It had been six hours.
For six long hours, Nikolai had climbed the endless temple staircase.
His entire body was soaked with sweat.
His breathing had become heavier.
His muscles screamed from exhaustion.
Yet not once…
Not once had he put Lilith (Mhaira) down.
She remained safely in his arms the entire journey.
She quietly counted every single step.
Nikolai suddenly increased his pace.
"How many now?" he asked between breaths.
Lilith looked down at the stairs.
"Nine hundred and seven."
She watched him continue climbing without slowing.
He kept forcing his exhausted body forward.
She looked at him sadly.
He noticed the sadness in her eyes.
He chuckled softly.
His tiny wife looked so adorable while worrying about him.
He kissed the top of her head before continuing.
Step after step…
Higher…
Higher…
Soon…
"One thousand and three."
She whispered the number.
Nikolai never stopped.
He kept moving forward.
Forward.
Forward.
Until finally…
The temple appeared before them.
Everyone was already standing there waiting.
Lilith smiled brightly.
"One thousand and six…"
She kept counting.
"One thousand and seven…"
One final step.
She smiled widely.
"Finally!"
"One thousand and eight!"
"We arrived!"
Nikolai finally reached the top.
He gently lowered Lilith onto the ground.
The moment her feet touched the stone floor, she immediately walked toward the entrance.
She reached up.
Dong…
She rang the sacred temple bell.
Its beautiful sound echoed across the mountain.
Without wasting another second, she grabbed five bottles of water.
She hurried back.
"Drink."
She opened the first bottle.
Nikolai obediently drank.
She handed him another.
Then another.
Then another.
Then the fifth bottle.
She made sure he finished every single one.
He smiled at her caring nature.
"Why did all of you make him climb all these stairs?"
Lilith asked everyone.
Before anyone could answer…
Nikolai quietly gave them a look.
A silent signal.
Don't tell her.
Everyone immediately understood.
Sohan smiled.
"It is tradition."
"For married couples to reach the temple together."
"The blessings represent love."
"And trust."
Sohan laughed.
"Your father almost fell while climbing these same stairs when we got married."
Riyana burst into giggles.
Sohan immediately wrapped an arm around her waist.
She instantly blushed.
Even though they were now in their late thirties and forties…
Their love had only grown stronger over the years.
Sohan still managed to make her blush every single day.
Everyone smiled at them.
After completing their prayers…
The family headed back home.
The joyful atmosphere slowly changed.
"How is he?"
Nikolai asked.
Juan sighed.
He explained everything the doctor had said.
Nikolai listened carefully.
Lilith's eyes widened.
"What the hell…"
Lily (Mihu) whispered.
Juan rubbed his forehead.
"Urlima has been crying for over five hours."
"We shifted him back home immediately."
"The doctors will begin treatment."
Silence filled the room.
Lily walked over.
She hugged Urlima tightly.
The woman completely broke down.
She cried into Lily's shoulder.
Her eyes had become swollen from crying for hours.
Lily gently rubbed her back.
"It will be okay."
Elsewhere…
The celebration continued.
Music.
Food.
Laughter.
Guests filled every corner.
Rohan secretly walked toward Mila.
He held out a wrapped package.
"I need you to give this to Via."
"But don't say my name, okay baby?"
Mila nodded.
"Otay!"
She happily waddled away.
Tiny steps.
Tiny feet.
She reached Oyiva's room.
She stretched out the package.
"Here!"
"Dis for you!"
"Take!"
"I go back now!"
"Evewything here for you!"
She smiled proudly before waddling away.
Oyiva looked down.
"What is this?"
She asked herself.
Mila shrugged.
"I dunno ba ba!"
Then disappeared.
Oyiva sat quietly.
She pushed her hair behind both ears.
Unknown to her…
Rohan secretly watched from outside.
She slowly unwrapped the gift.
Her eyes widened.
She gasped.
Inside…
A beautiful set of colorful glass bangles.
Her eyes sparkled.
She gently bit her lip.
Carefully…
She slipped one bangle onto each wrist.
Clink…
Clink…
She softly shook her hands.
The delicate glass bangles chimed together beautifully.
She giggled.
Outside…
Rohan's heart melted.
Hearing her innocent laughter made him smile.
Not fully.
But enough.
She looked around.
"Who got this?"
She whispered.
Everyone was downstairs.
Who could it have been?
She stood.
Today she wore one of the beautiful flower strapless sarees she had received yesterday.
