Fast forward a couple weeks:

In the late afternoon:

Star's POV:

I shake my head with a sigh. I'm going crazy. It's been weeks and he hasn't left his room.

"What should we do?"

My hazel eyed friend sighs sipping her cup of tea. "What can we do at this moment? It's not like we can force him outside of his office."

"Yes, but have you seen Lily nowadays?" My friend with dark green eyes and brown hair rubs her temples. "Her eyes are red from all the tears that she has been shedding."

We just have to do something. To not do anything seems wrong. But… they're right. What can we do at this time?

I glance at the three guys sitting on the couch with a blank stare on each one of their faces. Why do they look like that?

"Do you three have any ideas?"

All of them shake their heads. "I don't know."

"We tried everything from begging to reasoning but nothing worked."

(Creek)

The door opens and in comes my gold eyed friend with aquamarine hair. Her face holds the look of disappointment. Uh-oh.

"I take it that your go was a failure as well?"

"Estrella, do you never need to ask?" She plops herself on the bed ruffling her dress with a deep sigh. "Why is my older brother so stubborn?"

"You can't really blame him." I said gently. "Put yourself in his shoes. Imagine if your father sealed your memories of an important person. Wouldn't that mess you up as well?"

She sits up running her fingers through her long locks. "Although I do agree with you but, that was the past. I know that what my dad did was wrong but if he didn't then…" Her lips curve downwards.

He probably would've done something reckless.

"Oh," My hazel eyed friend chimes in after a minute of silence. "Has anyone seen Lily today?"

"Good question."

"I had a talk with her this morning." My friend with blue eyes and blond hair said interlocking his fingers under his chin. "She seems… happy in a way but we all know that's just a façade."

"How's Melody doing these past few weeks?" My black haired friend ask. "I can't imagine her doing well with all of this going around."

"Honestly Zach," I sigh looking out the window at the birds chirping. "She's been missing her father."

"Yeah. I figured that was the case."

"What child doesn't miss their father?"

"I wish that we can help them somehow…"

Same but what can we do?

"Just leave them be for now." A masculine voice chimes in as a clink can be heard throughout the silent room.

We shift our gazes to meet the guy who uttered that sentence. "Derek… are you suggesting that we sit here and do nothing?"

"Yes."

"You-"

"Brandon, don't get so worked up over this matter."

"How am I supposed to sit here and do nothing when she's suffering?" He stands balling his fists at my friend.

"This doesn't concern any of us. If we get involved, it could work against us."

"But we can't sit here and do nothing." He huffs sitting down once again. "I mean, what kind of friends would we be if we did that?"

"Sometimes doing nothing is better than doing something." My friend replies after a moment. "It's their problem so why not let them figure it out?"

"Yes… but-"

"I agree with you." My hazel eyed friend interrupts him. "Why don't we let this run it's course?"

"Maria, you…"

His blue eyes looks away from hers with a sigh crossing his arms. "Do whatever you want but this better end soon."

Hopefully that is the case.

Liliana's POV:

"Ugh," Beads of sweat drip from my forehead as a hand pats my back. How longer will I suffer from this?

"Mommy…"

My fingers grip the edge of the toilet bowl panting as I flush it. This is the worst.

"Sweetheart, can you fetch me a cup of water, please?"

(Knock)(Knock)

How many weeks has it been since this whole thing happened? Let's see… I'm roughly 12 weeks pregnant so… I haven't seen him in a month and two weeks.

A sigh escapes my lips as I try to stand only for a dizzy spell to come into affect making my legs feel like jelly. Don't tell me I'm that weak. Seriously?

Just as I was about to fall, an arm wrapped around my waist stabilizing me. Ow, my head is killing me.

"Are you alright?"

Who?

My eyes meet a pair of gold eyes as her lips curve downwards. "You look so pale."

"I'm fine, Astrana."

"Fine?" She utters in disbelief as she helps me to the bed. "If your daughter didn't open the door to let me in, you would've fell!"

