Eyan paced back and forth across his chamber, his thoughts tangled with unease. His hands were clenched, and the faint echo of Lady Aranel's hesitant voice kept ringing in his mind.
— "Lady Aranel, I just want to know if she's all right."
Aranel had paused, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
"She's... fine."—
Eyan's brows knitted.
"Why did she hesitate?" he muttered under his breath. "I don't feel good about this... something isn't right."
He took a deep breath. "I need to see her. No matter what."
Moments later, he stood before Eva's chamber. The door remained tightly closed, silent as stone.
He pressed his palm against the wall, peeking toward the entrance. "Still closed," he whispered with a sigh. "Let's try again."
Straightening his posture, he walked forward and knocked gently.
Knock. Knock.
"Who is it?" came Lady Aranel's voice from inside.
"It's me," Eyan answered. "Open the door."
The door creaked open just enough for Aranel to slip out, shutting it quickly behind her. She bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, how can I help you?"
"Lady Aranel," Eyan said quietly, struggling to hide the strain in his tone, "let me go inside."
Her expression tightened. "No, Your Majesty. I already told you — you can't go in."
"It won't take long," Eyan insisted. "Just a few minutes... then I'll leave after seeing her face."
Aranel shook her head. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I can't allow that."
Eyan's voice wavered, anxious and uncertain. "Lady Aranel Is she... angry with me? Did I do something wrong?"
He lowered his gaze. "Is that why she doesn't want to see my face?"
Silence.
Eyan's throat tightened. "If she's angry, then tell her I'm here to apologize for whatever I've done. Please...just let me in. I'm begging you."
Aranel looked down, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Your Majesty, she's not angry with you.... but if you keep insisting to see her, she might start to hate you. Can you bear that hatred?"
Eyan's lips parted, but no words came out. Finally, he shook his head. "No..."
"Then, Your Majesty," Aranel said softly, "please... leave."
Eyan stood there, defeated. After a long silence, he finally turned away, casting one last look at Eva's door before walking off.
But as he stepped into the corridor, he paused and glanced toward the window outside her chamber. The moonlight spilled against the glass, drawing him closer.
"I guess I have no choice," he whispered to himself, a faint, reckless smile tugging at his lips.
"I'll climb to her room through the window."
----
(Outside Eva's Chamber — Night)
The night air was still, cool against Eyan's skin as he stood beneath the balcony of Eva's room. The curtains inside were drawn.
Eyan looked up, his jaw set. "I guess I have no choice," he muttered.
He pulled off his gloves slowly, flexing his hands as though preparing for battle, and placed one boot on the stone wall. Just as he reached for the ledge, a sudden voice murmured near his ear—
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
Eyan jolted, nearly losing his balance. His hand flew to his chest. "By the gods—Luca! You startled me."
Luca folded his arms, smirking. "You didn't even sense me approach. This is the first time I've seen you get startled."
"I was... thinking about something else," Eyan muttered, trying to compose himself.
"Oh, I can see that," Luca said, tilting his head. "Mind telling me what exactly you're doing out here?"
Eyan glanced up at the window again. "Can't you tell?"
Luca's eyes widened slightly. "Don't tell me you're planning to climb into your wife's room through the window."
Eyan's lips curved faintly. "You got it right. Lady Aranel won't let me in through the door, so... I have no other choice, i want to see Eva."
"Eyan," Luca sighed, "even if you get inside, Lady Aranel's in there. Do you think she'll just let you stay and chat with your wife?"
"I'll handle her... somehow," Eyan replied, determination glinting in his eyes.
Luca gave a half-smile, shaking his head. "I knew nothing could stop you once you've decided something."
"Don't worry about lady aranel," Luca said, his grin turning mischievous. "I already have a plan for that."
Eyan frowned. "What plan?"
Luca only pointed toward the window. "You'll hear it soon enough."
---
(Outside Eva's Room — Moments Later)
Knock. Knock.
Aranel's muffled voice came from inside. "Who is it?"
"It's me, Leo," came the boy's soft reply. "Lady Aranel, I need your help."
Aranel quickly opened the door, her expression softening. "What happened, Leo?"
Leo lifted his hand, showing a small cut on his finger. "I got hurt... I need your help."
Aranel's face filled with worry. "Oh no, how did you get hurt?"
Leo pouted slightly. "I was playing and fell. It hurts."
"Poor thing," Aranel said, bending down to inspect it. "Come, let's go to the physician."
Leo nodded, his eyes flicking toward Eva's closed door for a brief moment. "Okay."
As Aranel took his hand and led him away down the hall, Leo looked back once more.
A small, knowing smile tugged at his lips. "Good luck, Father," he whispered, before disappearing down the corridor with her.
---
(Outside Eva's Chamber — Window Side)
Eyan tilted his head. "That was Leo's voice."
"Indeed," Luca grinned. "Our little distraction worked perfectly. Now it's your turn."
Eyan smiled faintly. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," Luca chuckled. "Just make sure you don't fall."
Eyan began to climb, his boots pressing against the wall as he reached upward—but a sudden shout shattered the silence.
"HEY! Who goes there?!"
Eyan froze mid-climb. Luca's eyes widened.
A knight ran toward them, holding up a lantern. "Who's climbing up to the Queen's room?! Get down, you fool—"
The light caught Eyan's face.
The knight went pale and immediately bowed low. "Y-Your Majesty! Forgive me! I didn't know it was you!"
"I—I thought someone was breaking into the Queen's room!"
Eyan sighed, hanging halfway up the wall. "It's fine... don't worry."
The knight frowned in confusion. "Your Majesty… what are you doing up there?"
Before Eyan could speak, Luca crossed his arms, grinning. "Trying to see his wife."
The knight's eyes widened. "Her Grace?"
"Exactly," Luca nodded solemnly.
The knight looked utterly lost. "But, Your Majesty, why are you climbing to Her Grace's chamber through the window? You could simply… use the door."
Luca chuckled. "He can't. His Majesty's been banned from the Queen's room."
"LUCA, shut up," Eyan snapped, glaring down at him.
The knight's jaw dropped, torn between shock and panic. "E-entry… banned?!"
Eyan groaned, rubbing his temple. "You heard nothing. Go back to your post."
The knight straightened so fast his armor clanked. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty!" He bowed and nearly tripped as he rushed away.
Eyan looked up at the window, muttering under his breath, "I can't believe I'm sneaking into my own wife's room like some thief."
Luca couldn't hold back his laughter. "Pfffff."
Eyan shot him a deadly look. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Luca said between laughs. "Just… hurry up before someone else sees you."
Eyan carefully climbed up the wall, his hands gripping the ledge tightly.
He reached the window and peered inside. Relief washed over him—the window was open.
He eased himself through the frame, landing silently inside the room. His eyes adjusted slowly to the darkness.
The room was dim, shadows stretching across the walls, and everything felt still. Eyan whispered softly to himself, heart racing, "It's dark… but she's here somewhere."
He paused for a moment, listening for any sound, straining his ears to catch even the faintest movement. Every heartbeat thundered in his chest as he took a cautious step forward.
-----