After Serafall finally stopped her teasing (for the night, at least), Sona retreated to her study for composure. But the moment she sat down, the door opened without knocking.
Riser stepped inside with that infuriating confidence, hands tucked casually in his pockets.
Sona adjusted her glasses with a sharp glare. "You really have no sense of boundaries, do you?"
He chuckled. "Boundaries? Please, Sona. Your father already gave me the green light, remember?" He leaned against her desk, smirking. "That means you're officially my wife, doesn't it?"
Her cheeks colored despite her best effort to remain composed. "Don't twist my father's words. Permission doesn't mean—"
Riser bent down slightly, lowering his voice to a whisper against her ear. "So… it's okay if I make you truly my woman, right?" He winked, bold and unashamed.
Sona jolted back, her face blazing crimson. "Y-You—! Absolutely not!" Her hands clenched on her desk. "You're reckless, arrogant, and impossible to deal with!"
He only laughed, clearly entertained by her flustered state. "And yet you still keep listening to me."
She turned away, biting her lip, unwilling to admit how her chest felt strangely warm.
When Riser finally stood to leave, he stopped at the door, turned back, and suddenly stepped close again. He pulled her into a gentle hug. Sona froze, her heart skipping.
"I'll miss you," he murmured softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I love you, Sona Sitri."
Her eyes widened at the sheer sincerity in his tone, but before she could reply, he lifted his hand. Flames danced around his palm—golden, steady, but strangely heavy. His aura flared as his domain manifested, mixing with his armaments and the raw will of his conqueror's haki.
The flames twisted into form, condensing, until at last, a single white feather charm appeared—glowing faintly, pulsing with protective power. But the effort left his body drained. His breathing grew ragged, his face pale, his stance wavering.
"Riser!" Sona's voice cracked as she caught him by the arm, eyes wide in alarm. "What are you doing to yourself?!"
He managed a grin, placing the feather charm into her trembling hands. "This… will protect you. Keep it with you always."
Her vision blurred as tears stung her eyes. Anger, grief, and something deeper twisted inside her. She clutched the charm to her chest, then pulled him into a fierce embrace.
"You idiot…" she whispered, her voice breaking. "Don't ever do something like this for me again. I don't want you hurting yourself because of me."
Riser rested his chin on her shoulder, whispering back with quiet conviction. "I'll always do this. Because it's you, Sona. You're worth it all."
The last of her composure broke—her shoulders trembling as she began to sob softly against him.
Riser coaxed her gently, his hand stroking her back. "Shhh… it's my responsibility to keep my wife safe and happy. So why are you crying?"
"Because you're reckless," she whispered between tears. "Because you… you make me…"
He only smiled, holding her tighter, letting her sob into his chest as if it were the most natural place for her to be.
For the first time, Sona Sitri allowed herself to cry not as the calculating heiress of the Sitri clan—but simply as a woman, cared for and chosen.