The moon hung high in the night sky, its pale light casting a cold glow over the courtyard where Ravihiro sat, his thoughts a storm of uncertainty. He was tired of the doubts, the questions that gnawed at his mind—questions that only Rumina could answer. He felt the truth was slipping away from him, and he needed to confront it, no matter the consequences.
Determined, he rose and made his way to Rumina's chambers. She was inside, quietly reading, but her expression tensed as soon as she saw the look in his eyes.
"Ravihiro," she began, but he cut her off with a single, piercing glance.
"I need to know the truth," he said, his voice low and intense. "No more lies, Rumina. No more secrets."
Rumina's face paled. She set down the scroll, meeting his gaze with a conflicted look. "I told you, there's nothing to—"
"Enough!" Ravihiro's voice echoed through the room, and he took a step forward, his presence overwhelming. "I want to know what happened that night. Why did you hide it from me? What did I do when I lost control?"
He saw the hesitation, the struggle in her eyes, and a part of him ached at forcing her like this. But he couldn't allow the truth to remain buried any longer.
"I can't tell you," Rumina whispered, turning her face away. "Not unless you agree to my condition."
Ravihiro's eyes narrowed. "What condition?"
She took a deep breath, her voice trembling but firm. "Sleep by my side every night. No more running away, no more excuses. If you agree, I'll tell you everything."
For a moment, the weight of her words hung heavy between them. Ravihiro's jaw clenched, frustration and desire warring within him. She was setting the terms, demanding more than just the truth—she was asking for a commitment, a promise he wasn't sure he could give.
"Why?" he asked, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Why do you want this?"
Rumina's eyes softened, and she stepped closer, her gaze never leaving his. "Because I love you, Ravihiro," she said, her voice steady and honest. "Because I want you to trust me, and I want to be there for you, even when you lose control. If you want the truth, you need to give me that trust."
He stared at her, feeling the weight of her words settle deep in his chest. Could he do it? Could he let someone in, knowing the dangers that lay within him, knowing that she had seen his darkest side and was still asking for more?
With a slow exhale, Ravihiro nodded. "Fine. I'll do it," he said, his tone resigned but determined. "But I want the truth. All of it."
Rumina's shoulders relaxed, and she nodded in return. "I'll tell you," she said, her voice softening. "But not here. Not now. We'll talk in the morning."
The agreement was sealed, and for the first time, Ravihiro felt a sense of uneasy calm settle over him. He followed Rumina to her room that night, lying beside her in a bed that suddenly felt far too intimate. There was no tension between them—only a quiet understanding, a promise of truth to come. He felt the warmth of her body close to his, her presence a strange comfort in the silence. He lay awake for hours, on the corner of the bed .feeling the unfamiliar sensation of peace and companionship.
Morning came, and true to her word, Rumina sat with him, the truth finally unraveling.
"I didn't want to hurt you," she began, her voice steady as she told the story. "That night, when you lost control, you were overwhelmed by the power of the demonic and divine energies. Your mind was fractured, and your body moved on instinct alone. I tried to stop you, to bring you back, but you were too far gone."
Ravihiro's breath hitched, his hands tightening into fists. "So, I did attack you."
She nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Yes, you did. But it wasn't your fault. You weren't yourself, and I couldn't let you harm yourself… or me. So I knocked you out."
"But why hide it?" Ravihiro demanded, his voice hoarse with confusion. "Why lie?"
"Because it wasn't just about what happened," Rumina said, her eyes darkening with emotion. "It was about what it meant. You were struggling with your powers, and I didn't want you to hate yourself for something you couldn't control. You needed to master your abilities, to trust in your strength, not drown in guilt."
Ravihiro's heart pounded in his chest, the weight of her words crashing down on him. He understood now—she had protected him, not out of fear, but out of love. A love he had been too blind to see, too afraid to accept.
"So… what happens now?" he asked, his voice raw.
Rumina's expression softened, and she reached out, placing her hand over his. "Now," she said, her smile widening, "we prepare for our future. And we make it official."
Ravihiro's eyes widened. "Official?"
"Yes, Ravihiro," Rumina said, her tone playful yet serious. "We're getting married. Two weeks from now. No more hiding, no more secrets."
His breath caught, and he found himself nodding before he even realized it. It felt right—inevitable. They had both fought so hard, struggled so much, and now it was time to build something real together.
In the following days, they busied themselves with preparations. The manor was alive with excitement as the news of their upcoming wedding spread. Guests were invited from all around, friends and allies gathered to celebrate the union. For the first time in what felt like forever, Ravihiro felt… normal. He felt as if he was finally a part of something, no longer the lone figure in the shadows.
Rumina's condition—sleeping by her side every night—was something he had come to look forward to, a quiet peace that settled him in a way he never thought possible. They shared stories, dreams, and laughter, and for once, the future didn't seem so terrifying.
Two weeks passed in a blink, and the day of the wedding arrived. The ceremony was beautiful—lavish decorations, music that filled the air, and guests who watched in awe as Ravihiro and Rumina exchanged their vows. They circled the sacred fire, completing the seven vows of unity, each promise binding their fates together.
And when the ceremony ended, Ravihiro looked into Rumina's eyes, seeing the fierce and unyielding love she had for him. He leaned in, sealing their vows with a kiss, feeling the warmth of her smile against his lips.
For the first time in his life, Ravihiro felt a sense of belonging, a future that didn't seem so bleak.
But as he held her close, he couldn't shake the whisper of doubt in the back of his mind. The darkness he had hidden away still lingered, still waited, but now… he wasn't alone. And that made all the difference.