-

The marketplace was alive with the colors of spring — fluttering silks, scattered flower petals, music in the air. But Saien stood frozen in the middle of it all, like stone.

His eyes were locked on **Renju** — dressed in royal silk robes that Saien had *never seen before*. There was a sigil on his shoulder. Gold embroidery. **A crown prince’s mark.**

And beside him… a woman. Elegant. Laughing. She leaned close to Renju, touched his arm, and — *kissed him*.

Saien’s breath caught. His heart crashed into his ribs.

He moved.

His boots echoed sharply as he approached them. The crowd shifted like waves around him. The woman looked up first, startled. Renju turned a second later, gaze unreadable.

“Renju,” Saien said, voice hard.

The woman blinked and stepped back slightly, but Renju didn’t react. Not a flinch. Not a smile.

He simply said, “Saien.”

“What is this?” Saien asked, barely containing the shake in his voice. “You told me you were a wandering swordsman. You said titles disgust you.”

Renju’s silence was cutting. Cold. Like the man Saien *used to know* was gone.

“And now you wear the mark of a **crown prince** and kiss a noblewoman like I never existed?”

Renju’s jaw tensed. “It’s not what it looks like.”

“Then *what* is it?” Saien snapped. “Why would you lie about something so important?”

The woman opened her mouth to speak, but Renju raised a hand, stopping her. He looked back at Saien — but his eyes were distant, as if buried under frost.

“I don’t owe you an explanation.”

Saien’s heart clenched.

“You do,” he whispered. “Because I loved you.”

A long silence.

Then, Renju’s voice — low, barely above a breath:

**“I don’t love you anymore.”**

The words sliced through him. Saien stared, unblinking.

“…What?” His voice cracked.

Renju looked away. But Saien saw it — the way his throat trembled, the tears he *refused* to let fall.

“Let’s end this,” Saien said. His voice, once soft, turned to steel.

He stepped back. Waiting.

Waiting for Renju to say *anything* — to fight, to scream, to *beg*.

But Renju just stood there. His face like stone. His fists clenched.

“…Okay,” Renju said quietly.

Then he turned.

And walked away.

With *her*.

Saien stood alone. The moment they disappeared around the corner, his knees gave out. He sank to the stone pavement, surrounded by music, laughter, and people who didn’t know his world had just shattered.

His shoulders shook. Tears spilled, silent and unstoppable.

*He lied to me.*

*He left me.*

*Why did he look like he was the one breaking?*

The street was quiet now. The crowd had moved on. The laughter, the music — all faded into a dull echo.

Saien stood there, frozen.

His legs trembled. His chest felt hollow, like someone had carved everything out and left nothing behind.

Renju was gone.

He had walked away with that woman…

And said *he didn’t love him anymore.*

Saien swallowed the tightness in his throat and forced his feet to move. One step. Then another. Every part of his body screamed with exhaustion, but he kept going — down the cobbled streets, past the orange trees, past the corner where Renju once kissed him beneath the lanterns.

Everywhere he looked, **memories** flashed.

Renju’s rare smile.

His warm hand on Saien’s wrist.

The way he used to whisper his name like it meant something.

*All lies.*

*Was it all a lie?*

By the time he reached his small home, the sun had already dipped below the horizon.

He opened the door, walked in, and didn’t even light a lamp.

He sat on the edge of his bed — slowly, like his body might collapse at any moment.

Then he finally broke.

Silent sobs wracked his chest, tears spilling freely down his face. He curled inward, burying his face in his hands, trying to muffle the sound.

But there was no one to hear him anyway.

He cried.

And cried.

Until his body gave up…

And sleep took him in the darkness.

---

When Saien woke up, everything still hurt.

His eyes were swollen and red. He could barely open them without stinging. He sat up slowly, staring at the ceiling of his quiet room. The sunlight creeping through the cracks in the wooden wall felt too bright.

He dragged himself to the basin and splashed cold water on his face.

