"Where are we exactly?" Eden asked Davin as their car rolled past the tall iron gates of Andrew and Anica's Hacienda. Even before they reached the main house, she was already staring in awe at the vast stretch of land before her. The countryside unfolded in shades of green — a sharp contrast to the gray buildings and crowded streets she was used to in the city. They passed rows of sugarcane and pineapple fields swaying in the afternoon breeze.
"It's a safe place for you," Davin replied simply, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"You never answer questions directly, do you, Commander?" she teased, half exasperated, half amused.
Davin froze for a second, glanced at her, and suddenly hit the brakes. Eden lurched forward, saved only by her seatbelt.
"Seriously?" she snapped, glaring at him.
Davin only shrugged, got out of the car, and walked away. Eden clenched her jaw in disbelief. What is wrong with this man? she thought as she unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out after him.
"Davin! Your Highness!" Anica called out with delight when she saw them. Only then did Eden notice that Anica and Andrew were already waiting near the front steps of the grand estate. A sprawling mansion stood behind them, its walls glowing in the golden light of dusk. She turned to Davin in confusion, but he said nothing—he simply approached his mother, kissed her on the cheek, and embraced his father.
"General, Mrs. Bryant," Eden greeted, slightly bowing. "I didn't expect—"
Before she could finish, a firm voice cut through the air.
"Ma, you'll have to get used to calling her by her name. While she's here, she's my wife—and your daughter-in-law."
Davin's words hit Eden like a sudden gust of wind. Her breath caught, and her pulse quickened. His wife? She bit her lip, struggling to compose herself. She knew this was all an act—a necessary lie for her protection—but she couldn't stop the warmth rising in her chest. What would his mother think?
"DAVIN!"
A voice shouted from across the courtyard. A young woman on horseback galloped toward them, her long hair whipping in the wind. She jumped down and ran to Davin, throwing her arms around him.
"You're too noisy," Davin muttered, though a hint of a smile tugged at his lips. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the kingdom?"
"Well, I was fired," the woman—Ashmaria—said with a dramatic sigh. "Ever since Aunt Daniella found out Eden isn't returning to endorse the Empire and the Kingdom, she said I was useless for the job. So here I am!"
"I'm sorry to hear that," Eden said softly.
Ashmaria turned toward her, startled. Only then did she realize who was standing beside her brother. Her eyes widened as the recognition sank in. For a moment, all she could do was stare, too surprised and overjoyed to speak.
"No, Your Highness, please. It's not your fault I lost my job," Ashmaria said, stumbling over her words as she turned toward Eden.
"Silly girl," Davin said with a soft laugh, ruffling his sister's hair before walking toward their parents.
Ashmaria smiled sheepishly, then faced Eden again, eager to explain herself.
"Claire," Andrew said gently as he stepped closer to Eden. Ashmaria froze and turned to her father, surprised by his calm tone.
"I know everything has happened so suddenly," Andrew continued. "For your safety, we had to separate you from your mother. You'll be staying here for the next few days. This place might not be as grand as your grandmother's residence, but I can promise—you'll be safe with us."
"She's staying here? With us?" Ashmaria blurted out, eyes wide with excitement.
Davin arched a brow. "Why are you so thrilled about that?"
"Are you serious? Of course I'm excited! A real princess, living in our house? What more could I ask for?" Ashmaria laughed and grabbed Eden's hands. "I'm so happy you're here."
Eden smiled shyly in return, touched by her enthusiasm.
"No one should know she's a princess," Davin said, his tone firm as he looked at his sister. "You'll have to act normally around other people. From now on, she's your sister-in-law."
"Sister-in-law?" Ashmaria repeated, grinning from ear to ear. "Can you imagine? Someone actually agreed to marry you—the notorious Demon General, Copycat, and Mafia Prince!" She burst into laughter. "Ren has to hear about this. She'll be over the moon!"
"Stop talking so much," Davin muttered, lightly flicking her forehead. But a faint blush crept up his face—his ears turning red as he tried to look away.
Anica noticed and had to hide a smile. It was the first time she had ever seen her son embarrassed. For a man who had inherited his father's cold, disciplined nature, Davin looked almost boyish now, unsure of how to act around his supposed wife.
"Have you ever tried horseback riding?" Ashmaria asked, looping her arm around Eden's and leading her toward the horse she had arrived on. Her excitement was contagious as she chatted nonstop, pointing out the stables and the orchard beyond.
Andrew watched the two young women from a short distance, a quiet smile tugging at his lips. "Look at her," he said to Anica and Davin. "She acts like she's just been given a new sister. I think she's already enjoying her role as a sister-in-law."
Anica chuckled softly, then turned to Davin. "Is she all right? Her eyes look a little swollen."
"She was crying before we came," Davin replied quietly. "She had to say goodbye to her mother."
"That must've been hard," Anica murmured. Her expression softened, but then she straightened, her voice turning practical again. "Oh, Lieutenant Phillip just arrived. He's at the mango orchard—you told him to check the area, didn't you?"
"Yes," Davin said with a nod. "Just a security measure. I'll go meet him."
"I'll prepare lunch," Anica replied. "And you should follow your sister afterward."
"I will," Davin tossed his car keys to a man who had just approached; the man caught them with practiced ease and headed for the vehicle.
As the hum of the engine faded, Andrew reached for his wife's hand. They shared a knowing smile before walking back toward the house, their silhouettes framed by the soft glow of the afternoon sun.
Eden watched them go. There was a quiet harmony in their movements, an ease she had never seen between her own parents. She drew in a slow breath, letting the scent of mango and soil fill her lungs.
For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to hope — even if only for a moment — that maybe safety could still feel like home.