"The weight of the crown was nothing compared to the weight of the ring in his hand—the bond he was about to sever with his own trembling fingers."
----
(The next day)
The corridors of Velmoria's Royal Palace felt colder than usual. Eva stood frozen before the grand doors of Eyan's office, her heart hammering against her chest. Her hand trembled, unable to knock.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
"Lady Eva," Hans said, blinking at her. "What are you doing here?"
Eva's breath caught. "I—nothing."
Hans's gaze softened. "Are you here to see His Majesty?"
Silence pressed between them. Eva lowered her head.
"Lady Eva?" he pressed gently.
Her lips finally moved. "Is… Eyan inside?"
"Yes," Hans nodded. "His Majesty is inside. Please, come in."
Her legs felt heavy as she stepped inside. The room was dim, the air weighed down by the scent of parchment and ink. Eyan sat at his desk with his back facing her.
Hans bowed. "Your Majesty, Lady Eva has come to see you."
Eyan turned slightly, a smile curling his lips. "Eva… what brings you here?"
She couldn't meet his eyes. Her throat was dry. "I—I…" The words choked inside her.
Eyan's gaze shifted. "Hans, leave us. And don't let anyone in unless I say so."
"As you wish, Your Majesty." Hans bowed and stepped out, leaving only silence behind.
Eyan leaned back, his voice steady, commanding. "Now speak. What do you want to say?"
Eva's lips quivered. No sound came.
"Do you think I have endless time to waste watching you stand there mute?" His irritation seeped through his voice.
Eva lowered her head, her fingers twisting together.
"Eva," he barked, "speak."
Her chest ached as the words finally escaped. "…Are you Kyel?"
The faint smile curved deeper, but it wasn't warm—it was cruel. "Looks like you found out."
He exhaled, almost in relief. "Finally. Now I don't have to play this tedious game anymore."
Her eyes widened. "What?"
"That's right," he leaned close, voice low and mocking, "I am Kyel… Princess."
Eva staggered back. "I don't believe it, you are not my kyel."
"I'm not kyel?" He leaned closer, his tone turning cruel. "Then how do I know about the mole… just below your right shoulder blade, a place only your husband kyel would see?"
Eva's eyes widened, her heart thundering. He was telling the truth. Her lips trembled. "Why… why did you lie to me, Eyan?"
"Your Majesty," he snapped, his voice echoing like thunder.
She flinched. "W-what?"
"You are not allowed to call me by name," he growled. "Know your place."
"Call me what I am. Your Majesty."
Her voice shook. "Kyel… why are you speaking to me like this? Don't worry, I'm not angry. I know—you must have had a reason. If you explain, I'll underst—"
"No," he cut her coldly. "There was no reason."
Her lips trembled. "What?"
"I lied because I wanted to," he said flatly. "I had no reason. And I owe you no explanation."
"But… I'm your wife—"
"No," his voice cracked like a whip. "You are not my wife. You're just a woman I shared my bed with."
Her tears spilled.
"And now that you know the truth," he said, pulling out a parchment from his drawer, "I want to end it here."
He shoved the papers into her hands. "Sign this."
Her fingers shook. "What… is this?"
"Divorce papers."
Her breath faltered. "D-divorce…?"
"Yes," he sneered. "I've already signed. All that's left is your signature."
"Once you sign, we're done."
Her tears streamed down her face. "How can you do this to me? You said you loved me. You swore you'd protect me."
"It was all a lie," Eyan said mercilessly. He leaned in until their eyes locked. "I—Eyan Lucien Therald—never loved you. Not once."
Her heart shattered. "You… never did?"
"No." His voice was ice. "Eva, you're naive. Do you think I would have lied to you if I loved you? I am the king of this empire. And you—"
He leaned close to her ear, his voice cruel. "You are nothing but a filthy commoner."
Her knees weakened.
"You thought you'd forgive me, and I'd welcome you back as my wife?" He laughed bitterly. "Don't dream."
His back turned on her like a blade.
Her voice cracked. "What about… our child?"
He froze.
Tears blurred her sight. "Don't tell me… you don't care about our child, too."
He turned, his face unreadable. "No. I don't."
Her world collapsed. She rushed forward, seizing his collar with trembling hands. "What did you just say?"
"Why so angry, Eva?" he sneered. "You were the one who wanted a child. I never did. But I gave you one. Isn't that enough?"
"What do you want me to do…" she sobbed.
"Now sign the divorce papers," he said, forcing the words out through a throat that burned. His voice was cold, sharp—every syllable cutting him deeper than it cut her. "Take the child with you and get out of Velmoria. And never show me that face of yours again."
The papers shook in Eva's hands. Her eyes—red and glistening—lifted to meet his. "No… I won't."
The defiance in her voice nearly broke him. For an instant, he wanted to throw everything aside, to gather her into his arms and beg her to forgive him. But if he faltered now—if he let her stay—she and their unborn child would be destroyed in the storm to come.
His jaw tightened. "I knew women like you were nothing but a burden," he spat.
He yanked open a drawer, seized a heavy pouch of gold, and flung it at her feet. Coins spilled across the marble, glittering cruelly in the firelight. "There. Take it. Live as you wish. That's all you'll get from me."
Her hands clenched into fists. The sound of her muffled sobs filled the space.
Eyan leaned close, his breath brushing against her ear as he whispered his final blow. "One more thing… I don't care where you go from here. But remember this—if you ever tell anyone that this child is mine… if you dare to ruin my name, I won't go easy on you. I'll make you pay. Do you understand?"
Eva shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "Kyel…" she whispered, her voice breaking like glass.
That name nearly destroyed him. His chest tightened until he could hardly breathe. He jerked back and bellowed, "Guards!"
The heavy door opened at once. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Take her out of this room and throw her out of the palace," Eyan ordered, his voice ice. "And let everyone know she cannot step inside the royal palace without my permission."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The guards stepped forward, their armored hands gripping Eva's arms. She resisted, screaming, "Eyan! Listen to me! Please don't do this to me!"
Her cries cut into him like daggers, but he forced his face to remain stone. The guards dragged her away as her voice echoed down the halls, her last desperate cry ringing like a curse in his ears—
"Kyel!"
The door slammed shut behind her.
And then—silence.
Eyan stood frozen, his hand still pressed against the wooden door. His whole body trembled, his knees weak beneath him. Slowly, his head bowed until his forehead rested against the door, and the mask he had worn shattered.
And then the tears began to fall—hot, relentless, uncontainable.
"I'm sorry, Eva… I'm sorry…" he choked, his voice breaking into sobs. "I didn't have a choice. If I kept you here, if I let you stay by my side, I would destroy you… I would destroy our child…"
His sobs echoed through the empty office. He pressed a trembling hand to his chest, as if trying to hold the pieces of his heart together.
"My child…" His voice cracked, hollow with grief. "I won't see your face. I won't hear your cry. You'll grow believing your father abandoned you. You'll never know… never know that I loved you more than life itself."
"I am the king of Velmoria," he whispered bitterly. "But even I am powerless against fate."
And there, alone in the darkness, he wept—mourning a bond he had severed with his own hands, and a love he could never claim again.