But the water couldn’t wash away the pain.

As he stared into his own reflection, the memories came rushing back again—Renju’s cold voice, that woman’s kiss, the way he said *“I don’t love you anymore”* without even blinking.

Tears welled up again.

*What did I do wrong?*

*Was I too much? Or not enough?*

His stomach growled painfully. A dull ache twisted in his gut.

“I should eat…” he murmured weakly.

In the kitchen, he reached for whatever food was left — bread, dried fruits, rice cakes. He didn’t stop. Bite after bite, he stuffed the pain down with food. But the tears kept falling.

“I’m not enough…” he whispered between mouthfuls. “I’m handsome. Pretty, even. People have told me that my whole life…”

His voice cracked.

“Then why… why did he stop loving me? Why did he throw me away?”

He broke down again, tears dripping onto the half-eaten food. His emotions were wild—one moment rage, the next despair. His mood swung like a broken pendulum.

After eating, he staggered back to his room and collapsed on the bed. Soggy with tears. Sleepy. Empty.

It had been like this for days.

But today, he finally told himself—

*I can’t keep going like this.*

---

Later that morning, Saien walked slowly to the healer’s house, feeling dizzy and heavy. The healer—a stern yet kind older man—let him in with a quiet nod.

“I haven’t been feeling well,” Saien said softly. “Can you check me?”

The healer looked him over, checking his pulse, his breath, his eyes. Then he paused.

“…Why are you walking around without a mate?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Huh?” Saien blinked.

“You’re pregnant,” the healer said plainly.

“…What?”

“You’re pregnant,” the healer repeated. “It’s dangerous to be alone in your state. You should have someone with you.”

Saien’s mouth parted slightly, breath caught. “But… I don’t have a mate. How is that possible?”

The healer gave him a sharp look. “Have you been intimate with someone recently?”

Saien stared into the distance. Then it hit him.

*Renju.*

*The summer night beneath the peach trees…*

“…Yes,” he whispered. “Yes, I have. Or… I did.”

The healer sighed. “Well. That’s your answer. Go home. You need to rest and take care of yourself now — not just for you, but for the child inside you.”

Saien left, barely feeling the ground beneath his feet.

---

*How am I supposed to raise a child… alone?*

*How can I be strong enough for this?*

He thought of Renju.

Of the cold goodbye.

Of the woman beside him.

Of how his heart shattered.

*He’ll never know. He’ll never be part of this child’s life.*

Saien clenched his fists.

*I have to disappear. For my child’s sake. And for mine.*

He packed quietly. Clothes. Food. A small pouch of coins. He didn’t need much. Just enough to start again.

He looked back at his home one last time.

“Goodbye,” he whispered.

He boarded the carriage. The road was long, but peaceful. The city faded behind him, replaced by open skies, farmland, gentle wind, and a quiet that wrapped around his broken heart like a blanket.

When he arrived, a friendly local approached him.

“Hello, traveler. Where are you headed?”

“I’m looking for a place to stay,” Saien said. “Maybe to buy or rent. Somewhere quiet.”

“I’ll call someone to help with your things. Wait here,” the man said with a warm smile.

“Thank you,” Saien replied softly.

He didn’t know this place.

But for the first time in a long while…

He felt like maybe he could breathe again.

---

### 💭 Meanwhile... In the Palace

Renju sat alone in his room.

His fingers traced the windowsill. His mind wasn’t here. Not in the palace. Not in this world.

It was still with **Saien**.

*How are you now…?*

“I know I hurt you,” he whispered into the still air. “I lied. I pushed you away. I told you I didn’t love you. But it was never true.”

His voice was shaking.

“I did it to protect you. They would’ve used you against me. I had to make you leave… before someone truly hurt you.”

A loud *thud* broke the silence as the door flew open.

“Why are you moping like this?” said a man—his old friend, annoyed. “You’ve been cold ever since you let him go.”

