Eyan's eyes narrowed, his voice sharp. "What did you just say? You told her she looks like your dead sister?"
Luca lowered his head, shame flickering across his blood-stained face. "Yes."
"Are you out of your mind, Luca?" Eyan's tone cut through the air like steel. "You played with her emotions. Why would you lie to her like that? Do you even realize how much it will hurt her if she ever finds out?"
Luca's expression faltered, sadness settling into his features. "I didn't mean to lie to her… not to sister-in-law. I only wanted her to call me brother-in-law. You know I don't have anyone besides you. You and your father… you're the only family I've ever had." His voice wavered, carrying the weight of his loneliness.
He looked away, eyes glistening. "When she said she wanted me to become her family, to help raise your child with her… I couldn't stop myself. I wanted her to see me—me, as Luca. Not as Lucian, not as anything else." His voice cracked. "That's all."
Eyan's anger softened at the sight of Luca's downcast face. He sighed, his words hesitant. "Even so…" He stopped, the rest of his reprimand dissolving when he saw the despair in Luca's eyes. Finally, he muttered, "Fine. But now that you've said it, make sure she never finds out."
Luca nodded quietly. "Alright."
Eyan sank into a chair, his sharp gaze sweeping over him. "And how long are you going to stand there, covered in blood? Heal yourself already."
"Oh. Right." Luca lifted his hand, and the faint shimmer of magic sealed his wounds. He let out a breath. "Done."
"That's better," Eyan said, his voice softer now. "Go to Eva. She's alone."
Luca frowned. "Why me? You should go to her."
"I can't," Eyan admitted, pressing his palm against his face. "After the way I behaved in front of her, she must be angry. I even shouted at her… I've never done that to her before." His voice grew heavy, laced with regret. "I feel so damn guilty right now. My heart aches just thinking about it."
His hand slipped down, revealing eyes clouded with remorse. "And when you see her… heal her wrist for me."
Luca blinked. "Her wrist?"
"I grabbed her hand too tightly," Eyan said quietly, shame dripping from every word. "She told me it hurt, but I didn't listen. I just—" He drew in a sharp breath. "I want to go to her, but I can't. So you go. Take care of her for me. Please, Luca."
The desperation in his voice made Luca's chest tighten. "Yes," he whispered. "Yes, of course. Don't worry—I'll talk to her. I'll explain everything."
Eyan's eyes narrowed with caution. "And what exactly do you plan on explaining?"
"Why you struck me like that," Luca said firmly. "And… other things."
"Fine. But keep your mouth under control. Don't make another mistake like you did just now."
"I understand," Luca answered, determined.
"Good. Now go."
Luca turned, taking a few steps before pausing. His voice softened, carrying a rare tenderness. "And Eyan… don't worry about the man who insulted her. I'll handle him."
Eyan's lips curved into the faintest nod of trust. "I know you will."
Luca gave a small smile before leaving the room, the weight of both guilt and responsibility pressing on his shoulders.
---
In the quiet corridor outside Eyan's chamber, Luca approached with determined steps. Two guards stood firm at the door, their spears crossed before him.
"Open the door," he ordered, his tone carrying a sharp edge.
One of the guards shifted uncomfortably but held his ground. "Master Luca, His Majesty commanded us not to allow any meeting between you and Lady Eva."
Luca's jaw tightened. He lowered his voice, but it carried the weight of authority. "And yet, it was His Majesty himself who sent me here. He wants me to see Lady Eva—so open the door."
The guards exchanged uncertain glances. For a moment, silence stretched heavy in the hallway. Finally, with a reluctant nod, one of them stepped aside and unlatched the door.
The iron hinges creaked as the chamber door swung inward, revealing the dim light of the room within.
Luca stepped quietly into the chamber. Eva, who had been sitting in the chair by the window, immediately rose to her feet, her face pale with worry.
"Brother, are you all right?" she asked, hurrying toward him.
A faint smile touched Luca's lips. "I'm fine, sister. Look." He tilted his head and brushed back his hair, revealing his unblemished face. "All healed. Not a scratch left."
Her brows knit together. "But you were injured… how did you—"
He gave a soft chuckle. "Sister, did you forget? I am the master of the Magic Tower. Healing myself is child's play."
"Oh," she murmured, relief flickering across her face. "Right… you can use magic."
