The heart is heavy in Mew's chest.

Soft foot falls rings chimes in his ears and that is when he smiles. Even in the darkest hours... his beauty; his moonshine.

He smiles harder when his wife frowns at the dining table and then leaves with a soft 'aha' and snap of his fingers.

Too adorable.

Palace looks refreshing with his Sunflower roaming around.

"Mama... appaa... appaa..." Thorn runs behind Gulf wherever he goes and Mew takes a deep satisfying cool breath.

"Yes, sweetie. Appaa in a moment. You so hungry?" Gulf puts down another big bowl of some delicious dish he has prepared just for his husband.

"Uhuh... appa now."

The trial is dragging for so long. Aan's mother is... Mew has clearly underestimated him. Moments after moments he brings up something and will not let the court to proceed. But Mew is patient... or he has to be; it is his family's happiness in line.

Aan cannot stand another moment waiting like a commoner. He is Mew's... the words get swallowed.

He is Mew's nobody now and that makes him nobody for everyone in the palace too. Doesn't mean he has to demean himself, does it?

He walks to the Royal Private Wing with his head held high. It is not his first time here; the watchmen clearly know who he is.

"No entry without written permit with Royal Seal."

"Move, I have to see... s... see... M..." Aan does not know why he stutters. He has every right to call that man Mew and also get inside the private wing. "I have to see him. It is urgent."

It truly is urgent. He has to talk to Mew before the whole drama swallows his family alive. He has to coach Mew before his mother finds out that the Emperor indeed knows about his ex-faen.

Fine! Aan is a fool.

He did not think this through. Come on, how was he supposed to know, his husband would end up abusive and cheating and... then he would come back crawling back to his family? He was so sure he would never have to see Mew's face again.

Now, his mother is on his back asking him if he has told about her to Mew ever.

Of course Aan has said 'no'.

What? How is he supposed to 'yes, mae, I made a mistake.'?

His mother will come up with something but before that he has to tell Mew what the man has to do to save his ass.

Sigh!

"I said move!" Aan tells again.

"No, Sir. No one is allowed inside. Empress is here."

Aan grinds his teeth. 'The true Empress is me.'

"Well, tell who is waiting outside and..."

"No, it does not matter."

"Your Emperor will lock you up for keeping me waiting." Precious time is floating. Mew has to know what all he can ask and do not. Or Aan will be in very huge trouble.

"The order is from the Empress, heir of Cyas. Emperor is not to be disturbed during the lunch."

"You take orders from...?!" Aan does not finish his words. He hates everything about Gulf. Even the idea of him. The dirty leech wormed him way inside the palace when Mew and he have a lover's spat.

The watchmen sigh looking at each other. "We are not helping you. We do not have the authority. It is a direct order from our Empress. Only life and death matters can be forwarded during this time."

"Well it is a life or death matter!!!" Aan shouts.

"Alright, then tell us what the news is, we will forward it through." One of the watchmen says and Aan sees red.

"Fool! How dare you?! We big people have a lot of messages to tell. What does a lowly life like you going to..." Aan takes a deep breath trying to calm himself down. "It is a very secret message to be delivered personally."

"Then clearly it is not a matter of life or death."

"You will suffer for this! I will show you. My father will make sure of it."

"We do not want any trouble with the Lord. The only person who can indeed get you in is Empress' Royal Guard. If it is an emergency, you can go see our boss, Sir."

Aan stomps to the office they have pointed to with tears of humiliation in his eyes. Like a dirty common farmer, does he now have to get permission slips to see Royals?

Wait till he becomes Mew's wife.

He will make each one of them pay for the humiliation he has gone through.

"I need to speak to the Emperor, right now."

Ja nods without even looking up at him. "Signed and sealed appointment, please."

"Well, I do not have them! I do not need them. You have no idea who I am; so you better..."

"Exactly, I do not know who you are. Give me your appointment stating the purpose of visit." Ja is trying very hard to keep his cool. He is on duty and every person who comes in front of him is equal.

No matter what he feels about that person. How he wants to wring the frail necks of each and every one of this family for hurting his...

"I am Aan! And that will enough for the Emperor to personally invite me in. Go!"

