Eva greeted warmly, her smile radiant.
"Welcome, Lady Lucina. Please, come inside."
Lucian curved his lips politely. "Thank you…" He and Kyel stepped into the little house, her eyes scanning around with curiosity.
"What a beautiful home," Lucian said genuinely.
Eva shook her head, embarrassed. "It's not that beautiful, Lady Lucina."
Lucian tilted her head, smiling slyly. "No, truly—it is beautiful… Sister-in-law."
Eva blinked. "Sister-in-law?" She turned to Kyel, clearly startled.
Kyel coughed lightly. "Ah, let me introduce you two properly." He gestured between them. "Lucian, this is my wife, Eva."
"And Princess, this is Lucian A close friend of mine."
"We grew up together in the orphanage." Kyel added.
Lucian gave a dramatic pout. "Not just a friend. He's like my brother, Sister-in-law."
Eva's expression softened immediately, her heart warming. "Oh… so you two grew up together. This is the first time Kyel has ever brought a friend here."
Lucian smirked. "Well, Kyel never really had friends. I suppose I'm the first."
Eva laughed gently, covering her lips with her hand. "Yes… that makes sense."
Kyel quickly changed the subject, almost too quickly. "What were you doing, Princess?"
Eva glanced toward the kitchen. "I was making dinner. But—" she turned toward Lucian apologetically—"I didn't know we'd have a guest. I didn't prepare enough… I should make something else."
Kyel immediately cut her off. "Don't worry. Lucian won't be staying for dinner."
Eva frowned. "Why not?"
"Because… she's busy." Kyel raised a brow at Lucian, who quickly nodded.
"Right. I have something to do," Lucian said smoothly. "I only came to greet you, Sister-in-law."
"Then if you're done, you should go," Kyel said firmly, pushing lucian to door.
Eva's voice rose. "No! You can't just go like this."
Both Kyel and Lucian froze by the door.
Eva stepped closer, her hands gently clasping Lucian's. "Please stay for dinner."
Kyel's eyes widened. His stomach dropped. "Eva, let go of her hands." He tried to wedge his fingers between theirs, panic evident.
But Eva only tightened her hold. "No. I won't let go until she agrees."
"Eva, she can't stay." Kyel gritted his teeth, trying to pry them apart.
"Lucian—you should go." Kyel said.
Eva glared at him, her eyes flashing. "Why are you in such a hurry to send Lady Lucina away?"
"Listen, Kyel." Eva's voice was firm, her chin lifted stubbornly. "If Lady Lucina doesn't stay for dinner, then I'll starve myself too."
"Princess!" Kyel groaned, ruffling his hair in frustration. "Why are you being so stubborn?"
"I'm not. I'm serious."
Kyel shot Lucian a deadly glare. The so-called 'lady' tried not to laugh. Finally, Kyel exhaled sharply. "…Fine. Lucian can stay. But just for dinner."
Eva's arms opened wide, her face glowing.
"Thank you, Lady Lucina. Let me hug you properly!"
She stepped forward, but before Lucian could even blink, Kyel moved like a lightning bolt. He wedged himself between them, arms spread like a human barricade.
Eva bumped into his chest with a soft thud. "Kyel!" She frowned, pushing at him. "What are you doing? Step aside."
"No." His voice was flat, stubborn as a mountain.
"Kyel!" Eva gasped. "Step aside. I want to hug Lady Lucina."
"No. You can't." His reply was instant.
Lucian, behind him, nearly burst into laughter, covering her mouth.
Eva tried to slip around him, but Kyel shuffled left. She tried the other side—he shuffled right, blocking every attempt.
It turned into a ridiculous dance, Eva huffing, Kyel twisting, his large frame shadowing Lucian completely.
Eva blinked, baffled. "Kyel Why are you behaving like this.?"
Kyel averted his eyes, searching desperately for an excuse. "Because…"
His gaze darted toward the kitchen, relief striking him like lightning. "Because your food is burning!"
