Eva lay curled beneath the sheets. Her lashes trembled as she stirred, her body heavy from both fatigue and the warmth lingering from the night before.
Beside her, Kyel lay on his side, his hand tucked under his head, watching her with a soft smile.
Kyel's voice was low and tender. "Good morning, princess."
Eva blinked, still groggy, but a smile spread across her lips. "Good morning, honey."
She turned her head slightly on the pillow, looking at him. "When did you wake up?"
Kyel's smile deepened, eyes never leaving her face. "A long time ago."
Eva frowned faintly. "Then why are you still in bed?"
"Because…" He leaned closer, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face. "I was watching my beautiful wife sleep."
Heat crept into Eva's cheeks. She buried her face halfway into the pillow, trying to hide her blush.
"Tell me," he murmured. His voice was filled with concern. "How's your body? Are you in pain?"
Eva shifted slightly under the sheets, her lips curving into a faint smile despite the soreness in her limbs. "I feel tired… it hurts a little… but I'm fine."
She glanced at him, her voice softening. "Thanks to you—for not going all out."
His brows drew together. "But I did."
She turned her face toward him, eyes narrowing. "No… you didn't."
This time, Kyel let out a low chuckle, clearly impressed. "You can tell?"
Her eyes met his with quiet certainty. "I can tell."
His smile faltered slightly, replaced with something gentler. "I was afraid… if I did, I might hurt you. That's why I held back."
Eva's lashes lowered, her voice barely above a whisper, words slipping out before she could stop herself. "Next time… don't hold back and go all out."
Kyel's brows knit together. "What…?"
Her eyes flew wide as heat rushed to her cheeks. She quickly turned away, burying her face into the pillow. "N-nothing."
Changing the subject, she asked, "Kyel… are you going for work today?"
He sat up slowly, running a hand through his dark hair. "Yes, I have to go. I was waiting for you to wake up first."
He stood, pulling on his shirt and pants with ease. "I'm going to take a bath. You should sleep more."
Eva nodded faintly, watching him disappear into the bathroom. She stayed in bed, her body heavy with exhaustion, her thoughts circling.
An hour later, Kyel emerged, fully dressed in a simple shirt and pants. He leaned over, gently shaking her shoulder. "Princess… princess…"
Eva stirred, opening her eyes lazily. "Are you leaving?"
"Yes…" he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Princess, I made dinner. Remember to eat it after you take a bath."
She gave a sleepy nod. "Okay."
He straightened, moving to leave. "Then I'm going."
Eva stretched her arms above her head. "Kyel… come here. Give me a hug before you go."
He smiled faintly and bent down, wrapping his arms around her. Warmth enveloped her as she sank into his chest.
"Kyel…" she murmured against him.
"I really liked the cookies you brought for me yesterday."
Kyel's body stiffened. "…Oh."
Eva tilted her face up to him, studying the sudden tension in his eyes. "Kyel… I wasn't drunk that night, right?"
His body tensed even more. "Princess… I think I should leave now."
Her voice sharpened. "Kyel, stop right there."
He froze mid-step, back stiff.
"Come back here."
Reluctantly, he turned, walking back until he stood before her again.
Eva's eyes narrowed slightly. "Look at me."
He hesitated, gaze lowering. But she reached up, cupping his face, her palms firm against his cheeks. "I wasn't drunk, right?"
Kyel swallowed. "No, you were—"
"Stop lying."
Her voice trembled, but she pressed on, her eyes never wavering. "No matter how hard I try, I don't remember drinking wine. All I remember is eating those cookies… and then jumping on you."
Her chest rose and fell as she whispered, "Kyel… I acted that way because of the cookies. There was something in them, wasn't there?"
He stayed silent, jaw tight.
"Tell me."
Still silence.
She pressed her palms to his cheeks, her eyes searching his. "Kyel… look me in the eyes and tell me what was in them."
He faltered, his voice breaking. "Aphr—"
"Say it."
His lips trembled. "…Aphrodisiacs."
Eva's mouth fell open. She covered it with both hands, eyes wide. "…What…"
Kyel panicked, reaching for her. "Princess, wait—I can explai—"
But before he could finish, Eva burst into laughter, clapping her hands together.
"Ohhh… so that's why I went wild like that."
Kyel stared at her, utterly baffled. "You're… not angry?"
"Why would I be angry?" she asked, grinning.
"Because I hid the truth. I lied to you. And… because of why those cookies were even here." His voice was raw with guilt.
Eva's laughter softened into a smile, her gaze warm. "No, I'm not angry."
"But why?" he asked, almost desperately.
Eva's eyes warmed. "Because you didn't even know what was in those cookies, right?"
Kyel's lips parted. "…How can you be so sure I didn't know?"
"Because you never gave them to me. I was the one who ate them. There's no way you would've let me if you knew. Even that night—when I lost control—you held yourself back."
Her voice wavered with emotion. "And about why you hid it… it's because you knew I'd feel embarrassed in front of you. That's why you lied. You lied to protect me."
Her smile turned tender, trembling with trust. "I know you would never lie to me without a good reason. I don't care who gave you those cookies or where they came from. You don't have to explain it."
Kyel's throat worked, emotion rising like a wave. "…Do you really trust me that much?"
"Yes." She whispered it without hesitation. "I trust you more than I trust myself."
That broke him. Kyel pulled her into his arms, clutching her tightly, as though her words had torn open a wound.
His chest heaved against her, and Eva felt the tremor in his body—he was holding something back.
"Kyel," she murmured softly, stroking his back, "don't worry. I'm not angry."
His breath hitched, his voice breaking against her ear. "Princess…"
She lifted her head slightly. "Yes?"
For a moment, his lips parted but no words came. Then, with a rawness he couldn't suppress, he said, "I love you."
Eva's lips curved into a tender smile. "I love you too."
For a long moment, they stayed in each other's arms until Kyel reluctantly pulled back.
"If you're feeling exhausted, then you should rest today. Don't go for training."
Eva shook her head. "No… I have to go. I didn't go yesterday either."
Kyel frowned. "You didn't go yesterday?"
"Yes… I went somewhere else with my friend."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Where?"
Eva's gaze flickered. "Oh… um… t—to the library."
Kyel studied her face. "…I didn't know you liked reading books."
Eva forced a smile. "I like reading books."
His gaze sharpened with curiosity. "From which writer?"
Her lips parted, but no answer came. "I—I don't know the writer's name."
Kyel's brows softened, though the question lingered in his eyes. "Oh. Okay…"
Eva quickly shifted the subject, her voice nervous, her hands tugging at the blanket. "Kyel, it's getting late. You should go now, or you'll be late."
He studied her for a moment longer, then sighed. "Okay."
With one last lingering look—half suspicion, half tenderness—Kyel rose to his feet and left for work.