(Royal Palace)
Eyan slipped into the palace through a hidden passage, moving silently so that not a soul would notice his return. Without hesitation, he entered his chamber.
He kicked off his boots and pulled his hood down, letting his hair fall loosely around his face. Dropping onto the bed, he pressed his face into the sheets.
"Finally… I can sleep in peace," he sighed, closing his eyes.
A sharp knock interrupted him.
"Now who the hell is knocking at this damn door?" he muttered, muffled against the pillow. "I just want to sleep… just let me die in peace."
Before he could get any further in his internal rant, Hans appeared in the doorway.
"Your Majesty, you're back… here is your schedule for today—"
Eyan cut him off with a glare. "Hans."
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Get out… and don't disturb me for the next five hours if you value your life."
Hans bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Without another word, he left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
Eyan exhaled, pressing back into the bed, letting the quiet of the chamber finally consume him as he surrendered to sleep.
---
Eva pressed a hand to her forehead. "Ugh… my head is killing me."
She slumped onto her chair. "I can't go to training today… why did I even drink wine last night? And I don't remember a thing…"
She stared out the window, trying to force herself to recall anything, but her mind was a blank.
Just then, a carriage rolled to a stop in front of her house.
Knock… knock.
Eva opened the door.
"Eva… how are you?"
"Aranel!" Relief washed over her, and she hugged her friend tightly.
"What are you doing here?" Eva asked as they parted slightly.
"I came to take you with me."
"Where?" Eva groaned, holding her temple.
"Stop asking questions and just go change," Aranel said with a mischievous grin.
"At least tell me where we're going… my head's already pounding."
"That headache of yours will vanish once we get there," Aranel said confidently.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Eva sighed and finally nodded. "Alright… I'll change."
Moments later, she emerged, and the two of them climbed into the carriage.
The ride ended at a grand hall in front of a magnificent building: The Velvet Athenaeum. Eva stepped out, blinking against the sunlight.
"Aranel… what is this place?"
"It's heaven," Aranel said simply.
"Heaven?"
"Yes… now, let's go inside."
She gently dragged Eva along, and as they entered, Eva's eyes widened. Shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, overflowing with books, but one section caught her attention immediately:
Romance & Fantasy – R18
Eva turned to Aranel, horrified. "No…"
"Yes," Aranel said, utterly unashamed.
"You dragged me here to read… those dirty books?!"
"They're not dirty!" Aranel protested with mock indignation. "You forget—we used to read them all the time!"
"I know… but right now, I'm not in the mood," Eva said, rubbing her temples.
"Your mood will change… just read one book," Aranel teased.
Eva narrowed her eyes. "Fine… but what's trending these days?"
Aranel pulled a book from the shelf and handed it over.
"The Scarlet Temptation"
Eva took it cautiously, flipping through the pages. "Is the male lead… handsome?"
Aranel shrugged. "I don't know if he's handsome… but he's very skilled in bed."
Eva sighed, a tiny smile tugging at her lips. "Well… that's even better."
Both of them sat on the couch, books open in their hands.
Eva's eyes scanned the page, and she immediately cringed, her hand flying to her forehead.
"Eva… what's wrong? Why are you making that face like you just bit into something sour?" Aranel leaned closer, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
Eva pointed at the page, her voice trembling slightly. "Look… this line. Right here. I… I don't even know how anyone could say something like this to another person without feeling ashamed."
Aranel leaned over and read aloud, "I want you…."
She froze. "Wait… what? Did she really just say that? To a man? How can someone say that out loud without… I don't know… fainting from embarrassment?"
Eva nodded vigorously, gripping the book tightly. "Exactly! It's insane! No one in their right mind would ever—"
Her own voice caught mid-sentence as a familiar echo hit her ears. "I want you…"
She stiffened, her hands trembling slightly. Her heart raced. What… what was that?
Aranel noticed her sudden stillness and asked softly, "Eva… what's wrong? You look like you've seen aGhost."
Eva shook her head quickly. "No… no, it's nothing. Just… just a weird line in the book, that's all."
She forced herself to turn the page, trying to focus on the text. Her eyes landed on the next line: "Please… touch me."
And then it hit her again—the echo, the memory: "Touch me… please…"
Her stomach tightened, her throat dry. "I swear I've heard this line somewhere before… but where?"
She flipped another page, reading the words "Love me."
"Love me… Kyel…"
Eva's face flushed bright red. Her hands trembled as she turned the next page.
She froze, read the next line. "Then she slipped her nightgown…"
Her mind betrayed her, replaying last night with vivid clarity—her own hands slipping her gown down, the words she had whispered to Kyel: "Look at me…"
And then the memories came in full force: the hazy room, Kyel's deep voice, the desperate kisses she had pressed upon him… the sharp slap across his face, the bite to his neck.
Eva bolted upright, clutching her mouth as if to contain the rush of emotion.
Eva glanced at Aranel, her heart pounding. No… I can't tell her. Absolutely not, she thought, swallowing hard.
"Eva… why is your face so pale and red at the same time? Are you really all right?" Aranel asked, concern lacing her tone.
Eva shook her head slightly. "Aranel… let's go back."
"But we just got here!" Aranel protested, frowning. "we finally made it to this place!"
"I remembered something important… I need to go back," Eva said firmly, gripping the books tightly.
Aranel crossed her arms, pouting. "No… I want to read the books! Don't just leave."
Eva sighed, giving in. "Okay… then let's buy these two books. We can read them at home."
"Fine…" Aranel muttered, though she followed along without argument.
Once the books were purchased, Eva didn't waste a second. She practically dragged Aranel toward the carriage.
"Eva… slowly!" Aranel warned, laughing despite herself.
Inside the carriage, Eva's leg bounced nervously against the floor, tapping with anxious energy.
"Eva, why are you tapping your feet like that? You look like a trapped little fox," Aranel said, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing," Eva muttered, pressing her lips together to stop her panic from showing.
Finally, the carriage arrived at Eva's house. She flung the door open with a loud thud and dashed inside.
"Eva! At least take your books with you!" Aranel called after her.
Eva spun around just long enough to snatch the books and wave. "See you again, Aranel! Take care!"
"But Eva—"
The door slammed shut behind her. She sank onto the floor, letting her legs fall limp, and covered her mouth with both hands.
"What… what did I do last night…?" she whispered, her voice trembling.