---
Eyan stood near the wall, arms crossed, watching silently as the physician treated Eva's hand. She sat still, the faint sting of the ointment making her flinch once or twice.
The door opened. Hans stepped inside and bowed. "Your Majesty, what happened?"
"Eva got hurt," Eyan replied curtly.
Hans's gaze shifted to Eva. "Your Majesty… did you perhaps put too much strength into your training?"
Eva shook her head quickly. "No… no, Mr. Hans. It's my fault. I'm too weak—I couldn't even take the impact."
"You are not weak, Lady Eva," Hans said warmly. "It's just that His Majesty is… too strong."
Eyan glanced at Hans. "Hans, come with me."
Before leaving, Eyan looked at Eva. "You should go back home after the treatment."
"Fine," she replied softly.
Once outside, the two men walked down the corridor.
"Hans," Eyan began, his voice low, "I don't think I can teach her."
"Why, Your Majesty?"
"she got hurt just from the impact of my strike."
Hans nodded. "That's true. Even the best knight in the Imperial Army can't handle your strength."
Eyan frowned. "Then what should I do?"
"Your Majesty… how about letting Her Highness train with the new recruits?"
Eyan slowed to a stop, considering. "You're right. There are female recruits—she can learn alongside them."
"That's right, Your Majesty."
"Then let's do that," Eyan agreed.
---
(Evening)
Kyel knocked on the door, but there was no answer. His brow furrowed. He tried again—still silence. Finally, he took out his key and unlocked the door.
"Princess…?"
The room was quiet. He moved through the small space, heading toward the bedroom.
There, Eva lay curled beneath a sheet, her face hidden.
Kyel approached slowly. "Princess… are you sick?"
She lowered the sheet just enough to reveal her tired eyes. "Kyel… you came back."
"You went to training today. What happened?" he asked gently.
"I got hurt on my first day."
"Where?"
She slipped her hand out from under the covers. "My hands."
Kyel took it carefully in his own, his thumb brushing over the reddened skin. "It's still red."
Eva sighed. "Yes… I even got shouted at by the Emperor."
"I am sorry."
She blinked. "It was the Emperor who shouted. Why are you apologizing?"
"You're sad," he said simply, "and I couldn't help you with that."
Eva sat up, the sheet falling from her shoulders. "No, Kyel… I'm not sad. Just… a little disappointed in myself."
She cupped his face in her hands. "Today was only my first day. I'm sure I'll do better next time. And I won't get hurt."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She pulled him into an embrace. "Sorry for making you worry."
Kyel's arms wrapped around her, holding her close.
---
(Three days later)
Eva stepped into Eyan's office, the faint scent of parchment and ink lingering in the air.
Eyan looked up from the stack of documents on his desk. "Eva, how are your hands?"
She flexed her fingers slightly. "It's fine now."
"Good." He leaned back in his chair. "Starting today, you'll begin training with the new recruits."
Her brows rose. "New recruits?"
"Yes," he confirmed. "You'll train alongside them. If you find it too difficult or face any problems…" His eyes softened almost imperceptibly. "…you can come to me anytime."
Eva hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Alright."
Eyan turned toward Hans, who stood patiently at the side. "Hans, lead her to the training hall. Tell the instructor not to be too strict with her."
Hans bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Then you should go now," Eyan said, returning his gaze to Eva.
She lowered her head in a polite bow before following Hans out of the office.
----
(After 1 month)
The steady scratching of a quill was the only sound in the Emperor's office when Hans stepped inside.
"Your Majesty," Hans announced, bowing slightly, "Duke Malric Vane from Ravencourt has sent a letter."
Eyan didn't look up from the papers before him. "What did he say?"
"The Duke will be visiting the Royal Palace," Hans replied, "with his wife, Lady Serenya Vane."
Eyan's quill paused mid-stroke. His gaze lifted, sharp and questioning. "With his wife?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A faint crease formed between Eyan's brows. "I didn't expect the Duke to travel with her."
Hans tilted his head slightly. "Why is that, Your Majesty?"
"Duke Malric Vane," Eyan said, leaning back in his chair, "is a notorious philanderer—known for more affairs than I care to count."
Hans's eyes widened. "Truly?"
"They even filed a petition for divorce last winter," Eyan continued. "That's why I'm… surprised to hear they're arriving together."
He set the quill aside. "Tell the servants to prepare suitable chambers for them."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Hans turned to leave.
"And—"
Hans paused at the doorway. "Yes?"
"How is Eva's training going?"
Hans's expression warmed slightly. "Her Highness is doing well, Your Majesty. She's improved a great deal."
Eyan's lips curved into the barest hint of a smile. "That's good."
---
The soft knock on the door pulled Eva from her thoughts. She pushed herself up from the chair and opened it to find Kyel standing there, the faint scent of dust and wood clinging to him from his day's labor.
"I'm back, princess," he said, his voice carrying that quiet warmth she'd grown used to.
She managed a small smile. "Welcome home, honey."
Kyel's brows drew together. "Princess, why the dry welcome? I've been gone for a week, and you don't even look happy to see me."
Eva sank back into the chair with a sigh. "I am happy to see you… I'm just feeling so tired."
His gaze softened. "Because of the training?"
"Yes," she murmured, leaning her head against the chair's back. "My whole body aches."
Without another word, Kyel stepped behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. His palms were warm and firm, kneading away the tension.
"How do you feel now?" he asked quietly.
A breathy sigh escaped her lips. "That feels… good. Thank you."
"Relax your body," he coaxed.
She let her shoulders loosen beneath his touch, the knots slowly easing.
"You should take a day off if you're this tired," he suggested.
She shook her head. "No, I don't want to."
"Why not?"
"If I take a day off, I'll just become lazy again."
"That's not how it works, Eva—it's just one day's rest."
"It works like that for me," she countered softly, "you don't know how my body works."
His hands stilled for a moment, then resumed their slow, careful pressure. "Then I'll give you a massage every day. How does that sound?"
Eva glanced back at him, her lips curling into a faint, almost shy smile. "Thank you."