The corridor was quiet, the faint glow of lanterns spilling over the marble floor as Eva walked beside Luca, her left hand clutched tightly around her fractured wrist.
"Sister, does it hurt that much?" Luca's voice carried gentle concern, his eyes darting to her trembling fingers.
Eva exhaled softly, her lips tightening. "It does."
"Then you should return home," Luca said at once. "I'll prepare the healing potion myself. Once it's done, I'll bring it to you, all right?"
Eva gave a small nod. "Okay."
"Stand there—just like that," he instructed, positioning her near the wall. "I'll send you back with my teleportation spell."
He raised his hand, murmuring the incantation. The air shimmered briefly—then fell flat. The magic failed.
Luca blinked, confused. "...My spell?"
Eva frowned, stepping closer. "What's wrong, brother?"
He shook his head slowly, still bewildered. "My magic... it's not working."
Her expression tightened with worry. "What? But why? Is something wrong?"
"i don't know..." he muttered, more to himself than to her. His thoughts raced.
It was working perfectly when I healed myself earlier... so why not now, with her?
His gaze drifted instinctively to Eva's hand—more precisely, to the wedding ring glinting faintly on her finger.
Oh... I forgot. I placed a protection spell on that ring. That must be the reason my magic won't work on her.
"So that's why..." he whispered under his breath.
Eva tilted her head. "What did you say?"
Luca forced a casual smile. "Nothing."
A minute of silence passed before he finally spoke again. "Sister, I'll have a guard escort you back in a carriage instead. Go home and get some rest."
Eva nodded softly. "All right." She turned, preparing to leave.
But before she could take more than a few steps, Luca's voice stopped her. "Sister."
She turned back. "Yes?"
He hesitated, then said quietly, "You... you don't resent Eyan, do you? For what he did?"
Eva's gaze softened, her lips curving faintly. "Don't worry, brother. I don't hate him."
Her heart whispered a truth she couldn't voice aloud: For some reason, I can't hate him. I don't know why.
Even as she told herself she should—after everything he had done—her chest ached with an inexplicable pull. Why do I feel this way about the man I swore to avoid? Why does the thought of hating him feel impossible?
Relief washed across Luca's features, and he smiled, almost boyishly. "Thank you."
With that, Eva gave him a small nod and finally left down the corridor, the sound of her footsteps fading into silence.
Luca watched as Eva's figure disappeared down the corridor, her steps fading into silence. A sigh escaped him. "I should return to the Magic Tower as well."
He raised his hand, fingers glowing faintly as he began the teleportation incantation—
"Oh, look who it is."
The voice cut sharply through the air, halting his spell.
Luca turned swiftly, lowering his hand. "Your Highness."
Prince Velco stood a short distance away, his lips curved in a faint, knowing smile. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and calculation.
"The great mage of Velmoria," Velco drawled, his tone smooth, almost mocking. "I've heard much about you. At last, I finally get the chance to meet you in person."
Luca forced a polite smile, masking his unease. "Your Highness flatters me. How has your stay in Velmoria been? You have been here since His Majesty's birthday, if I'm not mistaken."
Velco's smile widened, his hands clasping loosely behind his back. "Ah, yes. Velmoria has proven... fascinating. There is so much here to see. So much to learn."
Luca inclined his head slightly. "I'm glad it pleases you."
A brief silence followed, during which Velco's gaze lingered on him, sharp and assessing. Luca felt the weight of it, though he refused to flinch.
At last, Luca spoke. "Forgive my rudeness, Your Highness. I have urgent matters awaiting me at the Magic Tower. I must take my leave."
Velco's smirk did not falter. "Of course."
Without another word, Luca lifted his hand once more, arcane light spilling across his fingertips. In a swirl of magic, he vanished, leaving Velco standing alone in the corridor.
Velco's smile remained, but his eyes darkened with intrigue.
---
Prince Velco returned to his chamber, the heavy doors closing behind him with a quiet thud. The dim light of the torches cast long shadows across the stone walls. With a low sound—half whistle, half snap—he summoned his spy.
Moments later, a cloaked figure slipped inside and bowed. "Your Highness, Prince Velco."
Velco's eyes narrowed. In a flash, his hand shot out, gripping the spy's throat. The man gasped, choking, as Velco's voice dropped to a venomous growl.
"You fool. You dare bring me false news?"
The spy struggled, clutching at Velco's hand. "Your Highness—I never lied!"
"Did you not tell me Luca and Eyan had fought?" Velco's grip tightened, fury radiating from him.
"Y-Yes, Your Highness, I saw it with my own eyes!"
Velco's gaze was ice. "With your own eyes, you say? Then tell me this—why was Luca roaming the palace freely, without a single bruise? Do you truly think anyone who stepped against Eyan could stand on their feet without so much as a scratch on their face? He should have been bloodied—broken—after taking even one of Eyan's blows."
The spy's face reddened as he gasped. "Your Highness, I swear on my life—I am not lying!"
Velco studied him coldly for a moment longer before releasing his grip. The spy collapsed to his knees, clutching his throat and sucking in ragged breaths.
Velco straightened, his voice low but sharp. "If your words are true... then something is amiss within this palace."
He paced slowly, his mind already working. "You also said Luca called Lady Eva... sister?"
The spy, still trembling, nodded quickly. "Yes, Your Highness. I heard it with my own ears."
Velco's expression darkened, his thoughts sharpening like a blade. Why would he call her that? What bond ties them together?
Silence lingered as Velco contemplated, before he turned back to the spy.
"From today onward, you will follow Lady Eva. Watch her carefully. Report everything."
He flicked his finger, and another figure emerged from the shadows—a second spy, this one leaner, his presence sharper, more dangerous.
The man knelt. "Your order, Your Highness?"
Velco's lips curved faintly. "You are one of my finest. From this moment, you will shadow the Master of the Magic Tower. Luca is sharp—sharper than most. Be certain he never senses you. I want every detail of his movements. Every word. Every secret."
The spy bowed his head. "Yes, Your Highness. Do not worry. I will not fail."
Velco's smirk deepened. "Good."
He waved his hand dismissively. "Now—both of you, go."
The two spies lowered themselves in deep bows before slipping back into the shadows, leaving Velco alone in his chamber.
He stood in silence for a long moment, the firelight flickering in his calculating eyes.