---
(The Next Morning – Royal Palace)
Hans stepped into the Emperor's office, only to pause mid-step. His Majesty was sprawled on the couch, one arm lazily draped over his forehead.
"Your Majesty," Hans called softly.
Eyan stirred, blinking against the morning light. "Hans… you're already here?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. But… why are you sleeping here?"
Eyan groaned and stretched, his lips curving into a faint smile. "Don't ask."
Hans raised a brow. "Please tell me, Your Majesty."
The Emperor sat up, running a hand through his tousled hair. "A thief came into my room last night and stole my bed."
Hans blinked. "A thief…? Forgive me, but I don't understand, Your Majesty."
Eyan gave him a sideways look. "The 'thief' was Eva. She's sleeping in my room—hence why I'm here."
Hans looked baffled. "Her Highness? But… she was in the chamber next door. What is she doing in yours?"
"I have no idea," Eyan said with a shrug. "but When I opened my eyes in middle of the night, she was sleeping next to me."
"Perhaps she mistook your room for hers?" Hans offered.
"Maybe."
Eyan stood, rolling his shoulders. "I'll take a bath. Tell the royal chef to prepare hangover soup and breakfast—she'll probably need it.
And—" He paused, a faint glint of amusement in his eyes. "Tell him not to put carrots in it. She doesn't like them."
Hans bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
---
(Eyan's Chamber)
The morning light poured in through the tall windows, pulling Eva from her sleep. She groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"My head… it's pounding."
She blinked around the spacious room, her gaze slowly tracing the familiar golden drapes and intricate crest above the bed. Recognition struck.
"This is… His Majesty's room," she whispered. "Why on earth was I sleeping here?"
She tried to recall the night before, but her mind was a haze. "I can't remember a thing."
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Lady Eva, are you awake?" came Eyan's voice from the other side.
Eva quickly ran her fingers through her hair. "Yes, Your Majesty."
She opened the door, meeting his calm, unreadable gaze.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked lightly.
"Yes, Your Majesty… but… what exactly happened last night? How did I end up here?"
"I recall waiting for you in the guest room," she said slowly, "but after that… everything is blank."
"You don't remember drinking wine?" he asked.
Her eyes widened. "Wine?"
"Yes," he said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You got drunk and passed out."
Her cheeks warmed. "Really…?"
"Yes."
She hesitated. "But still… why am I in your room?"
Eyan glanced away for a moment. "That's because…" He stopped mid-sentence.
"Why did you stop, Your Majesty?"
"I was deciding whether I should tell you or not."
Her eyes narrowed. "Did I… do something while I was drunk?"
"No, Lady Eva," he replied evenly. "You simply wandered into my room by mistake and fell asleep here."
Her face flushed with mortification. "Did I really…? I apologise, Your Majesty."
"It was just a mistake. You don't need to apologise." His tone softened slightly. "Besides, I wasn't even in my room —I had work, so I stayed in my office last night."
Relief crossed her features.
"So, you see," he added, "you've nothing to worry about."
Eva "i understand"
Eva pressed her fingertips against her temple, wincing.
"What's wrong, Lady Eva?" Eyan asked, stepping closer.
"My head is hurting," she admitted. "I think I drank too much last night."
"I already told Hans to prepare a hangover soup for you," he said. "Take a bath and then join me for breakfast."
"Alright…" she murmured, heading toward the door.
"Lady Eva—where are you going?"
"To take a bath."
"You can use mine."
She blinked. "No, Your Majesty… it's your room. I should use the one next door."
"It's fine," he said easily. "You can use it."
Eva hesitated before nodding. "Alright then."
Eyan remained standing where he was, watching her.
She shifted uncomfortably. "Your Majesty…"
"Yes?"
"Could you… leave? I have to change my clothes."
A faint flush crept up his neck. "Oh… right. I should—" He coughed, turning sharply before bolting out of the room, his ears burning red.
---
(Dining Hall – Royal Palace)
Eyan's face was still faintly red when he entered.
Hans eyed him suspiciously. "Your Majesty, what took you so long?"
"Nothing."
"Where is Her Highness?"
"She'll be here."
Moments later, Eva appeared, her hair damp from her bath.
"Lady Eva, please—sit down," Eyan said, gesturing to the seat beside him.
He nodded to the chief. "Bring the breakfast."
The table was soon set, and a steaming bowl of hangover soup was placed in front of her.
"Drink that—it will help with your headache," he instructed.
