After hearing my declaration and seeing us holding hands, Vlaneth lowered her head slightly. An expression of shock crossed her face—then acceptance—followed by a deep-seated jealousy that lingered for nearly ten seconds.
I couldn't help but wonder where that jealousy came from.
Was it because she was a mother who had spoiled her child all his life, only for that child to finally find someone else to rely on? Someone who might take that place away from her?
…Yeah. That made sense.
She was just overprotective. Still, I was sure she was happy for me—especially in a world where ability meant everything, yet someone had loved me even when I had none.
Then, in the next moment, she lifted her head, her expression softening into something genuinely happy.
"That's good," she said. "Finally. I've known she's been in love with you for a long time—you just never noticed. Honestly, I'm surprised it took you this long to realize it. I was starting to feel bad for her."
She brought the long sleeve of her kimono up to her lips as she spoke.
Dina froze.
"L-Lady Vlaneth—how could you say that?" she exclaimed, stunned, her face burning red as she stared at her, completely at a loss for words.
I couldn't help it. I laughed.
After that, silence settled between us.
Then Dina glanced down shyly and tugged at my sleeve. "U-Um, Shido… aren't you going to change? I think it's time. Your clothes are… well…" She hesitated, cheeks flushing even more. "If you stay like this, you're eventually going to end up standing here naked. And we wouldn't want the lady behind us to see that… would we?"
I laughed again, scratching the back of my head. "Yeah, you're right. I should change before that happens."
Vlaneth blushed, coughed into her hand, then shook her head. "Y-Yes. Go get yourself dressed. After that, meet me at the usual place. There's something important I need to tell you."
I nodded immediately, seriousness returning to my expression. I remembered the place well—the spot where Vlaneth and Shido always met.
And even if I somehow forgot, Dina would guide me there.
She always did.
After that, no more words were spoken.
Vlaneth turned away and headed in another direction, while Dina and I walked back the same way we had entered the arena. After a while, we reached my chamber. I opened the door and stepped inside.
I glanced around, searching for where my clothes had been left—probably on the carpet. As I turned to ask Dina, my words caught in my throat.
She was standing there, gripping the hem of her shirt tightly, her shoulders trembling. Tears pooled in her eyes, threatening to spill at any moment.
I froze.
Then panic hit me all at once.
My droopy eyes snapped wide open as I rushed toward her, my hands waving awkwardly. "H-Hey—what's wrong? Why are you crying? Did something get in your eye? Did I do something?" My thoughts spiraled. I tried to figure it out—had I said something wrong? Hurt her somehow? But no matter how hard I searched, I couldn't find the reason.
Then I heard it.
A small, broken sniffle.
Her voice followed, trembling as she spoke.
"I was worried about you…"
She wiped at her eyes, but the tears still fell.
"When I saw you get hit for the first time by one of renji's attack—my heart almost jumped out of my chest. I was so scared. I didn't know what to feel." Her grip on her shirt tightened. "As the fight went on, I could see you getting more confident… but I was still worried. I couldn't stop worrying."
She took a shaky breath.
"But then I saw it. Your ability. You finally awakened it." Her voice cracked, but this time there was happiness in it. "I know how hard it must have been for you… living in this world without an ability. And then—finally—you awakened one. I was so happy for you."
Her expression twisted, pain surfacing again.
"But at the same time… when Renji used his strongest attack, when everything was swallowed by it… I thought you were gone." Her tears fell freely now. "In that moment, it felt like my whole life just ended. One night of warmth… and the next, you were gone."
Watching Dina cry made my heart pound loudly in my chest.
I looked at her and smiled—a soft, genuine smile, one I had never given to anyone other than Vlaneth. Then I spoke.
"Last night…" I said quietly.
I gently held her face, lifting her chin so she had to look at me. "You won my heart more than anyone ever has. And remember this—when I made that promise to you, I made it to myself as well. I will not leave you, no matter the situation."
My voice steadied.
"You are mine, and I am yours. If I were to fall, you'd fall with me. We stand together. We are one." I rested my forehead against hers. "The moment I claimed you, the moment I said you were mine… it wasn't just words. It was everything—spiritually, mentally, completely."
Her tears slowed.
I cupped her chin once more and leaned in, pressing my lips to hers.
Dina responded instinctively, her arms wrapping around my neck as I pulled her closer, holding her firmly against me. The kiss deepened, lingering—time slipping by unnoticed—until we finally had to part for air.
I rested my forehead against hers again. "You now understand?"
She nodded shyly, unable to meet my eyes.
Seeing that made me chuckle softly. "You're still this shy… even after everything." I shook my head with a smile. "You really know how to get to me."
I lifted her effortlessly into my arms and carried her toward the bed, laying her down gently as the moment settled into something quiet, warm, and certain.
5-hours later:
Three hours later, everything finally settled.
Dina rested for two full hours afterward, and once she had recovered a bit, she quietly prepared herself. Soon after, we set out together to meet Vlaneth.
As we walked, a thought surfaced in my mind.
This world was one of abilities.
That meant Dina had one too.
Almost as if fate itself had been waiting for me to reach that conclusion, a memory surfaced—clear and sudden. It showed Shido as a child, seated across from a much younger Dina. She was explaining her ability to him in a calm, methodical way. It was something she had done automatically the moment she was assigned as his personal maid all those years ago.
I exhaled softly.
So that was it.
