoni pointed at Ji-Ah.
"Continue after I finish eating."
Ji-Ah saluted.
"Yes, commander."
Breakfast resumed in laughter, teasing, baby talk, and side-eyes.
Min-Ji sat among them, perfectly dressed and perfectly ignored.
Yesterday she had gained a ring.
Today Nisa had stolen the sun.
And Ji-Ah, as always, had brought thunder on top of it.