The garden was quiet again the next morning.
The rows of forget-me-nots swayed gently in the breeze, their blue petals bright against the green leaves. White roses lined the stone paths, their scent drifting softly through the air.
Leah walked slowly along the path, brushing her fingers across the flowers as she passed.
Behind her, footsteps approached.
Izana stopped beside her.
"You're out here early."
Leah smiled slightly.
"I like it in the morning. It's peaceful."
Izana looked across the garden.
The flowers had fully settled now, filling every corner with blue and white.
Leah gestured toward them.
"I still think you went overboard."
"You've said that before."
"And I'll say it again."
Izana shrugged.
"You like them."
"That's not the point."
Before he could answer, another voice interrupted.
"Well, I like them too."
Leah turned.
Dante stood at the entrance to the garden, arms crossed and an amused grin on his face.
Leah sighed immediately.
"Oh no."
Izana didn't even look at him.
"What do you want?"
Dante stepped onto the path, glancing around dramatically.
"I just came to admire the scenery."
He gestured to the rows of flowers.
"And what a romantic scenery it is."
Leah rolled her eyes.
"You're going to start teasing again, aren't you?"
Dante smirked.
"I haven't even started yet."
Izana's tone was flat.
"Leave."
"Relax," Dante said, waving a hand. "I'm just curious."
He looked between them.
"So… when's the wedding ceremony?"
Leah blinked.
"Wedding ceremony?"
Dante pointed at the garden.
"You two have the most perfect setting imaginable."
Izana sighed.
"We're already married."
Dante shrugged.
"Technically."
Leah crossed her arms.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You had paperwork," Dante said casually. "Not a ceremony."
Leah opened her mouth—
Then stopped.
Because he was right.
Their marriage had been arranged.
Formal.
Quick.
No celebration.
No vows.
Just signatures and witnesses.
Leah forced a small laugh.
"Well… that's fine. I never expected one anyway."
Dante studied her expression.
Izana did too.
Leah quickly changed the subject.
"Besides, the garden is nice enough on its own."
Dante smirked.
"Sure."
Izana stepped forward.
"Dante."
"Yes?"
"Leave."
Dante grinned.
"Alright, alright."
He turned toward the exit.
But as he walked away he called over his shoulder,
"Still think the garden would make a perfect wedding venue."
Leah groaned.
"That man is exhausting."
Izana didn't answer.
Leah looked back at the flowers.
"It's not like it matters anyway."
Izana glanced at her.
"What doesn't?"
"The ceremony."
She shrugged.
"It would have been nice, maybe. But it's not important."
Izana studied her quietly.
"Would you have wanted one?"
Leah blinked.
"What?"
"A ceremony."
She hesitated.
Then she looked around the garden.
The roses.
The forget-me-nots.
The soft breeze moving through them.
"I guess…" she admitted quietly.
"It might have been nice."
Izana said nothing.
Leah quickly waved it off.
"But it's fine. Really."
She smiled.
"We ended up here anyway."
Izana nodded slowly.
Later that evening, the mansion was quiet.
Leah wandered down a hallway she rarely used.
She wasn't looking for anything in particular.
Just exploring.
Then she stopped.
Music.
Soft piano music drifted faintly through the air.
Leah frowned slightly.
Who's playing?
She followed the sound down the hallway.
The melody grew clearer.
It was slow.
Melancholic.
Beautiful.
Leah reached a door that was slightly open.
She pushed it gently.
Inside the room sat a grand piano.
And Izana.
His fingers moved across the keys, playing effortlessly.
Leah froze in the doorway.
She had never seen him like this before.
The music filled the room quietly.
Then Izana noticed her.
His hands stopped.
The room fell silent.
"You're not supposed to be here," he said.
Leah stepped inside slowly.
"You play piano?"
Izana looked away from the keys.
"I used to."
Leah walked closer.
"I had no idea."
She sat beside him on the piano bench.
"When did you learn?"
"When I was younger."
"How young?"
"Teenager."
Leah smiled slightly.
"I can't imagine teenage Izana sitting at a piano."
He glanced at her.
"Why not?"
"You've always seemed so serious."
"I wasn't always."
Leah looked at the keys.
"Why did you stop playing?"
Izana hesitated.
Then he answered quietly.
"Life got complicated."
Leah studied him for a moment.
Then she nudged his shoulder gently.
"Play again."
"No."
"Why not?"
"I'm rusty."
"I don't care."
Izana sighed.
"You're persistent."
"Yes."
He looked at the piano.
Then slowly placed his fingers back on the keys.
The music began again.
The melody flowed softly through the room.
Leah sat quietly beside him, listening.
She had never heard anything like it from him before.
The piece ended slowly.
Izana's hands rested on the keys.
Leah smiled.
"That was beautiful."
"You're biased."
"Maybe."
She stood up.
"You should play more often."
"I doubt that."
"Why?"
"You're the only one who enjoys it."
Leah grinned.
"That's enough."
She walked toward the door.
"Goodnight, Izana."
"Goodnight."
The door closed behind her.
Izana remained at the piano.
The room was quiet again.
His fingers rested lightly on the keys.
Dante's words from earlier echoed in his mind.
You never had a ceremony.
Izana looked down at the piano.
Then he thought about the garden.
The flowers.
Leah's quiet voice.
It might have been nice.
A few minutes later, footsteps approached in the hallway.
Dante appeared at the door.
"I heard piano music," he said.
Izana stood up.
"I need your help."
Dante raised an eyebrow.
"With what?"
Izana looked at him calmly.
"A wedding."
Dante blinked.
"…You're already married."
"I know."
Dante stared at him for a moment.
Then a slow grin spread across his face.
"Oh."
Izana crossed his arms.
"Don't tell Leah."
Dante laughed quietly.
"This is going to be fun."