"Why do I look… good today?" she murmured, tilting her head slightly.
The answer rose unbidden in her mind, and her cheeks flushed as the memory washed over her—the gentle yet unyielding way his arms had held her, the warmth that had lingered long after their first night together.
That glow clinging to her skin… it was the afterglow of being loved.
Eva pressed her fingers to her burning cheeks, lowering her gaze.
"It's because of him…" she whispered, the corners of her lips curling despite herself.
Taking a steady breath, she pushed back her chair and stood, smoothing her dress.
"Now… let's go for the training."
---
(Royal Palace — Morning)
The heavy oak doors opened, and Eyan stepped inside, his steps lighter than usual.
Hans immediately bowed. "Good morning, Your Majesty."
Eyan's lips curved into a rare smile. "Good morning, Hans."
Hans blinked, tilting his head. "Forgive me, sire, but… did something good happen?"
Eyan arched a brow, still smiling faintly. "Why do you ask?"
Hans straightened, his expression earnest. "Because Your Majesty looks… unusually happy today."
Eyan chuckled under his breath. "Is it that obvious?"
"Very much so," Hans replied without hesitation.
A glimmer of amusement flickered in Eyan's eyes. "Then you're not wrong. Something good did happen."
Hans brightened. "In that case, I hope whatever it is continues to happen every day, so Your Majesty may smile more often."
Eyan gave a low laugh at that, leaning back in his chair. "Every day, hm?" His voice dipped softer, almost to himself. "That might be… a little too much."
Hans tilted his head, confused. "Pardon, sire?"
"Nothing," Eyan waved it off quickly, though the corner of his lips twitched upward again, betraying the private thought he refused to share.
Hans studied him curiously. "Then… shall I bring you the file from last night's council?"
"Yes, bring it here."
Hans placed the neat stack of parchments on the desk. "Here, Your Majesty."
Eyan's smile lingered as he reached for the file, his fingers drumming lightly on the wood as though his mind was elsewhere—on someone else.
---
Eva stepped into the training hall, adjusting the hem of her tunic. The air buzzed with chatter and movement, far livelier than usual. She paused, brows knitting.
"What's happening? Did I miss something?" she asked, glancing around.
A young recruit with braided auburn hair turned to her and quickly smiled. "Oh—Lady Eva! A new instructor came today."
Eva blinked. "A new instructor? What happened to Master Calden?"
"Master Calden has fallen ill," the recruit—Mira—explained with a shrug. "So the Tower assigned someone else to cover his lessons."
"I see…" Eva murmured, falling into step with the others as her gaze drifted toward the front.
The new instructor strode to the center, his tone smooth and commanding. "Posture decides everything in battle."
His sharp eyes swept the line of students until they fixed on her.
"You, lady—what's your name?" he demanded.
Eva's lashes fluttered as she straightened. "Eva, sir."
"Come here."
Reluctantly, she stepped forward, her simple stance reflecting neither eagerness nor fear.
"Now take your stance," he instructed.
Eva obeyed, feet shifting into position.
The instructor frowned. "No, not like this." He closed the distance, his hand brushing across her shoulder, then pressing along the line of her back.
The touch was firm—too intimate.
Eva's eyes widened, anger sparking in them. "Take your hands off me."
He chuckled softly, unfazed. "Lady, don't be shy. I only touched you there because your body was stiff."
Eva's jaw tightened. "Even so… please don't touch me again."
The words landed like a slap. The instructor stiffened, insult flashing in his eyes as the surrounding students fell into tense silence.
---
Meanwhile – Eyan's Chamber
The heavy door closed behind Eyan as he entered his chamber, loosening his cloak. He paused mid-step, eyes narrowing.
"I know you're here. Come out."
A shimmer of magic unraveled, and a tall figure appeared by the window. His voice carried a sly amusement. "How did you notice me so soon?"
Eyan exhaled through his nose. "What are you doing here, Luca?"
The man smirked, folding his arms. His silver-lined robe shimmered faintly with arcane light. "Can't I come to see my dear friend?"
I haven't seen you in ages. I thought you were dead."
Luca eyes darkened. "You know the reason why."
Eyan's teasing smile dropped, his gaze sharpening. "Did you find anything?"
"Not yet," Luca admitted.
"I've searched through everything," Luca muttered, frustration lacing his tone. "And still nothing. It's been five years since you asked me to find it."
Eyan sighed, his expression grim. "I know it's hard."
Luca's brow furrowed. "Eyan, why do you want to erase the Dragon King from existence so badly?"
Eyan's jaw tightened. "I have to do it."
"You know it's not that simple," Luca pressed.
"I know," Eyan said, quieter now. "But this is something I must do. More than anything."
Luca studied him for a long moment, then softened. "Then I'll try my best to find a way."
Eyan gave a small nod.
"Good. Now," Luca dropped into a chair casually, eyes gleaming. "Tell me—how's the disguise spell working?"
"It's working just fine."
"'Just fine?'" Luca scoffed, pretending to be offended. "I worked my hands to the bone on that spell.
