Morning came slower this time.
Not rushed.
Not heavy.
Just… quiet.
Izana stood near the dresser.
Already dressed—mostly.
His right hand worked at the cuff of his sleeve.
Slower than usual.
Leah watched from the bed.
Silent.
Observing.
"…You're doing it again," she said softly.
He didn't look at her.
"…Doing what?"
"…Trying to do everything yourself."
A pause.
Then—
"…I am capable."
"…Not with that arm."
That made him glance at her.
She stood.
Walked toward him.
Slow.
"…Hold still."
He didn't argue this time.
Her fingers adjusted the sleeve around his cast.
Smoothing the fabric.
Making sure it sat right.
The edge of the cast peeked through.
Ink still visible.
She noticed.
Of course she did.
Her lips curved slightly.
"…You're taking my artwork out into the world."
"…It appears so."
"…Bold of you."
"…I've been called worse."
A quiet huff of laughter.
Her fingers lingered for a second.
Then dropped.
Silence settled.
Different this time.
"…You don't have to go today," she said.
Soft.
Careful.
He met her blue eyes.
"…I do."
"…They can wait."
"…They already have."
A pause.
She nodded slowly.
Not arguing.
But not liking it either.
"…Then be careful."
"…I will."
Another pause.
She stepped closer.
Adjusted his collar slightly.
Didn't need adjusting.
But she did it anyway.
"…Come back early."
"…I'll try."
That wasn't a promise.
She knew it.
"…Iz."
He looked at her again.
"…Don't overdo it."
A faint shift in his expression.
Softer.
"…I won't."
This time—
It sounded closer to a promise.
A knock at the door.
Dante.
"…Boss?"
"…Come in."
The door opened.
Dante stepped inside.
Paused.
His eyes went straight to the cast.
Then narrowed slightly.
"…It got worse."
Leah smirked instantly.
"…It got better," Izana replied calmly.
Dante walked closer.
Studying it.
"…Is that a crown?"
"…Yes."
"…And a heart?"
"…Also yes."
Dante looked between them.
Slowly.
"…Right."
Leah crossed her arms.
"…You don't like it?"
"…I didn't say that."
A beat.
"…I just didn't expect it."
"…You'll get used to it."
"…I doubt that."
Izana exhaled quietly.
Almost amused.
"…We're leaving."
"…Finally," Dante muttered.
Leah stepped back slightly.
Letting them move.
But as Izana passed her—
Her hand caught his sleeve.
Light.
He paused.
"…Come back," she said softly.
A brief silence.
"…I will."
Then he left.
The hallway felt colder without him.
Leah stood there for a second longer.
Then turned away.
The car ride was quiet at first.
Dante drove.
Steady.
Focused.
Izana sat beside him.
Cast resting carefully.
A few minutes passed.
Then—
"…You okay?" Dante asked.
Izana glanced at him.
"…Yes."
"…Arm holding up?"
"…It is."
Dante nodded.
"…You sure you should be going back already?"
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…You don't sound convinced."
"…I don't need to be convinced."
Dante huffed lightly.
"…Still can't believe you let her do that."
He nodded toward the cast.
A faint pause.
"…It makes her happy."
Dante blinked once.
Then smirked.
"…Yeah. That tracks."
Silence again.
Easier this time.
The city passed outside.
Normal.
Unaware.
"…You've been quieter," Dante added.
"…I've been resting."
"…That's not what I meant."
A pause.
Izana didn't answer immediately.
"…I've had time to think."
"…About?"
"…Everything."
Dante didn't push.
Didn't need to.
"…Just don't overdo it," he said instead.
"…Leah already said that."
"…Good. Then listen to her."
A faint breath.
Almost a laugh.
"…I usually do."
The meeting room was already filled when they arrived.
Voices stopped the second Izana walked in.
Silence.
Eyes shifted.
Then—
They saw it.
The cast.
The drawings.
Hearts.
Crowns.
Words.
Confusion flickered.
Then quickly disappeared.
No one spoke.
Izana walked to the head of the table.
Sat.
Unbothered.
Dante took his place behind him.
Watching.
"…Begin," Izana said calmly.
The meeting started.
Reports.
Numbers.
Updates.
But attention slipped.
Again.
And again.
To the cast.
One man hesitated mid-sentence.
Eyes flicking down.
Then away quickly.
Another shifted slightly.
Uncomfortable.
Not because of the injury.
Because of what was on it.
It was… personal.
Too personal.
Izana noticed.
Of course he did.
But he didn't react.
Didn't acknowledge it.
He continued speaking.
Clear.
Controlled.
Unshaken.
Authority didn't come from appearances.
And everyone in that room knew it.
Still—
The glances didn't stop.
Dante noticed them all.
Every single one.
Filed them away.
The meeting ended faster than usual.
No one lingered.
They left.
Quiet.
The door closed.
Silence.
Izana leaned back slightly.
"…They stared," he said.
Dante snorted softly.
"…They're trying to understand it."
"…It's not complicated."
"…To them? It is."
A pause.
Dante tilted his head slightly.
"…You've never walked in like that before."
"…Like what?"
"…Like someone who lets people get close."
Silence.
Then—
Izana looked down at the cast.
A faint, almost invisible smile.
"…I suppose not."
The moment passed.
"…Kairo?" Izana asked.
Dante's expression shifted instantly.
"…Still nothing."
Silence.
He nodded once.
"…I see."
"…We're still looking."
"…Keep looking."
"…Always."
A beat.
"…You ready to head back?" Dante asked.
A pause.
Then—
"…Yes."
The drive back felt quieter.
Heavier.
The city blurred past again.
Dante glanced at him once.
"…You did good today."
"…I did what was necessary."
"…Still counts."
A faint pause.
"…You're thinking again."
"…I am."
"…About Kairo?"
"…Among other things."
Dante didn't ask more.
Didn't need to.
The mansion gates came into view.
Familiar.
Safe.
The car slowed.
Stopped.
Izana stepped out carefully.
And she was there.
Waiting.
Leah.
Right where she said she'd be.
His gaze softened slightly.
"…You came back," she said quietly.
"…I said I would."
She stepped closer.
Eyes immediately on the cast.
"…Still intact."
"…Your artwork survived."
"…Of course it did."
A faint smile.
She adjusted his sleeve again.
Habit.
"…You didn't overdo it?"
"…I managed."
She studied him.
Then nodded.
"…Good."
Dante watched quietly from the side.
Then stepped back.
"…I'll leave you two," he said.
No one stopped him.
Leah's hand found Izana's.
Careful.
"…Come inside," she murmured.
He let her guide him.
Back into warmth.
Back into quiet.
Back to her.
And for a moment—
Despite everything still unresolved—
It felt steady again.