Leo lay curled up in bed, his body trembling as he clung to Auriella. Her cool skin pressed against his, a comfort amidst the emotional storm that raged within him. 

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his breath shaky. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, voice barely audible, thick with emotion.

Auriella tightened her hold on him, her fingers slowly running through his hair in a soothing rhythm. 

“What for? You have nothing to apologize for,” she replied softly, her voice filled with warmth and understanding.

Leo shook his head slightly, his words catching in his throat as he tried to explain. “I just thought... it was wrong to mourn the man who orchestrated your death. He doesn’t deserve my tears for what he did to you.” His voice cracked, breaking as the words left his mouth.

Auriella smiled gently, her heart swelling with love for him. Even in his grief, he thought about her. She pressed a kiss to the top of his head before gently pushing him back enough to meet his gaze. 

“Leo, he was your father long before he became my murderer. You are more than welcome to mourn him, to pay your respects. It’s okay.”

For a moment, Leo looked at her, his eyes searching hers, before he hurled himself toward her, knocking them both back onto the bed. 

They collapsed in a tangled mess of limbs, Auriella laughing in surprise as Leo’s face hovered over hers. 

He blinked, his tears falling, some landing on her cheeks. Auriella smiled up at him, cupping his face with one hand.

“What’s this, Leo?” she asked softly as he tenderly brushed the tears from her face, his thumb lingering against her cheek.

“I love how big your heart is,” he said, voice low and filled with emotion. “How kind and compassionate you can be, even when things are complicated with my father. I just… love you. More than words can ever describe.” 

His voice deepened, the rawness of his feelings pouring out as he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers in a sweet, passionate kiss.

Auriella kissed him back, her hands sliding up his back, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, emotions stirring between them, the intensity growing. 

But just as the moment began to escalate, Cal’s cry suddenly pierced the air.

Leo groaned softly as the two of them sighed in unison. The moment was lost.

“I’ll check on him,” Leo murmured as he sat up, leaving Auriella on the bed. 

He moved to the crib at the foot of the bed where their son, Cal, was fussing, reaching up for his father.

Leo scooped him up, cradling him in his arms as he returned to sit beside Auriella. “Seems our little one was feeling lonely,” Leo said, smiling down at Cal as the baby settled in his arms.

Auriella chuckled softly, reaching over to ruffle Cal’s hair. 

“If he had slept peacefully, he might have had a little sibling on the way,” she teased, her eyes sparkling as she gave Leo a sly grin.

Leo blushed slightly, looking away. “It wouldn’t have gone that far… probably.”

Auriella laughed, a light and carefree sound, and Cal joined in, clapping his hands. 

The baby then reached for Auriella, and Leo handed him over, watching as she snuggled their son close, her cheek resting against his tiny head.

Auriella’s gaze softened as she glanced back at Leo. “Tell me something, Leo. Do you want to return to Miravia to say goodbye to your father?”

Leo stared at the floor, the weight of the question heavy on him. He didn’t want to face the reality of his father's death, but at the same time, he knew Auriella was right. 

His father was more than just the man who caused her death; he had shaped Leo into who he was today.

After a long pause, Leo finally looked up at her. His mind was made up. 

“You were right earlier. Despite everything, he still helped me grow into the person I’ve become. I feel like I owe it to the man he was to honor his death.”

Auriella gave him a small, understanding smile before turning her attention to Cal, who was playing with a loose strand of her hair. 

“Are you ready to see Daddy’s homeland, my sweet boy?” she cooed, bouncing Cal slightly on her lap.

Cal babbled happily in response, and both Auriella and Leo chuckled at his innocent enthusiasm.

As Leo stood up, the gravity of his decision settled over him. He knew returning to Miravia wouldn’t be easy, but it was necessary. He needed closure.

---

Meanwhile, in the heart of Bastion, Boris sat in his new office, overseeing preparations for King Silvio’s funeral. 

The entire continent of Miravia was in mourning, the streets and castle cloaked in a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional echo of footsteps.

“Is everything ready for the funeral march, Zane?” Boris asked, his voice crisp as he addressed his young attendant.

“Yes, Your Grace,” Zane replied, bowing slightly. “Everything is almost prepared for tomorrow’s procession.”

Boris nodded, waving him off with a flick of his wrist. “Good. Now, I’m feeling peckish. Fetch me something light to eat, would you?”

Zane excused himself, leaving Boris to his thoughts. As he leaned back in his chair, a deep sigh escaped his lips. 

His gaze drifted out the window to the garden below, where the maids were hanging sheets to dry, their giggles carrying on the breeze. 

‘Too cheerful,’ he thought bitterly. ‘The only one who should be happy is me.’

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Zane returned, carrying a tray of food.

“What’s that letter?” Boris asked, eyeing the sealed envelope beside the plate.

“It arrived with a crystalline bird, so it must be from Prince Leo,” Zane explained before leaving once more.

Boris tore open the letter, his mood darkening as he read its contents. The letter explained that Leo had heard news of his father's death and would be there for the funeral the next day. 

“Damn him,” he muttered under his breath, his hands crumpling the parchment. “Even from that distant island, he still dares to interfere.”

He tossed the letter into the fire, watching it burn with a scowl. “Well, it doesn’t matter. Leo can’t stop what’s destined to happen.”

---

The next day, Leo, Auriella, and Cal disembarked from their ship onto the Silverton docks, the weight of what was to come pressing down on them.