"Mommy," Her tiny fingers grip the cup handing it to me. "Drink water."

My lips curve upwards as I pat her head gently. "Thank you."

My sister-in-law sighs with a head shake. "Anyway, how have you been handling things?"

I glance at my daughter who is running up and emptying her toy basket filled with dolls and legos.

"It's been fine." I respond after a moment as she scoffs.

"Fine?" Her eyes roll. "Could've fooled me. I mean," She grabs a mirror from the makeup vanity not far from the bed. "Look at yourself!"

Everything seems in place. Hair's good, clothing is somewhat ruffled because of morning sickness but there's nothing wrong with my appearance.

I blink blankly at myself in the mirror. "Is there something wrong with my appearance?"

She groans with a facepalm. "Seriously? Do you not see the eye bags and redness in your eyes?"

Dark circles? My fingers touch the skin underneath my eyes. Huh… I guess I do have dark circles.

"I could always cover them with makeup." I wave a hand dismissively as she glances at my daughter.

"Melody, can you come here for a second?"

"Yes?"

My friend crouches to her level. "Tell me the truth, has your mommy been resting properly?"

"Astrana, you know that I'm right here, right?"

"Of course but kids don't lie."

Of course.

"She has been staying up late and crying in the restroom."

My eyes widen as a hand grips mine. Has she been staying up the last few nights? I knew I should've soundproof the restroom.

"Mommy," Her purple eyes meet mine. "I wanna see daddy."

(Flash):

"Tell her I'm busy." My husband finally responds sipping another cup of water. "That should appease her curiosity for some time."

(Flash)

"Honey," My hands lift her into my lap. "I know you want to see him but he has a lot of work to do."

Her lip curve into a frown. "But that's what you said yesterday as well." She swings my hand back and forth.

"Please, mommy, I want to see daddy!"

Oh come on, not the puppy dog eyes. I gulp glancing at my sister-in-law who shrugs. Knowing him, he probably doesn't want to be disturbed. Which is exactly why I've been avoiding his office but…

My eyes drift back to my daughter's pleading look. If it's only affecting me, then it's fine but this is affecting her as well.

"Can you tell me why you want to see him so badly?" My friend asks as my daughter turns to her.

"Why I want to see daddy?" She raises an eyebrow. "That's easy! Because he's my daddy and I love him!"

Our eyes widen at her words as she grins at us. How can we possibly argue against that answer?

"Auntie Astrana, Mommy, please, can we go see him?"

A few minutes later:

"Now," My sister-in-law kneels to her level. "There might be a chance that my brother doesn't want to see us."

She tilts her head with a confused expression. "Why's that, Auntie?"

"Because he has a lot of work to do."

"Mmmm… does he not want me anymore?"

A sigh escapes my lips. "Sunshine, of course he wants you"

"If that's the case," A hand holds mine as his office comes into view. "Why does he work all the time?"

"We all have our responsibilities." My sister-in-law states after a moment of silence. "As the prince, he has to fulfill them."

The girl holding onto my hand looks down with a frown muttering to herself as I stifle a laugh. She's just too cute!

"Your Royal Highness, Princess Consort, Young Princess," My husband's butler kneels before us. "What can I do for you three?"

My daughter let's go of my hand and rushes to the door. "I want to see my daddy!"

His eyes widen. "Ah… Young Princess, I'm afraid that His Highness is very busy and-"

"Surely he can spare some time for his daughter, right?" My sister-in-law asks with a slight edge to her voice as he gulps bowing.

"Your Royal Highness, I'm just following orders."

Poor Waltari. Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"But you can at least-" I place a hand on her shoulder to stop her. Gold eyes meet mine as I shake my head.

"Astrana, if he doesn't want to be disturbed, there's no use in entering."

She sighs after staring at me for a minute. "You see? There you go again."

I blink with a raised eyebrow. "I'm sorry?"

