The first rays of sunlight peeked through the heavy curtains of the bridal chamber, casting a soft golden hue over the room. Leon stirred, his senses slowly awakening. As his eyes fluttered open, he turned his head to see Kefka lying beside him, her features softened in the tranquility of sleep. Her long, dark lashes rested gently on her cheeks, and her lips were slightly parted, her breathing steady and calm.
Leon couldn't help but stare. The thought struck him like a quiet revelation: No one who sees her like this would ever believe she's the Incardia Witch. The fierce, calculating woman known in the game for her ruthless ambition and hidden power seemed worlds apart from the serene figure before him. In this moment, she wasn't an antagonist, a witch, or a political pawn. She was simply Kefka, his wife—and undeniably beautiful.
A smile tugged at his lips as he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. Her skin was warm, and the simple act filled him with an unfamiliar sense of peace. He began to pull away, but her eyes fluttered open, meeting his gaze with a sleepy, yet surprisingly tender expression.
"Good morning," she murmured, her voice soft and unguarded.
Leon felt his heart skip a beat. "Good morning to you too," he replied, his voice equally gentle.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the intimacy of the previous night still lingering in the air. Kefka shifted slightly, propping herself up on one elbow. There was a subtle blush on her cheeks as she spoke, her tone carrying a hint of vulnerability. "Last night... it was incredible."
Leon chuckled nervously, running a hand through his messy hair. "I didn't expect you to open up to me the way you did," he admitted. "But... I'm glad you did. I hope you know that you can rely on me, Kefka. I want to be someone you can trust."
Her eyes searched his for a long moment, as if weighing the sincerity of his words. Then, to his surprise, she smiled—a small, genuine smile that reached her eyes. "Thank you," she said softly. "I hope you know that you can rely on me too... if you ever want to."
Leon felt a warmth spread through his chest. This wasn't a declaration of love or an instant transformation of their relationship, but it was a start. A fragile, tentative start. And for now, that was enough.
"You know," he said, breaking the moment with a playful grin, "I was just thinking... if anyone saw you like this—peaceful, beautiful—they'd never believe you were the infamous Incardia Witch."
Kefka raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting to one of mock annoyance. "Oh? And what exactly do you mean by that, husband?" she asked, her tone teasing but with a sharp edge of humor.
Leon laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I mean it as a compliment! You're... breathtaking," he said, his voice growing softer. "But you're also strong, and determined, and... well, everything that makes you you."
Her gaze softened again, and for the first time, she allowed herself to fully relax in his presence. "You're not what I expected, Leon Alaric," she admitted. "Not at all."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" he asked, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice.
Kefka tilted her head, pretending to think for a moment. "I'll let you know," she said with a small smirk, before adding more earnestly, "But so far... it's not bad."
They stayed like that for a while, talking in hushed tones, their walls lowering bit by bit. Leon found himself marveling at how different she seemed now, how human. And though he knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges—both within their marriage and beyond—he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, just perhaps, they could find something real amidst the circumstances that had brought them together.
For now, though, he was content to savor the moment. The world outside could wait. Right now, it was just the two of them, sharing a quiet, stolen morning in the aftermath of a night that had changed everything.