The heavy doors slammed open.
Luca stormed inside, his jaw clenched and rage darkening his eyes.
"Damn it!" he cursed, punching the table hard enough to rattle the ink jar sitting on top.
Leo, who had been quietly sitting by the window, flinched.
"Uncle, what happened?"
Luca's breath came sharp and uneven. "I failed to kill him."
Leo's eyes widened in shock. "What—why?"
Luca ran a trembling hand through his hair, pacing in agitation. "Eyan stopped me. He said he wanted to talk to that man."
The color drained from Leo's face. "What now... Father will find out about me!"
Luca slammed his fist into the wall—crack—leaving a shallow dent in the stone.
"Damn it!" he hissed through his teeth, panic and anger twisting his tone.
---
A soft voice came from behind.
"Brother?"
Luca froze. Slowly, he turned around to see Eva standing by the doorway, her expression filled with confusion and worry.
"What happened? Why are you angry? And that man... you took care of him, right?" she asked, stepping forward.
"Sister, I—" Luca began, but the sound of measured footsteps interrupted him.
"Eva."
That voice. Calm. Low. And commanding.
Luca and Leo froze where they stood.
Eva turned slowly, her heart skipping a beat.
"Eyan..." she breathed.
Both Luca and Leo tried to mask their panic, avoiding Eyan's gaze.
But then—drip... drip...
Eva's eyes caught the faint trail of blood sliding down from Eyan's palm, crimson against his pale skin. Her breath hitched.
"Eyan!" she gasped, rushing to him. She took his injured hand without hesitation, her fingers trembling as she saw the deep cut.
"What happened to your hand?!"
Without thinking, she tore the hem of her dress and began wrapping it tightly around his wound. Her breath was quick, her voice desperate.
Luca swallowed hard, forcing out words. "Eyan... you were with that man. What happened there? Why is your hand bleeding?"
Eva's hands froze. Her grip trembled. The air thickened.
Eyan's sharp eyes softened as he caught her fear.
"Oh, this?" he said gently, forcing a faint smile. "I got this cut from my sword... when I killed that man."
Eva's head snapped up. "You... killed him?"
Eyan nodded once. "Yes."
Her lips parted. "Did he tell you... anything before that?" she asked, her voice faltering. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around his hand.
Eyan looked down at her, then back at Luca. "I didn't ask him anything."
Luca frowned. "But... didn't you say you wanted to question him?"
A tense silence filled the room.
Eyan turned toward him, his tone composed yet cold.
"After you left, I thought about what you said to me." He paused. "There was no need for me to hear whatever he had to say."
He glanced at Eva, his voice dropping lower.
"He kidnapped a child. He tried to harm Eva. So, I killed him before he could open his mouth."
Eyan looked at Eva, their eyes met.
So don't be afraid, he thought.
Eva finally exhaled, her shoulders easing. Luca and Leo both released the breath they'd been holding.
But when Eva looked back at his hand, blood still seeped through the torn fabric.
"Why isn't it stopping... Eyan, are you in pain?" she asked, her voice breaking.
He smiled faintly. "No."
"Brother's healing magic won't work on you... then call your wolves. They can heal you—"
"How did you know that?" Eyan's eyes narrowed.
Eva froze. Her throat went dry.
Her gaze darted up to his eyes, and she faltered, unable to speak.
Leo, standing behind Luca, quickly turned away and covered his face.
Before Eyan could take a step forward, Luca cut in—fast.
"I told her that!"
Eyan's eyes shifted to him. "You did?"
"Yes," Luca said quickly, his tone almost pleading. "Right, sister-in-law?"
Eva nodded too fast. "Yes! He... he told me."
Eyan: "Oh."
Then, Eyan raised his hand — and in a soft shimmer of dark light, his wolf, Talon, appeared.
The great black wolf padded forward, his fur gleaming like midnight.
Eyan sat down on one knee and showed his wounded hand to him.
Talon lowered his head, sniffed the wound, and licked it once.
The air shimmered faintly — and the deep cut began to heal instantly, the blood fading as if it had never been there.
Eva, wide-eyed, sat down beside Eyan.