"You're always like this when it comes to my older brother. Always respecting his wishes but don't account for yours."

My eyes widen. What?

"Don't look at me like that. Why do you think about him all the time?"

"Because he's my husband…" What is she getting at?

"I get that he's your husband but you're neglecting yourself in this process." A huff escapes her lips. "You want to see him as well, right?"

"Of course I do but-"

"But instead of trying your best to see him and get him out of this state, you've been staying away out of respect."

"I…" My gaze drifts downwards. She's got a point. If I just remain like this, I will get nowhere. But then again…

My fist clench the hem of my shirt. "What can I do? It's not like I can force him to-"

"Doing anything is better than staying still. I told you this before, Lily." She grips my shoulders. "You can't just keep standing still like this."

"You have got to put yourself first in this matter."

"I was the one who was wrong first." A lump forms in my throat. "I was… selfish in keeping that matter from him all these years. I…"

"No. You were anything but selfish."

My eyes widen as I look up at her. "What?"

"You kept that from him for his own good. If he knew about that event, he would've probably reverted back to how he was 2 years ago."

No. That's not true. That's not the case. I wish that was true. How I wish it was but no.

I blink rapidly to prevent tears from forming. "You're wrong. That wasn't the reason I kept it from him."

Her eyes widen. "Really? Then what was the reason?"

My gaze drifts down as I clench my teeth. "I…"

"Waltari," A masculine voice I haven't heard in weeks called out from inside the room as my head snaps towards the door. Am I dreaming?

"Let them in."

His brown eyes widen in shock as a look of disbelief crosses his face. "Of course, Your Highness."

(Creek)

"Daddy!" My daughter runs up to my husband who is standing near a window. She hugs his black jeans tightly. "I missed you so much!"

Black T-shirt, black jeans… black… the color of grieving and mourning.

He turns his head from the window looking at our daughter with a small smile patting her head. "I missed you as well."

His smile… My heart thumps as I stand firmly rooted in the ground as I stare at him. A whole month without this beautiful creature.

A nudge in my side snaps me from my thoughts as I look beside me. "Hey, why are you just standing here? Didn't you want to see your husband?" My sister-in-law whispers.

"Well yes but… I-"

"Now's not the time for shyness." Her hands pat my shoulders firmly staring at me square in the eye. "It's been a month since you last saw each other. You probably have tons of things to say to him. Just say it, okay? If you don't, then who knows when you will have another chance!"

Yes but… what am I supposed to say? As she said, it's been a month since we saw each other.

"Dada," Her fingers tug the hem of his shirt. "Why are you wearing so much black?"

Gold and silver eyes go blank at her questioning. "Black," His tone devoid of any emotion as he places a hand on her head. "Is the absence of color. Devoid of any life."

Her brows scrunches up with a look of confusion. "Is the absence of color good?"

My husband's eyes slowly drifts towards the bright blue sky. The sun shines directly on his face as he pulls the curtains shut. "Everything in life has color. Every being, plant, animal, living organism out there has life." He turns his head to meet my daughter's gaze. "I don't know if it's necessarily good or bad but…"

"But what?"

Devoid of any life…

"Ah," He shakes his head with a dry chuckle. "Sorry. I forgot what I was going to say for a moment. Point is, I happen to like the color black."

Her lips pout. "Well I don't like it. It's too dark and doesn't suit you at all."

I agree but then again, he looks good in everything.

"Oh? Then according to you, what color suits me the best?"

"Blue!"

"Blue?"

"Yeah because you're always so calm and I have never seen you get angry except for a few times."

True… he doesn't really show anger aside from a few instances when he broke his composure.

"Huh… interesting." He responds after a minute.

"Daddy, mommy has been crying every night."

My heart stops as my daughter utters that sentence. Ahhhhhh! What is she doing?! Why is she telling him that?!

"Oh? Has she now?"

"Mhm."

