Kyel unlocked the door and stepped inside, only to be met with silence. His lips curved into a rueful smile as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"I forgot… Eva's taking extra lessons today," he muttered. "Out of luck again."
With a heavy sigh, he dropped onto the couch, the weight of the day pressing against him. He glanced at the small bag he had carried in, then slid it under the couch. "Stay hidden there," he murmured, almost like a secret.
Within moments, exhaustion overcame him, and he drifted into sleep.
Knock… knock…
"...Honey?"
His eyes snapped open at the sound of Eva's voice.
"Kyel… open the door. It's cold outside."
He sprang up, rushed to the door, and pulled it open. His face lit up with a smile the moment he saw her. The evening breeze had left her cheeks pale and her hands chilled.
Without a word, he drew her inside, wrapping his arms tightly around her.
"I missed you so much," he whispered against her hair.
Eva blinked at him, concern flickering in her eyes. "What happened?"
"I had a very bad day today," Kyel admitted, his voice low and weary. "Just… let me hold you a little longer."
She hesitated, then softened. "…Alright."
Time slipped by in the quiet warmth of their embrace. Eventually, Eva shifted slightly. "Are you done?"
"Not yet," he said, burying his face closer.
Her shoulders sagged with a sigh. "Kyel… my leg hurts."
At that, he reluctantly pulled back, guilt flashing across his face. "I'm done now."
Eva exhaled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Kyel, I'm hungry."
His hand lifted to her cheek, gentle and reassuring. "I'll cook dinner. You go and take a bath."
She gave a small nod. "Alright."
While Eva disappeared into the washroom, Kyel moved about the kitchen, preparing their meal with careful hands. By the time she returned, fresh from her bath and draped in a soft nightgown, the fragrance of cooked food filled the small house.
Her lips curved faintly. "Kyel… you already cooked?"
"Yes." He set the last dish down and wiped his hands. "I'll take a bath now, and then we'll eat."
"Okay. I'll arrange the table."
As he disappeared into the washroom, Eva moved around the room, setting plates neatly upon the table. Once done, she lowered herself onto the couch, waiting for him.
Something brushed against her foot. Startled, she bent down and pulled out a small bag.
Her brows furrowed. "What is this?"
Opening it, she found a wooden box inside. She lifted the lid, and her lips parted in surprise before curving into a smile. "Cookies…"
Her chest warmed. "Did Kyel bring this for me? But… why did he hide it here?"
She plucked one out and took a bite. The sweetness melted on her tongue. Her eyes softened. "So tasty…"
Unable to resist, she reached for another. And another. One by one, the cookies vanished into her hands until five were gone—her smile never fading as she savored each bite.
---
Kyel stepped out of the bathroom, drying his hair with a towel, his shirt clinging lightly to his damp skin.
His eyes immediately darted toward the dining table—two plates neatly arranged, steam still rising faintly from the food. But the seat where Eva should've been was empty.
"Princess…" he called softly, scanning the room.
Silence.
He frowned, his steps heavier now as he searched. "Where did she go?"
He called again, louder this time. "Princess!"
A fragile voice floated down from upstairs, soft as a thread. "Kyel…"
His heart clenched. He dropped the towel and ran up the stairs two at a time.
When he reached the bedroom, he found her lying across the bed, her nightgown tangled around her legs. Her chest rose and fell with uneven breaths, her cheeks flushed an unnatural crimson.
Kyel dropped to his knees beside her. "Eva, what's wrong?"
Her lips parted, trembling. "I—I don't know…"
His hand pressed against her forehead, panic tightening his chest. "No fever…"
Her hand clutched at his sleeve weakly, eyes glistening. "Kyel… I feel so strange. Please… do something."
"You were fine moments ago," he whispered, trying to steady his racing pulse. "What happened?"
Her lashes fluttered, her voice breaking. "I—I ate those cookies… the ones you brought me. After that… my body—it feels like it's burning."
Kyel froze. His mind jolted back to the small box he had hidden under the couch, the same ones he had received in the morning at the palace.
"Cookies…" he muttered, his throat going dry.
Eva writhed slightly under the sheets, twisting as if trying to escape her own skin. "Kyel… I can't breathe… my body feels—" She bit her lip hard, suppressing a whimper.
"Don't move, Eva," he whispered hoarsely, laying her back down and covering her trembling body with the sheet.
Without wasting another second, Kyel tore himself away and rushed downstairs. He searched frantically until his eyes landed on the hidden compartment in the wall. He ripped it open, pulling out the magic communicator.
A pale blue glow filled the room as Hans's figure shimmered into view.
"Your Majesty."
"Hans, listen carefully—bring the palace physician, Aldric. Now."
Hans's brow furrowed. "But why, Your Majesty?"
"Just do as I say!" Kyel snapped, his tone sharper than ever.
"…Understood." Hans cut the channel, leaving only the faint crackle of magic in the air.
Moments later, the physician appeared through the communicator's glow, bowing slightly.
"Your Majesty, you called."
Kyel's jaw was tight, his voice low and dangerous. "What was in those cookies you gave me this morning?"
The physician shifted uneasily. "Why do you ask, Your Majesty?"
Kyel slammed his hand against the desk, the echo sharp. "Just answer me."
The man's eyes darted away. "It… it was by your father's command not to tell you—"
"Tell me," Kyel snarled, his aura flaring, "or I will kill you where you stand."
The physician flinched, his lips trembling as he hesitated.
"Open that damn mouth of yours!" Kyel roared, his eyes blazing.
Finally, the man whispered, "A-Aphrodisiac. There were aphrodisiacs in the cookies."
Kyel's world stopped.
"What did you say?"
"It… it was His Majesty King Thalor's order," the physician stammered. "He commanded me to lace the cookies with it."
"No…" His voice broke. His chest felt crushed, the air leaving him. "No, no…"
"Damnit"