'Do not kill anybody today, please... do not kill anybody today.' His trusted staff slowly pours wisdom into his brain though he finds it hard to listen.

That head will look quite dashing separated from the spine – Ja thinks of the mental image and that gives him some calmness.

"Fine. Write your name and purpose of visit, here. I may forget about you when I enter there and you do not want that, right?"

Aan cannot stop his tears from falling. He is not just some commoner. His father is Lord Cyas. The suffering he has to endure for going behind his parents' back; Aan wipes his tears.

'It is Aan. I want to talk. It is very urgent. I am crying.'

"See what will happen to you." Aan spits when he hands over the slip.

Mew cannot stop himself from watching Gulf trying to discipline his child. How can his son never see his mother as a big softie? The stink eye is just for effect, kiddo; he wants to say but he does not want his wife's wrath. Thank you!

"Will you do it again?!" Gulf asks and Thorn guiltily shakes his head with a pout. His little right foot wiggling too much in nervousness.

"No, mama... baby Ton sowwy..."

There his pretty wifey melting into a puddle of goo.

"Mama said you cannot have sugar njirkka before lunch." Gulf knows he cannot let Thorn get away with it.

"Sowwy, mae... baby no eat. Touch-touch." His son hugs Gulf's legs tucking his tiny head between his mother's knees.

Gulf's angry expression fades to loving motherly face and Mew knows his wife just wants to kiss his son and give him all candies in the world.

Gulf picks up Thorn, hugging him tight and kissing his head. "Well, you cannot touch any sweets before your food."

"Aww... otay."

"Good boy. Eat lunch and then you can share one with baby San. Good?"

Mew smirks seeing Thorn nodding his head agreeing half-heartedly but his son is smart and knows when to stop pushing his luck... or in this case when his luck runs out.

10 coins says Gulf will give two candies to either kids after lunch and then complain about his kids never getting tired.

His wife smiles at him, then hugs Thorn a bit tighter before seating the troublemaker on the child's chair.

"Come on, hubby. Guess what I made for you?"

"Rice, spicy fish?"

"Na na..." Gulf cutely shakes his head and Mew is already so happy. All the morning's event fading from his mind.

"Umm... Sea weed, flat ketachy bread?"

"Nope nope..."

Their funny play stops when Ja comes holding a piece of paper and even with his metal helmet, Gulf knows his loyal friend is troubled.

"Everything okay, Loyal Friend?"

"Ye... No, Empress. Some people really think they are that special when they are not."

Gulf chuckles, shaking his head.

"Well, I do not care how special this person is, my husband is not leaving without having his lunch. Right Boo?"

"Yes, Bii..." Mew happily smiles and his wife turns to the table with a satisfied rise of his eyebrow to fix their plates.

Mew rolls his eyes with an exasperated sigh when he reads the message and signs the scroll.

"When will you show me your face to me, Loyal Friend? So we can at least have a meal together." Gulf asks Ja. "I hope it will not be too weird to finally see who you are. I always think of you with metal helmet on."

"Why do you think of him at all?!" Mew asks with anger in his voice and Gulf threatens Mew with a spoon until the man calms down.

"I am on duty, Empress." Ja politely bows to Gulf.

"When are you not? Hmm but I understand you. All of you are so workaholic."

Mew knows he has to tame his possessiveness, for his wife will get sad if he gets angry this way. He cannot have that. No matter how much his heart pushes to hurt people who try to be closer to his wife... he will bear it like a man. He will not let his insecurity destroy his beautiful Gulf's happiness; his smile.

"Who was it? The person who wanted to see you urgently?" Gulf asks feeding Thorn another spoonful of lightly smashed rice and veggies.

Aan cannot believe what he is seeing. Mew should be... here... running to him and... and... then punishing all these people and this time Aan will not ask him to keep it quiet.

But...

Get a token and wait in line.

That too the man has not written. He just signed it across the suggestions on the backside of slips... as if Aan is not even worth his words.

"You can wait over there." Ja points to the chairs in front of the private chambers handing him a token.

He would have thrown it back on the metal head and stormed out in search of his father but... the necessity is his. He cannot let mae know that Mew knows about... 'her'.

Aan technically never told Mew about her whereabouts or not even her official name. So, it is not like he has lied to anyone.

