Eva drifted deeper into sleep, the pain from her wrist slipping away, only for her mind to be pulled into a dream she could not control.
She blinked, finding herself in an unfamiliar place. Mist curled all around her, soft yet unsettling. Her voice wavered as she whispered, "Where am I?"
A man's voice answered from behind her, warm yet distant. "Welcome back, Eva."
She turned, startled, and saw a young man standing before her. He couldn't have been older than twenty—black hair framed his face, and his blue eyes carried a depth that seemed older than his years.
Her lips parted. "Who are you?"
The man chuckled, his smile tinged with something bittersweet. "Eva, you've forgotten me already? It's me—Leo."
Her eyes widened. "Leo… oh, Leo." She walked closer, her gaze searching him carefully. "You've grown up since the last time I saw you. I must say, you've become quite handsome."
She tilted her head, curiosity softening her expression. "Tell me, who do you look like more—your mother or your father?"
He hesitated, then replied, "Mother always told me I looked like my father."
A pause lingered in the air. Eva's eyes softened. "Oh…" She stepped closer, studying his face as though searching for an answer in his features.
Leo shifted, almost uncomfortable beneath her gaze. "Eva, why are you looking at me like that?"
She smiled gently. "I was only thinking… if you look like this, then your father must be very handsome too."
But his answer startled her. "I wouldn't know."
Her brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Because I never saw him," Leo said quietly. "He left me and Mother long before I was even born."
Her chest tightened, guilt washing through her as she whispered, "I… I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. You must have been so lonely."
His shoulders lifted faintly in a shrug, though his eyes betrayed a wound much deeper than his words. "It's fine. It's been a long time, Eva. I'm not alone—I have my uncle, and two others with me."
She swallowed hard, then asked carefully, "And… your mother? What happened to her?"
The answer made her eyes sting with tears. "She left me too."
Her heart broke. Her tears fell before she could stop them, and she pulled him into a desperate embrace. "Oh, Leo… it must have been so hard for you."
He wanted to cry, but his pride held him back. His voice trembled faintly. "No, it's not. I'm used to people leaving me now."
Her tears only fell harder. "No child should get used to that."
He touched her shoulder gently, his expression soft. "Don't cry, Eva. It's not good for you."
She blinked at him through her tears. "What do you mean?"
His words stumbled out too quickly. "Y-your wrist. You just had it healed, so you shouldn't cry too much."
A silence stretched between them—awkward, fragile. In his mind, he cursed himself. "That was such a stupid excuse."
And then, suddenly, Eva broke into laughter. The sound echoed through the mist, light and melodic. She covered her mouth, tears still in her eyes. "I'm sorry, but… what you just said makes no sense at all."
His face burned with embarrassment. "I know."
She kept laughing, trying to catch her breath, while he simply stared at her—his eyes warm, almost reverent.
"I wish you would always smile like that, Eva," he murmured.
Her laughter faded into a soft smile. "I will. Because I have my husband and my brother beside me. They always protect my smile… they're like my knights."
His expression darkened, and he repeated the word slowly. "Knights… you said."
She nodded. "Yes, they protect me."
His voice lowered. "But what will you do if those knights you trust so dearly… become the destroyers of your happiness?"
Her body froze, her smile fading as if struck. "What…?"
He met her eyes firmly. "Who will you go to then?"
Her voice rose, trembling with anger. "No! They would never do such a thing."
"Try to imagine it, Eva," he pressed. "If they did—what would you do? How would you endure it?"
Her hands curled into fists. "No! I don't want to imagine anything like that."
Her voice cracked with anger and fear. "I don't want to hear your nonsense anymore. I want to go back. I don't want to be in this stupid dream."
He gazed at her silently, then gave a faint nod. "Then go back. And… all the best."
The mist began to swallow her. She shouted his name once more, but her body was already being pulled away.
Eva's eyes flew open. She gasped, clutching her chest, her heart racing. The dark room around her was silent, safe, yet her breath came uneven.
"Don't be scared, Eva," she whispered to herself. "It was only a nightmare. Nothing is going to happen."
But even as she said it, unease churned in her chest. "Then why do I feel… so uneasy?"
Far away, in the mist of the dream realm, Leo stood alone where she had vanished. His voice was low, his eyes heavy with unspoken grief.
"You have a long way to fight, Eva. Be prepared for what is coming. It may break you… but hold yourself together."
And with that, his form dissolved into mist, leaving nothing behind.
---
(Royal Palace Velmoria – The Next Morning)
In front of the grand mahogany doors, Eyan paused, his hand resting against the gilded handle. His thoughts whispered like steel against stone. "Let's end this."
He entered with calm steps, his presence filling the chamber instantly. Sitting within were Emperor Darius Solvarn of Seraveth and his daughter, Princess Amara.
Eyan inclined his head with the politeness of a ruler who needed no one's approval. "Good morning, Your Majesty Emperor Darius Solvarn, and good morning to you as well, Princess Amara Solvarn."
Both rose slightly from their seats, voices measured but warm. "Good morning, Your Majesty."
Without hesitation, Eyan continued. "I came here to give you an answer regarding your proposal of marriage."
Emperor Darius's lips curled into a smile, eyes glittering with hope. "And what is your answer, Your Majesty?"
Eyan's expression remained composed, unreadable. "I must apologize, but I have to refuse."
The emperor's smile faltered. He glanced at his daughter, whose bright eyes dimmed with disappointment.
Darius pressed carefully, his tone still respectful. "May I know the reason for your refusal?"
For a moment, silence hung in the air. Eyan's gaze lowered slightly, thoughtful, before he finally replied, voice firm as iron. "I apologize, but I refuse to give you an explanation."
He let his eyes sharpen, a glare subtle yet powerful enough to send unease into the room.
Emperor Darius straightened, clearing his throat. "Oh… I see. It's quite alright, Your Majesty. You need not explain to us."
A faint smile curved Eyan's lips. "I'm glad you understand, and respect my decision."
"Of course," the emperor said stiffly.
Eyan gave a courteous nod. "The breakfast has been prepared. You both should go and eat."
"Your Majesty won't be joining us?" Darius asked, searching for some thread of closeness to hold onto.
"I apologize. There is pressing business I must attend to. I cannot join you today."
"Oh, yes, I understand. You are busy," Darius replied, though frustration flickered in his eyes.
"Then, I shall take my leave." With that, Eyan turned, and the heavy doors closed firmly behind him.
The moment he was gone, the emperor's fist clenched on the armrest. "Damn it… we were this close. I thought he would accept when he said he would consider it."
Princess Amara lowered her gaze, her voice soft with disappointment. "Father… what now?"
Darius exhaled heavily. "Now, we leave. Our main purpose here in Velmoria was the marriage proposal. Without it, there's no reason to remain."
But Amara looked at him with pleading eyes. "Father, can we not return just yet? Let us stay a few more days. I wish to roam around Velmoria… to see how vast and beautiful it truly is."
Her father studied her for a moment before his sternness softened. "As you wish, my daughter."
Together, they rose and left the chamber, heading toward the breakfast hall, their plans silently shifting with each step.