Steam filled the bathing room, curling around the air like mist.
Eyan, sleeves rolled up, looked every bit too serious for a bath.
Beside him, Luca stood with his pants rolled up to the knees, looking way too eager.
"Leo, get in the tub," Luca said, clapping his hands once.
With a grumble, Leo climbed in, splashing a little.
Eyan knelt beside the tub, testing the water with his hand.
"Is the water alright? It's not too hot, right?"
Leo sighed. "It's fine."
"Good." Eyan nodded. "Then let me rub your back."
Leo turned sharply. "I can do it myself!"
Eyan frowned. "You'll miss the spot. Let me do it instead."
Leo hesitated, cheeks flushing. "Fine... do it."
Eyan held out a hand. "Luca, give me the scrub."
Luca obediently passed it. "Here."
Eyan started rubbing Leo's back—
A little too hard.
"Ahhh!" Leo screamed, jumping in the tub.
"What are you doing?!"
Eyan froze, eyes wide. "I'm sorry! Did I rub it too roughly?"
"What else?!" Leo barked back, glaring over his shoulder.
Luca burst out laughing. "Eyan, you're terrible at this!"
Eyan glared. "You think you can do better?"
Luca rolled up his sleeves higher. "Of course! Let me show you how it's done. Give me that."
Eyan handed him the scrub, crossing his arms. "Fine. Show me."
"Watch and learn, Your Majesty," Luca said proudly, leaning over.
He started scrubbing—
"AHHHHH! STOP! YOU'RE WORSE THAN HIM!" Leo screamed, splashing everywhere.
"My back!" Leo cried, almost in tears.
Eyan rushed closer. "Are you alright?!"
Luca panicked. "I'm sorry! I've never bathed a kid before!"
Eyan blinked. "I didn't either!"
Both men looked at Leo, who was now glaring at them like a drenched cat.
Luca whispered, "Let's try one more time—"
"STOP!" Leo shouted, pointing dramatically.
Eyan and Luca froze mid-motion.
"OUT!"
"What?" both said in unison.
Leo's face went red with rage. "Both of you — GET OUT NOW!"
Leo shoved both Eyan and Luca out of the bathroom with all the strength his small arms could gather.
SLAM! The door shut so hard that a few droplets from the bathwater jumped from the tub.
Eyan blinked, still holding the wet towel in one hand. "Did… he just throw us out?"
Luca, looking unbothered despite his soaked pants, sighed. "He did. And quite effectively, might I add."
Inside the bathroom—
Leo stood in front of the tub, glaring at the steaming water as if it had betrayed him. His back stung.
Leo (thinking): Idiots. The both of them. Complete Idiots.
He dipped a hand into the water, testing the temperature, then groaned under his breath.
Leo (muttering): "Who scrubs someone like they're polishing armor? My back's going to peel off…"
---
The study was quiet—too quiet. The sound of quill against parchment echoed faintly before falling into the hush of the late hour.
Eyan leaned back in his chair, exhaling a long, weary sigh. His eyes drifted toward the flickering candlelight, soft gold painting shadows across his desk.
"He hates me now," he muttered, resting his head against his hand. "I can't even give him a proper bath without him yelling at me."
A faint, tired chuckle escaped his lips, but it lacked warmth.
He rubbed his temple. "It's… hard to take care of a child." His gaze softened for a moment.
He sighed again, sinking deeper into his chair. The night air pressed in, heavy with silence—until a gentle knock broke through it.
Knock, knock.
Eyan straightened quickly, grabbing his pen as if he'd been working the entire time. "Come in," he said, trying to sound casual.
The door opened, revealing Eva in a soft nightgown, her hair slightly tousled from the hour. She stepped in quietly, candle in hand.
"Eyan, what are you doing?" she asked softly. "It's late already."
"Nothing," he replied without looking up. "Just some leftover work."
"Oh." Her voice was small, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity.
He finally lifted his eyes from the desk. "You're still awake? And what about Leo—where is he?"
Eva smiled faintly. "He's sleeping."
Eyan nodded. "Good."
There was a brief silence. Then—
"Eyan, when will you finish your work?" she asked, twirling a strand of hair nervously.
"Why?" he asked without glancing up.
Eva hesitated. "Just asking."
He continued writing for a moment longer. "I still have a lot to do."
"You look tired," she murmured, stepping closer. "You can do it tomorrow."
Eyan shook his head slightly, still focused on the work. "I am tired, but it's important."
