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"That was quite the greeting"

Taufik said, despite the smirk on his lips, everyone could sense it, a hidden storm beneath the surface.

Rani remained unmoved, her golden aura flickering like a barely contained wildfire.

"That's for making us wait when you said you'll never leave our side again"

Rani said, her voice was even, yet the raw emotion behind it was impossible to miss.

The weight of Rani's words hung in the air, heavier than the dust still settling from the impact.

Taufik's smirk faded. His blue eyes flickered, not with anger, but with something deeper, something raw. He had faced countless battles, endured the crushing silence of the Shadow World, faced with the Demon Legion, The Gods, and yet… This was different.

He hadn't expected to see that look in Rani's eyes.

Betrayal.

Pain.

She stood rigid, her fists trembling at her sides. Not from exhaustion, but from the sheer force of emotions barely held back.

"You promised"

Rani said, her voice wavered, cracking slightly, something that you will never see in usual Rani. Then, she continued.

"You said you'll never leave our side again… But then you vanished... Again"

After those words, Silence filled the hall. No one dared to speak. No one dared to interrupt.

Aksara glanced between them, uncertain. He had seen his Mother, Rani fight before, strong, unshakable, fearless. But now, she looked as though she was holding herself together by sheer will.

Taufik inhaled slowly. His chest felt tight as if unseen chains had wrapped around his ribs, crushing the words he wanted to say.

"I…"

But what could he say? That he had a reason? That he had no choice?

Excuses.

That's all they would sound like to her.

Rani let out a sharp breath, her golden aura dimming, flickering like a candle in the wind. She turned away, her hands tightening into fists.

"Forget it"

Her voice was quieter now, drained of fire.

"Just… forget it"

Rani said, and then she walked past him without another word. Leaving the Hall behind

And for the first time in a long while…

Taufik felt powerless.

Taufik then glances at his other family, his other Wives, his children, his parents, and even his Grandmother was there's.

All of them looked at him, but none of them said anything.

Seeing this, a long sigh came out from Taufik's mouth.

"... Why are you just standing there like a fool, dear?"

"Jenn... I-"

"Don't worry about that, we all know why you did that... We understand... You did it for this world... For our family... You don't need to say anything"

"Yeah~ Honey, with Aksa and Erelythe's help, I already told them everything you did in the Earth Core's area"

"Yes, Sis Rani always to be the strongest among us, but sometimes the strongest also has a weak side"

"Go. Chase after her. Talk to her, Fik. We'll wait here"

Jenn, Gaia, Kaela, and Anugerah spoke in turn.

Taufik remained silent, then turned his gaze to Tina, who cradled her baby. As if sensing her father's gaze, Lavanya stretched out her tiny hand toward him.

Seeing this, Taufik let out another breath, his gaze softening as he reached out and gently held Lavanya's tiny hand. The warmth of her touch grounded him, reminding him of everything he fought for, of why he made the choices he did. But even knowing that didn't make facing Rani's pain any easier.

Taufik glanced once more at the people who stood around him, his family, the ones who truly understood him.

His other children stood next to Erelythe and Shasha. Though only a year old, their minds were sharp beyond their age, and they understood more than most would think.

They, too, said nothing.

But then, his eldest daughter, Alice, stepped forward.

"... Alice"

"Daddy, You have to make up with Mother Rani immediately"

Hearing that, Taufik closed his eyes for a brief moment, allowing himself a deep breath before nodding.

His eldest daughter's words carried weight, not just because she was the Oldest, but because she understood the pain lingering in the air more than anyone else.

"I will"

Taufik said, his voice steady but low. He glanced at Alice, then at the rest of his family, each of them waiting, each of them trusting him to set things right.

Jenn, Gaia, Kaela, Anugerah… Each of them had their own way of supporting him, standing by his side despite everything. But Rani… She was different.

She had always been the one to burn the brightest, to push forward with unshakable will. Yet tonight, her fire had dimmed because of him.

He couldn't let it stay that way.

With one final squeeze of Lavanya's tiny hand, he turned and strode after Rani.

--------

The halls were dimly lit, torches flickering against the stone walls, casting long shadows that danced as he moved. He knew where she would be.

