WebNovels

Chapter 84 - Chapter 86: The Ring on His Hand

POV: RenSetting: Morning, My Surface Home

The golden morning light spilled through the curtains like silence made warm. Birds sang faintly in the background. Everything felt the same.

But it wasn't.

The ring on my left hand caught the sunlight as I sat on the edge of my bed, unmoving.

Not the rings I had exchanged in private — beneath stars and divine witness, in my empire built beneath the skin of reality.

This ring was simple.

Silver.

Plain.

It was the one I had given to Airi.

And this was the world where I still wore a shy smile, laughed at the right jokes, and never let the weight of seven marriages or a throne crack through the boy everyone thought they knew.

A Morning Like Any Other

Downstairs, I heard the soft clinking of dishes.

My mother.

Her voice floated up soon after. "Ren, breakfast!"

I replied as usual — gentle, mild. "Coming!"

I took one last glance at the mirror. The boy in the reflection had quiet eyes. Still shy. Still innocent.

The mask was still intact.

The Family Gathering

The kitchen was warm and bright.

My father sat at the table reading the news on his tablet. My mother was preparing eggs. Astraea… sat at the far end, legs tucked up on the chair, chin in her hand. Watching me.

The moment I entered, she noticed the ring.

So did they.

My mother beamed. "It really suits you."

My father looked up. "So… this is real now."

I gave the same small smile I'd practiced for years.

"Yes. We exchanged rings yesterday."

My mother wiped her hands and came over, hugging me tight. "She's a sweet girl. You'll take care of her, won't you?"

I nodded gently. "I will."

Astraea hadn't spoken yet. She only watched.

The Mask and the Girl Who Saw Through It

When I sat beside her, she leaned in slightly.

"Did you smile like that when you gave it to her?" she whispered, too quiet for the others to hear.

I paused — just for a breath.

Then smiled wider, as if I hadn't heard her.

"I made sure she felt special."

Astraea looked away, biting the inside of her cheek.

The tension wasn't sharp. It was just... heavy.

My mother was already planning to visit Airi's family to "make things more official." My father gave his usual practical advice about joint university admissions. All of it made sense.

All of it was logical.

But I sat there, hands folded in my lap, a thousand thoughts buried beneath one calm expression.

None of them knew the truth.

Not about the goddesses.

Not about the empire.

Not about Elira.

Not even about Astraea.

Later That Afternoon

Airi had texted. She wanted to see me again. Show off her ring. Talk about what classes we'd pick together.

I typed a kind reply.

Then stared at the screen, unmoving, for five full minutes.

A gentle knock came at my door.

I opened it, already knowing who it would be.

Astraea stood there.

Her arms were crossed, but her voice was soft. "You're still wearing her ring."

"I have to."

"She's the only one you promised in front of this world."

I didn't respond.

Because I couldn't argue that.

Not yet.

POV: Ren

The door closed softly behind Astraea. The rest of the house felt miles away—distant voices fading into nothingness.

She stood before me, arms crossed, amber eyes sharp but searching.

"You're still wearing her ring," she said quietly.

"I am," I replied. "Because I promised her."

Her breath hitched. "And me?"

I stepped closer. "I've already married you, Astraea."

Her lips parted in surprise, but then she smiled—a faint, uncertain curve. "Will you still stop me, even if I tell you that I love you?"

I hesitated, then smiled back, the corner of my mouth tugging upward. "I won't."

Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and the tension between us softened.

"Then... I forgive you."

She reached out, brushing a stray silver strand behind my ear.

"But," she added, voice firmer now, "on one condition."

I frowned slightly. "What condition?"

"No more wives."

The silence stretched. I looked away, conflicted.

"I can't promise that," I admitted.

Her eyes flashed—anger flickering like a storm—but before it could swell, I cupped her face gently.

A soft kiss pressed to her lips.

When I pulled back, I rested a hand on her head, smoothing her hair with quiet tenderness.

The anger melted.

She sighed and leaned into my touch.

"Just... don't forget me."

"I never could," I said.

And in that moment, the fragile peace between us held.

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