I can feel his gaze on me as I swiftly turn away. Great. Just great. Good going, my precious daughter. You just made your mother seem so weak in your father's eyes. Are you happy with that?

My sister-in-law leans closer to me. "Psst, are you okay? You look as if you're about to throw up."

"I don't know. I just might." I mutter as I can feel his lingering gaze.

"Melody," He places her on the ground. "Can you and my sister step outside for a moment?"

"Why?"

"I would like some private time with your mother."

Her purple eyes with specks of silver and gold in them looks at me them back at my husband with a grin.

"Of course!"

"Auntie Astrana," She runs up to my sister-in-law and grabs her hand. "Let's go!"

"Alright, alright, no need to drag me." She winks at me with a smile. "Good luck."

No! Don't leave me here! "Wait, you two, don't-"

(Slam)

And they're gone…

I retract my hand with a sigh. What should I do now? He'll ask me that question for sure. Most importantly, how should I start to converse with him? It's been a whole month for god's sake. A whole month!

Footsteps shuffle across the floor gracefully as I glance at him sipping water sitting at the couch with his legs crossed.

How can the act of drinking water look so… refined? Ack! Stop it! Liliana, you sound like some love sick schoolgirl or something. Get it together. This is your chance to say what you want.

I open my mouth only to close it. But… what can I say? How do I say it? Hm…

"Are you just going to stand there the whole time and stare at me or are you going to sit?"

My body tenses at his calm tone of voice. Uh-oh… here it comes… Is it too late to run out of the room?

Calm yourself. This is your husband, not a stranger. I glide over to the couch sitting opposite of him. My gaze shifts downwards to avoid his as he puts his empty cup down with a clink.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a tray of food left untouched along with stacks of papers on his desk. Has he been skipping on meals? And what's with all the documents? What has he been doing the past month?

Darn it! Why am I so nervous under his piercing stare?

I gulp as I notice his cup and the pitcher next to it. Ah ha! My fingers pick up the pitcher and refilled his cup. After this, I can find a way to escape and-

"You're overfilling it."

Hm?

My eyes widen as a puddle of water spills from the cup laying on the table. Great. Just perfect. What on earth are you doing, Lily?

"I-I'm sorry," I stutter trying to grab the box of napkins. "I-I'll clean it up. Don't worry."

I lied to my husband and can't even pour a cup of water without spilling it. If Astraea was here, she wouldn't have made this mess.

"Careful!"

A hiss escapes my lips as I retract my hand from the hot water. Ow! Oh gosh, that stings so bad. My index finger is now red as I gently blow on it. This is what I get for not paying attention.

"I-It's fine. I can still-"

The man in front of me looks at me with a stern expression. "Just sit there and behave."

"B-But…" My eyes drift down biting my lip as he cleans up the mess.

Oh great. Now he has to clean up the mess that I made. Good going. I grip my fingers together placing them on my lap. I'm pathetic. A good for nothing wife who starts messes. Ugh!

(Flash):

"Enjoy your candy dragon, miss!" The lady hands me the candy as I sit down on the chair. Delicious. This was so worth sneaking out of the palace for. Plus, if anyone sees, it's not like they can recognize me with my hat and green contacts.

"Psst, have you heard the rumors circulating about Her Highness?"

My ears perk up as I glance in the direction of two women whispering. What are they talking about?

"Princess Astrana?"

"What the?" She hits her on the head. "Of course not!"

"Ow!" She rubs her head with a pout. "Then who are you talking about?"

"Who else? His Highness's wife. The Princess Consort."

Eh?! My eyes widen as I snap my head at them. What is this about rumors?

"Hey, I don't think you should badmouth Her Highness." She tugs her arm.

The other woman scoffs. "Who cares if I get in trouble."

"I would!"

She rolls her eyes and leans closer. "Anyway, I heard that the only reason The Prince married her is for political purposes."

Political…?

"Huh?"