Then why is he sitting here, praying to see Mew faster.

Aan hears giggles and hushed voices from the chamber... his tears flowing freely to his lap now. "Please, Mew, I need you now." He whispers.

Mew wipes the sauce of his wife's chin lovingly before giving him another spoonful. "The food is so delicious, beloved. Thank you for making Vleer. I know it is so difficult."

"Nothing is difficult when you smile." Gulf says, trying to make Thorn eat smashed roya. "Sigh! It is this little one who makes it all so difficult. Wish me luck, boo. I do not think he will let me clean him without tears."

Mew gets that; Thorn has spat all the goo all over him and the floor.

He watches when Gulf lets Thorn walk around as if someone puked on him while he clears the table.

"P'Mew I can sit with you in the court today... Mymi is on the way to get our offspring b.a.t.h.e.d."

"It is okay, sweetheart. You can leave to Queen's Castle. I can do this."

"No." Gulf adamantly says, asking the valet to take the dirty dishes. He shrugs on his Empress Robe before fixing his face powders. "These people are... were your family and everything is a thousand times difficult when it is family."

Mew really wants Gulf near but his wife is a mother too. He does not want Gulf away from their children unless it is that necessary.

Is this that necessary?

Nothing calms him down better than the sight of his beloved Gulf.

Mew stares at Gulf for as long as he can without weeping. So gorgeous and perfect.

His love bursts in his chest and he has difficulty calming himself down.

Mew hugs his wife from behind as soon as N'Mild takes their son away and presses a kiss on his lotus cheeks. Gulf jumps when he feels that wet token of affection and his heart beats a bit faster.

It is always these kind of small things that makes Gulf so shy and kisses on his cheeks are his weakness.

Strong, veiny hands hug his waist tight with a kiss on the back of his neck and he gasps turning around. "My Emperor..."

"Shhh..." Mew stops Gulf from talking. "Let me just..."

'Sink in the sea of love, tua-eng.' Mew pleads with his eyes and Gulf shyly cuddles to his chest.

Mew rubs his thumb on his wife's pouty bottom lip. "You make me so powerful, darling."

"Do I make you happy?" Gulf nibbles his own lips without looking at his hubby's eyes.

Mew chuckles. "You have to ask?" He tightens his hug and Gulf melts to him.

"I want you to be happy, P'Mew." That is all he ever wanted. His husband's happiness and wellbeing means a whole lot to him.

"I am so so happy."

"Even today?"

Mew nods. "Yes, tua-eng." Mew takes a deep breath. "Remember your birthday blessing? My first birthday with you? I was so cruel to you then."

Gulf shakes his head. He does not remember much from that time. He is married and happy now. He has no business thinking about his own ugly past.

"You blessed me that I would find someone who will bring me so much joy even in my saddest days and their presence alone would indeed make me happy. Remember?"

"No... but... but... you remember all that?"

"Yes, I do. I was a cowardly cruel person with power Gulf. I was affected by you even back then..." Instead of pushing away, Gulf hugs him tighter. "I have indeed fallen in love with someone whose presence itself brings me immense joy."

Gulf's eyes flutter and close as Mew leans in.

"You are so mine, Guppie..." Mew mumbles to his wife's lips before kissing him slowly. "I can spend all my time just kissing you like that..."

Mew is not just saying these words.

"Do you know who you are to me, wife? You are my solace, my darling beauty. I have had so many people in my life... so so many but no one to count on, to be myself. I can be myself around you. I can come to you all the time."

"Of course you can, hubby."

"No, Gulfie, you do not understand. I can come to you with my mistakes, with my darkest moments as a person but you are willing to hear... to listen to me... to be there when I have something to say. No one has done that for me ever. They all are quick to pick up sides without even asking me what has happened. I... am one lucky person in this world who has someone willing to love me when I am not perfect."

Gulf has no words. Of course he wants to know what his hubby has to say. He loves this man so much.

"I love you, P'Mew... and I... of course I will be there just to hear you talk."

"You still do not get it but it is okay. That is what it makes it so much more special in my eyes. You just do it without even knowing how much it helps me live."

Gulf has opened up his mind and soul for understanding Mew. Yes, his wife gets really angry when Mew goes out of his way but never pushed him away.