Show me the ring—let me check it myself."
Eyan unbuttoned his collar, drawing out the chain.
"You wear it like this?" Luca asked, incredulous.
"Yes."
But as Eyan tugged at the chain, Luca's sharp eyes caught something. He froze, then stood abruptly.
"Wait."
Eyan blinked. "What?"
Luca stepped closer, eyes narrowing at the faint red mark blooming on Eyan's neck. His face lit with disbelief.
"What is that?"
Eyan stiffened, shifting back. "It's nothing."
"Don't lie." Luca leaned in, lips twitching in a grin. "That's exactly what I think it is, isn't it?"
"No…" Eyan muttered, avoiding his gaze.
Luca's grin widened. "That's a love bite."
"Don't tell me—"
Eyan turned away, ears tinged red.
Luca gasped dramatically. "Eyan. Are you in love? Tell me—who is that woman?"
Eyan's voice was clipped. "No, I'm not."
"You're not?"
"No."
Luca's eyes darted from the Ring and then back to Eyan.
Then his jaw dropped. "Don't tell me… you're using the disguise spell to sleep around with different women."
Eyan snapped, "Luca, are you insane?"
"I'm not!" Luca raised his hands in mock defense.
"You said you're not in love, and you won't give me her name. That means you have more than one woman, doesn't it?"
Eyan pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated.
I always thought you were a gentleman, but you—pervert."
"is that why you refuse marriage?" Luca pressed on gleefully. "So you can enjoy yourself with different women every day?"
"Shut up! What the hell are you saying." Eyan barked, voice echoing against the chamber walls.
Luca only crossed his arms, smirking. "You can do it, but I can't even say it? How unfair."
Eyan rubbed his face, torn. For a moment, he weighed his silence… but finally, he exhaled
"Fine I'll tell you."
and told him everything.
When he finished, Luca's jaw nearly hit the floor. "So you're telling me—you're married?"
Eyan nodded once.
"And she doesn't know your real identity?"
"Yes."
The sharpness in Luca's eyes melted into pure joy. He laughed, grabbing Eyan in a sudden embrace. "Eyan, I'm so happy for you! You finally found the love of your life!"
Eyan allowed a faint smile.
"Come on," Luca grinned, "let me meet her. Please, let me see her too."
"No."
Luca pouted, almost boyishly. "Don't be like that. I'm like your brother. I just want to see my sister-in-law."
Eyan's tone was firm. "You can't meet her. Not when I'm lying to her."
"…Fine," Luca muttered, lips still curved in a sulk.
A beat of silence passed before Luca asked quietly, "How long are you planning to keep it from her?"
Eyan's eyes darkened. "Until I find a way to erase The Dragon King from existence."
"Eva trusts me too much… I don't want to lie to her anymore. I want to tell her everything."
"And how do you think she'll react?"
"I don't know," Eyan admitted, almost in a whisper. "But I hope she'll forgive me."
"Then I hope nothing goes wrong," Luca said.
Knock...knock
A sharp knock echoed through the chamber.
"Enter," Eyan commanded.
The door creaked open, and Hans strode in, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty." He turned, bowing again with equal respect. "Master Luca Veyren, Archmage of the Magic Tower."
Luca waved lazily from his chair.
Eyan pinched the bridge of his nose, irritation already stirring. "Hans, I'm busy right now. You can go."
But Hans did not move. He stood planted like stone.
Eyan's eyes narrowed. "Hans, I gave you an order."
Hans's jaw worked. "Your Majesty… it is important."
Eyan let out a short, clipped sigh. "Fine. Say it."
Hans bowed again. "It is about the new instructor the Magic Tower sent. He… did something."
Luca perked up instantly, straightening in his seat. "That's the one I sent from the Tower."
"Yes," Hans confirmed.
Eyan waved a hand, impatient. "What did he do?"
Hans hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "He touched a lady while adjusting her posture… and the lady got angry."
Eyan scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "What's wrong with that? It's normal to touch someone when you correct their stance—whether it's a man or woman."
His tone was dismissive, cold. "You came here all the way to tell me this?"
Hans opened his mouth. "I—"
"Go now," Eyan cut him off, flicking his wrist.
But Hans didn't move.
Eyan's eyes sharpened, voice lowering dangerously. "Why are you still here? I told you to leav—"
Hans suddenly drew a deep breath and cut across his words, voice firm. "Lady Eva."
The name struck the air like lightning.
Eyan froze mid-motion, every muscle locking. His eyes sharpened with a dangerous glint. "…Say that again."
Hans swallowed. "It's Lady Eva he touched."
The silence stretched for half a heartbeat. Then—
Eyan's chair screeched back violently as he bolted upright, fury radiating off him in waves. Without a word, he stormed past Hans, his strides long and lethal.
Luca was already grinning as he followed. "Oh, this I cannot miss. Someone is about to die, and I'd hate to lose the chance to witness it firsthand."
Hans remained behind, His voice dropped low, filled with grim certainty. "Someone is dying today."