Chapter Text
A lot of life changing experiences happened in Sumeru. The Akasha terminal shut down, the former sages being brought down by the Mahamatras for libel against their archon, a new god almost replacing their current and the list goes on.
Alhaitham was unfortunately chosen to be a candidate for the next grand sage by Lesser Lord Kusanali- Nahida, but he politely refused during that urgent meeting with every Akademiya official.
"I don't desire this position lord Kusa-"
"Nahida."
"Lord Nahida." He said to her while all the higher ups are having a meeting. Kaveh who attended as Ksharewar Darshan alumnus and potential sage for the Darshan looks shocked as everyone else.
Nahida, sitting on the highest chair given to her, swinging her legs playfully like a child. "May I know the reason, Alhaitham?
Alhaitham calmly replies, "Because there are things I want to prioritize first, more than a Grand Sage seat." He subtly side-eyed Kaveh, then back at Nahida, which the young archon caught on. She smiles sweetly, Alhaitham is most definitely the person she wants in the position as Grand Sage. She has to use her archon power wisely to keep him there.
Kaveh has her hand on her forehead. For some reason she knew it was coming. A certain General Mahamatra also huffs in amusement. After what the people of Sumeru did towards their Archon, Alhaitham sure was brave to talk to her that way.
The meeting ended with a compromise. Alhaitham will step up as an Acting Grand Sage temporarily while the Akademiya chooses a new Grand Sage, all officials especially the temporary sages are be sure to take over two third of work to support him There are some changes in the darshans as well, since people are not able to use the Akasha Terminal, the sages and temporary sages have to file the darshan's inside problems and solutions by the end of the month for Alhaitham.
Alhaitham wasn't really happy about the final outcome, especially when two certain people (One frenemy, one girlfriend) were mercilessly snickering at him at the end of the meeting. Pointing and gossiping like old ladies from the neighborhood.
Alhaitham had been sitting on the throne through a good amount of months, much to his dismay, it's almost been a year. He was still stubbornly persistent to change his job back to being a Scribe, even after both his and Kaveh's daughter was born he's still fighting for his freedom. He believes that if Kaveh could step down from the Ksharewar sage position, he too can leave the Grand sage title. It's just a matter of time.
"Can't you just give up?" His love asked him as they prepared for bed. "Lord Nahida really likes you, you know."
Alhaitham gently rocks the baby in his arms. "Never. I'll get my Scribe job back. Isn't that right little Leilia. Your baba will definitely step down as a grand sage." The newborn infant just stared up at him, giving him a tiny yawn before dozing off to dreamland.
"She said she doesn't believe you." Kaveh snickers as she watches Alhaitham move about. She's still sore from giving birth, so Alhaitham was allowed to work from home while taking care of both Kaveh and Leilia. Alhaitham carefully put the sleeping angel down in her moses basket, tucking her in.
His turn to finally turn in for the night, he scoops Kaveh into his embrace, giving her a light peck on the forehead. Kaveh comfortably sighed in his hold. "You know… I never thought I would end up with a family." Kaveh whispered.
"After what happened to my father I…thought I didn't deserve love. I am the culprit for our family downfall…" Kaveh's eyes are hooded, the memory of her father's death and mother's depression still haunts her like yesterday. Thanks to Alhaitham, she's able to have some weight carried off her back, she still feels guilty about sharing it with him.
Her sins are hers alone to bear.
Alhaitham tucks a strand of hair behind Kaveh's ear. "Veh, my Paradisaea, my love." He makes her look into his eyes. "You are never the culprit of your father's death, you are too young to be one. Your mother's depression is not your fault, she was consumed by grief, and grief made her make the wrong choice."
"It was never your fault for what happened in our past relationship, we both had our rights and wrongs. I was right when I said you shouldn't carry other students' work, yet I am wrong for not sentencing it properly. I was wrong for not knowing anything about you. Had I not found you alone in the tavern on the day of our reunion, I would be oblivious until this day that you are such a wonderful, beautiful, most kindhearted woman I had ever met."
"Haitham…" Tears form in Kaveh's eyes, she sobs silently. Unlike her usual loud self, when she cries her tears can form a river in Sumeru but her sobs are too quiet to be heard. "I- I-"
"My love, let's put the pain behind us and enjoy the present and future. You'll be the best mother for Leilia, and I will always be there to support you all along the way."
"Gosh…Haitham." Kaveh chokes out. "What did I ever do to deserve you?"
"You deserve everything, Veh. My love, my heart, my soul." He pulls her closer. His thumb rubbing circles on her lower back. "Let's sleep. Tomorrow is Leilia's Aqiqah. We'll need to recharge for our baby girl's big day."
"...Goodnight Hayi."
"Goodnight, Veh."
-
Kaveh cannot believe her eyes.
Leilia's aqiqah celebration's simple. Her friends, the traveler, lord Nahida were invited to celebrate the glorious day. The venue is set at Zubayr theater where the team had gathered for their success in overthrowing Azar. The feast was catered by both Puspa Cafe and Lambard's tavern(there was no alcohol, only food and drinks). The Zubayr theater members put up a modest show for the happy couple and their guests.
Kaveh talking with Lumine and the other girls, while Alhaitham was snatched off by the men. Little Leilia's sleeping in Nilou's arms. The dancer rocks the baby in her arms, "My my. It's only been two weeks and we can already see the resemblance of both parents in her."
"Red eyes like Kaveh, pale skin like Alhaitham and silver with streaks of gold. Yeah, no one will question anything." Tighnari said as she sipped her drink. "So, how is everything now?"
"Oh boy." Kaveh groans. "She's picky with her meal…"
"I thought she only drinks milk?"