She adjusted it.
At that exact moment…
Rohan walked inside.
"Oi… Via…"
"Have you seen—"
He froze.
Completely.
His words disappeared.
He simply stared.
She looked breathtaking.
Oyiva tilted her head.
"Ji?"
"Yes?"
"S…sir?"
"Are you okay?"
Rohan slowly walked closer.
Every step made her heartbeat increase.
Finally…
He stood before her.
He gently took her hand into his.
He looked into her eyes.
"Tū khūpach sundar disates."
"Mājhī ho priye."
(You look extremely gorgeous.
Be mine, my love.)
Her cheeks instantly turned bright red.
She shyly lowered her head.
"W-we should go now."
"The people are waiting for—"
She couldn't finish.
Rohan leaned closer.
He gently buried his face in her hair.
He inhaled her sweet scent.
Then…
He slowly pulled her against his chest.
She gasped.
His arm circled around her back.
Slowly…
Tenderly…
He traced comforting circles across her back.
Her eyes slowly closed from his gentle touch.
"S…S…Sir…"
"The people are waiting for you…"
she whispered.
Instead of answering…
He placed another kiss on one chubby cheek.
Then another on her neck sucked her neck.
Then another.
His fingers never stopped tracing comforting circles across her back.
"Hmhmhm…"
He hummed softly.
Finally…
He stepped back.
"Let's go."
He quietly said.
She nodded.
The celebration continued beautifully.
Mila now sat on Oyiva's lap.
Oyiva gently wiped food from the toddler's mouth.
"Come on, sweetie."
She tried feeding her again.
Mila puffed her cheeks.
She refused.
Eventually…
Oyiva gave up.
Mila curled against her chest.
Oyiva gently patted her back.
Several men nearby looked at Oyiva with obvious lust.
She ignored every single one of them.
Her attention remained completely on Mila.
She gently rubbed her tiny back until she relaxed.
Mila quietly watched everyone.
Just then…
Princess Apeksha approached Rohan.
"Your Majesty."
"How about we get to know each other?"
She smiled.
Rohan politely stepped aside.
"Sure."
They talked.
However…
She quickly became irritating.
She repeatedly asked about—
His business.
His income.
His wealth.
His boss.
His money.
Meanwhile…
Oyiva continued softly rubbing Mila's hair.
"Via?"
A man's voice suddenly called.
"Ji?"
She turned.
The color immediately drained from her face.
Standing before her…
Was the man she had once been arranged to marry.
The same man…
Who had slept with her own stepsister.
His name…
Lokesh.
He smiled.
She instinctively stepped backward.
"It is good to see you again."
He said.
She simply nodded.
He looked at Mila.
"Who is this?"
"Is she yours?"
"No."
She answered.
Looking away.
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"So…"
"How are you doing?"
"You left."
"You never came back."
He said softly.
She looked directly into his eyes.
"How is your wife?"
"I am sure she has already given you a child by now."
She calmly replied while balancing Mila.
Across the hall…
Rohan noticed them.
He also noticed how uncomfortable Oyiva looked.
He immediately excused himself from Princess Apeksha.
She watched him walk away.
Jealousy filled her eyes.
Lokesh continued speaking.
"We did get married."
"But…"
"She was never pregnant."
"I searched everywhere for you."
He lied.
Oyiva knew he was lying.
"Come home with me."
"Everything will be cleared."
He pleaded.
She laughed bitterly.
"I have known you for years."
"You are nothing but a good liar."
"That is what you are."
He stepped closer.
Before he could continue—
"Via."
"Is everything okay?"
Rohan asked.
He naturally wrapped one arm around her waist.
Lokesh looked down.
Then slowly looked back up.
Only now realizing exactly who stood before him.
"P-Prince Rohan…"
"It is an honor."
"I am Lokesh."
"The new senator from the Kakatiya Kingdom."
Rohan simply nodded.
He looked at Oyiva.
"Baby."
"Is Mila asleep now?"
Lokesh's eyes widened.
"Baby?"
Oyiva looked embarrassed.
"Sir…"
She whispered.
Rohan smiled.
"Is Mila asleep?"
"Ji."
"Yes."
She answered.
He carefully lifted Mila into his own arms.
The little girl remained deeply asleep.
Oyiva quietly removed her shoes.
Lokesh silently watched everything.
His hands stayed behind his back.
"Have you called Madam?"
Oyiva asked.
"Not yet."
"I already sent him a message."