And just as he expected, he found her standing on the balcony overlooking the vast expanse of their world.

The wind carried the scent of rain, cool and fresh, yet it did nothing to soften the storm raging inside her.

Rani didn't turn when he approached. She didn't even flinch when he stopped just a few feet behind her.

"I'm sorry... I didn't want to leave"

The words left Taufik's lips before he could even think of what else to say. Because, in the end, nothing else mattered more than that.

Hearing that, Rani let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head.

"Sorry?... Didn't want to leave? But you did it... Do you think an apology will fix anything?"

Rani said, Her voice echoed, striking him harder than any physical blow

"No"

Taufik admitted.

"I know it doesn't"

At those words, Rani finally turned to face him, and the raw hurt in her eyes cut deeper than any blade ever could.

"Then why?"

Rani asked, Her voice was quiet, yet filled with an intensity that made his chest tighten.

Taufik exhaled slowly, then answered.

"... If at that time, I could choose to return to you guys, then I would. But if I had not done what I did... The world we stand in now might not exist anymore, I did it because I had to... I'm not trying to be a hero figure who will be praised by all Humans, but because if I didn't, everything we fought for... Everything we have would have been for nothing"

Rani clenched her fists again.

"... And what about us? What about me?"

"I never meant to hurt you... I never thought it would hurt you like this"

He whispered. Then Continued.

"I thought… I thought you would understand"

At that, Rani's eyes flashed, her golden aura surging for a brief moment before flickering once more.

"That's the thing, Taufik. I do understand. I understand why you had to leave. I understand the weight you carry. But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. That doesn't mean I don't hate the fact that you keep carrying it alone"

Taufik fell silent, guilt settling deep in his bones. He had always fought alone and always believed protecting his family meant shielding them from his burdens. But in doing so, he had made them feel like outsiders in his battle.

Rani sighed, running a hand through her hair before looking away.

"I don't need you to promise me anything... Again, Taufik. I just need you to remember that we're here. That I'm here"

A few moments of silence passed between them before he finally stepped closer.

"I know"

Taufik said, softer this time. Then Continued.

"And I'll do better..."

"That's not the point, Taufik"

Taufik frowned slightly.

"Then what is?"

Rani clenched her fists.

"The point is that you promised! That you would be here. That you wouldn't vanish again, leaving us to wonder if you were even alive. Do you know what that did to us?"

Her voice cracked again, frustration mixing with pain.

"Do you know what that did to me?"

Taufik looked at her, truly looked at her. The fire in her eyes wasn't anger, it was fear. Fear of losing him. Fear of breaking apart. And suddenly, everything felt so much heavier.

He took a slow step closer. Then said

"I'm here now"

Rani let out a shaky breath.

"For how long?"

Taufik didn't answer right away. Instead, he reached out, hesitantly at first, before gently cupping her face.

XFor as long as you'll have me"

Rani's lips parted, and for a second, she looked like she might push him away again. But then, slowly, she closed her eyes, leaning just slightly into his touch.

"…Just don't break your promise again... Don't leave us suddenly like that again"

She whispered.

"I won't"

Taufik vowed, his grip tightening ever so slightly.

"No matter what happens, I'll always come back to you... To our family"

For the first time since he returned, Rani's aura steadied, the golden fire within her no longer flickering wildly. She opened her eyes, searching his face for any sign of a lie. But there was none.

And finally, after what felt like an eternity, she let out a deep breath and nodded.

"Alright"

Taufik pulled her into a firm embrace, and this time, she didn't resist. The tension in her shoulders slowly melted away as she buried her face against his chest.

For now, that was enough.

--------

Due to the unexpected turn of events, the welcoming party came to an abrupt halt. With a deep sense of guilt, Aksara decided to end the celebration, recognizing that this was a private moment for their family.

The guests understood and departed without issue, yet their hearts remained joyful. After all, their long-lost King, the First King of the Saranjana Kingdom before Aksara, had finally returned.

Now, only Taufik's family remained in the hall, waiting patiently for his return.

Then, moments later, relief washed over them as they saw Taufik reenter the hall, accompanied by Rani.

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