"Yes." He nodded lightly, but his gaze held a seriousness that unsettled her.
Then Eva frowned. "Wait… if you can wield magic, then why didn't you defend yourself when His Majesty was…" Her words faltered, the memory of Eyan's violence flashing in her mind. "When he struck you?"
Luca's expression darkened. "That's true. I could have fought back… but it would have been useless."
"Useless?" she echoed, confusion clouding her eyes. "Why?"
He lowered his voice. "Because my magic does not work on Eyan."
Eva froze. "What? Your magic doesn't work… on him?"
"That's right," Luca said gravely.
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "But… why?"
He let out a slow breath, as though revealing a truth that weighed heavily on him. "It's because of The Dragon King Zeradros."
Eva's eyes widened. "The Dragon King?"
"Yes." Luca's tone was firm. "Eyan is a direct descendant of King Aldric Therald—the one who sacrificed his life to seal away the Dragon King, Zeradros."
"That bloodline carries The Dragon King's protection. No spell, no matter how strong, will ever work against them."
Eva's lips parted, disbelief flooding her. "I've heard the stories… the ones about the royal family guarding the Dragon King's seal. I thought they were only fairy tales."
She drew in a sharp breath. "So The Dragon King is real."
Luca gave a solemn nod. "Very real."
Her gaze drifted, almost dreamlike. "I wonder… what does the Dragon King even look like?"
A shadow passed through Luca's expression. "No one knows," he said quietly. "No living soul has seen its true form."
Eva tilted her head slightly, curiosity brightening her eyes. "So… the Dragon King's name is Zeradros?"
"Yes," Luca confirmed softly. "That is his name."
Her brows arched. "Brother, you seem to know so much about him."
A flicker of unease passed through Luca's face before he quickly masked it. "I've… been doing my research on him."
"For what purpose?" she pressed.
His heart gave a nervous jump. "Oh—it's nothing serious. Just simple curiosity, that's all."
Eva gave a small nod, accepting his words too easily. "Oh… I see. Well, that aside…" Her tone shifted, more casual now. "How did you get out of the room? I thought Eyan had confined you."
Luca straightened, relief that she had dropped the subject washing over him. "It was Eyan who released me."
Her eyes widened. "So you two made up already?"
"Yes."
"That was fast," she said with a faint smile.
Luca returned it, though his expression carried a trace of weariness. "We always fight like this, but we make peace just as quickly."
Eva hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Brother… why are you so against Eyan's marriage proposal? I think Princess Amara Solvarn is very suitable for him. They look good together, and she's kind too."
Luca's head snapped toward her, disbelief written across his face. "They look good together? From which angle, exactly?"
"From every angle," Eva said without hesitation, a hint of warmth in her tone.
Luca's frustration surged, though he kept his expression composed. "Sister-in-law, if only you knew the truth… If only you knew that you are his wife, you wouldn't say such things about another woman standing beside him."
He let out a sigh, forcing himself to remain calm. "I don't agree with you," he muttered. "They don't suit each other."
Inside, however, his thoughts burned with conviction. "Because Eyan only looks good with you."
A faint smile tugged at his lips before he could stop it.
Eva blinked at him curiously. "Why are you smiling, brother?"
"Nothing," he answered quickly, shaking his head.
But then his eyes caught sight of her wrist. His smile faded. "Sister… your wrist, it's swollen."
She looked down, finally noticing the faint redness around her delicate skin. "Oh. Right… it hurts. Eyan grabbed my hand too tightly."
Concern flashed across Luca's features. "Let me heal it with magic."
He raised his hand, murmuring the incantation. A soft light flared briefly around her wrist—then fizzled out.
His brows furrowed. "What? Why isn't it working?"
Eva flexed her fingers. "It's not healing?"
"No…" His voice was low with disbelief. "I'll try again."
Once more, his magic flared and then vanished, leaving the injury untouched. Confusion etched across his face. "It's still not working. What's going on?"
Eva touched his arm gently. "It's all right, brother. My hand will heal on its own."
Luca shook his head, still unsettled. "No. Let's go to the palace physician. It's better that way."
"All right," she agreed softly.
Together, they stepped out of the chamber, heading down the quiet halls toward the physician's wing.
Luca glanced at his own hands, unease tightening in his chest. "Strange… why didn't my power work on her?"
His thoughts grew heavier with each step. "I should investigate this later."