A week later, the news spread through the palace like wildfire: Mirha had been elevated to Imperial Noble Consort.
When Nailah heard, she said nothing at first. She simply nodded, offered a weak smile, and softly congratulated her husband. "I wish you happiness," she said quietly, her voice steady even as something fragile flickered in her eyes. Then she excused herself, retreating to her own chambers with Prince Kilimah.
Queen Mother Raina, ever the graceful matriarch, arranged a royal dinner to celebrate the newlyweds — Arvin and Mirha.
The hall was beautifully lit, filled with the scent of blooming jasmine and rich dishes. Lord Fahit and Kanha attended only briefly; Kanha grew tired quickly, her hand resting protectively over her still-rounded belly. Nailah stayed just long enough to make a polite appearance before murmuring that Kilimah was fussy and needed sleep. They both slipped away early, leaving the room feeling a little lighter in their absence.
The rest of the evening was warmer. Rnzo and Gina came for a short while, Gina still glowing from the recent birth of the twins. Tando and Kiara arrived with their daughter Nara, who was about the same age as Kilimah but a little younger. Goya and Kain were there too, laughing and teasing each other. Kaisen and Yuma attended as well, Yuma staying close to her husband with a quiet, content smile.
Mirha sat beside Arvin, accepting congratulations with graceful smiles, though her heart felt full and a little overwhelmed.
After the party ended and the guests had gone, Arvin turned to Mirha with a rare, boyish grin.
"I'm giving myself a week off," he announced. "Heman will handle the office. You and I are going to the Golden Estate."
Mirha's eyes lit up.
When they arrived at the private Golden Estate — a secluded retreat surrounded by blooming gardens and golden-roofed pavilions — Arvin didn't wait. He swept Mirha into his arms the moment they stepped out of the carriage, spinning her around with a laugh.
"I love my wife," he declared, voice full of joy.
Mirha giggled, arms wrapping around his neck as the world blurred around her. "You're going to make me dizzy!"
He carried her inside like she weighed nothing, kicking the door shut behind them. The moment they were alone in the lavish bedroom, the playful energy shifted into something deeper, hungrier.
Arvin laid her on the bed with surprising gentleness, then climbed over her, kissing her slowly at first — deep, claiming kisses that made her melt beneath him. His hands roamed her body with familiar possessiveness, stripping away layers of silk until she was bare beneath him.
He made love to her with a mix of tenderness and raw need — slow, deep thrusts that had her gasping and arching, his mouth on her neck, her breasts, whispering filthy praise against her skin.
"You're mine now," he growled softly, hips rolling against hers. "My wife. My everything."
Mirha clung to him, moaning his name as pleasure built and crashed over her again and again. When he finally came, it was with a deep groan, burying himself inside her as he held her close, both of them trembling in the afterglow.
They lay tangled together afterward, breathing hard, Arvin's fingers tracing lazy patterns on her skin.
For the first time in a long while, the world outside felt far away.
The afternoon sun had barely begun to set when Mirha returned to their chambers after the short honeymoon at the Golden Estate. Four days of stolen time — laughter, touches, and quiet moments — had felt like a dream. Now the weight of the imperial palace pressed back in.
She smiled softly as she unwrapped the gifts that had been left for her: delicate gold bangles, rich gowns embroidered with silver thread, and then, tucked at the bottom, tiny baby clothes. She giggled despite herself, fingers tracing the soft fabric, before carefully placing them back in the box.
Arvin had already left for a meeting in the capital. Mirha decided to spend the rest of the day with Gina. She sat at her vanity, brushing her long hair with slow, steady strokes, then tied it neatly. As she reached to place the comb down, a loud, mournful ringing of bells echoed through the palace.
The sound froze her.
Those bells meant only one thing: a death in the royal family.
Mirha's heart dropped like a stone. Her hands turned ice-cold. She sat rooted to the chair for a heartbeat, fear clawing up her throat, before she bolted upright and rushed out the door.
She ran toward the central pavilion where messengers in white funeral attire were already gathered. Everyone was there — Kain, Goya, Gina, Rnzo, Nailah, Kanha — faces pale, bodies tense with dread. Arvin was absent, but Mirha knew it couldn't be him; the death of an emperor would bring a different kind of chaos.
Her heart hammered so hard she could barely breathe. She walked slowly forward, legs feeling like lead, until she was close enough to hear the priests' voices.
"Two days ago," one of the priests began, voice heavy, "a landslide destroyed homes in the Bukid region. The ladies from Bukid… their hearts will break with this news."
Mirha's stomach twisted. She was scared for the girls, for the families.
The priest continued, each word landing like a hammer.
"Lady Launi was unfortunately taken by the slide. She was at her mountain house at the time."
Mirha's ears started ringing. The world narrowed to a dull roar. Their lips were moving, but she couldn't hear anything clearly. Her heart felt cold, hollow, like someone had carved it out and left only ice behind.
She took one stumbling step back.
"It's a lie…" she whispered, voice cracking. "It's a lie…"
Then she turned and ran.
She sprinted toward the carriages, skirts flying, tears already blurring her vision. Kain rushed after her, reaching out.
"Mirha, please—"
"If you touch me, I will kill you!" she screamed, voice raw and broken.
Kain stopped short, hands raised. "Mirha, please… I beg you…"
"I know she is okay!" Mirha cried, tears streaming down her face. "She is all I have left… let me go see her!"
Kain tried to step closer. Mirha spun around and lunged for the nearest horse. Kain grabbed her arm, but she fought wildly, screaming, "Let me go! Let me go!"
It was the first time anyone had ever seen her cry— it was painful to watch, desperate sobs that tore from her chest.
Gina broke down nearby, covering her mouth as tears fell.
Kain held Mirha as she struggled and wept, his own eyes wet. "Mirha… please…"
Arvin came galloping in on horseback, having heard the bells and the commotion. He jumped down and rushed over, face pale with fear. He pulled Mirha from Kain's arms and sank to the ground with her, holding her tightly against his chest.
"Please," Mirha begged, voice shattering. "Let me go to her… please, Arvin… I know she is okay… please…"
She kept struggling, fists pounding weakly against him, tears soaking his robe. Arvin held her through it all, his own heart breaking at the sound of her pain.
Then, suddenly, Mirha went limp.
Arvin's blood ran cold. He tilted her face up — she had passed out, and worst of all… she had stopped breathing.
"Yadid!" Arvin roared, voice cracking with terror. "Yadid, now!"
He scooped her up and carried her inside, running through the corridors as servants scattered out of the way. The palace, which had been buzzing with normalcy moments ago, was now filled with the echo of his desperate shouts.
Mirha lay unconscious in his arms, face pale, chest still.
Arvin's world narrowed to the terrifying silence where her breath should have been.