---
The banquet had finally come to an end. The grand music faded into distant murmurs, and the last of the guests began filing out of the glittering hall.
Inside one of the guest rooms, Eva paced back and forth like a caged bird.
"I feel so nervous," she muttered under her breath.
"What if His Majesty rejects my request? What do I do then?"
Her eyes wandered to the table, where a bottle of wine sat as though it had been waiting for her.
"I should drink some… just to shake off the nervousness," she decided.
She poured herself a glass and took a sip.
"Hmm… tasty."
One sip turned into another.
"I should drink one more glass," she reasoned—though it was already her third.
---
Meanwhile, after excusing himself from the final round of greetings, Eyan was striding quickly down the palace corridor with Hans trailing behind him.
"Where is she?" Eyan asked, his tone betraying his impatience.
"Her Highness is in the third guest room," Hans replied.
They reached the door, and Eyan pushed it open.
Eva was slumped over the table, her hair falling across her face.
"Lady Eva," he called softly.
No response.
He stepped closer. "Lady Eva, are you alright?"
Eva suddenly sprang to her feet, swaying slightly.
"Hey, you—what took you so long?" she demanded, pointing at him accusingly.
"Lady Eva… are you drunk?"
"No, I'm not," she said with the conviction of someone who had clearly never been more drunk in her life.
Eyan's gaze fell to the empty wine bottle.
"Lady Eva, did you drink all the wine alone?"
"Yes," she replied, as if it were a great achievement.
Eyan rubbed his forehead. "I see…"
Eva leaned forward, squinting at him. "You listen to me first—teach me how to sword with a fight."
Eyan blinked. "What…?"
"I want to learn how to sword with a fight," she repeated, with all the seriousness of someone declaring war.
Eyan chuckled. "Lady Eva, I don't understand a single word you're saying."
Hans, standing at the door, tried not to laugh. "Your Majesty, it looks like Her Highness is drunk."
"I think so too," Eyan replied.
Hans tilted his head. "I've never seen anyone talk to you like that before."
A small smile touched Eyan's lips. "Only she can talk to me like that."
Eva stumbled a step, and Eyan quickly reached out. "Be careful—"
Too late. She passed out entirely.
Eyan caught her before she could hit the floor, shaking her lightly. "Lady Eva?"
Silence.
"Lady Eva," he called again, lifting her face.
"Eva…" His voice softened.
With a quiet sigh, he looked at Hans. "She drank too much. I can't send her home like this."
Turning to his aide, he ordered, "Hans, prepare the room beside mine for her."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Eyan lifted her into his arms with practiced ease, carrying her through the corridor.
He laid her gently on the bed, pulling the blanket over her.
"You should sleep here tonight, princess," he murmured.
Leaning down, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Good night."
With one last glance at her sleeping face, he left the room, the door closing quietly behind him.
---
Eyan's Chamber
The banquet had been exhausting, and even Eyan could feel the weight of the day pressing on his shoulders. He leaned back in his chair with a quiet sigh.
"I should rest too… it's been a long day," he murmured.
Hans stood at the doorway. "Your Majesty, I'm leaving now. Tell me if you need anything."
Eyan waved a hand. "No, Hans, I don't need anything. You can go."
Hans hesitated. "What about Her Highness? All the guards are still celebrating, and nobody is posted outside her room. Will she be all right?"
Eyan smirked slightly. "Don't worry about her. She drank enough wine to sink a ship—she won't wake up until morning. I'll leave my door open. If she does wake, she can come to me if she needs anything."
Hans nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. Then I shall take my leave."
With that, Hans left, and silence returned to the chamber.
---
Midnight
The moonlight poured faintly into the guest corridor.
Eva stirred in her bed, eyes half-closed, still drunk enough to mistake dreams for reality.
"I… want to go to the bathroom," she mumbled.
She padded off toward the bathroom, returning moments later. But instead of turning back to her own bed, her feet carried her out the door.
Still in a daze, Eva wandered the hallway until she stopped in front of Eyan's room. Without a second thought, she pushed the door open and slipped inside.
Eyan was sleeping soundly, unaware of his unexpected visitor—at least until he felt something warm curl up against him.
His eyes cracked open.
Eva was hugging him in her sleep, her face buried against his chest.
A slow smile tugged at his lips. "Princess…" he whispered.
He pulled her closer without thinking, but then reality sank in. His eyes flew open, and he froze.
"Wait… what is she doing here?" he thought, staring at her peaceful face.
"Is she… sleepwalking?"
Eva shifted slightly, her lips moving.
"Kyel…" she whispered.
Eyan's expression stiffened. He studied her face, wondering if she was awake. But no—she was still deep in sleep, lost in whatever dream held her.
With a quiet sigh, he carefully, painstakingly, removed himself from her embrace.
"Thank God she didn't wake up," he muttered under his breath.
He pulled the blanket over her, tucking it gently around her shoulders.
For a moment, he just stood there, watching her sleep with a small, helpless smile.
"She's driving me crazy today…" he murmured.
Straightening, he decided, "I should sleep somewhere else."
With one last glance, he slipped out, quietly shutting the door behind him, and headed to his study to spend the rest of the night.
---