But then another realization followed, and my expression tightened slightly. Dina… wasn't as harmless as she appeared. To me, she was gentle. To my mother, loyal and respectful. But to others?
She was dangerous.
After all, she came from an assassin family that worked directly under the Urazaki name.
As we continued walking, I noticed a faint limp in her step.
I smiled—part pride, part guilt. I felt bad, of course… but my pride was louder. And judging by her expression, she didn't seem ashamed in the slightest. Why should she be? She wasn't sneaking around or betraying me. She had simply been with the man she intended to marry.
Eventually, we reached the garden.
At its center sat a table prepared with tea and light snacks. Vlaneth was already there, waiting for us. When she noticed us approaching, her gaze immediately dropped to Dina's limping legs. A dark expression flickered across her face for only a few seconds before vanishing completely.
She smiled as if nothing had happened and gestured for us to come closer.
I was wearing a fresh set of clothes—identical in color and style to the ones I had on when i entered shido's body. The previous outfit, however, was unusable now, still carrying traces of our sex. This one was fully buttoned, neat, and presentable.
I sat down, pushed my hair back slightly, and lifted the teacup, taking a quiet sip.
Dina moved behind me to the left, standing straight in perfect maid posture—composed, professional, unreadable.
Silence stretched between us.
I waited for Vlaneth to speak. After all, she was the one who had summoned me, saying she had something important to discuss.
But before i could begin, vlaneth cleared her throat lightly and said.
"Before i tell you the important info i want to tell you. I have a question that needs answering first" she said, setting the tea cup down.
I paused, then nodded.
"I'm listening."
"So now that you and Dina are together," Vlaneth began, folding her hands lightly, "and you plan on announcing it publicly… will Dina continue serving as your maid? And if you intend to marry her, does that mean you won't take any other wives? Polygamy is normal and permitted, after all."
Her tone was curious, but beneath it stirred emotions I couldn't quite read.
"Hm. I figured you'd ask that," I replied calmly. "I already discussed this with Dina earlier, and this was her answer."
I turned my gaze toward her. After all, these questions concerned her more than anyone.
Dina met my eyes with a gentle, affectionate smile before turning to Vlaneth.
"Lady Vlaneth—no," she corrected herself softly, "Mother-in-law. When Shido asked me this two hours ago, this is what I told him. I genuinely enjoy being his personal maid. It gives me a place beside him that feels meaningful. So until the day I officially marry him and take the Urazaki name, I wish to remain his fiancée and his maid."
Vlaneth nodded, unsurprised, as though she had already known the answer.
She waved a hand playfully. "There's no need to call me mother-in-law. Just 'mother' will do. After all, it won't be long before you're my son's wife." Then her eyes sharpened slightly. "And what about my other question?"
Dina's expression didn't waver as she answered.
"As for Shido taking other wives in the future… I don't mind. That's normal in this world." She paused briefly. "Whether I support it or not is something I'll decide in time. But there is one thing I'm certain of."
She placed a hand gently over her slightly swollen belly filled with my sperm.
"I'll be the first and most important wife. I'm the one he entrusted everything to including his every first's—and the one he loves the most. So I'm not worried about any future sisters." Her voice was calm, confident. "And as far as I know, Shido doesn't have his eyes on any other woman... yet. Except maybe…"
At the very end, she cast a brief, knowing glance toward Vlaneth—so quick I didn't notice it.
Vlaneth did.
She stiffened for half a second, then blushed deeply, lowering her head with an expression tangled in embarrassment and complicated emotion.
"Dina i--," vlaneth whispered without finishing her sentence.
Dina continued to look at vlaneth with particular look before softening to an understanding and pitting expression she then proceeded to walk around me towards vlaneth. And when she made it to her left she bend down and embraced vlaneth in a warm and gentle hug while whispering something in her left ear that i couldn't hear.
Well i could, if i focused with my new heightened sense's and physique but i realised this might be one of those women talk man aren't meant to hear, so i didn't. I just continued to eat some cookies while draining it down with some green tea. There was just some conversations that weren't meant for men to hear—especially not this one.
Ten whole minutes passed with vlaneth and Dina whispering about who God knows about they slowed separated but before they did Dina whispered something that i picked up easily.
"So it's almost that time after so long?" Is what Dina asked seriously. Vlaneth nodded and answered back "Yeah i can't prolong it any longer within a month it will be held."
"Hmmm i see. So your gonna inform shido of it now, since he is part of this plan you've thought of since he's very birth?" Dina asked calmly with no hint of emotion in her tone.
"Hmmm," vlaneth nodded. And with that Dina walked back towards me and stood behind my back like previously.
"Dina, I—" Vlaneth whispered, but the words never left her lips.
Dina held Vlaneth's gaze for a moment longer, that same unreadable look lingering between them. Then her expression softened, shifting into something gentler—understanding, even pity.
Eventually, Dina and Vlaneth slowly separated. Just before they did, Dina murmured something—quiet, but clear enough that I caught it without trying.
"So… it's almost that time, after so long?" Dina asked seriously.
Vlaneth nodded. "Yeah. I can't prolong it anymore. Within a month, it will be held."
"I see," Dina replied calmly. "Then you're going to inform Shido now, right? Since he's part of the plan you've had since his very birth."
Vlaneth gave a small, firm nod.
With that, Dina turned away and returned behind me to my left, resuming her usual position—standing straight, composed, and unreadable, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just been discussed.
And that alone told me something important was coming.