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(Eva's House – Night)
The knock at the door was sharp and deliberate, slicing through the suffocating silence.
Eva, who had been curled on the floor with tears staining her cheeks, dragged herself up and opened it.
"Eva… are you alright?" Aranel's voice was gentle, concerned.
The moment Eva saw her, she broke—her sobs pouring out as she clung tightly to her dearest friend.
"Aranel…" her voice cracked.
Aranel tightened her arms around her. "Eva, stop crying. Tell me what happened."
Between gasps and tears, Eva poured it all out. When she finished, Aranel's face went white.
"So your husband Kyel is actually Eyan — Eyan Lucien Therald?" Aranel whispered.
Eva nodded, the motion tiny and pained.
"And you're pregnant with his child?" Aranel swallowed.
Eva nodded again.
Aranel's jaw set. "Eva, what are you going to do now?"
"I don't know, Aranel. What can I do?" Eva answered, voice thin.
"How about we go to see him again tomorrow?" Aranel suggested, trying to craft a plan.
"No." Eva's voice cut her off, trembling. "He told me… never to show my face before him again."
Aranel opened her mouth to protest when—
Knock. Knock.
Both women froze.
Aranel frowned. "Eva… were you expecting someone?"
Eva shook her head, confused. "No…"
"Stay here," Aranel said firmly, rising. "I'll open it."
She pulled the door wide—only to freeze. Her body stiffened, her breath caught.
"Eva…" Aranel's voice wavered.
Eva staggered forward and saw who stood there. Her heart sank.
She bowed quickly. "Your Highness… what are you doing here?"
Prince Velco's lips curved into a cold smile. "Lady Eva… may I come inside?"
Aranel stepped in front of him, refusing to move.
Velco's eyes narrowed. "Lady Aranel, I think you don't recognize me. I am Velco, Prince of Dravareth. And yet, you didn't bow."
Aranel's jaw tightened before she dipped into a sharp, angry bow. "There. Happy now?" Her voice was like ice. "Forgive me, Prince. But my friend is in no state for visitors. She needs to be alone."
Velco chuckled. "Oh? Lady Eva… did you go to His Majesty today? Did he tell you the truth?" His gaze burned with mockery. "Do you now trust my words?"
Aranel looked at Eva as though asking a question with her eyes. "Eva, what is he saying?"
Eva answered quietly, "His Highness Prince Velco was the one who told me about Kyel."
Aranel's fists clenched. "He did?"
"Yes," Velco said smoothly, stepping further inside. "I did." He turned to Aranel with a smirk. "And now, Lady Aranel… if you are done playing guard dog, may I come inside?"
Reluctantly, Aranel stepped aside. "Fine. Come in."
"Thank you." Velco brushed past, his boots heavy against the wooden floor.
Aranel shut the door behind him, glaring daggers.
"Now then," Velco said casually, though his eyes glittered dangerously. "Tell me, Lady Eva. What did His Majesty—no, your husband—say to you?"
Eva's voice was faint. "He… he asked for divorce. He told me… he never loved me."
Velco leaned forward. "And what else?"
Eva's eyes flicked to Aranel.
Aranel shook her head, meaning for Eva not to tell him about the child. Eva understood and kept the secret. "And… he said nothing more," she lied.
Velco's brows rose. "That's all?"
"Yes," Eva said, voice thin.
He clicked his tongue. "Disappointing. But then… what are you planning to do next?"
Before Eva could answer, Aranel stepped in firmly. "The Emperor ordered her not to appear before him again. So I'll be leaving Velmoria with Eva as soon as possible."
Velco's smile didn't falter, but his eyes darkened with malice. "Right. If it's the Emperor's command, you don't have a choice."
A heavy silence fell before Velco turned suddenly toward Aranel.
"Lady Aranel… what about the letter?"
Aranel stiffened. "…Letter? What are you talking about, Your Highness?"
Velco's smirk widened into something far more sinister. "You think I don't know? I ordered my spies to watch everyone close to Lady Eva. And according to them… you received a letter. And right after that, you rushed to her, in the dead of night."
Aranel's throat tightened. She refused to meet his eyes.
Velco's voice dropped lower, mocking. "Where is the letter, Lady Aranel?"
"I don't know anything about it."
Velco sighed. "I knew this wouldn't be easy."
In one smooth motion, he drew his sword. The blade gleamed in the faint candlelight—then pressed cold and sharp against Eva's throat.
Eva gasped, frozen.
Aranel's eyes went wide with panic. "Prince—what are you doing!?"
Velco's expression twisted cruelly. "Give me the letter, or I'll slit your dear friend's throat where she stands."
Aranel's hands trembled violently. "O-Okay! I'll give it to you!"
Her shaking fingers reached into her pocket and pulled out the crumpled letter. She held it out. "Here!"
Velco snatched it from her hand. He unfolded the parchment, eyes scanning the single line:
"Go to Eva. She needs you now more than ever."
His lips curved. "How touching." His gaze flicked up at Aranel. "Tell me, Lady Aranel. Who do you think sent this?"
"I… I don't know…"
Velco's smirk deepened. He turned to Eva, shoving the letter toward her. "Lady Eva. Read it. Whose writing is this?"
Eva's eyes widened as she recognized the familiar hand.
Velco's voice dripped with satisfaction. "You recognize it, don't you? How could you not? It's your husband's writing."
Eva's lips parted, but no sound came.
"I knew it," Velco said darkly, pressing the blade harder against her throat. "The Emperor does care for you." His eyes gleamed with cruelty. "And that makes you the key… the key to unleashing the Dragon King."
Aranel gasped. "What do you mea—"
Velco turned the blade sharply toward her, silencing her with its gleam.
"Enough." His voice was cold steel. "Both of you are coming with me. Now."
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper.
"And if either of you refuses… I'll paint these floors red with your blood."
The two women froze, terror locking their throats, as the cruel smile on Velco's face promised he meant every word.