She took a spoonful and hummed in surprise. "Mmm… it's delicious."
"Eat more," he said with quiet satisfaction.
After breakfast, Eyan leaned back. "Lady Eva, you wanted to speak to me about something?"
Eva's eyes widened. "Oh, yes. I almost forgot." She took a breath. "Your Majesty, can you teach me swordsmanship?"
"You want to learn how to fight?"
"Yes."
His gaze sharpened. "Why? Are you in some kind of trouble? Are you afraid of someone? If anyone is threatening you, tell me the name and I'll take care of them."
"No, no, Your Majesty—it's nothing like that," she assured quickly. "I just want to learn for self-defense. If I knew how to use a sword, I could protect myself. You know I was kidnapped… I couldn't do anything. If you hadn't come, I don't know what might have happened."
Her tone softened. "So please, Your Majesty… teach me."
Eyan studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll teach you."
Her face lit up. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"But, Lady Eva," Eyan said, leaning back in his chair, "what will I get in return?"
She blinked. "Pardon?"
"For teaching you," he repeated, lips curving faintly, "what do I get?"
"You… want money?"
Hans, standing to the side, couldn't hold back a short laugh.
Eyan smirked. "So I'll get money. How much?"
"I… don't have much…"
"Lady Eva, as you can see, I already have more wealth than I could ever spend." His gaze lingered on her just a second too long, as if implying he wanted something more valuable than gold.
"Then… what do you want, Your Majesty?"
He paused, savoring the moment. "my name."
"… name?"
"Yes. I want you to call me by my name—Eyan. Not 'Your Majesty.'"
Her eyes widened. "But Your Majesty… how can I call you by your name?"
"Then I can't teach you," he said with mock finality.
She straightened. "Wait—I'll do it!"
"That's more like it." His smile was just a little too pleased.
"But only when we're alone," she bargained.
"Fine."
He studied her face, the corners of his mouth lifting. "Then say my name."
Her lips parted. "Now?"
"Yes, now."
She glanced at Hans.
"Don't worry about him," Eyan said smoothly. "You can call me by my name in front of him."
Eva took a slow breath. "E… Ey… Eyan."
His expression lit up instantly. "Perfect. Remember to call me that."
She tilted her head. "Then… you should do it too."
"Do what?"
"My name," she said, smiling faintly. "Call me by my name."
"Eva," he said, and the way he spoke it—soft, certain—made her chest warm without knowing why.
She smiled. "Now we're even."
He was still looking at her when she spoke again. "And, Your Majesty, I forgot to give you your birthday gift."
"You did?"
"Yes. I left it in the guest room yesterday. I brought it with me." She placed a small package in his hands. "Here."
He unwrapped it carefully. "Cookies."
"Eyan, I couldn't find anything else, so I made these. I hope you like them."
"Thank you, Eva…"
Hans leaned in, frowning. "Lady Eva, do these have hazelnuts?"
"Yes."
Hans glanced at Eyan apologetically. "I'm sorry, but His Majesty is allergic to hazelnuts."
Eva froze, her brows lifting. "His Majesty too?"
Hans tilted his head. "Too?"
"My husband," she said without thinking, "he's allergic to hazelnuts as well."
Hans almost choked. "Oh… what a coincidence."
Eyan's jaw tightened, but his tone stayed even. "Yes… what a coincidence indeed."
"Then you shouldn't eat these, Eyan—it's not good for you."
She reached for the plate, but he held on stubbornly.
"Eyan," She snatched the cookies away. "I'll bring something else for you next time."
His shoulders dropped as if she'd taken something far more precious. "…Alright."
"So… when should I start the training?"
"Next week."
"Alright." She glanced at the time and sighed. "It's late—I should go now."
She stood, bowing slightly. "Then, Eyan, I'll take my leave."
His voice softened. "Take care, Eva."
She smiled before walking out, leaving the faintest trace of her scent behind.
The moment the door closed, Eyan turned a withering glare toward Hans.
Hans raised his hands. "What? Why are you looking at me like that, Your Majesty?"
"If you had kept your mouth shut, Eva wouldn't have taken back her gift," Eyan said flatly.
"I was trying to help—and Her Highness didn't seem to mind," Hans argued.
"She never shows it on her face," Eyan replied, stepping closer until Hans had to lean back. "But if she got upset because of this…" His voice dropped, dangerous and quiet. "…be prepared for the consequences."
Hans swallowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Now go."
Hans gave a stiff bow and left quickly—