She groans with a sigh. "Think about it. Her father is a world renowned general. If His Highness wants to control her father, wouldn't marrying his only daughter be a great way to form alliances?"

"True… but I don't think His Highness would do such a thing…"

"You obviously don't know his motive in this. Why else would he marry her if it's not for political purposes?"

"Out of love?"

She blinks and burst out laughing. "Love? Oh my god, you're so naïve. First of all, His Highness isn't the type to act on his emotions. Hence why everyone refers to him as 'The Ice Prince' when he was growing up. Secondly, having done my research, everything that he does has a motive to them. No matter how small, there's always, always a benefit to be gained."

Her friend bites her lip looking around cautiously. "Simmer down. You're drawing in an audience."

"And those are just your theories. How can you be certain that's the case?"

She blinks. "Well, I heard that she is unlike any woman in this world. Get this," She whispers. "She knows how to sword fight."

"Wouldn't it make sense that she knows some fighting moves? After all, her father is a general."

"Yes but still, the fact that a lady in the royal family knows how to fight… doesn't seem a bit odd to you?"

"I… guess…?"

"Oh, and get this, I heard that she doesn't know how to be a proper wife."

"And what accounts as a proper wife?"

"You know, cook, clean, do the housework, chores… she doesn't know how to do any of that."

"Your kidding, right?"

"I wish I was kidding. Tell me, what guy would want a wife like her? If that was my husband, he would have divorced me ages ago."

"Regardless, I don't think speaking about her that way would benefit you. Who knows? Maybe she's somewhere in this crowd of people."

A laugh escapes her lips. "Then that would be awesome! I could tell it to her face what a horrible wife is she."

"Karen, please, simmer down!"

"Why should I?" She scoffs. "His Highness must be suffering being married to her. A woman that doesn't know how to cook and clean is no woman at all. Why I got to-Mph"

A hand clamps over her mouth as she struggles. "Karen, you're going way too far now. If word gets out about this, you'll be in huge and I mean huge trouble!"

My ears ring as the people around me blur into one. Political? Alliance? Marriage? I look down clenching my fist. A woman who doesn't know how to cook, clean, or do housework is no woman at all…

My chest constricts as I clench my teeth to prevent tears from leaking. Am I a failure of being a wife just because I don't adhere to the ladylike standards?

"Why they have gone too far." His fist clench as he glares at them. "I'll-"

"Don't." A lump forms in my throat as tears prickle the corners of my eyes.

"But, Your-"

"We're in public."

"My Lady, you can't possibly-"

"It's not worth it, Waltari." My gaze lays on my lap. "Just… let them be."

(Flash)

I feel like a child under the watchful eye of her guardian.

"Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine."

Why did I suddenly remember that conversation? My chest tightens as I gulp. I really am a bad wife. I can't even engage in a decent conversation with my husband.

"Do I make you that nervous?"

My eyes widen. "W-Why would you think that?" I gulp not meeting his gaze.

"Since you sat down, you haven't met my gaze once. Furthermore, you're stuttering."

I grip the hem of my skirt. Now I'm sending mixed messages. Lily, just what on earth are you doing?

The man across from me summons up the first aid kit and slowly approaches me. What is he…?

"W-What are you doing?" I back away sliding to the edge of the couch as he sits down next to me.

He stares at me with a neutral expression. "What else do you want me to do? I'm helping you with your wound."

Oh yeah… My husband opens the med kit as he holds out his hand. I glance at my red, stinging index finger with a hiss.

"Y-You don't need to trouble yourself with my injury. I'll-"

"Give your hand to to me."

"I-I'm serious. I can take care of it. It's not that bad."

"Liliana," His eyes pierce my figure as I gulp staring at my lap once again. Darn it!

I bite the inside of my cheek and reach out to give my hand to him. "Thank you."

Why? A wife is supposed to take care of her husband not the other way around! Could what those two ladies say true? Am I a horrible wife? Is being married to me a pain for him?

