Eyan returned to the palace and pushed open the office door.
"Hans, where is Luca?" he asked immediately.
Hans bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty… Master Luca has left."
"He left?" Eyan repeated, frowning.
"He said he would be back in the evening," Hans explained.
Eyan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh."
"Your Majesty… did something happen to Master Luca?" Hans asked cautiously.
"Why do you ask?" Eyan replied, his tone measured.
Hans hesitated, then said, "It's just… he didn't look cheerful like he usually does. He seemed… a little sad when he left."
Eyan's brows furrowed. "You noticed that too?"
"You mean… you noticed it too, Your Majesty?" Hans asked, surprised.
"Something happened while I was gone to buy flowers," Eyan said quietly, a shadow crossing his face.
"Hans… tell me immediately when Luca returns," Eyan instructed.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Hans replied firmly.
"I'll ask Luca myself when he comes back," Eyan added, settling into his chair, his mind troubled.
---
(Evening)
That evening, Hans came running into Eyan's office, slightly out of breath.
"Your Majesty! Master Luca has returned!"
Eyan shot up from his seat. "He's back?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Hans replied.
"Where is he?"
"In his chamber," Hans answered promptly.
"Alright," Eyan said, his heart beating faster as he strode toward Luca's room.
He pushed the door open and called softly, "Luca?"
Luca was lying on the bed, his face buried under the sheet.
"Luca, are you sleeping?" Eyan asked.
"No…" came the muffled reply.
"Get up, I want to ask you something," Eyan said, gently tugging the sheet away.
Luca sat up lazily, rubbing his eyes. "What?"
Eyan blinked, startled. "Why do you look like that?"
Luca turned to him, his eyes swollen and red.
"Look like what?" Luca asked, voice calm but tired.
"Why… why are your eyes swollen?"
"Oh, it's nothing," Luca said with a shrug.
Eyan narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. "No… something's wrong. You've been acting like this ever since you got back from our home."
Luca sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I told you—it's nothing."
"No, something happened! Tell me what it is," Eyan insisted.
Luca stayed silent for a moment, then finally spoke. "Sister-in-law… we had a talk when you went to buy flowers."
Eyan's curiosity spiked. "What did you two talk about?"
"I… can't tell you that," Luca said firmly.
"What? Why not? Why can't you tell me?"
"Sister-in-law told me not to," Luca admitted, looking down.
"Eva did?"
"Yes… so I can't tell you."
Eyan leaned closer, eyes narrowing. "Now you've made me curious… just tell me."
"No…" Luca said quietly.
Eyan raised his voice, frustrated. "Just tell me, or I'll—"
"All right," Luca sighed, giving in.
Eyan leaned in, listening intently.
"She said… that she feels lonely," Luca whispered.
Eyan froze. "Eva… said she feels lonely?"
"Yes," Luca confirmed, swallowing hard. "And… she said she wants a child."
"A child?" Eyan's voice softened, almost disbelieving.
"Yes… a family of her own," Luca added quietly.
Eyan's expression shifted, absorbing the weight of her words. "Eva… she wants a child… a family."
Luca nodded, his lips trembling.
"What else did she say to you?" Eyan pressed gently.
"She… asked me to…" Luca's voice cracked. His eyes brimmed with tears, and suddenly he threw himself into Eyan's arms, hugging him tightly.
"Luca?!" Eyan exclaimed, patting his back. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Luca still clung to him, sobbing softly.
"Tell me… what did Eva ask you?" Eyan urged gently.
Slowly, Luca parted from the hug, sniffing heavily. "She asked me to… be the godparent of your child… and to come and live with you two, helping raise your child."
Eyan's eyes softened, a small smile tugging at his lips. "That's wonderful… you should be happy."
"Why am I crying then?" Luca sniffled, looking up at him. "Because it touched me… so much when she said that. She told me not to tell you, or you would feel bad that she's lonely."
Luca's gaze was filled with guilt. "But… because of your impatience, I broke my promise to her. Sister will kill me if she finds out."
Eyan chuckled softly. "I won't tell Eva, don't worry."
"You better not," Luca whispered firmly.
Eyan glanced at him, noticing his still-red, swollen eyes. "But why are your eyes like that?"
"I've been crying since morning… because of what she said," Luca admitted, sniffing again.
Eyan laughed warmly, shaking his head. "You're impossible."
"Stop laughing, I'm serious!" Luca protested, pouting.
Eyan's expression softened. "Okay… come here." He pulled Luca into another hug, and Luca hugged him back tightly.
