Eva lay on the couch, her thoughts still tangled with the strange weight of Leo's words. Her chest felt tight, as though her heart had been carrying an invisible burden all along.
A sudden knock echoed against the door.
"Princess, open the door," came Kyel's gentle voice.
Slowly, she stood and pulled the door open. The moment his figure appeared, tall and familiar in the doorway, Eva couldn't hold herself back. She threw her arms around him, her tears spilling as though she had been waiting for this very moment to collapse.
"Eva?" Kyel's arms came around her, steady and warm. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
"I don't know," her voice broke against his chest. "I just… I just want to cry. Stay like this for a while, please."
Kyel held her tighter, his grip firm as if shielding her from an unseen storm, letting her weep until her heart had no more to pour out. Time blurred until, at last, her sobs softened. When she finally lifted her gaze, Kyel brushed his thumb gently beneath her eyes, wiping the lingering tears away.
"Your eyes are swollen," he murmured, studying her with quiet concern. "Do you feel better now?"
Eva nodded faintly.
"Come," he guided her back to the couch, easing her down to sit. "Do you want to eat something?"
She shook her head. "No."
"Why not? Are you not hungry?"
"I don't feel like eating," she admitted softly.
His brows furrowed. "Tell me why were you crying?"
"I don't know," she whispered, her voice fragile. "For some reason, I can't control my emotions."
Kyel's jaw tightened. "Should I call for the physician?"
"No." She shook her head firmly.
"But you said you aren't feeling well."
"Maybe…" she hesitated, glancing at her hand, "maybe it's because of the healing potion I drank last night. brother brought it for me."
She lifted her wrist to show him. "It's all healed now."
Kyel took her hand into his, his lips brushing against the tender spot on her wrist with a reverence that made her chest ache.
"It must have hurt a lot," he said quietly.
"It did," Eva admitted.
"I'm sorry," his words came out low, almost a whisper.
Her brows furrowed. "Why are you apologizing?"
But Kyel only pressed his lips together, his thoughts hidden. I apologize for always hurting you, his heart whispered where his voice would not.
"Kyel? What happened?" she asked softly, searching his eyes.
"Nothing." He shook his head, then paused, silence stretching between them before he finally spoke again.
"Eva," he said, his tone lighter now, almost hopeful. "Let's go on a date today. It's been so long since we last went anywhere together. I'm sure you'll feel better if you go out."
Her lips curved into the faintest smile, her tears at last giving way to something gentler. "Okay… let's go on a date."
A rare smile spread across his face, soft yet earnest. "Then it's settled. Let's go."
---
The lively hum of Velmoria's market surrounded her—merchants calling out their wares, the fragrance of spices mingling with the sweetness of candied fruits, the shimmer of silks swaying in the breeze. Princess Amara Solvarn moved quietly through the crowded street, her face veiled beneath a light scarf. Her wide eyes sparkled with childlike wonder as she took in the vibrant sights.
So many beautiful things, she thought, her lips parting in awe.
A voice called out behind her, smooth yet tinged with amusement.
"I did not expect to see you here, Princess."
Amara froze, then turned swiftly. Her heart tightened when her gaze landed on the tall figure of Prince Velco Morvalis. She lowered her head in a respectful bow.
"Nor did I expect to see you here, Your Highness," she replied. "But tell me, how did you recognize me?"
Velco's lips curved into a sly smile. "There are not so many beautiful ladies like the Princess of Seraveth. How could I fail to recognize you?"
A faint blush warmed her cheeks, though she quickly masked it with a polite smile. "You flatter me, Your Highness."
Velco's gaze sharpened as he stepped closer. "A princess should not wander alone through the marketplace like this. It is not safe."
Amara tilted her chin, her voice firm though soft. "Do not worry yourself, Your Highness. I may be a lady, but I know how to protect myself."
"Oh?" He raised a brow. "Is that so?"
A beat of silence passed between them, broken when Velco leaned in slightly, his tone lowering. "Princess Amara, may I ask you something?"
"Please feel free to ask."
"Yesterday, during breakfast, I heard whispers of a quarrel between Emperor Eyan and the Magic Tower's Master, Luca. Is it true?"
Amara's expression darkened with memory. "Yes. It did happen."
His eyes glimmered with intrigue. "Then tell me… what was the cause of their fight?"