Come to think of it, why did he pick me anyway? I'm not ladylike at all. Could he have picked me because of my father?!

(Flash):

"Think about it. Her father is a world renowned general. If His Highness wants to control her father, wouldn't marrying his only daughter be a great way to form alliances?"

(Flash)

According to his personality, he said numerous of times in the past that marriage is business. Could that mean that our marriage is also a business? Perhaps he has another motive for marrying me…

If that's the case…

(Flash):

"You don't need to bother with other people. Beings tend to get jealous of others when they are in a higher status than them. That's the psychology of it." He leans closer rubbing his nose against mine. "When it comes to love, it doesn't matter what rank you are, whether you're a commoner, a princess, or the daughter of a count." His eyes bore into mine. "I will always choose you because I love you."

(Flash)

No. No way that's true. Oh god! What was I thinking these last few weeks? I refuse to believe that he has been lying to me. Moreover, the way and the emotion contained in his tone… there was no way he could be faking it. Absolutely no way.

"You've got to be more careful, you know that?"

"I know." I mutter as he sighs.

"Is it that hard for you to look at me?" My husband voices after a few minutes of awkward silence.

How could I look at you when I lied to you? When I doubted you? A lump forms in my throat as I can feel tears surfacing. Ugh! Emotions. Why am I crying? Since when did I become so… insecure? When did I worry about others' opinions so much?

A hand lets go of mine as he places everything back into the kit. "Make sure you don't injure yourself again."

"It won't do anyone good if you do."

I nod as he stands up. "If you have nothing else to say, I'm going for a walk."

Stop him.

Stop him now!

If you don't, you might not have another chance!

(Boom)

My eyes widen as a flash of light illuminates the room followed by a huge bang that struck across the sky.

"D-Don't go." My heart rate increases as I tackle him wrapping my arms around his chest tightly. "Please, don't go, Astral!"

Astral's POV:

What the?

I stiffen as she tackles me. I thought she didn't want to talk… why the sudden change?

"D-Don't leave me all alone." My wife chokes out as she squeezes me tighter.

(Boom)

Her grip tightens onto my body as I notice tears dripping from her eyes.

She's… crying…

(Boom)

A whimper escapes her pink lips as her body trembles. "A-Astral, d-don't leave me."

Every time it thunders, she reacts.

(Flash):

"Daddy, mommy has been crying every night."

(Flash)

Hm… every night. My eyes narrow at the woman trembling in my chest. These past weeks… there has been thundering non-stop…

Is she… "Liliana, are you… afraid of thunder?"

Her breathing grows heavy as droplets of sweat drip onto my shirt. "Y-Yes."

(Boom)

"S-Stay with me."

(Boom)

A sob escapes her lips as my heart clenched. My arms envelope her firmly. All of those nights that she was suffering… and I wasn't there for her when she needed me the most! Darn it! What kind of a husband are you, Astral?

(Pulse)

"Have you forgotten about your plan?"

That's right…

I glance at my desk drawer then back to my wife who is crying in my chest. The plan. I…

"Don't tell me you're backing out."

"I… I'm not," My heart clenches. "It's not the right time for that now."

"Puh-lease, you were hesitant to begin with. Stop with the excuses."

(Pulse)

I…

"D-Don't leave me."

My hand curls into a fist as I bite the inside of my cheek. No. I can't. I absolutely cannot waver at this moment or else, everything I've done is for vain.

(Boom)

A yelp escapes her lips making her cling onto me tighter as her breathing labors. "I-I'm scared."

I'm sorry. I… this is the only way. I… I must.

"Liliana," My throat locks as I shut my eyes. "Let's…"

Come on Astral. You can say this. It's only 4 words. Four simple words.

"D-Don't l-leave me!" Her arms wrap around my chest tighter. "I-I don't c-care if you d-don't love me. I-I don't c-care b-but p-please, don't l-leave or I-Ignore me!"

