The pond was quiet.
The sunset had nearly faded.
The orange glow that had painted the water moments ago was slowly turning into deep purple shadows.
Leah was still kneeling in front of Izana.
Her arms were wrapped tightly around his shoulders.
She hadn't let go yet.
Izana didn't rush her.
One hand rested gently against her back.
The other still held the small velvet box.
For a long moment neither of them spoke.
Leah finally pulled back just enough to look at him.
Her eyes were wet.
But she was smiling.
A real smile.
"Did you really just propose to me again?" she asked softly.
Izana looked at her calmly.
"Yes."
Leah laughed breathlessly.
"You're unbelievable."
"You said yes."
She glanced down at her hand.
The ring caught the last bit of sunset light.
The diamond shimmered softly.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she turned her hand.
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
Izana watched her carefully.
"It's yours."
Leah looked back at him.
"You planned all of this, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"The picnic."
"Yes."
"The cake."
"Yes."
Leah raised an eyebrow.
"The sunset too?"
Izana looked briefly toward the horizon.
"I had help with that part."
Leah laughed again.
A quiet, warm sound.
She wiped the last tear from her cheek.
"You're ridiculous."
"And yet," Izana said calmly, "you accepted."
Leah leaned forward suddenly and kissed him.
Quick.
Soft.
When she pulled back she smiled.
"I would've said yes even without the cake."
Izana's red eyes softened slightly.
"I know."
Leah tilted her head.
"Then why go through all the trouble?"
He was quiet for a moment.
Then he answered honestly.
"Because the first time…"
His voice remained steady.
"…you deserved more than a piece of paper."
Leah's smile faded slightly.
Not in sadness.
In understanding.
She gently touched the front of his suit.
"You didn't have to fix the past."
"Yes," he said.
"I did."
The wind moved through the grass around them.
The hill rustled softly.
Leah exhaled slowly.
"Well…"
She stood up.
Then held her hand out toward him.
"Come on."
Izana took her hand and stood.
Leah looked at the pond again.
Then back at him.
"So…"
"What?"
"I guess we should go tell Dante he can stop spying on us."
Izana glanced up the hill.
"He was not spying."
Leah smirked.
"He absolutely was."
Izana didn't argue.
They started walking back toward the hill.
Leah stayed close beside him.
Their hands remained intertwined.
Every few steps Leah lifted her hand again to stare at the ring.
The diamond caught the last bits of fading light.
"You really brought cake to a proposal," she said.
"You like cake and it's your birthday."
"That's not the point."
"It was important."
Leah laughed softly.
"You're impossible."
Izana said nothing.
But there was the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.
When they reached the top of the hill the ancient tree loomed above them.
The picnic blanket was still there.
The empty plates.
The cake box.
Leah paused.
She looked at the tree.
"This place always felt special."
Izana glanced up at the branches.
"That is why I chose it."
Leah squeezed his hand.
Then they continued down the hill.
At the bottom…
Dante straightened away from the car.
He had been leaning against it with his arms crossed.
Now he was watching them carefully.
The moment Leah stepped into the light from the car's headlights…
He noticed the ring.
Dante smirked immediately.
"Well."
Leah blinked.
"What?"
Dante pointed casually toward her hand.
"There it is."
Leah instinctively tried to hide it behind her back.
Too late.
Dante opened the car door.
"So," he said calmly.
"I'm guessing she didn't say no."
Izana answered flatly.
"She did not."
Dante nodded.
"Good."
Leah raised an eyebrow.
"Good?"
"Yeah."
Dante shrugged.
"That would've been awkward."
Leah stared at him.
"Dante!"
He grinned.
"Relax. Congratulations."
Leah climbed into the back seat beside Izana.
Still slightly flustered.
Dante closed the door.
Then walked around to the driver's side.
The car started smoothly.
They began driving down the quiet road.
For a few minutes no one spoke.
Leah leaned slightly against Izana.
Her fingers kept turning slowly in the dim light.
Watching the ring.
Watching the diamond shimmer.
"I still can't believe you did all that," she said softly.
Izana looked at her.
"You deserved it."
Leah shook her head.
"You didn't have to."
"Yes," he said calmly.
"I did."
She turned toward him.
"Why?"
Izana's gaze didn't waver.
"The first time…"
His voice was quiet.
"…was not your choice."
Leah went still.
Her fingers curled slightly around his.
Then she smiled.
"But this time was."
"Yes."
Leah leaned her head gently against his shoulder.
From the front seat Dante sighed dramatically.
"This car is way too emotional right now."
Leah laughed.
"Drive."
"I am driving."
The gates of the Grimshaw mansion slowly appeared ahead.
Tall.
Dark.
Imposing.
They opened automatically as the car approached.
The vehicle rolled smoothly into the driveway.
Lights illuminated the front of the mansion.
Dante parked near the entrance.
Before they even got out…
The front doors opened.
Elias stepped outside.
He folded his arms casually.
Watching them approach.
Leah stepped out of the car first.
The moment she moved into the light…
Elias saw the ring.
His eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Well," he said calmly.
"Congratulations."
Leah blushed again.
"Thank you."
Izana stepped beside her.
Elias nodded toward him.
"You finally did it."
"Yes."
Dante closed the car door behind them.
Then added casually,
"She tackled him."
Leah spun toward him.
"DANTE!"
Elias laughed.
"Really?"
"It was very aggressive," Dante said seriously.
Leah covered her face.
"Oh my god."
Izana glanced briefly at Dante.
"Enough."
Dante raised both hands.
"Alright."
Elias smiled slightly.
"Congratulations… both of you."
Then he turned.
"I'll leave you two alone."
Dante followed him toward the side entrance.
"Yeah, yeah. Big romantic night."
Leah groaned quietly.
"They're never letting this go."
Izana said nothing.
He simply took her hand again.
They walked inside the mansion together.
The foyer was quiet.
Soft light spilled across the marble floors.
For the first time all evening…
They were alone.
Leah looked around.
Then back at him.
"So…"
Izana raised an eyebrow slightly.
"So?"
"What happens now?"
He stepped closer.
His red eyes softened just slightly.
"Now…"
He gently lifted her hand.
His thumb brushed the ring.
"…we do it properly this time."
Leah smiled.
A soft, happy smile.
She leaned into him.
Izana pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead.
The mansion was silent.
Outside…
The night had fully settled.
Tomorrow the world would return.
Caesar.
Enemies.
The dangerous life Izana ruled.
But tonight…
None of that mattered.
Because for the first time…
Leah wasn't just his wife on paper.
She was the woman he chose.
And Izana Grimshaw intended to keep choosing her.