Renju didn’t respond. He didn’t move.

The man crossed the room and stopped beside him.

“You’re thinking about him, aren’t you? The one you pushed away.”

Renju closed his eyes.

“If you had just held on a little tighter… he’d still be in your arms right now.”

“I know,” Renju murmured. “But I just wanted to protect him.”

The man sighed. “You’re seriously in love, huh.”

“I’d give up my crown, my life… everything. Just so he doesn’t suffer. Just so he lives.”

“Then why not fight for him?” the man snapped. “Why send him away if you could’ve fought this battle **together**?”

Renju said nothing.

Because deep down, he wasn’t sure if he deserved to.

---

**Saien**

(looks up at the small house in front of him)

So… this is my new home.

**Saien**

(soft chuckle)

Or maybe… our home.

Me and the baby.

**Saien**

(takes a step toward the door, but pauses)

Huh?

(a small wooden sign hangs on the door)

"Welcome"…?

**Saien**

(smiles faintly)

That's… kind of sweet.

I didn’t expect that.

**Saien**

(reaches for the doorknob slowly)

Okay… here goes.

**\[Door creaks open]**

**Saien**

(steps inside, looks around)

It's small… but cozy.

Smells like wood and herbs.

**Saien**

(sets down his bag)

Where should I put my clothes?

And food—right, I need a pantry…

**Saien**

(glances around)

I guess this will be the bedroom…

And over there… maybe a crib someday?

(blushes faintly)

**Saien**

(opens the window, fresh breeze comes in)

I’ll be okay here.

Even if I’m alone.

No…

I’m not alone anymore.

**Saien**

(gently places a hand on his stomach)

We have each other now.

Me and you.

**Saien**

(whispers with a tired smile)

Welcome home, little one.

**Saien**

(sits on the bed and gently whispers)

Welcome home, little one.

**\[Suddenly, his stomach grumbles loudly]**

**Saien**

(blinks, then chuckles softly)

Ah… I guess you're hungry, huh?

**Saien**

(rubs his stomach)

You really have your father’s timing…

Always demanding attention when I’m trying to have a moment.

**Saien**

(smiles faintly, stands up)

Alright, alright. Let’s see what we’ve got.

No fancy chef here, but I’ll try my best.

**\[He walks to the small kitchen area, opens a basket of supplies]**

**Saien**

Hmm… bread, dried fruits, some fresh veggies.

Not bad for day one.

**Saien**

(slicing vegetables)

I hope you’ll like warm soup…

Well, not yet… but someday.

**\[He stirs a small pot, the smell of broth rising in the air]**

**Saien**

This place really is peaceful.

No noise, no pressure…

Just you and me now.

**Saien**

(sits down to eat, quietly)

We’ll start over here.

I’ll keep you safe.

Even if he never comes…

**\[He glances at the door, then back down]**

**Saien**

(stubborn smile)

…we don’t need him.

We’ll be just fine.

-

– the room lit by soft lantern light]**

**Saien**

(takes another bite, then pauses)

**\[A sudden wave of memories crash in—]**

**\[FLASHBACK – Renju’s warm smile… his voice calling "Saien"... the way he used to hold his hand under the stars…]**

**\[FLASHBACK – That moment when Renju turned away with cold eyes and said, "I don’t love you anymore."]**

**Saien**

(freezes, chopsticks mid-air)

…

**Saien**

(closes his eyes tightly)

Stop.

**Saien**

(puts the bowl down and grips his shirt over his chest)

Don’t think about it.

Don’t think about *him*.

**Saien**

(swallows hard)

I made it here.

I’m safe.

You’re safe.

**\[He gently touches his stomach again]**

**Saien**

(softly, voice shaking)

He doesn’t matter now.

You do.

**Saien**

(takes a deep breath, calming himself)

I have to be strong.

For both of us.

**Saien**

(wipes his tears and forces a small smile)

Let’s finish eating.

The baby needs food… not sadness.