Argh. Why is this so difficult! I… I shouldn't be so selfish keeping her by my side like this.

My chest aches my eyes shut tightly. It's 4 words. Why can't I seem to say it? It's just 4 words!

"Let's… g-get a-a," I will hate myself for this. Every inch of my heart says no yet my brain says otherwise. This is for the best. I can't keep doing this. Knowing that someday I'll die, I can't be selfish anymore.

"D…" My vision goes blurry as my eyesight closes up. Everything around me blurs into one as I bite my tongue hard. Just say it! Say it and it will all be over.

SAY IT!

"Let's get a… divor-"

(BOOM)

"I'm sorry," I pull her closer to me as she trembles shutting her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Liliana. I… I had no idea that you are afraid of thunder."

What am I supposed to say at this point? I just can't say it. I don't want to leave. I…

"S-Stay with me." My wife whispers clinging onto my body in a desperate attempt to ease her fears. "Please, don't leave me all alone. Not again."

(BOOM)

"Ahhhh!"

"Shh," My hands stroke her long locks. "I'm here. I won't be leaving you, my wife." I whisper as she sobs in my chest.

What are you doing, Astral? This goes against everything you worked for! That's right. It goes against everything I did the past month. I… I just can't seem to say those words. But… I can't be so selfish that I…

"Shh, it's alright. Everything's fine, Lily."

Why am I so weak? This is for the best but why? Why can't I just say those four words? Why?!

Astraphobia also known as Brontophobia, is an intense fear of thunder and lightning. It's commonly found in children. What I don't understand is whether this phobia is innate or situational.

My eyes drift to the woman in my embrace shaking uncontrollably despite my best attempts to soothe her.

And how is it that I'm her best friend and husband but never knew this? No. That's not important right now. If this is innate then that's that but if it's situational… then what caused her to have such a strong fear of thunder like this?

"It's okay. You're safe. I won't hurt you." I pat her back as I guide us to the couch. "You're safe."

(Rumble)

"I-I'm sorry," The woman on top of me cries out as I immediately wrap my arms around her shoulder and waist.

What?

"I-I'm sorry for being such a burden." Her arms tighten their grip around my neck. A… burden?

"Why would you say that?"

The moistness of tears drip onto my neck. "I'm not a good wife. I-I don't know how to be ladylike like all of the other wives. I…" She gulps taking a breath. "I can't even pour a cup of water without spilling it to my husband!"

My eyes widen as her sobs grow louder and more intense. What the? Why is she comparing herself to other women? Was that why she wasn't acting like herself?

"I-If Astraea was here," My wide sniffles hugging me tighter than before. "She wouldn't have allowed this to happen."

Oh…

"I-I'm sorry, Astral. I was s-selfish." Her voice cracks. "I should've said something instead of hiding it from you."

A cough escapes her lips as she pants. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I… I know that what I did was w-wrong but if you remember her…" My wife's voice cracks once more as a bolt of lightning illuminates the sky. "If you remember her then you wouldn't want me a-anymore."

Is that what she thinks?

"I know what I did was selfish but to not have you in my l-life is unbearable. I n-need you Astral."

My heart quickens as my vision blurs. Am I… crying…?

"Y-You're my e-everything, my dear husband." Her breathing labors as a cough escapes her lips. "T-That's why I couldn't risk losing y-you."

(Pulse)

(Flash):

"No matter what happens, I will always love you, Liliana, my one and only princess."

(Flash)

My eyes slowly widen as my heart races rapidly. This memory… it was from that day when I married Amber who is coincidentally my sister.

"B-But I know that's not a v-valid excuse for my actions." My wife sniffles as another boom strikes the sky.

Her head buries deeper into my neck as I rub her back. So my deductions were correct. She's selfish but not in the way I thought.

"I-I'm sorry." Another cry comes from her lips as I pull her closer. "I'm a failure as a w-wife."

…

…

…

How could she possibly think that?