Eva's eyes went round. She spun toward the kitchen. "Ah! The stew!" She gathered her skirts and darted away, panic-stricken.
Kyel exhaled hard, running a hand down his face.
From behind him came Lucian's muffled chuckle. "That was the most ridiculous hug-block I've ever seen. You looked like a giant scarecrow protecting his crops."
Kyel shot him a glare sharp enough to kill. "Shut up."
Kyel whispering harshly. "I told you not to anything stupid."
Lucian raised his hands innocently. "What did I do? Sister-in-law was the one who grabbed my hand."
"She only did that because she thinks you're a woman," Kyel hissed.
Lucian smirked. "Mm. Then I suppose I'll have to be more careful… Brother."
Kyel narrowed his eyes. "You'd better."
From the kitchen came Eva's flustered voice, "Oh no! Kyel, I think the stew is ruined!"
Kyel turning back. "i'm coming Princess."
Lucian leaned back, grinning ear to ear. "Ah, dinner is going to be very interesting tonight."
Eva's face fell as she stared at the blackened pot. "Kyel…I ruined everything."
Kyel, who had just stepped inside, tilted his head. "What happened?"
"The stew—it's all burnt…" Eva sighed, reaching for the hot pan in panic.
Kyel quickly caught her hand, his voice firm. "Stop. You'll burn yourself. Let me."
He took the pot off the stove with ease, setting it aside.
Eva lowered her head, her voice small. "I'm sorry."
Kyel shook his head, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. "Why are you saying sorry? It's not your fault."
"But—" Eva still looked miserable.
Kyel gave her hand a gentle pat, softening his tone. "Princess, don't be sad. I'll just make something else."
From behind them, Lucina spoke up with surprise. "Kyel, you can cook? I didn't know that."
Eva glanced at her and smiled faintly. "Yes, he can, Lady Lucina."
Lucina's lips curved playfully. "Then I suppose I'll have the honor of tasting his food tonight."
Eva's mood lifted a little, smiling brighter.
Kyel looked back at her. "What do you want to eat, Eva?"
Eva opened her mouth. "I—"
Lucina jumped in quickly. "Oh, I want to eat roasted duck with herbs!"
Kyel's head snapped toward her, his eyes sharp. "I didn't ask you."
Eva immediately stepped in, smoothing the tension. "Lady Lucina, you want to eat roasted duck?"
Lucina's expression fell in mock sadness. "Yes…but I guess Kyel can't cook that for me."
Eva turned her hopeful eyes to Kyel. "Can you cook it?"
Kyel's jaw tightened, but he muttered, "Fine."
Eva beamed. "Thank you."
Lucina clasped her hands dramatically. "And I also want to eat mushroom stew."
Eva, still smiling, turned to Kyel with eyes wide and expectant.
Kyel stared at her, then sighed. "…Okay. I'll make that too."
Lucina leaned against the table, smirking. "Since you're at it, Kyel, make something sweet as well—perhaps honey cakes."
Kyel tapped the kitchen counter hard, glaring at her. "That's enough. Why do you want to eat so many things? I'm not making all that."
Lucina gasped theatrically. "Oh…I'm sorry.
"Then I'll just go home..."
Eva hurried to her side, clutching her dress. "No, please don't go! Kyel will make it for you."
Lucina sniffed. "But he just said he wouldn't."
Eva turned, running to Kyel with pleading eyes. "Honey…" She blinked up at him like a child begging for candy.
Kyel looked away, trying to resist. "Don't look at me like that. I'm not gonna mak—."
Eva leaned closer, her lips brushing against his ear. "If you make it…" she whispered softly, "I'll give you a kiss."
Kyel's head snapped back toward her, his entire expression changing. A grin spread across his face. "You promise?"
Eva nodded, cheeks warm.
Kyel chuckled, utterly defeated. "Alright then. I'll make it."
Lucina hid her laughter behind her hand and murmured under her breath, "Sister-in-law truly knows how to handle him."