"Wow..." she whispered, leaning closer.
She took Eyan's hand and turned it over, scanning it in awe.
"Amazing... It's completely healed!"
Eyan's eyes softened as he watched her excitement — her eyes glowing like a child seeing magic for the first time.
Then Eva looked at Talon. The huge wolf stood calmly beside them, his golden eyes watching her.
She reached her hand out slowly... but stopped halfway, hesitating.
Without a word, Eyan gently took her hand and guided it toward Talon.
"Don't be afraid," he said quietly.
Eva smiled, her fingers brushing through Talon's thick fur. The wolf's warmth surprised her — soft, steady, and alive.
She laughed softly, "He's... so gentle."
But beside Eva, someone else was watching with shining eyes — Leo.
He stared at Talon, utterly captivated.
Eyan caught the look.
"Leo, do you want to touch him too?"
Leo quickly shook his head, shyly. "N-no."
Eyan's voice was calm but encouraging. "Don't be shy. You can touch him."
He looked at Talon. "Go to him."
Talon nodded once and walked over to Leo.
"Try touching him," Eyan said softly.
Leo hesitated — he hid his right hand behind him, the one with the cracked finger.
He didn't want Eva to see it.
"Leo, what's wrong? Touch him," Eva said, smiling.
Leo bit his lip but didn't move.
Then, to everyone's surprise, Talon circled behind Leo — and suddenly licked the cracked finger.
Leo gasped, eyes wide.
He looked down — the pain was gone.
His finger was perfectly healed.
(Leo's thoughts) It's... healed?
Luca's eyes widened too, noticing.
Eva tilted her head. "Leo, why aren't you touching him?"
Leo quickly looked up, forcing a small smile. "I'm just... afraid. He's so big."
Eyan walked over and sat beside him.
Without a word, he gently took Leo's small hand and placed it on Talon's head.
Leo blinked — then patted Talon slowly.
The wolf wagged his tail, eyes half-closed in happiness.
Eyan smiled slightly. "He likes you."
Leo couldn't help but smile too. But before anyone could stop him — Talon jumped forward and started licking Leo's face over and over!
"Ah!— Hey!" Leo stumbled backward, falling to the ground as the huge wolf covered him in slobber.
"Talon! Stop licking him!" Eyan ordered.
Talon froze, ears flattening. Then, ashamed, he hid behind Eyan's legs.
Eyan sighed and reached down, lifting Leo up from the floor.
"Are you alright?"
Leo blinked, his face completely covered in saliva, hair sticking out wildly.
"Do I look alright to you?!" he snapped.
Eva shouted. "Leo! Don't talk to His Majesty like that!"
Eyan raised a hand calmly. "It's alright, Eva. Don't shout at him."
"But—"
Eyan turned back to Leo and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I apologize. Talon just got too excited."
Leo gently moved Eyan's hand away, avoiding his eyes.
"It's okay," he muttered quietly.
Eyan nodded, then said, "Eva, give him a bath and change his clothes."
"Okay," Eva replied.
But Leo panicked immediately. "No! Your Grace, you can't give me a bath!"
Eva blinked, confused. "Why? Is something wrong?"
Leo blushed hard, looking down.
"Because I've grown up now! How can you give me a bath?"
Eva burst into laughter.
She patted his head affectionately. "Oh, so you're shy?"
Leo nodded, cheeks still red. "Yes."
Eyan: "Then I'll give you a bath."
The room went completely silent.
Eva, Leo, and Luca all froze on the spot.
Leo blinked in disbelief. "Y-you?"
Eyan nodded casually. "Yes."
Then with a straight face, he added, "Let's take a bath together."
Leo looked stunned.
Before he could respond, Luca jumped in enthusiastically.
"Of course! Let's do it! I'll join in too!"
Eyan raised an eyebrow, half amused. "You want to join too?"
Luca, trying to sound serious, nodded. "Yes… I want to."
Eyan sighed quietly. "Fine."
Luca grinned and turned to Leo. "Leo, let's take a bath together!"
Leo looked down shyly, fidgeting with his hands. "O-okay..."