The three of them finished dinner together.
Lucian leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "That was the most delicious meal I've had in a very long time."
He turned toward Kyel with a grin. "Kyel, you truly have magic in your hands."
Eva smiled warmly. "I'm happy you liked it, Lady Lucina."
Lucian shook his head. "Lucian."
Eva blinked in confusion. "What?"
"It's Lucian—not Lady Lucina. Sister, you keep calling me 'Lady.' Just say my name."
Eva hesitated. "But… how can I—"
Kyel cut in firmly. "You can call her that, Eva."
Eva nodded slowly. "Alright… thank you for joining us for dinner, Lucian."
Lucian's smile softened. "No, sister, the pleasure is mine."
He rose from his chair. "Well then, I should take my leave."
Kyel's glare was sharp. "Yes, please. It's already late."
The two men walked toward the door, while Eva remained at the table, her head bowed.
Kyel frowned, turning back. "Eva, come and bid Lucina goodnight."
But she didn't move.
He narrowed his eyes. "Princ—" His voice faltered when he noticed her trembling shoulders. He rushed to her side. "Princess, are you crying?"
Eva lifted her head slightly, her eyes shimmering with tears.
Lucian hurried back as well, concern in his tone. "Sister, what's wrong?"
Eva forced a small smile through her tears. "Oh, it's nothing."
Kyel frowned deeply. "Then why are you crying?"
Lucian's voice wavered with worry. "Did I say something that hurt you?"
Eva shook her head. "No, Lucian. I'm just… happy you came here."
She wiped her eyes, smiling softly. "Kyel and I always eat alone, but tonight the food tasted so much better—because we shared it with another family member."
Lucian's expression brightened. "Family…"
Eva nodded. "Yes. Kyel has never brought anyone home before. But he brought you. Not because you grew up together or because you're his friend… but because he thinks of you as family."
Lucian turned to Kyel. "Is that true?"
Kyel quickly looked away. "No."
Eva shot him a look. "It's true. Nobody knows Kyel better than me. He's just too shy to show his love."
Lucian's eyes softened. "Kyel…"
Before Kyel could react, Lucian pulled him into a hug.
Kyel froze. "What are you doing?"
"I didn't know you loved me this much," Lucian teased.
Kyel pushed at her shoulders. "Okay, okay—now get off me."
Lucian released him reluctantly, but her eyes were shimmering with affection.
Eva clasped her hands together. "Lucian, please stay tonight. I want you to stay."
Kyel's answer was immediate. "No, Eva. She can't."
Eva clutched his shirt, pleading. "Honey, please… just for tonight."
Kyel's eyes narrowed. "That's not going to work again."
Her grip loosened. She lowered her head and let go of his shirt before bolting up the stairs.
Kyel's chest tightened. "Eva! Where are you going?"
The sound of a door slamming echoed through the house.
He chased after her. "Eva, wait!"
Lucian followed close behind.
Kyel pounded on the bedroom door. "Princess, open the door!"
Silence.
"Eva, please—open the door."
Lucian crossed her arms, glaring. "You broke her heart, you devil."
"Shut up," Kyel growled, knocking harder. "Eva, say something."
Lucian stepped forward. "Move. Let me handle this."
With a flick of her fingers, a soft glow shimmered across the lock, and the door clicked open.
She smirked. "Done."
Kyel didn't wait—he rushed inside.
Eva sat on the bed, her face buried against her knees.
He sat beside her gently. "Princess…" He reached for her hand.
But she yanked it away. "Don't touch me."
His hand froze midair.
"Eva…"
Her voice cracked. "I thought you loved me. But I guess I was wrong."
His chest tightened. "What nonsense is this? Of course I love you."
"No, you don't. If you did, you would've let Lucian stay. You've never refused me before—but tonight you did. That only means you don't love me."
Her voice cracked as she sobbed harder, shoulders trembling.
Kyel sighed, defeated. "…Alright. Fine. Lucian can stay here."
Eva's head lifted slightly, her eyes glistening. "Really?"
"Yes," he muttered, jaw tight. "She can stay."
"Are you telling the truth?"
"Yes."
"You won't go back on your words?"
Kyel exhaled heavily. "I will not. I promise."
At once, She lifted her head, her face glowing with a bright, victorious smile. "Thank you."
Kyel blinked in disbelief—her eyes were suddenly as dry as the desert. He froze. "…Wait. Eva… you were acting?"