Eva pouted, her lips pressing into a small line. "Oh…"
She glanced down, then leaned closer, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I was thinking… if you wanted to do… 'it'… but if you're tired then it's fine."
Eyan's head snapped up so fast it startled her. "What did you just say?"
Eva's blush deepened, heat rushing to her ears.
Eyan's expression softened, a slow, happy smile spreading across his face. "Say that again."
She swallowed, voice trembling slightly. "I mean… we haven't done that since our wedding night, so I thought—" She paused, biting her lip. "You are tired, forget it."
She turned to leave, cheeks burning, heart racing.
Eyan rose from his chair and closed the distance between them in two long strides. His hands went around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.
"I'm not tired," he murmured, his lips close to her ear, voice low and teasing. "For —'that'—I'm always ready."
Eva's breath hitched. "What about work? It's important, right?"
Eyan tilted her chin up with a finger, his smile warm, eyes shining. "Not as important as my Queen."
Eva's blush deepened, but a soft smile curved her lips. "Then… let's go to our bedroom."
Eyan's grin widened, filled with quiet joy. "Let's go."
Without another word, he guided her toward the door, hearts pounding in tandem, leaving the unfinished work behind.
---
Eyan guided Eva into their bedroom, closing the door behind them with a soft click that echoed through the quiet room.
Eva stepped backward, instinctively putting some distance between them, but Eyan's calm presence followed, slowly closing the space.
Before she could react, he gently laid her down on the bed, then settled beside her.
A small, nervous smile played on both their lips. The air felt heavy with unspoken anticipation.
Eva's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Give me a kiss."
Eyan's thumb brushed softly over her lips, a tender, deliberate gesture. His gaze softened as he leaned closer.
Their eyes closed instinctively. Heartbeats quickened. Lips hovered mere inches apart.
And then—
STOP—
Both of their eyes snapped open.
Eva froze. Her heart slammed against her ribcage.
"Leo!" she gasped, her voice trembling.
"I'm here…"
Eva's hands shot out instinctively, pushing Eyan away. He stumbled back, nearly tripping over the edge of the bed.
Frantically, Eva adjusted her gown. "Leo! Where are you? Come out!"
Slowly, Leo crawled from under the bed, avoiding their eyes entirely.
Eva, leaned toward Leo, worry and embarrassment mixing on her flushed face. "Leo, what are you doing under the bed? You were supposed to be sleeping!"
Leo looked up at her, small shoulders trembling.
"I couldn't… I couldn't sleep because of the pain…"
Eva's heart clenched. "Pain?"
"My back… it hurts.."
Eva's hands flew to his shirt, lifting it gently. Her eyes widened in shock. Red marks streaked across his back.
"Leo… what happened to your back?" she whispered, voice breaking.
"Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?"
"How did this happen?"
Leo's gaze dropped to the floor, silent.
Eyan stepped forward, guilt written across his face.
"It's my fault. He's hurt because of me."
Eva looked up, confused. "What?"
Eyan's voice was low, almost choked with guilt.
"I rubbed his back too roughly during the bath…"
"I'm sorry, Leo."
Leo shook his head faintly. "Don't apologize."
Eva's hands trembled, panic flashing in her eyes.
"What do I do now?"
Eyan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Eva… don't worry. I'll go fetch the royal physician immediately."
Eva nodded, though her chest heaved with worry. "Okay…"
Eyan rose, leaving the room quietly. The soft click of the door made the sudden emptiness even heavier.
As soon as he left, Eva's tears began to fall freely.
"Why are you crying" Leo's small voice trembled, concerned.
Eva knelt beside him, brushing damp hair from his forehead, her voice breaking.
"How can I not cry… you're hurt, Leo… Why did you hide it from me?"
Leo looked down, his voice soft.
"Because… I knew you would cry…"
Her sobs grew stronger, and Leo lifted a tiny hand to wipe her tears away.
"Don't cry, Mother… please. It hurts me to see you cry."
Eva took a shaky breath, nodding against his touch.
"Okay… I won't…"
Outside the door, Eyan paused, listening to their quiet exchange. His chest tightened, and something warm and unfamiliar spread through him.
"…Mother," Eyan whispered softly.
It was the first time Eyan had heard Leo calling Eva Mother. The word hung in the air, gentle and full of trust, and for the first time, Eyan felt the full weight of the bond between them.
With a quiet exhale, Eyan turned and walked down the hallway to fetch the royal physician, his fists clenched at his sides, heart heavy yet resolute.
---