"You… you can become the teacher of our child," Eyan said softly, looking him in the eyes.
Luca blinked, surprised. "What?"
"Yes," Eyan said warmly, smiling. "You can teach him… or her… magic."
Luca's eyes widened. "Really…?"
"Really," Eyan confirmed with a nod, his smile softening.
"Thank you, Eyan," Luca said, his voice full of emotion.
Eyan chuckled, brushing his hand lightly over Luca's shoulder.
Luca's face brightened further. "Then… when will I get the good news?"
Eyan raised an eyebrow. "Good news?"
"When will I receive the news about my nephew… or niece?" Luca asked eagerly, his eyes sparkling.
Eyan felt a faint blush rise to his cheeks. "You want to know… right now?"
"Yes! Tell me!" Luca said, bouncing slightly, unable to contain his excitement.
Eyan laughed softly, still blushing. "I can't tell you exactly when… but," he nudged Luca playfully, "I think you'll get the news soon."
Luca's grin widened, and he giggled, hopping in place. "I'll become an uncle soon!"
He paused, looking at Eyan. "But… why are you still here? It's night. Aren't you going back to sister-in-law?"
Eyan frowned, slightly confused. "Oh… I was about to leave after meeting you."
Luca pushed him gently toward the door. "What are you waiting for? Go to her!"
"Wait—" Eyan started, but Luca had already shut the door behind him, muttering under his breath, "Do your best, Eyan."
Luca giggled again, spinning in excitement. "I'll be an uncle soon!"
He straightened, determination in his eyes. "Let's go back to the Magic Tower. I need to prepare a gift for my nephew… or niece."
With a flourish, Luca raised his hand, and in a burst of sparkling magic, he teleported away.
---
Eva had just finished her bath and was in the kitchen, wearing a soft nightgown as she began preparing dinner.
A gentle knock at the door made her pause.
"Princess… open the door," Kyel's voice called from outside.
Drying her hands, Eva smiled. "I'm coming, honey."
She opened the door, and Kyel stood there, a warm smile lighting up his face.
"Welcome back," Eva said softly, cupping his face in her hands.
Kyel leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Come inside," Eva whispered, stepping aside.
Kyel entered, and Eva returned to the kitchen.
"Princess… what are you doing?" he asked, his voice low.
"I'm making dinner," she replied, her voice calm, though she could feel his presence pressing closer.
Without warning, Kyel closed the distance, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his chin resting lightly on her shoulder. Eva felt his warmth seep through her nightgown.
He inhaled deeply, nuzzling her hair. "Princess… you smell so… good today."
Eva's cheeks warmed. "I used a new bath oil. Do you like it?"
"Yes."
Kyel remained silent, holding her in the quiet, letting the moment stretch between them.
"Kyel…" Eva prompted softly, leaning back slightly against him.
"Yes?" he murmured, his voice low.
"Why are you so quiet today? Say something," she teased.
"I'm thinking about something," he admitted, his arms tightening around her waist.
"What… what are you thinking?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder.
He drew a slow breath. "Eva…"
"Yes?" Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
"Do you… like children?" he asked, his tone hesitant but intent, his chin brushing the soft curve of her shoulder.
"Of course I do," Eva answered, curiosity and anticipation mixing in her chest. "Why do you ask?"
Kyel hesitated, his arms holding her more tightly, the heat between them intensifying. "It's just—"
"Why did you stop... saying it..?"
Kyel's hands moved slightly, cradling her face and tightening his embrace. "Do you… want us to have a child?"
Her body flushed, warmth spreading through her as she hesitated, breath catching in her throat.
"Tell me… do you want to become a mother?" he asked, voice husky, lips brushing the side of her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
Eva's eyes softened, a small nod escaping her lips. "Yes… I want to become a mother. I want a chil—…"
Before she could finish, kyel lifted her effortlessly, placing her gently on the kitchen table.
"Kyel! What are you—" she gasped, startled but thrilled.
He tilted her head, his hands cradling her face, and pressed his lips to hers, slow and deliberate, tasting her sweetness.
Eva trembled under his touch, returning the kiss with a growing urgency, their breaths mingling, hearts pounding in unison.
Kyel pulled back just enough to whisper, his lips brushing hers, "Eva…"
Her cheeks burned, eyes glistening as she gazed at him.
"If you want it… then let's make baby tonight," he murmured, his voice low, laced with desire and love.
Eva's lips curved into a soft, excited smile. She nodded, her hands gripping his shoulders, heart racing, fully surrendering to the moment.