"That's right! My milk! But she won't drink from the right breast, only the left… I was so scared, I thought I caught a disease or something! Turns out she's only a picky eater."
"Wait, how do you know that you didn't catch anything?" Dunyarzad asked, her head tilted aside. Lumine smirked. "A certain man helped her poison check, duh."
"Oh~"
"No! It's Tighnari! I gave her some milk samples!" Kaveh hides her face in her hands. Tighnari pats her back. The girls' continued chatting away, until Kaveh felt a tender hand on her shoulder. She turns around to see Alhaitham, with a hand behind his back. She could see under his calm demeanor, there's a hint of nervousness. She holds his hand. "Hayi, what's wrong?" She asked.
Alhaitham kneels down in front of her, taking her hand in his. He then reveals the hidden arm, giving her a bouquet made out with a single padisarah in the middle and sumeru roses circling around it. Kaveh's eyes widened in shock.
"Hayi…! Wh-What…"
"Kaveh, yesterday when you cried because of your pain from the past. I cannot change what happened to you, even if I wished so dearly. But right now, I wish to be that supporting pillar for you, and for our Leilia. I wanted to help you carry that crushing weight of the past alongside with you. I wanted to forever be the person to protect you from any harm. I wanted to be with you forever." Alhaitham gives a loving speech for his lover. His voice is soothing, calm, determined and his eyes never break away from Kaveh.
"Kaveh, my Paradisaea, my love. Will you start a new life with me?" He brings out a ring from his pocket, the silver spiral band has a small diamond gem on top. "Will you marry me?"
Kaveh gasped. She knew this was coming, she knew. Logically. But her heart still flutters, she feels emotional from his proposal. "Haitham…" She sobs, trying to return him a smile "Will you accept me? Even if I'm broken."
"I already did."
Kaveh sniffles, she lunges towards Alhaitham, the latter swiftly catches her in his arms. Screaming, sobbing and laughing. "Yes yes YES! I will marry you!" As soon as she said yes, everyone in the venue cheered for them. Alhaitham smiled, a rare sight from the assumed mechanical scribe of Sumeru. When the two pull away from the hug, Alhaitham places the ring on her middle finger. He's one step closer to making her fully his.
Kaveh cups Alhaitham's face, the same way he always does for her, and leans in. The couple share a sweet kiss for their friends to witness the new engaged couple.
-
"Dear mama,
I hope this letter finds you well.
How are you in Fontain? Have you and your family been well? I assume that my half siblings finally started grade school this year. I am really happy for all of you.
I am writing this letter to update you about my life as usual. I had not told you this in my previous but, I had been dating for two years. A great man, not for his wealth or status but for his heart.
Alhaitham's my junior from the Akademiya, he's 2 years younger than me. He's currently the Acting grand sage of the Sumeru Akademiya, but he's trying to get back to his old position as a scribe. It had been a year, I'm sure Lesser Lord Kusanali wouldn't let him off that easily.
He's also a smart person. He's able to think outside the box, being dubbed the genius among Harvatat scholars because of his specialty. But I don't love him for that, I love him because he makes me feel safe. He's my safe haven. When I'm drowning with work and deadlines he would make sure I get enough sleep, and have enough food. When I was stressed out, he would hold my hand and look me in the eyes, telling me how much he loves me, easing my stress with such gentle words. When I am burnt out, he'll help me with my work then instead of ordering me, he reasoned with me. He gave me so many reasons to take a break from working that I can't even refute. Even though I sometimes feel irritated by it, I know by heart that he's looking out for me.
When baba passed away, I thought I was the cause of our downfall. I thought that, if I had never encouraged him to enter the inter darshan competition, would he still be alive? Would it still be the three of us? What would happen to us if baba never entered that competition? Guilt and hate shrouded my vision, I hated myself for everything. Mama, I always smiled for you, not only because I love you, but because I am to blame for baba's death . That, as a murderer I must take responsibility for my actions. It hurts a lot for me.
By the time you left for Fontain to ease the pain, you had asked if I should follow you. But how could I? I already ruined your old life with baba, I don't want to ruin your new life. So I smiled and waved you goodbye. It pained me to see you look back at me, because your eyes held so much sadness when you left. Your goodbye hug almost made me want to beg you to stay. But I didn't have the strength back then.
While you embarked for your new journey in Fontain, things had not been easy for me. I'm sorry I lied, but I don't think I can explain in one single letter. Maybe I'll share it in my next letter so you won't get overloaded with too much information.
Alhaitham, my love, he's helped me a lot. Thanks to him, I was able to be as transparent as I can be with this letter. We started our own family. The pregnancy was unplanned, but when our beautiful baby girl was born we couldn't help but feel immense love for her. She's such a beautiful little flower mama, when I was born, was I yours and baba's flower? We named her Leilia, she was born at night when the moon was at its fullest.
Alhaitham proposed to me during Leilia's Aqiqah. He wanted to start a new chapter in life with me, so did I. Did you know? He proposed to me in Fontain style. It was so romantic. We just started planning for our wedding when I am writing this letter, but I hope you and your family can witness our love. Plus, I wanted to introduce you to the man that I'll swore my heart to. And also, I wish you could witness me starting a new life with the person I love, just like that time I witnessed yours when you wedded with that person.
I hope you and your family could make it to our wedding mama. Best wishes to everyone around you in Fontain.
Love,
Your daughter Kaveh.
-
A woman with golden hair and red ruby eyes, who is in her late 50s sobs as she reads a letter. She rubs off her tears, then she starts running and screaming at her husband at the top of her lungs.
"Babe, my sweet baby girl's getting married! We need to go back to Sumeru! I want to see my baby girl right now!!!"
"Darling, please don't shout."