---
(Some Time Before)
The quiet of the Emperor's office was broken by a ripple of darkness pooling at his feet.
From the shadows, three massive black wolves emerged—Talon, Fen, and Mara—their eyes glowing like molten gold.
Eyan straightened in his chair, startled.
"Why are you here? I didn't call for you."
The wolves ignored him, stalking toward the far corner where a heavy wooden door stood shut. They began clawing at it, their growls low and menacing.
"What are you doing? Go back," Eyan ordered.
They didn't move. Their snarls deepened.
Eyan's brow furrowed. "What is it? Do you sense something?"
No response—only the furious scraping of claws on wood.
With a frown, he pushed the door open. The wolves shot out like streaks of black lightning, racing down the corridor.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Eyan called, breaking into a run after them.
They tore through the palace halls, finally skidding to a stop before a large, ornate door.
Eyan caught up, breathing hard. His eyes narrowed.
"That's Duke Malric Vane's room…"
The wolves' hackles rose, their teeth bared, their growls sharp and relentless.
"Do you feel danger from that room?"
They didn't answer—only fixed their unblinking gaze on the door.
Eyan stepped forward and knocked sharply.
"Duke Malric Vane. Open the door. It's me—Eyan."
---
(Inside the Room)
The sound of his voice made Eva's eyes snap open, a spark of desperate hope lighting within them.
Malric's head jerked toward the door.
"What is the Emperor doing here?"
He looked down at her, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper.
"If you make a sound… I'll tell your husband every filthy detail about that night. Got it?"
Eva's breath hitched, but she gave a small, terrified nod.
Duke Malric Vane stepped out of the chamber, closing the door behind him with a soft click. His hand lingered on the lock, turning it until the mechanism sealed with a faint snap.
"Your Majesty," he said with an attempt at composure, inclining his head. "What brings you here?"
Eyan's gaze swept over him, sharp and unreadable. "Duke… is everything all right inside?"
"Yes, why do you ask?" Malric replied quickly.
From behind Eyan, a low, guttural growl cut through the air. The three black wolves stood like statues, their amber eyes fixed on the duke with unblinking menace.
Eyan's tone cooled. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure," Malric insisted, shifting under the weight of those feral stares.
"Then why," Eyan said slowly, "are my wolves looking at you like they want to tear you apart?"
"I… don't know what's wrong with them, Your Majesty," the duke stammered. "Tell them to go."
"I already did," Eyan replied, his voice like iron. "They're not listening." He turned to the wolves briefly, then fixed Malric with a sharper look.
"Open the door."
"I told you—everything is fine," Malric said, a thin edge of panic in his voice.
"No…" Eyan's eyes narrowed. "Something is wrong. My wolves don't behave like this."
"Now Open the door."
"Your Majesty, I—"
"I said, Open The Damn Door!" The command cracked through the air like a whip.
The door creaked open under Duke Malric's trembling grip.
In an instant, the three black wolves burst into the room—fangs bared, eyes burning like molten gold.
The Duke staggered back, his face drained of color, and without a word, turned and bolted down the corridor like a man fleeing death itself.
Eyan darted in after the Wolfs.
He stepped inside—and froze.
The sight that met him stopped his heart.
Eva lay sprawled on the floor, her torn gown clinging to her blood-stained skin. Crimson streaked the marble beneath her, her hair splayed like a halo of ruin.
For a moment, the world went silent—too silent. Eyan's breath hitched, his body rooted to the spot. Then something inside him snapped.
Steel hissed as he drew his sword. His voice thundered through the halls.
"Seal the palace! Don't let anyone leave!"
Outside, Duke Malric was already tearing through the garden, his steps uneven, his body shaking. But Eyan was faster.
The sword left his hand like lightning, whistling through the air before it buried itself deep into the Duke's leg. Malric screamed, collapsing to the ground.
Eyan strode forward and wrenched the blade free, planting his boot over the wound with brutal force. Blood seeped between the Duke's fingers as he clutched at his leg.
Eyan's eyes blazed.
"How dare you…" His voice was low, lethal. He pressed harder, grinding the heel of his boot into the injury until Malric choked on his own breath.
"How dare you touch her?"
He raised his sword, the steel catching the moonlight. But before he could strike, several knights rushed forward.
"Your Majesty, please stop!"
Eyan shoved them aside with the strength of his fury, his blade lifting again for the kill—
Hans lunged between them, his hands outstretched.
"Your Majesty, please stop!"
"Get out of my way," Eyan growled, the threat dripping from his tongue. "I'll kill him."
"Your Majesty, you can kill him later," Hans said, his voice strained but steady. "Right now… think about Her Highness."
Eyan's grip tightened on the hilt.
"She needs you," Hans pressed, his tone desperate now. "Go to her."
The words cut through the haze like a blade through fog. Eyan's breath hitched, his pulse still thunderous in his ears.
"…You're right," he said, his voice low but unsteady. "I need to go to her."
Without another glance at Malric, Eyan turned on his heel and stormed back toward the chamber—toward Eva.
---
Eyan stepped into the room, his breath catching the instant his eyes fell upon her.
He crossed the distance in a few long strides, grabbing the sheet from the bed and kneeling beside her. His hands moved quickly but carefully, wrapping the fabric around her fragile form.
"Eva…"His voice, usually commanding, broke into something softer—almost desperate. Talk to me."
Eyan reaching out with trembling hands, but the moment his fingertips came close, she flinched violently.
"Please… let me go," she choked out between sobs, her body trembling as though even the air around her was dangerous.
Eyan's heart twisted. "Eva, it's me. Eyan. Don't worry—you're safe now."
He tried again, slower this time, his palm hovering just inches from her cheek.
"Don't touch me… please," she whispered, her voice cracking.
Something inside him shattered at those words. His hand froze mid-air, then slowly lowered. He forced himself back a step.
his jaw tightening as he fought to hide the storm in his chest. Her fear of him… was unbearable.
"Alright… I won't touch you. Just—don't be afraid." he said quietly, his tone laced with both restraint and pain.
"But let me help you you're bleeding, and you need treatment."
He turned sharply to the guard at the door, his voice regaining its steel.
"Bring the physician and healer here. Now."
The guard bowed and hurried away, leaving Eyan alone in the heavy silence—standing close enough to protect her, yet far enough not to scare her again.