The royal chambers had never felt so heavy with sorrow.
The scent of burning incense lingered in the air, meant to calm the soul, but it did nothing to soothe the deep ache in Eva's chest.
Her father—the mighty King Aldric of Eldoria—lay in his grand bed, his body frail, his breathing shallow. The once-great ruler who had led armies, brokered peace, and commanded the respect of an entire kingdom… was fading.
Eva sat by his bedside, her hands trembling as she reached for his. His skin was cold, almost lifeless.
A sob threatened to escape her throat.
Not yet.
She wasn't ready.
She could not lose him.
Whispers of Goodbye
Lucian stood by the door, silent, his face carved with unreadable emotions. His hands curled into fists at his sides, as though he, too, was trying to suppress the pain.
Tobias and Isolde were near the window, Tobias with his head bowed, Isolde wiping at her tear-streaked face. Even Cedric, who had once been loyal to Magnus, now stood there looking guilty, looking lost.
The entire room felt suffocated by grief.
Eva turned back to her father, squeezing his hand.
"Father," she whispered, her voice cracking.
His eyelids fluttered, then slowly, they opened.
His once-bright blue eyes were now clouded with exhaustion, but when they met hers, they softened.
"Eva…" His voice was barely a breath, weak yet full of something she hadn't expected—pride.
Tears spilled down her cheeks. "I'm here," she choked. "I—I'm here, Father."
He gave the faintest smile.
"You… fought well." His gaze flickered toward Lucian. "And you… protected her."
Lucian stiffened. For a moment, his usual stoic mask slipped, replaced by something raw, something vulnerable.
"I tried," Lucian said quietly.
King Aldric exhaled a weak laugh, though it quickly turned into a cough. Blood stained the corner of his lips.
Eva panicked. No, no, no—
"Don't speak, please—just rest," she pleaded.
He shook his head slowly, painfully. "No… my time is not yet… but it will come soon."
The room felt colder.
Eva swallowed a sob. "Don't say that."
His fingers weakly curled over hers. "Eva… you must be strong. For the kingdom."
She shook her head furiously. "I can't do this without you!"
"You can." His lips trembled, and for the first time, King Aldric looked… afraid.
Not for himself.
For her.
Lucian took a quiet step closer, as if he wanted to reach for Eva but hesitated. His knuckles were white, his chest rising and falling with slow, controlled breaths.
The king noticed.
His tired eyes moved between Eva and Lucian, understanding dawning on him.
"Lucian," he rasped.
Lucian straightened. "Your Majesty."
"You love my daughter."
The room stilled.
Eva's heart stopped.
Lucian said nothing. He didn't need to. The silence spoke louder than words.
A slow, pained smile crossed the king's lips.
"Protect her. Always."
Lucian lowered his gaze. "With my life."
Eva's throat tightened.
She had never heard him say anything so… final.
Her father gave her hand one last squeeze, then closed his eyes, his breathing ragged but steady.
He was still here. For now.
Eva leaned down, pressing her forehead against his hand.
And for the first time since this nightmare began… she wept.
Lucian knelt beside her, his presence solid, unwavering.
He didn't touch her. He didn't need to.
But when her shoulders shook, when her sobs wracked her body…
He stayed.