"He asked about our place."
"I gave him the name."
Rohan answered.
"Okay."
She nodded.
Lokesh tried again.
"Via…"
"Your sister will be happy to see you."
She looked directly at him.
"I don't have a family."
"It is better to leave me alone."
"Goodnight."
She walked away.
"V—"
He tried calling.
"Goodnight."
Rohan replied instead.
Then followed her while carrying Mila.
After putting Mila safely to sleep…
Rohan headed toward the hallway.
Suddenly…
He saw Oyiva running away.
She was secretly wiping tears from her face.
He immediately followed.
She reached the garden.
She finally broke down.
She cried uncontrollably.
Rohan slowly approached.
He gently tapped her shoulder.
"Leave me alone!"
She cried.
He gently held both her shoulders.
She suddenly turned—
Slap!
Her hand landed across his face.
"Leave m—"
She froze.
Realization struck immediately.
Her eyes widened.
"S-Sir…"
"I…"
"I am so sorry!"
"Sorry!"
"Sorry!"
"Sorry!!"
She repeatedly apologized.
Rohan slowly rubbed the side of his face.
"It's fine."
"I think you need some time alone."
"Goodnight."
He gently wiped away her tears.
Then quietly walked away.
The moment he disappeared…
Oyiva collapsed onto her knees.
She cried even harder.
Inside the house…
Lilith (Mhaira) sat reading her notes.
She sent several messages to her friends in their group chat.
Everyone's bags had already been packed.
Nearby…
Nikolai sat together with the family.
Varijana looked directly at him.
"You have our permission."
Nikolai respectfully bowed his head.
"Thank you so much."
She continued.
"If you ever hurt her again…"
"So help you, Lord…"
"I will destroy you in ways you will never forget."
"For hurting our Gem."
Nikolai lowered his head again.
"I understand."
She smiled.
"Good."
"So…"
"When is it?"
Nikolai explained everything.
The preparations.
The Indian Punjabi wedding.
Every ceremony.
Every tradition.
Riyana suddenly smiled brightly.
"So…"
"When are we meeting your family?"
Nikolai smiled.
"I already told Great Grandma."
"We'll come to New York."
Riyana squealed loudly.
"Ouuuuuu!"
"Yayyyyyyy!"
"Party timeeeee!"
Everyone laughed.
Nikolai laughed too.
"Now I understand where Lily gets her excitement from."
Everyone burst into laughter again.
Meanwhile…
Austin had already been taken back to Russia.
He remained unconscious.
Soon…
Everyone left together.
The Nocturne Matriarch continued carrying out Nikolai's orders.
Outside…
Lily waved happily.
"Bye Baba!"
"Bye Mumma!"
They smiled warmly.
"Bye, baby!"
The car slowly drove away.
Soon…
It arrived at the train station.
Everyone boarded.
The train slowly departed.
Meanwhile…
Back at Rohan's estate…
Enzo hurried inside.
"Boss is coming."
Rohan immediately stood.
"Prepare food."
"Everywhere should be spotless."
"Understood?"
The servants bowed.
"Yes, sir."
Nearby…
David smiled at Mila.
"Dada and Mama are coming, baby."
Mila's eyes sparkled.
"Reawll?"
"Yep."
Jaxon laughed.
Mila folded her tiny arms.
"Otay!"
"Let dem come!"
"I not talk to dem!"
She pouted.
Everyone laughed.
"Oh really?"
Hammed teased.
"Nope!"
"I not gonna talk to dem!"
Mila declared proudly.
The room burst into laughter again.
Elsewhere…
Oyiva had spent the entire evening trying to apologize.
But every time she approached Rohan…
He quietly ignored her.
It hurt her deeply.
That night…
She secretly wrote him a letter.
She also picked a bouquet of flowers.
Later…
Rohan heard a knock.
"Yes?"
Silence.
No answer.
He walked to the door.
He opened it.
Outside…
A bouquet of flowers.
And…
A neatly folded letter.
He looked around.
No one.
Unknown to him…
Oyiva hid around the nearby corner.
Watching.
He picked both items up.
Returned inside.
Closed the door.
He slowly unfolded the letter.
I am sorry for slapping you, sir.
It wasn't intentional.
I wasn't in my right mind.
I was emotional.
I am truly sorry.
I will do anything to earn your forgiveness.
He finished reading.
Then…
An idea suddenly entered his mind.
A slow grin spread across his face.
He smiled while looking down at the letter.