She hesitated, recalling the tense scene. "It began when my father proposed marriage—offering me as bride to His Majesty Eyan. For some reason, Master Luca grew angry. He was strongly against the idea."
Velco's eyes narrowed. "A marriage proposal?"
"Yes." She nodded softly. "But there was something odd."
"What was it?" he pressed.
"Master Luca… he seemed on the verge of revealing a secret. His Majesty's secret. But before he could speak, His Majesty snapped, and that is how their fight broke out."
Velco's gaze sharpened, though his thoughts he kept to himself. So, it is true. They fought… and over a secret at that.
"And the proposal?" he asked aloud. "Did His Majesty accept it?"
Amara's shoulders lowered, sadness flickering across her eyes. "No. He rejected it."
Velco's tone softened with false sympathy. "I am sorry to hear this."
She gave a faint, dignified smile. "Do not be. I am not so hurt. I respect His Majesty's decision."
"Do not worry, Princess," Velco said smoothly, leaning closer. "I am certain you will find someone far better than him."
Amara's lips curved bitterly. "It is impossible. There can be no one greater than His Majesty Eyan."
"You never know," Velco countered. "If you look around, perhaps you will find someone better."
Her eyes met his knowingly. "Your Highness… are you speaking of yourself?"
"Yes," he admitted without hesitation.
Her smile cooled, sharp as glass. "Forgive me, Your Highness. But you could never be His Majesty."
The insult landed like a blade. Velco's fist clenched at his side, his knuckles paling, yet he forced a smile, swallowing the retort that burned on his tongue.
Velco's lips curved faintly, though bitterness still lingered beneath his tone.
"Perhaps you are right… perhaps I could never be him."
Before Amara could respond, her gaze caught on a familiar figure weaving through the bustling crowd. Her eyes widened.
"Eva!" she called out.
Velco turned at once.
There, standing amidst the flow of merchants and townsfolk, was Eva—alone.
Amara hurried to her, catching her hand with an affectionate smile. "What are you doing here?"
Eva blinked, startled by her sudden warmth, and quickly bowed her head. "Your Highness, what are you doing here?"
Amara pressed a finger lightly to her lips. "Be quiet. Do not call my name aloud."
"Oh, I apologize," Eva murmured.
Velco stepped forward, his gaze never leaving her. "It is good to see you again, Lady Eva."
Eva straightened, polite as ever. "Your Highness Prince Velco… you are here too? Were you two perhaps shopping together?"
Amara shook her head quickly. "No. We simply met by coincidence."
"Oh." Eva nodded, accepting the explanation.
"Eva, you are alone?" Amara asked.
Eva smiled softly. "No, Princess. I came with my husband. He went to buy something."
"Oh?" Amara's eyes lit with curiosity. "Your husband. I would very much like to meet him… to see who is the lucky man who won your hand."
Eva's cheeks warmed faintly. "He will be here soon. Please wait a moment."
Moments later, Kyel appeared, weaving through the crowd with a small parcel in his hands. He spoke without looking up.
"Eva, I found your favorite cookies. You should eat some—"
But then his words cut short. His gaze lifted and landed upon the two figures standing beside his wife: Princess Amara Solvarn and Prince Velco Morvalis. His body stilled, his eyes unreadable.
"Oh, Kyel, you are back." Eva rushed to him, her hand slipping into his as though grounding him. "Come here, I want to introduce you to someone."
She pulled him forward, her voice bright with pride. "Kyel, meet Her Highness Princess Amara Solvarn, and His Highness Prince Velco Morvalis."
Kyel inclined his head, his expression composed. "Greetings, Princess Amara. Greetings, Prince Velco."
Amara's lips curved in admiration. "Eva, your husband is quite handsome. You two look wonderful together."
Eva smiled warmly. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Behind her, Velco's voice joined in, smooth yet edged with something sharper. "Truly… you two look great together."
But his eyes were not admiring. They roamed across Kyel, studying him—his posture, his demeanor—until they stopped abruptly at the glint of a silver band on his finger. A wedding ring.
That ring.
Velco's breath stilled. His gaze snapped up, locking with Kyel's.
Their eyes clashed—Kyel's steady and unreadable, Velco's glimmering with dawning recognition.
Inside Velco's head, a single word echoed like thunder.
Eyan.