"There's no correct way for a wife to act." I whisper after a few minutes of silence. "Trying to live up to an ideal is admirable but they can constrict you from being who you are and utilizing your true strengths."

I gently tilt her head towards me drying her tears with my thumbs. "I just want you to be who you are. If you start comparing yourself to others, you lose an aspect of yourself that no one else in this world has."

My wife's eyes widen as she stares at me. "I don't care if you're not the standard wife, Liliana. Who cares if you're not ladylike? All I care about is that you are my wife."

"Astral…"

(Boom)

I cup her face as tears drip on my cheeks. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for leaving you alone for the past month, my love."

"I-It's fine." She sniffles as I wipe her tears. "I get it. Don't worry."

What did I do to deserve such a compassionate, kind, respectful, beautiful, and understanding wife like you?

(BOOM)

"Ahhhhhhh!" Her body curls into mine with sweat dripping from her forehead.

"Shh, I'm here, I'm not leaving you."

A whimper escapes her lips as I summon up a blanket covering the both of us. "Just sleep, Lily."

"Rest. It'll be over soon."

(Boom)

What is up with the storms these days? Seriously?!

Her petrified figure trembles as I grit my teeth. How did I not know about this? And to think I had the audacity of leaving here when she needed me!

"Now you know the truth, don't you?"

"Yeah… wait a minute! You were the one who-"

"If I didn't do that, you would still be unsure whether you like or love her."

Hm… "I… don't know…"

"You! Good god seriously? You know the answer yet you refuse to accept it. Why? Why is that?"

(Flash):

"I did the calculations. The chances of finding it are less than 5%."

(Flash)

"What's the point in admitting that I love her if I'm going to die anyway? It seems a bit counterintuitive, don't you think so?"

A beat of silence passes through my mind as he sighs.

"Yes, that seems counterintuitive but you've been isolating yourself for a whole month trying to distance yourself from your wife but look what happened?"

I glance down at the woman resting on my chest as she nuzzles closer to me. The pitter and patter of rain fills the room as a gentle breeze from an open window makes her hair flutter.

"Because of your plan from saving her from pain in the future, she suffered for a month. Sleepless nights, whimpering in terror, crying in the restroom… you know all of this, right?"

"Yeah." I respond after a moment as my fingers tuck a strand of hair from her serene face. "Waltari, told me everything."

"As expected of you." He mutters. "You keep trying to convince yourself that you're angry with her and how you're doing this because you feel betrayed but we both know that isn't the case."

My eyes widen. "Are you saying that-"

"Before you get me wrong, no. I don't mean that you're using Astraea as an excuse to execute this plan of yours. What I'm saying is no matter how you deny it, you love her."

My hand slowly clench. "I know but still, what's the use in letting her know?"

"Do you really want to see her cry again?"

"Of course not." My eyes narrow as a thought comes into my mind. "And is there a reason why you're helping me with this?"

"You make me sound so cruel."

"That's because you are."

"Hey!"

"It's the truth." I said as he scoffs. "Anyway, you're not usually this nice to help. What's your motive?"

"Puh-lease!" He blows a raspberry. "I only helped because I had to."

He had to help?

"What do you-"

"Well, nice talking to you."

"Wait a-"

"See ya later, Mr. I don't remember anything."

A sigh escapes my lips as I feel his presence leaving. I rub my temples shutting my eyes a bit. Why does he always come and go as he wishes? Also, what did he mean by he helped because he had to?

(Boom)

My wife stirs in her sleep wrapping her arms tighter around my chest while whimpering.

Lily… "It's okay. Just sleep." I pat her back as rhythmic breathing can be heard throughout my ears.

So much for my plan. A smile crosses my lips as I lean to kiss the top of her head.

"I love you, my darling." A whisper comes from my mouth as I pull her closer to my body.

My eyes drift to the ever flowing rain streaming outside the window. "I just wish for your happiness in the future… without me."