Eyan stormed into the training hall, his expression a storm itself, anger blazing in his eyes. Luca Veyren and Hans followed closely behind, the hall suddenly alive with tension.
Every student froze. In unison, they bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty!"
They also turned their heads toward Luca, bowing again. "High Archmage Luca Veyren."
Eyan's gaze swept the room until it settled on Eva. "Lady Eva, what happened?"
Eva's lips trembled. "It's—"
Before she could continue, Instructor Marvek stepped forward defensively. "Nothing, Your Maj—"
"Shut your mouth!" Eyan's voice cut through him like a blade.
Marvek froze under the fury in Eyan's eyes.
"Did I give you permission to speak?"
"No… Your Majesty," Marvek stammered, sweat beginning to bead his forehead.
"Then keep that mouth of yours shut," Eyan said, voice low and deadly.
Marvek swallowed hard. "Yes… Your Majesty."
Eyan's eyes softened slightly, turning back to Eva. "Now… tell me what happened."
Eva hesitated, eyes darting away.
"Don't hesitate. Just tell me," Eyan urged gently, though the heat of his anger still simmered.
"I… I—Your Majesty," Eva's voice was barely audible. "Nothing happened."
Eyan's brow furrowed. "Nothing happened?"
"Yes… nothing."
"But Hans told me that—"
"It's my fault," Eva interrupted quickly. "I overreacted, Your Majesty. It's not serious. It's not… Sir Marvek's fault. He was just teaching me… I just felt uncomfortable."
Eyan opened his mouth, but Marvek quickly interjected, defensively.
"Your Majesty, I told you—it's nothing! I only touched the lady to adjust her posture. I touch others too, and they never complained! You can ask anyone here—they saw it. I didn't do anything wrong! It's only Lady Eva who… who didn't like it."
Eyan's eyes found Eva's again, softening further.
Eva's voice dropped to a whisper. "Your Majesty… I apologize for my behavior. I won't… I won't make a fuss again. Please… forgive Instructor Marvek."
Eyan was silent for a heartbeat. Then his voice was low and decisive. "Even if you didn't touch her inappropriately… you still made her uncomfortable. You are dismissed from teaching here in the palace. Do not ever show your face to me again."
Marvek's protests died in his throat. "But Your Majesty—"
"Enough..." Luca stepped forward, his expression sharp, the air around him vibrating faintly with magic.
"Didn't you hear what His Majesty said? Don't show your face again. You've already embarrassed me enough… now leave."
"Yes… Master," Marvek whimpered, stepping back, trembling under Luca's gaze.
Eyan turned to Eva. "Lady Eva, are you all right?"
Eva straightened slightly, trying to regain composure. "Yes… Your Majesty."
Eyan exhaled slowly, tension in his shoulders easing. "Then… if everything is fine, I think I shall take my leave."
Everyone bowed as he turned, Luca and Hans close at his sides.
Marvek, voice cracking with bitterness, muttered to Eva, "Are you happy now? Because of you, I lost everything."
Eva flinched. "I… I am sorry."
"You're sorry?" he spat. "It all happened because you couldn't handle a touch from a man! Are you not familiar with a man's touch? You're married—does your husband not touch you enough that a simple adjustment makes you uncomfortable?"
Eyan froze, anger burning in his eyes. He turned back. "How dare you—"
Before he could strike, a sword flew past Eyan's shoulder and struck Marvek in the thigh. He screamed, collapsing to the floor.
Eyan's eyes widened as he glanced behind him. Luca's expression had hardened, his eyes cold as steel.
"Luca," Eyan said, voice tight.
Luca's lips curved into a dangerous smile. "You arrogant, filthy fool… how dare you speak to Lady Eva like that? Do you have a death wish?"
Marvek tried to protest through the pain. "Mas—"
"You were given forgiveness because of her," Luca continued, stepping closer, stormflame crackling faintly along his fingertips. "She even apologized to someone as lowly as you. And you repay her kindness with insults?"
Luca's glare burned into Marvek. "You fool… know your place."
Marvek tried to protest through the pain. "Mas—"
Another sword shot through the air, striking Marvek's hand. He cried out again, clutching it in agony.
Eva's eyes widened in terror.
Eyan glanced at her.
"Luca… stop…" he commanded.
Luca noticed Eva's frightened face, and his expression softened just slightly.
He gave a small, almost apologetic smile. "Please forgive me, Lady Eva. It's just… what he said angered me. I am the one who sent him here… and he insulted you. I take responsibility too."
Eva shook her head, still trembling. "No… no, it's okay."
With a wave of his hand, Luca's magic flared. Marvek vanished in a flash of stormflame, teleporting instantly back to the Magic Tower.
Luca turned to Eyan. "Your Majesty… if you are done here, shall we go back?"
Eyan's hand clenched briefly, then relaxed. "…Yes."
The two began walking, the tension in the hall slowly dissipating, though Eva's hands still trembled slightly.
Hans, shaking his head in disbelief, muttered under his breath." I always thought His Majesty was crazy… but Luca Veyren? He's crazier than the king himself."
"No wonder they get along so well."
Eyan's voice called sharply. "Hans!"
Hans dashed forward. "I'm coming, Your Majesty!"
---
Eva pressed her palm against her chest, her heart still pounding wildly from the sight she had just witnessed. Her fingers trembled as she whispered, almost to herself, "Who was that man with Eyan…?" Her voice cracked faintly. "He's… cruel."
Beside her, one of the new recruits, Mira, leaned closer, her face pale from what they had seen. "Eva, you truly don't know him?" Mira's voice carried both awe and dread. "That was the Master of the Magic Tower—Luca Veyren."
Eva's eyes widened slightly. The Master of the Tower?
Mira swallowed hard before continuing, her words shaky. "I once heard that the Tower Master is kind, always smiling… that he carried himself like a carefree child."
Her voice faltered, her gaze fixed on the scorched remains of what Luca had done. "But after witnessing this… I guess what i heard was wrong."
Eva's lips pressed into a thin line, her expression clouded. She nodded slowly, her tone quiet yet firm. "Yes… he's no kind person."
---
The sound of footsteps echoed through the long marble hallway. Eyan walked ahead with his usual calm, Luca trailing behind him with an unbothered smile, and Hans keeping a steady pace at their side.
"Luca…" Eyan's voice cut through the silence, low and controlled. "You scared her."
Luca tilted his head, almost childishly, though his words carried a darker weight. "I am sorry… but something snapped inside me when that fool dared to say such things to sister-in-law."
They entered the office together. Eyan sank into his chair, Luca casually taking the seat opposite, as if they were discussing something trivial. Hans stood by the wall, hands folded, but his sharp eyes missed nothing.
"What are you going to do with him?" Eyan asked evenly.
"Oh, that fool…" Luca muttered with a playful lilt.
"Are you going to execute him?"
Hans stiffened at the question, his thoughts running cold. An execution… for that?
"Are you insane? I'm not going to do that," Luca scoffed, shaking his head.
Hans let out the faintest breath of relief, thinking, At least he's being reasonable… not as crazy as I thought.
Then Luca's lips curved into a smile—sharp and merciless. "I'm going to burn him alive."
Hans nearly choked on his own breath. …I take that back. He's completely insane.
"Burning him alive is too much," Eyan said firmly. "Just cut his hands."
"It's not too much, Eyan," Luca retorted, his eyes narrowing. "He dared to touch and insult sister-in-law. For that alone, he should pay with his life."
Eyan's gaze lingered on him, then he leaned back in his chair with a faint sigh. "Fine. I know I can't change your mind. Do whatever you want."
Luca's grin widened, innocent and terrifying all at once. "You know me so well."