"All this life I never had anyone to give me an advice to make a better me... to make a better judgement and for that I am deeply grateful for your existence."

Mew does not let his wife answer him but he goes back to feeling his wife's soft petal lips... neither of them noticing the continuous chimes of Mew's pocket watch until a soft gasp is heard.

Mew growls hiding Gulf behind his body. Nobody sees the Empress like this. His wife's passion is his alone to see.

"What are you doing here?! GET OUT! GUARDS!" Mew calls out seeing Aan standing there without his approval to enter the chamber.

"I am sorry." Aan has never seen this side of the Emperor and he is scared. "They said I can... enter. It is me... Aan."

Mew checks the time and he knows Aan is right; does not mean he likes that.

He ways away the guards when they come running but the irritation is boiling. He wants to talk to his wife and maybe prepare for the next trial.

"Get on with it. What is your request?"

Gulf comes to his side after fixing his shirt and wiping his kiss swollen lips.

"I... I..." Aan is intimidated by the presence of Royal Couple. Even more, he feels out of place when the Empress comes to stand next to the Emperor and Mew hugs Gulf to his chest.

Gulf knows he is glaring but he cannot find it in him to care. He does not want this person here but he understands his husband has duties and responsibilities.

"You may talk." Gulf orders and Aan mimics a fish out of water. Who is this person to order Aan? Aan is Mew's... he is going to be Mew's wife and then the Empress.

Why is Mew behaving as if he does not want Aan here?

"Heir of Cyas, Ahanswan, the trial will commence in a few moments." Mew says as if he has never seen Aan ever in his life. "What do you have to request us?"

'Us?'

What us? Aan is Mew's faen and he is the real Empress.

"Please withdraw witness trial of... of..." Aan does not like the way Gulf is looking at him. As if he is intruding their home.

This is his home also. This palace will be Aan's after their marriage.

"I demand you to leave and wait in line for your turn." Gulf says. "It is not ethical to hear personal favours when a live trial is being carried out in the court. You may speak when you are asked. Guards, show Heir of Cyas his seat."

"I need your help!" Aan tells Mew, tears falling down his cheeks. His family is going to be punished if Mew does not hear to him. This is not how Mew should behave. Why is he not affected by the sight of tears?

"My Empress has spoken." Mew replies. He takes his wife's right hand with his own; the other firmly circling around Gulf's waist and leaves.

Jealousy tinged with helplessness flood inside Aan when he is not so politely asked to wait for his turn but sees Mew pressing a kiss on Gulf's head to seat him on the throne.

On the left side, no less.

That is his place; Aan averts his eyes when Gulf looks at him.

"Madam Lilianth Rijatwenteen, please step forward with the evidence of marriage." The Court Dealer announces.

This time Mew turns deaf ears to Aan's mother's endless rambling. He has to wrap this up and sleep on his wife's chest. He is so tired.

"Are you married to Ahanswan, Heir of Cyas?"

Lilianth nods. "Yippy... see the... the ... stamp? Seal? Of the temple old man? Yup, that my wife." She winks and makes kiss face to Aan. "Sweetness, bring those cheeks here."

She chews the tobacco so loudly that Aan wonders what he ever saw in her.

"Emperor's witness in this case. My Liege..."

Mew nods and takes the invitation letter to their wedding, presenting it to the court.

The letter was sent to Mew by Aan asking him to stop pining over him as they had tied the knot. He has indeed wedded his husband, the love of his life, Lilianth.

"The date of marriage matches. Heir of Cyas is married to Lilianth Rijatwenteen, daughter of Cobbler Guistom."

Murmurs raise among everyone who is gathered.

Aan gulps seeing his mom's angry glare at him.

"Ahanswan, why did you hide the fact from the court and the official papers of Galoddhikeera? It is a punishable offence. We are sure you are aware."

"We were not... not really..." Aan tries. He sees his mom sweating and he knows it will not end well. This is exactly why he demanded a private audience with Mew. It is all Gulf's fault.

"Are you saying this license is forged? We can call down Temple Priests of Portan."

"No... they are real but they are not of this islands, you know... and I thought... I thought... it is not valid here." Aan cannot make his mouth work.