She grinned slyly. "Yes. You didn't leave me any choice.
Now Lucian will stay—you promised, and you can't go back on your words."
Kyel stared at her, utterly shocked. "…Unbelievable."
He dragged a hand through his hair. "Fine. You win."
Lucian suddenly burst into laughter.
Kyel snapped his head toward her. "Why are you laughing?"
Lucian wiped tears from her eyes, grinning. "Because you fell for sister's trap."
Kyel's eyes widened. "You knew she was acting?"
Lucian smirked. "Yes, right away. It was obvious. You're just too stupid to notice."
Eva joined in, laughing. "He is."
Kyel groaned, his frustration spilling over. "Both of you—stop laughing!"
The room only grew louder with their laughter, leaving Kyel to sulk in defeat.
---
Kyan and Lucina sat together on the couch.
Lucina tilted her head, watching him closely. "Are you still mad?"
Kyel turned his head away without answering.
She let out a light laugh. "Ah, so you are. Tell me—are you angry because the mighty Eyan, King of Velmoria, was so easily fooled by his lovely wife?"
His jaw tightened. "You're enjoying this far too much, aren't you?"
"Very much," she replied with a mischievous grin. "I never imagined I'd see this side of you, Eyan."
"Stop calling me that," Kyel muttered, his voice sharp.
Lucina leaned back lazily. "Don't worry, Sister-in-law is upstairs. She can't hear us."
Kyel's eyes flicked toward the staircase. "What's taking Eva so long? What is she doing up there?"
Lucina shrugged. "Don't know."
After some time, soft footsteps echoed on the stairs. Eva appeared, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek.
"It's all done," she said with a small, warm smile. "I cleaned the room upstairs. You can sleep there."
Lucina stood, bowing her head slightly. "Thank you, Sister."
Eva's smile lingered. "Then… let's all go to sleep."
---
Lucina sat on the edge of the bed, running her fingers across the blanket with a satisfied sigh. "The bed is so comfy."
Eva smiled warmly. "I'm glad you like it."
Kyel turned to Eva, his voice gentle. "Princess, why don't you go to our room first? I need to have a word with Lucina."
Eva glanced between them, hesitating for a moment before nodding. "Alright…" She slipped quietly out of the room.
As the door closed, Lucina arched a brow. "So, what did you want to talk about?"
Kyel's expression hardened. "Go back to the palace."
Lucina smirked faintly. "Are you truly that bothered by my stay here?"
"I can't relax with you around," he muttered.
She stood from the bed, tilting her head. "Fine, then I'll go."
"Not now," Kyel interrupted, his tone firm. "Leave after Eva falls asleep. I'll see you in the morning at the palace."
Lucina narrowed her eyes playfully. "And if she asks why I left?"
"Don't worry about that," he said flatly.
Lucian slid back onto the bed with a careless shrug. "Alright then… fine."
Kyel gave a short nod. "Good night."
"Good night," Lucian echoed sweetly, then tilted his head. "Oh, Eyan… you do know my ears are very sharp, don't you?"
Kyel paused, frowning. "Yes… what about it?"
A grin tugged at Lucian's lips. "The rooms are only a wall apart."
Kyel narrowed his eyes. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying…" Lucian stretched lazily, his tone deliberately slow. "Make sure to keep your voices low tonight."
It took Kyel a heartbeat to process. Then realization struck. Heat rushed to his face. "…!"
Lucian laughed, eyes glinting. "I don't want to be kept awake listening to you two all ni—"
Kyel snatched a flower vase from the table and hurled it. "Enough!"
Lucian caught it with one hand, still grinning. "Why are you so angry? I'm only saying this for your own good."
Kyel turned his face away, ears and neck flushed red. He refused to let those sharp eyes see how rattled he was.
"And, Eyan…" Lucian's sing-song voice followed.
Kyel snapped, "What now?"
"I'd like to become an uncle someday," Lucian said innocently, eyes glimmering with mischief. "So make sure you work hard."
"Shut up!" Kyel barked, storming out. The door slammed behind him.
Out in the hall, he muttered under his breath, still burning. "That idiot…"
Inside the room, Lucian—no, Luca—chuckled to himself, setting the vase down neatly.
"Flustered so easily. Who would believe this is the fearsome King of Velmoria?"
He sank into the blankets, smirking. "I really should sleep now… before I laugh all night."