When he had cut ties with his ex-faen, they had made themselves clear, they would never bring this mistake up. She then got married to someone else, throwing Aan away.

When his eyes meet Lilianth, he notices how devilish her stare is. She licks her lips looking at him and fear grips his heart. She is abusive.

The sleepless nights, pain all over his body and poverty were all she gifted him.

"The island Prabhos is indeed in the Empire of Galoddhikeera. Why would you assume the marriage license is not valid here? If you do not have a satisfactory answer, you will be punished for 6 months in prison."

What? No... Aan cannot go to prison. It is not his fault.

"Mae told me!" Aan shouts and even Mew is taken aback by the accusation. That is a serious crime. "He told me that... my marriage is a mistake and is not valid anywhere."

Nyral cannot believe his son.

Did Aan really say that to the court?!

Does he know the implications of that statement?

"Child, do you have any idea what you are speaking of? You mother told that to you? You are aware that he will be imprisoned for months if it is proven? Do you want to analyse what you have said?" Court Clerk asks to ensure Aan is in right mind before entering the data in.

Aan is shaking but he cannot go to prison. What about his life, his future as Empress? Mew will obviously come back around when that nasty Gulf is not in the vicinity. But a prison time will surely blow out his luck.

"I am not lying. I was engaged to the Emperor... not officially but everyone said we would marry one day. Marriage with Lilianth was a mistake."

Nyral's eyes water. His own son? Turned his back against him? So he can keep his image of perfect person.

He is frozen with shock.

"Actually, he caused us to break up." Lilianth says knowing quite well, her beloved mother-in-law will be serving jail time. Adding fuel to fire is fun. "He paid me to marry some goldsmith. I did not want to. After two months of engagement we broke up. It is always Aan who has my heart, right, honey?"

Aan does not know what to say but when he looks at his mother to take the burn, he gets scared by the emotions swimming in those eyes.

"I... you threw me out." Aan says, hoping desperately for a way out of this trap he has set for himself.

"Yeah! Because your mother ripped us apart, Ahan."

Mew looks at Nyral in surprise. "Is that true?"

"No... my Liege. She was hurting my child and I paid her to leave him alone... She also agreed to marry a goldsmith." Nyral looks at his son to tell the truth but Aan is not even looking at him. "He was miserable with her."

"Does not mean we did not love each other. Aan and I have quite some different taste in bedroom. Right, babe?"

The court goes insane. "So, you two have... have... consummated your marriage?"

Lilianth laughs. "We did that years before we wrote it on paper. Told you all, we were... are in love. What do you expect? His mother does not like that I am a commoner. He finds me unworthy to a Lord."

"Nyral, these accusations will cost you a year in prison. Do you have anything substantial to say? Did you dissolve a marriage without the permission of the couple? That too because of her social stature?"

He cannot bear the pain of his only son betraying him. "I never did anything to compromise my kid's future."

'Please, Aan, my son...please look at me.' Nyral begs to Aan in his mind but no one is there to know his pain.

"Your child's future is not your property, Nyral."

"I CAN PROVE IT. I NEVER HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS! Somebody betrayed my family and the letter has tainted my son's reputation. Punish that person!" Nyral screams. "It is him! Him! Punish him!"

He storms to First and almost punches his face but Ja's staff flies to the scene and stands protectively in front of crying First.

"Nobody touch him." Ja whispers, shaking with anger.

"This man is lying, my Emperor. His trusty valets arrived the library and asked me to write this letter, my Liege. He told me Empress is an imposter though I know he is not... But he said when Empress receives the letter the marriage will be dissolved and I... I was done waiting. I want... I want my love with me. He said if I went with the plan I can get my P'Gulf back."

Silence follows the statement for a few moments until two identical roars hear from the Royal Dias; Ja and Mew.

First falls to the floor and crawls to Gulf in his knees.

"P'Gulf... I am the one who loved you. Remember me? You promised you will choose me over anyone else... I... I am here P'Gulf. It was me who loved you through the letters. Let us get out of here, P... I love you and I know you love me too. I have letters of your love; they keep me alive, my beloved lover. The Emperor does not love you at all and you know it. It was me all along. I am the one who you love. Come with me, now, Please..."

Mew sees literal red in his eyes and Haeser flies to his hand in a blink.